'The Guardian Angel ' is a concept of a ' related system/s in the psyche generally (as 'parts of the soul ' ) '
' Soul ' might be a large undefined term ... perhaps we could say 'the subtler parts of the psyche ' . Strangely , we dont have a term for it . 'Parts of the soul ' might do ... unless we consider 'soul' to be one . Anthropology (again ) comes to the rescue with the phrase ( but still no term ) In anthropology and religious studies, this total integration is called a psychosomatic-spiritual organism or a tripartite/multipartite anthropology.
As some point out '' The ideas go back at least as far as Plotinus '' . Yes, a lot further and here we find the original ( at least in literal form ) form in Zoroastrianism ; angels ... and the concept of a guardian angel and the concepts of 'parts of the soul , or 'psyche' . Zoroastrianism contributed many seed ideas that carried on to the major religious viewpoints .
'Spirit' - Mainyu . As in a few systems (eg. ancient Greek ) spirit, breath and mind are near interchangeable .
Mainyu is the counterpart of the physical components of a person . It is not exactly 'sensory' but relates to feelings and intuitions .Yet we are composed of both 'physical and spiritual . We also have 'a spirit type' ... the 'type' of person you are .
The spirit of a person - their 'mind' - can be good or bad , for a variety of reasons ; they may have 'spenta (good ) mainyu , or 'angra (bad) mind' . The idea is to cultivate 'good mind' . ( Which is central to their philosophy ' good mind' , 'Good thoughts' leads to good words and good actions . - all this got changed later to 'spirits' , like gods and devils . Certain practices also generate good mind .
Urvan - 'soul' ; which is built up around your choice to create good or bad 'mainyu ' , due to your 'free will' . This creates your own 'heaven or hell' which is a state of mind or spirit and not a 'place' .
Fraveshi - the 'divine spark ' , a singular source is postulated and from this we get a 'spark' that animates or spiritual side .
Khvarenah - I speak of this a lot . It is our purpose and reason for being here ; the thing we have to offer , our 'life's work ' or special proclivity (it is a bit like Crowley's 'True Will' and this is the concept he probably lifted it from ). It is the 'archetype' you can grow into if it it is found and allowed to grow ( by you ) . Your 'higher calling' and meaning in life . Every person has one . It is our 'highest potential '
'good mind / spirit ' helps one access it . Allowing bad mind spirit leads to base ambitions . It is also postulated that the more people there are following their true purpose, the better a society will be and need less regulations and laws . Things will flow more naturally and people be happier and fulfilled . Otherwise people 'loose themselves and society suffers and life becomes misunderstood or even meaningless . Difficulties need to be navigated , including a persons 'lot in life' and various external circumstances .
A person with a strong realization of khvrarenah , in mythology, is said to have a bird hovering over them ( this passed on into Christian tradition ) . A 'turning away ' can make the bird fly away . Also it was said it was a 'gift' , or sourced from the 'divine light' and evidenced by a nimbus (halo ) above their head ( another symbol the Christians adopted ) .
Like some traditions , eg the Ancient Egyptians , a uniting and joining of these components , made during life , built an 'immortal body '; the United Fraveshi ... a 'vehicle ' ;
When the urvan - soul, mainyu - spirit, fraveshi and Khvarenah become united . Those that have departed are said to have 'united' their components .
Now we finally come to the guardian angel concept . The united fraveshi have the ability to generate a 'guardian angel ' . It is said ;
''
'' they come to assist those who are beneficent and not hurtful or offensive . To them the fraveshi will assuredly come like birds well-winged .''
So the 'Fravohar'
is also a symbol of the guardian angel ( although in other contexts it means other things related ; the king , Zoroaster himself , a symbol of Zoroastrianism , etc )
central to all this is the term that basically mean 'your spiritual quest ' , your 'path to realization' through an open and good ( well cultivated ) mind , reason, wisdom, goodness, security and serenity . A quality of spiritual awareness and connection cultivated by introspection, reflection and meditation ( and they prefer to couple that with 'manthra' while facing a source of light or flame )
Eventually finding 'understanding ' from an open mind and listening and deciding . each person for themselves , their individual path to realization. It is discouraged to blindly follow others or have unquestioned faith as blind faith leads to delusion .
( I have noticed that this seems to have carried over to the Baha'i religion - a very progressive one - where a child does not nor cannot 'automatically ' become or v=be 'made ' a Baha'i . They are supposed to have reached the age of reason, demonstrated that they have looked into and studied other religions and then, by choice , declare they want to be a Baha'i .)
'Spiritual development comes from possessing and uniting the 'six good qualities ' , being in tune with the elements of nature . and thereby being in harmony with 'God's plan' for us .
This is all underpinned by the goal of life - 'Ushta' - happiness and peace . They see the goal of life as 'having a good and enjoyable life ; at peace with oneself , spiritual confidence in your path , feeling and knowing you have a meaningful and fulfilling life and generating a spiritual self that 'lights the path ahead .'
This includes the concept of the Guardian Angel , a concept which seems to have survived through to 'tutelary deity ' , to concepts today .
The six qualities that generate 'spenta mainyu '
' Soul ' might be a large undefined term ... perhaps we could say 'the subtler parts of the psyche ' . Strangely , we dont have a term for it . 'Parts of the soul ' might do ... unless we consider 'soul' to be one . Anthropology (again ) comes to the rescue with the phrase ( but still no term ) In anthropology and religious studies, this total integration is called a psychosomatic-spiritual organism or a tripartite/multipartite anthropology.
