Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

Understanding Biblical Symbolism


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Five Planes of Manifestation

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BRICKS FOR ALTAR, NATURALLY PERFORATED

Symbolic of the lower planes, which are the means of the soul's development by reason of the passage through them of spiritual vibrations, while the ego can rise through them to the higher.

"The naturally perforated bricks are these worlds. . . . How is it that that gold man is not held down by the naturally perforated brick ? Well, the naturally perforated brick is food and breath; and man is not held down either by food or by his breath." - Sata. Bráh., VII. 4. 2, 8-9.

The lower planes are permeable to Spirit. The atma-buddhic monad is not made nugatory by the lower nature. The lower activities cause truth and virtue to nourish the soul, and so the ego is not restrained by these, but enabled to rise to the higher planes.

“The naturally perforated bricks are meant to represent the three worlds, the holes being intended to afford to the Sacrificer (represented by the gold man) passage to the highest regions' (Footnote). - JULIUS EGGELING, Ibid., VI. 1, 2, 31. S.B.E.

 

See Also

ALTER (fire)
ASHÅDHA
BREATH
DURVA (Brick)
DVIYAGUS-BRICK
FOOD
GOLD MAN