Glossary of Spiritual and Religious Words

R

Ra

(Hebrew רע) Literally "pollution" or "impurity." Wrongly translated in the Bible as "evil." Do not confuse with the Egyptian name Ra (see: Re).

"And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil [רע]." - Genesis 2

"Said Rabbi Jose: "Is not this sin synonymous with what is termed rashang (wickedness or wrongdoing)?" "No," replied Rabbi Jehuda, "for rashang is applied to intentional evil ere it becomes an actuality, but Ra refers to him who defiles himself by the dissipation of his vital powers [fornication, abuse of sexual energy] and thus gives himself up to the unclean spirit called Ra. He who thus renders himself impure will never attain unto the Divine Life nor behold the face of the Shekina, whose disappearance from the world previous to the deluge was owing to the vice termed Ra. Woe unto him who indulges in it, for he will never experience the joy of living [Eden] in the presence of the Holy One, but will drag on through life as a degraded captive and miserable slave of Ra, the unclean spirit..." - Zohar

Race

1. In Gnosis, the term race generally refers stages of development in the history of humanity. Aee: Root Races.

2. In regards to the variations visible in the current Aryan Root Race, Samael Aun Weor wrote: "God has no preference for anyone.  All human beings without distinction of sex, race, creed or color are beloved children of the Father.  They have the same rights... God has no racial prejudice.  He loves all his children with infinite love, without distinction of sex, race, creed or color. We must love all human beings.  We must give even the last drop of our blood for all our brothers and sisters who belong to this great human family." - Igneous Rose

Raja Yoga

(Sanskrit) "Royal Yoga." Swami Sivananda from his book Raja Yoga: "Raja Yoga is the king of Yogas. It concerns directly with the mind. In this Yoga there is no struggling with Prana or physical body. There are no Hatha Yogic Kriyas. The Yogi seats at ease, watches his mind and silences the bubbling thoughts. He stills the mind, restraints the thought-waves and enters into the thoughtless state or Asamprajnata Samadhi, Hence the name Raja Yoga. Though Raja Yoga is a dualistic philosophy and treats of Prakriti and Purusha, it helps the student in Advaitic Realization of oneness eventually. Though there is the mention of Purusha, ultimately the Purusha becomes identical with Highest Self or Purusha, or Brahman of Upanishads. Raja Yoga pushes the student to the highest rung of the spiritual ladder of Advaitic realization of Brahman."

Patanjali's Raja Yoga is generally termed the Ashtanga Yoga or the Yoga of Eight Limbs, through the practice of which freedom is achieved. These eight limbs are:

1. Yama or Eternal Vows: • Ahimsa (non-violence) • Satya (truth) • Asteya (non-stealing) • Brahmacharya (continence) and • Aparigraha (non-avariciousness);
2. Niyama or Observances: • Saucha (purity) • Santosha (contentment) • Tapas (austerities) • Svadhyaya (study) and • Ishvarapranidhana (surrender to God);
3. Asana (firm, comfortable meditative posture);
4. Pranayama (the regulation of the Vital Force);
5. Pratyahara (abstraction of the senses and mind from objects);
6. Dharana (concentration);
7. Dhyana (meditation); and
8. Samadhi (superconscious state or trance)

Rajas

One of the three gunas, or qualities of nature. The quality of emotion, energy, craving, attachment, tension, or activity.

