Excerpt from The Theosophical Quarterly, Vol. 19
The position of any point in space can be determined in terms of these three co-ordinates, as they are called. Einstein insists that, since position in space is not fixed, but relative to moving bodies, and since these bodies move in time, time must be taken as a fourth co-ordinate, or dimension. Students of Theosophy look at the four-dimensional world in what may be called a more practical way; practical, that is, as making quite thinkable and possible certain manifestations of spiritual life; such, for example, as the Body of the Resurrection, appearing in the centre of a closed room, without passing through its boundaries; and, in general, as supplying a basis for understanding the activities of the Spiritual Man.
While it is true that his investigations and computations may never lead Dr. Einstein to a deeper understanding of the Spiritual Man, it is also true that the general conception of a four-dimensional world, which he is popularizing, and, even more, his whole thought that the world of space and time is not fixed but relative, may break the bonds of the material mind for many, giving the Spiritual Man a chance to breathe.
Students of Theosophy have a further interest in the fulfilment of the forecasts of the Adepts, and an interest in drawing attention to this fulfilment, because, once again, this may bring aid and comfort to the Spiritual Man, by helping him to burst asunder the heavy shackles of nineteenth century materialism and disbelief: the mood which impelled it to reject the knowledge of the Adepts, offered with so generous a hand. Students of Theosophy are, therefore, interested in the fourdimensional world, because they are interested in the Spiritual Man, who there finds adequate room; they are interested in the forecasts of the Adepts and their fulfilment, because they are profoundly interested in the Adepts themselves.
One of the published reports of Dr. Einsteins views quotes him as saying that time and space are not the fixed realities they had been thought; that both are relative to matter. This may be called a characteristic example of those looking-glass inversions lately discussed in these Notes and Comments. Students of Theosophy would be inclined to say that all three, space, time and matter, are relative to Consciousness; not, of course, the external, personal consciousness of any individual, but what one may call the Consciousness of the Logos, the Oversoul, the universal Consciousness of our system of worlds. But it is evident that the conception of time and space, whether as fixed, or as relative, have their place in consciousness. Where else could they have a place?
As these Notes are written, Madame Curie is on her way to the United States, and the newspapers are full of her visit and of the Madame Curie Radium Fund. Both popular and scientific periodicals are devoting much space to this distinguished woman, a Pole by birth, but now thoroughly identified with France.
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