The "great divide and the tripod"; time, life and mind, mathematical

Preface

The subjoined series of dialogues between Janus and his son Zeno, epitomized in the "contents," are all based upon the hypothesis that Time bears a constant mathematical relation to the universe of Matter and Energy. 1 ' Time, ' ' used in this way corresponds with our ordinary conception of ' ' eter nity, " in that it extends to infinity "past, " and infinity "future," whilst at the same time we recognize the ' ' present ' ' existence of all forms of matter, and all modes of energy.

The general purport of the conversations between Janus and Zeno, is

To consider (1) What Time is and is not.

(2) What the cause of Life is.

(3) What the Mind is, and its Composition, sources, and the modus operandi of its formation.

(4) Why the mind varies in the same individual at different times, and in different individuals at the same time.

(5) The relation existing between "instinct" and "subconscious" mind.

(6) How it is possible to alter the "composition" of the mind.

(7) To explain how, and why, different phases of Mind (Subconscious or Subliminal; Hypnotic; Ecstatic; Objective; Primordial; Dual mind, etc.) exist, and how any one of these varieties is related to the others.

(8) How Memories are made and reproduced.

(9) Why it is necessary that there be Two sides, or halves to the brain, in order to manifest Consciousness.

Janus declares that the solution of these problems becomes quite simple, and easy to comprehend, when one clearly understands the meaning of the following "ratio", — "Energy and Matter are Related to Time as the Perpendicular is to the Horizontal, ' ' — presuming, of course, that the reader is familiar with the fundamental principles of physical science, and has received a fair general education, and that the mind be Free to admit elementary truths. The word "free" in this sense, means that the mind of the reader is not biased by certain "beliefs," "opinions" and "conclusions," entertained, but not verified.

V PREFACE

Being firmly convinced that all men were created similarly, constituted, as they are of both "body and mind," differing from each other on account of the manner of the growth and development of each of these necessary elements, — being aware that the body suffers no diminution or change of weight at the cessation of Life and the disappearance of the mental element of the being, — and that no trace of either Mind or Life, can be located after they cease to manifest in the body; it therefore appears to be of prime importance to understand how these entities are related to the body during life, and how we may account for the different phases of the mind, and how mental phenomena can be explained in accordance with scientific truths and principles, which are well known and established.

The writer has endeavored to make the explanations by Janus as brief, clear, and concise as possible, carefully avoiding offensive argumentative declarations, and he has confined himself as closely as possible to the self evident hypothesis, enunciated briefly in the first chapter, and including the simplest and most reasonable deductions therefrom.

Desiring to assist in the solution of these world problems, the writer most respectfully submits the ' ' The Great Divide and the Tripod ' ' for your careful consideration, believing that you will find it both interesting and profitable.

Yours,

TWILIGHT.

Contents

Chapter 1. — The ratio of Time to Matter and Force — Diagram, indicating the location of Present Time as identical with that of Matter and Force — The past and future never in existence, and contain nothing — Time a mental conception — Aristotle's definition — Flammarrion 's definition — Time Measure, hypothetical — The Senses deceive us — Length and speed of different vibrations — Use of "time measure' ' — Great value of the "big wheel," or the "Present Vertical" — Truth like a diamond — Different kinds of truths — Newton's law — Dalton's law — Progressive changes in matter under the influence of force — Time, as an entity, not existing.

Chapter 2. — Cause of Life: — Movement of the earth through the ocean of ether — Heat was once believed to be a "principle" — Lavoisier's discovery — Count Eumford's observations — Joule's law — Horse power — Life force not the same thing as horse power — Life is responsible for — How both chemical and physiological are both due to the same thing — Where life is found, and its constancy, and due to force, not due to a "principle"; where the force may be found — Horse power of the sun — The ether contains an infinite quantity, and all of it in Present time only — Experiments to prove spontaneous production of Life, or to ascertaining if there is necessity for heredity to produce life — Chafer's remarks — Organization subsequent to life, and existing within molecules — Man a Microsmos — Speed of earth only l/100th that of Light — Ether possessing substance, else it could not vibrate — Eeceives and conveys countless billions of H. P. of energy — Pressure upon one side of cells favors absorption, and relaxation of the opposite side favors elimination of the contents of the cells — Animals, being free to turn, more rapidly expose one side of the "cells" to the pressure from the ether vibrations, and the opposite side of relaxation, and hence animals have a great advantage over plants — Progressive increase in sizes of "atoms," or progressive increase in weight, indicating the number of primordial atoms in each — There are waves and groups of ether waves corresponding to ' ' atoms, ' ' molecules, etc. — Earth twirling rapidly through stationary ether — Janus suggests a new kind of an instrument to assist Organization of the beings in the sterilized flasks, to bring them up to the standard of organization — How the phenomena of life are all accounted for by the Forces derived from contact of elements with ether — What is the result of the Obliqueness of the contact — What causes molecules to Adhere, and why they separate — Why ether vibrations cause elements to come together in place of separate — What Pythagoras said — What it is that causes his nature to work according to geometery — Yielding to effect of environments, the cause for evolution — Natural selection implies Mind, either in elements or outside — Why ' ' organization ' ' is slower than the formation of molecules.