As some point out '' The ideas go back at least as far as Plotinus '' . Yes, a lot further and here we find the original ( at least in literal form ) form in Zoroastrianism ; angels ... and the concept of a guardian angel and the concepts of 'parts of the soul , or 'psyche' . Zoroastrianism contributed many seed ideas that carried on to the major religious viewpoints .
'Spirit' - Mainyu . As in a few systems (eg. ancient Greek ) spirit, breath and mind are near interchangeable .
Mainyu is the counterpart of the physical components of a person . It is not exactly 'sensory' but relates to feelings and intuitions .Yet we are composed of both 'physical and spiritual . We also have 'a spirit type' ... the 'type' of person you are .
The spirit of a person - their 'mind' - can be good or bad , for a variety of reasons ; they may have 'spenta (good ) mainyu , or 'angra (bad) mind' . The idea is to cultivate 'good mind' . ( Which is central to their philosophy ' good mind' , 'Good thoughts' leads to good words and good actions . - all this got changed later to 'spirits' , like gods and devils . Certain practices also generate good mind .
Urvan - 'soul' ; which is built up around your choice to create good or bad 'mainyu ' , due to your 'free will' . This creates your own 'heaven or hell' which is a state of mind or spirit and not a 'place' .
Fraveshi - the 'divine spark ' , a singular source is postulated and from this we get a 'spark' that animates or spiritual side .
Khvarenah - I speak of this a lot . It is our purpose and reason for being here ; the thing we have to offer , our 'life's work ' or special proclivity (it is a bit like Crowley's 'True Will' and this is the concept he probably lifted it from ). It is the 'archetype' you can grow into if it it is found and allowed to grow ( by you ) . Your 'higher calling' and meaning in life . Every person has one . It is our 'highest potential '
'good mind / spirit ' helps one access it . Allowing bad mind spirit leads to base ambitions . It is also postulated that the more people there are following their true purpose, the better a society will be and need less regulations and laws . Things will flow more naturally and people be happier and fulfilled . Otherwise people 'loose themselves and society suffers and life becomes misunderstood or even meaningless . Difficulties need to be navigated , including a persons 'lot in life' and various external circumstances .
A person with a strong realization of khvrarenah , in mythology, is said to have a bird hovering over them ( this passed on into Christian tradition ) . A 'turning away ' can make the bird fly away . Also it was said it was a 'gift' , or sourced from the 'divine light' and evidenced by a nimbus (halo ) above their head ( another symbol the Christians adopted ) .
Like some traditions , eg the Ancient Egyptians , a uniting and joining of these components , made during life , built an 'immortal body '; the United Fraveshi ... a 'vehicle ' ;
When the urvan - soul, mainyu - spirit, fraveshi and Khvarenah become united . Those that have departed are said to have 'united' their components .
Now we finally come to the guardian angel concept . The united fraveshi have the ability to generate a 'guardian angel ' . It is said ;
''
- They, the asha-abiding fravashis, come to assist those who are beneficent and not hurtful or offensive. To them, the fravashis will assuredly come flying like birds well-winged.
'' they come to assist those who are beneficent and not hurtful or offensive . To them the fraveshi will assuredly come like birds well-winged .''
So the 'Fravohar'
is also a symbol of the guardian angel ( although in other contexts it means other things related ; the king , Zoroaster himself , a symbol of Zoroastrianism , etc )
central to all this is the term that basically mean 'your spiritual quest ' , your 'path to realization' through an open and good ( well cultivated ) mind , reason, wisdom, goodness, security and serenity . A quality of spiritual awareness and connection cultivated by introspection, reflection and meditation ( and they prefer to couple that with 'manthra' while facing a source of light or flame )
Eventually finding 'understanding ' from an open mind and listening and deciding . each person for themselves , their individual path to realization. It is discouraged to blindly follow others or have unquestioned faith as blind faith leads to delusion .
( I have noticed that this seems to have carried over to the Baha'i religion - a very progressive one - where a child does not nor cannot 'automatically ' become or v=be 'made ' a Baha'i . They are supposed to have reached the age of reason, demonstrated that they have looked into and studied other religions and then, by choice , declare they want to be a Baha'i .)
'Spiritual development comes from possessing and uniting the 'six good qualities ' , being in tune with the elements of nature . and thereby being in harmony with 'God's plan' for us .
This is all underpinned by the goal of life - 'Ushta' - happiness and peace . They see the goal of life as 'having a good and enjoyable life ; at peace with oneself , spiritual confidence in your path , feeling and knowing you have a meaningful and fulfilling life and generating a spiritual self that 'lights the path ahead .'
This includes the concept of the Guardian Angel , a concept which seems to have survived through to 'tutelary deity ' , to concepts today .
The six qualities that generate 'spenta mainyu '
- Vohu Manah (The Good Mind): The quality of wisdom, rational thinking, and mental clarity that allows humans to perceive the truth and make right choices. [, ]
- Asha Vahishta (The Best Righteousness / Cosmic Order): The ultimate truth, justice, and the natural harmony that governs the universe. []
- Khshathra Vairya (The Desirable Dominion / Power): The strength, divine authority, and courage used to do good deeds and protect the weak. [, ]
- Spenta Armaiti (Holy Devotion / Right-Mindedness): Serenity, loving-kindness, piety, and the quiet dedication needed to care for others and the Earth. [, ]
- Haurvatat (Wholeness / Perfection): Spiritual and physical health, completion, and the pursuit of excellence in everything one does. [, ]
- Ameretat (Immortality / Deathlessness): Eternal life, timelessness, and leaving behind a lasting spiritual legacy of goodness. [, ]