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cosmology

Soul Migration

The transmigration of the soul across lives.

157 passages · 13 traditions
neoplatonism: 40 passagesneoplatonism40platonism: 24 passagesplatonism24western_esoteric: 24 passageswestern_esoteric24greek_mystery: 17 passagesgreek_mystery17buddhism: 13 passagesbuddhism13renaissance_hermeticism: 9 passagesrenaissance_hermeticism9gnosticism: 8 passagesgnosticism8hermeticism: 7 passageshermeticism7christian_mysticism: 4 passageschristian_mysticism4celtic: 3 passagesceltic3finnic: 3 passagesfinnic3taoism: 3 passagestaoism3jewish_mysticism: 2 passagesjewish_mysticism2
neoplatonism40
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IV
What then shall we say concerning the next inquiry to this, viz. “ why the powers who are invoked think it requisite that he who worships them should be just, but they when called upon to act unjustly do not refuse so to act ?” To this I re…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter V
The multitude, also, are accustomed to doubt in common the very same thing concerning providence, viz. why certain persons are afflicted undeservedly, as they have not done any thing unjustly prior to their being thus afflicted. For neither…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter V
But why am I prolix about these particulars? For I have abundantly shown, in what has been before said, the transcendency of divine above human divination. It is better, therefore, in compliance with your request, “ to point out to you the…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIIId
For it is necessary that every form in the universe should be never failing, in order that the universe may be perfect, and that, being generated from an immoveable cause, it may be immoveable in its essence. But every wholeness is a form,…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIII‡
“The soul is bound to the body, by a conversion to the passions arising from her union with it.” And, “the soul binds herself in the body.” Philolaus also says, that the ancient theologists and prophets asserted, ως δια τινας τιμωριας α ψυχ…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIIIŒ
It must also be observed, that this MS. of Psellus On Dæmons forms no part of his treatise On the Energy of Dæmons , published by Gaulminus; for it never was published. 94 . Hence Iamblichus (apud Stob. Eclog. Phys. p. 114), says, Ου…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 27
Section 1 1. What art is there, what method, what discipline to bring us there where we must go? The Term at which we must arrive we may take as agreed: we have established elsewhere, by many considerations, that our journey is to the Good,…”
Select Works of Plotinus | Select Works, Section 162 (part 1)
Section 6 6. And, what are we to think of the new forms of being they introduce- their "Exiles" and "Impressions" and "Repentings"? If all comes to states of the Soul- "Repentance" when it has undergone a change of purpose; "Impressions"…”
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platonism24
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1i
They are temperate because they are intemperate-which may seem to be a contradiction, but is nevertheless the sort of thing which happens with this foolish temperance. For there are pleasures which they must have, and are afraid of losing;…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1j
I reckon, said Socrates, that no one who heard me now, not even if he were one of my old enemies, the comic poets, could accuse me of idle talking about matters in which I have no concern. Let us, then, if you please, proceed with the inqu…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1k
That is clear, he replied. Then the inference is, that our souls are in the world below? That is true. And one of the two processes or generations is visible-for surely the act of dying is visible? Surely, he said. And may not the othe…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1m
And yet from these equals, although differing from the idea of equality, you conceived and attained that idea? Very true, he said. Which might be like, or might be unlike them? Yes. But that makes no difference; whenever from seeing one…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1o
For admitting that she may be generated and created in some other place, and may have existed before entering the human body, why after having entered in and gone out again may she not herself be destroyed and come to an end? Very true, Si…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1p
or are they each of them always what they are, having the same simple, self-existent and unchanging forms, and not admitting of variation at all, or in any way, or at any time? They must be always the same, Socrates, replied Cebes. And wh…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1r
And this, my friend, may be conceived to be that heavy, weighty, earthy element of sight by which such a soul is depressed and dragged down again into the visible world, because she is afraid of the invisible and of the world below-prowling…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1s
The lovers of knowledge are conscious that their souls, when philosophy receives them, are simply fastened and glued to their bodies: the soul is only able to view existence through the bars of a prison, and not in her own nature; she is wa…”
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western_esoteric24
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Introductiond
Both Pythagoras and Empedocles accepted the theory of transmigration, the latter saying: "A boy I was, then did a maid become; a plant, bird, fish, and in the vast sea swum." Archytas is credited with invention of the screw and the crane.…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Introductiong
In reality, however, pleasure (especially of a physical nature) is the true end of existence and exceeds in every way mental and spiritual enjoyments. Pleasure, furthermore, is limited wholly to the moment; now is the only time. The past…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolismg
In the present world, said they, Good and Evil are so exactly balanced that man has the utmost freedom and is able to choose or reject either. The Welsh Triads tell us there are three objects of metempsychosis: to collect into the soul the…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolism}
This alone may be depended on, from general assent, that there formerly lived a person named Orpheus, who was the founder of theology among the Greeks; the institutor of their lives and morals; the first of prophets, and the prince of poets…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Isis, the Virgin of the Worldk
*** It is reasonably certain, however, that Pythagoras, who had been initiated in the Egyptian temples, when he promulgated the doctrine of metempsychosis, restated, in part at least, the teachings of the Egyptian initiates. The popular su…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Zodiac and Its Signsk
Greek mystics believed that the spiritual nature of man descended into material existence from the Milky Way--the seed ground of souls--through one of the twelve gates of the great zodiacal band. The spiritual nature was therefore said to…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Life and Philosophy of Pythagorasf
It is probable that Pythagoras obtained his concept of the Υ from the Egyptians, who included in certain of their initiatory rituals a scene in which the candidate was confronted by two female figures. One of them, veiled with the white ro…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Human Body in Symbolismj
When humanity has completed its physical evolution, the empty shell of materiality left behind will be used by other life waves as steppingstones to their own liberation. The trend of man's evolutionary growth is ever toward his own essent…”
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greek_mystery17
Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 7)
And although the same employment is common both to the ruler, and those who are ruled; yet the latter, if destitute of a leader, could no longer conspire together in one occupation; as the concord of the fingers and ` dancers, and the exped…”
Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 8)
43 these unnatural habits." As, therefore, it is not wonderful that the greatest part of those who inhabit a pestiferous region, should languish and decline, but that a very few should preserve their natural strength; so we ought not to won…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn XII. SATURN
XII. TO SATURN. The FUMIGATION from STORAX. ETHERIAL father, mighty Titan, hear, 1 Great fire of Gods and men, whom all revere: Endu'd with various council, pure and strong, To whom perfection and decrease belong. Consum'd by thee all forms…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn XVII. PLUTO
XVII. TO PLUTO. PLUTO, magnanimous, whose realms profound Are fix'd beneath the firm and solid ground, In the Tartarian plains remote from fight, And wrapt forever in the depths of night; Terrestrial Jove, thy sacred ear incline, 5 5 And, p…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn XXVIII. PROSERPINE (part 1)
XXVIII. TO PROSERPINE. A HYMN DAUGHTER of Jove, almighty and divine, Come, blessed queen, and to these rites incline: Only-begotten, Pluto's honor'd wife, 3 O venerable Goddess, source of life: 'Tis thine in earth's profundities to dwell,…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn LXXVI. MNEMOSYNE, or the GODDESS of MEMORY
LXXVI. To MNEMOSYNE, or the GODDESS of MEMORY * . The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. THE consort I invoke of Jove divine, Source of the holy, sweetly-speaking Nine; p. 215 Free from th' oblivion of the fallen mind, By whom the soul with inte…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn LXXXVI. DEATH (part 1)
LXXXVI. TO DEATH. The FUMIGATION from MANNA. HEAR me, O Death, whose empire unconfin'd, Extends to mortal tribes of ev'ry kind. On thee, the portion of our time depends, Whose absence lengthens life, whose presence ends. p. 225 Thy sl…”
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras | Section 7 (part 1)
p. 29 THE PYTHAGOREAN SENTENCES OF DEMOPHILUS 1. Request not of Divinity such things as, when obtained, you cannot preserve; for no gift of Divinity can ever be taken away; and on this account he does not confer that which you are unable…”
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buddhism13
The Dhammapada | Chapter I, Section 1c
The play on the words anikkasâvo kâsâvam, or in Sanskrit anishkashâya h kâshâyam, cannot be rendered in English. Kashâya means 'impurity,' nish-kashâya, 'free from impurity,' anish-kashâya, 'not free from impurity,' while kâshâya is the na…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter I, Section 1d
He suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done; he suffers more when going on the evil path. 18. The virtuous man is happy in this world, and he is happy in the next; he is happy in both. He is happy when he thinks of the good he has…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter IX, Section 1
p. 34 Chapter IX. Evil. 116. If a man would hasten towards the good, he should keep his thought away from evil; if a man does what is good slothfully, his mind delights in evil. 117. If a man commits a sin, let him not do it again; let him…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter X, Section 1b
He who inflicts pain on innocent and harmless persons, will soon come to one of these ten states: [133. See Mahâbhârata XII, 4056. 134. See Childers, s.v. nibbâna, p. 270, and s.v. kâ m so; D'Alwis, Buddhist Nirvâ n a, p. 35. 136.…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter XI, Section 1a
p. 41 CHAPTER XI. OLD AGE. 146. How is there laughter, how is there joy, as this world is always burning? Why do you not seek a light, ye who are surrounded by darkness? 147. Look at this dressed-up lump, covered with wounds, joined…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter XI, Section 1b
