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cosmology

Infinite Cosmos

The doctrine of the universe as boundless and without center or circumference, populated by innumerable worlds — Bruno's rejection of the closed Aristotelian sphere; the divine and the cosmos as ontologically infinite.

135 passages · 12 traditions
western_esoteric: 65 passageswestern_esoteric65renaissance_hermeticism: 28 passagesrenaissance_hermeticism28neoplatonism: 10 passagesneoplatonism10gnosticism: 9 passagesgnosticism9christian_mysticism: 6 passageschristian_mysticism6taoism: 5 passagestaoism5buddhism: 4 passagesbuddhism4greek_mystery: 2 passagesgreek_mystery2hermeticism: 2 passageshermeticism2jewish_mysticism: 2 passagesjewish_mysticism2finnic: 1 passagefinnic1platonism: 1 passageplatonism1
western_esoteric65
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Introductionr
This is a legitimate method of for to those able to realize the sacred significance of the threefold head a great mystery is revealed. However, in the presence of such applications of symbology in Christian art, it is scarcely proper to co…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Conclusiong
Worshiping the sun, moon, and stars, and offering sacrifices to the winds, the primitive savage sought with crude fetishes to propitiate his unknown gods. He dwelt in a world filled with wonders which he did not understand. Now great citi…”
Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky) | Page 4 (part 4)
These people of the fourth dimension are in the world but not of it: their range is far wider than this slum of space. In them dormant faculties are alert. Like birds of the air, their fitting symbol, they are at home in realms which othe…”
Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky) | Chapter II (part 1)
p. 23 CHAPTER II A new view of the Kantian problem. The books of Hinton. The "space-sense" and its evolution. A system for the development of a sense of the fourth dimension by exercises with colored cubes. The geometrical conception o…”
Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky) | Chapter II (part 2)
By a remarkable analysis the great geometers above mentioned have shown that space is not limited as ordinary experience would seem to inform us, but that we are quite capable of conceiving different kinds of space. ( A New Era of Thought…”
Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky) | Chapter II (part 3)
The thought of past ages has used the conception of a three-dimensional space, and by that means has classified many phenomena and has obtained rules for dealing with matters of great practical utility. The path which opens immediately bef…”
Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky) | Chapter II (part 4)
But it can be measured in only three directions independent of one another—in length, breadth, and height; these directions we call the dimensions of space, and we say that our space has three dimensions: it is three-dimensional. By indepe…”
Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky) | Chapter II (part 5)
But if I should prove that a house, i.e., a physical fact, may exist, it does not at all mean that it exists really. If I prove that a man may own the house it is no proof that he owns it. Our relation to an idea and to a house are quite…”
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renaissance_hermeticism28
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTIONb
The Waldensians, who had lately been driven out of Piedmont, and had sought a shelter in the Calabrian territory, were hunted down and given over to the executioner. The convent was the only refuge from violence, and Bruno, either from rel…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Second Dialogueb
On the contrary, I mean that there is in these another species of foolishness and a worse. Cic. Who, then, is wise, if foolish is he who is content, and foolish he who is sad? Tans. He who is neither merry nor sad. Cic. Who? He who s…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Fifth Dialoguej
So also is the hemisphere of this earth ever equally irradiated, although from the watery surfaces she from time to time sends her splendours unequally to the moon,—which like innumerable other stars we consider as another earth—in the same…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori) | First Dialogued
You see, Cesarino, how this enthusiast is justified in his anger against those who reproach him with being in captivity to a low beauty, to which he dedicates his vows, and attributes these forms, so that he is deaf to those voices which ca…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori) | First Dialogueg
Wherefore not only can we never discourse about things divine, but we cannot even think of them without detracting from, rather than adding to the glory of them; so that the best thing to be done with regard to them is, that man, in the pre…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori) | First Dialoguer
But where the entire affection is all turned towards God, that is towards the Idea of Ideas, from the light of intelligible things, the mind becomes exalted to the super-essential unity, and, all love, all one, it feels itself no longer sol…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori) | Second Dialoguef
[P] Number is, as the great writer (Balzac) thought, an Entity, and at the same time, a Breath emanating from what he called God, and what we call the ALL, the breath which alone could organize the physical Kosmos.—("The Secret Doctrine.")…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogueb
And more than that, they are equal to the ocean, not because they do pour, but because these two springing streams can pour such, and so much, that compared with them the Nile would appear a tiny stream divided into seven streamlets.[T] [T]…”
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neoplatonism10
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIIIb
Hence, through these things such a corporeal-formed division as you introduce, is demonstrated to be false. It is, indeed, especially necessary not to propose any thing of this kind; but if this should appear to you to be requisite, yet yo…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IXa
I consider you, therefore, as asking, for it is your inquiry, “ Why, since the Gods dwell in the heavens alone, there are invocations by theurgists of terrestrial and subterranean Gods? ” For 45 what you assert in the beginning is not true…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIXa
In the next place, therefore, we shall answer your question, “ What it is which conjoins the Gods that have a body in the heavens with the incorporeal Gods. ” What this is, therefore, is evident from what has been before said. For 72 if t…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIXb
And secondary genera, indeed, remain with invariable sameness in the one of such as are primary; but the primary impart from themselves union to the secondary genera, and all of them possess in each other the communion of an indissoluble co…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIII—
De Abstinentia, “to be a lover of truth, an accurate writer, and very conversant with the Stoic philosophy.” Τοιαυτα μεν τα κατ’ Αιγυπτιους υπ’ ανδρος φιλαληθους τε και ακριβους, εντε τοις Στωϊκοις πραγματικωτατα φιλοσοφησαντος μεμαρτυρημεν…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 131
Section 9 9. But how can we conceive a thing having existence without having magnitude? We have only to think of things whose identity does not depend on their quantity- for certainly magnitude can be distinguished from existence as can man…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 488
Section 10 10. This is why Zeus, although the oldest of the gods and their sovereign, advances first [in the Phaidros myth] towards that vision, followed by gods and demigods and such souls as are of strength to see. That Being appears befo…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 632
Section 12 12. We may be told that unity and monad have no real existence, that the only unity is some definite object that is one thing, so that all comes to an attitude of the mind towards things considered singly. But, to begin with, why…”
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gnosticism9
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRSTa
But it happened after that Jesus rose out of those who (are) dead, and he spent eleven years speaking with his disciples, and teaching them only as far as the Places of the First precept (Law?), and as far as the Places of the First Mystery…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRSTb
Because of this therefore they were thinking of that Mystery that it is the completion of all completions; and that it is the head of the Universe; and that [4 ] it is the whole Pleroma: since Jesus is wont to say unto his disciples that th…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRSTi
For I was enlightening in the Destiny more than the Sphere forty-nine of double of time. And were disturbed all the Rulers with [21 ] all those who become in the Destiny, and they fell upon one another, they became in great fear greatly, s…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND†
And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself him the great Light of the Lights, and because of what he (they, MS ) proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones), and that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth beca…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND‡
And that Mystery [206 ] indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Boundless (ones) and because of what they set them up being twelve Boundless Spaces, and they placed them being three arrays of Spaces according t…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECONDˆ
And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself [208 ] the first Triple spirit from below this, which belongeth to the arrays of the Only One, the Ineffable, and because of what they proceeded out of the seco…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND
He who also receiveth out of the three mysteries of the Ineffable, whenever also he should come out of body he will inherit unto the kingdom of that mystery, and those three mysteries are equal with one another, they are in the kingdom and…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND‘
Now therefore whenever I should finish distributing to you the Distribution of the Universe, I shall give to you and I shall say unto you the great mysteries of the three lots of my kingdom, namely, the heads of the mysteries which I shall…”
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christian_mysticism6
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 4, Section 1o
And herein the Divine Yearning showeth especially its beginningless and endless nature, revolving in a perpetual circle for the Good, from the Good, in the Good, and to the Good, with unerring revolution, never varying its centre or directi…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 2 (part 1)
p. 58 CHAPTER II. THE UNITY OF THE ALL. "We are all one body in Christ, and have all the Spirit of Christ within our reach. If, then, we enter into the Christ, we may see and know everything by the power of His Spirit." ( Forty Question…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 8 (part 8)
For the internal being is continually labouring to manifest itself outwardly. Thus everything has its own mouth for the purpose of revealing itself, and therein is based the language of nature, by means of which each thing speaks out of it…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 10 (part 12)