Chapter 3. — The "Instrument" — What unites "cause and effect" — Hypothetical and real instruments — Do mental qualities originate in the Man or from the Forces? — Classes of belief — Where the trouble originates — Senses deceive — Zeno wishes to know how the mind can be deceived if it is an entity — Different "organs" are instruments — They assist in transforming one force into another kind of force — Living "instrument" keeps changing — Classes of impulses — Organic, special sense, primordial — Descartes ' simile — Contrast with automatons — Seriatum arrangement of ' ' impressions ' ' makes conception of ' ' times ' ' — The forces which produce Mind not necessarily responded to by Action of the body — Forces disappear in the ocean of ' ' universal ' ' force —

Chapter 1

THE LONG AXLE AND THE BIG WHEEL. JANUS GIVES ZENO, HIS SON, ONE OF HIS CUSTOMARY LESSONS, IN WHICH HE PROPOUNDS A NEW RATIO.

Janus — Well, let us proceed.

I will here make diagram No. 4, composed of straight lines. (A) is a horizontal line and supposed to be of infinite length, representing our conception of Time.

On this line select any point and call it Present Time. Then if we regard the left hand side as representing the Past, and the right hand side the Future, it is evident that these latter two divisions are equal, because the line representing time is infinite.

In place of a single line I will draw the figure (B), which represents a surface, and figure (C), which represents a solid.

In these latter figures, the point, in figure (A) representing the present, will appear as a line in figure (B) and as a surface in figure (C), (See Diagram No. 4).

The transverse measurements of the "solid" figure are not restricted, hence it may be an inch thick or billions of miles, nevertheless there must still be the same relations retained between the divisions of time, denominated Past. Present and Future, as that referred to in figure (A).

There is always as much "future" on the right hand side as there is "Past"' on the left hand side of the present.

Upon the "past" side of the "time measure" certain points have been selected and agreed upon by chroniclers from which to compute dates and calculate the duration of all events and all activities. Such period as the birth of Christ, 1,914 years ago, and the date of the foundation of the world, 4.004 years previously, have been selected for this purpose.

It is not necessary that either of these periods be correct, absolutely, but, because they have been agreed upon, they serve the purpose, and are quite as satisfactory, as a basis for calculations involving periods and durations, as if they were really correct.

The daily revolution of the earth upon its axis, and its annual revolution around the sun. being maintained in regular sequence, occupying a specific duration for each event, whilst continuing simultaneously, each being completed at constantly recurring periods with reference to each other, afford a mathematically correct basis for comparison, and from the divisions of time, thus presented, all other calculations can be computed and estimated.

Observe that the position of the "present" in Fig. C, Diagram 4, with reference to the other divisions of the line of time, appeals to our conception

16 THE NATURE OF TIME

as if occupying- a very narrow space, or as a surface between two abutting equal "solids/" and its extent corresponding with the transverse measurement of the "solid."

In Fig. (B) the "present" appears as a line.

From the way we reckon time it appeals to one's mind as if the present was continually passing from the past to the future, increasing the length of the past, and to the same extent, encroaching npon the future. Nevertheless the future is not made shorter nor is the "past" lengthened, because the line representing time is of infinite length, therefore the past and the future remain the same length respectively, and are always equal to each other.

If a person travels east and from the w T est, there is always as much east before him as there is w 7 est behind him, no matter how far the journey may have extended, or how swiftly he traveled.

In the same w T aj T there is ahvays just as much future ahead of us as there is past behind us. This is because both space and time (eternity) are infinite, and it makes no difference how long or how rapidly the present may appear to have moved from the past, or how mnch it has seemed to have encroached upon the future.

A hypothetical measure is just as accurate and serviceable as one which we could handle, if the hypothesis is mathematically correct, in fact in many cases a hypothetical instrument is the only kind that could be used. Accordingly we may consider a hypothetical measure as extending across the universe, even if no boundary can be conceived of, simply because w 7 e have a conception of Infinity as that w T hich has no end, and even although it is impossible to define infinity except as a conception. Hence our conception of the duration of the Past is equal to our conception of the duration of the Future, both being arbitrary divisions of the line of time meeting together at the Present.

