(continued from last post...)

Owing to the fragmentary condition of existing Pythagorean records, it is difficult to arrive at exact definitions of terms. before it is possible, however, to unfold the subject further some light must be cast upon the meanings of the words number, monad, and one.

The monad signifies:

1. the all-including ONE. The Pythagoreans called the monad the "noble number, Sire of Gods and men".
2. the sum of any combination of numbers considered as a whole. Thus, the universe is considered as a monad, but the individual parts of the universe (such as the planets and elements) are monads in relation to the parts of which they themselves are composed, though they, in turn, are parts of the greater monad formed of their sum.
3. The monad may also be likened to the seed of a tree which, when it has grown, has many branches (the numbers). In other words, the numbers are to the monad what the branches of the tree are to the seed of the tree.
4. By some Pythagoreans the monad is also considered synonymous with the One.

From the study of the mysterious Pythagorean monad, Leibnitz evolved his magnificent theory of the world atoms - a theory in perfect accord with the ancient teachings of the Mysteries, for Leibnitz himself was an initiate of a secret school.

Number is the term applied to all numerals and their combinations. (A strict interpretation of the term number by certain of the Pythagorean excludes 1 and 2). Pythagoras defined number to be the extension and energy of the spermatic reasons contained in the monad. The follwers of Hippasus declared number to be the first pattern used by the Demiurgus in the formation of the universe.

The One was defined by the Platonists as "the summit of the many". The one differs from the monad in that the term monad is used to designate the sum of the parts considered as a unit, whereas the one is the term applied to each of its integral parts.

(to be continued...)