A Theosophical Perspective on The Soul and the Ark of the Covenant
“Do not be afraid of your difficulties. Do not wish you could be in other circumstances than you are. For when you have made the best of an adversity, it becomes the stepping stone to a splendid opportunity.”― H.P. Blavatsky
Theosophy
Theosophy is a spiritual movement, established in the USA in the late 19th century, established in New York, that seeks to understand the mysteries of the universe, the nature of divinity, and the purpose of human existence. It draws from various religious, philosophical, and esoteric traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Kabbalah, and Hermeticism. Theosophy is a diverse and complex belief system categorized by scholars of religion as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism.
It was founded primarily by the Russian Helena Blavatsky and draws its teachings predominantly from Blavatsky’s writings. Theosophy teaches that there is an ancient and secretive brotherhood of spiritual adepts known as the Masters of Ancient Wisdom (sometimes they are referred to by Theosophists as Elder Brothers of the Human Race, Adepts, Mahatmas, or simply as The Masters), who — although found around the world — are centred in Tibet. It promotes values of universal brotherhood and social improvement, although it does not stipulate particular ethical codes.
Here we use a theological approach of theosophy to explore some potential links between the symbolism of the human soul and the Ark of the Covenant in a theosophical context.
Soul
Theosophy teaches that the purpose of human life is spiritual emancipation. In theosophy, the soul is considered the divine and immortal essence of a person. It is believed to be a fragment of the universal divine consciousness, which is often called the Absolute or the Source.
The soul is thought to undergo a process of spiritual evolution through successive incarnations, eventually attaining enlightenment and reuniting with the divine consciousness. This concept shares similarities with the Hindu idea of Atman and the Buddhist notion of Buddha-nature.
The human being is presented as composed of seven parts while operating on three separate planes of being. These seven parts are the Body (Rupa), Vitality (Prana-Jiva), the Astral Body (Linga Sarira), the Animal Soul (Kama-Rupa), the Human Soul (Manas), the Spiritual Soul (Buddhi), and the Spirit (Atma).
According to Theosophical teaching, it is the latter three of these components (Spirit, Spiritual Soul and Human Soul) that are immortal, while the other aspects perish following bodily death. Theosophy teaches that the Spiritual Soul and the Spirit do not reside within the human body alongside the other components but that they are connected to it through the human soul.
Blavatsky taught that each human has an eternal, divine facet, which she referred to as “the Master/Uncreate/inner God/higher self”. The human soul seeks to unite with this higher self by transitioning through three halls:
- The Hall of Ignorance, where the individual does not know it needs to unite with the higher soul
- The Hall of Learning, where the individual is aware of other facets of human life but becomes distracted
- The Hall of Wisdom, where the union is made with the higher self and followed by the …
- Vale of Bliss, and at this point, the human soul can merge into the One
In our model of the soul and corresponding Platonic Solids of Lichfield Cathedral, we can draw some correspondences with this theology.
Though there is no direct correspondence between the Theosophical model of the human soul and that which we find in the architecture of Lichfield Cathedral, there are some parallels.
- The Hall of Ignorance: outside the Cathedral
- The Hall of Learning: in the Nave & Quire
- The Hall of Wisdom: in the Lady Chapel
- The Vale of Bliss: in the Chapter House
Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant is a sacred object described in the Hebrew Bible. It is a gold-plated wooden chest that is said to have contained the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed, as well as the other sacred objects of Aaron’s Rod and a bowl of Manna from heaven.
The Ark was believed to be the physical manifestation of God’s presence on Earth and was central to the Israelites’ religious practices. It was housed in the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem, which was accessible only to the High Priest and only on the Day of Atonement.
The Symbolism of the Soul
In a theosophical context, the Ark of the Covenant can be seen as a symbol of the divine presence within each individual. Just as the Ark housed the sacred tablets and was believed to be the dwelling place of God, the soul can be considered the inner sanctuary where the divine essence resides in each person. The Ark’s presence in the Holy of Holies can be interpreted as an allegory for the hidden and sacred nature of the soul, which is often obscured by the material world and the ego.
There are similarly other symbols for the soul from around the world, from all cultures and over the generations. Here is a sample:
Yin and Yang in Chinese Philosophy represent the balance and interconnectedness of seemingly opposite forces, such as light and darkness or body and soul.
The Ankh, in ancient Egyptian culture, is a symbol that represents eternal life and is often associated with the soul’s journey through the afterlife.
The Mandala in various Eastern spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, which is a geometric pattern used for meditation and often represents the journey of the soul toward enlightenment or self-realization.
