MagicWhiteAndBlack FHartmann

Magic: White and Black by Franz Hartmann, M.D.
Magic: White and Black

or
The Science of Finite and Infinite Life
Containing Practical Hints for Students of Occultism
! Fran" Hartmann# M$%$
Published by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trbner !"., #td.
Br"ad$ay H"use, %&'() !arter #ane, *.!. #"nd"n
+,-) ' .e/enth *diti"n
0*/erything that e1ists u2"n the *arth has its ethereal c"unter2art ab"/e the *arth,
and there is n"thing, h"$e/er insigni3icant it may a2ear in the $"rld,
$hich is n"t de2ending "n s"mething higher4 s" that i3 the l"$er 2arts acts,
its 2resideing higher 2art reacts u2"n it0.
."har Wa5ecae, F"l. +6%, %
0F"r in "ur searching are 3ul3illed all "ur desires, and $e "btain the /ict"ry "/er all $"rlds0.
Khand. 72anishad.
Page +

CO&T'&TS
Page () I&T*O%+CTIO& SPI*IT+,L L,W I& TH' &,T+*,L WO*L%$
The meaning "3 0Magic0 8 The #i3e 2rinci2le 8 Man9s s2iritual nature 'Magicians and mediums 8 Man and
the uni/erse ' The inner $"rld 8 :"d, science, religi"n, su2erstiti"n ' Mystic and mysticism 8 Truth and
3icti"n 'The Bible alleg"ries 8 ."ul ' kn"$ledge and brain s2eculati"n 8 .el3'kn"$ledge and the"ries 8
;ealisati"n by e12erience ' .el3ishness 8 The 3alse Egos 8 *lementals 8 .2iritual germs and their
gr"$th'<sceticism ' =isi"naries and dreamers ' The $isd"m religi"n ' The 0s"ns "3 darkness0 and the
0children "3 light0 ' .2iritual e/"luti"n
Page -. CH,PT'* I TH' I%',L
The ideal sel3 8 ;ealisati"n "3 ideals 8 Truth 8 Meditati"n 8 Prayer 8 :"d 2rays t" himsel3 8 >nteri"r
re/elati"n 8 The uni/ersal ideal ' !hristianity 8 The"s"2hists 8 >dentity "3 re/elati"ns 8 Perce2ti"n "3
truth 8 .el3'c"ntr"l 8 >ntuiti"n and l"gical in3erences 8 The <de2ts 8 False science 8 ?ature 8 Medicine
"3 the 3uture 8 Faith is s2iritual kn"$ledge 8 Mind'substance 8 >n/isible beings 8 @b5ect "3 li3e and its
necessities 8 <lchemy
Page /0 CH,PT'* ll TH' *',L ,&% TH' +&*',L$
Prim"rdial essence 8 The abstract ideas 8 !haracter and 2ur2"se 8 ;eincarnati"n8 The *g" 8 .el3'
c"nsci"usness be3"re and a3ter death 8 The s2iritual man 8 ;elati/e e1istence 8 7nreality "3 e1ternal
a22earances 8 Matter and m"ti"n 8 !"nsci"usness 8 @b5ecti/e and sub5ecti/e e1istence 8 The unkn"$n
@ne 8 >maginati"n 8 Perce2ti"n ' The 0Fall0 8 !reati"n 8 The inner senses 8 .tates "3 mind 8 Dualism 8
:"d and id"ls
Page 12 CH,PT'* III FO*M
!reati"n "3 3"rms 8 .2irit 8 ."ul ' Matter 8 The se/en 2rinci2les 8 The 3"ur 2lanes "3 e1istence ' The
0resurrecti"n "3 the 3lesh0 8 .2heres and auras 8 Psychic emanati"ns 8 Physical and astral 3"rms 8
*lementaries 8 0Materialisati"ns0 8 ?ecr"mancy 8 0 D"ubles0 8 Wraiths 8 <22ariti"ns 8 :h"sts 8 .2irits
"3 nature 8 :n"mes 8 .yl2hs 8 7ndines 8 .alamanders 8 .2iritual beings 8 Planetary s2irits 8 *m"ti"ns
and their "rigin 8 @rganisati"n "3 3"rms "n the /ari"us 2lanes 8 Daem"ns @bsessi"n 8 .2irits "3 music 8
The !reat"r and his creatures 8 Witchcra3t 8 <stral a22earances 8 .2iritism 8 .2""ks 8 .2irits "3 the
0deadA 8 De/as 8 7nc"nsci"us e1ercise "3 magic 2"$er 8 Pr"tecti"n against e/il s2ells
Page 334 CH,PT'* I5 LIF'
The $ill and the li3e 8 *12ressi"n "3 character 8 !hir"mancy 8 Psych"metry 8 ;eincarnati"n "3 s"ul 8
>ndi/iduality 8 >ndi33erentiati"n "3 3"rm and "3 character 8 !hange "3 character 8 >ndi/iduality 8 !hange "3
2ur2"se 8 The ideal realises itsel3 8 .2irituality 8 Delusi"n "3 se2aratedness 8 >s"lati"n 8 =am2ires 8
>ncubi and succubi 8 *lementaries 8 0Killing "utA 2assi"ns 8 !hange "3 desires 8 The dreamer and the
realist 8 #i3e trans3er 8 .us2ensi"n "3 li3e 8 */"luti"n 8 The *li1ir "3 #i3e.
Page 3(- CH,PT'* 5 H,*MO&6
Harm"ny 8 The music "3 the s2heres 8 .2irituality and scienti3ic curi"sity 8 7nity "3 the #a$ 8 =ariety "3
3"rms 'Karma 8 <cc"rds and disc"rds 8 ?umbers 8 ?umber "ne 8 Peri"dicity 8 Magic .Buares 8
?umber .e/en 8 #"/e and li3e 8 Man and $"man 8 The true marriage 8 Humanity and di/inity 8
>nducti"n 8 F""d 3"r the 2hysical b"dy 8 ?utriment "3 the s"ul 8 0.inA .u33ering and its necessity 8
*12erience 8 Puri3icati"n 8 The s2iritual "rganism 8 <d"rati"n 8 Meditati"n 8 *33icacy "3 02rayer0 8
>lluminati"n.
Page -
Page 3-) CH,PT'* 5I ILL+SIO&S
>maginati"n 8 T$" $"rlds 8 The D$ellers "3 the Thresh"ld 8 ;eas"n and Truth 8 >llusi"ns and
a22earances 8 Pr"stituti"n "3 2rinci2les 8 .tar/ati"n "3 s"ul 8 0.el30 8 M"ney 8 P"ssessi"n 8 0#"/e0 8
!elibacy 8 #i3e an illusi"n 8 .cience 8 >ntellectuality $ith"ut s2irituality 8 <mbiti"n 8 P"$er 8 Fame 8
<uth"rity 8 Fear 8 D"ubt 8 ;em"rse 8 .ins 8 The 0#amb0 8 @bedience 8 ;eas"n 8 Passi/e imaginati"n
8 =isi"ns 8 <rti3icial means 3"r inducing hallucinati"ns 8 Fumigati"ns 8 Magic mirr"rs 8 F"rtune telling 8
Meditati"n 8 *1ercise "3 the $ill 8 0Mesmerism0 and 0hy2n"tism0 8 7nreality "3 illusi"ns 8 Mediumshi2 8
;es2"nsibility 8 P"$er "3 the imaginati"n 8 .tates a3ter death 8 Materiality and density 8 Hea/en and
hell 8 Ha22iness .
Page 3/- CH,PT'* 5II CO&SCIO+S&'SS
Mind 8 <bs"lute and relati/e c"nsci"usness 8 ;ealisati"n "3 e1istence '' Perce2ti"n CDe/el"2ment "3
the senses 8 #ight and darkness 8 ;esistance 8 <stral #ight 8 <stral 3"rms 8 Haunted h"uses 8 .ight
and t"uch 8 True sel3'c"nsci"usness 8 ;eas"n and reas"ning 8 Muscular c"nsci"usness 8 <stral
c"nsci"usness 8 @bsessi"ns 8 Th"ught'b"dy 8 <22ariti"ns 8 D"uble c"nsci"usness 8 Pr"5ecti"n "3 the
astral 3"rm 8 The Kama ;u2a 8 D"uble mem"ry 8 The inner man 8 ."mnambulism and trance 8 T$"
li/es 8 T$" s"uls 8 T$" attracti"ns 8 .2iritual c"nsci"usness 8 Wisd"m 8 @rganisati"n 8 ;egenerati"n 8
The s2iritual b"dy.
Page 31) CH,PT'* 5III +&CO&SCIO+S&'SS
Kn"$ledge is li3e 8 >gn"rance is death 8 ;elati/e li3e and relati/e death 8 Physical death 8 >mm"rtality 8
?irmDnakDyas 8 Death is change 8 :"d redeems himsel3 8 Princi2les and 3"rms 8 #i/ing c"r2ses "r
shells 8 >nsanity 8 Pr"cess "3 dying'The astral 3"rm 8 #etter 3r"m an <de2t 8 Kama l"ca 8 <nimal s"uls 8
Hea/en and hell 8 P"st'm"rtem c"nsci"usness 8 De/achan 8 The mystic death 8 .2iritualism and
s2iritism 8 !"mmunicati"ns 3r"m the 0de2arted0 8 !"nsci"us imm"rtality 8 @b5ect "3 li3e 8 ;eincarnati"n
8 <ssuming a ne$ b"dy 8 .hall $e kn"$ each "ther a3ter death E 8 Degradati"n is death 8 Black magic
8 White magic 8 */"luti"n 8 Permanent l"/e.
Page (4- CH,PT'* I7 T*,&SFO*M,TIO&S
Mem"ry 8 The <stral #ight 8 >m2ressi"ns and tem2tati"ns 8 ;es2"nsibility 8 !rimes 8 !a2ital
2unishment 8 !lair/"yance 8 .eershi28 <mulets 8 The Mumia 8 Mysteri"us 2"$ers "3 2reci"us st"nes 8
<cti"n "3 drugs 8 Prim"rdial matter 8 .ingle b"dies "3 chemistry 8 Trans3"rmati"n 8 Will and imaginati"n
8 <lchemy in its three as2ects 8 Pr"5ecti"n "3 th"ught 8 Mental e2idemics ' ;ece2ti/ity 8 @ccult
2hen"mena 8 H. P. Bla/atsky 8 !"ntr"lling the th"ughts 8 The Master 8 Wisd"m 8 <ccumulati"n "3
energy 8 Mani3estati"ns "3 c"nsci"usness 8 @rganisati"n reBuired 8 The di/ine Man 8 The ;edeemer.
Page ((0 CH,PT'* 7 C*',TIO&
The great mystery 8 Man 8 Mem"ry and 3"rgetting 8 Man the !reat"r "3 his $"rld 8 .el3'made men 8
Material and s2iritual nature 8 !"sm"l"gy 8 Myth"l"gy 8 <nimal 3""d 8 Practical "ccultism 8 7ni"n 8
Faith and d"ubt 8 <cti"n 8 De/el"2ment "3 $ill'2"$er 8 *12eriences "3 li3e 8 Truth and err"r 8 Duty 8
Kn"$ledge 8 Belie3 8 The 0Path0 8 ;ules "3 li3e
Page (24 CH,PT'* 7I LI8HT
.2irit and 3"rm 8 Freed"m 8 Pers"nality and indi/iduality 8 The 2ermanent and the im2ermanent 8
Hermes Trismegistus 8 The .a/i"ur 8 The #"rd 8 The true ba2tism, 3"rgi/eness "3 sins, c"mmuni"n,
marriage 8 The true and uni/ersal church 8 The 0."n "3 Man0 8 Birth "3 the !hrist 8 Biblical 0hist"ry0 8
Prayer 8 The true Faith 8 ."ul kn"$ledge 8 Physical e33ects "3 regenerati"n 8 .u33ering 8 The true
;"sicrucians and their symb"ls 8 >nitiati"n 8 .2iritual nutriment 8 !erem"nies 8 Fesus "3 ?azareth 8
Page G
;edem2ti"n 8 <lleg"ries 0Faust0 8 ;eal kn"$ledge 8 7nsel3ishness 8 :""d and e/il 8 The un2ard"nable
sin.
Page (/0 CH,PT'* 7II TH'OSOPH6
Beauty bey"nd the 2"$er t" describe it 8 The s2iritual .un 8 Di/ine Wisd"m the realisati"n "3 Truth 8
The Phil"s"2her9s .t"ne 8 The *li1ir "3 #i3e and 7ni/ersal Panacea 8 Magic 2"$er 8 The Path 8 T"
kn"$ 8 F"rbidden kn"$ledge 8 True kn"$ledge 8 T" $ill 8 #"/e the 3"untain "3 true kn"$ledge 8
De/el"2ment "3 $ill'2"$er 8 T" dare is "bedience t" the la$ 8 .trengthening "3 sel3'$ill 8 Fakirs 8 Hatha
y"ga 8 Phil"s"2hical and the"s"2hical c"urage 8 .el3'sacri3ice 8 T" be silent 8 Fack"b B"ehme 8 ;a5a
y"ga 8 >nstructi"ns 8 .ymb"ls 8 #anguage 8 The three3"ld $"rd 8 The language "3 nature 8 7ni/ersal
language 8 Th"ught, $"rd, and acti"n 8 Mystic symb"ls 8 The 3i/e'2"inted star 8 The d"uble interlaced
triangle 8 The cr"ss 8 The Br"thers "3 the g"lden and r"sy cr"ss 8 The true cr"ss 8 The sel3 realisati"n
"3 Truth.
Page (.0 ,PP'&%I7 , &'W 8+I%' O& TH' P,TH$
Page )
%'SC*IPTIO& OF TH' F*O&TISPI'C'

9Page 2: <t the 3""t "3 the 2icture is a slee2ing .2hin1, $h"se u22er 2art Hre2resenting the higher
2rinci2lesI is human4 $hile the l"$er 2arts Hsymb"lising the l"$er 2rinci2lesI are "3 an animal nature. .he
is dreaming "3 the s"luti"n "3 the great 2r"blem "3 the c"nstructi"n "3 the 7ni/erse and "3 the nature and
destiny "3 Man, and her dream takes the sha2e "3 the 3igure ab"/e her, re2resenting the Macr"c"sm and
the Micr"c"sm and their mutual interacti"n.
<b"/e, ar"und, and $ithin all, $ith"ut beginning and $ith"ut an end, 2enetrating and 2er/ading all, 3r"m
the endless and unimaginable 2eri2hery t" the in/isible and inc"m2rehensible centre is Parabrahm, the
unmani3ested Absolute, the su2reme s"urce "3 e/ery 2"$er that e/er mani3ested "r may in the 3uture
mani3est itsel3 as a 0thing0, and by $h"se acti/ity the $"rld $as thr"$n int" e1istence, being 2r"5ected by
the 2"$er "3 His "$n $ill and imaginati"n.
The Omega Hand the Alpha in the centreI re2resent the 0Son0, the <bs"lute ha/ing bec"me mani3est as
Page 6
the Universal Logos "r The Christ, als" called Buddhi, "r the sixth principle, the cause "3 the beginning
and the end "3 e/ery created thing. >t is One $ith the 0ather0, being mani3ested as a Trinit! in a Unit!, the
cause "3 $hat $e call Space" #otion" and Substance. >ts highest mani3estati"n is Sel$consciousness, by
$hich it may c"me t" the c"m2rehensi"n "3 #an. The s2iritual man $h"se matrix is his "$n 2hysical
b"dy, dra$s his nutriment 3r"m this uni/ersal s2iritual 2rinci2le as the 2hysical 9Page /: 3"etus is n"urished
by means "3 the $"mb "3 the m"ther, his soul being 3"rmed 3r"m the astral in3luences "r the soul o the
%orld.
@ut "3 the Universal Logos 2r"ceeds the 0invisible Light 0 "3 the .2irit, the Truth, the La%, and the Lie,
embracing and 2enetrating the Cosmos and bec"ming mani3est in the illuminated s"ul "3 Man, $hile the
/isible light "3 ?ature is "nly its m"st material as2ect "r m"de "3 mani3estati"n, in the same sense as the
/isible sun is the re3le1 "3 its di/ine 2r"t"ty2e, the in/isible centre "3 2"$er "r the great spiritual .un.
The circle $ith the t$el/e signs "3 the J"diac, encl"sing the s2ace in $hich the 2lanets bel"nging t" "ur
s"lar system are re2resented, symb"lises the !"sm"s, 3illed $ith the 2lanetary in3luences 2er/ading the
Astral Light, and $hich are caused by the interacti"n "3 the astral emanati"ns "3 the c"smic b"dies and
their inhabitants.
The acti/ity in the !"sm"s is re2resented by the interlaced triangle. The t$" "uter "nes re2resent the
great 2"$ers "3 creati"n, 2reser/ati"n, and destructi"n, "r Brahama, &ishnu, and Siva, acting u2"n the
elements "3 Fire, Water, and *arth C that is t" say, u2"n the "riginal 2rinci2les "ut "3 $hich ethereal,
3luid and s"lid material substances and 3"rms are 2r"duced.
The t$" inner interlaced triangles re3er m"re es2ecially t" the de/el"2ment "3 Man. B, C, and '
re2resent (no%ledge, the (no%er, and the (no%n, $hich trinity c"nstitutes .el3'kn"$ledge. E" )" and *
re2resent the Physical Man, the *thereal "r +nner #an, and the Spiritual #an. The centre re2resents the
di/ine Atma, being identical $ith the Universal Logos. >t is, like the latter, a Trinity in a 7nity.9@3 the three
interlaced <9s "nly "ne is distinctly dra$n in the 3igure. >t is the s2iritual seed 9Page 0: im2lanted in the s"ul
"3 man, thr"ugh $h"se gr"$th imm"rtal li3e is attained. >ts light is the ,ose o the Cross that is 3"rmed by
-isdom and Po%er. But bel"$ all is the realm "3 illusion, "3 the m"st gr"ss and hea/y materialised
th"ughts, sinking int" Darkness and Death, $here they dec"m2"se and 2utre3y, and are res"l/ed again
int" the elements "ut "3 $hich the 7ni/erse came int" e1istence. 9Page 1 and .:

Page %
P*'F,C' TO TH' FO+*TH '%ITIO&
This b""k $as "riginally $ritten 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 disenchanting certain credul"us inBuirers, $h" 3ancied
that the e1ercise "3 s2iritual 2"$ers c"uld be taught by teaching them certain incantati"ns and 3"rmulas.
>t $as t" 2r"/e that s2iritual 2"$ers must be de/el"2ed be3"re they can be e1ercised, and t" e12lain the
c"nditi"ns necessary 3"r their de/el"2ment.
.ince the a22earance "3 the 2re/i"us editi"n, a little additi"nal kn"$ledge, gained by the e12eriences "3
my "$n inner li3e, has enabled me t" make certain c"rrecti"ns4 t" si3t "ut much "3 $hat $as irrele/ant,
and t" rem"del a great deal "3 $hat $as inc"rrectly e12ressed. M"re"/er in this editi"n an attem2t has
been made t" ans$er the numer"us Buesti"ns $hich ha/e been addressed t" me by the readers "3
0Magic0.
The m"st seri"us "b5ecti"n $hich has been made against this b""k has been "n acc"unt "3 its title4 but
the causes $hich induced me t" select such a title $ere suggested by the 2ur2"se 3"r $hich the b""k
$as intended4 n"r $"uld > at 2resent be able t" 3ind "ne m"re a22r"2riate 3"r it, 3"r 0Magic0 means that
di/ine art "r e1ercise "3 s2iritual 2"$er by $hich the a$akened s2irit in man c"ntr"ls the in/isible li/ing
elements in the s"ul'substance "3 the uni/erse4 but, ab"/e all, th"se in his "$n s"ul, $hich are the "nes
nearest t" him.
>3 $e desire t" master any 3"rces $hate/er, it is, ab"/e all, necessary t" kn"$ $hat they are and h"$
they "riginate, and as $e ha/e n" better means t" study the Bualities "3 any internal 3"rces, than by
"bser/ing 9Page 34: th"se $hich are acti/e $ithin "ursel/es, the 2erce2ti"n "3 the 2r"cesses g"ing "n
$ithin "ur "$n 2sychic "rganism, $ill be the means t" acc"m2lish "ur "b5ect. The art Magic is the
e1ercise "3 s2iritual 2"$er, t" be "btained by 2ractising sel3'c"ntr"l, and this 2"$er cann"t be acBuired in
any "ther $ay4 n"r is it 2"ssible t" teach any"ne h"$ t" e1ercise a 2"$er $hich he d"es n"t 2"ssess,
because he has n"t de/el"2ed it4 $e can "nly indicate the $ay in $hich the 2sychic 2"$ers latent in
e/ery human c"nstituti"n may be de/el"2ed. The c"nstituti"ns "3 all men are 3undamentally the same,
and in each human being are c"ntained magical 2"$ers germinally "r in a latent c"nditi"n4 but they
cann"t be said t" e1ist be3"re they bec"me acti/e and mani3est themsel/es, 3irst interi"rly, and
a3ter$ards in an "ut$ard directi"n.
>t $as n"t my "b5ect, in c"m2"sing this b""k, t" $rite merely a code o ethics, and thereby t" increase
the already e1isting 2ile "3 m"ral 2rece2ts, but t" assist the student "3 @ccultism in studying the elements
"3 $hich his "$n s"ul is c"m2"sed, and t" learn t" kn"$ his "$n 2sychical "rganism. > $ant t" gi/e an
im2ulse t" the
study "3 a science, $hich may be called the 0anatom! and ph!siolog! o the soul0, $hich in/estigates the
elements "3 $hich the "rganism "3 the s"ul is c"m2"sed, and the s"urce 3r"m $hich man9s desires and
em"ti"ns s2ring.
Physical science has ad/anced $ith great strides in the realm "3 su2er3icial 2hen"mena and e1ternal
illusi"ns, but the science "3 the real interi"r and in/isible man is still /ery little kn"$n. The mechanical
Page (
and chemical 3"rces "3 nature ha/e been made subser/ient t" 2hysical science. .he has laid the y"ke
u2"n the neck "3 the giant Steam and chained Electricit! t" her trium2hal chari"t4 she made mechanical
m"ti"n, heat, and light, and magnetism the "bedient sla/es "3 men4 she made 9Page 33: disc"/eries $hich
make man t" a certain e1tent inde2endent "3 the c"nditi"ns im2"sed u2"n him by s2ace and time4 she
succeeded in realising certain ideas and t" 2ut them int" 2ractical e1ecuti"n, ideas $hich a century ag"
$ere belie/ed t" bel"ng merely t" the realm "3 the 3ancies "3 the /isi"nary and the dreamer.
Why sh"uld $e st"2 hereE Why sh"uld it n"t be 2"ssible 3"r us t" ad/ance still 3urther, and t" enchain
th"se semi'c"nsci"us and c"nsci"us 3"rces $hich 2er/ade "ur "$n s"ul, and als" the s"ul "3 the $"rld E
Why sh"uld it be im2"ssible t" c"ndense int" 3"rms by the "mni2"tent 2"$er "3 Will the li/ing but
3"rmless Elementals4 t" c"ncentrate and gi/e sha2e t" li/ing and uni/ersal 2rinci2les, $hich, alth"ugh
they are at 2resent in/isible 3"r us, ne/ertheless e1istE .uch things ha/e been acc"m2lished by the
*astern sages th"usands "3 years ag", and may be acc"m2lished by "ursel/es, 2r"/ided $e attain the
same state "3 2er3ecti"n $hich characterises these Adepts.
T" arri/e at this end the merely su2er3icially intellectual reading "3 b""ks "n @ccultism is entirely
insu33icient. The di/ine mysteries "3 nature are ab"/e and bey"nd the 2"$er "3 c"nce2ti"n "3 the limited
intellect. They must be gras2ed by the 2"$er "3 the s2irit. >3 $e cann"t by "ur "$n s"ul 2erce2ti"n
2ercei/e a s2iritual truth $ith the eye "3 the s2irit, intellectual reas"ning and b""k learning $ill n"t enable
us t" 2ercei/e it clearly. B""ks, dealing $ith such sub5ects, sh"uld n"t be masters t" us4 they sh"uld
merely be "ur assistants. They are merely use3ul t" describe the details "3 things $hich $e already kn"$
in the de2ths "3 "ur s"ul4 they are merely ser/ants t" h"ld u2 be3"re "ur eyes magni3ying mirr"rs,
$herein $e see the truths $h"se 2resence $e 3eel in "ursel/es.
.ac/ob Boehme, the great the"s"2h, says in regard t" 9Page 3(: the study "3 @ccultism: 0>3 y"u desire t"
in/estigate the di/ine mysteries "3 nature, in/estigate 3irst y"ur "$n mind, and ask y"ursel3 ab"ut the
2urity "3 y"ur 2ur2"se. D" y"u desire t" 2ut the g""d teachings $hich y"u may recei/e int" 2ractice 3"r
the bene3it "3 humanity E <re y"u ready t" ren"unce all sel3ish desires, $hich cl"ud y"ur mind and hinder
y"u t" see the clear light "3 eternal truth E <re y"u $illing t" bec"me an instrument 3"r the mani3estati"n
"3 Di/ine Wisd"m E D" y"u kn"$ $hat it means t" bec"me united $ith y"ur "$n higher .el3, t" get rid "3
y"ur illusi/e .el3, t" bec"me "ne $ith the li/ing uni/ersal 2"$er "3 :""d and t" die t" y"ur "$n shad"$y
insigni3icant terrestrial 2ers"nality E @r d" y"u merely desire t" "btain great kn"$ledge, s" that y"ur
curi"sity may be grati3ied, and that y"u may be 2r"ud "3 y"ur science, and belie/e y"ursel3 t" be su2eri"r
t" the rest "3 mankind E !"nsider, that the de2ths "3 Di/inity can "nly be searched by the di/ine s2irit
itsel3, $hich is acti/e $ithin y"u. ,eal /no%ledge must c"me 3r"m "ur "$n interi"r, n"t merely 3r"m
e1ternals, and they $h" seek 3"r the essence "3 things merely in e1ternals may 3ind the arti3icial c"l"ur "3
a thing, but n"t the true thing itsel30.
<gain this sel3'taught 2hil"s"2her says: 0The intellect sh"uld be de/el"2ed, but ab"/e all the heart. We
sh"uld attem2t t" understand intellectually the la$s "3 e/erything4 but "ur "$n still 3allible intellect sh"uld
n"t be made the starting'2"int in "ur in/estigati"ns. Man sh"uld n"t be g"/erned by his reas"ning 3r"m
a22earances4 but he sh"uld g"/ern his mind, s" that the light "3 di/ine $isd"m may illuminate his
intellect. >3 "ur 5udgment bec"mes 3ree "3 all sel3ish taint, and the /ibrati"ns "3 "ur s"ul are made t"
/ibrate in harm"ny $ith the eternal s2irit, "ur 2erishable intellect $ill be 9Page 3): 2enetrated by the
im2erishable light "3 di/ine $isd"m4 and $e $ill be able t" 2ercei/e and t" s"l/e the dee2est 2r"blems "3
nature. >3 "ur desire and reas"n cling t" the s2here "3 sel3, $e shall see merely the illusi"ns $hich $e
Page &
"ursel/es ha/e created4 but i3 $e bec"me 3ree by being "bedient t" the uni/ersal la$, $e $ill bec"me
"ne $ith the la$ and see the truth in its 2urity0.
<nd t" this $e $ill add, as a $arning t" all inBuirers, that a scienti3ic in/estigati"n "3 the "ccult mysteries
"3 nature, $ith"ut that 3irm 3"undati"n 3urnished by the de/el"2ment "3 true s2irituality, is e1ceedingly
danger"us and leads t" de2l"rable c"nseBuences. The 2erce2ti"n "3 things $hich bel"ng t" the s2irit is a
3aculty "3 the s2iritually de/el"2ed man and n"t $ithin the reach "3 the semi'material mind. He $h"
c"ntinually 2"res "/er things $hich he cann"t c"m2rehend li/es in the realm "3 his dreams4 he bec"mes
an un2ractical 2ers"n, inca2able t" 3ul3il his duties in li3e, and "3ten insanity and suicide is the result. The
sch""l "3 the "ccultist is "nly 3"r th"se $h" ha/e graduated in the sch""l "3 terrestrial li3e.
#et, there3"re, th"se $h" $ish t" acBuire s2iritual "r di/ine 2"$er, 3"ll"$ this ad/ice: let them rise
spirituall! int" the highest regi"ns "3 th"ught and remain therein as its 2ermanent residents. #et them
culti/ate their 2hysical b"dies and their mental c"nstituti"ns in such a manner that the matter "3 $hich
they are c"m2"sed $ill bec"me less gr"ss and m"re 2enetrable t" the di/ine light "3 the s2irit. Then $ill
the /eils that se2arate them 3r"m the in/isible $"rld bec"me thinner4 then $ill they bec"me a$are "3 the
3act that the circle $hich limits their terrestrial and 2hen"menal e1istence is merely a small segment "3
that grand circle $herein their e1istence as sel3'c"nsci"us beings "n the s2iritual 2>ane is encl"sed, and
as they increase in transcendental 9Page 3-: kn"$ledge they $ill gr"$ in s2iritual 2"$er, until, by the
understanding "3 the di/ine la$s "3 the uni/erse, they $ill bec"me the c"'"2erat"rs "3 :"d, and :"d $ill
2er3"rm his miracles in and thr"ugh them.
The 3"ll"$ing 2ages are an attem2t t" sh"$ the $ay h"$ Man may bec"me an instrument "3 the Di/ine
P"$er $h"se 2r"duct is ?ature4 they c"nstitute a b""k $hich may 2r"2erly bear the title "3 0Magic0, 3"r i3
the readers succeed in 2ractically 3"ll"$ing its teachings, they $ill be able t" $itness the greatest "3 all
magical 3eats, the s2iritual regenerati"n "3 Man. 9Page 32:
P*'F,C'
@ur age is the age "3 "2ini"ns. The ma5"rity "3 "ur educated 2e"2le li/e, s" t" say, in their heads, and
the claims "3 the heart are neglected. =anity is king, and $isd"m is "nly 2ermitted t" s2eak $hen it d"es
n"t c"me int" c"n3lict $ith sel3ish c"nsiderati"ns. The guardians "3 a narr"$ limited science delude
themsel/es $ith a belie3 "3 being ca2able t" bring the in3inite truth $ithin the gras2 "3 their 3inite
understanding, and $hate/er they 3ail t" c"m2rehend is asserted n"t t" e1ist. @ur s2eculati/e
2hil"s"2hers re3use t" rec"gnise the eternal 2"$er "3 uni/ersal l"/e $h"se light is re3lected in the human
s"ul4 they $ish t" e1amine eternal truths by the 3lickering candle'light "3 their l"gic, reas"ning 3r"m the
basis "3 sensual "bser/ati"ns4 they 3"rget that Humanity is a Unit!, and that "ne indi/idual cann"t
enc"m2ass the <ll4 and the ign"rant asks scienti3ic reas"ns $hy man sh"uld be 3aith3ul and true, and $hy
he sh"uld n"t c"nsider his "$n 2ers"nal interests ab"/e th"se "3 the rest "3 mankind.
>t is uni/ersally admitted that man9s 3inal destiny cann"t de2end "n the the"ries $hich he may ha/e
3"rmed in his mind regarding !"sm"l"gy, Pneumat"l"gy, 2lans "3 sal/ati"n, etc., and as l"ng as he
2"ssesses n" real kn"$ledge, "ne set "3 belie3s "r "2ini"ns may 2erha2s be as g""d as an"ther4 but it
Page ,
cann"t be denied, that the s""ner man 3rees himsel3 "3 the err"ne"us "2ini"ns "3 "thers and "2ening his
"$n eyes rec"gnises 9Page 3/: the real truth, the less $ill he be im2eded by the "bstacles $hich are in the
$ay "3 his higher e/"luti"n, and the s""ner $ill he reach the summit "3 his 3inal 2er3ecti"n.
The m"st im2"rtant Buesti"n seems, there3"re, t" be: 0>s it 2"ssible that a man sh"uld actually kn"$
anything transcending his sensual 2erce2ti"n, unless it is t"ld t" him by s"me su22"sed auth"rity E !an
the 2"$er "3 intuiti"n be de/el"2ed t" such an e1tent as t" bec"me actual kn"$ledge $ith"ut any
2"ssibility "3 err"r, "r shall $e al$ays be d""med t" de2end "n hearsay and "2ini"nsE !an any
indi/idual man 2"ssess 2"$ers transcending th"se $hich are admitted t" e1ist by m"dern science, and
h"$ can such transcendental 2"$ers be acBuiredE0
The 3"ll"$ing 2ages $ere $ritten 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 attem2ting t" ans$er such Buesti"ns, by calling the
attenti"n "3 th"se $h" desire t" kn"$ the truth t" a c"nsiderati"n "3 the true nature "3 Man and "3 his
2"siti"n in the 7ni/erse. Th"se $h" already kn"$ these things "3 c"urse $ill n"t need the instructi"ns
$hich these 2ages c"ntain, but t" th"se $h" desire t" kn"$ they may be "3 s"me use, and t" the latter
$e rec"mmend the ad/ice gi/en by :autama Buddha t" his disci2les: 0Belie/e n"thing $hich is
unreas"nable, and re5ect n"thing as unreas"nable $ith"ut 2r"2er e1aminati"n0.
This b""k $as n"t $ritten 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 c"n/incing sce2tics "3 the 3act that 2hen"mena "3 an "ccult
character ha/e taken 2lace in the 2ast and are "ccurring at 2resent4 th"ugh an attem2t has been made
t" 2r"/e the 2"ssibility "3 mystic "ccurrences, by "33ering s"me e12lanati"n in regard t" the la$s by
$hich they may be 2r"duced. ?" s2ace has been de/"ted t" lengthy illustrati/e e1am2les "3
2hen"mena. Th"se $h" reBuire them $ill 3ind such e/idence in the b""ks $h"se titles ha/e been gi/en
at the 3""t "3 the 2ages. 9Page 30:
Page +K
I&T*O%+CTIO&
SPI*IT+,L L,W I& TH' &,T+*,L WO*L%
"There is n" religi"n higher than truth0.
9Page (): WH<T*=*; misinter2retati"n ancient "r m"dern ign"rance may ha/e gi/en t" the $"rd #agic,
its "nly true signi3icance is The Highest Science, or -isdom" based upon /no%ledge and practical
experience0
>3 y"u d"ubt $hether there is any such thing as Magic, and i3 y"u desire any 2ractical illustrati"n ab"ut it,
"2en y"ur eyes and l""k ar"und y"u. .ee the $"rld, the animals, and the trees, and ask y"ursel3
$hether they c"uld ha/e c"me int" e1istence by any "ther 2"$er than by the magic po%er o nature.
Magical 2"$er is n"t a su2ernatural 2"$er, i3 by the term 0su2ernatural0 y"u mean a 2"$er $hich is
"utside, bey"nd, "r l"cally ab"/e nature. T" su22"se the e1istence "3 such a 2"$er is an absurdity and a
su2erstiti"n, "22"sed t" all "ur e12erience4 3"r $e see that all "rganisms, /egetable and animal "nes,
gr"$ by the acti"n "3 internal 3"rces acting "ut$ardly, and n"t by ha/ing s"mething added t" their
substance 3r"m the "utside. < seed d"es n"t bec"me a tree, n"r a child a man, by ha/ing substance
added t" its "rganism by s"me "utside $"rkman, "r like a h"use $hich is built by 2utting st"nes "n the
t"2 "3 each "ther4 but li/ing things gr"$ by the acti"n "3 an internal 2"$er, acting 3r"m a centre $ithin the
3"rm.T" this centre 3l"$ the in3luences c"ming 3r"m the uni/ersal st"reh"use "3 matter and m"ti"n, and
3r"m 9Page (-: there they radiate again t"$ards the 2eri2hery, and 2er3"rm that lab"ur $hich builds u2 the
li/ing "rganism.
But $hat else can such a 2"$er be, e1ce2t a spiritual, 2"$er, because it 2enetrates t" the /ery centre "3
material things. >t acts acc"rding t" la$, and builds u2 "rganisms acc"rding t" a certain "rder, and is
there3"re su2eri"r t" blind mechanical 3"rce. >t cann"t be a mere mechanical 3"rce4 3"r $e kn"$ that a
mechanical 3"rce ceases as s""n as the im2ulse $hich "riginated it ceases t" act, $hile the stream "3 li3e
is ine1haustible, and "nly the 3"rms in $hich it bec"mes mani3est die. >t cann"t be a chemical 3"rce, 3"r
chemical acti"n ceases $hen the chemical c"mbinati"n "3 the substances $hich $ere t" c"mbine has
taken 2lace. >t must there3"re be a li/ing 2"$er, and as li3e cann"t be a 2r"duct "3 a dead 3"rm, it can be
n"thing else but the 2"$er "3 the One Lie, acting $ithin the li3e centres "3 the 3"rms.
?ature is a magician, e/ery 2lant, animal, and e/ery man is a magician, $h" uses his 2"$ers
unc"nsci"usly and instincti/ely t" build u2 his "$n "rganism4 "r, in "ther $"rds, e/ery li/ing being is an
"rganism in $hich the magic 2"$er "3 the s2irit in nature acts4 and i3 a man sh"uld attain the kn"$ledge
h"$ t" c"ntr"l this 2"$er "3 li3e, and t" em2l"y it c"nsci"usly, instead "3 merely submitting unc"nsci"usly
t" its in3luence, then he $"uld be a magician, and c"uld c"ntr"l the 2r"cesses "3 li3e in his "$n "rganism,
and 2erha2s in that "3 "ther beings.
?"$ the Buesti"n is: !an any man "btain such a 2"$er as t" c"ntr"l the 2r"cesses "3 li3e E The ans$er
t" this Buesti"n de2ends "n $hat y"u mean by the term 0man0. >3 y"u mean by 0man0 an intellectual
animal, such as $e meet e/ery day in the streets, then the ans$er is: ?"L 3"r the ma5"rity "3 the men and
$"men "3 "ur 2resent generati"n, including "ur greatest scienti3ic lumens, kn"$ abs"lutely n"thing ab"ut
Page ++
their "$n inner nature "r ab"ut the uni/ersal 2"$er "3 the One Lie, and many "3 them ha/e n"t e/en
made u2 their minds $hether "r n"t they $ill belie/e in the e1istence "3 their "$n s"ul. They can neither
see it n"r 3eel it "b5ecti/ely, and there3"re they d" n"t kn"$ $hat t" make "3 it. 9Page (2:
But i3 y"u mean by 0man0 that intelligent 2rinci2le, $hich is acti/e $ithin the "rganism "3 man, and $hich
c"nstitutes him a human being, and by $h"se acti"n he bec"mes a being /ery distinct 3r"m and su2eri"r
t" animals in human "r animal 3"rm, then the ans$er is: 1es 2 3"r the di/ine 2"$er $hich acts $ithin the
"rganism "3 man is the same and identical 2"$er $hich acts $ithin the centre "3 nature. >t is an internal
2"$er "3 man, and bel"ngs t" man9s true sel3, and i3 man "nce kn"$s all the 2"$ers $hich bel"ng t" his
essential c"nstituti"n, and kn"$s h"$ t" use them, then he may enter 3r"m the 2assi/e int" the acti/e
state, and em2l"y these 2"$ers himsel3.
<bsurd as it may seem, it is ne/ertheless a l"gical c"nseBuence dra$n 3r"m the 3undamental truths
ab"ut the c"nstituti"n "3 man, that i3 a man c"uld c"ntr"l the uni/ersal 2"$er "3 li3e acting $ithin himsel3,
he might 2r"l"ng the li3e "3 his "rganism as l"ng as it 2leased him4 i3 he c"uld c"ntr"l it, and kne$ all the
la$s "3 his nature, he might render it dense "r /a2"r"us, c"ncentrate it t" a small 2"int, "r e12and it, s"
as t" "ccu2y a great deal "3 s2ace. =erily, truth is stranger than 3icti"n, and $e might see it, i3 $e c"uld
"nly rise ab"/e the narr"$ c"nce2ti"ns and 2re5udices $hich $e ha/e inherited and acBuired by
educati"n and sensual "bser/ati"n.
The m"st strange things ha22en c"ntinually in nature, and hardly attract "ur attenti"n. They d" n"t seem
strange t" us, alth"ugh $e d" n"t understand them4 merely because $e are accust"med t" see them
e/ery day. Wh" $"uld be s" 03""lish0 as t" belie/e that a tree c"uld gr"$ "ut "3 a seed 8 as there is
e/idently n" tree in the seed 8 i3 his e12erience had n"t t"ld him that trees gr"$ "ut "3 seeds in s2ite "3
all arguments t" the c"ntrary E Wh" $"uld belie/e that a 3l"$er $"uld gr"$ "ut "3 a 2lant, i3 he had n"t
seen it, 3"r "bser/ati"n and reas"n sh"$ that there is n" 3l"$er in the stalk E ?e/ertheless, 3l"$ers gr"$,
and cann"t be dis2uted a$ay.
*/ery$here in nature the acti"n "3 a uni/ersal s2iritual la$ is mani3est, but $e cann"t see the la$ 9Page
(/: itsel3. */ery$here $e see the mani3estati"ns "3 $isd"m4 but th"se $h" seek 3"r the "rigin "3 $isd"m
$ithin their "$n brains $ill seek 3"r it in /ain.
The art "3 Magic is the art "3 em2l"ying in/isible "r s"'called s2iritual agencies t" "btain certain /isible
results. .uch agencies are n"t necessarily in/isible entities, 3litting ab"ut in /acant s2ace, ready t" c"me
at the c"mmand "3 any"ne $h" has learned certain incantati"ns and cerem"nies4 but they c"nsist
2rinci2ally in the unseen but ne/ertheless 2"$er3ul in3luences "3 the *m"ti"ns and the Will, "3 desires
and 2assi"ns, th"ught and imaginati"n, l"/e and hate, 3ear and h"2e, 3aith and d"ubt, etc., etc. They are
the 2"$ers "3 $hat is called the ."ul4 they are em2l"yed e/ery$here and by e/eryb"dy e/ery day,
c"nsci"usly "r unc"nsci"usly, $illingly "r un$illingly, and $hile th"se that cann"t c"ntr"l "r resist. such
in3luences, but are c"ntr"lled by them, are 2assi/e >nstruments, 0#ediums0 thr"ugh $hich such unseen
2"$ers act, and "3ten their un$illing sla/es4 th"se $h" are able t" guide and c"ntr"l such in3luences by
gaining c"ntr"l "/er themsel/es, are, in 2r"2"rti"n t" their c"ntr"lling ca2acity, acti/e, and 2"$er3ul, and
true Magicians, and may em2l"y their 2"$ers 3"r g""d "r 3"r e/il. We see, there3"re, that $ith the
e1ce2ti"n "3 irres2"nsible 2ers"ns, e/ery"ne $h" has any $ill 2"$er is, in s" 3ar as he e1ercises that $ill
2"$er, an acti/e Magician4 a %hite magician i3 he em2l"ys them 3"r g""d, a blac/ magician i3 he uses
Page +-
them 3"r the 2ur2"ses "3 e/il.
There are 2e"2le in the *ast and s"me in the West, thr"ugh $h"m e1tra"rdinary 3eats, such as are
usually classi3ied as 0Magic0, are 2er3"rmed4 but it d"es n"t l"gically 3"ll"$ that such 2e"2le are there3"re
c"nsci"us Magicians4 it "nly sh"$s that the 2"$er $hich acts thr"ugh their "rganism, is a magic 2"$er,
and the su22"sed 0Magician0 may be merely the instrument thr"ugh $hich in/isible intelligent 2"$ers
2er3"rm such 3eats, and he may n"t e/en kn"$ $h" "r $hat such a 2"$er is.
We all cann"t h"nestly say 0%e have lie04 3"r li3e d"es n"t bel"ng t" us, and $e cann"t c"ntr"l "r
m"n"2"lise 9Page (0: it. <ll $e can say $ith"ut arr"gance and 2resum2ti"n is, that $e are instruments
thr"ugh $hich the uni/ersal One Lie mani3ests itsel3 in the 3"rm "3 a human being. We are all #ediums,
thr"ugh $hich the uni/ersal @ne #i3e acts. @nly $hen $e kn"$ "ur "$n sel/es and can c"ntr"l the li3e'
2rinci2le $ithin "ursel/es, can $e bec"me "ur "$n Masters. He $h" thinks that he has any 2"$er
$hate/er "3 his "$n, thinks 3""lish: 3"r all the 2"$ers he has are lent him by nature, "r 8 m"re c"rrectly
s2eaking 8 by that eternal s2iritual 2"$er, $hich acts in and 3r"m the centre "3 nature, and $hich men
ha/e called 0:"d0, because they ha/e 3"und it t" be the s"urce "3 all g""d4 the "ne ;eality $ithin the
uni/erse and $ithin e/ery being.
?" "ne $ill deny that Man, besides ha/ing 2hysical 2"$ers, is als" tem2"rally end"$ed $ith mental and
e/en s2iritual energies. We l"/e, res2ect, "r "bey a 2ers"n, n"t "n acc"unt "3 his su2eri"r b"dily
strength, but "n acc"unt "3 his intellectual and m"ral $"rth, "r $hile $e are under the s2ell "3 s"me real
"r imaginary auth"rity, that $e may belie/e him t" 2"ssess. < king "r a bish"2 has, as a 2ers"n, n"t
necessarily any m"re 2hysical 2"$er than his lackey "r butler, and must make himsel3 kn"$n be3"re he
$ill be "beyed4 a ca2tain may be b"dily the $eakest man in his c"m2any and still his s"ldiers "bey him.
We l"/e beauty, harm"ny, and sublimity, n"t "n acc"unt "3 their use3ulness 3"r material 2ur2"ses, but
because they satis3y a c"rres2"nding inner sense, $hich d"es n"t bel"ng t" the 2hysical 2lane4
ci/ilisati"n gains gr"und, m"re by m"ral and intellectual in3luences than by the 2"$er "3 the bay"net, and
it is a true saying, that in "ur age the 2en is mightier than the s$"rd.
What $"uld be a $"rld $ith"ut the magic 2"$er "3 l"/e "3 beauty and harm"ny E H"$ $"uld a $"rld l""k
i3 made a3ter a 2attern 3urnished by m"dern science E < $"rld in $hich the uni/ersal 2"$er "3 truth $ere
n"t rec"gnised c"uld be n"thing else but a $"rld "3 maniacs and 3illed $ith hallucinati"ns. >n such a $"rld
art and 2"etry c"uld n"t e1ist, 5ustice $"uld bec"me a c"n/enience, h"nesty be eBui/alent 9Page (1: $ith
imbecility, t" be truth3ul $"uld be t" be 3""lish, and the id"l "3 0.el30 the "nly g"d $"rthy "3 any
c"nsiderati"n.
Magic may be said t" be that science $hich deals $ith the mental and m"ral 2"$ers "3 man, and sh"$s
$hat c"ntr"l he may e1ercise "/er himsel3 and "thers. >n "rder t" study the 2"$ers "3 man it is necessary
t" in/estigate $hat Man is, and $hat relati"n he bears t" the uni/erse, and such an in/estigati"n, i3
2r"2erly c"nducted, $ill sh"$ that the elements $hich c"m2"se the essential man are identical $ith
th"se $e 3ind in the uni/erse4 that is t" say, that the uni/erse is the #acrocosm, and man 8 its true c"2y
8 the #icrocosm.
Micr"c"smic man and the Macr"c"sm "3 nature are "ne. H"$ c"uld it be 2"ssible that the Macr"c"sm
Page +G
sh"uld c"ntain anything n"t c"ntained $ithin the Micr"c"sm "r that man sh"uld ha/e s"mething $ithin
his "rganism, $hich cann"t be 3"und $ithin the grand "rganism "3 nature E >s n"t man the child "3 nature,
and can there be anything $ithin his c"nstituti"n $hich d"es n"t c"me 3r"m his eternal 3ather and m"ther
E >3 man9s "rganisati"n c"ntained s"mething unnatural, he $"uld be a m"nster, and nature $"uld s2e$
him "ut.
*/erything c"ntained in nature can be 3"und $ithin the "rganism "3 man, and e1ists therein either in a
germinal "r de/el"2ed state4 either latent "r acti/e, and may be 2ercei/ed by him $h" 2"ssesses the
2"$er "3 sel3'kn"$ledge.
We are b"rn int" a $"rld in $hich $e 3ind "ursel/es surr"unded by 2hysical "b5ects. There seems t" be
still an"ther 8 a sub5ecti/e 8 $"rld $ithin us, ca2able "3 recei/ing and retaining im2ressi"ns 3r"m the
"utside $"rld. *ach "ne is a $"rld "3 its "$n, $ith a relati"n t" s2ace di33erent 3r"m that "3 the "ther.
*ach has its days "3 sunshine and its nights "3 darkness, $hich are n"t regulated by the days and nights
"3 the "ther, each has its cl"uds and its st"rms, and sha2es and 3"rms "3 its "$n.
<s $e gr"$ u2 $e listen t" the teachings "3 science t" try t" 3ind "ut the true nature "3 these $"rlds and
the la$s that g"/ern them, but 2hysical science deals 9Page (.: "nly $ith 3"rms, and 3"rms are c"ntinually
changing. .he gi/es "nly a 2artial s"luti"n "3 the 2r"blems "3 the "b5ecti/e $"rld, and lea/es us in regard
t" the sub5ecti/e $"rld alm"st entirely in the dark. M"dern science classi3ies 2hen"mena and describes
e/ents, but t" describe h"$ an e/ent takes 2lace is n"t su33icient t" e12lain $hy it takes 2lace. T"
disc"/er causes, $hich are in themsel/es the e33ects "3 unkn"$n 2rimal causes, is "nly t" e/ade "ne
di33iculty by substituting an"ther. .cience describes s"me "3 the attributes "3 things, but the 3irst causes
$hich br"ught these attributes int" e1istence are unkn"$n t" her, and $ill remain s", until her 2"$ers "3
2erce2ti"n $ill 2enetrate int" the unseen.
Besides scienti3ic "bser/ati"n there seems t" be still an"ther $ay t" "btain kn"$ledge "3 the mysteri"us
side "3 nature. The religi"us teachers "3 the $"rld claim t" ha/e s"unded the de2ths $hich the scientists
cann"t reach. Their d"ctrines are su22"sed by many t" ha/e been recei/ed thr"ugh certain di/ine "r
angelic re/elati"ns, 2r"ceeding 3r"m a su2reme, in3inite "mni2resent, and yet 2ers"nal, and there3"re
limited e1ternal Being, the e1istence "3 $hich has ne/er been 2r"/ed. <lth"ugh the e1istence "3 such a
being is 8 t" say the least 8 e1ceedingly d"ubt3ul, yet men in all c"untries ha/e b"$ed d"$n in terr"r
be3"re its su22"sed dictates4 ready t" tear each "ther9s thr"ats at a sign "3 its su22"sed c"mmand, and
$illing t" lay d"$n their m"ney, their li/es, and e/en their h"n"ur at the 3eet "3 th"se $h" are l""ked
u2"n as the c"n3idants "r de2uties "3 a g"d. Men and $"men are $illing t" make themsel/es miserable
and unha22y in li3e 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 "btaining s"me re$ard a3ter they li/e n" m"re. ."me $aste their
li3e in the antici2ati"n "3 5"ys in a li3e "3 $hich they d" n"t kn"$ $hether "r n"t it e1ists4 s"me die 3"r 3ear
"3 l"sing that $hich they d" n"t 2"ssess.
Th"usands are engaged in teaching "thers that $hich they themsel/es d" n"t kn"$, and in s2ite "3 a
/ery great number "3 religi"us systems there is c"m2arati/ely little religi"n at 2resent u2"n the *arth.
The term ,eligion is deri/ed 3r"m the #atin $"rld religere, $hich may be 2r"2erly translated 0t" bind
back0, 9Page )4: "r t" 0relate0. ;eligi"n, in the true sense "3 the term, im2lies that science $hich e1amines
Page +)
the link $hich e1ists bet$een man and the cause 3r"m $hich he "riginated, "r in "ther $"rds, $hich
deals $ith the relati"n $hich e1ists bet$een man and :"d, 3"r the true meaning "3 the term 0*od 0 is
Supreme )irst Cause, and 3ature is the e33ect "3 its mani3estati"n. True religi"n is there3"re a science 3ar
higher than a science based u2"n mere sensual 2erce2ti"n, but it cann"t be in c"n3lict $ith $hat is true
in science. @nly $hat is 3alse in science must necessarily be in c"n3lict $ith $hat is true in religi"n, and
$hat is 3alse in religi"n is in c"n3lict $ith $hat is true in science. True religi"n and true science are
ultimately "ne and the same thing, and there3"re eBually true4 a religi"n that clings t" illusi"ns, and an
illus"ry science, are eBually 3alse, and the greater the "bstinacy $ith $hich they cling t" their illusi"ns the
m"re 2ernici"us is their e33ect.
< distincti"n sh"uld be made bet$een 0religion0 and 0religionism 04 bet$een 0science0 and 0scientism 04
bet$een 0m!stic science0 and 0m!sticism0.
The highest as2ect "3 ,eligion is practicall! the uni"n "3 man $ith the .u2reme First !ause, 3r"m $hich
his essence emanated in the beginning.
>ts second as2ect teaches the"retically the relati"ns e1isting bet$een that :reat First !ause and Man4 in
"ther $"rds, the relati"ns e1isting bet$een the Macr"c"sm and Micr"c"sm.
>n its lo%est as2ect religi"nism c"nsists "3 the adulati"n "3 dead 3"rms, "3 the $"rshi22ing "3 3etiches, "3
3ruitless attem2ts t" $heedle "nesel3 int" the 3a/"ur "3 s"me imaginary deity, t" 2ersuade 0:"d0 t"
change his mind, and t" try t" "btain s"me 3a/"urs $hich are n"t in acc"rdance $ith 5ustice.
Science in her highest as2ect is the real kn"$ledge "3 the 3undamental la$s "3 ?ature, and is there3"re a
s2iritual science, based u2"n the kn"$ledge "3 the s2irit $ithin "ne9s "$n sel3.
>n its lo%er as2ect it is a kn"$ledge "3 e1ternal 2hen"mena, and the sec"ndary "r su2er3icial causes
$hich 2r"duce the latter, and $hich "ur m"dern scientism mistakes 3"r the 3inal cause. 9Page )3:
>n its lo%est as2ect scientism is a system "3 "bser/ati"n and classi3icati"n "3 e1ternal a22earances, "3
the causes "3 $hich $e kn"$ n"thing.
;eligi"nism and .cientism are c"ntinually sub5ect t" changes. They ha/e been created by illusi"ns, and
die $hen the illusi"ns are "/er. True .cience and true ;eligi"n are "ne, and i3 realised by Practice, they
3"rm, $ith the truth $hich they c"ntain, the three >ateral 2yramid, $h"se 3"undati"ns are u2"n the earth,
and $h"se 2"int reaches int" the kingd"m "3 hea/en.
#!stic science in its true meaning is s2iritual kn"$ledge4 that is t" say, the s"ul kn"$ledge "3 s2iritual
and 0su2er'sensual0 things, 2ercei/ed by the s2iritual 2"$ers "3 the s"ul. These 2"$ers are germinally
c"ntained in e/ery human "rganisati"n, but "nly 3e$ ha/e de/el"2ed them su33iciently t" be "3 any
2ractical use.
Page +6
#!sticism bel"ngs t" the /a2"ury s2eculati"ns "3 the brain. >t is a hankering a3ter illusi"ns, a desire t" 2ry
int" di/ine mysteries $hich the material mind cann"t c"m2rehend, a cra/ing t" satis3y curi"sity in regard
t" $hat an animal "ught n"t t" kn"$. >t is the realm "3 3ancies, "3 dreams, the 2aradise "3 gh"st'seers,
and "3 s2iritistic t"m3""leries "3 all kinds.
But $hich is the true religi"n and the true science E There is n" d"ubt that a de3inite relati"nshi2 e1ists
bet$een Man and the cause that called humanity int" e1istence, and a true religi"n "r a true science
must be the "ne $hich teaches the true terms "3 that relati"n. >3 $e take a su2er3icial /ie$ "3 the /ari"us
religi"us systems "3 the $"rld, $e 3ind them all a22arently c"ntradicting each "ther. We 3ind a great mass
"3 a22arent su2erstiti"ns and absurdities hea2ed u2"n a grain "3 s"mething that may be true. We admire
the ethics and m"ral d"ctrines "3 "ur 3a/"urite religi"us system, and $e take its the"l"gical rubbish in "ur
bargain, 3"rgetting that the ethics "3 nearly all religi"ns are essentially the same, and that the rubbish
$hich surr"unds them is n"t real religi"n. >t is e/idently an absurdity t" belie/e that any system c"uld be
true, unless it c"ntained the truth. But it is eBually e/ident that a thing cann"t be true and 3alse at the
same time. 9Page )(:
The truth can "nly be one. The truth ne/er changes4 but $e "ursel/es change, and as $e change s"
changes "ur as2ect "3 the truth. The /ari"us religi"us systems "3 the $"rld cann"t be unnatural 2r"ducts.
They are all the natural "utgr"$th "3 man9s s2iritual e/"luti"n u2"n this gl"be, and they di33er "nly in s"
3ar as the c"nditi"ns under $hich they came int" e1istence di33ered at the time $hen they began t" e1ist4
$hile his science has been arti3icially built by 3acts c"llected 3r"m e1ternal "bser/ati"n. *ach intellectual
human being, e1ce2t "ne blinded by 2re5udice, rec"gnises the 3act that each "3 the great religi"us
systems "3 the $"rld c"ntains certain truths, $hich $e intuiti/ely kn"$ t" be true4 and as there can be
"nly "ne 3undamental truth, s" all these religi"ns are branches "3 the same tree, e/en i3 the 3"rms in
$hich the truth mani3ests itsel3 are n"t alike. The sunshine is e/ery$here the same, "nly its intensity
di33ers in di33erent l"calities. >n "ne 2lace it induces the gr"$th "3 2alms, in an"ther "3 mushr""ms4 but
there is "nly "ne .un in "ur system. The 2r"cesses g"ing "n, "n the 2hysical 2lane ha/e their anal"gies
in the s2iritual realm, 3"r there is "nly "ne ?ature, "ne #a$.
>3 "ne 2ers"n Buarrels $ith an"ther ab"ut religi"us "2ini"ns, he cann"t ha/e the true religi"n, n"r can he
ha/e any true kn"$ledge4 because true religi"n is the realisati"n "3 truth. The "nly true religi"n is the
religi"n "3 uni/ersal #"/e4 this l"/e is the rec"gniti"n "3 "ne9s "$n di/ine uni/ersal sel3. #"/e is an
element "3 di/ine Wisd"m, and there can be n" $isd"m $ith"ut l"/e. *ach s2ecies "3 birds in the $""ds
sings a di33erent tune4 but the 2rinci2le $hich causes them t" sing is the same in each. They d" n"t
Buarrel $ith each "ther, because "ne can sing better than the rest. M"re"/er, religi"us dis2utati"ns, $ith
their resulting anim"sities, are the m"st useless things in the $"rld4 3"r n" "ne can c"mbat the darkness
by 3ighting it $ith a stick: the "nly $ay t" rem"/e darkness is t" kindle a light, the "nly $ay t" dis2el
s2iritual ign"rance is t" let the light "3 kn"$ledge that c"mes 3r"m the centre "3 l"/e shine int" e/ery
heart. 9Page )):
<ll religi"ns are based u2"n internal truth, all ha/e an "utside "rnamentati"n $hich /aries in character in
the di33erent systems, but all ha/e the same 3"undati"n "3 truth, and i3 $e c"m2are the /ari"us systems
$ith "ne an"ther, l""king bel"$ the sur3ace "3 e1teri"r 3"rms, $e 3ind that this truth is in all religi"us
systems "ne and the same. >n all this, truth has been hidden beneath a m"re "r less alleg"rical
language, im2ers"nal and in/isible 2"$ers ha/e been 2ers"ni3ied and re2resented in images car/ed in
st"nes "r $""d, and the 3"rmless and real has been 2ictured in illusi/e 3"rms. These 3"rms in letters, and
Page +%
2ictures, and images are the means by $hich truths may be br"ught t" the attenti"n "3 the unri2e Mind.
They are t" the gr"$n'u2 children "3 all nati"ns $hat 2icture'b""ks are t" small children $h" are n"t yet
able t" read, and it $"uld be as unreas"nable t" de2ri/e gr"$n'u2 children "3 their images be3"re they
are able t" read in their "$n hearts, as it $"uld be t" take a$ay the 2icture'b""ks 3r"m little children and
t" ask them t" read 2rinted b""ks, $hich they cann"t yet understand.
=ery uninteresting and insigni3icant $"uld be the st"ries c"ntained in the Bible, and in "ther religi"us
b""ks, i3 the 2ers"nal e/ents described therein $ere re3erring merely t" certain "ccurrences ha/ing
ha22ened in the li/es "3 certain indi/iduals $h" li/ed s"me th"usands "3 years ag", and $h"se
bi"gra2hy can seri"usly interest n" "ne t"day. What d" $e care n"$ ab"ut the 3amily a33airs "3 a man
called <dam "r <braham E Why sh"uld $e $ant t" be interested in kn"$ing h"$ many legitimate "r
illegitimate children the Fe$ish Patriarchs had, and $hat became "3 themE What is it t" us $hether "r n"t
a man by the name "3 F"nah $as thr"$n int" the $ater and s$all"$ed by a $hale E What ha22ens t"day
in the /ari"us c"untries "3 *ur"2e is m"re interesting and im2"rtant 3"r us t" kn"$ than $hat ha22ened
at the c"urt "3 Jerubabel "r ?abuch"d"n"ser.
But 3"rtunately 3"r the Bible and 8 i3 $e "nly kne$ h"$ t" read it 8 3"rtunately 3"r us, the st"ries c"ntained
therein are by n" means merely hist"ries "3 2ers"ns $h" 9Page )-: li/ed in ancient times, but they are
alleg"ries and myths ha/ing al$ays a /ery dee2 meaning, "3 $hich "ur e12"unders "3 the Bible, as $ell
as its critics, usually kn"$ /ery little.
The men and the $"men "3 the "ld and ne$ 0testament0 are much m"re than mere 2ers"ns su22"sed t"
ha/e e1isted at that time. They are 2ers"ni3icati"ns "3 eternally acti/e s2iritual 3"rces, "3 $hich 2hysical
science d"es n"t e/en kn"$ that they e1ist4 and their hist"ries gi/e an acc"unt "3 their acti"n, their
interrelati"ns $ithin the Macr"c"sm and its c"unter2art the Micr"c"sm4 they teach the hist"ry "3 the
e/"luti"n "3 mankind in its s2iritual as2ect.
>3 "ur natural 2hil"s"2hers $"uld study the Bible and the ancient religi"us b""ks "3 the *ast, in their
es"teric and s2iritual as2ects, they might learn a great many things $hich they desire t" kn"$. They
might learn t" 3ind "ut $hat are the true 2"$ers "3 the still slee2ing 0>nner Man0, $hich are reBuired t"
2r"duce "ccult 2hen"mena at $ill4 they might 3ind instructi"n h"$ t" transmute lead "r ir"n int" 2ure
g"ld, and t" trans3"rm animals int" g"ds.
But it is a truth, based u2"n natural la$s, that man can see n"thing e1ce2t that $hich e1ists in his mind.
>3 a man cl"ses his eyes, he sees n"thing, and i3 his mind is 3illed $ith illusi"ns, he $ill ha/e n" r""m 3"r
the truth, and the dee2est "3 symb"ls $ill be 2ictures $ith"ut meaning t" him.
>3 "ur children 8 the big "nes as $ell as the little "nes 8 are "nly l""king at the 2ictures $ith"ut learning
the te1t, they are a2t t" gr"$ t" belie/e the 2ict"rial re2resentati"ns t" be the /ery things they are
intended t" re2resent4 they bec"me accust"med t" 3"rget that 3"rms are "nly illusi"ns, and that 3"rmless
realities cann"t be seen. >t is s" much easier t" belie/e than t" think. !hildren sh"uld n"t linger "/er their
2icture'b""ks s" l"ng as t" neglect their higher educati"n. Humanity has "utgr"$n the in3ancy "3 its
2resent cycle, and asks 3"r m"re intellectual 3""d4 the age "3 su2erstiti"n is 2assing a$ay, and the
demand is n"t 3"r "2ini"ns but 3"r kn"$ledge, and kn"$ledge cann"t be "btained $ith"ut 9Page )2: an
Page +(
e33"rt. >3 $e e1amine the /ari"us religi"us systems $e may 3ind a great deal "3 truth, but $e cann"t
rec"gnise it $ith"ut kn"$ledge, and real kn"$ledge can "nly be "btained by 2ractical e12erience. The
e12ressed "2ini"n "3 "ne 2ers"n can "nly gi/e rise t" c"n/icti"n in an"ther, i3 c"rr"b"rated by the same
"r a similar e12erience "3 the latter. < 2ers"n can "nly truly belie/e that $hich he kn"$s himsel3, and he
can "nly actually kn"$ himsel3 that $hich he has e12erienced himsel3.
There is a great di33erence bet$een belie/ing and understanding the truth. We may belie/e the truth $ith
"ur heart and re5ect it $ith "ur brain. >n "ther $"rds: We may 3eel the truth intuiti/ely, and n"t see it
intellectually. >3 "ur 2resent generati"n $"uld culti/ate the 3aculty "3 kn"$ing the truth by heart, and
a3ter$ards e1amine that $hich they kn"$ by means "3 their intellect, $e $"uld s""n ha/e a 3ar better
and ha22ier state "3 s"ciety e/ery$here. But the great curse "3 "ur age is that the intellectual 3aculties
re5ect the truth in the heart. The science "3 the brain su22resses the kn"$ledge "3 the s"ul, and tries t"
gras2 that $hich "nly the heart can t"uch.
Men, instead "3 li/ing in the sanctuary "3 the tem2les $hich they inhabit, are c"ntinually absent 3r"m
there, and reside in the garret under the r""3, l""king "ut thr"ugh the $ind"$s "3 the garret a3ter scienti3ic
the"ries and "ther illusi"ns "3 li3e. Day and night they stand there and $atch, care3ul that n"ne "3 the
2assing illusi"ns may esca2e their "bser/ati"n, and $hile their attenti"n is abs"rbed by these idle sh"$s,
the thie/es enter the h"use and the sanctuary $ith"ut being seen, and steal a$ay the treasures. Then at
the time $hen the h"use is destr"yed, and death a22ears, the s"ul returns t" the heart and 3inds it em2ty
and des"late, and all the illusi"ns that "ccu2ied the brain during li3e 3ly a$ay, and man is le3t 2""r indeed,
because he has n"t 2ercei/ed the truth in his heart.
The real "b5ect "3 a religi"us system sh"uld there3"re be t" teach a $ay by $hich a 2ers"n may de/el"2
the 2"$er t" 2ercei/e the truth himsel3, inde2endent "3 9Page )/: anyb"dy9s "2ini"n. T" ask a man t"
belie/e in the "2ini"n e12ressed by an"ther, and t" remain satis3ied $ith such a belie3, is t" ask him t"
remain ign"rant, and t" trust t" an"ther 2ers"n m"re than t" his "$n e12erience. < 2ers"n $ith"ut
kn"$ledge can ha/e n" real c"n/icti"n, n" true 3aith. His ad"2ti"n "3 "ne 2articular the"ry "r system
de2ends "n the circumstances under $hich he is b"rn, "r br"ught u2, "r surr"unded. He is m"st liable t"
ad"2t that system $hich his 2arents "r neighb"urs ha/e inherited "r ad"2ted, and i3 he changes 3r"m
"ne t" an"ther, he, generally s2eaking, d"es s" 3r"m mere sentimentalism, "r "n acc"unt "3 s"me sel3ish
c"nsiderati"n, e12ecting t" "btain s"me bene3it t" himsel3 by that change. Fr"m a s2iritual stand2"int he
$ill gain n"thing under such circumstances4 because t" a22r"ach the truth, he must l"/e the truth 3"r its
"$n sake, and n"t "n acc"unt "3 the 2ers"nal ad/antage that it may bring4 3r"m an intellectual stand2"int
he $ill gain little "r n"thing by e1changing "ne su2erstiti"n 3"r an"ther. The "nly $ay by $hich Man can
h"2e t" arri/e at the truth is t" l"/e the truth "n acc"unt "3 its being the truth, and t" 3ree his mind 3r"m all
2re5udices and 2redilecti"ns, s" that its light may 2enetrate int" the mind.
What is the religi"nism "3 t"day, but a religi"n "3 3ear E Men d" n"t $ish t" a/"id /ice, but they $ish t"
a/"id the 2unishment 3"r ha/ing indulged in /ice. Their e12erience teaches them that the la$s "3 nature
are unchangeable, but ne/ertheless they c"ntinue t" act against the uni/ersal la$. They claim t" belie/e
in a :"d $h" is unchangeable, and yet they im2l"re his assistance i3 they desire t" break his "$n la$.
When $ill they rise u2 t" the true c"nce2ti"n that the "nly 2"ssible :"d is that uni/ersal 2"$er $hich
acts in the la$, $hich is itsel3 the la$ "3 the s2irit in nature, and cann"t be changed E T" break the la$ is
identical $ith breaking the :"d $ithin "ursel/es, and the "nly $ay t" "btain 3"rgi/eness a3ter he is
br"ken is t" rest"re the su2remacy "3 the la$, and t" create a ne$ :"d $ithin "ursel/es.
Page +&
>t may be $ell t" study the "2ini"ns "3 "thers, and 9Page )0: t" st"re them u2 in the b""k "3 "ur mem"ry,
but $e sh"uld n"t belie/e them t" c"nstitute sel3'kn"$ledge. */en the teachings "3 the $"rld9s greatest
<de2ts, unim2eachable as they may be, can "nly instruct us, but gi/e us n" real kn"$ledge. They can
sh"$ the $ay, but $e must take "ursel/es the ste2s "n the ladder. Were $e t" rec"gnise their dictum as
the 3inal aim, t" be acce2ted $ith"ut any 3urther internal in/estigati"n, $e sh"uld again 3all back int" a
system "3 belie3 3"r the sake "3 auth"rity. Kn"$ledge gi/es strength, d"ubt 2aralyses the $ill. < man $h"
d"es n"t belie/e that he is able t" $alk $ill n"t be able t" $alk as l"ng as he d"es n"t belie/e4 a man
$h" /no%s by e12erience that he can c"mmand himsel3 $ill be able t" d" s". He $h" can c"mmand
himsel3 can c"mmand that $hich is bel"$ him, because the l"$ is c"ntr"lled by the high, and there is
n"thing higher than Man ha/ing "btained a 2er3ect kn"$ledge "3 .el3.
The kn"$ledge "3 .el3 is identical $ith .el3'kn"$ledge, i.e., $ith "ne9s "$n ."ul kn"$ledge inde2endent
"3 any d"gmas "r d"ctrines, n" matter 3r"m $hat e1ternal auth"rity they may 2r"ceed. >3 $e study the
teachings "3 any su22"sed auth"rity e1ternal t" "ur "$n sel/es, $e at best kn"$ $hat the "2ini"n "3
such an auth"rity is in regard t" the truth, but $e d" n"t necessarily arri/e thereby at a sel3'kn"$ledge "3
the truth. >3 $e, 3"r instance, learn $hat !hrist taught ab"ut :"d, $e are "nly in3"rmed "3 $hat he kne$
"r belie/ed t" kn"$4 but $e cann"t kn"$ :"d 3"r all that, unless $e a$aken t" a realisati"n "3 :"d9s
2resence $ithin "ur "$n heart. The kn"$ledge "3 e/en the $isest "3 all men, i3 c"mmunicated t" us, $ill
be t" us n"thing m"re than an "2ini"n, as l"ng as it is n"t e12erienced $ithin "ur "$n sel/es. <s l"ng as
$e cann"t 2enetrate $ithin the s"ul "3 Man, $e can kn"$ little m"re ab"ut him but his c"r2"real 3"rm4 but
h"$ c"uld $e 2enetrate $ithin the s"ul "3 an"ther as l"ng as $e d" n"t kn"$ "ur "$n E There3"re the
beginning "3 all real kn"$ledge is the kn"$ledge "3 .el34 the kn"$ledge "3 the ."ul and n"t the /agaries
"3 the brain.
D"es e1ternal science c"n3er any true kn"$ledge "3 9Page )1: Man E The range "3 her 2"$er "3
"bser/ati"n is limited by the 2erce2ti/e 2"$er "3 the 2hysical senses, assisted by 2hysical instruments4
she has n" means t" in/estigate that $hich transcends 2hysical sense, she cann"t enter the tem2le "3
the unseen, she "nly kn"$s the e1ternal 3"rm in $hich the reality d$ells. .he "nly kn"$s $hat man
a22ears t" be, but n"t $hat he is, she kn"$s n"thing $hate/er "3 the essential and real man, and
s"metimes denies his e1istence. >n /ain shall $e l""k t" her 3"r the s"luti"n "3 the 2r"blem, $hich
th"usands "3 years ag" the *gy2tian .2hin1 2r"2"unded.
D" the 2"2ular religi"us systems c"n3er any true kn"$ledge "3 Man E The c"nce2ti"n $hich the a/erage
the"l"gian has "3 the mysteri"us being called Man is as narr"$ as that "3 the 2r"3ess"r "3 m"dern
science. He l""ks u2"n man as a 2ers"nal being, is"lated 3r"m "ther 2ers"nal beings ar"und $h"se
in3inite little 2ers"nality centres the interests "3 the in3initely great. He 3"rgets that the 3"unders "3 the
2rinci2al religi"us systems taught that the "riginal and essential man $as a uni/ersal 2"$er, that the real
man is a $h"le and cann"t be di/ided, and that the 2ers"nal 3"rm "3 man is "nly the tem2"rary tem2le in
$hich the s2irit d$ells.9Bible: !"rinth. iii. +%.:
The misc"nce2ti"ns arising 3r"m ign"rance "3 the true nature "3 Man are the cause that the 2"2ular
religi"us "2ini"ns held by the a/erage the"l"gians in !hristian and Pagan c"untries are based u2"n
sel3ishness, c"ntrary t" the s2irit "3 that $hich true religi"n teaches. 0!hristians0 and 0Heathens0 clam"ur
3"r s"me bene3it t" be c"n3erred by s"me imaginary 2ers"n u2"n that insigni3icant s"a2 bubble, called
the 02ers"nal sel30, either here "r in the herea3ter. *ach "ne "3 such sh"rt'sighted n"things $ants t" be
sa/ed 2ers"nally himsel ab"/e all, the sal/ati"n "3 the rest is a matter "3 sec"nd c"nsiderati"n. They
Page +,
e12ect t" "btain s"me bene3it $hich they d" n"t deser/e, t" $heedle themsel/es int" the 3a/"ur "3 s"me
2ers"nal deity, argue their case be3"re :"d, cheat the 0de/il0 "3 his 5ust dues, and smuggle their
im2er3ecti"ns int" the kingd"m "3 hea/en. 9Page ).:

The "nly reas"nable "b5ect $hich any e1ternal religi"us system can 2"ssibly ha/e, is t" ele/ate man
3r"m a l"$er state t" a higher "ne, in $hich he can 3"rm a better c"nce2ti"n "3 his true dignity as a
member "3 the human 3amily. >3 there is any 2"ssibility "3 im2arting t" a man a kn"$ledge "3 his true sel3,
the churches are the 2laces $here such a kn"$ledge sh"uld be im2arted4 but t" acc"m2lish this the
claims "3 the truth sh"uld 2red"minate "/er th"se "3 the 3"rm, the interests "3 religi"n and the interests "3
the 0church0 $"uld ha/e t" cease t" be interchangeable terms, and the church sh"uld again be 3"unded
u2"n the r"ck "3 sel3'kn"$ledge, instead "3 the cra/ing t" "btain s"me sel3ish 2ers"nal bene3it in this
$"rld "r in the 2r"blematical herea3ter.
He $h" is led by sel3ish c"nsiderati"ns cann"t enter a hea/en $here 2ers"nal c"nsiderati"ns d" n"t
e1ist. He $h" d"es n"t care 3"r hea/en but is c"ntented $here he is, is already, in hea/en, $hile the
disc"ntented $ill in /ain clam"ur 3"r it. T" be $ith"ut 2ers"nal desires is t" be 3ree and ha22y. 0Hea/en0
can mean n"thing else but a state in $hich 3reed"m and ha22iness e1ist. The man $h" 2er3"rms
bene3icial acts induced by a h"2e "3 re$ard is n"t ha22y unless the re$ard is "btained, and i3 his re$ard
is "btained his ha22iness ends. There can be n" 2ermanent rest and ha22iness as l"ng as there is s"me
$"rk t" be d"ne and n"t acc"m2lished, and the 3ul3illment "3 duties brings its "$n re$ard.
< man $h" 2er3"rms a g""d act $ith the h"2e "3 re$ard is n"t 3ree. He is a ser/ant "3 .el3, and $"rks 3"r
the bene3it "3 .el3 and n"t 3"r his :"d. >t is, there3"re, n"t the 2"$er "3 :"d $hich $ill re$ard him, he can
"nly e12ect that re$ard 3r"m his "$n tem2"rary surr"undings.
The man $h" 2er3"rms e/il acts, induced by a sel3ish m"ti/e, is n"t 3ree. He $h" desires e/il and is
restrained by 3ear is n"t his "$n master. He $h" rec"gnises the su2reme 2"$er "3 the uni/erse in his
"$n heart has bec"me 3ree. He $h"se $ill is s$ayed by his 2ers"nal sel3 is the sla/e "3 his 2ers"n, but
he $h" has c"nBuered that s"'called 0sel30 enters the higher li3e and bec"mes a 2"$er. 9Page -4:

The science "3 #i3e c"nsists in subduing the l"$ and ele/ating the high. >ts 3irst less"n is h"$ t" 3ree
"nesel3 3r"m the l"/e "3 sel3, the 3irst angel "3 e/il, "r, acc"rding t" *d$in <rn"ld in his 0#ight "3 <sia0 '
0The sin "3 sel3, $h" in the uni/erse
<s in a mirr"r sees her 3"nd 3ace sh"$n,
<nd crying M>N, $"uld ha/e the $"rld say 9>9,
<nd all things 2erish s" i3 she endure.
This l"$er .el3 is an unreal thing, c"m2"sed "3 a great many illusi/e eg"s, "3 $hich each "ne has his
2eculiar claims, and $h"se demands gr"$ in 2r"2"rti"n as $e attem2t t" satis3y them. They are the
semi'intellectual 3"rces "3 the s"ul that $"uld rend the s"ul t" 2ieces i3 they $ere all"$ed t" gr"$, and
$hich must be subdued by the 2"$er "3 the real Master, the su2eri"r 0>0 C the :"d.
Page -K
These 0>Ns0 are the Elementals, "3 $hich has been said s" much in "ccult literature. They are n"t
imaginary things, but li/ing 3"rces, and they may be 2ercei/ed by him $h" has acBuired the 2"$er t"
l""k $ithin his "$n s"ul. *ach "3 these 3"rces c"rres2"nds t" s"me animal desire, and i3 it is 2ermitted t"
gr"$ is symb"lised by the 3"rm "3 the being $hich c"rres2"nds t" its nature. <t 3irst they are thin and
shad"$y, but as the desire $hich c"rres2"nds t" them is indulged in, they bec"me m"re and m"re dense
$ithin the s"ul, and being n"urished by the $ill, they gain great strength as "ur desires gr"$ int" a
2assi"n. The lesser *lementals are s$all"$ed by the bigger "nes, the little desires are abs"rbed by the
str"nger "nes, until 2erha2s at last "ne Master Passi"n, "ne 2"$er3ul *lemental remains. They 3"rm the
dreaded '%ellers o the Threshold, $h" guard the garden "3 the 2aradise "3 the s"ul. They are described
as ha/ing the 3"rm "3 snakes and tigers, h"gs, insatiable $"l/es, etc., but as they are "3ten the result "3 a
mi1ture "3 human and animal elements, they d" n"t merely e1hibit 2urely animal 3"rms4 but 3reBuently
they l""k like animals $ith human heads "r like men $ith animal members4 they a22ear under 9Page -3:
endless /arieties "3 sha2es, because there is an endless /ariety "3 c"rrelati"ns and mi1tures "3 lust,
a/arice, greed, sensual l"/e, ambiti"n, c"$ardice, 3ear, terr"r, hate, 2ride, /anity, sel3'c"nceit, stu2idity,
/"lu2tu"usness, sel3ishness, 5eal"usy, en/y, arr"gance, hy2"crisy, cunning, s"2histry, imbecility,
su2erstiti"n, etc., etc..
These *lementals li/e in the s"ul'realm "3 man as l"ng as he li/es, and gr"$ str"ng and 3at, 3"r they li/e
"n his li3e'2rinci2le, and are 3ed by the substance "3 his th"ughts. They may e/en bec"me "b5ecti/e t"
him, i3 during a 2ar"1ysm "3 3ear "r in c"nseBuence "3 s"me disease they are enabled t" ste2 "ut "3 their
s2here.
They cann"t be killed by 2i"us cerem"nies, n"r be dri/en a$ay by the e1h"rtati"ns "3 a clergyman4 they
are "nly destr"yed by the 2"$er "3 the spiritual Will "3 the di/ine man, $hich annihilates them as the light
annihilates darkness, "r as a str"ke "3 lightning seems t" rend the cl"uds.
@nly th"se $h" ha/e a$akened t" di/ine s2iritual c"nsci"usness can ha/e that s2iritual $ill, "3 $hich the
n"n'regenerated kn"$s n"thing. But th"se $h" are n"t yet s" 3ar ad/anced may cause th"se elementals
t" die sl"$ly, by $ithdra$ing 3r"m them the 3""d $hich they reBuire, that is t" say, by n"t desiring "r
en5"ying their 2resence4 by n"t gi/ing t" their e1istence the c"nsent "3 the $ill. They $ill then begin t"
$ane, t" get sick, die and 2utre3y like a member "3 the b"dy $hich has bec"me m"rti3ied. A line o
demar/ation $ill be 3"rmed in the s"ul'b"dy "3 man, there may be 0in3lammati"n0 and su33ering. <
2r"cess, similar t" that $hich "ccurs i3 a gangren"us 2art "3 the 2hysical b"dy is thr"$n "33, takes 2lace4
and at last the 2utrid carcass "3 the *lemental dr"2s "33 and diss"l/es.
These descri2ti"ns are neither 3ancies n"r alleg"ries. Theophrastus Paracelsus" .ac/ob Boehme" and
many "ther $riters "n @ccultism $rite ab"ut them, and a due a22reciati"n "3 their d"ctrines $ill g" 3ar t"
e12lain many "ccurrences menti"ned in the hist"ry "3 $itch'cra3t, and in the legends "3 the li/es "3 the
saints.
But there are n"t merely animal germs $ithin the realm "3 the s"ul "3 man. >n each human c"nstituti"n
9Page -(: there are als" the germs $hich g" t" make u2 a .hakes2eare, a Washingt"n, :"ethe, ="ltaire,
a Buddha, "r Fesus "3 ?azareth. There are als" the germs $hich may gr"$ t" make a ?er", Messalina,
"r T"rBuemada4 and each germ hag the latent 2"$er t" de/el"2, take a 3"rm and ultimately 3ind its
e12ressi"n and re3lecti"n in the "ut$ard b"dy, as much as the density "3 the material at"ms, $hich are
Page -+
sl"$ t" trans3"rm, $ill 2ermit4 3"r each character c"rres2"nds t" a 3"rm, and each 3"rm t" a character.
Man9s micr"c"sm is a garden in $hich all kinds "3 li/ing 2lants gr"$ ."me are 2"is"n"us, s"me are
$h"les"me. >t rests $ith man t" decide $hich germs he $ants t" de/el"2 int" a li/ing tree, and that tree
$ill be himsel3.
T" acc"m2lish the task "3 bec"ming s2iritual it is n"t necessary t" be a misanthr"2e and retire int" a
5ungle there t" 3eed "n the 2r"ducts "3 "ne9s "$n m"rbid imaginati"n4 the struggle caused by the 2etty
ann"yances "3 e/eryday li3e is the best sch""l t" e1ercise the $ill 2"$er 3"r th"se that ha/e n"t yet
gained the mastery "/er .el3. 0T" ren"unce the /anities "3 the $"rld0 d"es n"t mean t" l""k $ith
c"ntem2t u2"n the 2r"gress "3 the $"rld, t" remain ign"rant "3 mathematics and l"gic, t" take n" interest
in the $el3are "3 humanity, t" a/"id the duties "3 li3e "r neglect "ne9s 3amily. .uch a 2r"ceeding $"uld
acc"m2lish the /ery re/erse "3 $hat is intended4 it $"uld increase the l"/e "3 sel3, it $"uld cause the s"ul
t" shrink t" a small 3"cus instead "3 e12anding it "/er the $"rld. We must attain a state be3"re $e can
"utgr"$ it. < misanthr"2e cann"t attain the l"/e "3 :"d, i3 he d"es n"t 3irst rise u2 t" the l"/e 3"r
mankind. 0T" ren"unce "ne9s sel30 means t" c"nBuer the sense "3 2ers"nality and t" 3ree "ne9s sel3 "3 the
l"/e "3 things $hich that 2ers"nality desires. >t means t" 0li/e in the $"rld, but n"t cling t" the $"rld0, t"
substitute uni/ersal l"/e 3"r 2ers"nal l"/e, and t" c"nsider the interests "3 the $h"le "3 su2eri"r
im2"rtance than 2ers"nal claims. The renunciati"n "3 that sel3 $hich is "nly a mask, is necessarily
3"ll"$ed by s2iritual gr"$th. <s $e 3"rget "ur 2ers"nal sel3, 9Page -): $e attach less im2"rtance t"
2ers"nalities, 2ers"nal things, and 2ers"nal 3eelings. We begin t" l""k u2"n "ursel/es n"t as being
2ermanent, unchanging and unchangeable entities, standing is"lated am"ng "ther is"lated entities, and
being se2arated 3r"m them by im2enetrable shells, but as mani3estati"ns "3 an in3inite 2"$er, $hich
embraces the uni/erse, and $h"se 2"$ers are c"ncentrated and br"ught t" a 3"cus in the b"dies $hich
$e tem2"rarily inhabit, int" $hich b"dies c"ntinually 3l"$ and 3r"m $hich are incessantly radiating the
rays "3 an in3inite s2here "3 light, $h"se circum3erence is endless and $h"se centre is e/ery$here.
72"n the rec"gniti"n and realisati"n "3 this truth rests the "nly true #a$, the ,eligion o the Universal
Love o *od in all Beings. <s l"ng as man takes "nly his "$n little sel3 int" c"nsiderati"n in his th"ughts
and acts, the s2here "3 his mind bec"mes necessarily narr"$. <ll "ur 2"2ular religi"us sects are based
u2"n sel3ish c"nsiderati"ns. *ach "3 "ur religi"us sectarians s2eculates t" "btain s"me s2iritual, i3 n"t
material, bene3it 3"r himsel. *ach "ne $ants t" be sa/ed by s"meb"dy4 3irst he, and then 2erha2s the
"thers4 but, ab"/e all, he himsel3. The true religi"n "3 uni/ersal #"/e kn"$s "3 n" 0sel30.
*/en the high and laudable desire t" g" t" hea/en "r enter the state "3 3irvana is, a3ter all, but a sel3ish
desire, and as l"ng as man has any sel3ish desires $hate/er, his mind 2ercei/es "nly his "$n sel3. @nly
$hen he ceases t" ha/e a limited illusi/e 0sel30 $ill his real g"d bec"me unlimited and be "mni2resent,
like the s2irit "3 Wisd"m. He $h" desires unlimited kn"$ledge must rise ab"/e limitati"n.
#""ked at 3r"m that height, the 2ers"nality a22ears e1ceedingly small and insigni3icant, and "3 little
im2"rtance. Man a22ears as the centralisati"n "3 an idea, 2ers"ns and 2e"2les like li/ing grains "3 sand
"n the sh"re "3 an in3inite "cean. F"rtune, 3ame, l"/e, lu1ury, etc., assume the im2"rtance "3 s"a2'
bubbles, and the s"ul has n" hesitati"n in relinBuishing them as the idle 2laythings "3 children. ?either
can such a renunciati"n be called a sacri3ice, 3"r gr"$n'u2 b"ys and girls 9Page --: d" n"t 0sacri3ice0 their
2"2guns and d"lls, they sim2ly d" n"t $ant them any l"nger. >n 2r"2"rti"n as their minds e12and, d"
Page --
they reach "ut 3"r s"mething m"re use3ul, and as a man9s s"ul e12ands, his surr"undings, and e/en the
2lanet "n $hich he li/es, a22ear t" him small as a landsca2e seen 3r"m a great distance, "r 3r"m a high
m"untain, $hile at the same time his c"nce2ti"n "3 the in3inite gr"$s larger and assumes a gigantic 3"rm.
This e12ansi"n "3 "ur e1istence 0r"bs us "3 a c"untry and a h"me0 9 Bul$er'#ytt"n: 0Jan"ni0: by making
us citizens "3 the grand uni/erse4 it se2arates us 3r"m the 3ancied a33ecti"ns 3"r the im2ermanent 3"rms "3
"ur m"rtal 2arents and 3riends, t" unite us $ith their true indi/idualities 3"r e/er as "ur imm"rtal br"thers
and sisters4 it li3ts us u2 3r"m the narr"$ c"n3ines "3 the illus"ry t" the unlimited realm "3 the >deal, and
releasing man 3r"m the 2ris"n'h"use "3 insigni3icant clay, it leads him t" the sublime 3reed"m and
s2lend"ur "3 *ternal and 7ni/ersal #i3e.
*/ery 3"rm "3 li3e, the human 3"rm n"t e1ce2ted, is n"thing m"re than a 3"cus in $hich the energies "3
the uni/ersal 2rinci2le "3 li3e are c"ncentrated, and the m"re they are c"ncentrated and cling t" that
centre, the less are they able t" mani3est their acti/ity, t" gr"$ and e12and. .el3'satis3ied man, $h"
em2l"ys his ca2acities "nly 3"r his "$n sel3ish 2ur2"se, c"ntracts them int" himsel3, and as he c"ntracts
he bec"mes m"re and m"re narr"$'minded and insigni3icant, and as he l"ses sight "3 the $h"le, the
$h"le l"ses sight "3 him. >3, "n the "ther hand, a 2ers"n li/es "nly in dreams, sending his 3"rces int" the
regi"n "3 the unkn"$n, scattering them thr"ugh s2ace, $ith"ut ha/ing "btained intellectual strength, his
th"ughts $ill $ander like shad"$s thr"ugh the realm "3 the in3inite and bec"me l"st. ?either the sel3'
c"nceited realist n"r the /isi"nary dreamer and idealist gras2s the truth. Harm"ni"us gr"$th reBuires
e12ansi"n al"ng $ith a c"rres2"nding accumulati"n "3 energy.
."me 2ers"ns are 2"ssessed "3 great intellectual 2"$er, but "3 little s2irituality4 s"me ha/e s2iritual 9Page
-2:
2"$er, but a $eak intellect4 th"se in $h"m the intellectual energies are $ell su22"rted by a str"ng s2irit
are the elect. T" bec"me 2ractical, $e must 3irst learn t" understand the thing $e $ant t" 2ractice, by
"bser/ati"n and recei/ing instructi"n. 7nderstanding is a result "3 assimilati"n and gr"$th, n"t a result "3
mem"ry. The truth must n"urish the s"ul. >t is an a$akening t" a state "3 c"nsci"usness "3 the nature "3
the thing that c"mes t" be a 2art "3 "ur "$n being. < 2ers"n c"ming t" a strange c"untry in the e/ening
$ill, $hen a3ter a night9s rest he a$akes in the m"rning, hardly realise $here he is. He has, 2erha2s,
been dreaming "3 his h"me and th"se that are le3t there, and "nly a3ter he "2ens his eyes and a$akens
t" a 3ull sense "3 c"nsci"usness "3 his ne$ and strange surr"undings, $ill the "ld im2ressi"ns 3ade a$ay,
and he $ill begin t" realise $here he is. >n the same manner "ld err"rs must disa22ear be3"re ne$ truths
can be realised. Man "nly begins t" e1ist as a c"nsci"us s2iritual being $hen he begins t" e12erience
s2iritual li3e.
T" bec"me s2iritual, 2hysical health, intellectual gr"$th, and s2iritual acti/ity sh"uld g" hand in hand.
>ntuiti"n sh"uld be su22"rted by an unsel3ish intellect, a 2ure mind by a healthy 3"rm. H"$ t" acc"m2lish
this can neither be taught by a science $hich deals "nly $ith illus"ry e33ects, n"r by a religi"us belie3
based u2"n illusi"ns4 but it is taught by The"s"2hy, the -isdom ,eligion "3 the ages, $h"se 3"undati"n
is truth, and $h"se 2ractical a22licati"n is the highest "b5ect "3 human e1istence.
This Wisd"m ;eligi"n has been, and is t"day, the inheritance "3 the saints, 2r"2hets, and seers, and "3
the illuminated "nes "3 all nati"ns, n" matter t" $hat e1ternal system "3 religi"n they may ha/e gi/en
their adherence. >t $as taught by the ancient Brahmins, *gy2tians, and Fe$s in tem2les and ca/es,
Page -G
:autama Buddha and Fesus "3 ?azareth 2reached it, it 3"rmed the basis "3 the *leusinian and Bacchic
mysteries "3 the :reeks, and the true religi"n "3 the eternal !hrist is resting u2"n it. >t is the religi"n "3
Humanity, that has n"thing t" d" $ith "2ini"ns and 3"rms. ?"$, as 9Page -/: in times "3 "ld, its truths are
misunderst""d and misre2resented by men $h" 2r"3ess t" be teachers "3 men.The Pharisees and
Sadducees "3 the ?e$ Testament $ere the 2r"t"ty2es "3 m"dern churchmen and scientists e1isting
t"day. ?"$, as then, the truth is daily cruci3ied bet$een su2erstiti"n and sel3ishness and laid in the t"mb
"3 ign"rance. ?"$ , as then, the s2irit has 3led 3r"m the 3"rm, being dri/en a$ay by th"se that $"rshi2 the
letter and ign"re the s2irit. Wisd"m $ill 3"re/er remain a secret science t" the id"lat"rs ad"ring the 3"rm,
e/en i3 it $ere 2r"claimed 3r"m the h"uset"2s and 2reached at a market'2lace. The dealer in 2"unds and
2ennies, abs"rbed by his material interests, may be surr"unded by the greatest beauties "3 nature and
n"t c"m2rehend them, the s2eculati/e reas"ner $ill ask 3"r a sign and n"t see the signs by $hich he is
c"ntinually surr"unded. The t"mb 3r"m $hich the .a/i"ur $ill arise is the heart "3 mankind4 i3 the :"d in
Humanity a$akens t" sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 his Di/inity then $ill he a22ear as a sun, shedding his light
u2"n a better and ha22ier generati"n. 9 .ee 0Bhaga/ad :ita0, cha2 1i.I:
The e1istence "3 the magic 2"$er "3 g""d $ill 2r"bably be denied by 3e$4 but i3 the e1istence "3
bene/"lent, "r -hite #agic, is admitted, that "3 male/"lent, "r Blac/ #agic, is n"t any m"re im2r"bable.
>t is n"t man $h" e1ercises g""d "r e/il magic 2"$ers, but it is the s2irit in him $h" $"rks g""d "r e/il
thr"ugh the "rganism "3 man. :"d in his as2ect as the great cause is g""d "r e/il acc"rding t" the
c"nditi"ns under $hich he acts, 3"r i3 :"d did n"t include e/il as $ell as g""d, he $"uld n"t be uni/ersal.
:"d 2er3"rms g""d "r e/il deeds acc"rding t" the m"de in $hich he must act4 in the same $ay as the
sun is g""d in s2ring'time $hen he melts the sn"$ and assists the grass and 3l"$ers t" cra$l "ut "3 the
dark earth, and e/il i3 he 2arches the skin "3 the $anderer in tr"2ical <3rica and kills 2ers"ns by sun'
str"ke. :"d causes the healthy gr"$th "3 a limb and the unhealthy gr"$th "3 a cancer by the 2"$er "3 his
unintelligent material nature $hich acts acc"rding t" la$ and n"t acc"rding t" $hims. 9Page -0: Di/ine
$isd"m d"es n"t bec"me mani3est in that $hich is n"t di/ine "r s2iritual. !"nsci"usness cann"t bec"me
re/ealed in an unc"nsci"us b"dy. @nly $hen the s2irit in Man has a$akened t" c"nsci"usness and
kn"$ledge, $ill man be able t" c"ntr"l his "$n s2iritual 2"$er and em2l"y it 3"r g""d "r 3"r e/il.
< 2ers"n ha/ing created H"r called int" c"nsci"usnessI in himsel3 a s2iritual 2"$er may em2l"y it 3"r
g""d "r 3"r e/il. */ery day $e may read "3 2ers"ns $h" ha/e used high intellectual 2"$ers 3"r /ile
2ur2"ses. We see 2ers"ns making use "3 the /anity, greediness, sel3ishness, "r ambiti"n "3 "thers t"
render them subser/ient t" their "$n 2ur2"se. We see them c"mmit murder and instigate $ars 3"r the
bene3it "3 their "$n 2ur2"ses "r t" attain s"me "b5ect "3 their ambiti"n. But such e/ents bel"ng m"re "r
less t" the struggle 3"r e1istence. They d" n"t necessarily bel"ng t" the s2here "3 black magic because
they are usually n"t caused by a l"/e 3"r abs"lute e/il, but by a desire "3 a 2ers"nal bene3it "3 s"me kind.
The real black magicians are th"se that are d"ing e/il 3"r the sake "3 d"ing e/il, $h" in5ure "thers $ith"ut
e12ecting "r recei/ing any bene3it 3"r themsel/es. T" that class bel"ng the habitual backbiter and
slanderer, traducer and seducer, th"se $h" en5"y t" create enmity in the b"s"m "3 3amilies, "22"se
2r"gress and enc"urage ign"rance, and they ha/e been rightly called the Sons o 'ar/ness, $hile th"se
$h" d" g""d 3"r the s"le 2ur2"se "3 d"ing g""d ha/e been called the Children o Light.
The struggle bet$een #ight and Darkness is as "ld as the $"rld4 there can n" light bec"me mani3est
$ith"ut Darkness and n" e/il $ith"ut g""d. :""d and e/il are the light and shad"$ "3 the "ne eternal
2rinci2le "3 li3e, and each is necessary i3 the "ther is t" bec"me mani3est. <bs"lute g""d must e1ist, but
Page -)
$e cann"t kn"$ g""d $ith"ut kn"$ing the 2resence "3 e/il. <bs"lute e/il cann"t e1ist, because it is held
t"gether by the 2"$er "3 g""d. < s"ul in $hich there $ere n" g""d $hate/er $"uld rage against itsel3,
the 3"rces c"nstituting such an entity $"uld c"mbat each "ther and rend it t" 2ieces. Man9s ;edeemer is
his 2"$er 3"r g""d. This 2"$er 9Page -1: attracts him t" that $hich is g""d, and at the end, $hen the
su2reme s"urce "3 all 2"$er, 3r"m $hich li3e emanated in the beginning, $ithdra$s that acti/ity int" itsel3,
the 2"$ers "3 darkness $ill su33er, but the creatures "3 #ight $ill be "ne $ith their "$n s"urce.
This is the la$ "3 e/"luti"n, that the l"$er sh"uld de/el"2 int" s"mething higher4 but this can be
acc"m2lished "nly by the 2"$er "3 the highest "3 all germinally c"ntained $ithin the 3"rm, and acted
u2"n by itsel3 3r"m $ith"ut. The s"ul reBuires nutriment as much as the 2hysical 3"rm, and the nutriment
"3 the s"ul descends 3r"m ab"/e like the rain4 $hile the earth bel"$ 3urnishes the c"nditi"ns 3"r its
assimilati"n. This is the la$ "3 the s2irit in the natural $"rld, that all nature sh"uld recei/e it and by a
s2iritual un3"lding rise u2 t" the s2irit, $hile matter is t" 3urnish the ste2s u2"n $hich t" ascend. This
un3"lding and u2rising takes 2lace in 2r"2"rti"n as the s2irit "3 :"d bec"mes sel3'c"nsci"us in man,
end"$ing him $ith a sense "3 its di/ine nature, $hich $ill ultimately lead him t" a rec"gniti"n "3 :"d.
9Page -.:
Page -6