From the Mahabarata: “Brahma said: I shall now declare to you accurately what the quality of Passion (Rajas) is. Injuring others, beauty, toil, pleasure and pain, cold and heat, lordship (or power), war, peace, arguments, dissatisfaction, endurance, might, valour, pride, wrath, exertion, quarrel, jealousy, desire, malice, battle, the sense of meum or mineness, protection of others, slaughter, bonds, and affliction, buying and selling, lopping off, cutting, piercing and cutting off the coat of mail that another has worn, fierceness, cruelty, vilifying, pointing out the faults of others, thoughts entirely devoted to worldly affairs, anxiety, animosity, reviling of others, false speech, false or vain gifts, hesitancy or doubts, boastfulness of speech, praise and criticisms, laudation, prowess, defiance, attendance (as on the weak and the sick), obedience (to the commands of preceptors and parents), service or ministrations, harbouring of thirst or desire, cleverness or dexterity of conduct, policy heedlessness, contumely, possessions, and diverse decorations that prevail in the world among men, women, animals, inanimate things, houses, grief, incredulousness, vows and regulations, actions with expectation (of good result), diverse acts of public charity, the rites in respect of Swaha salutations, rites of Swadha and Vashat, officiating at the sacrifices of others, imparting of instruction, performance of sacrifices, study, making of gifts, acceptance of gifts, rites of expiation, auspicious acts, the wish to have this and that, affection generated by the merits of the object for which or whom it is felt, treachery, deception, disrespect and respect, theft, killing, desire of concealment, vexation, wakefulness, ostentation, haughtiness, attachment, devotion, contentment, exultation, gambling, indulgence in scandal, all relations arising out of women, attachment to dancing, instrumental music and songs – all these qualities have been said to belong to the quality of Passion (Rajas).”

Rama

The hero of the Ramayana, a Divine Incarnation of Vishnu.

Raphael

also Rephael, Refael, Refa'el (Hebrew רְפָאֵל) from the root רפא, which means "heal", "cure". The second part is אֵל (el, "God"). An important angel in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Read the apocryphal book Tobit.

Raskoano

"The sacred Raskoano (death) is full of inner beauty.  The truth about death is only known by the one who has experienced its deep significance." - Samael Aun Weor, The Esoteric Treatise of Hermetic Astrology

Ratzon-l-Kabel

(Hebrew) לציון 'Ratzon' means 'desire or will' and קַבָּלָ 'Kabel' means 'to receive.'

Gnostic Kabbalah explains that there are two types of reasoning (intelligence); one is objective reasoning and the other subjective reasoning. Objective reasoning depends on the use of our will or Ratzon, whereas subjective reasoning depends on the use of our desire. Thus, there are two types of Ratzon: one above (willpower or Tiphereth) and the other below (desire or Nephesh).

Subjective reasoning develops through the data that we “receive” through the physical senses of the animal soul (Nephesh).

Objective reasoning develops through the data that we “receive” through the superlative consciousness or spiritual soul of the Being (Neshamah).

Ray of Creation

The light of the Ain Soph Aur, also known as the Okidanokh, Quetzalcoatl, Kulkulcan, Krestos and Christ. This Ray decends as a lightning bolt, creating and illuminating all the levels of existence.

"The proper arrangement of the Ray of Creation is as follows:

1. Absolute - Protocosmos

2. All the worlds from all of the clusters of Galaxies - Ayocosmos

3. A Galaxy or group of Suns - Macrocosmos

4. The Sun, Solar System - Deuterocosmos

5. The Earth, or any of the planets - Mesocosmos

6. The Philosophical Earth, Human Being - Microcosmos

7. The Abyss, Hell - Tritocosmos

"The Brethren of the Gnostic Movement must deeply comprehend the esoteric knowledge which we give in this Christmas Message, in order for them to exactly know the place that they occupy in the Ray of Creation." - from The Elimination of Satan's Tail

Re

(Eqyptian; also Ra, Amun-ra, Amon-ra, Amen-ra) One of the names of the Solar Father in Egyptian mysticism.

"From the Egyptian word Ra came the Coptic Ouro, and the Hebrew Aur, Light." - Morals and Dogma, by Albert Pike [1871]

Real Being

"Our real Being is the inner Christ. Our real Being is of a universal nature. Our real Being is neither a kind of superior nor inferior "I." Our real Being is impersonal, universal, divine. He transcends every concept of "I," me, myself, ego, etc., etc." - The Perfect Matrimony

Reasoning

There are two forms of reasoning: Objective and Subjective.

