The Secret Doctrine (II, 42) tells us that "Evolution, not creation, by means of WORDS is recognized in the philosophies of the East, even in their exoteric records."

We are familiar with the idea that there is no creation, and that all is evolution, but perhaps we fail to grasp the implication that evolution is by means of WORDS. That is to say, as it started by the WORD, so is it continued by means of WORDS.

The question arises, how can words cause the continuous process which is evolution?

If we look at the meaning of "word" in a dictionary, we find that it is defined as a "unit of spoken or written language," and "language" is "any method of expressing thoughts." A word is, therefore, a means of expressing thought.

Perhaps we can see why all manifestation began with the WORD, i.e., by thought expressed. "Desire first arose in IT," we learn, and awakened to activity the Thought in the Universal Mind. This Thought was expressed in the WORD. The result was Sound, the Sound being of the nature of that Thought, itself the result of past Manvantaras. This Sound vibrates throughout infinitude, and is the cause of evolution.

Again, The Secret Doctrine (I, 93) speaks of "the mystery of Sound and Speech, as an effect and corollary of the cause—Divine Thought." And H.P.B. quotes P. Christian who, she says, expressed "an esoteric teaching accepted by all the Eastern Schools of Occultism" when he wrote:

To pronounce a word is to evoke a thought, and make it present: the magnetic potency of the human speech is the commencement of every manifestation in the Occult World. To utter a Name is not only to define a Being (an Entity), but to place it under and condemn it through the emission of the Word (Verbum), to the influence of one or more Occult potencies. Things are, for every one of us, that which it (the Word) makes them while naming them. The Word (Verbum) or the speech of every man is, quite unconsciously to himself, a BLESSING or a CURSE; this is why our present ignorance about the properties or attributes of the IDEA as well as about the attributes and properties of MATTER, is often fatal to us....

Sound is the sensation produced through the organs of hearing, a vibratory disturbance in the atmosphere, a tone or note produced by regular vibrations. We have the idea that every unit in manifestation vibrates in response to the WORD, for that WORD does not cease at the dawn of manifestation; it is inherent in the whole. Its continuation is through the units of manifestation, for all things emit a sound. As human beings use language, i.e., words, they are also the agents carrying out the work of evolution by this means. It is for this reason that we are warned to be careful of our words.

...the spoken word has a potency unknown to, unsuspected and disbelieved in, by the modern "sages."...Sound and rhythm are closely related to the four Elements of the Ancients; and such or another vibration in the air is sure to awaken corresponding powers, union with which produces good or bad results, as the case may be. (S.D., I, 307)

By trying to realize the connection between the WORD, our own words and the sound pertaining to all parts of manifestation, we shall be helped once again to get an idea of the UNITY of and through all, including the highest and the lowest. Also to see that from one point of view all is ruled by thought. The devotion and reverence due to the Highest has to be felt also for the lowest atom.

Draw a deep line in your thought between that ever-incognizable essence, and the, as invisible, yet comprehensible Presence (Mulaprakriti), or Schekinah, from beyond and through which vibrates the sound of the Verbum, and from which evolve the numberless hierarchies of intelligent Egos, of conscious as of semi-conscious, perceptive and apperceptive Beings, whose essence is spiritual Force, whose Substance is the Elements and whose bodies (when needed) are the atoms....Every physical point is but the phenomenal expression of the noumenal, metaphysical point. (S.D., I, 629-30)

This brings home to us the potency of the Word, which is expressed thought. We are the expression of our thought, but it is expressed through language, whether of articulate sounds, of the emotions, or of spiritual symbols and emblems. H.P.B. speaks of "Abstract Thought and concrete Voice" (S.D., I, 99 fn.), and of "the mystery of Sound and Speech" (S.D., I, 93). Thought, Voice, Sound.

Quoting Pymander, The Secret Doctrine (II, 488) says:

"THOUGHT, the divine, which is LIGHT and LIFE...produced through its WORD, or first aspect," the other, operating THOUGHT.

This "operating THOUGHT" is explained to us (II, 490) in a way which, if applied, will be very useful to us in our daily life:

There was no "EVIL thought" that originated the opposing Power, but simply THOUGHT per se; something which, being cogitative, and containing design and purpose, is therefore finite, and must thus find itself naturally in opposition to pure quiescence, as the natural state of absolute Spirituality and Perfection. It was simply the law of Evolution that asserted itself; the progress of mental unfolding; differentiated from spirit, involved and entangled already with matter, into which it is irresistibly drawn.

Applying this, we see that all our thoughts should be cogitative, having design and purpose. That is to say, we must cogitate, think over, meditate or ponder; we must design or plan what we want to do; the purpose to be kept in mind is rooted in the desire-sponsored thought. Reflected in our own thought process is that which took place in the beginning:

...absolute wisdom mirrors itself in its Ideation; which by a transcendental process, superior to and incomprehensible by human consciousness, results in Cosmic Energy (Fohat). (I, 328)

Further:

The Logos is the mirror reflecting DIVINE MIND, and the Universe is the mirror of the Logos, though the latter is the esse of that Universe. As the Logos reflects all in the Universe of Pleroma, so man reflects in himself all that he sees and finds in his Universe, the Earth. (II, 25)

Any desire, therefore, must be mirrored in thought before energy can be born. The combination of these, working in matter on all planes—for no thought or desire can be formulated without a basis of matter—produces a sound which results in the vibrations thrilling through matter, bringing construction or destruction.

It is good to remember that conscious thought should precede our words. If we regret our words we must realize that it is our conscious thought which has become sub-conscious and has produced those words. Our regret for them must make us search for the underlying thought so that we can change it.

Secondly, we must begin to value more the tone of our voice, for sounds are destructive as well as constructive. It is interesting to note the kind of music that is so popular today—jarring, coarse, disturbing to the inner thought as to the outer atmosphere—for it gives us knowledge of the kind of thought that is at the base of our present civilization. Our own harsh sounds, angry words, hoarse-laughter, loud voices, all should show us that we can be destructive agents. The great sounds of Nature which vibrate through the apparent silence cannot be heard when our own sounds are loud and harsh. When silence seems to drive us mad, we need to stop and think. One of the destructive aspects of present-day life is noise, e.g., that of machines. Periods of silence are essential, and therefore we find that quiet reflection is recognized today to be essential to mental health.

Thirdly, what we speak, the words used, are important. Therefore the Gita recommends the repetition of sacred texts. If study purifies the brain-mind, words of Truth and Wisdom purify our whole character and our surroundings.

Finally, let us try to remember that whatever we say is but the expression of the Divine Thought through the instrumentality of our sevenfold nature. Our abstract thought becomes concrete through our words and their sound.