CH,PT'* I
TH' I%',L
08od is a S;irit# and the! that <orshi; him must <orshi; in s;irit and in truth=$ > ?ohn i@$ (-$
TH* highest desire any reas"nable man can cherish and the highest right he may 2"ssibly claim, is t"
bec"me 2er3ect. T" kn"$ e/erything, t" l"/e all and be kn"$n and bel"/ed by all, t" 2"ssess and
c"mmand e/erything that e1ists, such is a c"nditi"n "3 being that, t" a certain e1tent, may be 3elt
intuiti/ely, but $h"se 2"ssibility cann"t be gras2ed by the intellect "3 m"rtal man. < 3"retaste "3 such a
bliss3ul c"nditi"n may be e12erienced by a 2ers"n $h" 8 e/en 3"r a sh"rt 2eri"d "3 time 8 is 2er3ectly
ha22y. He $h" is n"t "22ressed by s"rr"$, n"t e1cited by sel3ish desires, and $h" is c"nsci"us "3 his
"$n strength and liberty, may 3eel as i3 he $ere the master "3 $"rlds and the king "3 creati"n4 and, in 3act,
during such m"ments he is their ruler, as 3ar as he himsel3 is c"ncerned, alth"ugh his sub5ects may n"t
seem t" be a$are "3 his e1istence.
But $hen he a$akes 3r"m his dream and l""ks thr"ugh the $ind"$s "3 his senses int" the e1teri"r $"rld,
and begins t" reas"n ab"ut his surr"undings, his /isi"n 3ades a$ay4 he beh"lds himsel3 a child "3 the
*arth, a m"rtal 3"rm, b"und $ith many chains t" a s2eck "3 dust in the 7ni/erse, "n a ball "3 matter
called a 2lanet that 3l"ats in the in3inity "3 s2ace. The ideal $"rld, that 2erha2s a m"ment be3"re
a22eared t" him as a gl"ri"us reality, may n"$ seem t" him the baseless 3abric "3 a dream, in $hich
there is n"thing real, and 2hysical e1istence, $ith all its im2er3ecti"ns, is n"$ t" him the "nly
unBuesti"nable reality, and its 9Page 24: m"st dear illusi"ns the "nly things $"rthy "3 his attenti"n. He
sees himsel3 surr"unded by material 3"rms, and he seeks t" disc"/er am"ng these 3"rms that $hich
c"rres2"nds t" his highest ideal.
The highest desire "3 m"rtal is t" attain 3ully that $hich e1ists in himsel3 as his highest ideal. < 2ers"n
$ith"ut an ideal is unthinkable. T" be c"nsci"us is t" realise the e1istence "3 s"me ideal, t" relinBuish the
ideal $"rld $"uld be death. < 2ers"n $ith"ut any desire 3"r s"me ideal $"uld be useless in the ec"n"my
"3 nature, a 2ers"n ha/ing all his desires satis3ied needs t" li/e n" l"nger, 3"r li3e can be "3 n" 3urther use
t" him. *ach "ne is b"und t" his "$n ideal4 he $h"se ideal is m"rtal must die $hen his ideal dies, he
$h"se ideal is imm"rtal must bec"me imm"rtal himsel3 t" attain it.
*ach man9s highest ideal sh"uld be his "$n higher s2iritual sel3. Man9s semi'animal sel3, $hich $e see
e12ressed in his 2hysical 3"rm, is n"t the $h"le "3 man. Man may be regarded as an in/isible 2"$er "r
Page -%
ray e1tending 3r"m the Hs2iritualI .un t" the *arth. @nly the l"$er end "3 that ray is /isible, $here it has
e/"l/ed an "rganised material b"dy4 by means "3 $hich the in/isible ray dra$s strength 3r"m the earth
bel"$. >3 all the li3e and th"ught'3"rce e/"l/ed by the c"ntact $ith matter are s2ent $ithin the material
2lane, the higher s2iritual sel3 $ill gain n"thing by it. .uch a 2ers"n resembles a 2lant de/el"2ing n"thing
but its r""t. When death breaks the c"mmunicati"n bet$een the higher and l"$er, the l"$er sel3 $ill
2erish, and the ray $ill remain $hat it $as, be3"re it e/"l/ed a m"rtal inhabitant "3 the material $"rld.
Man li/es in t$" $"rlds, in his interi"r and in the e1teri"r $"rld. *ach "3 these $"rlds e1ists under
c"nditi"ns 2eculiar t" itsel3, and that $"rld in $hich he li/es is 3"r the time being the m"st real t" him.
When he enters int" his interi"r $"rld during dee2 slee2 "r in m"ments "3 2er3ect abstracti"n, the 3"rms
2ercei/ed in the e1teri"r $"rld 3ade a$ay4 but $hen he a$akes in the e1teri"r $"rld the im2ressi"ns
recei/ed in his interi"r state are 3"rg"tten, "r lea/e "nly their uncertain 9Page 23: shad"$s "n the sky. T"
li/e simultane"usly in b"th $"rlds is "nly 2"ssible t" him $h" succeeds in harm"ni"usly blending his
internal and e1ternal $"rlds int" "ne.
The s"'called ;eal seld"m c"rres2"nds $ith the >deal, and "3ten it ha22ens that man, a3ter many
unsuccess3ul attem2ts t" realise his ideals in the e1teri"r $"rld, returns t" his interi"r $"rld $ith
disa22"intment, and res"l/es t" gi/e u2 his search4 but i3 he succeeds in the realisati"n "3 his ideal, then
arises 3"r him a m"ment "3 ha22iness, during $hich time, as $e kn"$ it, e1ists 3"r him n" m"re, the
e1teri"r $"rld is then blended $ith his interi"r $"rld, his c"nsci"usness is abs"rbed in the en5"yment "3
b"th, and yet he remains a man.
<rtists and 2"ets may be 3amiliar $ith such states. <n in/ent"r $h" sees his in/enti"n acce2ted, a s"ldier
c"ming /ict"ri"us "ut "3 the struggle 3"r /ict"ry, a l"/er united $ith the "b5ect "3 his desire, 3"rgets his
"$n 2ers"nality and is l"st in the c"ntem2lati"n "3 his ideal. The e1tatic saint, seeing the ;edeemer
be3"re him, 3l"ats in an "cean "3 ra2ture, and his c"nsci"usness is centred in the ideal that he himsel3
has created "ut "3 his "$n mind, but $hich is as real t" him as i3 it $ere a li/ing 3"rm "3 3lesh.
.hakes2eare9s Fuliet 3inds her m"rtal ideal realised in ;"me"9s y"uth3ul 3"rm. 7nited $ith him, she
3"rgets the rush "3 time, night disa22ears, and she is n"t c"nsci"us "3 it4 the lark heralds the da$n and
she mistakes its s"ng 3"r the singing "3 the nightingale. Ha22iness measures n" time and kn"$s n"
danger. But Fuliet9s ideal is m"rtal and dies4 ha/ing l"st her ideal Fuliet must die4 but the imm"rtal ideals
"3 b"th bec"me again "ne as they enter the imm"rtal realm thr"ugh the d""r "3 2hysical death.
But as the sun r"se t"" early 3"r Fuliet, s" all e/anescent ideals that ha/e been realised in the e1ternal
$"rld /anish s""n. <n ideal that has been realised ceases t" be an ideal4 the ethereal 3"rms "3 the
interi"r $"rld, i3 gras2ed by the rude hand "3 m"rtals and emb"died in matter, must die. T" gras2 an
imm"rtal ideal, man9s m"rtal nature must die be3"re he can gras2 it. 9Page 2(:
#"$ ideals may be killed, but their death calls similar "nes int" e1istence. Fr"m the bl""d "3 a /am2ire
that has been slain a s$arm "3 /am2ires arises. < sel3ish desire 3ul3illed makes r""m 3"r similar desires, a
grati3ied 2assi"n is chased a$ay by "ther similar 2assi"ns, a sensual cra/ing that has been stilled gi/es
rise t" ne$ cra/ings. *arthly ha22iness is sh"rt'li/ed and "3ten dies in disgust4 the l"/e "3 the imm"rtal
al"ne is imm"rtal. Material acBuisiti"ns 2erish, because 3"rms are e/anescent and die. >ntellectual
acc"m2lishments /anish, 3"r the 2r"ducts "3 the imaginati"n, "2ini"ns, and the"ries, are sub5ect t"
change. Desires and 2assi"ns change and mem"ries 3ade a$ay. He $h" clings t" "ld mem"ries, clings
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t" that $hich is dead. < child bec"mes a man, a man an "ld man, an "ld man a child4 the 2laythings "3
childh""d gi/e $ay t" intellectual 2laythings, but $hen the latter ha/e ser/ed their 2ur2"se, they a22ear
as useless as did the 3"rmer, "nly s2iritual realities are e/erlasting and true. >n the e/er're/"l/ing
kaleid"sc"2e "3 nature the as2ect "3 illusi"ns c"ntinually changes its 3"rm. What is laughed at as a
su2erstiti"n by "ne century is "3ten acce2ted as the basis "3 science 3"r the ne1t, and $hat a22ears as
$isd"m t"day may be l""ked u2"n as an absurdity in the great t"m"rr"$. ?"thing is 2ermanent but the
truth.
But $here can man 3ind the truth E >3 he seeks dee2 en"ugh in himsel3 he $ill 3ind it re/ealed, each man
may kn"$ his "$n heart. He may let a ray "3 the light "3 intelligence int" the de2ths "3 his s"ul and
search its b"tt"m, he $ill 3ind it t" be as in3initely dee2 as the sky ab"/e his head. He may 3ind c"rals and
2earls, "r $atch the m"nsters "3 the dee2. >3 his th"ught is steady and un$a/ering, he may enter the
innerm"st sanctuary "3 his "$n tem2le and see the g"ddess un/eiled. ?"t e/ery"ne can 2enetrate int"
such de2ths, because the th"ught is easily led astray4 but the str"ng and 2ersisting searcher $ill
2enetrate /eil a3ter /eil, until at the innerm"st centre he disc"/ers the germ "3 truth, $hich, a$akened t"
sel3'c"nsci"usness, $ill gr"$ in him int" a sun that illuminates the $h"le "3 his interi"r $"rld. 9Page 2):
.uch an interi"r meditati"n and ele/ati"n "3 th"ught in the innerm"st centre "3 the s"ul, is the "nly true
pra!er. The adulati"n "3 an e1ternal 3"rm, $hether li/ing "r dead, $hether e1isting "b5ecti/ely "r merely
sub5ecti/ely in the imaginati"n, is useless, and ser/es "nly t" decei/e. >t is /ery easy t" attend t" 3"rms "3
e1ternal $"rshi2, but the true $"rshi2 "3 the li/ing :"d $ithin reBuires a great e33"rt "3 $ill and a 2"$er "3
th"ught, and is in 3act the e1ercise "3 a s2iritual 2"$er recei/ed 3r"m :"d. :"d in us 2rays t" himsel3.
@ur business c"nsists in c"ntinual guarding "3 the d""r "3 the sacred l"dge, s" that n" illegitimate
th"ughts may enter the mind t" disturb the h"ly assembly $h"se deliberati"ns are 2resided "/er by the
s2irit "3 $isd"m.
H"$ shall $e kn"$ the truth E >t can be kn"$n "nly i3 it bec"mes re/ealed $ithin the s"ul. Truth, ha/ing
a$akened t" c"nsci"usness, kn"$s that it is4 it is the g"d'2rinci2le in man, $hich is in3allible and cann"t
be misled by illusi"ns. >3 the sur3ace "3 the s"ul is n"t lashed by the st"rms "3 2assi"n, i3 n" sel3ish
desires e1ist t" disturb its tranBuility, i3 its $aters are n"t darkened by re3lecti"ns "3 the 2ast, $e $ill see
the image "3 eternal truth mirr"red in the dee2. T" kn"$ the truth in its 3ulness is t" bec"me ali/e and
imm"rtal, t" l"se the 2"$er "3 rec"gnising the truth is t" 2erish in death. The /"ice "3 truth in a 2ers"n
that has n"t yet a$akened t" s2iritual li3e, is the 0still small /"ice0 that may be heard in the heart, listened
t" by the s"ul, as a hal3'c"nsci"us dreamer listens t" the ringing "3 bells in the distance, 9 .ee H. P.
Bla/atsky: 4The voice o the silence4. : but in th"se that ha/e bec"me c"nsci"us "3 li3e, ha/ing recei/ed
the ba2tism "3 the 3irst initiati"n administered by the s2irit "3 :"d, the /"ice heard by the ne$'b"rn ego
has n" uncertain s"und, but bec"mes the 2"$er3ul -ord "3 the Master. The a$akened truth is sel3'
c"nsci"us and sel3'su33icient, it kn"$s that it e1ists. >t stands higher than all the"ries and creeds and
higher than science, it d"es n"t need t" be c"rr"b"rated by 0rec"gnised auth"rities0, it cares n"t 3"r the
"2ini"n "3 "thers, and its decisi"ns 9Page 2-: su33er n" a22eal. >t kn"$s neither d"ubt n"r 3ear, but re2"ses
in the tranBuility "3 its "$n su2reme ma5esty. >t can neither be altered n"r changed, it al$ays $as and
e/er remains the same, $hether m"rtal man 2ercei/es it "r n"t. >t may be c"m2ared t" the light "3 the
earthly sun, that cann"t be e1cluded 3r"m the $"rld, but 3r"m $hich man may e1clude himsel3. We may
blind "ursel/es t" the 2erce2ti"n "3 the truth, but the truth itsel3 is n"t thereby changed. >t illuminates the
minds "3 th"se $h" ha/e a$akened t" imm"rtal li3e. < small r""m reBuires a little 3lame, a large r""m a
great light 3"r its illuminati"n, but in either r""m the light shines eBually clear in each4 in the same manner
Page -&
the light "3 truth shines int" the hearts "3 the illumined $ith eBual clearness, but $ith a 2"$er di33ering
acc"rding t" their indi/idual ca2acity.
>t $"uld be 2er3ectly useless t" attem2t t" describe this interi"r illuminati"n. @nly that $hich e1ists
relati/ely t" "ursel/es has a real e1istence or us, that "3 $hich $e kn"$ n"thing d"es n"t e1ist 3"r us. ?"
real kn"$ledge "3 the e1istence "3 light can be 3urnished t" the blind, n" e12erience "3 transcendental
kn"$ledge can be gi/en t" th"se $h"se ca2acity t" kn"$ d"es n"t transcend the realm "3 e1ternal
a22earances.
There is n"thing higher than truth, and the acBuisiti"n "3 truth is there3"re man9s highest ideal. The
highest ideal in the 7ni/erse must be a uni/ersal ideal. The c"nstituti"n "3 all men is built acc"rding t"
"ne uni/ersal la$, and the highest ideal must be the same t" all and attainable t" all, and in its attainment
all indi/iduals bec"me reunited. <s l"ng as the s"ul "3 man d"es n"t rec"gnise the highest ideal in the
7ni/erse, the highest "ne $hich he is able t" rec"gnise $ill be the highest t" him4 but as l"ng as there
still e1ists a higher "ne than the "ne he 2ercei/es, the higher $ill unc"nsci"usly attract him, unless he
3"rcibly and 2ersistingly re2ulses its attracti"n. @nly the attainment "3 the highest ideal in the 7ni/erse
can gi/e eternal and 2ermanent ha22iness, 3"r ha/ing attained the highest there is n"thing le3t that c"uld
2"ssibly be desired. <s l"ng as there is still a higher ideal 3"r man, he $ill ha/e as2irati"ns 9Page 22: t"
reach it, but ha/ing reached the highest all attracti"n ceases, he bec"mes "ne $ith it and can desire
n"thing m"re. There must be a state "3 2er3ecti"n $hich all may reach and bey"nd $hich n"ne can
ad/ance, until the 7ni/erse as a $h"le ad/ances bey"nd it. <ll men ha/e the same right t" reach the
highest, but n"t all ha/e the same 2"$er de/el"2ed, s"me may reach it s""n, "thers may lag "n the
r"ad, and 2erha2s the ma5"rity may 3all and ha/e t" begin again at the 3""t "3 the ladder. *ach ri2e ac"rn
that 3alls 3r"m an "ak has the inherent ca2acity t" de/el"2 int" an "ak4 but n"t each 3inds the same
c"nditi"ns 3"r de/el"2ment. ."me may gr"$, a 3e$ may de/el"2 int" trees, but the ma5"rity $ill enter int"
dec"m2"siti"n t" 3urnish material "ut "3 $hich ne$ 3"rms may be de/el"2ed.
The highest truth in its 3ulness is n"t kn"$n t" man in the m"rtal 3"rm. Th"se that ha/e attained t" a state
"3 2er3ect c"nsci"usness "3 in3inite truth are n"t im2ris"ned in a limited 3"rm, they bel"ng t" a 3"rmless
tribe4 they c"uld n"t be "ne $ith an uni/ersal 2rinci2le i3 they $ere tied by the chains "3 2ers"nality4 a
s"ul e12anded, s" that the 2ris"n'h"use "3 3lesh can h"ld it n" m"re, $ill reBuire that 2ris"n'h"use n"
l"nger. Flesh and bl""d is "nly reBuired t" shelter the s2irit in the in3ancy "3 his de/el"2ment, as l"ng as
he has n"t attained 3ull 2"$er. The 0cl"thes "3 skin, 9 Bible: :enesis iii. -+: $ere needed t" 2r"tect him
against the destructi/e elementary in3luences "3 the s2here "3 e/il as l"ng as he c"uld n"t rise ab"/e e/il.
Ha/ing attained the kn"$ledge "3 e/il and the 2"$er t" subdue it, and ha/ing by the realisati"n "3 the
truth 0eaten 3r"m the tree "3 li3e and attained substantiality0, 9Bible: :enesis iii. --: he can 2r"tect himsel3
by his "$n 2"$er, and reBuires his cl"thes "3 3lesh n" l"nger.
>m2er3ectly de/el"2ed man, unless he has bec"me degraded, 3eels intuiti/ely that $hich is true, but d"es
n"t kn"$ the truth by direct 2erce2ti"n. The e1ternalist $h" reas"ns "nly 3r"m the 2lane "3 sensual
2erce2ti"ns is 3arthest 3r"m a rec"gniti"n "3 the truth, because he mistakes the illusi"ns 2r"duced by his
senses 3"r the reality, and re2ulses the re/elati"ns "3 his "$n 9Page 2/: s2irit. The 2hil"s"2her, unable t"
see the truth, attem2ts t" gras2 it $ith his l"gic, and may a22r"ach it t" a certain e1tent4 but he, in $h"m
the truth has attained its "$n sel3'c"nsci"usness, kn"$s the truth because he is himsel3 "ne $ith it. .uch
a state is inc"m2rehensible t" the ma5"rity "3 men, t" scientists and 2hil"s"2hers as $ell as t" the
ign"rant, and ne/ertheless men ha/e e1isted, and e1ist t"day, $h" ha/e attained it. They are the true
Page -,
Theosophos, but n"t e/ery"ne is a The"s"2her $h" g"es by the name "3 0The"s"2hist0, n"r is e/ery"ne
a !hrist $h" is called a !hristian. But a true The"s"2her and a true !hristian are "ne and the same,
because b"th are human 3"rms in $hich the uni/ersal spiritual soul, the !hrist "r the light "3 Di/ine
Wisd"m, has bec"me mani3est.
The terms 0!hristian0 "r 0The"s"2hist0, like s" many "ther terms "3 a similar kind, ha/e alm"st entirely
l"st their true meaning. < 0!hristian0 n"$'a'days means a 2ers"n $h"se name is inscribed in the register
"3 s"me s"'called !hristian !hurch, and 2er3"rms the cerem"nies 2rescribed by that s"cial "rganisati"n4
$hile a 0The"s"2hist0 is said t" be a /isi"nary "r dreamer.
But a real Christian is s"mething entirely di33erent 3r"m a merely e1ternal "ne. The 3irst !hristians $ere a
secret "rganisati"n, a sch""l "3 @ccultists, $h" ad"2ted certain symb"ls and signs, in $hich t" re2resent
s2iritual truths, and thus t" c"mmunicate them t" each "ther.
< real Theosophos is n"t a dreamer, but a m"st 2ractical 2ers"n. By 2urity "3 li3e he acBuires the 2"$er
t" 2ercei/e higher truths than a/erage man is able t" see, and he understands the things $hich he sees,
because he 2"ssesses a s2iritual kn"$ledge gained by many a li3e "3 sel3'denial in re2eated
reincarnati"ns.
<s 3undamental truth the li3e "3 all things is "nly "ne, men in all c"untries, ha/ing attained sel3'
c"nsci"usness in it, ha/e the same 2erce2ti"n. This e12lains $hy the re/elati"ns "r the sages are
identical $ith each "ther. The truths re/ealed by a Fack"b B"ehme, *ckhart, "r Paracelsus in :ermany,
are essentially the same as th"se re/ealed by the Thibetan <de2ts, they "nly di33er in 9Page 20: e1tent and
in m"de "3 e12ressi"n. < true !hristian saint in *ngland "r France $"uld tell the same tale as a real
Brahmin in >ndia "r a truly $ise red >ndian in <merica4 because all three, being in the same state "3 clear
2erce2ti"n, $"uld e1actly see the same thing. The truth is there, /isible t" all $h" 2"ssess it, but each
$ill describe $hat he sees acc"rding t" his m"de "3 thinking and in his "$n 3ashi"n. >3 8 as the ign"rant
belie/e 8 all the /isi"ns "3 saints and lamas, sanyDssi, and der/ishes, $ere "nly the result "3
hallucinati"ns and 3ancies, n"t t$" "3 them, ha/ing ne/er heard "3 each "ther, $"uld ha/e the same
/isi"n. < tree $ill be a tree t" all $h" are able t" see it, and i3 their sight is clear n" arguments $ill change
it int" an "yster4 a truth $ill be seen as a truth by all $h" are able t" see it, and n" s"2histry $ill change it
int" a lie. T" kn"$ the $h"le truth is t" kn"$ e/erything that e1ists4 t" l"/e the truth ab"/e all is t"
bec"me united $ith e/erything4 t" be able t" e12ress the truth in its 3ulness is t" 2"ssess uni/ersal
2"$er4 t" be "ne $ith imm"rtal truth is t" be 3"r e/er imm"rtal.
The ca2acity "3 2ercei/ing the truth de2ends "n the tranBuility "3 the s"ul. The s"ul n"t being true cann"t
realise truth, it can at best dream "3 it as "3 s"mething e1isting in an"ther $"rld. The s"und "3 the /"ice
"3 the truth cann"t 2enetrate thr"ugh the n"ise caused by the turm"il in the heart4 its light cann"t break
thr"ugh the cl"uds "3 3alse the"ries and the sm"ke "3 "2ini"ns $hich inhabit the brain. T" understand
that /"ice and t" beh"ld that light distinctly and $ith"ut any 3"reign admi1ture, heart and head sh"uld be
at rest. T" 2ercei/e the truth, 2urity "3 heart and sel3 c"ntr"l sh"uld g" hand in hand, and it is there3"re
taught that men must bec"me as uns"2histicated as children and str"ng as li"ns be3"re they can enter
the s2here "3 truth. Head and heart, i3 united, are One, but i3 they act against each "ther they 3"rm the
absurd T%o that 2r"duces illusi"ns. The em"ti"nal maniac is "nly guided by his heart, the intellectual 3""l
"nly listens t" the dictates "3 his head, he li/es in his head and kn"$s n"t the heart. But neither the
Page GK
re/elry "3 the em"ti"ns n"r intellectual 3anaticism discl"ses the truth4 9Page 21: "nly in the 0stillness that
3"ll"$s the st"rm0, 9 MLight on the Path5" by Mabel !"llins : $hen the harm"ny "3 b"th is rest"red, can the
truth be disc"/ered. < man $h" "nly 3"ll"$s the dictates "3 his em"ti"ns, resembles "ne $h" in
ascending a m"untain 2eak bec"mes dizzy, and l"sing his 2"$er t" c"ntr"l himsel3, 3alls "/er a 2reci2ice4
a man $h" is "nly guided by his sensual 2erce2ti"ns in3luencing his intellect is easily l"st in the $hirl2""l
"3 multi3ari"us illusi"ns. He is like a 2ers"n "n an island in the "cean e1amining a dr"2 "3 $ater taken
3r"m the "cean, and being blind t" the e1istence "3 the "cean 3r"m $hich that dr"2 has been taken. But i3
heart and head are attuned t" the di/ine harm"nies "3 the in/isible realm "3 nature, then $ill the truth
re/eal itsel3 t" man, and in him $ill the highest ideal see its "$n image re3lected.
We s"metimes hear s"me 2e"2le b"ast that they are c"ntr"lled by their intellect, "thers are guided by
their em"ti"ns4 a ree man is n"t c"ntr"lled by either "3 the t$"4 he is his "$n master guiding his heart
and his mind. By the 2"$er "3 the g"d in him he c"ntr"ls the intellectual $"rkings "3 his brain n" less
than the em"ti"ns "3 his heart. Heart and brain are n"t "ursel/es. They are instruments $hich ha/e been
lent t" us by "ur !reat"r. They sh"uld n"t g"/ern us4 but $e sh"uld g"/ern them, and use them
acc"rding t" the dictates "3 his $isd"m.
Material man, ent"mbed in his chrysalis "3 clay, can "nly 3eel, but n"t see, the s2iritual rays that radiate
3r"m the sun "3 in3inite truth4 but i3 he bids his em"ti"ns be still L and c"mmands his reas"ning 2"$er be
n"t deludedL he may stretch his 3eelers int" the realm "3 the s2irit. >n dealing $ith the unseen, his heart
sh"uld be used as a t"uchst"ne t" e1amine the c"nclusi"ns arri/ed at by the brain, and the brain sh"uld
be em2l"yed like scales t" $eigh the decisi"ns "3 the heart4 but $hen the light "3 di/ine $isd"m c"mes t"
his aid, there $ill be n" m"re di33erence "3 "2ini"n bet$een the head and the heart, the 2erce2ti"ns "3
the "ne $ill be in harm"ny $ith the 9Page 2.: as2irati"ns "3 the latter, because b"th $ill be 5"ined in the
light.
Man is usually guided 2rinci2ally by his intellect, $"man by her em"ti"ns4 man re2resents intelligence,
$"man the $ill. T" reas"n 3r"m e1ternal a22earances has bec"me a necessity t" men in c"nseBuence "3
their material "rganisati"n, $hich like a shell surr"unds their s"ul4 but i3 the innerm"st s2iritual man,
slee2ing in e/ery heart, a$akens t" li3e, he emits a light that 2enetrates thr"ugh the /eil "3 matter and
illuminates the mind. >3 this germ "3 di/inity, hidden in the centre, a$akens, it emits a s2iritual light, $hich
reaches 3r"m man t" the stars and t" the utm"st limits "3 s2ace, and by the hel2 "3 that di/ine light the
mind may 2ercei/e and 2enetrate int" the dee2est mysteries "3 the 7ni/erse. Th"se $h" are able t"
kn"$ the truth by direct 2erce2ti"n d" n"t need t" be in3"rmed "3 it by "thers, the $h"le "3 the /isible and
in/isible realm lies "2en be3"re them, like a b""k in $h"se 2ages they may read the $h"le hist"ry "3 the
$"rld. They kn"$ all the mani3estati"ns "3 li3e, because they are "ne $ith the s"urce "3 li3e 3r"m $hich all
3"rms $ere b"rn, they need n"t study letters, because the -ord itsel3 is li/ing in them. They are the
instruments thr"ugh $h"m eternal $isd"m re/eals itsel3 t" th"se $h" are ent"mbed in matter. These are
the true Saviours, Adepts" +lluminates" ,osicrucians" #ahatmas" and Theosophoi 4 n"t th"se 2retenders
$h" merely 3ancy t" be $hat they n"t really are.
H"$ 2iti3ul must a22ear t" the enlightened the $ar "3 "2ini"ns raging am"ng th"se $h"m humanity
belie/es t" be the kee2ers "3 kn"$ledge and $isd"m4 h"$ insigni3icantly small a22ear th"se lights be3"re
the sun "3 di/ine truth. What a22ears as a light t" the ign"rant, a22ears t" the illuminated seer as
darkness and sm"ke, and the $isd"m "3 the $"rld bec"mes 3""lishness 9 + !"r. iii. +,: be3"re the eye "3
the truth. The "yster in its shell may belie/e itsel3 at the 2innacle "3 2er3ecti"n, and that there is n" higher
Page G+
e1istence than that $hich it en5"ys in the "cean'bed4 the sel3 c"nceited, 2r"ud "3 his learning, is s$elled
9Page /4: $ith /anity, kn"$ing little h"$ little he kn"$s. Many "3 the re2resentati/es "3 m"dern science
3"rget that the greatest in/enti"ns ha/e been made, n"t by the 2r"3essed guardians "3 science, but by
men $ith a clear 2erce2ti"n, and u2"n $h"m they l""ked $ith c"ntem2t. They "ught t" remember, that
many use3ul in/enti"ns $ere made and intr"duced, n"t $ith the assistance, but in s2ite "3 the "22"siti"n
"3 the learned. >t may be disagreeable t" call u2 un2leasant mem"ries, but $e cann"t cl"se "ur eyes t"
the 3act that the in/ent"rs "3 railr"ads, steamshi2s, and telegra2hs ha/e been ridiculed by 2r"3ess"rs "3
science, that men "3 science ha/e laughed at the belie3 in the r"tundity "3 the earth, and that s"me "3 the
a22"inted kee2ers "3 the truth ha/e "3ten been c"ns2icu"us "n acc"unt "3 their misunderstanding "3 the
la$s "3 nature, and "3 their "22"siti"n t" truth, $hene/er it c"n3licted $ith their 2rec"ncei/ed "2ini"ns.
Many use3ul disc"/eries ha/e been made thr"ugh the 2"$er "3 intuiti"n4 s"me ha/e been made by
l"gical reas"ners $ith"ut intuiti"n, and their results are still a curse t" mankind. F"r centuries the learned
2r"3essi"ns ha/e been thri/ing "n human su33ering, and many "3 their 3"ll"$ers, mistaking the l"$ 3"r the
high, ha/e 2r"stituted their kn"$ledge. The 3ear "3 an illus"ry de/il e1ternal t" man has ser/ed t" s$ell
the m"ney'bags "3 Brahmins and 2riests, $hile the real internal de/ils, residing in the 2assi"nate nature
"3 man, $ere all"$ed t" gr"$. F"r centuries many "3 the sel3'a22"inted ser/ants "3 the .u2reme ha/e
"nly ser/ed the g"lden cal3, residing in their animal nature, 3eeding their 3"ll"$ers $ith 3alse h"2es "3
imm"rtality, and s2eculating "n the sel3ish 2r"2ensities "3 men. Th"se t" $h"m humanity l""ks 3"r
2r"tecti"n against b"dily ills, and $h" there3"re 8 m"re than anyb"dy else 8 sh"uld understand the real
c"nstituti"n "3 man, still e12eriment $ith the 2hysical 3"rm t" seek the cause "3 disease, being ign"rant "3
the 3act that the 3"rm is an e12ressi"n "3 li3e, the 2r"duct "3 the s"ul, and that e1ternal e33ects cann"t be
e33ectually changed $ith"ut changing the internal causes. Many "3 them re3using t" belie/e in ."ul, seek
the cause "3 diseases in its 9Page /3: e1ternal e12ressi"n, $here it d"es n"t e1ist. Diseases are the
necessary results "3 dis"bedience t" the la$s "3 nature, they are the c"nseBuences "3 0sins0 that cann"t
be 3"rgi/en, but must be at"ned 3"r by acting again in acc"rdance $ith natural la$s. >n /ain $ill the
ign"rant ask the guardians "3 health 3"r their assistance t" cheat
nature "ut "3 its dues. Physicians may rest"re health by rest"ring the su2remacy "3 the la$, but as l"ng
as they kn"$ "nly an in3initesimal 2art "3 the la$ they can "nly cure an in3initesimal 2art "3 the diseases
a33licting mankind4 they s"metimes su22ress the mani3estati"n "3 "ne disease by calling an"ther and
m"re seri"us "ne int" e1istence. >n /ain $ill such in/estigat"rs seek 3"r the cause 3"r e2idemic diseases
in 2laces $here such diseases may be 2r"2agated, but $here they are n"t created. The s"ul "3 the $"rld
in $hich such causes reside cann"t be seen $ith micr"sc"2es, it can "nly be rec"gnised by a man
ca2able "3 2ercei/ing the truth.
< true c"nce2ti"n "3 the nature "3 man $ill lead t" the c"m2rehensi"n "3 the 3act that man, being as a
micr"c"sm the true image, re3lecti"n and re2resentati/e "3 the macr"c"sm "3 nature4 ?ature has the
same organisation as Man, alth"ugh n"t the same e1ternal orm. Ha/ing the same "rgans and 3uncti"ns,
and being ruled by the same la$s, the "rganism "3 ?ature is liable t" e12erience diseases similar t"
th"se e12erienced by the "rganism "3 man. ?ature has her dr"2sical s$ellings, her ner/"us tremblings,
her 2aralytic a33ecti"ns by $hich ci/ilised c"untries turn int" deserts, her in3lammat"ry a33ecti"ns, her
rheumatic c"ntracti"ns, s2ells "3 heat and c"ld, eru2ti"ns and earthBuakes. >3 "ur 2hysicians kne$ the
nature "3 man, they $"uld als" kn"$ the "rganisati"n "3 ?ature as a $h"le, and understand m"re ab"ut
the "rigin "3 e2idemic diseases, "3 $hich they n"$ kn"$ merely the e1ternal e33ects.
Page G-
What d"es m"dern medical science kn"$ "3 the c"nstituti"n "3 man, $h"se li3e and sa3ety is made t"
de2end "n that kn"$ledge E >t kn"$s the 3"rm "3 the b"dy, the arrangement "3 muscles, and b"nes, and
"rgans, and it calls these c"nstituent 2arts by names 9Page /(: $hich it in/ented. Ha/ing n" su2ersensual
2erce2ti"ns it d"es n"t kn"$ the s"ul "3 man, but belie/es that his b"dy is the essential man. >3 its eyes
$ere "2en it $"uld see that this /isible b"dy is "nly the material kernel "3 the 0immaterial0, but
ne/ertheless substantial real man, $h"se s"ul'essence radiates 3ar int" s2ace, and $h"se s2irit is
$ith"ut limits, and that the s2irit is n"t merely $ithin the b"dy, but rather the b"dy $ithin the s2here "3 the
s2irit. They $"uld kn"$ that in the li3e'2rinci2le resides sensati"n, 2erce2ti"n, c"nsci"usness, and all the
causes that 2r"duce the gr"$th "3 the 3"rm. #ab"uring under their 3atal mistake they attem2t t" cure that
$hich is n"t sick, $hile the real 2atient is unkn"$n t" them. 7nder such circumstances it is n"t sur2rising
that the m"st enlightened 2hysicians "3 "ur time ha/e e12ressed the "2ini"n that "ur 2resent system "3
medicine is rather a curse than a blessing t" mankind, and that "ur drugs and medicines "n the $h"le d"
/astly m"re harm than g""d, because they are c"ntinually misa22lied. This is an asserti"n $hich has
"3ten been made by their "$n m"st 2r"minent leaders.
The ideal 2hysician "3 the 3uture is he $h" kn"$s the true c"nstituti"n "3 man, and $h" is n"t led by
illusi/e e1ternal a22earances, but able t" e1amine int" the hidden causes "3 all e1ternal e33ects. T" him
the acBuisiti"ns "3 e1ternal science are n"t the guides but "nly the assistants, his guide $ill be his "$n
kn"$ledge and n"t a the"ry, and his kn"$ledge $ill end"$ him $ith 2"$er.9 .uch a 2hysician $as
Theophrastus Paracelsus, the great re3"rmer "3 medicine in the si1teenth century.:
>3 "ur medical students $ere t" a22ly a 2art "3 the time $hich they em2l"y 3"r amusements 3"r the
de/el"2ment "3 a l"/e 3"r the truth, they $"uld bec"me able t" kn"$ certain 2r"cesses $ithin the
"rganism "3 man, $hich are at 2resent t" them a mere matter "3 s2eculati"n, and $hich are n"t
disc"/erable by any 2hysical means.
But e/en the m"dern 2hysician acts $iser than he kn"$s. He may say that he d"es n"t belie/e in 3aith,
and yet it is "nly 3aith that u2h"lds him and by $hich 9Page /):he e1ists, because i3 men had n"
c"n3idence in him they $"uld n"t em2l"y him, and i3 his 2atients did n"t belie/e that he c"uld bene3it
them they $"uld n"t 3"ll"$ his directi"ns. < 2hysician $ith"ut s2iritual kn"$ledge, ha/ing n" c"n3idence
in himsel3, and in $h"m n" "ne else has any 3aith, is 2er3ectly useless as a 2hysician, n" matter h"$
much he may ha/e learned in sch""ls.
There is n"thing $hate/er that can be acc"m2lished $ith"ut the 2"$er "3 Faith, and there is n" 3aith
2"ssible $ith"ut s2iritual kn"$ledge. We can "nly acc"m2lish that "3 $hich $e are c"n3ident that $e can
acc"m2lish it, and $e can "nly be truly c"n3ident i3 $e kn"$ by e12erience that $e ha/e the 2"$er t" d"
it.
What d"es 2"2ular science kn"$ ab"ut Mind E <cc"rding t" the usual de3initi"n, Mind is 0the intellectual
2"$er in man0, and as 0man0 means a /isible b"dy, this de3initi"n makes "3 mind s"mething c"n3ined
$ithin that /isible 3"rm. But i3 this c"nce2ti"n $ere true, there c"uld be n" transmissi"n "3 $ill t" a
distance and n" transmissi"n "3 th"ught. ?" s"und can be heard in a s2ace 3r"m $hich the air has been
e1hausted, and n" th"ught can tra/el 3r"m "ne indi/idual t" an"ther $ith"ut a c"rres2"nding 0ether0
e1isting bet$een them4 but the 2"ssibility "3 th"ught'trans3erence is n"$ an uni/ersally admitted 3act4 its
truth has been 2ercei/ed l"ng ag" by children $h" make 2ractical use "3 it in s"me "3 their games, and it
Page GG
has n"$ been admitted as a 3act e/en by the m"st sce2tical and su2er3icial "bser/ers.90;e2"rt "3 the
."ciety 3"r Psychical ;esearch0. #"nd"n, +&&).: M"re"/er, any"ne $h" d"ubts its 2"ssibility has it in his
2"$er t" c"n/ince himsel3 by either im2ressing his th"ughts silently u2"n "thers, "r by letting "thers
im2ress their th"ughts u2"n him.
H"$ in3initely m"re grand and h"$ much m"re reas"nable is the c"nce2ti"n "3 ancient 2hil"s"2hical
science, acc"rding t" $h"se d"ctrines e/erything that e1ists is an e12ressi"n "3 the th"ughts "3 the
7ni/ersal Mind, 2er/ading all s2aceL This c"nce2ti"n makes #ind a 2"$er in the realm "3 in3inity, acting
thr"ugh li/ing and intelligent instruments, and "3 #an, 9Page /-: an intellectual 2"$er, an e12ressi"n "3
the 7ni/ersal Mind, able t" recei/e, re3lect, and m"di3y the th"ughts "3 the latter, like a diam"nd that
bec"mes sel3'lumin"us thr"ugh the in3luence "3 the .un.
There is n" reas"n $hy $e sh"uld delude "ursel/es $ith a belie3 that an intelligent mind can e1ist "nly in
a 3"rm $hich is /isible and tangible t" the e1ternal senses "3 man. There may be, 3"r all $e kn"$, unt"ld
milli"ns "3 intelligent "r semi'intelligent beings in the uni/erse, $h"se 3"rms are c"nstituted di33erently
3r"m "urs, li/ing "n an"ther 2lane "3 e1istence than "urs, and $h" are there3"re in/isible t" "ur 2hysical
senses, but may be 2ercei/ed by the su2eri"r 2"$er "3 2erce2ti"n "3 the inner man. ?"r is their
e1istence a matter "3 mere s2eculati"n, 3"r they ha/e been 2ercei/ed by th"se $h" ha/e the 2"$er "3
interi"r 2erce2ti"n.
<ll $e kn"$ "3 e1ternal "b5ects is the images $hich they 2r"duce in the s2here "3 "ur mind. <stral "r
s2iritual beings 2r"duce n" re3lecti"n u2"n the retina, but their 2resence may be kn"$n $hen they enter
the mental s2here "3 the "bser/er and they may be 2ercei/ed $ith the eye "3 the s"ul.
The ideal scientist "3 the 3uture ha/ing attained the 2"$er "3 inner 2erce2ti"n, $ill rec"gnise this truth.
>3 $e belie/e that the "b5ect "3 li3e is sim2ly t" render "ur material .el3 satis3ied and t" kee2 it in c"m3"rt,
and that material c"m3"rt c"n3ers the highest state "3 2"ssible ha22iness, $e mistake the l"$ 3"r the high
and an illusi"n 3"r the truth. @ur material m"de "3 li3e is a c"nseBuence "3 the material c"nstituti"n "3 "ur
b"dies.
We are 0$"rms "3 earth0 because $e cling $ith all "ur desires and as2irati"ns t" earth. >3 $e can enter
u2"n a 2ath "3 e/"luti"n, by $hich $e bec"me less material and m"re ethereal, a /ery di33erent "rder "3
ci/ilisati"n $"uld be established. Things $hich n"$ a22ear indis2ensable and necessary $"uld cease t"
be use3ul4 i3 $e c"uld trans3er "ur c"nsci"usness $ith the /el"city "3 th"ught 3r"m "ne 2art "3 the gl"be t"
an"ther, the 2resent m"de "3 c"mmunicati"n and trans2"rtati"n $"uld be n" l"nger reBuired. The dee2er
$e sink int" matter, the m"re material means 3"r c"m3"rt $ill be 9Page /2: needed4 but the essential inner
man is n"t material 8 in the usual acce2tati"n "3 this term 8 and inde2endent "3 the restricti"ns "3 matter.
What are the real necessities "3 li3e E The ans$er t" this Buesti"n de2ends entirely "n $hat $e imagine
t" be necessary. ;ail$ays, steamers, electric lights, etc., are n"$ a necessity t" us, and yet milli"ns "3
2e"2le ha/e li/ed l"ng and ha22y kn"$ing n"thing ab"ut them. T" "ne man a d"zen "3 2alaces may
a22ear t" be an indis2ensable necessity, t" an"ther a carriage, an"ther a 2i2e, "r a b"ttle "3 $hisky. But
Page G)
all such necessities are "nly such as man himsel3 has created. They make the state in $hich he n"$ is
agreeable t" him, and tem2t him t" remain in that state and t" desire 3"r n"thing higher. They may e/en
hinder his de/el"2ment instead "3 ad/ancing it. >3 $e $"uld rise int" a higher state, in $hich $e $"uld n"
l"nger reBuire such things, they $"uld cease t" be a necessity, and e/en bec"me undesirable and
useless4 but it is the cra/ing and the $asting "3 th"ught 3"r the augmentati"n "3 the 2leasures "3 the
l"$er li3e $hich 2re/ent man t" enter the higher "ne.
T" raise the e/anescent man t" a state "3 2er3ecti"n en5"yed by the 2ermanent ideal man is the great
Arcanum, that cann"t be learned in b""ks. >t is the great secret, that may be underst""d by a child, but
$ill 3"r e/er be inc"m2rehensible t" him $h", li/ing entirely in the realm "3 his dreams, has n" 2"$er t"
gras2 it. The attainment "3 a higher c"nsci"usness is the #agnum opus, the great $"rk, "3 $hich the
Alchemists said that th"usands "3 years may be reBuired t" 2er3"rm it, but that it may als" be
acc"m2lished in a m"ment, e/en by a $"man $hile engaged in s2inning. They l""ked u2"n the human
mind as being a great alembic, in $hich the c"ntending 3"rces "3 the em"ti"ns may be 2uri3ied by the
heat "3 h"ly as2irati"ns and by a su2reme l"/e "3 truth. They ga/e instructi"ns h"$ the s"ul "3 m"rtal
man may be sublimated and 2uri3ied 3r"m earthly attracti"ns, and its imm"rtal 2arts be made li/ing and
3ree. The 2uri3ied elements $ere made t" ascend t" the su2reme s"urce "3 la$, and descended again in
sho%ers o sno%! %hiteness, /isible t" all, because 9Page //: they rendered e/ery act "3 li3e h"ly and
2ure. They taught h"$ the base metals 8 meaning the animal energies in man 8 c"uld be trans3"rmed
int" the 2ure g"ld "3 true s2irituality, and h"$, by attaining s2iritual kn"$ledge and s2iritual li3e, s"uls
c"uld ha/e their y"uth and inn"cence rest"red and be rendered imm"rtal.
Their truths shared the 3ate "3 "ther truths4 they $ere misunderst""d and re5ected by the ign"rant, $h"
c"ntinually clam"ur 3"r truth and re5ect it $hen it is "33ered, and ridiculed by 3""ls. The"l"gy and Mas"nry
ha/e 8 each in its "$n manner 8 c"ntinued the teachings "3 the <lchemists, and 3"rtunate is the Mas"n
"r the 2riest $h" s2iritually understands that $hich he teaches. But "3 such true disci2les there are "nly
3e$. The systems in $hich the "ld truths ha/e been emb"died are still in e1istence, but the c"ld hands "3
."2histry and Materialism ha/e been laid u2"n the "ut$ard 3"rms, and 3r"m the interi"r the s2irit has
3led. D"ct"rs and clergymen see "nly the "ut$ard 3"rm, and n"t the hidden mystery that called these
3"rms int" e1istence. The key t" the inner sanctuary has been l"st by th"se that $ere entrusted $ith its
kee2ing, and the true 2ass$"rd has n"t been redisc"/ered by the 3"ll"$ers "3 Hiram <bi33. The riddle "3
the *gy2tian .2hin1 still $aits 3"r a s"luti"n, and $ill be re/ealed t" n"ne unless he bec"mes str"ng
en"ugh t" disc"/er it himsel3.
But the true -ord still li/es. The light "3 truth still shines dee2 int" the interi"r $"rld "3 man, and sends its
di/ine in3luence d"$n int" the /alleys, and $here/er the d""rs and $ind"$s are "2en t" recei/e it, there
$ill it dis2el the darkness, rendering men and $"men c"nsci"us "3 their "$n g"dlike attributes and
guiding them "n the r"ad t" 2er3ecti"n, until, $hen all their struggles ha/e ceased and the la$ has been
rest"red, they $ill 3ind 2ermanent ha22iness in the realisati"n "3 the highest uni/ersal ideal, their "$n
di/ine sel3. 9Page /0:
Page G6
CH,PT'* II
TH' *',L ,&% TH' +&*',L
0,llah A BiB >smiB >llah A C 8od is One=$ C Doran$