For the third time, and at the end of the world, God will move in the name (quality) of the Holy Spirit, when the world will return into the Ether ( Akasa ), and then its dead will be resurrected." ( Threefold Life , vii. 22.) This may per…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 11 (part 7)
48.) "The soul and the Word are not one or one being. The soul is born from the centre of nature, from the essences, and belongs to the body, for she issues from the essences of the body, and attracts to herself the body; but the Word is f…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 11 (part 8)
Neither is God measurable, and there has no place of residence been discovered in Him, unless He should establish for Himself such a dwelling in one of His creatures; but even then He remains a whole apart from and beyond such a created bei…”
taoism5
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 34
All-pervading is the Great Tao! It may be found on the left hand and on the right. All things depend on it for their production, which it gives to them, not one refusing obedience to it. When its work is accomplished, it does not claim the…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book 123 (part 1)
p. 164 THE WRITINGS OF KWANG-DZE. BOOK I. PART I. SECTION I. Hsiâo-yâo Yû, or 'Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease 1 .' 1. In the Northern Ocean there is a fish, the name of which is Khwän 2 ,--I do not know how many lî in size. It changes…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book 123 (part 2)
In the south of Khû 2 , there is the (tree) called Ming-ling 3 , whose spring is 500 years, and its autumn the same; in high antiquity there was that called Tâ-khun 4 , p. 167 whose spring was 8000 years, and its autumn the same. And Phän…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book 124 (part 5)
A third class held that there was such recognition, but there had not begun to be any expression of different opinions about it. p. 186 It was through the definite expression of different opinions about it that there ensued injury to (the…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book 124 (part 9)
The harmonising of them is to be found in the invisible operation of Heaven, and by following this on into the unlimited past. It is by this method that we can complete our years (without our minds being disturbed) 1 . 'What is meant by h…”
buddhism4
Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1f
Because, O Subhûti, the highest perfect knowledge of the holy and enlightened Tathâgatas is produced from it; the blessed Buddhas are produced from it. And why? Because, O Subhûti, when the Tathâgata preached: [1. See Childers, s.v. Lok…”
Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1h
Do you think then, O Subhûti, that his selfhood (he himself) would be large?' Subhûti said: 'Yes, O Bhagavat, yes, O Sugata, his selfhood would be large. And why? Because, O Bhagavat, when the Tathâgata preached: "Selfhood, selfhood indee…”
Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1i
Therefore it is called the Pra gñ â-pâramitâ. 'Then, what do you think, O Subhûti, is there anything (dharma) that was preached by the Tathâgata?' Subhûti said: 'Not indeed, O Bhagvat, there is not anything that was preached by the Tathâga…”
Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter) | Section 1o
Bhagavat said: 'What do you think, O Subhûti, has the Tathâgata the bodily eye?' Subhûti said: 'So it is, O Bhagavat, the Tathâgata has the bodily eye.' Bhagavat said: 'What do you think, O Subhûti, has the Tathâgata the heavenly eye?' Subh…”
greek_mystery2
Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 5)
And in the same place, Proclus has preserved to us another copy of Orphic verses, which are also found in the writer (de Mundo); previous to which he observes, that the demiurgus, or artificer of the world, being full of ideas, comprehended…”
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras | Section 13 (part 12)
Ταῦτά μοι ἔσπετε Μοῦσαι, Ὀλύμπια δώματ᾽ ἔχουσαι [ἐξ ἀρχῆς, καὶ εἴπαθ᾽, ὅ τι πρῶτον γένετ᾽ αὐτῶν.] 115 Ἦ τοι μὲν πρώτιστα Χάος γένετ᾽, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα Γαῖ᾽ εὐρύστερνος, πάντων ἕδος ἀσφαλὲς αἰεὶ [ἀθανάτων, οἳ ἔχουσι κάρη νιφόεντος Ὀλύμπου, Τάρτα…”
hermeticism2
Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres | Section 1b
But when He raised His head, I see in Mind the Light, [but] now in Powers no man could number, and Cosmos grown beyond all bounds, and that the Fire was compassed round about by a most mighty Power, and [now] subdued had come unto a stand.…”
Corpus Hermeticum 12: The Prayer | Section 1e
Observe this too, my son; that each one of the other lives inhabiteth one portion of the Cosmos - aquatic creatures water, terrene earth, and aery creatures air; while man doth use all these - earth, water air [and] fire; he seeth Heaven, t…”
jewish_mysticism2
The Lesser Holy Assembly (Idra Zuta Qadisha) | Idra Zuta, Chapter 1 (part 1)
CHAPTER VIII. CONCERNING THE FOREHEAD OF MACROPROSOPUS. 87. THE forehead of His skull is the acceptation of acceptations, whereunto is opposed the acceptation of Microprosopus, like as it is written, Exod. xxviii. 38: "And it shall be…”
Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Formation) | Section 1a
Wescott, tr. (1887) CHAPTER 1 1. In two and thirty most occult and wonderful paths of wisdom did JAH the Lord of Hosts engrave his name: God of the armies of Israel, ever-living God, merciful and gracious, sublime, dwelling on high, who i…”
finnic1
The Kalevala | Rune Ia
OF WAINAMOINEN. In primeval times, a maiden, Beauteous Daughter of the Ether, Passed for ages her existence In the great expanse of heaven, O'er the prairies yet enfolded. Wearisome the maiden growing, Her existence sad and hopeless, Thus…”
platonism1
Plato: Timaeus | Section 1x
Of the infinite forms we must select the most beautiful, if we are to proceed in due order, and any one who can point out a more beautiful form than ours for the construction of these bodies, shall carry off the palm, not as an enemy, but a…”