"Objective Reasoning was developed before the Greco-Roman period emerged. The primeval Aryans of the first sub-race of the great Aryan Root Race (which flourished in Central Asia) had developed it. The people of the second sub-race (prior to the period of the solar Rishis) possessed it. The Egyptians of the ancient Dynasties of the Pharaohs, the Babylonians, the sages of Afghanistan, Turkestan and Iraq also used it. This type of reasoning practically ended with Greek reasoning. The Greeks were the ones who began to play with words and ended up establishing the Subjective Reasoning based on external sensory perceptions, thus drowning out the Objective Reasoning, eliminating it from the face of the Earth. Since then, humanity only possesses subjective reasoning, external sensory perceptions, the data provided through the five senses." - The Aquarian Message

"(Subjective) Reasoning is one thing and intuition is another. Reasoning only nourishes itself with external sensorial perceptions (by means of the senses it perceives or receives impressions and then produces sensations). Thus, reasoning ends up being negative and limited. The reasoning person believes that he can attain the truth through the struggle of antithesis, but this only divides the mind and incapacitates it to comprehend the truth." - The Revolution of Beelzebub

Objective Reasoning is a power of the Being. "The process of (subjective) reasoning divorces the mind from the Innermost. A mind which is divorced from the Innermost falls into the abyss of black magic. Many times the Innermost gives an order and the mind reveals itself with its reasoning. The Innermost speaks by hunches, thoughts and superlative intuition but the mind reveals by reasoning and comparison. Reasoning is based on opinions, in the struggle of antithetic concepts, in the process of conceptual election, etc. Reasoning divides the mind between the struggles of the antitheses. Antithetic concepts convert the mind into a battlefield. A mind which is divided by the battle of reasoning, by the struggle of antithetic concepts, fractions the understanding and converts the mind into a worthless instrument for the Being, for the Innermost." - The Initiatic Path in the Arcana of Tarot and Kabbalah

Recapitulation

"The following law in life exists: before initiating its new manifestations, Nature has to recapitulate all of its former manifestations. Therefore, whosoever wants to objectively know all of the evolving processes of humanity has to observe the human fetus from its very conception. Within the maternal womb, the human fetus recapitulates the whole metamorphosis of the human body from its very ancient origins." - The Revolution of Beelzebub

Red Demons of Seth

(Egyptian) Our own psychological defects as symbolized in the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Red hat

Samael Aun Weor and Helena Petrovna Blavatsky both warned of the sect of Tibetan mystics known as the “red hats.” This has been taken by many Gnostic and Theosophical students literally, spreading fear of any Tibetan that utilizes a red hat or crown. Later of course, Samael Aun Weor investigated this matter more deeply, and corrected his warning to be directed squarely at the Drukpa sect of Kagyu Buddhism.

It should be known that three of the four Tibetan Buddhist schools use red hats in their rituals.  Even the great master Padmasambava (known as the “second Buddha” by Tibetans) donned a red hat.  Therefore, it is clear that the use of a red hat does not automatically denote a follower of black tantrism.

The term “red hat” in Tibetan is “Shamar.”  Shamar-pa or “Red Hat Lama” is a tulku or reincarnated Lama of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism who does indeed wear a red hat as a symbol of his position.   Although the majority of Tibetan lamas wear red hats, the name “Shamarpa” means “the red hat” and his entourage and monks are considered “those that follow the red hat.”

During the time of the 8th Dalai Lama (1770's), the Shamarpa was incarnated as the brother of the Panchen Lama, a very high Gelugpa, seen as second only to the Dalai Lama. After the death of the Panchen Lama, his reincarnation was being sought. In the meantime, because he didn't inherit the wealth left by his late brother the Panchen Lama, the Shamarpa colluded with the Gurkas of Nepal and pretended that he was kidnapped, in order to weasel a ransom which he thought was rightfully his. The 8th Dalai Lama and his Kushog (advisors) saw through this obvious farce and didn't pay the ransom. Not only did the Shamarpa make it out of Nepal alive, but the Nepalese Gurkas attacked Tibet, killing thousands of monks and lay people. This problem, along with others, was caused by the Shamarpa's ill will. Because of this, the Dalai Lama banned the reincarnation of the Shamarpa forever! The Lamas of the time took his famous red hat and buried it under the steps to the Jokang Temple so that anyone going to the most powerful temple in Tibet would trample the hat of the Shamarpa!