*=*;OWH*;* in the br"ad e12anse "3 the uni/erse $e see an alm"st in3inite /ariety "3 3"rms,
bel"nging t" di33erent kingd"ms and s2ecies, and e1hibiting an endless /ariety "3 a22earances. The
substance "3 $hich th"se 3"rms are c"m2"sed may, 3"r aught $e kn"$, c"nsist essentially "3 the same
2rim"rdial material, 3"rming the basis "3 their c"nstituti"n, alth"ugh the Bualities "3 the /ari"us b"dies
di33er 3r"m each "ther, and it is 3ar m"re reas"nable t" su22"se that this "ne 2rim"rdial eternal essence
e1ists and a22ears in the c"urse "3 e/"luti"n in /ari"us 3"rms, than t" belie/e that a number "3 di33erent
"riginal substances ha/e c"me int" e1istence either by being created "ut "3 n"thing "r "ther$ise. What
this 2rim"rdial essence 8 this immaterial substance 9 The A5/6sa "3 the Brahmins "r the +liaster "3
Paracelsus, the 7ni/ersal Proteus. : 8 is $e d" n"t kn"$, $e "nly kn"$ "3 its mani3estati"n in 3"rms
$hich $e call things. Whate/er 3inds e12ressi"n in "ne 3"rm "r an"ther is called a thing, and a thing may
change its 3"rm and the substance remain. Water may be 3r"zen int" s"lid ice, "r be trans3"rmed by heat
int" /isible /a2"ur4 and /a2"ur may be chemically dec"m2"sed int" hydr"gen and "1ygen4 yet, i3 the
necessary c"nditi"ns are gi/en, the energies $hich 2re/i"usly 3"rmed $ater $ill 3"rm $ater again4 the
3"rms and attributes change, but the elements remain , the same and c"mbine again in certain
2r"2"rti"ns, regulated by the la$ "3 mutual attracti"n. 9Page /1:
<s this hy2"thetical 2rim"rdial substance "r 2rinci2le has n" attributes $hich $e can 2ercei/e $ith "ur
senses, $e d" n"t kn"$ the real substance "3 a thing. We may gradually de2ri/e a thing "3 s"me "3 its
attributes and change its 3"rm, and yet it remains that thing as l"ng as its character remains, and e/en
a3ter $e destr"y its 3"rm and diss"l/e its materials the character "3 the thing still remains as an idea in
the sub5ecti/e $"rld, $here $e cann"t destr"y it, and $e may cl"the the "ld idea $ith ne$ attributes and
re2r"duce it under a ne$ 3"rm "n the "b5ecti/e 2lane. < thing e1ists as l"ng as its character e1ists, "nly
$hen it changes its character it changes its essential nature. < material thing is "nly the symb"l "r the
re2resentati"n "3 an idea4 $e may gi/e it a name, but idea remains hidden behind the /eil. >3 $e c"uld "n
the 2hysical 2lane se2arate a single substance 3r"m its character, and end"$ it $ith an"ther, then "ne
b"dy c"uld be trans3"rmed int" an"ther, as, 3"r instance, base metals be trans3"rmed int" g"ld4 but
unless $e change the character "3 a thing, a mere change "3 its 3"rm $ill "nly a33ect its e1ternal
a22earance.
By $ay "3 illustrati"n, let us l""k at a stick. >t is made "3 $""d, but this is n"t essential4 it might be made
"3 s"mething else and still be a stick. We d" n"t 2ercei/e the stick itsel3, $e "nly see its attributes, its
e1tensi"n and c"l"ur and density4 $e 3eel its $eight and $e hear its s"und i3 $e strike. *ach "3 these
attributes "r all "3 them may be changed, and it $ill remain a stick 3"r all that, as l"ng as its character is
Page G%
n"t l"st because that $hich essentially c"nstitutes its character is its 2ur2"se, an idea $hich has n"t a
de3inite 3"rm. #et us end"$ that 3"rmless idea $ith a ne$ 2ur2"se that $ill change its character, and $e
shall ha/e trans3"rmed "ur ideal stick int" anything $e ch""se t" make "3 it.
We cann"t change c"22er int" g"ld "n the 2hysical 2lane, $e cann"t change a man int" a 2hysical child,
but $e may daily trans3"rm "ur desires, "ur as2irati"ns, tastes, and "ur character, i3 $e c"ncei/e "3 a
ne$ 2ur2"se "3 li3e, >n d"ing this $e make "3 man, e/en "n the 2hysical 2lane, a di33erent being. 9Page /.:

?"b"dy e/er sa$ a real man, $e "nly 2ercei/e the Bualities $hich he 2"ssesses. Man cann"t see
himsel3. He s2eaks "3 his b"dy, his s"ul, his s2irit4 it is the c"mbinati"n "3 the three $hich c"nstitutes the
sum "3 his attributes4 the real Ego, in $hich his character rests, is s"mething unkn"$n, $h"se nature
bec"mes c"ncei/able t" us "nly $hen $e di/ine the 2ur2"se "3 its e1istence. <s an idea and 3"r a
2ur2"se he enters the $"rld "3 matter, e/"lutes a ne$ 2ers"nality, "btains ne$ e12erience and
kn"$ledge, 2asses thr"ugh the 2leasures and /icissitudes "3 li3e and thr"ugh the /alley "3 death, and
enters again int" that realm $here in the c"urse "3 ages his "ut$ard 3"rm $ill cease t" e1ist, t" a22ear
again in such a 3"rm u2"n the scene $hen the h"ur 3"r his rea22earance strikes. His b"dy and
2ers"nality change his 2ur2"se, and there3"re his Ego remains the same and yet n"t the same, because
during li3e it acBuires ne$ attributes and changes its characteristics.
< true a22reciati"n and understanding "3 the essential nature "3 man $ill sh"$ that the re2eated
reincarnation "3 the human m"nad in successi/e 2ers"nalities is a scienti3ic necessity. H"$ c"uld it be
2"ssible 3"r a man t" de/el"2 int" a state "3 2er3ecti"n, i3 the time "3 his s2iritual gr"$th $ere restricted t"
the 2eri"d "3 "ne sh"rt e1istence u2"n this gl"be E >3 he c"uld g" "n and de/el"2 $ith"ut ha/ing a
2hysical b"dy, then $hy sh"uld it ha/e been necessary 3"r him t" take a 2hysical b"dy at allE >t is
unreas"nable t" su22"se that the spiritual germ "3 a man begins its e1istence at the time "3 the birth "3
the 2hysical b"dy, "r that the 2hysical 2arents "3 the child c"uld be the generat"rs "3 the s2iritual m"nad.
>3 the s2iritual m"nad e1isted be3"re the b"dy $as b"rn, and c"uld de/el"2 $ith"ut it, $hat $"uld be the
use "3 its entering any b"dy at allE
We see that a 2lant ceases t" gr"$ $hen its r""ts are t"rn 3r"m the s"il, and $hen they are re2laced int"
the s"il the gr"$th c"ntinues. #ike$ise the human s"ul, 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 attaining sel3'kn"$ledge, takes
r""t in the 2hysical "rganism "3 man, and de/el"2s a character, but $hen death tears "ut the r""ts, the
s"ul rests and ceases t" gr"$, until it 3inds again a 2hysical 9Page 04: "rganism t" acBuire ne$ c"nditi"ns
3"r c"ntinued gr"$th.
What can this inner ego be, $hich li/es thr"ugh death and changes during li3e, e1ce2t a s2iritual ray "3
#i3e, "btaining relati/e c"nsci"usness by c"ming in c"ntact $ith matter E >s any man certain "3 his "$n
e1istence E
<ll the 2r""3 $e ha/e "3 "ur e1istence is in "ur "$n sel3'c"nsci"usness, in the 3eeling "3 the + Am, $hich
is the realisati"n "3 "ur e1istence. */ery "ther state "3 c"nsci"usness is sub5ect t" change. The
c"nsci"usness "3 "ne m"ment di33ers 3r"m that "3 an"ther, acc"rding t" the changes $hich take 2lace in
the c"nditi"ns $hich surr"und us, and acc"rding t" the /ariety "3 "ur im2ressi"ns. We are cra/ing 3"r
change and death4 t" remain al$ays the same $"uld be t"rture. @ld im2ressi"ns die and are re2laced
Page G(
$ith ne$ "nes, and $e re5"ice t" see the "ld "nes die, s" that the ne$ "nes may ste2 int" their 2laces.
We d" n"t make "ur im2ressi"ns "ursel/es, but $e recei/e them 3r"m the "utside $"rld. >3 it $ere
2"ssible that t$" "r m"re 2ers"ns c"uld be b"rn and educated under e1actly the same c"nditi"ns,
ha/ing the same character and recei/ing al$ays the same im2ressi"ns, they $"uld al$ays ha/e the
same th"ughts, the same 3eelings and desires, their c"nsci"usness $"uld be identical, and they might be
c"nsidered as 3"rming c"llecti/ely "nly "ne 2ers"n. < 2ers"n, ha/ing 3"rg"tten all the mental im2ressi"ns
he e/er recei/ed, and recei/ing n" ne$ "nes, might e1ist 3"r ages, li/ing in eternal imbecility, $ith n"
c"nsci"usness $hate/er e1ce2t the c"nsci"usness "3 the + Am, and that c"nsci"usness c"uld n"t cease
t" e1ist as l"ng as his 2ers"nality $ere ca2able t" rec"gnise its e1istence relati/ely t" itsel3.
This $"uld be the "nly c"nditi"n in $hich a 2ers"n c"uld 2"ssibly e1ist, i3 he had gained n" s2iritual sel3'
kn"$ledge and i3 he $ere t" cease t" recei/e any im2ressi"ns 3r"m the e1ternal $"rld, and similar t" this
may be the state "3 such a 2ers"n a3ter the death "3 his b"dy, i3 during li3e he has n"t attained any higher
kn"$ledge than that $hich re3ers t" 2erishing things. Ha/ing n" s2iritual c"nsci"usness, he can ha/e n"
s2iritual 2erce2ti"ns, he can bring $ith him int" the s2iritual $"rld n"thing e1ce2t his "$n ign"rance.
9Page 03:

His sensati"ns lea/e him at death, and the images recei/ed in his mind during li3e $ill 3ade a$ay4 the
intellectual 3"rces $hich ha/e been set int" m"ti"n by his scienti3ic 2ursuits $ill be e1hausted, and a3ter
that time the s2irit "3 such a 2ers"n, e/en i3 he has been during li3e the greatest scientist, s2eculat"r, and
l"gician, $ill be n"thing but an imbecile, li/ing in darkness, and being dra$n irresistibly t"$ards
reincarnati"n4 t" reimb"dy itsel3 again under any circumstances $hate/er, t" esca2e 3r"m n"thingness
int" e1istence.
7nder $hate/er 3"rm li3e may e1ist, it is "nly relati/e. < st"ne, a 2lant, an animal, a man "r :"d, each
has an e1istence 3"r itsel3, and each e1ists "nly 3"r the "thers, as l"ng as the "thers are c"nsci"us "3 his
e1istence. Man l""ks u2"n the e1istence bel"$ him as inc"m2lete, and the inc"m2lete beings bel"$ him
kn"$ little ab"ut him. Man kn"$s little ab"ut any su2eri"r beings, and yet there may be such, l""king
u2"n him $ith 2ity, as he $"uld l""k u2"n an in3eri"r animal, an a2e that has n"t yet a$akened t" a
realisati"n "3 its "$n nature.
Th"se $h" are su22"sed t" kn"$, in3"rm us that there is n" being in the uni/erse su2eri"r t" the man
ha/ing bec"me c"nsci"us "3 his "$n di/ine and imm"rtal nature4 but that there are innumerable in/isible
beings $h" are either 3ar su2eri"r "r in3eri"r t" m"rtal man as $e kn"$ him. >n "ther $"rds, the highest
beings in the uni/erse are such as ha/e "nce been men4 but the men and $"men "3 "ur 2resent
ci/ilisati"n may ha/e t" 2r"gress thr"ugh milli"ns "3 ages be3"re they attain that state "3 2er3ecti"n $hich
such beings 2"ssess.
Existence is relative. There is s"mething in me $hich causes me t" li/e and t" think. > may call it 0>0 "r
0:"d04 in either case it is intellectually inc"m2rehensible, and it has n" e1istence 3"r me "3 $hich > am
c"nsci"us, as l"ng as > d" n"t realise the relati"n bet$een this unkn"$n s"mething and my "$n nature.
?e/ertheless it is4 3"r i3 it $ere n"thing it c"uld n"t cause me t" li/e and t" think. >t is the s"urce "3 my
being, and there3"re it is e1istence and my nature is its mani3estati"n. >n realising my "$n e1istence,
e1istence bec"mes 9Page 0(: t" me a reality4 t" realise the nature "3 di/ine being is t" enter int" that state.
Page G&
We are accust"med t" l""k u2"n that $hich $e 2ercei/e $ith "ur senses as real, and u2"n e/erything
else as unreal, and yet "ur daily e12erience teaches us that "ur senses cann"t be trusted i3 $e $ish t"
distinguish bet$een the true and the 3alse. We see the sun rise in the *ast, see him tra/el al"ng the sky
during the day and disa22ear again in the West4 but e/ery child n"$'a'days kn"$s that this a22arent
m"/ement is "nly an illusi"n, caused by the turning "3 the earth. <t night $e see the 03i1ed0 stars ab"/e
"ur heads, they l""k insigni3icant c"m2ared $ith the $ide e12anse "3 the earth and the "cean, and yet
$e are t"ld that they are blazing suns, in c"m2aris"n $ith $hich "ur m"ther *arth is "nly a s2eck "3 dust.
?"thing seems t" us m"re Buiet and tranBuil than the s"lid r"cks under "ur 3eet, and yet the earth
$here"n $e li/e $hirls $ith tremend"us /el"city thr"ugh s2ace4 the m"untains seem t" be e/erlasting,
but c"ntinents sink beneath the $aters "3 the "cean and rise again ab"/e its sur3ace. Bel"$ "ur 3eet
m"/es, $ith ebbs and tides, the s$elling b"s"m "3 "ur a22arently s"lid m"ther the earth, ab"/e "ur head
seems t" be n"thing tangible, and yet $e li/e "n the /ery b"tt"m "3 the airy "cean ab"/e us, and d" n"t
kn"$ the things that may 2erha2s li/e in its currents "r u2"n its sur3ace. < stream "3 light seems t"
descend 3r"m the sun t" "ur 2lanet, and yet darkness is said t" e1ist bet$een the atm"s2here "3 the
*arth and the sun, $here n" mete"ric matter e1ists t" cause a re3lecti"n4 $hile again $e are surr"unded
by an "cean "3 light "3 a higher "rder, $hich a22ears t" us t" be darkness, because the ner/es "3 "ur
b"dies ha/e n"t yet been su33iciently de/el"2ed t" react under the in3luence "3 the Astral Light. The
image re3lected in the mirr"r seems a reality t" the unreas"ning mind, the /"ice "3 an ech" may be
mistaken 3"r the /"ice "3 a man. We "3ten dream $hen a$ake, and $hile belie/ing t" be a$ake $e are
aslee2.
"Consciousness4 is a relative term. >t is n"t scienti3ic t" say 0$e are aslee204 as l"ng as $e d" n"t kn"$
9Page 0): $h" 0%e0 are. We can "nly truly say that such and such 3uncti"ns "3 a 2hysical "r 2sychical
"rganism, $hich are called "ur "$n, are aslee2 "r inacti/e $hile "thers are acti/e and a$ake. We may
be 3ully a$ake relati/ely t" "ne thing and aslee2 relati/ely t" an"ther. < somnambule5s b"dy is in a state
resembling death, $hile his higher c"nsci"usness is 3ully ali/e and em2l"ys e/en 3ar su2eri"r 2"$ers "3
2erce2ti"n than i3 all the acti/ity "3 his li3e'2rinci2le $ere engaged in 2er3"rming the 3uncti"ns "3 his l"$er
"rganism.
4#atter4 and 4#otion4 are relative terms4 b"th re3erring t" mani3estati"ns "3 s"mething $e d" n"t kn"$,
and $hich $e may call 0.2irit0. There is n" m"ti"n $ith"ut matter, n" matter $ith"ut s"me m"ti"n, and
e/ery 2"$er is there3"re substantial. < s"lid mass "3 matter is c"ndensed energy, re2resenting a certain
am"unt "3 latent 2"$er4 e/ery 3"rce is in/isible substance in m"ti"n.
4Space4" 4extension4" 4duration4 are relative. Their Bualities change acc"rding t" "ur standard "3
measurement and acc"rding t" "ur m"de "3 2erce2ti"n. T" an animalcule in a dr"2 "3 $ater that dr"2
may a22ear as an "cean, and t" an insect li/ing "n a lea3 that lea3 may c"nstitute a $"rld. >3 during "ur
slee2 the $h"le "3 the /isible $"rld $ere t" shrink t" the size "3 a $alnut "r e12and t" a th"usand 3"ld its
2resent dimensi"ns, "n a$akening $e sh"uld 2ercei/e n" change, 2r"/ided that change had eBually
a33ected e/erything, including "ursel/es. < child has n" c"nce2ti"n "3 its relati"n t" s2ace and tries t"
gras2 the m""n $ith its hands, and a 2ers"n $h" has been b"rn blind and is a3ter$ards made t" see,
cann"t 5udge "3 distances c"rrectly. @ur th"ughts kn"$ "3 n" inter/ening s2ace $hen they tra/el 3r"m
"ne 2art "3 the gl"be t" an"ther. @ur c"nce2ti"ns "3 "ur relati"n t" s2ace are based u2"n e12erience and
mem"ry acBuired in "ur 2resent c"nditi"n. >3 $e $ere m"/ing am"ng entirely di33erent c"nditi"ns, "ur
e12eriences, and c"nseBuently "ur c"nce2ti"ns, $"uld be entirely di33erent. .2ace relati/ely t" 3"rm can
"nly ha/e three dimensi"ns, because all 3"rms are c"m2"sed "3 three dimensi"ns: length, thickness, and
Page G,
height. 9Page 0-:

!"nsci"usness in the <bs"lute is unc"nsci"usness relati/ely t" e/erything. < c"nsci"usness being in
relati"n $ith n"thing is inc"ncei/able. < c"nsci"usness e1isting in relati"n t" its "$n sel3 is sel3'
c"nsci"usness.
The <bs"lute is inde2endent "3 its mani3estati"ns4 but all mani3estati"ns de2end "n the 2resence "3 that
$hich bec"mes mani3est. :"d can e1ist in his "$n di/ine nature $ith"ut re/ealing his 2resence t" his
creatures4 but his creatures cann"t e1ist $ith"ut :"d. We kn"$ that s2ace e1ists4 but it is inc"ncei/able
t" us as l"ng as it d"es n"t bec"me re/ealed t" us in a 3"rm. F"rms are "b5ecti3ied s2ace. With"ut such a
mani3estati"n "3 three dimensi"nal b"dies $e can 3"rm n" c"nce2ti"n "3 s2ace. We kn"$ that :"d
e1ists4 but $e cann"t c"ncei/e "3 his e1istence unless his nature bec"mes re/ealed t" us in its triunity
$ithin "ursel/es.
The dimensi"ns "3 s2ace e1ist in "ur "$n mind. We c"ncei/e "3 n" dimensi"ns "3 s2ace in a
mathematical 2"int, and sel3'c"nsci"usness e1ists in itsel3 $ith"ut any relati"n t" anything e1ce2t its "$n
sel3. This might there3"re be called a "ne'dimensi"nal s2ace. <s t" t$"'dimensi"nal s2ace, e/ery"ne
kn"$s that there is a di33erence bet$een g""d and e/il, bet$een l"/e and hate, etc., and the realisati"n
"3 such a di33erence 3urnishes us $ith a c"nce2ti"n "3 s2ace in $hich $e 2ercei/e "nly t$" dimensi"ns.
Three'dimensi"nal s2ace is the $"rld "3 c"r2"real b"dies4 but there is als" a 3"urth dimensi"n "3 s2ace,
kn"$n "nly t" the enlightened, $h" ha/e learned h"$ t" sBuare the circle, because our is the number "3
truth, and three the number "3 3"rm.
<s "ur c"nce2ti"n "3 s2ace is "nly relati/e, s" is "ur c"nce2ti"n "3 time. >t is n"t time itsel3, but its
measurement, "3 $hich $e are c"nsci"us, and time is n"thing t" us unless in c"nnecti"n $ith "ur
ass"ciati"n "3 ideas. The human mind can "nly recei/e a small number "3 im2ressi"ns 2er sec"nd4 i3 $e
$ere t" recei/e "nly "ne im2ressi"n 2er h"ur, "ur li3e $"uld seem e1ceedingly sh"rt, and i3 $e $ere able
t" recei/e, 3"r 9Page 02: instance, the im2ressi"n "3 each single undulati"n "3 a yell"$ ray "3 light, $h"se
/ibrati"ns number 6K, billi"ns 2er sec"nd, a single day in "ur li3e $"uld a22ear t" be an eternity $ith"ut
end.9 !arl du Prel: 4 'ie Planetenbe%ohner04 : T" a 2ris"ner in a dunge"n, $h" has n" "ccu2ati"n, time
may seem e1tremely l"ng, $hile 3"r him $h" is acti/ely engaged it 2asses Buickly. During slee2 $e ha/e
n" c"nce2ti"n "3 time, but a slee2less night 2assed in su33ering seems /ery l"ng. During a 3e$ sec"nds
"3 time $e may, in a dream, 2ass thr"ugh e12eriences $hich $"uld reBuire a number "3 years in the
regular c"urse "3 e/ents, $hile in the unc"nsci"us state time has n" e1istence 3"r us.9>n b""ks "n
mystical sub5ects $e 3ind "3ten acc"unts "3 a 2ers"n ha/ing dreamed in a sh"rt m"ment "3 time, things
$hich $e sh"uld su22"se that it $"uld take h"urs t" dream them4 3"r instance the 3"ll"$ing: 0< tra/eler
arri/ed late at night at a stati"n. He $as /ery 3atigued, and as the c"nduct"r "2ened the d""r "3 the car,
he entered, and immediately 3ell aslee2. He dreamed that he $as at h"me, and li/ing $ith his 3amily4 that
he 3ell in l"/e $ith a girl and married her4 that he li/ed ha22y
until he meddled $ith 2"litical a33airs, and $as arrested "n the charge "3 ha/ing entered int" a c"ns2iracy
against the g"/ernment. He $as tried, and c"ndemned t" be sh"t, and led "ut t" be e1ecuted. <rri/ed at
the 2lace "3 e1ecuti"n, the c"mmand $as gi/en, and the s"ldiers 3ired at him, and he a$"ke at the n"ise
caused by the shutting "3 the d""r "3 the car, $hich the c"nduct"r had shut behind him $hen "ur 3riend
entered. >t seems 2r"bable that the n"ise 2r"duced by shutting that d""r caused the $h"le dream0. :
Page )K
Pers"ns 3ully in the sub5ecti/e $"rld recei/e n" im2ressi"ns 3r"m the "b5ecti/e $"rld. >3 they are "nly
2artially in that state $hich "ccurs in dreams and insanity, the sensati"ns carried t" the hal3 c"nsci"us
brain bec"me mi1ed $ith the ideas b"rn in the sub5ecti/e $"rld, and 2r"duce caricatures and dist"rti"n "3
images. >n this state, $hen the e12eriences "3 the internal state mingles $ith the sensati"ns "3 the
e1ternal c"nsci"usness, the m"st err"ne"us im2ressi"ns may be 2r"duced4 because the intellect
lab"urs, but reas"n d"es n"t act su33iciently 2"$er3ul t" enable man t" discriminate bet$een the true and
the 3alse.
But $hat is the di33erence bet$een "b5ecti/e and 9Page 0/: sub5ecti/e states "3 e1istence E We d" n"t
cease t" li/e $hile $e are aslee2, but $e ha/e a di33erent kind "3 2erce2ti"ns in either state. The 2"2ular
idea is that sensual "b5ecti/e 2erce2ti"ns are real and sub5ecti/e "nes "nly the 2r"ducts "3 "ur
imaginati"n. But a little re3lecti"n $ill sh"$ that all 2erce2ti"ns, the "b5ecti/e as $ell as the sub5ecti/e
"nes, are results "3 "ur 0imaginati"n0. >3 $e l""k at a tree, the tree d"es n"t c"me int" "ur eye, but its
2icture a22ears in "ur mind4 i3 $e l""k at a 3"rm $e 2ercei/e an im2ressi"n made in "ur mind by the
image "3 an "b5ect e1isting bey"nd the limits "3 "ur b"dy4 i3 $e l""k at a sub5ecti/e image "3 "ur "$n
creati"n, $e 2ercei/e the im2ressi"n $hich it 2r"duces "n "ur mind. >n either case the 2ictures e1ist
"b5ecti/ely in "ur mind, and $e 2ercei/e the im2ressi"ns.
The 3act is, that e/erything a22ears either "b5ecti/e "r sub5ecti/e acc"rding t" the state "3 c"nsci"usness
"3 the 2ercei/er, and $hat may be t" him entirely sub5ecti/e in "ne state may a22ear t" him "b5ecti/ely in
an"ther. The highest ideal truths ha/e t" him $h" can realise them an "b5ecti/e e1istence, the gr"ssest
material 3"rms ha/e n" e1istence t" him $h" cann"t 2ercei/e them.
But here the great Buesti"n arises: 0Wh" "r $hat is this unkn"$n @ne that 2ercei/es the images e1isting
in its "$n mind, and the sensati"ns that c"me t" his c"nsci"usness E What is that $hich y"u call y"ur 0>0,
$hich kn"$s that y"u kn"$, and $hich als" rec"gnises y"ur ign"rance E What is that Sel, $hich is
neither the b"dy n"r the mind, but $hich uses these things as its instruments E >3 y"u kn"$ that in/isible
being, y"u may thr"$ a$ay this b""k4 it can teach y"u n"thing ne$, because y"u kn"$ :"d and are the
$isest "3 men.
The basis u2"n $hich all e1hibiti"n "3 magical 2"$er rests is a kn"$ledge "3 the relati"ns that e1ist
bet$een "b5ecti/e and sub5ecti/e states "3 e1istence, and the s"urce 3r"m $hich they "riginate. >3 $e
c"ncei/e in "ur mind "3 the 2icture "3 a thing $e ha/e seen be3"re, an "b5ecti/e 3"rm "3 that thing c"mes
int" e1istence
$ithin "ur "$n mind, and is c"m2"sed "3 the substance 9Page 00: "3 "ur "$n mind. >3 by c"ntinual 2ractice
$e gain su33icient 2"$er t" h"ld "n t" that image and t" 2re/ent it 3r"m being dri/en a$ay and dis2ersed
by "ther th"ughts, it $ill bec"me c"m2arati/ely dense, and can be 2r"5ected u2"n the mental s2here "3
"thers, s" that they may actually see "b5ecti/ely that $hich e1ists sub5ecti/ely as an image $ithin "ur
"$n mind4 but he $h" cann"t h"ld "n t" a th"ught and c"ntr"l it at $ill cann"t im2ress it u2"n the minds
"3 "thers, and there3"re such e12eriments 3ail, n"t "n acc"unt "3 any abs"lute im2"ssibility t" 2er3"rm
them, but "n acc"unt "3 the $eakness "3 th"se $h" e12eriment, but ha/e n"t the 2"$er t" c"ntr"l their
"$n th"ughts, and t" render them c"r2"real en"ugh 3"r transmissi"n.
Page )+
*/erything is either a reality "r a delusi"n, acc"rding t" the stand2"int 3r"m $hich $e /ie$ it. The $"rds
0real0 and 0unreal0 are "nly relati/e terms, and $hat may seem real in "ne state "3 e1istence a22ears
unreal in an"ther. M"ney, l"/e, 2"$er, etc., a22ear /ery real t" th"se $h" need them4 t" th"se $h" ha/e
"utgr"$n the necessity 3"r their 2"ssessi"n they are "nly illusi"ns. That $hich $e realise is real t" us,
h"$e/er unreal it may be t" an"ther. >3 my imaginati"n is 2"$er3ul en"ugh t" re2resent t" me the
2resence "3 an angel, that angel $ill be there, ali/e and real, my "$n creati"n, n" matter h"$ in/isible
and unreal he may be t" an"ther. >3 y"ur mind can create 3"r y"u a 2aradise in a $ilderness, that
2aradise $ill ha/e or !ou an "b5ecti/e e1istence. */erything that e1ists, e1ists in the uni/ersal Mind, and
i3 the indi/idual mind bec"mes c"nsci"us "3 his relati"n t" a thing therein, it begins t" 2ercei/e it. ?" man
can realise a thing bey"nd his e12erience, he cann"t kn"$ anything t" $hich he stands in n" relati"n.
F"r the 2ur2"se "3 2ercei/ing, three 3acts are necessary: The 2erce2ti"n, the 2ercei/er, and the thing
that is the "b5ect "3 2erce2ti"n. >3 they e1ist "n entirely di33erent 2lanes, and cann"t enter int"
relati"nshi2, n" 2erce2ti"n $ill be 2"ssible. >3 > $ish t" l""k at my 3ace, and am n"t able t" ste2 "ut "3
mysel3, > must use a mirr"r t" establish a relati"n bet$een mysel3 and the "b5ect "3 9Page 01: my
2erce2ti"n. The mirr"r has n" sensati"n, and > cann"t see mysel3 in the mirr"r, > can "nly see mysel3 in
my mind. The re3lecti"n "3 the mirr"r 2r"duces a re3lecti"n $hich is "b5ecti/e t" my mind, and $hich
c"mes t" my 2erce2ti"n.
< c"nsiderati"n "3 this $ill gi/e us the key t" an understanding "3 man9s "riginal nature, and "3 the
necessity "3 his 03all 3r"m grace0. We cann"t "b5ecti/ely see the light "r the truth, as l"ng as $e are $ithin
the b"dy "3 the "ne "r the "ther. @nly $hen $e g" bey"nd the s2here "3 the light, $e can see lumin"sity,
"nly $hen $e 3all int" err"r, $ill $e learn t" a22reciate the truth. <s l"ng as 2rim"rdial man $as "ne $ith
the uni/ersal 2"$er 3r"m $hich he emanated as a s2iritual ray "r entity in the beginning, he c"uld n"t
kn"$ the di/ine s"urce 3r"m $hich he came. The $ill and imaginati"n "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind $ere his "$n
$ill and imaginati"n. @nly $hen he began t" 0ste2 "ut "3 his di/ine sel30, c"uld he begin t" e1ist as an
indi/idual 0.el304 "nly $hen he began t" act against the la$, did he begin t" realise that there $as a la$.
Man9s a22arently se2arated e1istence 3r"m :"d is an illusi"n: but this illusi"n must be e12erienced by
him, s" as t" enable him t" "utgr"$ it, and t" realise his unity $ith :"d. < g"d $h" d"es n"t realise his
"$n di/ine nature $"uld n"t be able t" en5"y it. When man, as a s2iritual entity, ha/ing attained
2er3ecti"n, enters again int" his s"urce, his sense "3 sel3 and se2arateness $ill be l"st, but he $ill be in
2"ssessi"n "3 kn"$ledge. T" see a thing, it must bec"me "b5ecti/e. T" kn"$ $hat l"/e is, $e must be
se2arated 3r"m the "b5ect "3 "ur l"/e. When $e 3ully c"m2rehend a thing, $e bec"me "ne $ith it, and
kn"$ it by kn"$ing "ursel/es.
This e1am2le is intended t" illustrate the 3undamental la$ "3 creati"n. The 3irst great cause 8 s" t" say 8
ste22ing "ut "3 itsel3, bec"mes its "$n mirr"r, and thereby establishes a relati"n $ith itsel3. 0:"d0 sees
his 3ace re3lected in ?ature4 the 7ni/ersal Mind sees itsel3 re3lected in the indi/idual mind "3 man. :"d
c"mes t" relati/e c"nsci"usness in his "$n nature, but $hen he again retires int" himsel3 the relati"n $ill
9Page 0.: cease, he $ill again bec"me "ne $ith himsel3, there $ill be n" m"re relati/e c"nsci"usness, and
0Brahma $ill g" t" slee20 until the ne$ day "3 creati"n begins. But man kn"$s that he e1ists e/en a3ter
all his relati"n $ith e1ternal things has ceased, he d"es n"t need t" l""k c"ntinually int" a mirr"r t" be
reminded "3 that 3act. #ike$ise the abs"lute sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 the great + Am is inde2endent "3 the
"b5ecti/e e1istence "3 ?ature, and he $ill still 0sit "n the great $hite thr"ne a3ter the earth and the hea/en
3led a$ay 3r"m his 3ace04 9.t F"hn: ;e/elati"ns 11. -.: $hich means that he $ill rest in his "$n di/ine sel3'
c"nsci"usness.
Page )-
The su2eri"r 2"$ers "3 inner 2erce2ti"ns are th"se 2"ssessed by the inner man, and they bec"me
de/el"2ed a3ter the inner man a$akens t" sel3'c"nsci"usness. They c"rres2"nd t" the senses "3 the
e1ternal man, such as seeing, hearing, 3eeling, tasting, smelling.
*1ternal sensual 2erce2ti"ns are necessary t" see sensual things4 the internal sensual 2erce2ti"ns are
necessary t" see internal things. Physical matter is as in/isible t" the s2iritual sight as astral b"dies are
t" the 2hysical eyes4 but as e/ery "b5ect in nature has its astral c"unter2art $ithin the 2hysical 3"rm, it
may see, hear, 3eel, taste, and smell $ith its astral senses th"se astral "b5ects, and thereby kn"$ the
attributes "3 the 2hysical "b5ects as $ell "r still better than the 2hysical man might ha/e been able t" d"
$ith his 2hysical senses4 but neither the 2hysical n"r the astral senses $ill be able t" 2ercei/e, unless
they are 2ermeated by the 2"$er "3 the s2irit $hich end"$s them $ith li3e.
Men usually l""k u2"n a thing as real i3 it is seen alike by se/eral 2ers"ns, $hile i3 "nly "ne 2ers"n
2r"3esses t" see it, it being in/isible t" "thers, it is called illusi/e4 but each im2ressi"n 2r"duces a certain
state "3 the mind, and a 2ers"n 2ercei/ing it must be in a c"nditi"n t" enter int" a relati"n $ith that state
$hich the im2ressi"n 2r"duces. <ll 2ers"ns being in the same state "3 mind, and recei/ing the same
im2ressi"n, $ill 2ercei/e the same thing, but i3 their states "3 mind di33er, their 2erce2ti"ns $ill di33er. <
h"rse "r a li"n 9Page 14: may be seen alike by e/ery"ne $h" has his n"rmal senses de/el"2ed4 but i3 "ne
is e1cited by 3ear, his 2erce2ti"n $ill di33er 3r"m that "3 "thers, because the 2r"duct "3 his "$n
imaginati"n dist"rts the im2ressi"n recei/ed. < drunkard in a state "3 delirium tremens belie/es t" see
$"rms and snakes cra$ling "/er his b"dy. His e12erience tells him that they ha/e n" e1ternal e1istence.
?e/ertheless they are realities t" him. They really e1ist 3"r him as the 2r"ducts "3 his "$n mental
c"nditi"n, but they d" n"t e1ist 3"r "thers $h" d" n"t share that c"nditi"n. But i3 "thers $ere t" enter the
same state they $"uld see the same things.
@ur 2erce2ti"ns there3"re di33er 8 n"t "nly in 2r"2"rti"n as the im2ressi"ns c"ming 3r"m the "b5ects "3
"ur 2erce2ti"n di33er 8 but als" acc"rding t" "ur ca2acity t" recei/e such im2ressi"ns, "r acc"rding t" "ur
"$n mental states. >3 $e c"uld de/el"2 a ne$ sense "3 2erce2ti"n, $e $"uld be in a ne$ $"rld.
>3 "ur ca2acity t" recei/e im2ressi"ns $ere restricted t" "nly "ne sense, $e $"uld "nly be able t"
c"ncei/e "3 that $hich c"uld bec"me mani3est t" us thr"ugh that sense. #et us su22"se the e1istence "3
a being $h" c"uld enter int" "nly "ne state "3 c"nsci"usness4 3"r instance, that "3 hate. Ha/ing all his
c"nsci"usness c"ncentrated int" "ne guiding 2assi"n, he c"uld bec"me a$are "3 n"thing else but "3
hate. .uch a 0g"d "3 hate0, inca2able "3 entering int" any "ther mental state, c"uld 2ercei/e n" "ther
states but th"se c"rres2"nding $ith his "$n. T" such a being the $h"le $"rld $"uld be dark and /"id,
"ur "ceans and m"untains, "ur 3"rests and ri/ers $"uld ha/e n" e1istence 3"r him4 but $here/er a man
"r an animal $"uld burn $ith hate, there $"uld be 2erha2s a lurid gl"$ 2ercei/able by him thr"ugh the
darkness, $hich $"uld attract his attenti"n and attract him, and "n his a22r"ach that gl"$ $"uld burst
int" a 3lame in $hich the indi/idual 3r"m $h"m it 2r"ceeded may be c"nsumed. <ny "ther mental state "r
2assi"n may ser/e 3"r a similar illustrati"n. Hate kn"$s hate, #"/e kn"$s l"/e, and a 2ers"n 3ull "3 hate
is as inca2able t" l"/e as a being 3ull "3 l"/e is inca2able t" hate. 9Page 13:
The Bhagavad *ita says: 0Th"se that are b"rn under an e/il destiny0 Hha/ing acBuired e/il tendencies by
their c"nduct in 3"rmer li/esI0 kn"$ n"t $hat it is t" 2r"ceed in /irtue "r t" recede 3r"m /ice4 n"r is 2urity,
/eracity, "r the 2ractice "3 m"rality, t" be 3"und in them. They say the $"rld is $ith"ut beginning and
Page )G
$ith"ut end, and $ith"ut an >sh$ar, that all things are c"ncei/ed in the 5uncti"n "3 the senses, and that
attracti"n is the "nly cause0. 9 Bhaga/ad :ita, #. 1/i. :
Th"se $h" belie/e that e/erything e1ists in c"nseBuence "3 the unc"nsci"us attracti"n "3 t$" 2rinci2les,
3"rget that there c"uld be n" attracti"n i3 there $ere n"t s"me c"ntinually acting cause that 2r"duces that
attracti"n. They are the deluded 3"ll"$ers "3 a d"ctrine $hich they themsel/es cann"t seri"usly belie/e.
They agree that "ut "3 n"thing, n"thing can c"me, and yet they belie/e that unc"nsci"us attracti"n can
2r"duce c"nsci"usness. They are the 3"ll"$ers "3 the absurd T%o $hich has n" real e1istence, because
the eternal One di/ided int" t$" 2arts $"uld n"t bec"me t$" @nes but the t$" hal/es "3 a di/ided @ne.
@ne is the number "3 7nity, and T$" is Di/isi"n4 the @ne di/ided int" t$" ceases t" e1ist as a @ne, and
n"thing ne$ is thereby 2r"duced. >3 the 2lan 3"r the c"nstructi"n "3 the $"rld had been made acc"rding
t" the ideas "3 the 3"ll"$ers "3 Dualism, n"thing c"uld ha/e c"me int" e1istence, because acti"n and
reacti"n $"uld ha/e been "3 eBual 2"$er, annihilating each "ther. ?either c"uld there be any 2r"gressi"n
under such circumstances at 2resent.
But behind all mani3estati"ns "3 2"$er there is the eternal 2"$er itsel3, the s"urce "3 all 2er3ecti"n that
can bec"me mani3est. This is the 7nity and ;eality, in $hich n" di/isi"n e1ists4 3r"m $hich all things
"riginate and t" $hich all $ill return. >n its as2ect as being the s"urce "3 2er3ecti"n in e/erything and
$hich all things desire t" attain, it has been called 0g""d0.
Whate/er this 2"$er "3 g""d may be it is bey"nd the ca2acity "3 man t" gi/e it an a22r"2riate name, "r
t" describe it, because it is bey"nd the c"m2rehensi"n "3 m"rtal man. T" gi/e a name t" that $hich
includes 9Page 1(: e/erything, is t" limit the $h"le t" "ne "3 its 2arts. >t has been called 0:"d0, and as
such it has 0many 3aces0, because its as2ect di33ers acc"rding t" the stand2"int 3r"m $hich $e beh"ld it.
>t is the Supreme cause, 3r"m $hich e/erything c"mes int" e1istence4 it must be absolute
consciousness" %isdom and po%er" love" intelligence" and lie" because these attributes e1ist in its
mani3estati"ns and c"uld n"t ha/e c"me int" e1istence $ith"ut it.
>t is necessarily "ne and unlimited, and can there3"re n"t be kn"$n t" the limited intellect "3 man. >t can
"nly be kn"$n by itsel34 but i3 it re/eals itsel3 in "ur s"ul, "ur s"ul $ill 2artake "3 its kn"$ledge. There3"re
<ngelus .ilesius says C
":"d d$elleth in a light 3ar "ut "3 human ken,
Bec"me thysel3 that light, and th"u shalt see him then.0
When :autama Buddha $as asked t" describe the su2reme s"urce "3 all beings, he remained silent,
because th"se $h" ha/e reached a state in $hich they can realise $hat it is, ha/e n" $"rds t" describe
it, 9 - !"rinth. 1ii. ). : and th"se $h" cann"t realise it $"uld n"t be able t" c"m2rehend the descri2ti"n.
T" describe a thing $e must in/est it $ith c"m2rehensible attributes, and it then ceases t" be unlimited
and bec"mes limited. There3"re all the"l"gical discussi"ns ab"ut the nature "3 0:"d0 are useless,
because 0:"d0 is the <ll and d"es n"t di33er 3r"m anything4 but n"t e/erything is :"d4 because n"t
e/erything is c"nsci"us "3 its "$n di/ine nature. T" bec"me c"nsci"us "3 "ne9s "$n di/ine nature, is t"
realise the 2resence "3 :"d. T" deny the e1istence "3 :"d is an absurdity eBui/alent t" denying "ne9s
Page ))
"$n e1istence, $hile e1istence is its "$n 2r""3. He can "nly be s2iritually kn"$n, but n"t scienti3ically
described, and the 3ight bet$een s"'called Deists and <theists is a mere Buarrel ab"ut $"rds $hich ha/e
n" de3inite meaning. */ery man is himsel3 a mani3estati"n "3 :"d, and as each man9s character di33ers
3r"m that "3 e/ery "ther, s" each man9s idea "3 :"d di33ers 3r"m that "3 the rest, and each "ne has a :"d
Han idealI "3 his "$n: "nly $hen they all ha/e the same as2irati"ns, $ill they all ha/e the same :"d.
9Page 1):
T" him $h" has n"t the 2"$er "3 :"d, the 2"$er "3 :"d d"es n"t e1ist. T" him $h" 2ercei/es the
2resence "3 :"d, :"d e1ists, and t" him his e1istence cann"t be dis2uted a$ay. The ign"rant cann"t be
made t" realise the e1istence "3 kn"$ledge unless he bec"mes kn"$ing4 th"se $h" kn"$ cann"t ha/e
their kn"$ledge reas"ned a$ay. The caricatures "3 g"ds set u2 by the /ari"us churches as
re2resentati"ns "3 the "nly true :"d are merely attem2ts t" describe that $hich cann"t be described. <s
e/ery man has a highest ideal Ha g"dI "3 his "$n, $hich is a symb"l "3 his as2irati"ns, s" e/ery church
has its 2eculiar g"d, $h" is an "utgr"$th "r a 2r"duct "3 e/"luti"n "3 the ideal necessities "3 that
c"llecti/e b"dy called a church. They are all true g"ds to them, because they tem2"rarily ans$er their
needs, and as the reBuirements "3 the church change, s" change their g"ds4 "ld g"ds are discarded and
ne$ "nes 2ut int" their 2laces. The g"d "3 the !hristian di33ers 3r"m that "3 the Fe$s, and the !hristian
g"d "3 the nineteenth century is /ery di33erent 3r"m the "ne that li/ed at the time "3 T"rBuemada and
Peter <rbues, and $as 2leased $ith t"rture and Autos da )70 <s l"ng as men are im2er3ect their g"ds $ill
be im2er3ect4 as they bec"me m"re 2er3ect their g"ds $ill gr"$ in 2er3ecti"n, and $hen all men are
eBually 2er3ect they $ill all ha/e the same 2er3ect 0:"d0, the same highest s2iritual ideal rec"gnised alike
by science and by religi"n as being di/inity in humanity4 because there can be "nly "ne su2reme ideal,
"ne abs"lute Truth, $h"se realisati"n is Wisd"m, $h"se mani3estati"n is 2"$er e12ressed in ?ature,
and $h"se m"st 2er3ect e12ressi"n is ideal Man.
There are se/en ste2s "n the ladder, re2resenting the religi"us de/el"2ment "3 mankind: @n the 3irst
stage man resembles an animal, c"nsci"us "nly "3 his instincts and b"dily desires, $ith"ut any
c"nce2ti"n "3 the di/ine element. @n the sec"nd he begins t" ha/e a 2resentiment "3 the e1istence "3
s"mething higher. @n the third he begins t" seek 3"r that higher element, but his l"$er elements are still
2re2"nderating "/er the higher as2irati"ns. @n the 3"urth his l"$er and higher desires are
c"unterbalancing each "ther. <t times he seeks 3"r 9Page 1-: the higher, at "ther times he is again
attracted t" the l"$er. @n the 3i3th he an1i"usly seeks 3"r the di/ine, but seeking it in the e1ternal he
cann"t 3ind it. He then begins t" seek 3"r it $ithin himsel3. @n the si1th he 3inds the di/ine element $ithin
himsel3 and de/el"2s s2iritual sel3'c"nsci"usness, $hich "n the se/enth gr"$s int" sel3'kn"$ledge.
Ha/ing arri/ed at the si1th, his s2iritual senses begin t" bec"me ali/e and acti/e, and he $ill then be able
t" rec"gnise the 2resence "3 "ther s2iritual entities, e1isting "n the same 2lane. @n the se/enth he 3inds
that he himsel3 is the :"d $hich he has been seeking. His %ill is 3ree 3r"m e/ery sel3ish desire, his
thought is "ne $ith his $ill, his %ord bec"mes a creati/e act. .uch a s2iritual being may still d$ell in a
human b"dy u2"n this 2lanet, and n"t e/en be rec"gnised as s"mething su2eri"r t" the rest "3 mankind4
3"r his 2ers"nality is n"t :"d. He li/es, and yet he li/es n"t4 3"r it is :"d, his di/ine .el3, the eternal
;eality li/ing in him.
Page )6
CH,PT'* III
FO*M
"The +ni@erse is a thought of 8odE$ F Paracelsus.
<!!@;D>?: t" Plat" the 2rim"rdial essence is an emanati"n "3 the 'emiurgic #ind" $hich c"ntains
3r"m eternity the idea "3 the natural $"rld $ithin itsel3, and $hich idea is thr"$n int" "b5ecti/ity by the
2"$er "3 the di/ine sel3'c"nsci"us $ill. This d"ctrine seems t" be alm"st as "ld as the e1istence "3
reas"ning man "n this gl"be. >t c"ntains essentially the same truth $hich has been taught by the ancient
,ishis, and has been e12ressed by the dee2est thinkers "3 all ages, a22arently 3r"m the 3irst planetar!
spirit, that made his a22earance "n this earth, d"$n t" the m"dern 2hil"s"2hers $h" teach that the $"rld
is a 2r"duct "3 ideati"n and $ill. 9.ch"2enhauer: 0Die Welt als Wille und ="rstellungA :
The great !hristian Mystic, .acob Boehme describes the :reat First !ause as a trinity "3 $ill, intelligence
and acti"n. His d"ctrine c"rres2"nds t" that $hich is taught in the *ast, regarding the three emanati"ns
"3 Brahm, and "3 $hich that :erman sh"emaker c"uld at that time hardly ha/e kn"$n anything, i3 he had
n"t been an +lluminate. He says in his b""k "n 0The Three PrinciplesA, that by the acti/ity "3 the -ill$)ire
at the Centre the eternal c"nsci"usness "3 the latter $as re3lected in .2ace as in a mirr"r, and 3r"m this
acti/ity Light and Lie $ere b"rn. He then describes, h"$ by the acti"n radiating 3r"m the
inc"m2rehensible centre, radiating int" the element "3 Matter, and the subseBuent reacti"n 3r"m the
2eri2hery t"$ard the centre r"tati"n $as caused, and h"$ in the Ether, the $"rld "3 3"rms. came int"
e1istence, and gre$ int" material density. Thus thr"ugh the acti"n "3 the Father in the 9Page 1/: ."n, the
0Hol! *hostA became mani3est, and its mani3estati"n is the /isible and in/isible uni/erse in "ne, $ith all
its suns, stars, 2lanets, their 3"rms and inhabitants, $ith all the angels and dem"ns, de/as, elementals,
men and animals, "r in "ther $"rds, $ith all the energies and 2"$ers and 3"rms "3 the /isible and
in/isible side "3 nature.
This trinity mani3ests itsel3 "n three di33erent planes "r modes o action, that ha/e been termed #atter"
Soul" and Spirit, "r acc"rding t" the symb"lism "3 ancient "ccult science, Earth" -ater, and )ire. The
One bec"mes mani3est in the Three, but the Three is a $h"le and d"es n"t c"nsist "3 three 2arts, "3
$hich "ne c"mes int" successi"n a3ter an"ther, it s2rings int" e1istence at "nce. ,eaction cann"t e1ist
$ith"ut Action, and b"th are due t" a c"'e1isting Potenc! "r Cause0
Spirit "r 0FireA is immaterial, 3"rmless, and uni/ersal, mani3esting its 2"$er in 3"rms. >t is the 0creat"rA, the
great 0car2enterA "3 the uni/erse, the 0ste23ather "3 !hristA, $h"se $i3e is Ma5a H?atureI, the e/er
immaculate /irgin.
Page )%
Soul "r 0WaterA is a semi'material element, 3"rmless in its "riginal state. >t is the "rganising element "3
c"r2"real 3"rms. >t 2enetrates and surr"unds the 2lanets as it surr"unds and 2enetrates the b"dies "3
men and animals and all "ther b"dies and 3"rms, and all material 3"rms $ill s""n 2erish a3ter the s"ul'
2rinci2le has ceased t" be acti/e in them.
#atter "r 0*arthA, "r Has it is called in its 2rim"rdial stateI A5 /6sa, is an in/isible material element
2er/ading all s2ace. !"ndensed by the "rganising 2"$er "3 the s"ul, it cl"thes the 3"rms "3 the latter and
renders them /isible "n the 2hysical 2lane.
By the interacti"n "3 the three 2rim"rdial elements, .2irit, ."ul, and Matter, 3"ur intermediate links
bec"me mani3est, and these 3"ur added t" the three 3"rmer re2resent se/en 2rinci2les.
These three, res2ecti/ely se/en 2rinci2les, must n"t be su22"sed t" e1ist se2arately4 they are se/en
as2ects "3 "ne element, in the same sense as the se/en n"tes "3 "ne "cta/e are se/en m"di3icati"ns "3
"ne 9Page 10: /ibrati"n 2r"ducing s"und. Man is a unity4 but als" a trinity "3 e12ressi"n, ca2able t" enter
3"ur distinct states "3 c"nsci"usness and e1istence, a c"m2"und "3 3"ur elements 5"ined t" the 3i3th One
*lement, making him a harm"ni"us acc"rd "3 3i/e n"tes. He may als" be regarded as a mani3estati"n "3
three higher and three l"$er 2"$ers, in $hich the unmani3ested se/enth is t" bec"me mani3est. <ll these
di/isi"ns are legitimate and n"t arbitrary4 because they are based u2"n the acti"n "3 natural certain la$s.