In the Rudrâya n âvadâna of the Divyâvadâna this verse appears as, Yânîmâny apariddhâni vikshiptâni di s o di s a h , Kapotavar n âny asthîni tâni d ri sh t vaiha kâ rati h . See Schiefner, Mél. Asiat. VIII, p. 589; G âtaka, vol. i. p…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter XVIII, Section 1a
p. 60 CHAPTER XVIII. IMPURITY. 235. Thou art now like a sear leaf, the messengers of death (Yama) have come near to thee; thou standest at the door of thy departure, and thou hast no provision for thy journey. 236. Make thyself an isl…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter XXIV, Section 1a
p. 80 CHAPTER XXIV. THIRST. 334. The thirst of a thoughtless man grows like a creeper; he runs from life to life, like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest. 335. Whomsoever this fierce thirst overcomes, full of poison, in this world,…”
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renaissance_hermeticism9
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTIONf
He was then advised to doff the Dominican habit, which he still wore; this he was quite willing to do, only he had no money to buy other clothing, and was forced to have some made of the cloth of his monkish robes, and his new friends prese…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogueg
Such over-boldness rarely grief escapes." "Fear not the utmost ruin then," I said, "Cleave confident the clouds and die content, That heaven has destined thee to such illustrious death." Cic . I understand when you say: "Enough that thou h…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Fourth Dialogueh
Heaven the second gift denies, To him who does the first despise. With these and similar reasons the soul, taking part with the weakest, seeks to recall the thoughts to the care of the body. And these, although late, come and show themsel…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Fourth Dialoguej
This I understand right well, and also that which you would infer about the principal intention; that is to say, that these are the degrees of the loves, of the affections, and of the enthusiasms, according to the degrees of greater and les…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Fifth Dialoguea
. I. Cic . Now show me how I may be able for myself to consider the conditions of these enthusiasts, through that which appears in the order of the warfare here described. Tans . Behold how they carry the ensign of their affections or…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTIONh
The primal idea of Pythagoras, which Bruno worked out to a more distinct development is this: numbers are the beginning of things; in other words numbers are the cause of the existence of material things; they are not final, but are always…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTIONi
The life of man is more than an experience or trial; it is an effort, a struggle to reproduce and represent upon earth some of that goodness, beauty, and truth which are diffused over the universe and constitute its harmony. Long, slow, an…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogueh
In which generation finding themselves once more through the changes which permutably succeed, they return again to the superior forms. Cic . So that they mean, that souls are impelled by the necessity of fate, and have no proper counsel…”
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gnosticism8
Gospel of Philip | Section 1k
If you become light, light will share you. If you are of those from above, one of those from above will rest in you. If you become a horse or a donkey or bull or dog or sheep or another animal that is wild or tame, then neither a person n…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST}
But answered Philippos, said he to Jesus, My Lord, hear that I may say the explanation of her repentance: for thy Power prophesied concerning it by David once saying in the eighty-seventh [67 ] psalm; O Lord God of my salvation I cried up u…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRDd
Say unto them, Do love of God and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Be righteous and receive the mysteries, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say u…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRDn
Now therefore whenever should become completed the time of that man, at first indeed is wont to come out the Fate and lead the man [260 ] in unto the death by the Rulers with their bonds, these in which they were bound by the Destiny: and a…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD{
These therefore having said them the Saviour, sprang up forward Maria, said she, My Lord, there is ear of my Light-dweller, and I understood all the word which thou saidst: concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once in a…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD~
This therefore is the manner which becometh the Darkness which is outer, namely the dragon. These therefore having said them the Saviour, answered Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then the punishment of that dragon (is) cruel great…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRDŒ
Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, but I heard that the prophets went unto the Light. Added also the Saviour said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to thee, Not any prophet went unto the Light. But the Rulers of the Aeons who spake with them…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIFTHc
And whenever should the Sphere turn round, she is wont to give her to her Receivers, that they may cast her unto the Aeons of the Sphere, that the Ministers of the Sphere may take her unto water being below the Sphere, that it may become [3…”
hermeticism7
Corpus Hermeticum 3: The Sacred Sermon | Section 1
The Sacred Sermon 1. The Glory of all things is God, Godhead and Godly Nature. Source of the things that are is God, who is both Mind and Nature - yea Matter, the Wisdom that reveals all things. Source [too] is Godhead - yea Nature, Energy,…”
Corpus Hermeticum 4: The Epistles | Section 1b