Ouroboros: This ancient symbol features a serpent or dragon eating its own tail, forming a circle. Found in various cultures, including ancient Egypt, Greece, and Norse mythology, the Ouroboros represents the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth and is often associated with the soul’s journey.
The Tree of Life: A widespread symbol across cultures, including Celtic, Norse, and various Indigenous traditions, the Tree of Life represents the interconnectedness of all life and the spiritual connection between the physical and spiritual realms. It is often seen as a symbol of the soul’s growth and development.
The Caduceus: A symbol from ancient Greece, the Caduceus features two snakes intertwined around a winged staff. Although primarily associated with the Greek god Hermes and used as a symbol of medicine, it has also been interpreted as a representation of the soul’s journey through various realms or states of consciousness.
The Lotus: In Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus flower is a symbol of spiritual growth, purity, and enlightenment. As the lotus grows from the mud and rises above the water’s surface to bloom, it is seen as an analogy for the soul’s journey toward spiritual awakening.
The Enso: In Zen Buddhism, the Enso is a circular brushstroke symbolizing the universe, the void, or enlightenment. It represents the interconnectedness of all things and the unity of the spiritual and material worlds, as well as the idea of spiritual growth and the soul’s journey.
The Labyrinth: Found in many cultures, including ancient Greece and various Indigenous traditions, the labyrinth is a symbol of life’s journey and spiritual transformation. It is often used as a tool for meditation or ritual, guiding the soul through a winding path to reach its center, symbolizing self-discovery and spiritual growth.
The Quest for Enlightenment
The process of spiritual evolution and the quest for enlightenment in theosophy can be likened to the journey of the Israelites in search of the Promised Land.
The Ark of the Covenant was carried with them during their wanderings, symbolizing the divine guidance and protection they received on their journey. In the same way, the soul serves as a guiding force on the spiritual path, leading the individual towards self-realization and union with the divine.
In our spiritual life, we search for God. At the same time, our divine soul searches for us. As a husband and wife find each other and find their souls bound in the scared establishment of their marriage, so our human soul finds the kiss of our divine soul.
While there is no direct connection between the symbolism of the soul and the Ark of the Covenant in theosophy, it is possible to draw parallels and interpret them in a way that highlights the spiritual journey and the divine essence within each individual. This interpretation can serve as a point of inspiration and reflection for those interested in theosophical teachings and the deeper meanings behind religious symbols.
The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant
One well-known Eastern parable that exemplifies the soul’s search for truth is the story of the blind men and the elephant. The parable originated in ancient India and has been shared in various forms across different Eastern traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Sufism. Here is a version of the story:
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived six blind men. They had heard about elephants but had never encountered one. They were curious to learn more about these magnificent creatures. So, one day, a kind villager brought them to a nearby forest where an elephant was residing.
The blind men approached the elephant and began to touch and feel different parts of its body to understand its form. The first blind man touched the elephant’s side and exclaimed, “An elephant is like a great wall!” The second blind man, feeling the elephant’s tusk, disagreed, saying, “No, an elephant is like a sharp spear!” The third blind man, holding the elephant’s trunk, countered, “You’re both wrong, an elephant is like a thick snake.”
The other blind men continued to argue as they touched different parts of the elephant. The fourth blind man, feeling the elephant’s leg, declared, “An elephant is like a strong pillar!” The fifth blind man, touching the elephant’s ear, said, “No, an elephant is like a huge fan!” Lastly, the sixth blind man, holding the elephant’s tail, argued, “You’re all mistaken, an elephant is like a rope!”
As the blind men argued, a wise sage happened to pass by and heard their heated debate. He approached them and asked, “What is the matter, my friends?” The blind men explained their situation and their conflicting opinions about the elephant. The sage listened patiently and then said, “Each of you is partly right and partly wrong. You have only experienced a small part of the elephant, and as a result, your understanding of its true nature is limited. To truly comprehend the elephant, you must consider all of its aspects.”
This parable serves as a metaphor for the human soul’s search for truth. It teaches that our understanding of reality is often limited by our individual experiences and perspectives. The story encourages us to remain open-minded, humble, and willing to learn from others to gain a more complete understanding of the truth.
Dr Nick Stafford
Eye of Heaven — Lichfield Cathedral, a Theory of Everything
“Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines” — William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
Footnotes
Artificial intelligence was used to research aspects of this article
Some facts are taken directly from Wikipedia
Ark of the Covenant photograph by Ben Schumin
Lotus Flower by Peripitus
Enso by Kanjuro Shibata XX “Ensō (円相)
Labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral by Maksim
