Re: VMs: What do you think about Eight?

["JA" <javms@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Pamela,
Well observed the divisions by eight. I am forwarding my two bits about
numbers and philosophical systems.

The principle of duality, understood here as a dynamic and complementary
opposition, is the source of several mystical/philosophical traditions.
Systems containing 2^n, where n>0 components, are in most of cases a result
of recurrent application of that principle. We may include in that, for
example, the taoist Yin-Yang principle, the 2x2x2 Wheel of the Year, the 2x2
Four Seasons, the 2x2 Four Cardinal Points, the 2x2 Jewish Merkabah
tradition,  the 2x2 Jungian typology, the derived 2x2x2x2 Myers-Briggs
personality classification system, and other.

The principle of trinity, which may also be grasped as a Hegelian /being,
/not-being, /becoming triad, also gave rise to philosophical systems as the
Christian trinity, the Jewish Tree of Life, the three doshas Vata, Pitta,
Kapha from Ayurvedic.medicine.

Other models employ concurrently both principles of duality and trinity, as
for example the 2x3(x2) Tibetan Wheel of Life, the 2x3x2 Zodiac, the
initially 2^3 and later 2^3 x 2^3 I Ching. The 64 hexagrams in the I Ching
are not simply a 2^6 construction, that is, the  I Ching encompasses both
duality and trinity, as it may be understood from its legendary 3000 BC
origins with Fu-Hsi.

One should perhaps beware of deviant or excessively ornamented renditions
and interpretations of such systems and their components. The basis of those
systems, the one real thing that gives them sustenance, are simply the
underlying principles of  duality and trinity. I have a firm belief that the
VMS author was persuaded about that, and had a deep, very deep grasp on the
validity and possibilities of application of those two axioms.

Best wishes,
Jorge

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