3$ ,
The element of Matter# A'ksa# re;resented ! "EarthE$
($ ,B The comination of Matter and Soul# kno<n as the ,stral Bod!# a miGture of
='arth and WaterE$
)$ B The Soul# kno<n as the animal ;rinci;le in man# re;resented ! =WaterE$
-$ ,BC The Essence of Life# a comination of Matter# Soul# and S;irit# ='arth# Water#
and FireE$
2$ ,C
The Mind# a comination of Matter and S;irit# or ='arth and FireE Hthe
;rinci;le of Intellectualit! I$
/$ BC The Spiritual Soul# a comination of Soul and ;ure S;irit# or =Water and
FireE Hthe ;rinci;le of S;iritual IntelligenceI$
0$
C
Pure S;irit or = FireE$ 9The Sanskrit terms for the se@en ;rinci;les are: 3#
PracritiJ (# LingsariraJ )$ Damaru;aJ -# ?i@aJ 2# ManasJ /# BuddhiJ 0$ ,tma$ F
See =Fi@e 6ears of Theoso;h!E# ;$ 32)$ :
The di/isi"ns ad"2ted by Paracelsus and in 0Esoteric BuddhismA are nearly identical $ith the ab"/e: +.
The 2hysical b"dy. -. =itality HMumiaI. G. <stral B"dy H.idereal b"dyI. ). <nimal ."ul. 6. >ntellectual ."ul.
%. .2iritual ."ul. HThe man "3 the ne$ "lym2usI. (. .2irit.
Page )(
>t is said that this di/isi"n $as als" kn"$n t" the ancient Fe$s, and that the Hebre$ <l2habet, c"nsisting
"3 -- letters, $as made $ith re3erence t" it4 because the three in seven states 2r"duces t%elve symb"ls,
and GP(P+- Q --. 9Page 11:
This se/en3"ld di/isi"n "3 2rinci2les, re2resenting the c"nstituti"n "3 man as $ell as that "3 the 7ni/erse
as $h"le, $as als" kn"$n t" the ancient *gy2tians, and described as 3"ll"$s C
I$ chat$ The material od!$
II$ as HheartI
and
nif HreathI
Ph!sical life$
III$ Da$ The astral od! HPersonalit!I$
I5$ a$ Will$ HDamaI The centre$
5$ a$ Soul HManasI$
5I$ chai$ The shado< of the s;irit HBuddhiI$
5II$ chu$ The s;irit H,tmaI$
The ancient <lchemists re2resented the same ideas by the symb"ls "3 the se/en 2lanetsC

Saturn# The material element$
?u;iter# Po<er or Life$
Mars# Will# Strength$
Sun# The centreJ the source of all ;lanets$
5enus# Lo@e$ In its lo<er as;ect desire$
Mercur!# Mind# Intelligence$
Moon S;iritualit!$
The Bualities "3 these 2"$ers di33er in their c"mbinati"n acc"rding t" the 2re2"nderating in3luence "3 "ne
"/er an"ther4 and this causes their as2ects t" be either g""d "r e/il. Thus these as2ects are bad as
3"ll"$s C
Page )&
>3 s2irituality RM""nS is "/erruled by materiality R.aturnS
>3 the mind RMercuryS is d"minated by blind 3"rce [Fu2iter]
>3 l"/e R=enusS is "/erruled by 2assi"n RMarsS .
>3 the c"ntrary is the case, their as2ects are g""d.
The sun "ccu2ies the centre "3 these 2lanets4 it is their 2arent, and n"t d"minated by any "3 them.
9Page 1.:
.ane Leade als" ad"2ts a se/en3"ld di/isi"n "3 2rinci2les4 but in a re/ersed "rder C

3$ Spirit The <ord$ The creator$
($ Wind The reath or the life$
)$ Water Coagulated <ind HsoulI$
-$ Light Intelligence$
2$ Heaven The astral <orld$
/$ Air Ph!sical life$
0$ Earth The matriG or centre$
T" these se/en 2rinci2les c"rres2"nd 3"ur 2lanes "3 e1istence "r states "3 c"nsci"usness4 namely C
>. The ph!sical %orld0
>>. The astral %orld.
>>>. The spiritual %orld.
>=. The divine plane o existence.
*ach "3 these $"rlds has its "$n state "3 being, and each 3"rm in either "3 them c"ntains all the ab"/e'
named se/en 2rinci2les, $hich are 3undamentally "ne and inse2arable4 "nly $ith this di33erence, that
acc"rding t" the 2lane in $hich a 3"rm e1ists, s"me "3 these 2rinci2les are acti/e $hile "thers are latent.
Thus in a st"ne "r a tree the higher 2rinci2les are entirely latent and as i3 n"n'e1istent, $hile in "ne "3 the
higher 2lane the higher 2rinci2les are al"ne mani3est $hile the l"$er "nes ha/e ceased t" mani3est any
acti/ity. The 3"ll"$ing table may gi/e an a22r"1imate illustrati"n "3 this the"ry. The 2r"minently acti/e
2rinci2les are 2rinted in larger, and the less acti/e "nes in smaller, ty2e4 $hile th"se that are still latent, "r
ha/e bec"me s", are encl"sed in brackets.
Page ),
Physical ?ature. <stral Plane. De/achan.
PH6SIC,L M,TT'*$ HPhysical matter.I HPhysical matter.I
PHO.>!<# #>F* . HPhysical li3e.I HPhysical li3e.I
Astral lie0 ,ST*,L LIF'$ H<stral li3e.I
Kama li3e. K<M< #>F*. HKama li3e.I