Upon any of these hypothetical measures, after assuming a fixed point from which to commence calculations, all periods, dates and the duration of all activities can be estimated, even to the most minute fraction of a second or to the most prolonged period of years.

The great advantage gained by the hypothetical straight line, surface or "solid," with which to measure time, is that it affords us an accurate mathematical basis upon which we can erect another line or "surface" at exactly right angles to the straight line representing Time.

Increase the size of our ' ' solid ' ' measure until it is as wide as the universe, and let the surface representing the present extend transversely across it, we will find that the hypothetical "surface" contains everything that is in the universe, because everything that is in the universe is alw 7 ays strictly In the present.

Now w 7 e will denominate the "vertical surface" The "Present Vertical"; we have accordingly tw 7 o entirely different lines or figures at exactly right angles to each other — the Time line serves us as an instrument with t;

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THE LONG AXLE; THE BIG WHEEL 19

which to measure time and the vertical surface serves us with the means of locating all things as regards Time.

The ''vertical present" contains all kinds and conditions of Matter, all modes of energy or force, all life, without regard to what kind of creature bears it, all Mind and the phases thereof, any or all spirits which may be conceived to exist, the Creator, Evolver or an} r form or nature of any deity which has been conceived of by man or any other creature, can only be discovered strictly In the "present vertical," in short, the "present vertical" contains the results of all that ever occurred, and the cause of all that will occur — everything that is.

We cannot recede nor advance from the present, because we cannot alter the relation existing between the present and the past, nor the present with the future, one remaining on each side of the present forever: Hence old Omar Khayyam, the ancient Persian poet and tentmaker, said : "The moving finger writes, and having writ, Moves on, — nor all your piety nor wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a line."

When tomorrow comes it will be present; we have no access to the past, except as a memory of impressions which were created in terms of the present, and even the records which afford us the memories are themselves in the present.

The fact that anything which was created, or made, millions of years ago, becomes evident to us at the present cannot be adduced as evidence that the past exists at present; nor because we are confident that the earth will continue to fly around the sun for a million years to come. This cannot serve to prove that there is a future Now in existence or ever can be except as an anticipation.

"Exists" is in the present tense, and completely excludes both past and future. If it were not so we could have a past at present and a future and present existing at one and the same time, which, of course, is absurd and impossible.

One side of the hypothetical "vertical present," may be properly considered as "facing to past" and the other side of it as "facing the future," whilst the "vertical present" appeals to the conception as an extended wheel, as wide as the universe, within which all matter and energy, life and mind permanently remain.

You should constantly bear in mind that the hypothetical time measure passes exactly at right angles to the "vertical plane," which I called the "vertical present," hence the Time measure line might be properly regarded as an axle to the wheel, which is the vertical plane, even although there is neither past nor future in existence except in the mind of the chronicler. The "long axle" time measure is merely a convenient hypothetical conception, by means of which all dates, periods, durations and activities may be estimated.

20 THE NATURE OF TIME

Being possessed of this simple mathematical relationship, we are at once in a position to place Mind and its Phases and energy with its modes, upon an absolutely correct and very convenient basis, and by means of this hypothesis we become able to formulate a set of mathematically correct ratios, which will serve to demonstrate definitely the relationship existing between all kinds of mentalities, in such a manner that we can understand many psychic phenomena, including hypnotism, ecstasy, dual mind, instinct, objective and subjective mind in their relation to each other and to time.

The ratio expressing the relation of matter and energy to time is expressed by the following formula:

"Matter and Energy Are to Time as the Perpendicular Is to the Horizontal. ' '

Or, if we think of Mind and Life as energies, we would say —

"Either Mind or Life Is to Time as the Perpendicular Is to the Horizontal. ' '

Notice, in the latter of these ratios, that Life represents matter and Mind represents energy, because mind is a form of energy, and it is never recognized independent of matter; nor can life manifest independent of matter.

Zeno — I can understand the ratios, but I do not quite understand how you make it appear that there is neither past nor future, and then present both in the one line representing time; for if there is only one line, which is one thing, it would be impossible to select a part and call it "present/' for by doing so you must divide the time line. And if you divide it there would only be two parts to it, and then there would be no place for the part which you admit exists, and that is the Present. It would seem to me, even with the hypothetical measure, you must allow one part for the present, in any event, and if you allow any division and one part must be the present, therefore the "time line" would have Three parts to it.

