108: The Key to Metaphysical Intuition

"There are three, but where is the fourth?"

Carl Jung

    What’s in a number?   Only what we project and apply to that number some would say.   I would argue that numbers provide windows for comparative understanding of relationships or similarities, at least.   108, its symbolism and its origin, is of metaphysical intuition.   108 became a celebrated number through intuition or divination.   In Hinduism there are 108 names for every god.   And in Buddhism there are 108 paths to god, and in contrast 108 defilements or sins.   But these theological celebrations of 108 are just the tip of the theological iceberg.   Further, in Sanskrit there are 54 letters each with a masculine and feminine making 108.   In Chinese martial arts, acupressure as well as Indian fighting techniques there 108 main pressure points and numerous forms of tai chi have 108 movements.   The number is intrinsic in many traditions to the point the roots of its celebration are mysterious and too ancient to trace.

    The divinity of 108 was never argued and its significance was adopted and transmuted or realized by all who came into its understanding.   More than likely 108 is rooted in India.   The ancient Hindu astrological system is based on lunar and solar cycles.   The lunar and solar cycles hold 108 as central, only through different calculations of time.   Astrology and astronomy are similar in that they look to space, but they are different subjects altogether.   Only the ancient Hindu astrological system correlates with modern astronomical observation.   

    The most amazing aspect of the number has only recently been scientifically revealed, directly correlating astrology with astronomy and suggesting intuitive understanding.   Its meaning was made scientifically wondrous validating the metaphysical number in theological, individual, astrological and celestial concepts.  

    We are flowing in an ecosystem flowing in solar system flowing in the universal system.   Individual life on Earth and the goddess of Mother Earth as the collective Gaia we are a part of all exists thanks to a unique relationship between our wet rock and the Sun and the Moon.   And this spherical balance is formed through a relationship based on the divine number of about 108.   The diameter of the Earth at the equator is 7926 miles.   The diameter of the Sun is about 108 times that: about 865,000.   The average distance between the Earth and the Sun is 108 times the sun’s diameter: 93,020,000 miles.   The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,800 miles, about 108 times the moons diameter: 2180.   The relationship of the Sun, Earth and Moon provide for all life and moreover all consciousness on Earth.   And the size and distance between the familiar celestial objects are all in the divine proportion of about 108.   Through this astronomical, divine and miraculous positioning 108 is symbolic for celestial order and perfection.

    The celestial relationship between the Sun, Moon and Earth of which we as individuals are a part of is balanced in a ratio of around 108, the exact distances fluctuate during our spherical revolution.   So even though the Sun is about 400 times bigger than the Moon they appear the same size from here because of the ratio of 108.   And yet this knowledge was only specifically understood in totality recently during the 20 ^th century.   But 108 was a celebrated number long before any specific knowledge of its cosmic astrological divinity was established beyond intuitive recognition astrological theory.

    What’s in a number?   In 108 there is everything, just about.   It represents the divine trinity of time.   1 symbolizes the singularity of the present, 0 the nothingness of the past and 8 the infinity of the future.   This numerical symbolism alone is enough to make it interesting.   Whenever I see a set of three, I think of what fourth part it may suggest and what fourth part may be lacking, having written the Matrix of Four, the Philosophy of The Duality of Polarity, I know there are many such trinities.   Yet the trinity of time in 108, the present, past and future, appears complete, at least on initial inspection.

    Yet the intuitive roots of 108, the intuitive recognition of 108 as a divine number before its scientific validation suggests the fourth part that the number suggests as well.   The fourth part is likely unsaid because it’s difficult to explain and was traditionally left unsaid for to speak it was to make it untrue or somehow taint it.   The fourth unsaid aspect is the aspect of intuition, the fourth unsaid of 108, of the present, past, future, is that of timelessness.   The fourth aspect of time is timelessness and leads to intuition and intuitive understanding.   The fourth aspect of time is like the Akashic Field where all is revealed including the significance of 108.

    108 is divine and originated in divination.   Through 108 our most powerful capability is suggested and revealed.   Being in the fourth state of timelessness, tapping into the Akashic Field or being in The Zone, lends us intuitive consciousness.   However tapping into the Akashic field and being in The Zone requires preparation and practice; hence tai chi, chi gung and yoga.   All of which simply attune and balance one for the ultimate preparation to glimpse timelessness; meditation.   For more on metaphysical intuition and 108 take a look at 108 Steps to Be in The Zone.