#"$er Manas. Lo%er #anas. H#"$er Manas.I
HHigher Manas.I HHigher Manas.I HI8H'* M,&,S$
HBuddhi.I HBuddhi.I B7DDH>
H<tma.I H<tma.I Atma0
9Page .4: The 2r"2"rti"n "3 acti/ities "3 c"urse di33er in indi/idual cases. There are many /ariati"ns.
72"n this earth all the se/en 2rinci2les may bec"me mani3ested in man4 he may li/e alternati/ely "r
successi/ely, in either "ne "3 these 3"ur states "3 c"nsci"usness4 his s2irit bel"ngs t" :"d, his mind t"
hea/en, his desires t" the s"ul "3 the $"rld, and his b"dy t" earth. <3ter death the l"$er 2rinci2les
bec"me inacti/e and he m"/es u2$ards "n the scale "3 being in 2r"2"rti"n as he has bec"me attuned t"
it during his li3e.
What are the c"nditi"ns "3 the divine state "3 being $e d" n"t kn"$ n"r care t" s2eculate ab"ut it. @ur
"b5ect "ught t" be t" attain it rather than t" $"rry "ur brains in seeking t" grati3y "ur scienti3ic curi"sity in
regard t" it. >t might be su22"sed that in this 2lane "nly the Buddhi" Atma, and the highest essence "3 the
#anas is acti/e4 but Fac"b B"ehme tells us, that 0all the Seven Spirits o *od are b"rn "ne in an"ther4
"ne gi/es birth t" the "ther and there is neither 3irst n"r lastA. 0They are all se/en eBually eternalA4 90The
li3e and d"ctrines "3 Fac"b B"ehmeA, 2. (G. : and 3urtherm"re he describes that the third 2rinci2le
rea22ears in the se/enth4 and that therein c"nsists the 0resurrecti"n "3 the 3leshA, 9 0The li3e and
d"ctrines "3 Fac"b B"ehmeA, 2. &).: $hich causes a divine being t" be 8 n"t an unsubstantial s2irit 8 but
2"ssessing the 0B"dy "3 :"dA. 0>n the se/enth 3"rm all the "ther 3"rms "3 nature mani3est their acti/ityA4
the element "3 earth there3"re mani3ests itsel3 again "n a higher "cta/e, and this $ill gi/e us a key t" the
understanding "3 the meaning "3 the $"rds "3 .t. Paul, $hen he s2eaks "3 a b"dy 0that has been s"$ed
in c"rru2ti"n and is raised in gl"ryA4 but $hich is surely n"t the astral 3"rm "3 a gh"st.9+ !"r. i. 6. :
<ll 3"rms are the e12ressi"n "3 either "ne "r m"re "3 these elementary 2rinci2les, and e1ist as l"ng as
their res2ecti/e 2"$ers are acti/e in them. They are n"t necessarily /isible, because their /isibility
de2ends "n their 2"$er t" re3lect light. >n/isible gases may be 9Page .3: s"lidi3ied by 2ressure and c"ld,
and rendered /isible and tangible, and the m"st s"lid substances may be made in/isible and intangible
by the a22licati"n "3 heat. The 2r"ducts "3 c"smic th"ught are n"t all /isible t" the 2hysical eye, $e see
"nly th"se $hich are "n "ur 2lane "3 e1istence.
<ll b"dies ha/e their in/isible s2heres. Their /isible s2heres are limited by the 2eri2hery "3 their /isible
3"rms4 their in/isible s2heres e1tend 3arther int" s2ace. Their s2heres cann"t be al$ays detected by
Page 6K
2hysical instruments, but they ne/ertheless e1ist, and under certain c"nditi"ns their e1istence can be
2r"/ed t" the senses. The s2here "3 an "d"ri3er"us b"dy can be 2ercei/ed by the "rgan "3 smell, the
s2here "3 a magnet by the a22r"ach "3 ir"n, the s2here "3 a man "r an animal by that m"st delicate "3 all
instruments, the sensiti/e s"ul.
These s2heres are the magnetic, cal"ric, "dic, lumin"us auras and "ther emanati"ns bel"nging t" e/ery
"b5ect in s2ace. .uch an emanati"n may s"metimes be seen as the Aurora Borealis in the 2"lar regi"ns
"3 "ur 2lanet, "r as the 2h"t"s2here "3 the sun during an ecli2se. The 0gl"ryA ar"und the head "3 a saint
is n" 2"etical 3icti"n, n" m"re than the s2here "3 li3e radiating 3r"m a 2reci"us st"ne. <s each sun has its
system "3 2lanets re/"l/ing ar"und it, s" each b"dy is surr"unded by smaller centres "3 energy e/"l/ing
3r"m the c"mm"n centre, and 2artaking "3 the attributes "3 that centre. !"22er, !arb"n, and <rsenic, 3"r
instance, send "ut auras "3 red4 #ead and .ul2hur emit blue c"l"urs4 :"ld, .il/er, and <ntim"ny, green4
and >r"n emits all the c"l"urs "3 the rainb"$. Plants, animals, and men emit similar c"l"urs acc"rding t"
their characteristics4 2ers"ns "3 a high and s2iritual character ha/e beauti3ul auras "3 $hite and blue, g"ld
and green, in /ari"us tints4 $hile l"$ natures emit 2rinci2ally dark red emanati"ns, $hich in brutal and
/ulgar "r /illain"us 2ers"ns darken alm"st t" black, and the c"llecti/e auras "3 b"dies "3 men "r 2lants "r
animals, "3 cities and c"untries, c"rres2"nd t" their 2red"minant characteristics, s" that a 2ers"n $h"se
sense "3 2erce2ti"n is su33iciently de/el"2ed may 9Page .(: see the state "3 the intellectual and m"ral
de/el"2ment "3 a 2lace "r a c"untry by "bser/ing the s2here "3 its emanati"ns.
These s2heres e12and 3r"m the centre, and their 2eri2hery gr"$s in 2r"2"rti"n t" the intensity "3 the
energy acting $ithin the centre. We kn"$ the s2here "3 a r"se by the "d"ur that 2r"ceeds 3r"m the latter
i3 $e ha/e the 2"$er t" smell, $e kn"$ the character "3 the mind "3 a man i3 $e enter the s2here "3 his
th"ughts.
The Buality "3 2sychic emanati"ns de2ends "n the state "3 acti/ity "3 the centre 3r"m $hich they
"riginate. They are symb"ls "3 the states "3 the s"ul "3 each 3"rm, they indicate the state "3 the em"ti"ns.
*ach em"ti"n c"rres2"nds t" a certain c"l"ur. #"/e c"rres2"nds t" blue, Desire t" red, Bene/"lence t"
green, and these c"l"urs may induce c"rres2"nding em"ti"ns in "ther s"uls. Blue has a s""thing e33ect,
and may tranBuillize a maniac "r subdue a 3e/er4 ;ed e1cites t" 2assi"n, a steer $ill bec"me 3uri"us at
the sight "3 a red cl"th, and an unreas"ning m"b bec"me in3uriated at the sight "3 bl""d. This chemistry
"3 the s"ul is n"t any m"re $"nder3ul than the 3acts kn"$n in 2hysical chemistry, and these 2r"cesses
take 2lace acc"rding t" the same la$ $hich causes !hl"ride "3 .il/er t" turn 3r"m $hite int" black i3
e12"sed t" light.
The th"ughts "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind e12ressed in matter "n the ph!sical plane c"m2rise all the 3"rms "3
the mineral, /egetable, and animal kingd"ms "n *arth, described by 2hysical science. *ach material
3"rm c"ntains $ithin itsel3 its ethereal c"unter2art, $hich $ill, under certain c"nditi"ns, se2arate itsel3
3r"m the m"re material 2art, "r be e1tracted there3r"m by the hands "3 an <de2t. These astral 2arts may
be recl"thed $ith c"ndensed < 9kDsa and be rendered /isible, and in this $ay an "b5ect can be du2licated
by him $h" kn"$s h"$ t" mani2ulate these in/isible 3"rces. 9<. P. .innett: 4The Occult -orld80 :
.uch astral 3"rms e1ist a3ter their material 3"rms ha/e decayed4 the astral 3"rms "3 the dead may be seen
by the clair/"yant h"/ering "/er the gra/es, bearing the resemblance "3 the "nce li/ing man. They may
be arti3icially in3used $ith li3e and $ith a b"rr"$ed c"nsci"usness, and made use "3 in the 2ractices "3
Page 6+
3ecromanc! and Blac/ #agic, "r be attracted t" 0s2iritual sTances t" re2resent the s2irits "3 the dead.
There are 2ers"ns in $h"m this 2rinci2le 8 either in c"nseBuence "3 c"nstituti"nal 2eculiarities "r in
c"nseBuence "3 disease 8 is n"t /ery 3irmly united $ith the 2hysical b"dy, and may bec"me se2arated
3r"m it 3"r a sh"rt 2eri"d. 9This intimate relati"n "3 the astral 3"rm and the 2hysical b"dy is "3ten illustrated
at s"'called e12"sures "3 0s2iritual mediums. >3 a materialized 3"rm is s"iled by ink "r s""t, the c"l"uring
matter $ill a3ter$ards be 3"und "n the c"rres2"nding 2art "3 the medium9s b"dy, because, $hen the
astral 3"rm re'enters that b"dy, it $ill lea/e the s"iling matter "n the c"rres2"nding 2arts "3 the latter. :
.uch 2ers"ns are suitable 0mediumsA 3"r s"'called spirit$materialisations, their ethereal c"unter2arts
a22ear se2arated 3r"m their b"dies and assume the /isible 3"rm "3 s"me 2ers"n either li/ing "r dead. >t
recei/es its ne$ mask by the unc"nsci"us "r c"nsci"us th"ughts "3 the 2ers"ns 2resent, by the
re3lecti"ns thr"$n "ut 3r"m their mem"ries and minds, "r it may be made t" re2resent "ther characters
by in3luences in/isible t" the 2hysical eye.
<s the brain is the central "rgan 3"r the circulati"n "3 ner/e'3luid, and as the heart is the "rgan 3"r the
circulati"n "3 the bl""d, s" the s2leen is the "rgan 3r"m $hich the astral elements dra$ their /itality, and
in certain diseases, $here the acti"n "3 the s2leen is im2eded, this 0d"ubleA "3 a 2ers"n may in/"luntarily
se2arate itsel3 3r"m the b"dy. >t is n"thing /ery unusual that a sick 2ers"n 3eels 0as i3 he $ere n"t
himsel3A, "r as i3 an"ther 2ers"n $as lying in the same bed $ith him, and that he himsel3 $ere that "ther.
.uch cases "3 0D"22elgaengersA, Wraiths, <22ariti"ns, :h"sts, c., caused by the se2arati"n "3 the
#ingasarira 3r"m the 2hysical 3"rm can be 3"und in many $"rks treating "3 mystic 2hen"mena "ccurring
in nature.9<d"l2he D9 <ssier4 0#9humanitT 2"sthumeA :
7sually these astral 3"rms are $ith"ut c"nsci"usness and $ith"ut any li3e "3 their "$n4 but they may be
9Page .-: 9The st"ries "3 3akirs $h" ha/e been buried ali/e 3"r m"nths and resurrected a3ter$ards might
here be used as illustrati"n. They are t"" $ell kn"$n t" need re2etiti"n in this 2lace. M"re"/er,
2hen"mena, h"$e/er $ell attested they may be, can ne/er stand in the 2lace "3 kn"$ledge4 they 3urnish
n" e12lanati"n "3 the mysteri"us la$s "3 nature. The "ccurrence "3 2hen"mena 2r"/es n"thing but that
they "ccur. ;eal kn"$ledge is ne/er attained by the "bser/ati"n "3 e1ternal 2hen"mena, it can "nly be
attained by understanding the la$. :
But there are als" many 3"rms $h"se natural h"me is the astral 2lane, "3 $hich 2hysical science d"es
n"t kn"$, because they can be seen "nly by means "3 the astral 2erce2ti"n, a 3aculty $hich is at 2resent
in 2"ssessi"n "3 "nly c"m2arati/ely 3e$ 2ers"ns. The astral 2lane has, like the 2hysical 2lane, its
mineral, /egetable, and animal kingd"m, its 3"ur elements4 and as in "ur $"rld the earth, the air, and the
sea ha/e their inhabitants, s" in the astral $"rld there are inhabitants, the Spirits o 3ature, t" be 3"und in
the elements "3 the earth, air, $ater, and 3ire. They are all the 2r"duct "3 "riginally sha2eless ideas,
e1isting in the 7ni/ersal Mind, c"ndensed int" "rganised 3"rms by the creati/e 2"$er "3 nature4 /isible
and "b5ecti/e t" each "ther as l"ng as they e1ist "n the same 2lane.
>ndi/idual 3"rms "n that 2lane "3ten make their 2resence 3elt t" men "r animals, but under "rdinary
circumstances they cann"t be seen. They may, h"$e/er, be seen by the clair/"yant, and under certain
c"nditi"ns, e/en assume /isible and tangible sha2es. Their b"dies are "3 an elastic semi'material
essence, ethereal en"ugh s" as n"t t" be detected by the 2hysical sight, and they change their 3"rms
acc"rding t" certain la$s. Bul$er #ytt"n says: 0#i3e is "ne all'2er/ading 2rinci2le, and e/en the thing that
Page 6-
seems t" die and 2utre3y but engenders ne$ li3e and changes t" 9Page .2: ne$ 3"rms "3 matter.
;eas"ning then by anal"gy 8 i3 n"t a lea3, i3 n"t a dr"2 "3 $ater, but is n" less than y"nder star 8 a
habitable and breathing $"rld 8 c"mm"n sense $"uld su33ice t" teach that the circum3luent >n3inite, $hich
y"u call s2ace 8 the b"undless >m2al2able $hich di/ides the earth 3r"m the m""n and stars 8 is 3illed
als" $ith its c"rres2"ndent and a22r"2riate li3eA.
<nd 3urther "n he says: 0>n the dr"2 "3 $ater y"u see animalcule /ary4 h"$ /ast and terrible are s"me "3
these m"nster'mites as c"m2ared $ith "thers. *Bually s" $ith the inhabitants "3 the atm"s2here. ."me
"3 sur2assing $isd"m, s"me "3 h"rrible malignity4 s"me h"stile as 3iends t" man4 "thers gentle as
messengers bet$een *arth and Hea/enA. 9Bul$er #ytt"n4 0Jan"niA:
@ur ign"rant and there3"re sce2tical age is accust"med t" admire in such descri2ti"ns the 3ancy "3 the
$riter , ne/er sus2ecting that they $ere intended t" c"n/ey a truth4 but there are many $itnesses t"
testi3y that such in/isible but substantial and /ari"usly sha2ed beings e1ist, and that they, by the
educated $ill "3 man, can be made c"nsci"us, intelligent, /isible, and e/en use3ul t" man. This asserti"n
is su22"rted by the testim"ny 3"und in the $ritings "3 ;"sicrucians, !abbalists, <lchemists, and <de2ts,
as $ell as in the ancient b""ks "3 $isd"m "3 the *ast and in the Bible "3 the !hristians.
.uch e1istences are, h"$e/er, n"t necessarily 2ers"nal beings. They may be im2ers"nal 3"rces,
acBuiring 3"rm, and li3e, and c"nsci"usness by their c"ntact $ith man. The *nomes and S!lphes, the
Undines and Salamanders, d" n"t entirely bel"ng t" the realm "3 3able, alth"ugh they are s"mething /ery
di33erent "3 $hat the ign"rant belie/e them t" be. H"$ insigni3icant and little a22ears indi/idual man in the
in3inity "3 the uni/erseL and yet there is "nly a c"m2arati/ely insigni3icant 2art "3 the uni/erse re/ealed t"
him by the senses. !"uld he see the $"rlds $ithin $"rlds ab"/e, beneath, and e/ery$here, s$arming
$ith beings $h"se e1istence he d"es n"t sus2ect, $hile they, 2erha2s, kn"$ n"thing "3 his e1istence, he
$"uld be "/er$helmed $ith terr"r and seek 3"r a g"d t" 2r"tect him4 and yet there are n"ne "3 these
beings higher "r as 2"$er3ul as the s2iritual man $h" has learned t" kn"$ his 2"$ers.9.ee
0Theophrastus ParacelsusA, cha2ter /:
The beings "3 the spiritual plane are such as ha/e "nce been men, their c"nstituti"n is bey"nd the
c"m2rehensi"n "3 th"se that are n"t their eBuals, and their ethereal 3"rms in a state "3 2er3ecti"n $e
cann"t c"ncei/e. .till higher beings, ha/ing "utgr"$n the necessity "3 mani3esting themsel/es in a 3"rm,
enter the state "3 the 3"rmless. We may l""k u2"n a 2ers"nal man as a single n"te in the great "rchestra
c"m2"sing the $"rld, and u2"n a 'h!an Chohan 9."n "3 Wisd"m HPlanetary s2iritI : as a 3ull acc"rd "r a
c"m2"und "3 n"tes in the sym2h"ny "3 the g"ds. There may be unharm"ni"us c"m2"siti"ns "3 n"tes in
music, and there are e/il s2iritualities as there is darkness in c"ntradistincti"n t" light.
The sur3ace realm "3 the ."ul is the realm "3 the em"ti"ns. *m"ti"ns are n"t merely the results "3
2hysi"l"gical 2r"cesses de2ending "n causes c"ming 3r"m the 2hysical 2lane, but they bel"ng t" a 3"rm
"3 li3e "n the astral 2lane, they c"me and g" $ith"ut any kn"$n cause. The state "3 the $eather, "r
circumstances "/er $hich $e ha/e n" c"ntr"l, cause certain em"ti"ns. < 2ers"n entering a r""m $here
e/ery"ne is laughing is liable t" 2artici2ate in the laughter $ith"ut kn"$ing the cause "3 the hilarity4 a
$h"le cr"$d may be s$ayed by the intense em"ti"n "3 a s2eaker, alth"ugh they may n"t e/en
understand $hat he says4 "ne hysterical $"man may create an e2idemic "3 hysteria am"ng "ther
$"men, and a $h"le c"ngregati"n may bec"me e1cited by the harangue "3 an em"ti"nal e1h"rter, n"
Page 6G
matter $hether his language is 3""lish "r $ise. < sudden accumulati"n "3 em"ti"n "r energy "n the astral
2lane can kill a 2ers"n as Buickly as a sudden e12l"si"n "3 2"$der. We hear "3 2ers"ns $h" $ere
0trans3i1ed by terr"rA "r 02aralysed by 3earA. >n such cases the astral c"nsci"usness ha/ing bec"me
abn"rmally acti/e at the e12ense "3 the c"nsci"usness "n the 2hysical 2lane, the acti/ity "3 li3e "n the
2hysical 2lane ceases $hen the a33ected 2ers"n 3aints "r dies. 9Page .0:
<ll 3"rms c"me int" e1istence acc"rding t" certain la$s. The s"lar micr"sc"2e sh"$s h"$, in a s"luti"n
"3 salt, a centre "3 matter is 3"rmed, and h"$ t" that centre its kindred 3"rces are attracted, crystallising
ar"und it, and bec"ming s"lid and 3irm. *ach kind "3 salt 2r"duces the 2eculiar crystals that bel"ng t" its
class and n" "ther, h"$e/er "3ten the 2r"cess may be re2eated. >n the /egetable kingd"m the seed "3
"ne 2lant attracts t" itsel3 th"se 3"rces $hich it reBuires t" 2r"duce a 2lant resembling its 2arent4 the
seed "3 an a22le'tree can 2r"duce n"thing else but an a22le'tree, and an ac"rn can gr"$ int" n"thing
else but an "ak. The 2rinci2al characteristics "3 an animal $ill be th"se that bel"ng t" its 2arents, and the
e1ternal a22earance "3 a man $ill c"rres2"nd m"re "r less t" that "3 the race and 3amily in $hich he $as
b"rn.
<s e/ery mathematical 2"int in s2ace may de/el"2 int" a li/ing and c"nsci"us and /isible being, a3ter
"nce a certain centre "3 energy Ha germI has been 3"rmed, s" in the in/isible realm "3 the s"ul astral
3"rms may c"me int" e1istence, $here/er the necessary c"nditi"ns 3"r their gr"$th e1ist. >n the same
manner as a li/ing germ "n the 2hysical 2lane attracts matter 3"r its gr"$th, a 2sychic germ "n the astral
2lane causes t" crystallise ar"und a th"ught an in/isible but ne/ertheless substantial entity. <s the 3"rms
"n the 2hysical 2lane c"rres2"nd t" the characters "3 the germs, s" the 3"rms "n the astral 2lane are
e12ressi"ns "3 the characteristics "3 the 2re/ailing em"ti"ns "n that 2lane. They mani3est themsel/es
either in beauti3ul "r in h"rrible sha2es, because e/ery 3"rm is "nly the symb"l "r the e12ressi"n "3 the
character $hich it re2resents.
The animal 3"rms are e12ressi"ns "3 3"rces acting "n the animal 2lane. ."me ha/e a c"nsci"usness "3
their "$n and realise their e1istence, but under "rdinary circumstances they ha/e n" m"re intelligence
than animals, and cann"t act intelligently. They 3"ll"$ their blind attracti"n, as ir"n is attracted t" a
magnet, and $here/er they 3ind suitable c"nditi"ns 3"r their de/el"2ment, they are attracted thither. We
there3"re see that i3 an em"ti"n is n"t c"ntr"lled in the beginning 9Page .1: it gr"$s and bec"mes
unc"ntr"llable. ."me 2e"2le ha/e died "3 grie3 and s"me "thers "3 5"y.
But i3 these unintelligent 3"rms are in3used $ith the 2rinci2le "3 intelligence 2r"ceeding 3r"m man, they
bec"me intelligent and act in acc"rdance $ith the dictates "3 the master 3r"m $hich they recei/e their $ill
and intelligence, and $h" may em2l"y them 3"r g""d "r 3"r e/il. */ery em"ti"n that arises in man may
c"mbine $ith the astral 3"rces "3 nature and create a being, $hich may be 2ercei/ed, by 2ers"ns
2"ssessing higher 3aculties "3 2erce2ti"n, as an acti/e and li/ing entity. */ery sentiment $hich 3inds
e12ressi"n in $"rd "r acti"n calls int" e1istence a li/ing entity "n the astral 2lane. ."me "3 these 3"rms
are /ery enduring, acc"rding t" the intensity and durati"n "3 the th"ught that created them, $hile "thers
are the creati"ns "3 "ne m"ment and /anish in the ne1t.
There are numer"us cases "n rec"rd in $hich s"me 2ers"n "r "ther ha/ing c"mmitted s"me crime is
described as ha/ing been 2ersecuted 3"r years by s"me a/enging dem"n, $h" $"uld a22ear "b5ecti/ely
and disa22ear again. .uch dem"ns are the 2r"ducts "3 the in/"luntary acti"n "3 the imaginati"n "3 their
Page 6)
/ictims4 but they are ne/ertheless real t" them. 9< 2ers"n in Paris became insane and $as rem"/ed t"
an insane asylum in >taly, $here he raged and had t" be c"n3ined t" a s"litary cell. <3ter a $hile he
became suddenly $ell and $as 2ermitted t" return t" Paris. ."me m"nths a3ter$ards a re2"rt reached
him, that the cell $hich he had "ccu2ied in the asylum $as still haunted by his 0gh"stA. $hich c"ntinued
ra/ing and making a n"ise, and that this gh"st had been seen by many 2ers"ns. !uri"us t" see his "$n
0gh"stA the man returned t" >taly, $ent t" the asylum, sa$ his gh"st, and bec"ming again "bsessed $ith
it, remained insane t" the end "3 his li3e.: They may be called int" e1istence by mem"ry and rem"rse,
and their images e1isting in the mind, bec"me "b5ecti/e by 3ear, because 3ear is a re2ulsi/e 3uncti"n4 it
instincti/ely re2ulses the "b5ect "3 $hich a man is a3raid, and by re2elling the image 3r"m the centre
t"$ards the 2eri2hery "3 the s2here "3 mind, that image is rendered "b5ecti/e.
>nstances are kn"$n in $hich 2ers"ns ha/e been 9Page ..: dri/en t" suicide, h"2ing thereby t" esca2e
these 2ersecuting dem"ns. .uch dem"ns are said t" ha/e in s"me cases taken e/en a tangible 3"rm.
But $hether tangible "r intangible, the substance "3 $hich they are 3"rmed is merely a 2r"5ecti"n "3
substance "3 the 2ers"n t" $h"m they thus a22ear. They are, s" t" say, that 2ers"n himsel3. 9>n the
0#i/es "3 the .aintsA, and in the hist"ry "3 $itchcra3t, $e "3ten 3ind instances "3 the a22earance "3
0d"ublesA in /isible and e/en tangible 3"rms. .uch 2hen"mena take 2lace in mediumistic 2ers"ns, i3 by
c"ntrary em"ti"ns the Will bec"mes di/ided,acting in t$" di33erent directi"ns, and 2r"5ecting thereby t$"
3"rms4 3"r it is the Will "3 man that creates sub5ecti/e 3"rms, c"nsci"usly "r unc"nsci"usly, and under
certain c"nditi"ns they bec"me "b5ecti/e and /isible.
<s an illustrati"n "3 this la$ $e may cite 3r"m the Acta Sanctorum an e2is"de in the li3e "3 .aint D"minic.
He $as "nce called t" the bedside "3 a sick 2ers"n, $h" t"ld him that !hrist had a22eared t" him. The
saint ans$ered that this $as im2"ssible, and that the a22ariti"n had been 2r"duced by the de/il,
because "nly h"ly 2ers"ns c"uld ha/e an a22ariti"n "3 !hrist. <s he said s", a d"ubt as t" $hether the
a22ariti"n seen may n"t ha/e been a true "ne a3ter all, entered his mind, and immediately a di/isi"n "3
c"nsci"usness $as 2r"duced, $hich caused the d"uble "3 D"minic t" a22ear at the "ther side "3 the
2atient9s bed. The t$" D"minics $ere seen by the 2atient, and heard t" dis2ute $ith each "ther. and
$hile "ne D"minic asserted that the a22ariti"n had been the $"rk "3 the de/il. the "ther "ne maintained
that it $as the true !hrist. The t$" D"minics $ere s" e1actly identical, that the 2atient did n"t kn"$ $hich
"3 them $as the true saint and $hich "ne his image, and he c"uld n"t make u2 his mind $hat t" belie/e4
until at last the saint called u2"n :"d t" assist him, 8 that is t" say, he c"ncentrated his $ill2"$er again
$ithin himsel34 his c"nsci"usness became again a unity. and the 0d"ubleA disa22eared 3r"m /ie$.
<bsurd as such st"ries may a22ear t" "ur 0enlightened ageA, their absurdity ceases $hen the "ccult la$s
"3 nature, and the 3act "3 the 2"ssibilities "3 a double consciousness are underst""d.:
<n <de2t in a letter t" Mr .innett says:
0 */ery th"ught "3 man u2"n being e/"l/ed 2asses int" an"ther $"rld and bec"mes an acti/e entity by
ass"ciating itsel3 8 c"alescing, $e might term it 8 $ith an *lemental 8 that is t" say, $ith "ne "3 the semi'
intelligent 3"rces "3 the kingd"ms. >t sur/i/es as an acti/e intelligence 8 a creature "3 the mind9s begetting
8 3"r a l"nger "r sh"rter 2eri"d, 2r"2"rti"nate $ith the 9Page 344: "riginal intensity "3 the cerebral acti"n
$hich generated it. Thus, a g""d th"ught is 2er2etuated as an acti/e, bene3icent 2"$er, an e/il "ne as a
male3icent dem"n.<nd s" man is c"ntinually 2e"2ling his current in s2ace $ith the "33s2ring "3 his
Page 66
3ancies, desires, im2ulses, and 2assi"ns4 a current $hich re'acts u2"n any sensiti/e "r ner/"us
"rganisati"n $hich c"mes in c"ntact $ith it, in 2r"2"rti"n t" its dynamic intensity. ...The <de2t e/"l/es
these sha2es c"nsci"usly, "ther men thr"$ them "33 unc"nsci"uslyA. 9<. P. .innett: 4The Occult -orld28 :
This testim"ny is c"rr"b"rated by "ne c"ming 3r"m an"ther s"urce, and 2r"/ing that t" create sub5ecti/e
3"rms it is n"t necessary t" gi/e a distinct sha2e t" "ur th"ughts by the 2"$er "3 imaginati"n, but that
each state "3 3eeling "r sentiment may 3ind e12ressi"n in sub5ecti/e 3"rms, $hether "r n"t $e may be
c"nsci"us "3 their e1istence. < 3"rm is a state "3 mind, and a sentiment is a state "3 mind4 a sentiment
e12ressed $ill be re2resented by a c"rres2"nding 3"rm. 9Mr Whit$"rth, a clair/"yant, describes h"$ in
his y"uth, $hile seeing a :erman 2r"3ess"r 2er3"rm "n an "rgan, he n"ticed a h"st "3 a22earances
m"/ing ab"ut the keyb"ard 8 /eritable #illi2utian s2rites, 3airies, and gn"mes, ast"nishingly minute in
size, yet as 2er3ect in 3"rm and 3eatures as any "3 the larger 2e"2le in the r""m. He described them as
being di/ided int" se1es and cl"thed in a m"st 3antastic manner4 in 3"rm, a22earance, and m"/ement
they $ere in 2er3ect acc"rd $ith the theme.
">n the Buick measures, h"$ madly they danced, $a/ing their 2lumed hats and 3ans in /ery ecstasy, and
darting t" and 3r" inc"ncei/able ra2idity, $ith 3eet beating time in rain'like 2atter "3 acc"rdL Uuick as a
3lash, $hen the music changed t" the s"lemn cadence "3 a march 3"r the dead, the airy things /anished,
and in their 2lace came black r"bed gn"mes, dressed like c"$led m"nks, s"ur 3aced Puritans, "r mutes
in the black garb "3 a 3uneral 2r"cessi"nL .trangest "3 all, "n e/ery tiny 3ace $as e12ressed the
sentiment "3 the music, s" that > c"uld instantly understand the th"ught and 3eeling that $as intended t"
be c"n/eyed. >n a $ild burst "3 s"unding grie3 came a rush "3 m"thers, tear'eyed and $ith dishe/elled
hair, beating their breasts and $ailing 2i"us lamentati"ns "/er their dead l"/ed "nes. These $"uld be
3"ll"$ed by 2lumed knights $ith shield and s2ear, and h"st "3 3iery tr""2s, m"unted "r 3""t, red'handed
in the 3iery stri3e "3 bl""dy battle, as the clang "3 martial music came lea2ing 3r"m the keyb"ard, and
e/er, as each change br"ught its ne$ set "3 s2rites, the "ld "nes $"uld /anish int" the air as suddenly as
they had c"me. Whene/er a disc"rd $as struck, the tiny s2rite that a22eared $as s"me missha2en
creature, $ith limbs and dress a$ry, usually a hum2backed d$ar3, $h"se /"ice $as guttural and ras2ing,
and his e/ery m"/ement ungainly and disagreeable.
He then describes h"$ in his ri2er age he sa$ such 3airy'like beings c"ming 3r"m the li2s "3 2ers"ns
talking and $hich seemed in e/ery acti"n the /ery c"unter2art "3 the 3eeling c"n/eyed in the uttered
s2eech. >3 the $"rds $ere ins2ired by g""d sentiments, these 3igures $ere transcendentally beauti3ul4
bad sentiments 2r"duced h"rrid'l""king creatures4 hate $as e12ressed by hissing snakes and dark, 3iery
de/ils4 treacher"us $"rds 2r"duced 3igures beauti3ul in 3r"nt and disgusting and h"rrid behind4 $hile l"/e
2r"duced 3"rms sil/ery, $hite, and 3ull "3 beauty and harm"ny.
"@n "ne ne/er't"'be'3"rg"tten "ccasi"n > $as a 2ained $itness t" a scene "3 li/ing 3aithlessness "n "ne
side and a d"uble'3aced, treacher"us du2licity "n the "ther. < 3air y"ung girl and her de2arting l"/er had
met t" e1change greetings ere he $ent "n a distant 5"urney. *ach $"rd "3 hers ga/e 3"rth beauti3ul,
radiant 3airies4 but $hile the 3r"nt hal3 "3 each that $as turned t" the girl $as eBually 3air t" l""k u2"n, and
smiled $ith all the radiant seeming "3 undying a33ecti"n, the rear hal3 "3 each $as black and de/ilish, $ith
3iery snakes and red 3"rked t"ngues 2r"truding 3r"m their cruel li2s, as gleams "3 $icked cunning danced
in sneaking, side'l"ng glances 3r"m the c"rners "3 the hal3'cl"sed eyes. These dark backgr"unds "3 the
little 3igures $ere h"rrible t" l""k at, e/er shi3ting, d"dging, and seeming t" shut u2 $ithin themsel/es, as
they s"ught t" kee2 "nly bright and h"nest t"$ard the trusting girl, and h"ld the black dece2ti"n "ut "3
Page 6%
sight. <nd it $as n"ticeable that $hile a hal" "3 cl"udless radiance surr"unded the g""d "utside
seeming, a 2all "3 thick /a2"ur hung like a can"2y "3 unbr"ken gl""m ab"/e the "ther0$ 9;eligi"'
Phil"s"2hical F"urnal.: 9Page 343:
<ll 3"rms are mani3estati"ns "3 li3e, they ha/e n" li3e "3 their "$n4 3"r li3e is a uni/ersal 2"$er. They are
the creati"ns "3 th"ught'2"$er, acting u2"n the <9kDssa. The creati"ns "3 man are ke2t ali/e by the li3e'
2"$er that radiates int" them 3r"m the li3e'centre in man $h" is a g"d in that $"rld $hich he creates in
his mind4 his creatures are like shad"$s, /anishing $hen the 3"untain "3 light 3r"m $hich they drink is
e1hausted. When the 2sychical acti"n "3 man, that ga/e them li3e, ceases t" act, "r acts in an"ther
directi"n, they $ill disa22ear s""ner "r later, and in the same $ay the 3"rms "3 men disa22ear, $hen the
li3e c"ming 3r"m :"d is $ithdra$n. H"$e/er, as the c"r2se "3 a man d"es n"t diss"l/e immediately as
s""n as the 2rinci2le 9Page 34(: "3 li3e is de2arted, but decays sl"$ly "r ra2idly acc"rding t" their
m"lecular density and c"hesi"n, like$ise the astral 3"rms and mem"ries created by the th"ughts and
sentiments "3 man reBuire time 3"r their diss"luti"n. They c"ntinue t" e1ist as l"ng as man in3uses li3e
and c"nsci"usness int" them by his th"ught and his $ill, and i3 they ha/e "nce gained a certain am"unt
"3 2"$er, they may still cling t" him, alth"ugh he may n"t desire their c"m2ani"nshi2. They de2end "n
him 3"r their li3e, and the struggle 3"r e1istence 3"rces them t" remain $ith the s"urce 3r"m $hich they
dra$ their /itality. >3 they de2art 3r"m that 3"untain they die4 they are there3"re 3"rced t" remain, and, like
the 2hant"m created by 0FrankensteinA, they 2ersecute their creat"rs $ith their un$elc"me 2resence. T"
rid "nesel3 "3 such a 2resence, he $h" is 2ersecuted sh"uld direct the 3ull 2"$er "3 his as2irati"ns and
th"ughts int" an"ther and higher directi"n, and thereby star/e them t" death. >n this $ay the s2iritual
2rinci2le "3 e/ery man bec"mes his s2ecial ,edeemer, $h" by the trans3"rmati"n "3 character sa/es him
3r"m the e33ects "3 his sin, and be3"re $h"se 2ure light the illusi"ns created by the l"$er attracti"ns $ill
melt like the sn"$ under the in3luence "3 the sun.
*lemental 3"rms being the ser/ants "3 their creat"r C in 3act, his "$n sel3 8 may be used by him 3"r g""d
"r 3"r e/il 2ur2"ses. #"/e and hate creates sub5ecti/e 3"rms "3 beauti3ul "r "3 h"rrid sha2es, and being
in3used $ith c"nsci"usness, "btain li3e, and they may be sent "n s"me errand 3"r g""d "r 3"r e/il.
Thr"ugh them the magician blends his "$n li3e and c"nsci"usness $ith the 2ers"n he desires t" a33ect. <
l"ck "3 hair, a 2iece "3 cl"thing, "r s"me "b5ect that has been $"rn by the 2ers"n he desires t" a33ect,
3"rms a c"nnecting link. The same "b5ect can be attained i3 that 2ers"n is 2ut int" 2"ssessi"n "3 an
article bel"nging t" the magician, because $here/er a 2"rti"n "3 anything $ith $hich the magician $as
c"nnected e1ists, there $ill a 2art "3 his "$n elements e1ist, $hich $ill 3"rm a magnetic link bet$een him
and the 2ers"n $h"m he $ishes t" a33ect. >3 he 2r"5ects his astral 3"rm at a 9Page 34): distance, his
2ers"nality $ill be 2resent $ith his /ictim, alth"ugh the latter may n"t be able t" see it. 9#"rd #ytt"n,
0Jan"niA and 0.trange .t"ryA:
The astral image "3 a 2ers"n may be 2r"5ected c"nsci"usly "r unc"nsci"usly t" a distance. >3 he intensely
thinks "3 a certain 2lace, his th"ught $ill be there, and i3 his th"ught is s2iritual and c"nseBuently sel3'
c"nsci"us he $ill be there himsel3. Where/er a man9s c"nsci"usness is, there is the man himsel3, n"
matter $hether his 2hysical b"dy is there "r n"t.
The hist"ry "3 s2iritualism and s"mnambulism 3urnishes abundant e/idence that a 2ers"n may be
c"nsci"usly and kn"$ingly in "ne 2lace, $hile his 2hysical b"dy lies d"rmant in an"ther. Franciscus
Va/ier $as thus seen in t$" di33erent 2laces at "ne and the same time. #ike$ise <2"ll"nius "3 Tyana, and
innumerable "thers menti"ned in ancient and m"dern hist"ry.
Page 6(
The Elemental sent by a magician is a c"nstituting 2art "3 the magician himsel3, and i3 the /ictim is
/ulnerable "r mediumistic, the latter may be in5ured by the 3"rmer. But the astral 3"rm "3 the magician
may als" be in5ured by 2hysical 3"rce, and as the astral 3"rm re'enters the 2hysical b"dy, the latter $ill
2artake "3 the in5uries in3licted u2"n the 3"rmer.
The magician, $h", by the 2"$er "3 his $ill, has "btained c"ntr"l "/er the semi'intelligent 3"rces "3
?ature, can make use "3 these 3"rces 3"r the 2ur2"ses "3 g""d "r e/il. The hel2less medium, thr"ugh
$h"m mani3estati"ns "3 "ccult 2"$er take 2lace, can neither cause n"r c"ntr"l such mani3estati"ns. He
cann"t c"ntr"l the elementals, but is c"ntr"lled by them. The elements "3 his b"dy ser/e as instruments
thr"ugh $hich these astral e1istences act, a3ter the Medium has surrendered his $ill and gi/en u2 the
su2reme c"mmand "/er his s"ul. He sits 2assi/ely and $aits 3"r $hat these elementals may d"4 he
unc"nsci"usly 3urnishes them $ith his li3e and 2"$er t" think, and his th"ughts and the th"ughts "3 th"se
that are 2resent bec"me re3lected in these astral 3"rms, enabling them t" mani3est a22arently an
intelligence "3 their "$n. 9Page 34-:
< medium 3"r s2irit'mani3estati"ns is merely an instrument 3"r the mani3estati"n "3 in/isible 3"rces "/er
$hich he has n" c"ntr"l. The best "3 such mediums ha/e been /ery un5ustly blamed 3"r 0cheatingA. The
th"ughts "3 the 2ers"n /isiting a Medium, are re3lected by him. >t is there3"re n"t the Medium9s 2ers"n
that cheats 2ur2"sely, but his /isit"rs are cheating themsel/es thr"ugh his instrumentality. < mirr"r that
$"uld n"t re3lect all the "b5ects that are br"ught be3"re it, $"uld be a /ery unnatural and dece2ti/e thing4
a #edium $h" $"uld "nly re3lect such th"ughts as he "r she ch""ses t" re3lect $"uld be an im2"st"r, 3"r
e1ercising an intelligence "3 his "$n, he $"uld n"t be in that 2assi/e c"nditi"n $hich c"nstitutes his
mediumshi2.
The <de2t in Magic is n"t the sla/e "3 these 3"rces, but c"ntr"ls them by the 2"$er "3 his $ill. He
c"nsci"usly in3uses li3e and c"nsci"usness and intelligence int" them, and makes them act as he
2leases4 they "bey his c"mmand, because they are a 2art "3 himsel3. The s2iritualists d" this
unc"nsci"usly4 they sing at their sTances, thinking that the m"re the c"nditi"ns are harm"ni"us the better
$ill be the mani3estati"ns. The true reas"n 3"r this is, that the m"re the th"ughts "3 the sitters are in a
state "3 abstracti"n, the m"re they are 0absent'mindedA, the easier it $ill be 3"r the *lementals t" take
2"ssessi"n "3 them.
The astral elements used by the *lementals in s2iritual sTances 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 2r"ducing 2hysical
2hen"mena, are n"t "nly taken 3r"m the medium, but 3r"m all 2resent, $h"se c"nstituti"n is n"t str"ng,
and $h" may there3"re be easily /am2irized 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 3urnishing the reBuired elements. >n
sTances 3"r materiali9ations, they are als" taken 3r"m the cl"thing "3 th"se 2resent, and 3urnish material
3"r the dra2ery "3 the 0s2iritsA, and it has been "bser/ed, that the cl"thing $"rn by 2e"2le $h" 3reBuently
attend t" such sTances, $ears "ut s""ner than usual.
T" bring 3resh's2illed bl""d int" such 0s2iritual sTancesA, increases the strength "3 the 0materialisati"nsA
/ery much, and a kn"$ledge "3 such 3acts has gi/en rise t" s"me ab"minable 2ractices "3 blac/ magic,
$hich 9Page 342: are still g"ing "n in many 2arts "3 the $"rld, alth"ugh secretly and unkn"$n t" the 2ublic.
This kn"$ledge has als" und"ubtedly gi/en rise t" the sacri3ice "3 animals in the 2er3"rmance "3 religi"us
cerem"nies. < certain e1ecuti"ner $as un3"rtunately gi3ted $ith clair/"yance, and e/ery time a3ter ha/ing
deca2itated a 2ers"n he c"uld see the 0s2iritsA "3 dead 2e"2le 8 s"metimes e/en his 3riends and
Page 6&
relati/es 8 2"unce u2"n the 3resh's2illed bl""d "3 the criminal, and 3eed "n its emanati"n and aura. >t is
als" a 3act that, at a time $hen the bl""d'drinking mania in *ur"2e $as started by medical ign"rance,
s"me 2e"2le $h" 2ractised it became insane, and many became dem"ralised by it. 9@ne "3 the 3a/"urite
aids 3"r the materialism "3 s2""ks is the aura seminalis, $hich increases the 2"$er "3 gh"sts, elementals
and /am2ires 3"r assuming a substantial 3"rm. There are many curi"us 2ractices g"ing "n at such
sTances, $hich $e must 3"rbear t" describe. .ee 0The Lie and 'octrines o Theophrastus ParacelsusA
2ages %% and ,K
The astral remnant "3 man is $ith"ut 5udgment and reas"n, it g"es $here/er his instincts attract it, "r
$here/er ny unsatis3ied cra/ing im2els it t" g". >3 y"u $ish t" be haunted by the 0gh"stA "3 a man, attract
him by the 2"$er "3 desire. #ea/e s"me 2r"mise y"u made t" him un3ul3illed, and instincti/ely the astral
3"rm "3 the deceased $ill be attracted t" y"u t" seek its 3ul3illment, dra$n t" y"u by its "$n unsatis3ied
desire.
>t is n"t his 3ault i3 y"u d" n"t 2ercei/e his 2resence and hear his /"ice, it is because y"ur astral senses
are aslee2 and unc"nsci"us4 y"u may 3eel his 2resence and it may cause a 3eeling "3 de2ressi"n in y"ur
mind4 he s2eaks t" y"u, but in a language $hich y"u ha/e n"t yet learned t" understand. >n th"se
elementary remnants remains that $hich c"nstituted the l"$er nature "3 man, and i3 they are tem2"rarily
in3used $ith li3e, they $ill mani3est the l"$er characteristics "3 the deceased, such as ha/e n"t been
su33iciently re3ined t" 5"in his imm"rtal 2art. >3 a music'b"1 is set t" 2lay a certain mel"dy and made t"
start, it $ill 2r"duce that same mel"dy and n" "ther, alth"ugh it has n" c"nsci"usness "3 its "$n. The
remnant "3 em"ti"nal and intellectual 2"$ers in the 9Page 34/: astral remnant "3 man $ill, i3 this remnant is
made t" s2eak, bec"me mani3est in the same kind "3 language $hich the man during his li3e used t"
s2eak.
The 3resh c"r2se "3 a 2ers"n $h" has suddenly been killed, may be gal/anised int" a semblance "3 li3e
by the a22licati"n "3 a gal/anic battery. #ike$ise the astral c"r2se "3 a 2ers"n may be br"ught back int"
an arti3icial li3e by being in3used $ith a 2art "3 the li3e 2rinci2le "3 the medium. >3 that c"r2se is "ne "3 a
/ery intellectual 2ers"n, it may talk /ery intellectually4 and i3 it $as that "3 a 3""l, it $ill talk like a 3""l. The
intellectual acti"n resembles mechanical m"ti"n in s" 3ar, that i3 it is "nce set int" acti"n, it $ill c"ntinue
$ith"ut any s2ecial e33"rt "3 the $ill, until im2ulse is e1hausted. We "3ten see this in daily li3e. There are
"ld and y"ung 2e"2le 3reBuently seen, $h" are in the habit "3 telling s"me 3a/"urite st"ry, $hich they
ha/e already t"ld many times, and $hich they re2eat "n e/ery "ccasi"n. >t may be n"ticed, that $hen
such an "ne begins t" tell his st"ry, it is "3 n" use t" tell him that "ne kn"$s it already. He has t" 3inish
the st"ry ne/ertheless.
<n "rat"r "r a 2reacher d"es n"t need t" think and reas"n ab"ut each $"rd he utters. When the stream
"3 ideas "nce 3l"$s, it 3l"$s $ith"ut any e33"rt "3 $ill. >3 li3e 3r"m a medium 3l"$s int" the astral brain "3 a
deceased 2ers"n, that brain $ill elab"rate its latent ideas in the same $ay it $as accust"med t" d"
during li3e.
We als" reas"n $hile $e dream4 $e dra$ l"gical c"nclusi"ns during "ur slee24 but reas"n is absent, and
alth"ugh, $hile $e dream, "ur l"gic seems t" be reas"nable, ne/ertheless $e "3ten see that it $as
3""lish, $hen $e a$ake and "ur reas"n returns.
Page 6,
The mental "rganism "3 man resembles a cl"ck$"rk, $hich i3 it is "nce set int" "2erati"n $ill c"ntinue t"
run until its 3"rce is e1hausted4 but there is n" cl"ck$"rk $hich $inds itsel3 u2 $ith"ut e1trane"us
assistance, and there is n" mental "rganism able t" think $ith"ut a 2"$er that causes it t" begin the
2r"cess "3 intellectuati"n.
But here $e must dra$ the attenti"n t" "ne "3 the 9Page 340: many dangers "3 that amusement called the
2ractice "3 s2iritism.
>n a de2arted s"ul the attracti"n "3 g""d and e/il still c"ntinues t" act, until the 3inal se2arati"n "3 the
higher and the l"$er takes 2lace. >t may 3"ll"$ the attracti"n "3 the higher 2rinci2les and be attracted t"
0hea/enA, "r again c"me int" c"ntact $ith matter thr"ugh the instrumentality "3 mediumshi2, take again
2art in the $hirling dance "3 li3e, th"ugh by /icari"us "rgans4 3"ll"$ "nce m"re the seducti"n "3 the
senses, and l"se entirely sight "3 the imm"rtal sel3.
>t is there3"re n"t merely danger"us t" a 2ers"n t" h"ld interc"urse $ith the 0s2irits "3 the de2artedA4 but
it is es2ecially in5uri"us t" the latter, 8 as l"ng as the 3inal se2arati"n "3 their l"$er 2rinci2les 3r"m the
higher "nes has n"t yet taken 2lace. 3ecromanc! is a /ile art, and s" has there3"re al$ays been
abh"rred. >t may disturb the bliss3ul dreams "3 the slee2ing s"ul, $hich as2ires t" a higher state "3
e1istence. >t is like disturbing the 2eace "3 a saint during his h"urs "3 meditati"n, "r t" seduce a child. >t is
a ste2 t"$ards degradati"n4 and as e/ery im2ulse has a tendency t" re2eat itsel3, the m"st terrible
c"nseBuences may 3"ll"$ a3ter $hat seemed t" be at 3irst merely s"me inn"cent amusement.
These astral remnants are used by the black magician and by the elemental 3"rces in nature 3"r the
2ur2"se "3 e/il. >3 they are unc"nsci"us, they $ill "nly ser/e as the blind instruments "3 the latter4 i3 they
are c"nsci"us he may enter int" an alliance and c"'"2erate $ith them.
.uch alliance, either c"nsci"usly "r unc"nsci"usly "n the 2art "3 him $h" enters int" such an unspiritual
interc"urse, may take 2lace bet$een an e/il'dis2"sed 2ers"n and a /ery e/il inhabitant "3 the s2iritual
2lane. Many 2e"2le $h" are in actual 2"ssessi"n "3 2"$ers t" $"rk blac/ magic, $"rk e/il
unc"nsci"usly4 that is t" say, they are unc"nsci"us "3 the e33ects $hich their $ill 2r"duces, and "3 the
m"de in $hich it acts. The s2iritual 3"rce created by hate enters the "rganism "3 an"ther, and the 2ers"n
3r"m $h"m the e/il 2"$er 2r"ceeds may be entirely ign"rant "3 it. .uch blac/ 9Page 341: magicians
unc"nsci"usly 3urnish the elements by $hich their "$n e/il s2irit acts. >3 the $ill "3 a black magician is n"t
str"ng en"ugh t" e33ect his e/il 2ur2"se, the 3"rce $ill. return and kill the magician. This is und"ubtedly
true, and the gr"ssest illustrati"n "3 it is, i3 a 2ers"n by a 3it "3 rage "r 5eal"usy is induced t" kill himsel3. >t
is the reacti"n 3"ll"$ing an un3ul3illed desire, $hich induces the rash act4 the act is merely a result "3 his
2re/i"us mental state.
The surest 2r"tecti"n against all the 2ractices "3 black magic, $hether they are caused c"nsci"usly "r
unc"nsci"usly, is t" acBuire strength "3 character 8 in "ther $"rds, aith in the di/ine 2"$er $ithin "ne9s
"$n s"ul.