And having raised themselves so far they sight the Good; and having sighted it, they look upon their sojourn here as a mischance; and in disdain of all, both things in body and the bodiless, they speed their way unto that One and Only One.…”
Corpus Hermeticum 9: The Decalogue | Section 1a
On Thought and Sense <This somewhat diffuse essay covers a series of topics, starting with (and to some extent from) the concept that the set of perceptions we call "thoughts" and the set we call "sensory perceptions" are not significantly…”
Corpus Hermeticum 14: The Discourse of Hermes to Ammon | Section 1c
Footnotes 257:1 εὖ φρονεῖν. I do not know the exact meaning of this expression. Everard translates “to be truly wise”; Parthey, “ recte sapere ” following Patrizzi; Ménard, “ sagesse ”; Chambers, “to be rightly wise.” I would suggest that…”
Corpus Hermeticum 10: The Sermon on the Mount | Section 1b
For It doth will to be, and It is both Itself and most of all by reason of Itself. Indeed, all other things beside are just bacause of It; for the distinctive feature of the Good is "that it should be known". Such is the Good, O Tat. Tat…”
Corpus Hermeticum 10: The Sermon on the Mount | Section 1c
For that the soul who hath no knowledge of the things that are, or knowledge of their nature, or of Good, is blinded by the body's passions and tossed about. This wretched soul, not knowing what she is, becomes the slave of bodies of stran…”
Corpus Hermeticum 10: The Sermon on the Mount | Section 1e
And for this cause is water poured around earth, to be a guard and wall, to keep the blazing of the fire away. But mind, the swiftest thing of all divine outthinkings, and swifter than all elements, hath for its body fire. For mind being…”
christian_mysticism4
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 9 (part 10)
The conditions of these animal elementals in the constitution of man are some of those causes of his bodily ills of which modern medical science is entirely ignorant. 191:1 This is the way in which the "personalities" mentioned in the Book…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 8 (part 10)
177:2 The spiritual being is the one that is not subject to the dissolution of the physical form, but "reincarnates" periodically; that is to say, it creates for itself again other forms in which it may find to a certain extent an outward e…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 9 (part 11)
Unless this distinction of the various aspects of man is kept in mind, we are always exposed to mistaking the leaves of the tree of life for the branches, and the branches for the trunk, and the trunk for the roots. 197:1 Each soul constit…”
The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 14 (part 10)
When, then, death actually takes place, and separates the soul from the body, the poor soul will then cling to that thread and refuse to let go her hold of it, but all her essences are still deeply immersed in the wrath of God; she is tortu…”
celtic3
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESINc
Elphin of notable qualities, Be not displeased at thy misfortune; Although reclined thus weak in my bag, There lies a virtue in my tongue. While I continue thy protector Thou hast not much to fear; Remembering the names of the Trinity, Non…”
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESINg
And so, when the bards and the heralds came to cry largess, and to proclaim the power of the king and his strength, at the moment that they passed by the corner wherein he was crouching, Taliesin pouted out his lips after them, and played “…”
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESINh
I have been with my Lord in the manger of the ass: I strengthened Moses through the water of Jordan; I have been in the firmament with Mary Magdalene; I have obtained the muse from the cauldron of Caridwen; I have been bard of the harp to L…”
finnic3
The Kalevala | Rune IVe
Weeping Aino, now disrobing, Lays aside with care her garments, Hangs her silk robes on the alders, Drops her gold-cross on the sea-shore, On the aspen hangs her ribbons, On the rocks her silken stockings, On the grass her shoes of deer-ski…”
The Kalevala | Rune Va
'S LAMENTATION. Far and wide the tidings travelled, Far away men heard the story Of the flight and death of Aino, Sister dear of Youkahainen, Fairest daughter of creation. Wainamoinen, brave and truthful, Straightway fell to bitter weepin…”
The Kalevala | Rune XVe
Then the mother, well reflecting, Spake these words in bitter weeping: "From these fragments, with my magic, I will bring to life my hero." Hearing this, the raven answered, Spake these measures to the mother: "There is not in these a hero,…”
taoism3
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book 124 (part 10)
Of the sounds of Man very little is said, but they form the subject of the next paragraph. Nothing is said in answer to the disciple's inquiry about the notes of Heaven. It is intimated, however, that there is no necessity to introduce an…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book 125 (part 3)
201:1 Then the account that Lâo-dze went westwards, and that nothing is known as to where he died, must be without foundation. 201:2 Nothing more is known of this person. 201:3 Probably the disciples of Lâo-dze. 201:4 Lâo had gone to an…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book 128 (part 7)
With these views, how should they know wherein death and life are to be found, or what is first and what is last? They borrow different substances, and pretend that the common form of the body is composed of them 1 . They dismiss the thou…”
jewish_mysticism2
The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1g
The four wheels are their correlatives under the second Sephira, on their four sides--namely, the four elements of the air, fire, water, and earth, which are the abodes of the spirits of the elements, the sylphs, salamanders, undines, and g…”
The Kabbalah Unveiled | Introduction, Section 1g
so to speak, not only the executor of judgment, but also the destroyer; destruction as opposed to creation, death as opposed to life. For the whole Sephiroth are represented as being the balance of mercy and justice, and the tenth Sephira…”