The Pi-Proportion
Pi is the name of a Greek letter used by mathematicians to indicate the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. That ratio cannot be expressed exactly, but there are various approximations. In I Kings, 7.23, you will find a very crude one. A vessel is there described as being ten cubits in diameter and thirty cubits in circumference. This rough Pi-proportion if the "Pi of 3", which means that the circumference is reckoned as being three times the diameter. It is really slightly more. Modern mathematicians give it as 3.14159265 plus. Somewhat less accurate than this is a Pi-proportion which was known to the ancient Egyptians, and to which veiled reference is made several times in the Bible.
This ancient approximation is the Pi of 3 1/7, which reckons the circumference of a circle as being 3 1/7 times its diameter. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, or Khufu, is built on this proportion. Its height is the radius of a circle whose circumference is equal to the combined length of the lines bounding its square base. Consequently, if we take the height as 14 units, the length of the base-line will be 88, or 3 1/7 times a diameter of 28. From these figures, a others derived from them, many secrets of the Great Pyramid may be discovered, together with many connecting links between the wisdom and Egypt and that of Israel.
It is because of this particular Pi-proportion that the number 22 has come to be especially symbolic of the circle or circumference. The smallest whole number which, when multiplied by 3 1/7, will give a product that is a whole number is 7. 3 1/7 x 7 = 22. Thus 22 represents the circumference of a circle whose diameter is 7. Hence the number 22 symbolizes the sum-total, or circle, of cosmic manifestation.
It refers, however, to manifestation in the world of Atziluth, to be great circle of the archetypal plane, produced by the operation of the 7 archetypal forces. There are three other circles of existence. The second is the circle of Briah, the creative world, whose diameter is 14, corresponding to the positive and negative expressions of the 7 archetypal forces. Its circumference is 44. The third circle is the circle of Yetsirah, whose diameter is 21, corresponding to the 21 modes of force operative in that world, and producing a circumference of 66. The fourth circle is that of Assiah, having a diameter of 28 (which is the extension of 7), and a circumference of 88. It is to this circle of Assiah that the proportions of the Great Pyramid refer.
The Pi-proportion is also concealed in certain Biblical prophecies relating to time. We find several references in the Bible to "time, times and half a time." Elsewhere the same time-division is called 42 months. This is a key to a greater time-circle. Then 3 1/7 x 42 months is 132 months, or 11 years of 12 months. I cannot enter into a full exposition of this subject here, but I wish you to keep it in mind. The most significant thing about it is that it shows how truly the ancients understood what modern thinkers are beginning to rediscover, vis., the close relation between "Time" and "Space". Remember that all Pi-proportions are approximations. None is exact. A modern mathematician who objects to the 3 1/7 proportion on the ground that it is not the 'true Pi', ignores the fact that his Pi is not the true one either. Here is a hint for those who can receive it.
The true relation between the Life-Power and its manifestations is ineffable. Nobody has ever succeeded in putting it into words. There is always something intellect fails to grasp. 'That which eludes you,' say the Hindus, 'is what you seek.' The final revelation transcends language, goes beyond definition. We ought to do what we can to make our approximations as accurate as possible. No pains should be spared to make our statement clear. In an age when science has made such tremendous strides as in our day, we may hope for a better terminology than that of an earlier age. Never shall we waste time, though, in vain endeavors to formulate the ineffable. Neither shall we, if we are truly wise, indulge ourselves in too much pride because we have carried a Pi proportion out to a greater number of decimal places than somebody else. For aught we know, his rough approximation is more useful in practice than our fine-drawn calculation, just as the 3 1/7 Pi works out in number-symbols which reveal more hidden truth than the 3.14159265 of the modern mathematician.
In short, the Pi-proportion is the mathematical symbol of the same truth that 'Light on the Path' puts into these words: 'Desire only that which is unattainable... It is unattainable, because it forever recedes. You will enter the Light, but you will never touch the flame.' Ours is the Eternal Quest. Always will there be something to discover, something to achieve, something to look forward to. To those who can receive it, this, of all promises, opens up the most glorious prospect of unending joy