INTRODUCTION
Part 3. Method and Framework of the Book
Method and framework.
The subjects dealt with in this book are so closely interwoven that it is not possible to separate them—which would also not be in accordance with the underlying principles of traditional psychology, which stress the interrelation of things.
In view of the nature of the subjects dealt with it is impossible to produce all the evidence in one place. For some subjects it will appear little by little.
If the reader initially finds some of the subjects difficult to understand, he could well defer their study until their detailed amplification and connection with the other subjects makes them clear.
The right understanding of traditional truths requires an emotional and intellectual re-orientation, and a spiritual turning about, which cannot but evoke in some cases an inner resistance, for the mind is conservatively inclined, if that suits its purposes.
Each section of the book is to some extent an introduction to the next and likewise each Book to the following one.
The beginning of the first Book includes observations, statements and notes which introduce the subjects to follow. Before the meaning of traditions can unfold, the keys to the meaning must be given. The keys by themselves have only the potential value of promises. They obtain their true value only when they are used for the opening up of the symbolic meaning. Therefore the subject matter will only begin to live, penetrate and inspire to its full measure when the introductory generalizations give place to detailed exposition.
Form of expression.
The work has been written in the vain of “thus it is”, because it reflects the outlook and teachings of the psychological traditions of humanity, and not any personal theory.
The assertion that “it is thus” does not imply that the statements made or the symbols referred to express absolute truths. There is only one Absolute Truth, and that lies beyond the reach of words. The “thus it is” should be taken in the sense of “thus it is according to the fundamental traditions of man” and “thus it becomes understandable and realizable”. The great traditions of old aimed at liberating men from their limitations and should never be taken to be, and made to degenerate into, systems for narrowing the mind to make it fit into a scheme from which there is no escape. For escape from limitations is the very aim of Tradition.
The subject is not particularly difficult.
It may give a first impression that an unusual share of intelligence is needed for understanding the work. This is not at all the case. The material has as simple an expression as the subject permits and technical terms have been avoided as much as possible.
Furthermore the reader can take courage from the fact that if he studies a modern textbook, he must acquire and learn a large amount of what he reads, because it is new to him, but if he studies traditional psychology, he need but re-learn or remember, what is actually in its basic form in his own possession ⎼ for traditional psychology is hidden within his own unconscious, as he will presently discover for himself. Traditional psychology is meant for everyone and only ordinary intelligence is required for profiting from its more fundamental teachings. Needed are intuition and common sense, which many people have who are not well read and have not received much instruction.
Supplement and Diagrams.
It will be necessary to refer regularly to the Diagrams contained in a separate folder, the Supplement. Diagrams 1, 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 are dealt with in Volume I (The Book of Signs). Diagrams 3, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a, 9b, 9c and 10 in Volume II (The Book of Battles), and Diagrams 11, 12, 13 and 14 in Volume III (The Book of Stars). Some of the Diagrams are referred to continually, sometimes even before they are dealt with and also after.
A note on how the work came to be written, recognitions and a list of literature are added. Ancient sources are mentioned in brackets in the text. Recognitions of recent sources have been avoided in the text, first of all to keep modern and personal associations out of mind while reading, and secondly for simplicity’s sake and not to break the train of thoughts by reference to footnotes. The use (and misuse!) of footnotes is a practice that started fairly recently. The quoting of references in footnotes, moreover, is no guarantee for the strict scientific treatment of material.
The Supplement contains a note on etymology, transliteration, and the pronunciation of Sanskrit words. An Index is added at the end of Volume III: The Book of Stars.