In the 1960's, the 16th Karmapa asked the Dalai Lama for his permission to once again recognize the Shamar Lama reincarnation. The Dalai Lama, trying to be a good statesman and repair wounds between the Gelugpa and Kagyupa orders, agreed (the Dalai Lama was very young and under tremendous political pressure and ordeals at the time). The current Shamar is the first one to be recognized in two hundred years. The Shamarpa does not look well upon the Dalai Lama or the Gelugpa.

The present Shamar Lama is very well known for his direct and in depth connection with the Drukpa Kagyu that live in Bhutan.

 

Red Lion

Alchemical symbol of the sacred Fire or "drinkable Gold," in other words, the Kundalini. “Separate the Red Lion from waste… by kneading…” = white tantrism.

Red Planet

See Hercolobus.

Reflective Ether

One of the four ethers of the Ethereal Body. The reflective ether is intimately related with the faculties of memory, imagination, willpower, etc.

Reincarnation

This is the descent of divinity into a human being.  In order for the Innermost, the Spirit to Reincarnate, his Soul needs to build Astral, Mental and Causal Solar Bodies.
The incarnation of Christ into a human being is what is called an Avatar.  In Hinduism, Vishnu is the Christ, the Solar Logos.  This is why in India they say that reincarnation is performed by Vishnu.  Krishna spoke about this, by saying:  "Only the Devas reincarnate."

"Thus, Reincarnation is a feat accomplished only by the great illuminated souls, in which they consciously choose to be born in a particular time and place; in other words, they chose to incarnate the Being in a new physical body. Only beings with conscious development can do this.

"The word reincarnation is most demanding, it must not be used carelessly: No one would be able to reincarnate without first having eliminated the ego, without truly possessing sacred Individuality.Incarnation is a very venerable word, signifying in fact the reembodiment of the Divine in a man." - The Mystery of the Golden Blossom

Reish

The twentieth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it symbolizes "the head." Reish is solitude, it is fecundity in Sexual Alchemy; it is the Christified Head, the outcome of the Great Arcanum. Its Kabbalistic value is 200.

Religare

(Latin) From religâre, to bind; from ligâre, to unite in harmony) To re-unite. Root of the term "religion."

"The soul aspires for the union with his Innermost, and the Innermost aspires for the union with his Glorian." - Samael Aun Weor, The Revolution of Beelzebub

Renunciation

"Mere giving up of objects will not constitute real renunciation. Dear friends, remember this point well. True Tyaga or renunciation consists in renouncing egoism, "I-ness," "mine-ness," selfishness, desires and cravings of all sorts." - Swami Sivananda, How to Get Vairagya

"Based on renunciations (each time more incredible), one advances on the path of John." - Samael Aun Weor, The Doomed Aryan Race

Representations

"In the practical field of life, a person is an object of the senses. The mental representation or mental image we have of a person is another thing. It is something similar to the difference that exists between a person and her photograph. The person is a person and her photograph is a photograph, and her representation is what it represents. There are mental photos, and the mental photos we may have of that person are one thing and the actual person is another thing. This mental photo comes to be the representation of that person. Psychological aggregates constitute the ego, but representations reflect objects in the world of senses." - Lecture: Mental Representations

Resurrected Master

A Master who has completed the Second Mountain and has resurrected his or her physical body. This type of Master has zero ego, but still needs to work a lot in order to gain the right to enter into the Absolute.

"Every Resurrected Master has Solar Bodies, but does not have Lunar Bodies. The Resurrected Masters have powers over Fire, Air, Water and the Earth. Resurrected Masters can transmute physical lead into physical gold. The Resurrected Masters govern life and death, they can conserve the physical body for millions of years, they know the quadrature of the circle and the perpetual movement, they have the universal medicine and speak the very pure language of the Divine Tongue which, like a golden river, flows delightfully beneath the thick jungle of the Sun." - The Esoteric Treatise of Hermetic Astrology

 

Resurrection

The reemergence of the Cosmic Christ within the Bodhisattva. Related with the Arcanum Twenty.  There are three types of resurrection:

1.  Spiritual resurrection

2.  Resurrection with the body of liberation

3.  Resurrection with the physical body