Janus — Suppose you stood upon the "time line" at the point "present"; your position on the line does not break it, for it would still remain continuous. It is our position in the hypothetical "time measure" which we recognize as "present time."

Tf you could remain standing on the line representing time and allow the earth and all the heavenly bodies to move along, as they do, without any noise or commotion, passing across the heavens in one direction, would you not think that you were moving in the opposite direction? In exactly the same way, if you sit in a train which remains perfectly still, whilst another train is moving along close by your car, you think that it is your own car that is moving.

Zeno — But according to that conception the time measure is really nothing but our own measure for distance which the earth and heavenly bodies move. Is that the idea ?

Janus — Yes, that is the correct idea. There is no such a thing as time at

THE LONG AXLE; THE BIG WHEEL 21

all, it is only our conception of the relativity of events — the suin of the duration of activities taken continuously — all occurring in Present time, that we regard as Time.

The very same idea was expressed by Aristotle in ancient times when he said, "Time is but the 'measure' of the duration of things that exist in succession, caused by the motion of the heavenly bodies."

Again, Camile Flammarion, the great French astronomer, yet living, said, "Know that time is not an absolute reality, but only a transitory 'measure' caused by the movement of the earth in the solar system. ' '

Zeno — By such a system the ' ' present ' ' is forced out of existence altogether, yet we know that we live in the present, hence you must account for it in some way.

Janus — 1 account for it in exactly the same way as we account for the sensation of light and sound and other mental sensations, perceptions and conceptions.

Light is not a thing in existence in itself. The vibrations generated in the sun, for instance, are perfectly dark, and they are dark all the way as they travel from the sun to our eye and brain, and when they reach the Mind is the very first time in all their course where there is any light whatever.

The eye and brain have the power to so separate and combine the vibrations that they excite that sensation which our consciousness regards as "light." To the blind eye there is no such a thing as light, although the vibrations come to the blind man in the same way and of the same kind as they are and do to the person with good eyes, yet it is not the eye which makes the light, nor does it let the light shine in, because all it lets in are certain vibrations, but vibrations are not Light.

Again, there is really no sound in the piano which we think makes the music. The vibrations of the wires are perfectly soundless, and there is no sound all the way right from the wires to the ear and brain; onhy as the vibrations are accumulated and properly distributed in the brain are they transformed into music, and become appreciated by consciousness as sound. We of course refer the sound to the place of origin of the vibrations, simply because we have learned that certain vibrations, originating at a certain distance, in a certain direction, produce the series of impressions which consciousness perceives as "sound." It is exactly the same way with regard to the movement of the earth and heavenly bodies, producing the mental conception of "time.' 7

Thus Time is due to the sensation which we perceive of the vibration or movement of the earth and other heavenly bodies afloat in the universe.

The Vibrations producing time are immensely slower than the vibrations which we recognize as producing light and sound ; nevertheless, they are due to the same kind of cause, viz., Motion.

The different sensations are due to the Length of the vibrations, the

22 THE NATURE OF TIME

rapidity of the vibrations, and the structure of the organ of sense which receives them.

Compare the length of the vibrations of light. There are 38,000 to the inch in "red" light, 42,000 to the inch for "orange," 46,000 to the inch in "yellow," 50,000 to the inch in the "green," 54,000 in "blue," 58,000 in "indigo" and 62,000 in "violet." When the waves get shorter than that they produce no impression on our eyes, but still they are "light" (invisible light). The sensitive photographic plates see them, and under the name of Chemical Rays they have been traced down to 250,000th of an inch.

Yet far below this in the scale there are other smaller waves. When we get down to the 250,000,000th of an inch we find the X ray. The Length op the X Ray Is Less in Comparison with an Inch than an Inch in Comparison to the Distance from New York to the North Pole. The length of an X ray wave compared with an average wave of visible light is about as an inch to a mile. But this is not the bottom of the list of short waves by any means. The diameter of a " corpuscle ' ' is far less than the length of any of these waves. It has been estimated that the diameter of the "electron" is 12,700,000,000th of an inch.

The length of the duration of a wave of red light is only the 430,000, 000th of a second, and that of violet light 760,000,000th of a second.

By means of these exceedingly rapid movements, consciousness can perceive very slow and long vibrations. We can see a tree vibrate, a bridge swing, the tide rise. And although we cannot see the sun apparently move, yet we can see the result of the real motion of the earth and calculate the 'durations of the revolutions of the heavenly bodies. This is Time sensation. (See Diagram No. 5.)

And if there are very short and very small vibrations, there are also very long and very slow vibrations of ether. There is no reason why there should not be such a slow vibration as not to be completed in less than one year, or a hundred years, or any length of time, — and so large as to occupy the diameter of the orbit of the earth, or any of the planets, or even that of any of the immense fiery suns which dot the heavens; because both Time and Space are infinite.

There must be more than One kind of vibration before we can perceive it at all, — for it is by comparison that consciousness takes cognizance of anything.

Jn light and sound there are many closely similar vibrations. In the case of Time there are (1) The motion of the earth turning on its axis; (2) The motion of the earth flying around the sun; (3) The movements of the planets about the sun; (4) The apparent revolution of the entire heavens daily; (5) The occasional appearance of comets, meteors, etc., in the heavens.

It is just as reasonable to conceive of very slow and long vibrations as to conceive of very rapid and short ones.

Our "Time Measure" can be used to calculate the duration of any motion;

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to estimate how many similar revolutions of the earth, or fractions thereof, it required for the forces of Nature to accomplish anything that has been accomplished ; and. by extension of the scales, to estimate how long it will require the same forces to accomplish other and somewhat similar results.

From the constancy of the movements of the earth and other heavenly bodies in the past, calculations can be made accurately how long it will require for similar repetitions of the same. If the speed of the earth's movements varied, then our system of calculating time would be entirely wrong.

Zeno — Since it has been known so long, it is a wonder to me that we are not usually taught more concerning the true nature of time, — if I can be allowed to speak of it as a thing when we know that it really does not exist except as a sensation. And I would think that the "line" as in Fig. (A) in the diagram would be all that is needed as a time measure, — for it would be much more convenient to make divisions and periods on it than the ' ' solid ' ' measure would be.

Janus — As I said before, the object of having the "solid" measure is in order that we can erect another figure (a surface) at right angles to the "'time line," so that we can locate everything that exists in mathematical relation to time. This is a great convenience, and it is necessary, because everything that does exist, does so in time and space. The Time is the "'present" and the space is represented by the "wheel," or the "present vertical "as referred to previously. There is nothing in all the universe which is not accommodated in the "present vertical" — all forms of matter and every mode of energy, all mind, spirit, Creator, or creative force, and all phases of mind, can be properly shown in their relation to time by means of these figures crossed at right angles. Memories are by this means separated from desires, — demonstrable scientific achievements, from hopes, beliefs, and faiths, and opinions. By means of this arrangement we can explain the modus operandi of hypnotism, ecstasy, dual mind, thought transference, mind reading, mind healing, trance, mediumship, objective mind, subjective mind, instinct, the composition of the mind itself, and understand how the phases of the mind are produced. Who it is or What it is that corresponds with the Creative power of the universe ; and, finally, place man in his proper relation to the rest of "evolving" creation.

Zeno — It appeal's to me that if such marvelous results can be attained by means of this simple hypothetical figure, that these crossed lines or figures must be the key to the universe of knowledge. I must say that I doubt that such results can be so easily obtained, but not being acquainted with the nature of these subjects very well, nor how you propose to proceed, I am not in a position to say it is impossible.

Janus — All truths in the universe agree with each other. Truth is like a diamond, whose value is greatly enhanced by careful polishing and proper setting, and there are new ones being discovered. The more you examine a

26 THE NATURE OP TIME

truth the clearer it will appear, and when we carefully examine and apply the ratio ''Energy and Matter Are to Time as the Perpendicular Is to the Horizontal," we will find that it is useful and convenient, and that it will serve to make plain many of the deep and mysterious sayings recorded in the writing of philosophers, sages, and prophets, and to explain many peculiar phenomena.

There are some general truths which stand behind others, as it were, and when the general truth is appreciated, then the subordinate truths appear as blanches from it, like the branches and foliage of a tree. Any hypothesis is valuable in proportion to the number and importance of the facts which it will explain, and if it is simple and easily understood, it becomes more valuable, because it is not difficult to apply, and the detection of error is proportionally easier. If the hypothesis will explain all known facts, then it is as good as the natural law, because everything pertaining to its operation occurs as if it were the natural law. If any new facts be discovered, which the hypothesis will not explain, then it becomes discredited, and some other and more general law will be sought. Still it may be useful. Even Newton's law of Attraction of Gravitation is now disputed as being a true Natural law, partly because his law is confined to separate bodies, and implies empty space, which is now believed not to exist. The idea of continuity of matter throughout space implies that there is no empty space, or that there is some kind of matter everywhere, and that the ether, like a limpid jelly, really Fills up all the intervals between appreciable bodies of matter.