<s man bec"mes enn"bled, the l"$er elements in his c"nstituti"n are thr"$n "33 and re2laced by higher
Page %K
"nes, and in a similar manner a trans3"rmati"n takes 2lace in the "22"site $ay i3 he degrades himsel3 by
his th"ughts and acts. .ensual man attracts 3r"m the <9kDsa th"se elements that his sensuality reBuires,
3"r gr"ss 2leasures can "nly be 3elt by gr"ss matter. < man $ith brutal instincts gr"$ing and increasing
degrades himsel3 int" a brute in character, i3 n"t in e1ternal 3"rm. But as the 3"rm is "nly an e12ressi"n "3
character, e/en that 3"rm may c"me t" a22r"ach an animal in resemblance.
The 2r""3 "3 this asserti"n is seen e/ery day, 3"r $e meet e/ery day in the streets brutish men, $h"se
animal instincts are "nly t"" $ell e12ressed in their e1ternal 3"rms. We meet $ith human snakes, h"gs,
$"l/es, and th"se u2"n $h"m alc"h"l has stam2ed his seal, and it d"es n"t need the instructi"ns gi/en
in b""k "n 2hysi"gn"my t" enable alm"st anyb"dy t" read the character "3 certain 2ers"ns m"re "r less
c"rrectly e12ressed in their e1teri"r 3"rms.
>n the 2hysical 2lane the inertia "3 matter is greater than in the astral 2lane, and c"nseBuently its
changes are sl"$. <stral matter is m"re acti/e, and changes its 3"rm m"re ra2idly. The astral b"dy "3 a
man $h"se character resembled an animal $ill there3"re a22ear t" the seer as an animal in its "ut$ard
e12ressi"n.9*. .$edenb"rg: 0Hea/en and HellA: 9Page 34.:
The astral 3"rm "3 an e/il 2ers"n may a22ear in an animal sha2e i3 it is s" 3illed $ith brutish instincts as t"
bec"me identi3ied $ith the image "3 that animal $hich is the e12ressi"n "3 such instincts. >t may e/en
enter the 3"rm "3 an animal and "bsess it, and it s"metimes ha22ens that it enters such 3"rms 3"r its "$n
2r"tecti"n against immediate dec"m2"siti"n and death.
>t $"uld be easy t" gi/e anecd"tes illustrating instances in $hich such things t""k 2lace.9F"r e1am2les.
see :"erres: 0!hristian MysticismA4 Ma1imillian Perty: 0Mystic 2hen"mena in ?atureA4 D9 <ssier:
0P"stumus HumanityA4 !atharine !r"$e: 0?ightside "3 ?atureA4 Hardinge Britten: 0Hist"ry "3 .2iritualismA4
H. P. Bla/atsky: ">sis 7n/eiledA, etc.,etc.. : The 2rinci2al "b5ect "3 the reader sh"uld be t" learn t" kn"$
the nature "3 his "$n c"nstituti"n and the la$ $hich rules in all 3"rms. >3 he "nce understands the m"des
in $hich the la$ acts, it $ill be a matter "3 little im2"rtance t" kn"$ in $hat 2articular cases it has
mani3ested itsel3 in such m"des. <cc"unts "3 2hen"mena can ne/er su22ly the 2lace "3 the
understanding "3 the la$.
Page %+
CH,PT'* I5
LIF'
"I ne@er was not# nor shall I hereafter cease to eE hagavad !ita
TH* uni/erse "3 3"rms may be c"m2ared t" a kaleid"sc"2e in $hich the /ari"us 3"rms "3 the "riginal
energy mani3est themsel/es in an endless /ariety, a22earing, disa22earing, and re'a22earing again. <s
in a kaleid"sc"2e the 2ieces "3 /ari"usly c"l"ured glass d" n"t change their substance, but "nly change
their 2"siti"ns, and, thr"ugh the delusi/e re3lecti"ns "3 mirr"rs at each turn "3 the instrument, are made t"
a22ear in ne$ c"nstellati"ns and 3igures, s" the One Lie mani3esting itsel3 a22ears in an in3inite number
"3 3"rms unc"nsci"us "r c"nsci"us, blind "r intelligent, /"luntary "r in/"luntary, 3r"m the at"m $h"se
auras and ethers rush thr"ugh a c"mm"n /"rte1, 9Babbit: 0Princi2les "3 #ight and !"l"urA : u2 t" the
blazing suns $h"se 2h"t"s2heres e1tend "/er milli"ns "3 miles, and 3r"m the micr"sc"2ic Amoeba, u2 t"
2er3ect Man, $h"se intelligence c"nBuers the g"ds.
F"rms are materialised th"ughts. >3 y"u can c"ntr"l th"ught y"u can c"ntr"l li3e and call int" e1istence a
3"rm4 but 3e$ 2ers"ns are able t" h"ld "n t" "ne th"ught e/en 3"r "ne minute "3 time, because their
minds are $a/ering and their $ill is di/ided. >3 a 3"rm c"mes int" e1istence "n the 2hysical 2lane, its
gr"$th is sim2ly a 2r"cess by $hich s"mething that already e1ists in th"ught bec"mes /isible and
material. This s"mething is the character "3 the 3"rm, and as each character is indi/idual and a $h"le, it
bec"mes e12ressed in all 2arts "3 the 3"rm. < human being C 3"r instance 8 $ill n"t ha/e the b"dy "3 a
man, and the head "3 an animal, but its human character $ill be e12ressed in all its 2arts, and as the
character c"nstituting humanity is e12ressed in all human indi/iduals, s" is the character "3 an indi/idual
e12ressed in all its 2arts. This is a truth u2"n $hich the d"ctrines "3 <str"l"gy, Phren"l"gy, !hir"mancy,
Physi"gn"my, etc., are based, $hich are necessaril! true, because ?ature is a Unit!. <n animal, a 2lant,
"r a man, is a unity, and is there3"re e12ressed in all the 2arts "3 the 3"rms. >t can be scienti3ically
dem"nstrated that each c"m2"nent 2art "3 an "rganism is a micr"c"sm, in $hich are re2resented the
2rinci2les c"m2"sing that "rganism. We may by e1amining a 2art "3 a lea3 kn"$ that it c"mes 3r"m a
2lant, and by l""king at an animal substance see that it came 3r"m an animal, "r by testing e/en the m"st
minute 2art "3 a mineral "r metal kn"$ that it bel"ngs t" the mineral kingd"m. #ike$ise $e may read a
man9s character in his hands "r 3ace "r 3eet "r in any "ther 2art "3 his b"dy, i3 $e ha/e acBuired the art
h"$ t" read it c"rrectly.
72"n this la$ is based the science "3 Ps!chometr!.9Pr"3. W. Dent"n: 0."ul "3 ThingsA. F. ;. Buchanan:
0Manual "3 Psych"metryA: By this science $e may "btain a true hist"ry "3 2ast e/ents. By
2sych"metrically e1amining a st"ne taken 3r"m a h"use $e may "btain c"rrect in3"rmati"n in regard t"
the 3"rmer "r 2resent inhabitants "3 that h"use, "r a 3"ssil may gi/e us a true descri2ti"n "3 antedilu/ian
scenery and "3 the m"de "3 li3e "3 2rehist"ric animals "r men. By the 2sych"metrical e1aminati"n "3 a
letter $e may "btain in3"rmati"n ab"ut the 2ers"n $h" $r"te the letter and als" "3 the 2lace in $hich the
letter $as $ritten.9By submitting a letter $hich > had recei/ed in an "ccult manner 3r"m a 0Master in Tibet,
Page %-
t" a :erman 2easant $"man, 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 ha/ing it e1amined 2sych"metrically, > recei/ed a
c"rrect descri2ti"n "3 a certain tem2le in Tibet, and "3 certain 2ers"ns $ith $h"m > a3ter$ards became
acBuainted. 8 H. : >3 this art $ere uni/ersally kn"$n and 2ractised, criminals c"uld be detected by
e1amining 2sych"metrically a 2iece "3 9Page 33(: the $all, the 3l""r, "r the 3urniture "3 the r""m in $hich a
murder "r r"bbery $as c"mmitted4 it $"uld make an end t" c"n/icting "3 inn"cent 2ers"ns "n
circumstantial e/idence, "r t" letting the guilty esca2e 3"r $ant "3 2r""34 3"r the 2sych"meter $"uld, by
the su2eri"r 2"$ers "3 his 2erce2ti"n $ith the s2iritual eye, see the murderer "r r"bber "r c"unter3eiter
as 2lain as i3 he had seen them $ith his e1ternal eyes $hile the deed $as c"mmitted.
*ach 3"rm is the e1ternal e12ressi"n "3 a certain character $hich it re2resents, and as such it has certain
2eculiar attributes, $hich distinguish it 3r"m "ther 3"rms. < change "3 its character is 3"ll"$ed by a
gradual change "3 the 3"rm. <n indi/idual $h" bec"mes degraded in m"rals $ill, in the c"urse "3 time,
sh"$ his degradati"n in his e1ternal a22earance4 2ers"ns "3 a di33erent a22earance and di33erent
characters may, in the c"urse "3 time, as their characters harm"nise, resemble each "ther t" a certain
e1tent in a22earance. F"rms "3 li3e, bel"nging t" the same class and s2ecies, resemble each "ther, and
each nati"nality has certain characteristics e12ressed in the indi/iduals bel"nging t" it. < 3ull'bl""ded
>rishman $ill n"t easily be mistaken 3"r a 3ull'bl""ded .2aniard, alth"ugh the t$" may be dressed alike,
but, i3 they emigrate, they "r their children $ill in time l"se the nati"nal character $hich they 2"ssessed.
!hange "3 character changes the 3"rm4 but a change "3 3"rm d"es n"t necessarily change the character.
< man may l"se a leg and bec"me a cri22le, and still his character may remain the same as be3"re4 a
child may gr"$ int" a man, and still his character remain that "3 a child unless m"di3ied by educati"n.
These 3acts are inc"ntr"/ertible 2r""3s that the character "3 a being is m"re essential than his e1ternal
3"rm. >3 the character "3 an indi/idual $ere t" de2end "n his inherited 3"rm, children b"rn "3 the same
2arents and educated under the same circumstances $"uld al$ays mani3est the same m"ral
characteristics, but it is $ell kn"$n that the characters "3 such children "3ten di33er $idely 3r"m each
"ther, and 2"ssess characteristics $hich their 2arents d" n"t 2"ssess. 9Page 33):
>3, as it 3reBuently ha22ens, children sh"$ the same "r similar talents and intellectual ca2acities as their
2arents, such a 3act is by n" means a 2r""3 that the 2arents "3 the child9s 2hysical b"dy are als" the
2arents "r 2r"ducers "3 its intellectual germ4 but it may be taken as an additi"nal e/idence "3 the truth "3
the d"ctrine "3 reincarnation, because the s2iritual m"nad "3 the child $"uld be naturally attracted, in its
e33"rts t" reincarnate, t" the b"dies "3 2arents, $h"se mental and intellectual c"nstituti"n $"uld
c"rres2"nd nearest t" its "$n talents and inclinati"ns, de/el"2ed during a 2re/i"us earthly li3e.
"!haracterA means 0indi/idualityA, >t is that $hich distinguishes "ne indi/idual 3r"m an"ther. That $hich
re2resents the true character "3 s"mething is its indi/idual being, and n"t its c"r2"real 3"rm, and this
indi/iduality e1ists a3ter the c"r2"real b"dy, $hich $as the e12ressi"n "3 its Bualities $hich has been
diss"l/ed. This indi/iduality, called the 0soulA, is n"t seen $ith "ur 2hysical eyes, neither during the li3e "3
the 3"rm n"r a3ter its death. The li3e "3 the b"dy may de2art4 but the li3e "3 the indi/iduality is inde2endent
3r"m that "3 the 3"rm "r 2ers"nality.
The indi/iduality may bel"ng either t" a class as a $h"le, "r t" se2arate is"lated beings. >n the l"$er
kingd"ms n" di33erentiati"n "3 character "r s"ul e1ists4 there is "nly a di33erentiati"n "3 3"rm4 they ha/e
"ne c"mm"n s"ul4 but in intelligent beings a distinct indi/iduality bel"ngs t" each 3"rm4 each sel3'
Page %G
c"nsci"us being has its "$n indi/idual s"ul as s""n as it has attained an indi/idual character, and its
indi/iduality is inde2endent "3 the e1istence "3 its 2ers"nality. F"rms 2erish4 but the indi/iduality remains
unchanged a3ter their death.
.een 3r"m this stand2"int, 0deathA is li3e, because, during the time that death lasts, that $hich is essential
d"es n"t change4 li3e is death, because "nly during li3e in the 3"rm the character is changed, and "ld
tendencies and inclinati"ns die and are re2laced by "thers. @ur 2assi"ns and /ices may die $hile $e
li/e4 i3 they sur/i/e us they $ill be b"rn again. 9Page 33-:
The character "3 an "ak e1ists be3"re the ac"rn begins t" gr"$, but the gr"$ing germ attracts 3r"m earth
and air such elements as it needs t" 2r"duce an "ak4 the s"ul "3 a child e1ists as such be3"re the
2hysical 3"rm "3 the child is b"rn int" the $"rld, and during its li3e in the 3"rm it may attract 3r"m the
s2iritual atm"s2here the elements t" $hich its as2irati"ns and tendencies reach. *ach seed $ill gr"$
best in the s"il that is best ada2ted t" its c"nstituti"n, each human m"nad e1isting in the sub5ecti/e state
$ill be attracted at the time "3 its incarnati"n t" 2arents $h"se Bualities 3urnish the best s"il 3"r its "$n
tendencies and inclinati"ns, and $h"se m"ral and mental attributes c"rres2"nd t" its "$n. The 2hysical
2arents cann"t be the 2r"genit"rs "3 the s2iritual germ "3 the child4 that germ is the 2r"duct "3 a 2re/i"us
s2iritual e/"luti"n, thr"ugh $hich it has 2assed in c"nnecti"n $ith 3"rmer "b5ecti/e li/es. >n the 2resent
e1istence "3 a being the character "3 the being that $ill be its success"r is 2re2ared. There3"re e/ery
man may be truly said t" be his "$n 3ather4 3"r he is the incarnated result "3 the 2ers"nality $hich he
e/"l/ed in his last li3e u2"n the 2lanet, and the ne1t 2ers"nality $hich he $ill re2resent in his ne1t /isit
u2"n this gl"be, is e/"l/ed by him during his 2resent li3e.
The de/el"2ment "3 a 2lant reaches its clima1 in the de/el"2ment "3 the seed4 the de/el"2ment "3 the
animal b"dy reaches its clima1 in the ca2acity t" re2r"duce its 3"rm, but the intellectual and s2iritual
de/el"2ment "3 a man g"es "n l"ng a3ter he has acBuired the 2"$er "3 re2r"ducti"n, and it may n"t ha/e
reached its clima1 $hen the 2hysical 3"rm is "n the d"$n$ard 2ath, and ceases t" li/e. The c"nditi"n "3
the 2hysical b"dy und"ubtedly 3urnish 3acilities 3"r the de/el"2ment "3 character in the same sense as a
g""d s"il $ill 3urnish 3acilities 3"r the gr"$th "3 a tree4 but the best s"il cann"t trans3"rm a thistle int" a
r"se'bush, and the s"n "3 a g""d and intellectual man may be a /illain "r a dunce.
<s the 2rim"rdial essence 2r"ceeds t" mani3est itsel3 in 3"rms, it descends 3r"m the uni/ersal c"nditi"n t"
9Page 332: general, s2ecial, and 3inally indi/idual states. <s it ascends again t" the 3"rmless, the scale is
re/ersed, and the indi/idual units e12and, t" mingle again $ith the $h"le. #i3e "n the l"$est 2lanes
mani3ests itsel3 in an undi33erentiated c"nditi"n4 air has n" strictly de3ined sha2e4 "ne dr"2 "3 $ater in the
"cean shares an e1istence c"mm"n t" all "ther dr"2s4 "ne 2iece "3 clay is essentially the same as
an"ther. >n the /egetable and animal kingd"m the uni/ersal 2rinci2le "3 li3e mani3ests itsel3 in indi/idual
3"rms4 still there is little di33erence bet$een indi/idual 2lants, trees, animals, and men bel"nging t" the
same s2ecies, and the 2eculiar attributes $hich distinguish "ne indi/idual 3"rm 3r"m an"ther cease t"
e1ist $hen the 3"rm disa22ears. That $hich essentially distinguishes "ne indi/idual 3r"m an"ther is
inde2endent "3 3"rm. Distincti"ns "3 3"rm disa22ear a3ter the 3"rms ha/e diss"l/ed4 distincti"ns "3
character remain. Th"se attributes $hich raise their 2"ssess"rs eminently ab"/e the c"mm"n le/el begin
at a state $here e1ternal a22earances cease t" be "3 great c"nseBuence. ."crates $as de3"rmed and
yet a great genius4 the size "3 ?a2"le"n9s b"dy $as n"t at all in 2r"2"rti"n $ith the greatness "3 his
intellect. .2irituality rises ab"/e the gra/e "3 the 3"rm, and the in3luence "3 great minds "3ten gr"$s
str"nger a3ter the b"dies that ser/ed them ha/e turned t" dust. .tr"ng minds e1ert a 2"$er 3ar bey"nd
Page %)
their 2hysical 3"rm $hile they li/e4 that 2"$er remains $hat it is $hen they die. They d" n"t die $hen the
3"rm disa22ears.
<ll characters may bec"me reincarnated "r reimb"died a3ter they ha/e le3t the 3"rm, but i3 an indi/idual
has n" s2eci3ic character "3 its "$n the c"mm"n character bel"nging t" its s2ecies "r class $ill be all
that, a3ter lea/ing the "ld b"dy, can enter the ne$. >3 an indi/idual has de/el"2ed a s2eci3ic character "3
its "$n, that distinguishes it 3r"m its 3ell"$s, that indi/idual character $ill indi/idually sur/i/e the
diss"luti"n "3 its 3"rm, because the la$ that a22lies t" the $h"le, "r t" the class, $ill als" a22ly t" the
2art. < dr"2 "3 $ater mi1ed in a b"dy "3 $ater $ill bec"me dis2ersed in the mass, it may be e/a2"rated
and c"ndensed again, 9Page 33/: but it $ill ne/er again be the same dr"24 but i3 a dr"2 "3 s"me ethereal
"il is mi1ed $ith the $ater, and the $h"le is e/a2"rated in a ret"rt, it $ill, a3ter being c"ndensed, 3"rm
again the same indi/idual dr"2 in the mass. < character may l"se its indi/iduality during li3e and sink t"
the c"mm"n le/el, but i3 it bas established a distincti"n 3r"m "thers, its indi/iduality $ill sur/i/e the death
"3 the 3"rm. T" build u2 a character an indi/idual 3"rm is reBuired4 t" build u2 an indi/idual 3"rm a
character must e1ist.
>3 $e $ish t" 2r"duce a 3"rm $e must 3irst decide u2"n its character. < scul2t"r $h" $"uld aimlessly cut a
st"ne, $ith"ut making u2 his mind as t" $hat 3"rm he desired t" 2r"duce, $"uld n"t acc"m2lish anything
great. The 3"rm is a tem2le "3 learning 3"r the character, in $hich the latter gains e12erience by 2assing
thr"ugh the struggles "3 li3e. The harder the struggle the 3aster may the character "3 the indi/idual
bec"me de/el"2ed4 an easy li3e may increase the size "3 the 3"rm, but lea/e the character $eak4 a hard
struggle may $eaken the 3"rm, but strengthens the s2irit.
>3 $e $ish t" make a ne$ 3"rm "ut "3 "ld clay, $e must 3irst "3 all determine $hat that 3"rm shall be $hich
$e are ab"ut t" create. The clay is 2assi/e, $e may m"uld it int" a thing "3 beauty "r make it t"
re2resent s"mething /ile. >3 $e $ish t" change "ur character 3"r the better during "ur li3e, $e must 3irst "3
all learn t" kn"$ a higher 2ur2"se "3 li3e, and reach u2 3"r a higher ideal, t" be realised $ithin "ur "$n
sel3. <3ter this n"thing else needs t" be d"ne but t" kee2 a$ay e/erything that $ill 2re/ent this ideal t"
realise itsel3 in us. >3 $e "nly 2r"tect it in its $"rk, it $ill acc"m2lish that $"rk al"ne and $ith"ut "ur acti/e
c"'"2erati"n. We need n"t run a3ter, catch, in/ent, create "r manu3acture "ur ideal, $e "nly need t" let
that $hich already e1ists bec"me a reality in us. We cann"t e/en gr"$ a cabbage4 $e can "nly 2re2are
the c"nditi"ns under $hich a cabbage can gr"$. We cann"t gr"$ an ideal in us4 the ideal gro%s itsel, i3
$e 3urnish the s"il, and that s"il is "ur li3e.
>3 "ur s"ul is t" e12and its c"nsci"usness bey"nd the 9Page 330: narr"$ limits "3 this $"rld and realise the
gl"ry "3 an uni/ersal e1istence, then must $e let a high and uni/ersal ideal realise itsel3 in us. Dreaming
and talking "3 s"me ideal is t" n" 2ur2"se, $e must let it n"urish itsel3 by "ur li3e. Wisd"m and P"$er,
#"/e and Truth, Fustice and Kn"$ledge, are n" "b5ects 3"r dreaming "r 3"r scienti3ic research4 they must
bec"me "ur li3e and n"urish us by "ur li/ing in harm"ny $ith these uni/ersal 2rinci2les, "ther$ise $e
cann"t rise ab"/e the limitati"n "3 3"rm, $hich is the cause "3 the delusi"n "3 se2arati"n and 2ers"nality.
Fr"m the illusi"n "3 se2aratedness caused by the realisati"n "3 3"rm arises this delusi"n "3 sel3. Fr"m this
delusi"n arise innumerable "thers. Fr"m the sense "3 sel3 arises the l"/e "3 sel3, the desire 3"r
c"ntinuance "3 2ers"nality, greed, a/arice, en/y, 5eal"usy, 3ear, d"ubt and s"rr"$, 2ain and death, and
the $h"le range "3 su33erings $hich render li3e miserable and a33"rd n" 2ermanent ha22iness. >3 a 2ers"n
is miserable and can 3ind n" ha22iness in himsel3, the surest and Buickest $ay 3"r him t" be c"ntented is
t" 3"rget his "$n 2ers"nality.
Page %6
< 2ers"n li/ing in a c"ntinual state "3 is"lati"n "3 the heart, cares 3"r n"thing but 3"r his "$n 2ers"nality.
He 2asses a$ay his li3e in dreaming "3 that $hich he d"es n"t 2"ssess, and thus he l"ses his s2iritual
substance and 2"$er, bec"ming himsel3 like a /a2"ury dream.
>s"lati"n "n the 2hysical 2lane 2r"duces star/ati"n. He $h" is n"t n"urished by the s2irit "3 uni/ersal
l"/e star/es his s"ul. <n "rganism u2"n a l"$ scale "3 e1istence, a st"ne, endures is"lati"n4 a scrub 2ine
may li/e in a 2lace $here n" higher 2lant can e1ist. <n idi"t may li/e al"ne in a ca/e and n"t tr"uble
himsel3, because he has n" s2iritual as2irati"ns reBuiring n"urishment4 but "ne $h" desires t" attain li3e
and strength in the s2irit, must be n"urished by that s2irit, $h"se name is uni/ersal s2iritual l"/e.
<s "n the 2hysical 2lane, s" "n the astral 2lane, is"lati"n 2r"duces star/ati"n. < desire l"cked u2 in the
heart 3eeds "n the li3e "3 him $h" harb"urs it4 st"red u2 anger seeks 3"r s"me "b5ect u2"n $hich t" 9Page
331: s2end itsel34 2assi"ns are ne/er c"ntented, they al$ays clam"ur 3"r m"re. The 3"rces "3 the astral
2lane are c"nsci"us, e/en i3 n"t intelligent4 they re3use t" be 0killed "utA, they cry 3"r li3e, and 3"ll"$ the
currents "3 li3e9s attracti"ns. The astral s"ul "3 a drunkard $ill be attracted t" drunkards4 the astral s2""k
"3 the le$d seek en5"yment in a br"thel thr"ugh the "rgans "3 an"ther4 the gh"st "3 the miser is h"/ering
"/er his buried treasures until the 3"rce $hich 2ut him there is e1hausted. There are s2""ks, gh"sts,
/am2ires incubi, succubi, and elementals "3 /ari"us kinds, all thirsting 3"r li3e.
<n is"lated desire d"es n"t die, but gr"$s int" a 2assi"n4 2assi"ns gr"$ str"nger at "ne9s e12ense by
being im2ris"ned. <ccumulated energy cann"t be annihilated, it must be trans3erred t" "ther 3"rms, "r be
trans3"rmed int" "ther m"des "3 m"ti"n4 it cann"t remain 3"r e/er inacti/e. >t is useless t" attem2t t"
resist a 2assi"n $hich "ne cann"t c"ntr"l. >3 its accumulating energy is n"t led int" "ther channels it $ill
gr"$ until it bec"mes str"nger than reas"n. T" c"ntr"l it, it sh"uld be led int" an"ther and higher
channel.Thus a l"/e 3"r s"mething /ulgar may be changed by turning it int" a l"/e 3"r s"mething high,
and /ice may be turned int" /irtue by changing its aim. Passi"n is blind, it g"es $here it is led t", and
reBuires reas"n t" guide it. #"/e 3"r a 3"rm disa22ears $ith the death "3 the 3"rm, "r s""n a3ter4 l"/e "3
character remains e/en a3ter the 3"rm in $hich that character $as emb"died ceased t" e1ist.
The ancients said that 3ature suers no vacuum. We cann"t destr"y "r annihilate a 2assi"n. >3 "ne
2assi"n is dri/en a$ay an"ther $ill take its 2lace. We sh"uld there3"re n"t attem2t t" destr"y the l"$, but
dis2lace the l"$ by the high4 /ice by /irtue, and su2erstiti"n by kn"$ledge.
There are s"me 2ers"ns $h" li/e in 2er3ect is"lati"n "n the intellectual 2lane. They are such $h"se
th"ughts are entirely abs"rbed by intellectual s2eculati"n, ha/ing n" time "r inclinati"n t" attend t" the
claims "3 their character. They 3eed their brains $hile 9Page 33.: their hearts are made t" star/e. They li/e
in dreams and scienti3ic illusi"ns, in the sm"ke "3 the s2eculati"ns arising 3r"m their /a2"ury brains. They
are like misers, 3illing the mind $ith $hat they belie/e t" be imm"rtal treasures, c"nsisting "3 c"llecti"ns
"3 the"ries, d"gmas, hy2"theses, su22"siti"ns, in3erences, and s"2histry, $hile they ha/e n" r""m 3"r
the de/el"2ment "3 s2irituality "r the di/ine kn"$ledge "3 sel3. This class is c"nstituted "3 the /ery
learned, the great d"gmatists, rati"nalists, material 2hil"s"2hers, and 0sce2ticalA scientists "3 "ur age,
$ith "/ergr"$n brains and 2etri3ied hearts. They argue ab"ut imm"rtality "r deny its e1istence, instead "3
seeking t" attain it4 they s"metimes bec"me criminals 3"r the sake "3 grati3ying their scienti3ic curi"sity.
Their astral c"r2ses $ill c"ntinue t" e1ist 3"r a $hile a3ter the death "3 the b"dy, until their li3e is
e1hausted, and ha/ing attained n" s2irituality during terrestrial li3e, they $ill, a3ter their b"rr"$ed
Page %%
treasures ha/e de2arted, be s2iritual idi"ts.
There e1ists n" is"lati"n "n the s2iritual 2lane, n"r can $e s2eak "3 is"lati"n in :"d4 3"r i3 :"d is sel3'
e1istent, sel3'c"nsci"us, sel3'kn"$ing, and sel3'su33icient, his sel3, his e1istence, his kn"$ledge encl"ses
the <ll $ith all "3 his creatures. Well may he $h" has gained the kn"$ledge "3 his "$n di/ine sel3 be
satis3ied t" li/e in a t"mb4 3"r $hat "ther c"m2any sh"uld be desired by "ne $h" en5"ys the 2resence "3
:"d4 $hat c"m3"rt sh"uld be gi/en t" "ne $h" li/es in di/ine 2eace4 $hat c"uld be "33ered t" "ne $h"
2"ssesses the <llE
#i3e itsel3 ne/er 2erishes4 "nly the 3"rms 2erish, i3 li3e ceases t" mani3est itsel3 in them.
#i3e is uni/ersally 2resent in nature, it is c"ntained in e/ery 2article "3 matter, and "nly $hen the last
2article "3 li3e has de2arted the 3"rm ceases t" e1ist. #i3e in a st"ne d"es n"t a22ear t" e1ist, and yet
$ith"ut li3e there $"uld be n" c"hesi"n "3 its at"ms. >3 the li3e'2rinci2le $ere e1tracted 3r"m a mineral its
3"rm $"uld be annihilated. < seed taken 3r"m the t"mb "3 an *gy2tian mummy began t" germinate and
gr"$ a3ter 9Page 3(4: it $as 2lanted in the earth, ha/ing ke2t its li3e'2rinci2le during a slee2 "3 many
centuries. >3 the acti/ity "3 animal li3e c"uld be c"rres2"ndingly arrested, an animal "r a man might
2r"l"ng indi/idual e1istence t" an inde3inite 2eri"d. .t"nes may li/e 3r"m the beginning "3 a Man/antara
unt" its end4 s"me 3"rms reach a /ery "ld age, but i3 the li3e'im2ulse is "nce gi/en it is di33icult t" arrest it
$ith"ut destr"ying the 3"rm. 9>3 the li3e "3 a 2ers"n c"uld be sus2ended by arresting its acti/ity 3"r s"me
years Has has been actually d"ne in the $ell'kn"$n instances "3 buried 3akirsI, $e might 2reser/e all "ur
great statesmen and 2"liticians 3"r ages, and $ake them u2 "nly "n "ccasi"ns $hen their ad/ice $"uld
be reBuired EEE :
#i3e may be trans3erred 3r"m "ne 3"rm u2"n an"ther, and the 2"$er by $hich it may be trans3erred is the
2"$er "3 #"/e, because #"/e, Will and #i3e are essentially the same 2"$er, "r di33erent as2ects "3 "ne, in
the same sense as heat and li3e are m"di3icati"ns "3 m"ti"n. The 2"$er "3 hate may kill, and the 2"$er
"3 l"/e has been kn"$n t" call the a22arently dead back t" li3e. .2iritual #"/e is #i3e, a s2iritual 2"$er
m"re 2"$er3ul than all the drugs "3 the Pharmac"2"eia. < 2ers"n may actually gi/e his li3e t" an"ther
and die himsel3, s" that an"ther may li/e. This trans3er can be made and sick 2ers"ns rest"red t" health,
by the 2"$er "3 l"/e.
The 3"untain "3 this uni/ersal l"/e is als" the s"urce "3 the li3e "3 all things4 it is di/ine sel3'
c"nsci"usness, the 2"$er by $hich :"d rec"gnises himsel3 in e/erything4 in "ther $"rds, it is di/ine
$isd"m, the Light. 90 >n him $as the li3e, and the li3e $as the light "3 all menA. 8 F"hn i. ). als" 0He is the
light in all lumin"us things. He is the Kn"$er, the Kn"$ledge, and the "b5ect "3 Kn"$ledgeA.$Bhagavad
*ita 1iii. +(. : >t is e/ery$here 2resent, and mani3ests itsel3 in e/ery 3"rm ca2able t" c"rres2"nd t" its
li/ing /ibrati"ns. >t cann"t be 3"und by /i/isecti"n n"r by means "3 the micr"sc"2e, telesc"2e, "r
chemical analysis, and m"dern science kn"$s n"thing ab"ut it. ?e/ertheless it is a 2rinci2le "r 2"$er, in
and thr"ugh $hich $e all li/e and ha/e "ur being, and i3 it $ere $ithdra$n 9Page 3(3: 3r"m us 3"r "ne
m"ment, $e $"uld be immediately annihilated.
T" be blind t" the uni/ersal 2resence "3 this #ight is t" be blind t" the 3act that grasses and trees, men
and animals, li/e and gr"$, and that e/ery 3"rm stri/es t" be initiated int" a higher degree acc"rding t"
Page %(
the la$ "3 e/"luti"n. The building "3 the 0Tem2le "3 ."l"m"nA g"es "n unceasingly. >n/isibly act the
elements "3 nature, the master builders "3 the uni/erse, and n" s"und "3 a hammer is heard. #i3e inhabits
a 3"rm, and $hen the 3"rm is decayed it gathers the elements and builds itsel3 a ne$ h"use. < r"ck,
e12"sed t" the acti"n "3 $ind and rain, begins t" decay "n its sur3ace the elements gather again and
a22ear in a ne$ 3"rm. Minute 2lants and m"sses gr"$ "n the sur3ace, li/ing and dying and being reb"rn,
until the s"il accumulates and higher 3"rms c"me int" e1istence. !enturies may 2ass a$ay be3"re this
2art "3 the $"rk is c"m2leted4 but 3inally grasses $ill gr"$, and the li3e that $as 3"rmally d"rmant in a
r"ck n"$ mani3ests itsel3 in 3"rms ca2able t" enter the animal kingd"m. < $"rm eats a 2lant, and the li3e
"3 the 2lant bec"mes acti/e and c"nsci"us in a $"rm4 a bird eats the $"rm and the li3e that $as chained
t" a 3"rm cra$ling in darkness and 3ilth, n"$ 2artakes "3 the 5"ys "3 an inhabitant "3 the air. <t each ste2
"n the ladder "3 2r"gressi"n li3e acBuires ne$ means t" mani3est its acti/ity, and the death "3 its 2re/i"us
3"rm enables it t" ste2 int" a higher "ne. But a time arri/es in the 2r"cess "3 its e/"luti"n $hen its acti/ity
bec"mes s" high and its s2here s" e12anded, that n" 2hysical "rganism, n" 3"rm "3 $hich $e can
c"ncei/e, $ill be able t" ser/e as an instrument in $hich its attributes c"uld 3ind an a22r"2riate
e12ressi"n. Then $ill the m"rtal 3rame be t"" insigni3icant t" ser/e the imm"rtal genius, and the 3reed
Eagle $ill arise 3r"m the 3"rm.
F"rms are n"thing but symb"ls "3 li3e, and the higher the li3e e12resses itsel3 the higher $ill be the 3"rm.
<n ac"rn is an insigni3icant thing c"m2ared $ith the "ak, but it has a character, and thr"ugh the magic
acti"n "3 li3e it may de/el"2 int" an "ak. The germ "3 its indi/idual 9Page 3((: li3e is incarnated in the
ac"rn, and 3"rms the 2"int "3 attracti"n 3"r the uni/ersal 2rinci2le "3 li3e. >ts character is already 3"rmed,
and i3 it gr"$s it can bec"me n"thing else but an "ak. Buried in the earth it gr"$s and de/el"2s 3r"m a
l"$er int" a higher state thr"ugh the in3luence "3 the highest, because the 2rinci2le "3 li3e is 2resent in it.
But h"$e/er great its 2"tency 3"r gr"$th may be, still it cann"t germinate $ith"ut the li3e'gi/ing in3luence
"3 the uni/ersal 3"untain "3 li3e reaching it thr"ugh the 2"$er "3 the sun, and the sun c"uld n"t make it
gr"$ unless the same 2rinci2le "3 li3e $ere c"ntained $ithin the germ.
The rays "3 the sun 2enetrate 3r"m their airy regi"ns t" the earth4 their light cann"t enter the s"lid earth,
$hich 2r"tects the tender seed "3 a 2lant 3r"m the 3iery rays, $h"se acti/ity $"uld destr"y its inherent
/itality. But the seed is t"uched by the heat that radiates int" the earth, and a s2ecial m"de "3 li3e
mani3ests itsel3 in the seed. The seed begins t" s2r"ut, and the germ struggles t"$ards the s"urce "3 the
li3e'gi/ing in3luence, and stri/es t"$ards the light. The r""ts ha/e n" desire 3"r light, they "nly cra/e 3"r
nutriment, $hich they 3ind in the dark ca/erns "3 matter. They 2enetrate dee2er int" the earth, and may
e/en abs"rb the acti/ity "3 the higher 2arts "3 the 2lant. But i3 these 2arts bel"ng t" a s2ecies $h"se
character it is t" gr"$ t"$ards the light, its n"bler 2"rti"ns $ill enter its s2here, and ultimately bear
3l"$ers and 3ruits.
The s"ul "3 man being buried in matter, 3eels the li3e'gi/ing in3luence "3 the su2reme s2iritual sun, $hile
at the same time it is attracted by matter. >3 man9s $h"le attenti"n is attracted t" the claims "3 his b"dy, i3
all his as2irati"ns and desires are directed t" satis3y the desires "3 his 0sel3A, he $ill himsel3 remain a
thing "3 earth, inca2able t" bec"me c"nsci"us "3 the e1istence "3 #ight. But i3 he stri/es 3"r #ight and
"2ens his s"ul t" its di/ine in3luence, he $ill enter its s2here and bec"me c"nsci"us "3 its e1istence.
The true Elixir o Lie can "nly be 3"und at the eternal 3"untain "3 li3e. >t s2rings 3r"m the se/enth
2rinci2le, mani3esting itsel3 as s2iritual 2"$er in the 9Page 3(): si1th and shedding its light d"$n int" the
3i3th, illuminating the mind. >n the 3i3th it is mani3est as the intellectual 2"$er in man, radiating d"$n int"
Page %&
the 3"urth it creates desires, by calling 3"rth instincts in the l"$er triad, and thereby enabling the 3"rms t"
dra$ the elements $hich they need 3r"m the st"reh"use "3 nature. >t 3"r e/er calls men t" li3e by the
/"ice "3 truth, $h"se ech" is the 2"$er "3 intuiti"n crying in the $ilderness "3 "ur hearts, ba2tising the
s"uls $ith the $ater "3 truth, and 2"inting "ut t" them the true 2ath t" the realisati"n "3 their "$n
imm"rtality. 9Page 3(-:
Page %,
CH,PT'* 5
H,*MO&6
Let no one enter here <ho is not <ell @ersed in mathematics and musicE$ C P!thagoras$
T" listen t" the music "3 the s2heresA is a 2"etical, e12ressi"n, but it e12resses a great truth4 because the
7ni/erse is 3illed $ith harm"ny, and a s"ul $h" is in 3ull harm"ny $ith the s"ul "3 the uni/erse may listen
t" that music and understand it. The $"rld as $ell as man resemble musical instruments, in $hich e/ery
string sh"uld be in 2er3ect "rder, s" that n" disc"rdant n"tes may be s"unded. We may l""k u2"n matter
"n the 2hysical 2lane as a state "3 l"$ /ibrati"n and u2"n s2irit as the highest /ibrati"n "3 li3e, and
bet$een the t$" 2"les are the intermediary states c"nstituting the grand "cta/e called #an.
Plat" is said t" ha/e $ritten "/er the d""r "3 his academy: W#et n" "ne enter here, unless he is /ersed in
mathematicsA, and Pythag"ras demanded "3 his disci2les an additi"nal Akn"$ledge "3 musicA4 meaning
the ca2acity t" kee2 their s"ul attuned t" the harm"nies "3 the di/ine la$ "3 being, s" as t" be able t"
realise the beauty "3 truth4 3"r $ith"ut such an ele/ati"n "3 s"ul and $ith"ut s2irituality, all desire 3"r a
kn"$ledge "3 that $hich transcends the realm "3 the sensual is merely an "utc"me "3 /anity, an insane
cra/ing 3"r grati3ying curi"sity, $hich de3eats its "$n end4 because the m"re "ne seeks t" e1amine
"b5ecti/ely the One $hich includes the <ll, the m"re d"es he recede 3r"m it and se2arate himsel3 3r"m the
realisati"n "3 that truth $hich is "ne, eternal, "mni2resent and in3inite. 9Page 3(2: >t is n"t the 2ers"nality "3
man that can gras2 the im2ers"nal. >3 man $ants t" kn"$ :"d, he must die t" himsel3, and enter :"d9s
nature4 $hich means that he must "/erc"me the disharm"ny caused by the delusi"n "3 di/isi"n,
se2arati"n and sel3, and again realise the unity "3 the $h"le.
The 3"undati"n "3 nature is 7nity. :"d is "nly @ne. He is the #a$, and reBuires n" Wla$'gi/erA4 being
Himsel3 "mni2resent $ithin the <ll "3 his nature4 sel3'su33icient, sel3'e1istent and abs"lute. The #a$ is
e/ery$here, and e/erything e1ists in the #a$, and $ith"ut the la$ "3 e1istence n" e1istence is t" be
3"und.
But as by the act "3 creati"n and subseBuent e/"luti"n a /ariety "3 3"rms c"mes int" e1istence, $ith
innumerable beings ca2able t" $ill, and t" think, and t" use the la$ c"ntrary t" di/ine $isd"m, many
disharm"nies are caused in $hat "ught t" be a harm"ni"us $h"le.
Thus the la$ is still the same4 but its acti"n may be misa22lied and its use 2er/erted. >t is still the
3"undati"n "3 e/ery indi/idual being, and the s""ner each indi/idual $ill bec"me able t" rec"gnise the
highest and 3undamental la$ "3 its "$n nature, $hich is identical $ith the la$ that rules the <ll, the
Page (K
s""ner $ill the "riginal harm"ny be rest"red.
Man is himsel3 an "utc"me "3 the acti"n "3 la$, and that la$ is in him. >t is the centre and 3"untain "3 his
"$n being4 he is an e12ressi"n "3 it, and it is his true sel3. He is himsel3 the la$, and $ill rec"gnise
himsel3 as the la$ $hen he learns t" kn"$ his true sel3. <ll the elements in his nature $hich d" n"t
rec"gnise this "ne uni/ersal la$, and act in acc"rdance $ith it, d" n"t bel"ng t" man9s di/ine nature4 they
are n"t his real sel3, but 2r"duce the disharm"ny $hich e1ist in his $"rld. @nly $hen all the inhabitants "3
his kingd"m $ill b"$ be3"re the su2eri"rity "3 that la$, $ill there be 2er3ect harm"ny.
>n e/ery de2artment "3 nature e/ery e33ect de2ends "n a c"rres2"nding cause, and e/ery cause $ill
2r"duce a certain e33ect acc"rding t" the c"nditi"ns in $hich it bec"mes mani3est. >3 $e kne$ the causes
$e c"uld easily calculate their e33ects. *ach th"ught, each $"rd, each 9Page 3(/: act creates a cause,
$hich acts directly "n the 2lane t" $hich it bel"ngs, creating there ne$ causes, $hich react again u2"n
the "ther 2lanes. < m"ti/e "r th"ught $hich 3inds n" e12ressi"n in an act $ill ha/e n" direct result "n the
2hysical 2lane, but it may cause great em"ti"ns in the s2here "3 mind, and these may again react "n the
2hysical 2lane. The best intenti"n $ill 2r"duce n" /isible e33ect unless it is 2ut int" e1ecuti"n4 but
intenti"ns 2r"duce certain mental states, that may be 2r"ducti/e "3 acti"ns at s"me time in the 3uture.
The 2er3"rmance "3 an act $ill ha/e an e33ect, n" matter $hether it $as 2remeditated "r n"t, but an act
$ith"ut a m"ti/e $ill n"t directly a33ect the 2lanes "3 th"ught. .uch an act im2"ses n" m"ral res2"nsibility
u2"n the 2er3"rmer, but it $ill, ne/ertheless, ha/e its e33ects "n the 2hysical 2lane that may react u2"n
the mind.
Fr"m the causes created "n the 2hysical, astral, and s2iritual 2lanes innumerable c"mbinati"ns "3 e33ects
c"me int" e1istence, creating ne$ causes, that are again 3"ll"$ed by e33ects, and e/ery 3"rce that is 2ut
int" acti"n "n either 2lane c"ntinues t" act until it is e1hausted by trans3"rmati"ns int" "ther m"des "3
acti"n, $hen its /ibrati"ns $ill be changed int" "thers, and the 2re/i"us e33ects $ill cease t" e1ist.
By the three3"ld acti"n "3 that la$ as thought, %ill, and perormance "n the 2hysical, em"ti"nal,
intellectual and s2iritual 2lanes a great many c"nditi"ns ensue $hich gi/e rise t" endless m"di3icati"ns
and /arieties, and again 2r"duce innumerable sec"ndary causes, $hich again 2r"duce e33ects, and at
last the acti"ns "3 the la$ "3 (arma $ill bec"me s" c"m2licated, that it is im2"ssible t" 3"ll"$ it int" its
details.
The la$ "3 (arma is the la$ "3 5ustice 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 rest"ring harm"ny4 it includes retributi"n in the
sha2e "3 W2unishmentA and Wre$ardA. >t kn"$s n"thing "3 Wre/engeA, neither d"es it rec"gnise any
2ers"nal merits4 it is the #a$ itsel3, and acts acc"rding t" its "$n nature and n"t in acc"rdance t" this "r
that c"nsiderati"n. >t is the la$ acc"rding t" $hich the sum "3 the causes created by "ne indi/idual in "n
incarnati"n $ill 2r"duce certain e33ects in his ne1t 9Page 3(0: incarnati"n, and cause him t" either en5"y "r
su33er that $hich he has either $illingly, and $ith determinati"n, "r ign"rantly created himsel3. */ery being
in nature ha/ing attained indi/iduality has its "$n indi/idual (arma, determining the c"urse "3 its 3uture
career4 each "3 the indi/idual elements in the c"nstituti"n "3 man has its "$n (arma, and man being
identi3ied $ith his nature, 2artakes "3 the (arma "3 the 2rinci2les $hich c"nstitute his "$n nature4 but as
:"d is su2eri"r t" nature and there3"re n"t sub5ect t" it, s" the indi/idual man $h" c"nBuers his nature,
rises ab"/e it, and bec"ming "ne $ith the la$, bec"mes 3ree "3 the (arma a33ecting his terrestrial nature.
W:i/ing his nature a$ayA, and sacri3icing himsel3 $h"lly t" the la$ "3 di/ine being, he als" W3"rgi/esA his
Page (+
sins.
The disc"rds in nature, caused by the acti"n "3 the deluded sel3'$ill and the 2er/erted desires "3
indi/idual entities, cann"t cease in any "ther $ay than by the rest"rati"n "3 the unity "3 the indi/idual $ill
$ith the $ill "3 the 3undamental la$ "3 the $h"le. This unity e1ists4 it d"es n"t need t" be created by man4
he is "nly reBuired t" rec"gnise it. >3 he rec"gnises it 2ractically, it $ill bec"me realised in him. Pers"nal
man cann"t rec"gnise himsel3 as being this 7nity, because he is di/ided against himsel34 his Wsel3A is an
illusi"n, and an illusi"n cann"t bec"me a realisati"n "3 truth. >3 the truth bec"mes realised, the illusi"n
ceases t" be.
<ll numbers are the "utc"me "3 "ne4 in all numbers the "ne is c"ntained, and $ith"ut the "ne at the
b"tt"m n" numbers c"uld c"me int" e1istence. This number "ne remains al$ays the same4 $hether
di/ided "r multi2lied by itsel3, it d"es n"t change. <ll mathematics is based u2"n the 3aith int" the
immutability "3 number "ne. We ha/e n" 2"siti/e 2r""3 that it ne/er changes4 "ur kn"$ledge ab"ut it is
"nly negati/e4 because it has ne/er been kn"$n t" change. >n the same $ay "ur intellectual kn"$ledge
"3 :"d is "nly negati/e4 $e cann"t 2r"/e his eternal immutability scienti3ically4 $e "nly belie/e in it4 the
"nly 2r""3 $e ha/e "3 it is, that "ur "$n inner sel3'c"nsci"usness, i3 9Page 3(1: $e ha/e "nce attained it,
remains e/er the same. This 2r""3 is su33icient 3"r the $ise4 but it $ill g" 3"r n"ught $ith the 3""l.
The 3"undati"n "3 nature is one4 but the numbers "3 its mani3estati"n a22ear t" be in3inite. ?e/ertheless,
all things in nature are related t" each "ther, "$ing t" their relati"n t" the one, $hich is at the b"tt"m "r
their e1istence.
*/erything has its number, measure, and $eight, and there is n"thing in nature $hich is n"t ruled by
mathematical la$s. .uns and stars ha/e their 2eri"dical re/"luti"ns. The m"lecules "3 b"dies c"mbine in
certain 2r"2"rti"ns, kn"$n t" chemistry, and in all e/ents "n the 2hysical 2lane as $ell as in the realm "3
the em"ti"ns a certain regularity and 2eri"dicity has been "bser/ed. There are regular h"urs 3"r the
a22earance "3 day and night, 3i1ed inter/als 3"r s2ring and summer, autumn and $inter, 3"r ebbs and
tides in the "cean and in the $aters c"nstituting the s"ul. The 2hysi"l"gical and anat"mical changes in
animal 3"rms "ccur at 3i1ed 2eri"ds, and e/en the e/ents "3 li3e take 2lace acc"rding t" certain "ccult
la$s4 because, alth"ugh man9s $ill seems t" be 3ree, ne/ertheless his acti"ns are c"ntr"lled by certain
circumstances, and e/en the c"m2arati/e 3reed"m "3 his $ill is a result "3 the acti"n "3 the la$ "3 his
e/"luti"n.
The 3"ll"$ers "3 Pythag"ras belie/ed e/ery 2r"cess in nature t" be regulated by certain numbers, $hich
are as 3"ll"$s:
Page (-
) . 32 -2
- 3/ )- 3)/
2 (2 /2 )(2
/ )/ 333 ///
0 -. 302 3((2
1 /- (/4 (414
. 13 )/. ))(3
This table re2resents a successi"n "3 numbers, $hich are "btained by the c"nstructi"n "3 Tetragrams "r
magic s:uares, and it $as belie/ed that by the use "3 these numbers e/ery e33ect c"uld be calculated i3
the "riginal 9Page 3(.: number re3erring t" the cause $ere kn"$n. >3 e/erything has a certain number "3
/ibrati"ns, and i3 these /ibrati"ns increase "r diminish at a certain rati" and in regular 2eri"ds, a
kn"$ledge "3 these numbers $ill enable us t" 2redict a 3uture e/ent. 9The magic sBuares "3 "dd numbers
are 3"rmed as described bel"$: by $riting d"$n the numbers "3 their sBuares in regular successi"n,
cutting "ut their WheartA and trans2"sing the numbers that are le3t t" their "22"site 2laces. The 3"ll"$ing
is the 2r"cess in 3"rming the magic sBuare "3 the number >>>. The sBuare "3 G is ,:
We see here the numbers +, G, (, ,, le3t "n the "utside "3 the sBuare. >3 they are inserted in a certain
"rder int" the blank s2aces at the "22"site sides "3 the sBuare, the 3"ll"$ing 3igure $ill be the result:

These numbers, i3 added in any c"lumn "3 three, $ill al$ays 2r"duce +6.
The 3"ll"$ing $ill make still clearer the "rder in $hich the numbers are t" be inserted, $ith the 3igure
Page (G
dra$n in an u2right 2"siti"n.
<cc"rding t" this 2rinci2le, all the "ther magic sBuares "3 "dd numbers are made.
The 3"ll"$ing is the tetragram "3 the number se/en:
*ach c"lumn added t"gether 2r"duces +(6.
Page ()
The numbers "mitted here may be inserted by the student.
The c"nstructi"n "3 tetragrams "3 e/en numbers is m"re c"m2licated, but the 3"ll"$ing e1am2les $ill
sh"$ the 2rinci2les a3ter $hich they are c"nstructed.
5I
/ H)(I H)I H-)I H)2I 3
H0I 33 H(0I H(1I 1 H)4I
H(-I H3-I 3/ 32 H()I H3.I
H3)I H(4I (( (3 H30I H31I
H(2I (. H34I H.I (/ H3(I
)/ H2I H))I H-I H(I )3
Summa K 333
5III
1 H21I H/(I H-I H2I H2.I H/)I 3
H.I 32 H23I H2)I H2(I H2-I 34 H3/I
H-1I H31I (( H--I H-2I 3. H()I H-3I
H(2I H).I H)2I (. (1 H)1I H)-I H)(I
H))I H)3I H(0I )0 )/ H)4I H(/I H-4I
H(-I H-(I -/ H(4I H(3I -) H-0I H30I
H-.I 22 H33I H3)I H3(I H3-I 24 H2/I
/- H(I H/I H/4I H/3I H)I H0I 20
Page (6
Summa K (/4
*/ery 2ers"n has a certain number that e12resses his character,and i3 $e kn"$ that number, $e may, by
the use "3 the magic sBuares, calculate certain 2eri"dical changes in his mental and em"ti"nal states,
$hich induce him t" make certain changes in his "ut$ard c"nditi"ns, and in this $ay calculate
a22r"1imately the time $hen s"me im2"rtant changes may take 2lace in his career. :
Peri"dicity is a mani3estati"n "3 uni/ersal la$, and an attenti"n t" it may lead t" s"me im2"rtant
disc"/eries. >ts acti"ns ha/e l"ng ag" been kn"$n t" e1ist in the /ibrati"ns 2r"ducing light and s"und,
and it has recently been rec"gnised in chemistry by e12eriments tending t" 2r"/e that all s"'called
sim2le elements 9Page 3)4: are "nly /ari"us states "3 /ibrati"ns "3 "ne 2rim"rdial element, mani3esting
itsel3 in se/en 2rinci2al m"des "3 acti"n, each "3 $hich t" be sub'di/ided int" se/en 9Page 3)3: again. The
di33erence $hich e1ists bet$een s"'called single substances is, there3"re, n" di33erence "3 substance
9Page 3)(: "r matter, but "nly a di33erence "3 the 3uncti"n "3 matter "r in the rati" "3 its at"mic /ibrati"n.
This 2eri"dicity is als" kn"$n t" e1ist in the macr"c"sm "3 the uni/erse4 the tide "3 ci/ilisati"n rises and
sinks acc"rding t" certain la$s, and ages "3 s2iritual ign"rance are 3"ll"$ed by eras "3 s2iritual
enlightenment4 u2"n the (ali 1uga 3"ll"$s the Sat!a 1uga Hthe era "3 $isd"mI, as sure as day 3"ll"$s the
night.9This 2eri"dicity is stated t" be as 3"ll"$s: '
Sat!a 1uga Q ),&KK di/ine years.
Treta 1uga Q G,%KK di/ine years
'%apara 1uga Q -,)KK di/ine years
(ali 1uga Q +,-KK di/ine years
*ach di/ine year being eBual t" G%K years "3 m"rtal men. .ee H. P. Bla/atsky: WThe"s"2hical :l"ssaryA:
The number .e/en re2resents the scale o nature" it is re2resented in all de2artments "3 nature, 3r"m the
radiant sun, $h"se light is br"ken by a de$dr"2 int" the se/en c"l"urs "3 the rainb"$, d"$n t" the
sn"$3lake crystallising in si1'2"inted stars ar"und the in/isible centre. The la$ "3 se/en has been 3"und
t" rule in the de/el"2ment and gr"$th "3 /egetable and animal "rganisms, in the c"nstituti"n "3 the
uni/erse, and in the c"nstituti"n "3 Man. .e/en is the rule by $hich the t"tality "3 e1istence is measured,
but )ive is the number "3 Harmon!. >3 the 3i3th n"te in the musical scale is in acc"rd $ith the 3irst and the
third, harm"ny $ill be the result. There are "ther acc"rds $hich are harm"ni"us, but the m"st 2er3ect
acc"rd is caused by the harm"ny "3 the 3irst, the third, and the 3i3th. T$" s"unds may be harm"ni"us, but
t" attain a 2er3ect acc"rd a third "ne is reBuired. The same la$ rules in the c"nstituti"n "3 Man. >3 his
b"dy Hhis 3irst 2rinci2leI is in acc"rd $ith his instincts Hthe thirdI, he e12eriences 2leasant sensati"ns, but
3ull harm"ny and ha22iness is "nly attained $hen his 3i3th 2rinci2le 9Page 3)): Hhis intelligenceI 3ully
assents in the uni"n "3 the 3irst and the third. @ther 2arallels may be dra$n bet$een the musical scale
and the scale "3 2rinci2les in man, and it $ill be 3"und that b"th ha/e their acc"rds in moll and in dur that
c"rres2"nd t" each "ther. *ach man9s li3e is a sym2h"ny, in $hich either harm"ni"us "r disc"rdant tunes
Page (%
may 2re/ail.
The 2"$er by $hich harm"ny is 2r"duced is the 2"$er "3 #"/e. #"/e 2r"duces uni"n and harm"ny, hate
causes dissensi"n and disc"rd. #"/e is the 2"$er "3 mutual rec"gniti"n4 rec"gniti"n is a mani3estati"n "3
c"nsci"usness, c"nsci"usness is a mani3estati"n "3 li3e. #i3e, #"/e, !"nsci"usness, Harm"ny, are
essentially "ne. #"/e is the 2"$er by $hich a being e1isting in "ne 3"rm rec"gnises itsel3 in the 3"rm "3
an"ther being. Why d" s"me n"tes, i3 s"unded t"gether, 2r"duce harm"ny, i3 n"t "n acc"unt "3 the
similarity "3 the elements that c"m2"se them c"ming t" the c"nsci"usness "3 "ur "$n mind E Mutual
rec"gniti"n am"ng 3riends causes 5"y, and 5"y means harm"ny, ha22iness, and c"ntent.
>3 t$" "r m"re n"tes "3 e1actly the same kind are s"unded t"gether, they 2r"duce neither harm"ny n"r
disc"rd, they sim2ly increase their "$n strength. They are already "ne, in 3"rm and in s2irit4 but i3
di33erent n"tes are struck, each c"ntaining an element als" c"ntained in the "ther, each sees its "$n
c"unter2art re2resented in the mirr"r held by the "ther, and this rec"gniti"n is 5"y. >3 $e listen t" beauti3ul
music the air seems 3illed $ith li3e. >3 the 2rinci2le "3 harm"ny e1ists $ithin "ursel/es $e rec"gnise it in
music4 it bec"mes ali/e in "ur s"ul. < disc"rdant being may listen t" the m"st beauti3ul music and $ill
e12erience n" 2leasure because there is n" harm"ny $ithin his "$n s"ul.
>3 a 2rinci2le bec"mes c"nsci"us "3 its "$n e1istence in an"ther 3"rm and rec"gnises its beauty in that
3"rm in its 2urity, and unall"yed by any adulterati"n, 2er3ect harm"ny is the result. >3 t$" "r m"re things
c"ntain the same element, these elements are 5ustly ada2ted t" each "ther, and seek t" unite, because
they are c"nstituted alike, they /ibrate t"gether as "ne. This tendency 9Page 3)-: t" unite is Attraction,
$hich mani3ests itsel3 "n all 2lanes "3 e1istence. The 2lanets are attracted t" the sun and t" each "ther,
because they all c"ntain the same elements, seeking t" reunite, and the 2"$er "3 gravitation is n"thing
else but the 2"$er e1ercised by l"/e. Man is attracted t" $"man and $"man t" man, because i3 they
realise in each "ther the 2resence "3 the elements "3 their "$n ideal, they $ill l"/e each "ther and be
3ully c"ntented. Man and $"man can "nly truly l"/e each "ther i3 they are b"th attracted by the same
ideal. This ideal may be high "r l"$, but the higher it is the m"re 2ermanent $ill it be, and the greater $ill
be their mutual ha22iness.
@riginal man $as a 7nity4 an ethereal being, in $h"m $ill and th"ught $ere "ne. Being misled by the
allurements "3 sensual e1istence he began t" dream, and $hile he dreamed he 3"rg"t his "$n di/ine
nature and became a $"rm "3 the earth. When he "2ened his eyes, he 3"und the $"man be3"re him. He,
the "riginal unity had bec"me di/ided in t$"4 $hich means that his $ill and his reas"n had bec"me
di/ided4 they $ere n" l"nger in harm"ny $ith each "ther and n" l"nger in harm"ny $ith the la$. Man
re2resents the imaginati"n, $"man the $ill. >3 they had b"th se2arated themsel/es 3r"m the la$ as they
did 3r"m each "ther, $"man $"uld ha/e n" intelligence and man $"uld ha/e n" $ill4 but 3"rtunately s"me
"3 the "riginal nature that c"nstituted "riginal man remained $ith them4 they still are b"th t" a certain
e1tent emb"diments "3 the la$, and by entering again int" harm"ny $ith the la$, $ill and intelligence $ill
bec"me united in $isd"m4 the heart "ne $ith the head4 the true man and the true $"man "ne being. This
is the celestial marriage "3 the s"ul $ith the s2irit, "3 beauty $ith strength, "3 $hich all e1ternal marriages
are at best symb"ls but usually caricatures.
#an/ind is "nly "ne, but it a22ears in many milli"ns "3 /ari"us masks. This mask is the personalit! "3
each man, the instrument thr"ugh $hich his humanity acts, and $hich is 3ull "3 im2er3ecti"ns. He, in
Page ((
$h"m humanity has bec"me c"nsci"us, sees in e/ery man and 9Page 3)2: $"man n"t "nly his br"ther "r
sister, but his o%n sel. < 2ers"n $h" in5ures an"ther, in5ures himsel3, 3"r each man c"nstitutes a 2"$er
$hich acts u2"n all the elements c"nstituting humanity and the g""d "r e/il he d"es $ill return t" himsel34
because $hate/er takes 2lace in humanity, takes 2lace $ithin his "$n nature4 3"r his true nature is that "3
humanity and the b"dy "3 humanity bel"ngs t" it as a $h"le.
#"/e is sel3'rec"gniti"n. O"u cann"t l"/e a thing "r rec"gnise y"ursel3 in it, i3 y"u are n"t related t" it. O"u
cann"t l"/e humanity i3 y"u ha/e n"t the 2rinci2le "3 humanity ali/e in y"u4 y"u cann"t l"/e :"d and still
remain Mr .mith "r Mrs F"nes4 "nly :"d can l"/e :"d. T" l"/e :"d y"u must "utgr"$ y"ursel3 and
bec"me truly di/ine. He $h" claims t" l"/e :"d $ith"ut ha/ing any s2iritual kn"$ledge "3 Him is a
hy2"crite "r a 3""l.
#"/e is sel3'kn"$ledge, :"d. >t is a s2iritual, sel3'e1istent, and sel3'su33icient 2rinci2le, reBuiring 3"r its
"$n being "nly its "$n sel34 but $ith"ut s"me "b5ect it cann"t bec"me mani3est, and the Buality "3 its
mani3estati"n de2ends "n the Buality "3 that "b5ect. < 2ers"n in l"/e $ith himsel3 l"/es a n"thing. #"/e in
the high acts high, in the degraded, l"$. The m"re uni/ersal the "b5ect, the m"re $ill the 2"$er "3 l"/e in
a 2ers"n e12and the mind4 but the mind, t" be s" e12anded, must be str"ng, a $eak mind has n" 2"$er.
#"/e, t" be str"ng, must be 2ure, intelligent, and unall"yed $ith sel3ish c"nsiderati"ns. >3 $e l"/e a thing
"n acc"unt "3 the use $e can make "3 it, $e d" n"t in reality l"/e that thing, but "ursel/es. Pure l"/e has
"nly the $ell'being "3 its "b5ect in /ie$, it d"es n"t calculate 2r"3its, and is n"t a3raid "3 disad/antages
that may gr"$ "ut "3 its l"/e. The intellect calculates, but l"/e is its "$n la$.
>m2ure l"/e is $eak and d"es n"t enter int" its "b5ect4 it may cause a ru33le "n the s"ul "3 an"ther, but
d"es n"t 2enetrate t" the centre. Pure l"/e 2enetrates and cann"t be resisted. The m"st 2"tent l"/e
2"ti"n a 2ers"n can gi/e t" an"ther is t" l"/e that 2ers"n $ith"ut any sel3ish "b5ect in /ie$. 9Page 3)/:
>3 y"u $ish t" 2r"gress "n the r"ad t" 2er3ecti"n, take less"ns in l"/e. #earn t" l"/e the highest, and y"u
$ill be attracted by it. #"/e in e/ery man n"t the 2ers"n, but his humanity. >3 y"u des2ise an"ther y"u
des2ise y"ur "$n sel3, because he $h" 2r"minently n"tices the 3aults "3 an"ther has the elements "3
th"se 3aults in himsel3. < /ain 2ers"n is re2ulsed by the /anity "3 an"ther, a liar e12ects 3r"m "thers the
truth, a thie3 d"es n"t $ish t" ha/e his "$n 2r"2erty taken a$ay.
*ach man is a mirr"r in $hich e/ery "ther man may see his "$n image re3lected, either as he is "r as he
may bec"me in the 3uture, 3"r in e/ery human s"ul e1ist the same elements, alth"ugh in di33erent states
"3 de/el"2ment, and there de/el"2ment "3ten de2ends "n e1ternal c"nditi"ns "/er $hich man has but
little c"ntr"l.
#"/e is the m"st necessary element 3"r the c"ntinuance "3 li3e4 there is n" li3e $ith"ut l"/e, and i3 man
$ere t" cease t" l"/e li3e he $"uld cease t" li/e. < l"/e 3"r a higher li3e $ill lead men t" a higher
c"nditi"n, a l"/e 3"r a l"$er state $ill drag them d"$n t" the l"$. >t "3ten ha22ens that i3 a 2ers"n9s l"/e
3"r a high ideal d"es n"t meet the "b5ect $hich it desires, it trans3ers its l"/e u2"n s"mething that is l"$.
@ld 3emales $ith"ut any "33s2ring "3ten trans3er their 2arental a33ecti"n u2"n s"me 3a/"urite cat "r d"g,
and there are men $h" buy the semblance "3 l"/e $hen n" genuine l"/e can be had.
Page (&
Whene/er a l"$er /ibrati"n is n"t entirely "ut "3 harm"ny $ith a higher "ne, the higher /ibrati"n
accelerates the acti"n "3 the l"$er "ne and brings it u2 t" its "$n le/el, in the same manner as a bar "3
ir"n, surr"unded by an insulated electric $ire, may ha/e electricity induced in it, and thr"ugh a l"ng'
c"ntinued and 2"$er3ul acti"n "3 the higher /ibrati"ns u2"n the l"$er "nes, e/en the in/"luntary acti"ns
"3 the b"dy, such as the m"/ements "3 the heart, may bec"me sub5ect t" indi/idual $ill. T$" strings "3 a
musical instrument $hich s"und n"t entirely "ut "3 harm"ny, by being s"unded t"gether 3"r a certain
length "3 time, at last bec"me harm"ni"us4 a man li/ing in m"re re3ined s"ciety, $hich is n"t t"" 3ar
ab"/e his m"ral "r 9Page 3)0: intellectual le/el, $ill bec"me m"re re3ined, ser/ants $ill a2e their masters,
and animals take s"me "3 the l"$er characteristics "3 th"se that attend t" them, and 3riends "r married
c"u2les being c"ntinually in each "ther9s c"m2any may 3inally resemble each "ther t" a certain e1tent.
>3 the res2ecti/e rates "3 the /ibrati"ns "3 t$" substances are entirely "ut "3 harm"ny, they may re2el
each "ther, and abn"rmal acti/ity "r e1citement 3"ll"$s. The animal b"dy, 3"r instance, can be e12"sed
$ith"ut danger t" a c"m2arati/ely high degree "3 heat, i3 the tem2erature is gradually raised4 $hile an
e/en l"$er degree "3 heat may be /ery in5uri"us i3 a22lied suddenly. >t is n"t $ith"ut reas"ns that the
"ccultist abstains 3r"m <lc"h"l and 3r"m animal 3""d.
What may be "ne man9s 3""d, $ill be an"ther man9s 2"is"nA4 in the s2here "3 matter as $ell as in the
s2here "3 the em"ti"ns. .tr"ng c"nstituti"ns can bear str"ng 3""d, $eak minds $ill get 3rightened at
un$elc"me truths. ?" man has e/er bec"me an <de2t merely because he li/ed "n /egetables4 a
/egetable diet is h"$e/er 2re3erable t" meat'eating 3"r /ari"us reas"ns. <2art 3r"m the sel3'e/ident 3act
that it is entirely "22"sed t" the di/ine la$ "3 5ustice that he $h" stri/es a3ter the attainment "3 a higher
state "3 e1istence sh"uld destr"y animal li3e, "r cause "thers t" destr"y it 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 grati3ying his
a22etite.
Th"se $h" desire t" bec"me m"re s2iritual and re3ined sh"uld a/"id su22lying their b"dies $ith that
$hich is gr"ss4 th"se $h" desire t" master their 2assi"ns sh"uld n"t 3eed them $ith substances in $hich
the elements "3 such 2assi"ns reside.
< great /ariety "3 di33erent kinds "3 3""d 2r"duces im2urities "3 the bl""d4 a struggle ensues bet$een the
di33erent auras, and e1citement, 3e/er, and disease is the result. The same la$ e12lains the "rigin "3
/enereal and cutane"us diseases, and in the astral 2lane, a great /ariety "3 em"ti"ns, called int"
e1istence $ithin a sh"rt s2ace "3 time, may render a 2ers"n insane.
>3 t$" 3"rces "3 a character di33erent 3r"m each "ther meet, disharm"ny $ill be the result. */eryb"dy has
9Page 3)1: his "$n 2eculiar emanati"ns and auras and transmits them t" "thers, s" e/ery"ne recei/es the
magnetic auras "3 "thers "r "3 the l"cality by $hich he is surr"unded, and these emanati"ns may be
either $h"les"me "r 2esti3er"us4 men and $"men may either cure "r 2"is"n each "ther by them, and it is
there3"re $ell t" 3"ll"$ the ad/ice $hich :autama Buddha ga/e t" his disci2les, and eat and slee2 al"ne.
Many 2e"2le are /ery care3ul t" ha/e their 3""d $ell 2re2ared, s" that n" unhealthy 3""d enters the b"dy4
$hile at the same time they are /ery careless as t" $hat th"ughts enter their mind4 but the Buality "3 the
Page (,
th"ughts that d$ell in the mind, and "3 the em"ti"ns $hich n"urish the s"ul, is "3 3ar m"re im2"rtance
than the Buality "3 the 3""d $hich enters the b"dy. The mind and the $ill "3 man, n" less than his b"dy,
may be 2"is"ned4 the 3""d $hich the mind reBuires c"mes 3r"m the highest 2lanes "3 th"ught4 the 3""d
3"r the s"ul 3r"m the light "3 di/ine $isd"m. @nly that $hich has descended 3r"m hea/en can rise t"
hea/en again.
There is n" such thing as WsinA in the usual acce2tati"n "3 this term and there is n" "ne t" 2unish it. @ur
mistakes are "ur teachers4 "ur /ices are "3ten the basis "3 "ur /irtues, "ur 2assi"ns are the ste2s $hich
3urnish material 3"r the ste2s that lead us t" hea/en. =ice and /irtue are mani3estati"ns "3 "ne energy,
$hich $e may em2l"y acc"rding t" the degree "3 "ur $isd"m4 but he $h" has n" 2"$er 3"r e/il has als"
n" 2"$er 3"r g""d.We may s2end the treasure $hich nature has lent us either 3"r a high "r 3"r a l"$
2ur2"se, it c"ncerns "nly "ursel/es4 but $e cann"t e12end the same sum again a3ter it has been
e12ended. < 2urely animal li3e $ill 2r"duce ha22iness i3 the 2"ssess"r is c"ntented $ith it. >3 a 2ers"n
has n" higher "b5ect in /ie$ than t" eat and drink, slee2, and 2r"2agate his s2ecies, he may be thereby
rendered ha22y4 there can be n"thing $r"ng4 but he $h" desires t" bec"me an imm"rtal being, must
take care n"t t" $aste his strength.
@nly that $hich is 2ure can be harm"ni"us.
.ingleness "3 2ur2"se renders a m"ti/e 2ure, but a /ariety "3 2ur2"ses causes im2urity. >3 a 2ers"n
de/"tes 9Page 3).: himsel3 t" a certain m"de "3 li3e, because all his desires are directed t"$ards that end,
his m"ti/e $ill be 2ure4 but i3 he has besides "ther "b5ects in /ie$, his m"ti/e $ill be im2ure, and may
de3eat his aim.
The $"rd WasceticismA is c"ntinually misunderst""d. < man $h" li/es in a c"n/ent, "r as an hermit in the
$ilderness, is n"t an WasceticA, i3 he has n" desire 3"r a li3e in the $"rld4 3"r it is n" act "3 sel3'denial t"
a/"id that $hich $e d" n"t $ant. W<sceticismA means discipline, and a 2ers"n $h" is disgusted $ith the
$ays "3 the $"rld underg"es a much m"re se/ere disci2line, i3 he remains in the $"rld, than i3 he runs
a$ay, and g"es $here he may en5"y his 2eace. The real ascetic is there3"re he $h" li/es in the midst "3
the s"ciety $h"se manners dis2lease him, and $h"se tastes are n"t his "$n, and $h", in s2ite "3 all the
tem2tati"ns by $hich he may be surr"unded, still maintains his integrity "3 character. .trength "nly gr"$s
by resistance. @ur enemies are "ur 3riends, i3 $e kn"$ h"$ t" use them. < hermit li/ing in the $""ds,
$here he has n" tem2tati"ns, gains n" strength. >s"lati"n is "nly suitable 3"r an <de2t4 the ?e"2hite must
g" thr"ugh"ut the "rdeal "3 li3e.
< tiger d"es n"t sin i3 he kills a man, he "nly 3"ll"$s the la$ "3 his nature. He $h" 3"ll"$s the dictates "3
his nature c"mmits n" crime. But $hat is /irtue in an animal may bec"me /ice in a man4 because he has
t$" natures, an animal and a s2iritual nature. >3 he kn"$s his "$n higher nature, he $ill 3"ll"$ it, and 3"r
the 2ur2"se "3 "btaining kn"$ledge "3 it he must sin and su33er the c"nseBuences. ;eal sin is the $il3ul
re5ecti"n "3 the mani3estati"n "3 di/ine truth.
The saintly Ec/hart says: W:"d has made great sinners "3 th"se $h" $ere t" bec"me the 2er3"rmers "3
great $"rks4 s" that they c"uld attain a su2eri"r $isd"m by means "3 his l"/e. >3 :"d 3"und it necessary
that > sh"uld ha/e sinned and su33ered 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 gaining e12erience, > d" n"t $ish that > had n"t
sinned, n"r d" > regret ha/ing sinned4 3"r thus his $ill is d"ne "n earth as it is in hea/en. < truly h"nest
Page &K
man $ill als" n"t $ish that he sh"uld ha/e n" desire 3"r 9Page 3-4: sinning4 because $ith"ut the 2"$er t"
sin he $"uld ha/e n" means t" "/erc"me it. There can be n" /ict"ry $ith"ut a battle, and n" true
kn"$ledge "3 g""d $ith"ut the e12erience "3 e/ilA.
.u33ering is an abs"lutely necessary c"nditi"n 3"r man as l"ng as he has n"t attained 2er3ecti"n. T"
belie/e in the 2resence "3 su33ering is as necessary 3"r his terrestrial nature as it is necessary 3"r his
s2iritual nature t" realise the 2resence "3 :"d. There is n" "ther ;edeemer "3 Mankind e1ce2t .el3'
kn"$ledge attained by e12erience. >3 all the 2"/erty in the $"rld c"uld be arti3icially ab"lished at "nce,
men and $"men $"uld 2erish in ind"lence. ?"thing can be truly en5"yed $hich has n"t been gained by
"ne9s "$n e1erti"ns. >3 there $ere "ne teacher su22"sed t" be in3allible, $h"se dictates $"uld be
acce2ted by e/eryb"dy, the $h"le $"rld $"uld be satis3ied in belie/ing his the"ries4 there $"uld be n"
incitement 3"r any"ne t" seek himsel3 3"r the truth. >3 $e su22"rt a lazy beggar in his idleness, $e r"b him
"3 the "22"rtunity t" gain by e12erience that kn"$ledge $hich he can right3ully claim.
Metals are 2uri3ied by 3ire, and the heart gains kn"$ledge by su33ering. The l"$er desires must star/e t"
n"urish the higher4 the animal 2assi"ns must be cruci3ied and die4 but the angel "3 #"/e rem"/es the
st"ne 3r"m the se2ulchre, and liberates the higher energies 3r"m the s2here "3 sel3ishness and darkness4
and the resurrected /irtues li/e and bec"me acti/e in a ne$ $"rld "3 light and harm"ny.
>3 y"u $ish t" re2resent t" y"ur mind the 2r"cess "3 s2iritual 2uri3icati"n, seek t" understand that y"u are
a $"rld created by a dream, 3illed $ith the 2r"duct "3 the imaginati"n "3 nature, and thr"$n int" dis"rder
by the absence "3 the light "3 di/ine $isd"m, $hich is the rec"gniti"n "3 di/ine la$, the true inner sel3'
c"nsci"usness, $hich y"u d" n"t 2"ssess. O"u are c"m2arable t" an em2ty n"thing, an e/anescent
s"a2'bubble, u2"n $h"se glittering sur3ace /ari"us c"l"urs 2lay4 but in $hich there is n" true li3e and n"
substance as l"ng as the truth has n"t bec"me a li/ing 2"$er in y"u. >n this $"rld as in a mirr"r the
in/isible image "3 the 9Page 3-3: di/ine Adonai is 3"r e/er re3lected and his 2"$er is latent $ithin y"u. >3, by
the strength "3 "bedience and the kn"$ledge $hich y"u ha/e already recei/ed, y"u can subdue the
turbulent elements in y"ur $"rld and rest"re "rder in !ha"s by ceasing t" gi/e li3e and strength t" y"ur
desires and dreams, then $ill the image "3 the #"rd "3 <ll, $h"se 2resence is e/ery$here, bec"me
/isible in y"ursel3 and his 2"$er a$aken $ithin y"u.
>n this 2rinci2le $ill and th"ught and the la$ are as "ne $ith"ut any di/isi"n. >3 y"u kn"$ the la$, it $ill
lead y"u t" unity and rest"rati"n "3 harm"ny4 the di/ine ideal $ill bec"me realised $ithin y"u, and as it
bec"mes a reality in y"u, y"u $ill rec"gnise it as being y"ur "$n imm"rtal sel3.
B"nes, muscles, ner/es, etc., are the elements "3 the 2hysical c"nstituti"n "3 man4 illusi"ns, delusi"ns,
dreams, the"ries, "2ini"ns, and d"gmas are the inhabitants "3 his mind4 truth, l"/e, 5ustice, 2urity, sel3'
kn"$ledge, 3reed"m, harm"ny, and ha22iness are the elements and attributes "3 his s2iritual "rganism,
and the m"re these 2rinci2les mani3est their uni/ersality in him, the m"re $ill he himsel3 a22r"ach the
di/ine state.
T" rec"gnise the di/inity in humanity is t" bec"me di/ine4 t" beh"ld the realisati"n "3 the highest ideal
$ithin "ne9s "$n s"ul is di/ine ad"rati"n4 t" desire n"t the 2"ssessi"n "3 any creature, but t" ad"re the
!reat"r $ithin them all, including "nesel3, is $"rshi24 t" rec"gnise and en5"y the harm"nies "3 the
Page &+
uni/erse mani3ested in nature is di/ine 2raise4 t" let the unity "3 $ill, th"ught, and la$ be rest"red $ithin
"ne9s s"ul is true meditati"n4 t" rise ab"/e the illusi"n "3 sel3 and sacri3ice "nesel3 t" the :"d "3 <ll is true
2rayer4 t" realise the truth $ithin "ne9s "$n heart is t" dis2el the cl"uds "3 err"r4 t" bec"me n"thing
"nesel3 is t" enter int" that higher sel3'c"nsci"usness $hich c"nstitutes man9s di/ine state.
There is n"t a single instance kn"$n in hist"ry in $hich true 2rayer has n"t been e33icaci"us. >3 any man
has n"t "btained that $hich he asked, it "nly 2r"/es that he did n"t kn"$ h"$ t" 2ray. True 2rayer d"es
9Page 3-(: n"t c"nsist in $"rds, but in acti"ns, and the g"ds hel2 him $h" hel2s himsel34 but he $h"
e12ects that the g"ds sh"uld d" 3"r him that $hich he "ught t" acc"m2lish himsel3, d"es n"t kn"$ h"$ t"
2ray, and $ill be disa22"inted. Prayer means the rising u2 in "ur th"ughts and as2irati"ns t" the highest
ideal4 i3 $e d" n"t rise u2 t" it, $e d" n"t 2ray. >3 $e e12ect "ur highest ideal t" c"me d"$n t" us, $e
e12ect an absurdity and im2"ssibility.
T" attain the highest the s2irit sh"uld be the master, the 2assi"ns the ser/ants. < hel2less cri22le is the
sla/e "3 his ser/ant4 a man $h" de2ends "n ign"rant ser/ants t" d" $"rk $hich he can d" himsel3, has
t" submit t" their $hims and im2er3ecti"ns, and i3 he changes his ser/ants, that d"es n"t change his
2"siti"n. < 2ers"n $h" has /ulgar desires and tastes bec"mes their ser/ant4 they dictate t" him, and he
has t" e1ert himsel3 t" attain the means t" grati3y their claims4 but he $h" has n" ign"ble desires t"
ser/e, is 3ree. Ha/ing c"nBuered the $"rld "3 $hich he himsel3 is the creat"r and $hich bel"ngs t" him,
his stri3e $ith the astral elements ceases. F"r him disc"rd n" l"nger e1ists, and resting $ith his heart at
the centre, he is himsel3 the sun illuminating his $"rld and en5"ys the harm"nies $hich he created in his
"$n di/ine nature.9Page 3-):
Page &-
CH,PT'* 5I
ILL+SIO&S$
"*eason dissi;ates the illusions and @isionar! inter;retations of things#
in <hich the imagination runAA riotE$ C %r Caird$
TH* 3irst 2"$er that meets us at the thresh"ld "3 s"ul9s d"mini"n is the 2"$er "3 imaginati"n: it is the
2lastic and creati/e 2"$er "3 the mind. Man is c"nsci"us "3 being able t" recei/e ideas and t" 2ut them
int" 3"rms. He li/es n"t entirely in the "b5ecti/e $"rld, but 2"ssesses an interi"r $"rld "3 his "$n. >t is in
his 2"$er t" be the s"le aut"crat in that $"rld, the master "3 its creati"ns and l"rd "/er all it c"ntains. He
may g"/ern there by the su2reme 2"$er "3 his $ill, and i3 ideas intrude, $hich ha/e n" legitimate right t"
e1ist in it, it is in his 2"$er either t" dri/e them a$ay "r su33er them t" remain and t" gr"$. His reas"n is
the su2reme ruler in that $"rld, its ministers are the em"ti"ns. >3 man9s reas"n, misled by the treacher"us
ad/ice "3 e/il em"ti"ns, su33ers e/il ideas t" gr"$, they may bec"me 2"$er3ul and dethr"ne reas"n.
This interi"r $"rld, like the "uter $"rld, is a $"rld "3 its "$n. >t is s"metimes dark, s"metimes illumined4
its s2ace and the things it c"ntains are as real t" its inhabitants as the 2hysical $"rld is real t" the
2hysical senses4 its h"riz"n may be either narr"$ "r e12anded, limited in s"me and $ith"ut limits in
"thers4 it has its beauti3ul scenery and its dismal l"calities, its sunshine and st"rms, its 3"rms "3 beauty
and h"rrible sha2es. >t is the 2ri/ilege "3 man t" retire t" that $"rld $hene/er he ch""ses4 2hysical
enemies d" n"t 2ersecute him there4 b"dily 2ain cann"t enter. The /e1ati"ns "3 material li3e remain
behind, "nly that $hich m"/es his s"ul enters $ith him. 9Page 3--:
>n this interi"r realm is the Temple o #an $herein he can l"ck the d""r against the intrusi"n "3 sensual
im2ressi"ns. @n the entrance "3 that tem2le are the '%ellers o the Threshold" made "3 desires and
2assi"ns, $hich are "ur "$n creati"ns, and $hich must be c"nBuered be3"re $e can enter. Within that
tem2le e1ists a $"rld, as big and illimitable as the unb"unded uni/erse. >n this inner realm is the :"d
$h"se s2irit 3l"ats "/er the $aters "3 the dee2, and $h"se iat calls int" e1istence the creatures $hich
inhabit the kingd"m "3 mind.
>n the air surr"unding the centre "3 that interi"r $"rld is the battle gr"und "3 the g"ds. There the g"ds "3
l"/e and hate, the daem"ns "3 lust and 2ride, and anger, the de/ils "3 malice, cruelty, and re/enge,
/anity, en/y, and 5eal"usy, h"ld high carni/al, they stir u2 the em"ti"ns, and, unless subdued by ;eas"n,
gr"$ str"ng en"ugh t" dethr"ne it.
;eas"n rests u2"n the rec"gniti"n "3 Truth. Where/er truth is disregarded illusi"ns a22ear. >3 $e l"se
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sight "3 the highest, the l"$ $ill a22ear, and an illusi"n $ill be created. One is the number "3 Truth, Six is
the number "3 illusi"n, because the .i1 ha/e n" e1istence $ith"ut the .e/enth, they are the /isible
2r"ducts "3 the "ne, mani3esting itsel3 as si1 ar"und an in/isible centre. Where/er they are si1, there
must be the se/enth. The si1 cann"t kn"$ the se/enth i3 the se/enth d"es n"t bec"me mani3est. :"d
kn"$s himsel34 but $e cann"t kn"$ his 2resence unless that 2resence bec"mes mani3ested in us. @ne is
the number "3 li3e, and si1 the number "3 shad"$s, ha/ing n" li3e "3 their "$n.
F"rms $ith"ut li3e are illusi/e, and he $h" mistakes the 3"rm 3"r the li3e "r 2rinci2le "3 $hich it is an
e12ressi"n is haunted by an illusi"n. F"rms 2erish, but the 2rinci2le that causes their e1istence remains.
The "b5ect "3 3"rms is t" re2resent 2rinci2les, and as l"ng as a 3"rm is a true re2resentati"n "3 a
2rinci2le, the 2rinci2le gi/es it li3e4 but i3 a 3"rm is made t" ser/e an"ther 2rinci2le than the "ne $hich
called it int" e1istence, degradati"n $ill be the result. 9Page 3-2:
The irrati"nal 3"rms 2r"duced by nature are 2er3ect e12ressi"ns "3 the 2rinci2les they are intended t"
re2resent4 rati"nal beings "nly are the dissemblers. *ach animal is a true e12ressi"n "3 the character
re2resented by its 3"rm, "nly at the 2"int $here intellectuality begins dece2ti"n c"mmences. *ach animal
3"rm is a symb"l "3 the mental state $hich characterises its s"ul, because it is n"t itsel3 the arbitrary
"riginat"r "3 its 3"rm, but rati"nal man has it in his 2"$er t" create, and i3 he 2r"stitutes "ne 2rinci2le in a
3"rm 3"r an"ther, the 3"rm $ill gradually ad"2t that sha2e $hich characterises the 2r"stituted 2rinci2le, "3
$hich, in the c"urse "3 time, it bec"mes a true e12ressi"n.
There3"re $e 3ind that a man "3 n"ble a22earance, by bec"ming a miser, gradually ad"2ts the sneaking
l""k and the stealthy gait "3 an animal g"ing in search "3 its 2rey4 the lasci/i"us may acBuire the habits,
and 2erha2s the a22earance, "3 a m"nkey "r g"at, the sly "ne the 3eatures "3 a 3"1, and the c"nceited
the l""ks "3 a d"nkey.
>3 "ur b"dies $ere 3"rmed "3 a m"re ethereal and 2lastic material than "3 muscles and b"nes, each
change "3 "ur character $"uld 2r"duce Buickly a c"rres2"nding change "3 "ur 3"rm4 but gr"ss matter is
inert and 3"ll"$s "nly sl"$ly the im2ressi"ns made u2"n the s"ul. The material "3 $hich astral 3"rms are
made are m"re 2lastic, and the s"ul "3 a /illain"us 2ers"n may actually resemble a 2""l 3illed $ith /i2ers
and sc"r2i"ns, the true symb"l "3 his m"ral characteristics, mirr"red in his mind. < generati"n "3 saints
$"uld, in the c"urse "3 time, 2r"duce a nati"n "3 <2"ll"s and Dianas, a generati"n "3 /illains $"uld gr"$
int" m"nsters and d$ar3s. T" kee2 the 3"rm in its "riginal beauty the 2rinci2le must be ke2t 2ure and
$ith"ut any adulterati"n.
@ne 3undamental c"l"ur "3 the s"lar s2ectrum, i3 unmi1ed, is as 2ure as an"ther4 "ne element, i3 3ree
3r"m an"ther, is 2ure. 7nmi1ed c"22er is as 2ure as unall"yed g"ld, and em"ti"ns are 2ure i3 3ree 3r"m
e1trane"us mi1ture. F"rms are 2ure i3 they re2resent their 2rinci2les in their 2urity4 a /illain $h" sh"$s
himsel3 $hat he is, is 2ure and true t" his nature, a 9Page 3-/: saint $h" dissembles is im2ure and 3alse.
Fashi"ns are the e1ternal e12ressi"ns "3 the mental states "3 a c"untry, and i3 men and $"men
degenerate in their character their 3ashi"ns $ill bec"me absurd.
The $ant "3 2"$er t" discriminate bet$een the true and the illusi/e, bet$een the 3"rm and the 2rinci2le,
and the c"nseBuent err"r "3 a22rehending the l"$ 3"r the high, is the cause "3 su33ering. Man9s material
Page &)
interests are generally c"nsidered t" be "3 su2reme im2"rtance, and the interests "3 the highest
elements in his c"nstituti"n are 3"rg"tten. The 2"$er that sh"uld be e12ended t" 3eed the high is eaten
u2 by the l"$. >nstead "3 the l"$ ser/ing the high, the high is made t" ser/e the l"$, and instead "3 the
3"rm being used as an instrument "3 acti"n 3"r a high 2rinci2le, a l"$ 2rinci2le is substituted 3"r a higher
"ne, 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 ser/ing the 3"rm.
.uch a 2r"stituti"n "3 2rinci2le in 3a/"ur "3 3"rm is 3"und in all s2heres "3 s"cial li3e. We 3ind it am"ng the
rich and the 2""r, the educated and the ign"rant, in the 3"rum, the 2ress, and the 2ul2it, n" less than in
the halls "3 the merchant and in the daily transacti"ns "3 li3e. The 2r"stituti"n "3 2rinci2le is $"rse than
the 2r"stituti"n "3 the b"dy. He $h" uses his intellectual 2"$ers 3"r sel3ish and /illain"us 2ur2"ses is
m"re t" be 2itied than she $h" carries "n a trade $ith her b"dily charms t" gain the means by $hich she
may kee2 that b"dy ali/e. The 2r"stituti"n "3 uni/ersal human rights 3"r the bene3it "3 a 3e$ indi/iduals is
the m"st danger"us 3"rm "3 2r"stituti"n "n *arth. 9 The di33erence bet$een /ulgar 2r"stituti"n "3 the b"dy
and the m"re re3ined 2r"stituti"n "3 the intellectual 3aculties 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 acc"m2lishing sel3ish
ends, is merely that in the 3irst class merely the gr"ssest 2arts "3 the human "rganisati"n are misused,
$hile in the "ther class the higher and n"bler elements are 2r"stituted. There are 3e$ $"men in the $"rld
$h" ha/e bec"me degraded 3r"m an inclinati"n t" be s"4 in the great ma5"rity "3 cases they are the
/ictims "3 circumstances $hich they had n"t the 2"$er t" resist4 but intellectual 2r"stitutes bel"ng t" the
higher classes, $here $ant and 2"/erty are unkn"$nA. :
T" em2l"y the intellectual 2"$ers 3"r sel3ish 2ur2"ses is the beginning "3 intellectual 2r"stituti"n. Blessed
are they $h" are able t" gain their bread by the 9Page 3-0: h"nest $"rk "3 their hands 3"r an em2l"yment
$hich reBuires little intellectual attenti"n $ill lea/e them 3ree t" em2l"y their 2"$ers 3"r the 2ur2"se "3
s2iritual un3"ldment4 $hile th"se $h" s2end all their energy u2"n the l"$er 2lanes "3 the mind are selling
their imm"rtal birthright 3"r a $"rthless mess "3 2"tage $hich $ill n"urish the im2ermanent intellect $hile
it star/es the s"ul.
The s"ul n" less than the b"dy reBuires t" be n"urished. The heart star/es i3 the brain is "/er3ed. The
nutriment "3 the s"ul c"mes 3r"m the acti"n "3 the s2irit in the b"dy, and this 3""d is as 0materialA and
necessary 3"r it as 2hysical 3""d 3"r the 2hysical b"dy. The e1isting "3 the em"ti"ns is n" nutriment 3"r
the s"ul. The em"ti"ns bel"ng t" the astral 3"rm. The nutriment "3 the s"ul is dra$n "ut "3 the material
b"dy by the 2"$er "3 the di/ine light "3 the s2irit $ithin the heart.
The greatest "3 all illusi"ns is the illusi"n "3 Sel. Material man l""ks u2"n himsel3 as s"mething e1isting
a2art 3r"m e/ery "ther e1istence. The sha2e "3 his 3"rm creates the illusi"n "3 being a se2arate 2art "3
the $h"le.
.till, e12erience sh"$s that there is n"t a single element in his b"dy, in the c"nstituti"n "3 his s"ul, "r in
the mechanism "3 his intellect, that is n"t c"ntinually de2arting, and is re2laced by "thers. What bel"ngs
t" him t"day bel"nged yesterday t" an"ther, and $ill bel"ng t" an"ther t"m"rr"$. >n his 2hysical 3"rm
there is a c"ntinual change. >n the b"dies "3 "rganised beings tissues disa22ear sl"$ly "r Buickly,
acc"rding t" the nature "3 their a33inities, and ne$ "nes take their 2laces, t" be re2laced in their turn by
"thers. The human b"dy changes in size, sha2e, and density as age ad/ances, 2resenting successi/ely
the symb"ls "3 the bu"yant health in y"uth, the /ig"r"us c"nstituti"n "3 manh""d, "r the grace and
beauty "3 $"manh""d, u2 t" the attributes indicating "ld age, the 3"rerunner "3 decay and cessati"n "3
Page &6
acti/ity in that indi/idual 3"rm.
?" less is the change in the mind. .ensati"n and desires change, c"nsci"usness changes, mem"ries
gr"$ dim. ?" man has the same "2ini"ns he had $hen he 9Page 3-1: $as a child4 kn"$ledge increases,
intellect gr"$s $eak, and "n the mental as $ell as "n the 2hysical 2lane the s2ecial acti/ity ceases $hen
the accumulated energy is e1hausted by trans3"rmati"n int" "ther m"des "3 acti"n "r is trans3erred int"
"ther 3"rms.
The l"$er material elements in the c"nstituti"n "3 man change ra2idly, the higher "nes change sl"$ly, but
"nly the highest elements are enduring. ?"thing can be said t" bel"ng essentially t" man but his
character. He $h" cares a great deal 3"r his l"$er nature, cares 3"r that $hich is n"t his "$n, but $hich
he has "nly b"rr"$ed 3r"m nature. While he en5"ys its 2"ssessi"n an illusi"n is created, making it a22ear
t" be an essential 2art "3 himsel3. But man9s terrestrial nature is n"t m"re an essential 2art "3 himsel3 than
the cl"thes $hich a man $ears, a c"nstituent 2art "3 the man. His "nly true sel3 is his character, and he
$h" l"ses the 2urity and strength "3 his character l"ses all his 2"ssessi"ns.
@ne "3 the kings "3 illusi"ns is #one!, the king "3 the $"rld. M"ney re2resents the 2rinci2le "3 eBuity, and
it sh"uld be em2l"yed t" enable e/ery"ne t" "btain the 5ust eBui/alent 3"r his lab"ur. >3 $e desire m"re
m"ney than $e can right3ully claim, $e $ish 3"r s"mething that d"es n"t bel"ng t" us but t" an"ther. >3
$e "btain lab"ur $ith"ut 2aying 3"r it its 2r"2er eBui/alent, $e de2ri/e "thers "3 5ustice, and there3"re
de2ri/e "ursel/es "3 the truth, $hich is a m"re seri"us l"ss t" "ursel/es than the l"ss "3 m"ney t" the
de3rauded.
M"ney as such is a symb"l, "nly the 2rinci2le $hich it re2resents has a real e1istence. ?e/ertheless $e
see the $"rld lie at the 3eet "3 the illusi"n. The 2""r clam"ur 3"r it, and the rich cra/e 3"r m"re, and the
general desire is t" "btain the greatest am"unt "3 re$ard by gi/ing the least 2"ssible eBui/alent.
!lergymen sa/e s"uls, and d"ct"rs cure b"dies 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 making m"ney4 la$ is s"ld t" him $h"
is able and $illing t" 2ay, 3ame and re2utati"n and the semblance "3 l"/e can be "btained 3"r m"ney, and
the $"rth "3 a man is e12ressed in the sum "3 shillings "r 2"unds $hich he may call his "$n. .tar/ati"n
threatens the 9Page 3-.: 2""r, and the c"nseBuences "3 su2erabundance the rich, and the rich take
ad/antage "3 the distress "3 the 2""r t" enrich themsel/es m"re, .cience e1erts her 2"$ers t" increase
the am"unt "3 the material c"m3"rts "3 man. >t /anBuishes the im2ediments 2resented by time and s2ace,
and turns night int" day. ?e$ engines are in/ented, and the $"rk $h"se 2er3"rmance in 3"rmer times
reBuired the use "3 a th"usand arms, may n"$ be acc"m2lished by a child. <n immense am"unt "3
2ers"nal su33ering and lab"ur is thereby sa/ed, But as the means t" satis3y the cra/ing 3"r c"m3"rt
increase a cra/ing arises 3"r m"re. Things that 3"rmerly $ere c"nsidered lu1uries n"$ bec"me
indis2ensable needs. >llusi"ns create illusi"ns, and desires gi/e rise t" desires. The sight "3 the 2rinci2le
is l"st, and the g"lden cal3 is 2ut int" its 2lace. Pr"ducti"n is 3"ll"$ed by "/er 2r"ducti"n, the su22ly
e1ceeds the demand, the 2rice "3 lab"ur c"mes d"$n t" star/ati"n rates, and "n the r"tten s"il the
mushr""ms "3 m"n"2"ly gr"$. The m"re the 3acilities increase t" sustain the battle "3 li3e, the m"re
increases its 3ury. The n"blest 2"$er "3 man, his intellect, $h"se destiny it is t" 3"rm a s"lid basis 3"r the
highest s2iritual kn"$ledge "3 man, is 3"rced t" lab"ur 3"r the satis3acti"n "3 the animal instincts "3 man4
the b"dy 3l"urishes $hile the s"ul star/es and bec"mes a beggar in the kingd"m "3 truth.
Fr"m the l"/e "3 sel3 arises the l"/e "3 2"ssessi"n. >t is the hydra'headed m"nster $h"se cra/ings can
Page &%
ne/er be stilled. ?earest t" the illusi"n "3 sel3 stands the illusi"n "3 s"'called Love. True l"/e is n"t an
illusi"n, it is the 2"$er that unites the $"rlds and an attribute "3 the s2irit4 but the illusi"n "3 l"/e is n"t
l"/e, but "nly l"/e9s shad"$. True l"/e is sacri3ice, but 3alse l"/e cares 3"r itsel3, and seeks 3"r
en5"yment. True l"/e e1ists, e/en i3 the 3"rm is diss"l/ed4 3alse l"/e dies, $hen the 3"rm t" $hich it $as
attached decays . >deal $"men is the cr"$n "3 creati"n, and has a right t" be l"/ed by man. < man $h"
d"es n"t l"/e beauty has n" element "3 beauty in him. Man l"/es beauty and $"man l"/es strength, <
man $h" is the sla/e "3 9Page 324: his desires is $eak, and cann"t c"mmand the res2ect "3 $"man. >3 she
sees him sBuirm under the lash "3 his animal 2assi"ns, she $ill see an animal and $ill n"t be able t" l""k
u2"n him as her 2r"tect"r and g"d.
Marital l"/e is a la$ "3 nature and a necessity 3"r the 2r"2agati"n "3 man. But h"$e/er beauti3ul the
relati"ns bet$een husband and $i3e may be, se1ual interc"urse bel"ngs t" the animal kingd"m and n"t
t" the s2iritual nature "3 man. Mutual attracti"n bet$een animals is n"t less beauti3ul and usually m"re
2ure than am"ng mankind4 the birds "3 the air d" n"t marry 3"r m"ney, and "3ten animals die "n acc"unt
"3 their grie3 "/er the death "3 their mates. < 2ers"n $h" has n"t yet "utgr"$n his terrestrial nature $ill
yearn 3"r terrestrial l"/e4 a celibacy en3"rced by la$ is a crime against nature4 a celibacy en3"rced by
circumstances is a mis3"rtune4 but 3"r the s2iritually un3"lded s"ul there e1ists a higher attracti"n4 the true
di/ine reBuires n" la$ t" teach him celibacy4 he is already a natural celibat, and inhabitant "3 that
kingd"m HcoelumI, $here terrestrial marriage d"es n"t e1ist .
<n"ther illusi"n is the cra/ing 3"r 2hysical li3e, and $ell may he cra/e 3"r it $h" has n" indi/idual
character "3 his "$n, because, i3 he l"ses his li3e, he l"ses his all. Men and $"men cling t" the illusi"n "3
li3e because they d" n"t kn"$ $hat li3e is. They $ill submit t" indignity, dish"n"ur, and su33ering rather
than die. But $hy sh"uld animal li3e be s" desirable as t" sacri3ice character 3"r it E @ne li3e is "nly "ne
tem2"rary c"nditi"n am"ng a th"usand similar "nes thr"ugh $hich the indi/iduality "3 man 2asses in its
tra/els "n the r"ad t" 2er3ecti"n, and $hether he remains a l"nger "r a sh"rter inter/al at "ne stati"n,
cann"t be "3 any /ery seri"us im2"rtance t" him. Man can make n" better use "3 his li3e than t" sacri3ice
it, i3 necessary, 3"r a high 2ur2"se4 because this act $ill strengthen his "$n indi/iduality, in $hich rests
the 2"$er by $hich he is enabled t" rea22ear in a ne$ 3"rm.
@n the "ther hand, he $h" sneaks a$ay 3r"m the battle "3 li3e 3"r sel3ish 2ur2"ses, "r because he is
a3raid t" c"ntinue its struggles, $ill n"t esca2e. He may $ish 9Page 323: t" ste2 "ut "3 li3e and destr"y his
b"dy, but the la$ cann"t be cheated. #i3e $ill remain $ith him until his natural days $"uld ha/e ended.
He cann"t destr"y it, he can "nly de2ri/e himsel3 "3 the instrument thr"ugh $hich he can act. He
resembles a man $h" has t" 2er3"rm s"me $"rk and thr"$s a$ay the instrument $hich $"uld ha/e
enabled him t" 2er3"rm it. =ain $ill be his regrets.
<n"ther illusi"n is a great deal "3 $hat is called 0scienceA. True kn"$ledge makes a man 3ree, but 3alse
science renders him a sla/e t" the "2ini"ns "3 "thers. Many men $aste their li/es t" learn that $hich is
3""lish and neglect that $hich is true, mistaking that $hich is e/anescent and 2erishing 3"r the eternal.
@3ten learning is n"t the aim but the means t" the aim "3 the student, $hile his real "b5ects are the
attainment "3 $ealth, 2"siti"n, and 3ame, "r the grati3icati"n "3 ambiti"n "r curi"sity. The true $ealth "3 a
nati"n "r a man d"es n"t rest in its c"llected "2ini"ns, but in m"ral and s2iritual 2"ssessi"ns, $hich
al"ne $ill remain 2ermanent.
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There is n"thing m"re 2r"ducti/e "3 a tendency t" the de/el"2ment "3 an e1treme degree "3 sel3ishness
than the de/el"2ment "3 a high degree "3 intellectuality, $ith"ut any acc"m2anying gr"$th "3 s2irituality.
< high degree "3 intellectuality enables a 2ers"n t" take 2ers"nal ad/antages "/er "thers $h" are less
cle/er, and unless he 2"ssesses great m"ral 2"$ers he $ill n"t be able t" resist the tem2tati"ns that are
2ut in his $ay. The greatest /illains and criminals ha/e been 2ers"ns "3 great intellectual Buali3icati"ns.
That $hich a man really needs t" kn"$, and $ith"ut $h"se kn"$ledge he cann"t "btain the
c"nsci"usness "3 his "$n true and imm"rtal nature, is n"t taught in "ur c"lleges. The m"st 3a/"ured
student is he $h" is taught by his :"d. 0Blessed is he $h"m $isd"m teaches, n"t by 2erishable
emblems and $"rds, but by its "$n inherent 2"$er4 n"t $hat it a22ears t" be, but as it isA. 9 Th"mas de
Kem2is:
The desire 3"r 2"$er and 3ame are "ther illusi"ns 9Page 32(: True 2"$er is an attribute "3 the s2irit. >3 > am
"beyed because > am rich, it is n"t mysel3 $h" c"mmands "bedience, but my riches. >3 > am called
2"$er3ul because > en5"y auth"rity, it is n"t mysel3 $h" is 2"$er3ul, but it is the auth"rity /ested in me.
;iches and auth"rity are illusi"ns thr"$n ar"und men, $hich "3ten /anish as Buickly as they ha/e been
acBuired. Fame is "3ten en5"yed by him $h" d"es n"t deser/e it. The m"st h"n"ured man is he $h" has
cause t" res2ect himsel3.
Place "3 birth and c"nditi"n "3 li3e are circumstances $hich are usually n"t matters "3 ch"ice, and n" "ne
has a right t" des2ise an"ther "n acc"unt "3 his nati"nality, religi"us belie3, c"l"ur "3 skin, "r the act he
may 2lay "n this 2lanet. Whether an act"r 2lays the 2art "3 a king "r a ser/ant, the act"r is, there3"re, n"t
des2ised, 2r"/ided he 2lays his 2art $ell.
"H"n"ur and shame 3r"m n" c"nditi"ns rise4
<ct $ell y"ur 2art, there all the h"n"ur lies.A Pope0
@ne "3 the greatest illusi"ns is much "3 $hat g"es t"day by the name "3 0religionA, n"t religi"n itsel3, but
its mask in the sha2e "3 clericalism, 2riestcra3t, and "rth"d"1y. *ach religi"us system re2resents an
e12ressi"n "3 truth, but it reBuires the 2"ssessi"n "3 truth t" 3ind truth therein. <s a man9s s2irit cann"t
e1ist u2"n this earth and e12ress itsel3 e1ce2t in and thr"ugh the material b"dy, s" each church, h"$e/er
s2iritual its s"ul may be, has an e1ternal, 2hysical, animal, and mental "rganism, re2resented by the
members c"m2"sing the church "r s"ciety and by its d"ctrines, creeds, the"ries, and s2eculati"ns4
neither can the s2iritual "rganism be se2arated 3r"m the l"$er 2rinci2les4 such a se2arati"n $"uld be
death t" the /isible church. Thus the l"$er sel3 "3 the church battles 3"r li3e and is 3"unded u2"n
sel3ishness, $hile its s2ires reach u2 t" hea/en. <ll that can be h"2ed 3"r reas"nably is that the
s2irituality at the t"2 may gradually descend t" the 3"undati"ns, and that each member may 3ind the truth
c"ntained in his religi"us 9Page 32): system, n"t by the candle light "3 blind s2eculati"n and 3""lish belie3,
but by its "$n light4 3"r the truth reBuires n" "ther light but itsel3 .
There are "ther illusi"ns $hich c"me $ith"ut being asked, and remain, alth"ugh their stay is n"t $anted.
They are the un$elc"me /isit"rs 8 )ear" 'oubt, and ,emorse. Their 3ather is 0sel3ishnessA, and
0c"$ardiceA is the name "3 the m"ther. B"rn 3r"m the kingd"m "3 darkness, their substance is ign"rance,
$hich "nly the magic "3 true kn"$ledge can diss"l/e. Men li/e in 3ear "3 a re/enge3ul 2"$er $hich has
n" e1istence, and die 3r"m 3ear "3 an e/il that d"es n"t e1ist. They are a3raid "3 the e33ects "3 causes
Page &&
$hich they, ne/ertheless, c"ntinue t" create4 and n"t daring t" 3ace their natural c"nseBuences, they
seek t" esca2e 3r"m the creatures $hich they themsel/es ha/e created. */ery act creates a cause, and
the cause is 3"ll"$ed by an e33ect $hich reacts "n him $h" created the cause, $hether he may
e12erience that e33ect in this li3e "r in an"ther. T" esca2e the e33ect "3 the cause $hich has been created,
he $h" created the cause must try t" trans3"rm himsel3 int" an"ther being. >3 the elements c"m2"sing his
l"$er nature ha/e led him int" making mistakes they $ill su33er, but i3 he succeeds in li/ing in his higher
nature he changes himsel3 int" a su2eri"r being. @nly in this sense is the !hrist in e/ery human nature
the 0#ambA taking u2"n himsel3 the sins "3 the $"rld. The lamb is the symb"l "3 "bedience t" di/ine la$4
this "bedience is $isd"m4 $isd"m is sel3'kn"$ledge4 di/ine sel3'kn"$ledge is di/ine being, and he $h"
has entered the state "3 Di/inity is "ne $ith the la$ and has ceased t" sin. .uch is the "nly rati"nal
2hil"s"2hy "3 the 03"rgi/eness "3 sinsA, and 2riests c"uld 3"rgi/e sins i3 they $ere able t" change the
sinner int" a saint. This can, h"$e/er, "nly be d"ne by the indi/idual e1erti"ns "3 the 0sinnerA, $h" may
be instructed by "ne $h" is $ise. T" bec"me su33iciently $ise t" instruct an"ther ab"ut the la$s "3 his
nature it is "3 the utm"st im2"rtance that the instruct"r sh"uld kn"$ these la$s, and be acBuainted $ith
the true c"nstituti"n "3 man.
The truth is the sa/i"ur "3 man, ign"rance is 9Page 32-: his 2erditi"n. ;eas"n is the 2"$er "3 the mind t"
rec"gnise the truth, and in the light "3 truth the shad"$s "3 d"ubt and 3ear and rem"rse cann"t e1ist.
>llusi"ns are dis2ersed thr"ugh the 2"$er "3 true kn"$ledge. When the $ill is held in abeyance the
imaginati"n is rendered 2assi/e, and the mind takes in the re3lecti"ns "3 2ictures st"red u2 in the <stral
#ight $ith"ut ch"ice "r discriminati"n. When reas"n d"es n"t guide the imaginati"n the mind creates
dis"rderly 3ancies and hallucinati"ns. The 2assi/e seer dreams $hile a$ake, and t" him his dreams are
realities, they are im2ressi"ns caused by 3"reign ideas taking 2"ssessi"n "3 the unresisting mind, and,
acc"rding t" the s"urce 3r"m $hich such im2ressi"ns c"me, they may be either true "r 3alse. =ari"us
means ha/e been ad"2ted t" sus2end the discriminating 2"$er "3 reas"n and render the imaginati"n
abn"rmally 2assi/e, and all such 2ractices are in5uri"us, in 2r"2"rti"n as they are e33icaci"us. The ancient
Pyth"ness attem2ted t" heighten her already abn"rmal rece2ti/ity by the inhalati"n "3 n"1i"us /a2"urs4
s"me $hirl in a dance until the acti"n "3 reas"n is tem2"rarily sus2ended4 "thers use "2ium, >ndian
hem2, and "ther narc"tics, $hich render their mind a blank, and induce m"rbid 3ancies and illusi"ns.
9 The 3umigati"ns $hich $ere used at 3"rmer times 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 rendering reas"n inacti/e, and
all"$ing the 2r"ducts "3 a 2assi/e imaginati"n t" a22ear in an "b5ecti/e state, $ere usually narc"tic
substances. Bl""d $as "nly used 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 3urnishing substance t" *lementals and
*lementaries, by the aid "3 $hich they might render their b"dies m"re dense and /isible.
Cornelius Agrippa gi/es the 3"ll"$ing 2rescri2ti"n: Make a 2"$der "3 s2ermaceti, al"e $""d, musk,
sa33r"n, and thyme, s2rinkle it $ith the bl""d "3 a h""2"2. >3 this 2"$der is burnt u2"n the gra/es "3 the
dead, the ethereal 3"rms "3 the latter $ill a22r"ach, and may bec"me /isible.
Ee/artshousen made success3ul e12eriments $ith the 3"ll"$ing 2rescri2ti"n: Mi1 2"$dered 3rankincense
and 3l"ur $ith an egg, add milk, h"ney, and r"se $ater, make a 2aste, and thr"$ s"me "3 it u2"n burning
c"als.
<n"ther 2rescri2ti"n gi/en by the same auth"r c"nsists "3 heml"ck, sa33r"n, al"es, "2ium, mandrag"ra
henbane, 2"22y'3l"$ers, and s"me "ther 2"is"n"us 2lants. <3ter underg"ing a certain 2re2arati"n, $hich
Page &,
he describes, he attem2ted the e12eriment, and sa$ the gh"st "3 the 2ers"n $hich he desired t" see4 but
he came /ery near 2"is"ning himsel3. Dr H"rst re2eated the e12eriment $ith the same result, and 3"r
years a3ter$ards $hene/er he l""ked u2"n a dark "b5ect, he sa$ the a22ariti"n again.
!hemistry has ad/anced since that time, anti th"se $h" desire t" make such e12eriments at the risk "3
their health, may n"$ acc"m2lish this in a m"re c"m3"rtable and easy manner by inhaling s"me "3 the
stu2e3ying gases kn"$n t" chemical science.: 9Page 322:
F"rtune'tellers and clair/"yants em2l"y /ari"us means t" 3i1 their attenti"n, 3"r the 2ur2"se "3
sus2ending th"ught and rendering their minds 2assi/e4 "thers stare at mirr"rs "r crystals, $ater "r ink,
9There are numer"us 2rescri2ti"ns 3"r the 2re2arati"n "3 magic mirr"rs4 but the best magic mirr"r $ill be
useless t" him $h" is n"t able t" see clair/"yantly4 $hile the natural clair/"yant calls that 3aculty int"
acti"n by c"ncentrating his mind "n any 2articular s2"t, a glass "3 $ater, ink, a crystal, "r anything4 3"r it
is n"t in the mirr"r $here such things are seen, but in the mind4 the mirr"r merely ser/es t" assist in the
entering "3 that mental state $hich is necessary t" 2r"duce clair/"yant sight. The best "3 all magic
mirr"rs is the s"ul, and it sh"uld al$ays be ke2t 2ure, and be 2r"tected against dust and dam2ness and
rust, s" that it may n"t bec"me tarnished, and remain 2er3ectly clear, and able t" re3lect the light "3 the
di/ine s2irit in its "riginal 2urity. : but the enlightened renders his imaginati"n 2assi/e by maintaining,
under all circumstances, tranBuility "3 the mind. The sur3ace "3 a lake $h"se $ater is in m"ti"n re3lects
"nly dist"rted re2r"ducti"ns "3 images 2r"5ected u2"n it, and i3 the elements in the interi"r $"rld are in a
state "3 c"n3usi"n, i3 em"ti"n 3ights $ith em"ti"n and the u2r"ar "3 the 2assi"ns tr"ubles the mind, i3 the
hea/en "3 the s"ul is cl"uded by 2re5udices, darkened by ign"rance, hallucinated by insane desires, the
true images "3 things seen $ill be eBually dist"rted. The di/ine 2rinci2le in man remains in itsel3 unaltered
and undisturbed, like the image "3 a star re3lected in $ater4 but unless its d$elling is rendered clear and
trans2arent, it cann"t send its rays thr"ugh the surr"unding $alls. The m"re the em"ti"ns rage, the m"re
$ill the mind bec"me disturbed and the s2iritual s"ul be 3"rced t" retreat int" its interi"r 2ris"n4 "r i3 it
l"ses entirely its h"ld "/er the mind, it may be dri/en a$ay by the 3"rces $hich it cann"t c"ntr"l, burst the
d""r "3 its dunge"n, return t" the s"urce 3r"m $hence 9Page 32/:it came. 9.ee H. P. Bla/atsky: 0>sis
7n/eiledA.
The auth"r says: 0.uch a catastr"2he may ha22en l"ng be3"re the 3inal se2arati"n "3 the li3e'2rinci2le
3r"m the b"dy. When death arri/es, its ir"n and clammy gras2 3inds $"rk $ith li3e as usual4 but there is n"
m"re s"ul t" liberate. The $h"le essence "3 the latter has already been abs"rbed by the /ital system "3
the 2hysical man. :rim death 3rees but a s2iritual c"r2se, at best an idi"t. 7nable either t" s"ar higher "r
a$aken 3r"m lethargy, it is s""n diss"l/ed in the elements "3 the terrestrial atm"s2here. : But as l"ng as
this !hrist is "ne "3 the 2assengers in the b"at t"ssed by the $a/es "3 the inner li3e, he $ill al$ays be
ready t" c"me 3"rth, stretch "ut his hand Hmani3est his 2"$erI, bidding the turbulent $aters t" be still.
Then $ill the st"rms cease t" rage and the s"ul be rest"red t" calmness.
>3 a 2ers"n su33ers his reas"n t" gi/e u2 the c"ntr"l "/er his imaginati"n he surrenders "ne "3 the
greatest 2rer"gati/es "3 man. True meditati"n d"es n"t c"nsist in rendering the mind 2assi/e 3"r the
in3luences "3 the astral 2lane, n"r d"es it c"nsist in dreaming. >t is a state in $hich the mind d"es n"t
r"am in the realms "3 the imaginati"n, but is held still by the s"ul s" as t" recei/e the light "3 the s2irit.
01oga is the e1ercise "3 the 2"$er t" h"ld in abeyance the trans3"rmati"ns "3 the thinking 2rinci2leA, says
the Patan;ali" and the Bhagavad *ita teaches: 0Whene/er the $a/ering and unstead3ast heart $anders
a$ay, let him subdue it and bring it back t" the c"ntr"l "3 the s"ulA. 9Bhagavad *ita" vi0 < b:
Page ,K
This cann"t be acc"m2lished by means "3 the imaginati"n H$hich "ught t" be at restI4 neither can the
mind c"ntr"l its "$n sel34 but it is d"ne by means "3 the s2iritual 2"$er "3 s2iritually a$akened man. : <
2ers"n $h" dreams d"es n"t c"ntr"l the acti"ns $hich he 2er3"rms in his dream, alth"ugh he may dream
that he is e1ercising his $ill. The things seen in his dream are t" him realities, and he d"es n"t d"ubt
their substantiality, $hile e1ternal 2hysical "b5ects ha/e n" e1istence 3"r him, and n"t e/en the 2"ssibility
"3 their e1istence c"mes t" his c"nsci"usness. He may see be3"re him a ditch and dream that he $ills t"
5um2 "/er it, but he d"es n"t actually e1ert his $ill, he "nly dreams that he $ills. < 2ers"n in a magnetic
trance has n" acti/e $ill "3 his "$n, and is 9Page 320: led by the $ill "3 the "2erat"r. What he sees is real
t" him, and i3 the "2erat"r creates a 2reci2ice in his imaginati"n, the sub5ect $ill, "n a22r"aching it,
e12erience and mani3est the same terr"r as he $"uld in his n"rmal state i3 a 2reci2ice $ere ya$ning
under his 3eet. < glass "3 $ater trans3"rmed int" imaginary $ine by the $ill "3 the 0mesmeriserA makes
the sub5ect int"1icated, and i3 that $ater has been trans3"rmed int" imaginary 2"is"n it may in5ure "r kill
the sensiti/e.
9 Mrs. !hand"s #eigh Hunt "3 #"nd"n, in her 0Pri/ate >nstructi"ns in @rganic MagnetismA, in3"rms us,
that imaginary int"1icants, emetics, etc., ha/e a 2"$er3ul e33ect u2"n sub5ects.
Eliphas Levi H<bbT !"nstantI cites a case in $hich s"me sce2tics submitted a 2""r girl t" magnetic
e12eriments, t" grati3y their curi"sity, and t" see $hether 0magnetism $as trueA. They succeeded in
2utting her t" slee2, and c"mmanded her t" l""k int" hell. .he became terribly agitated, and begged 3"r
mercy, but they insisted that she sh"uld g" there.
"The 3eatures "3 the sub5ect became 3right3ul t" see4 her hair st""d u2right "n her head4 her eyes $ere
$ide "2en, and sh"$ed n"thing but the $hite4 her b"s"m hea/ed, and a kind "3 death'rattle came 3r"m
her breast.
":" thereL + %ill itL A re2eated the magnetist.
"> am thereA, said the $retched sub5ect, bet$een her cl"sed teeth, and 3ell e1hausted. Then she s2"ke n"
m"re4 her head rests "n her sh"ulder4 her arms hang m"ti"nless d"$n. They a22r"ach her and t"uch
her. They $ish t" a$aken her4 but the crime has been d"ne4 the $"man $as dead, and the auth"rs "3
this sacrilegi"us e12eriment $ere sa3e 3r"m 2r"secuti"n "n acc"unt "3 the 2ublic9s incredulity in regard t"
such thingsA : < 2"$er3ul 0hy2n"tiserA can 3"rm either a beauti3ul "r a h"rrible 2icture in his mind, and by
trans3erring it by his $ill u2"n the mental s2here "3 a sensiti/e, he may cause him either 2leasure "r
su33ering.
.uch states may be induced n"t merely during the 0hy2n"ticA slee2, but als" during the n"rmal c"nditi"n,
and $ith"ut any c"nsci"us desire "n the 2art "3 a magnetiser. >3 the audience sheds tears during the
2er3"rmance "3 a tragedy, alth"ugh they all kn"$ that it is merely a 2lay, they are in a state "3 2artial
0hy2n"tisati"nA. Hundreds "3 similar "ccurrences take 2lace e/ery day in e/ery c"untry, and there is
su33icient material e/ery$here in e/ery'day li3e 3"r the student "3 2sych"l"gy t" in/estigate and e12lain,
$ith"ut seeking 3"r cases "3 an abn"rmal character. 9Page 321:
Page ,+
<ll these things are classi3ied as illusi"ns, because the 2"$er "3 reas"n, the 2"$er "3 discriminating
bet$een the true and the 3alse has been sus2ended, $hich causes a 2ers"n t" mistake things 3"r
realities $hich "nly e1ist in his "$n imaginati"n, but i3 this de3initi"n is a22lied t" e/eryday e1istence it
a22ears that the $h"le $"rld is in a state "3 hy2n"tic slee2, 3"r there are 3e$ that are ca2able "3 seeing
the truth "r t" discriminate bet$een the true and 3alse, and 3e$ $h" act al$ays acc"rding t" reas"n.
Whene/er the e1ternal 3"rm "3 a thing is e1amined care3ully, it $ill al$ays be 3"und t" c"nstitute an
illusi"n. The illusi"n d"es n"t e1ist in th"se things, it e1ists in "ursel/es. :"d did n"t create the $"rld 3"r
the 2ur2"se "3 deluding mankind. The illusi"ns are caused by "ur "$n misc"nce2ti"ns "3 truth, $hich
hinder us t" see that $hich is real. >3 $e $ere t" see that $hich is real, $e $"uld be kn"$ing the truth. >3
$e had al$ays kn"$n the truth, $e $"uld n"t ha/e needed t" c"me int" the $"rld. @ur e1istence u2"n
this 2lanet is a certi3icate "3 "ur ign"rance, and the 3act "3 ha/ing been b"rn a 2r""3 "3 "ur 3"lly.
That $hich distinguishes a man 3r"m an animal is the use "3 his reas"n. >3 a 0MediumA submits the c"ntr"l
"/er his imaginati"n t" an"ther being he surrenders his reas"n. This "ther being may be an"ther 2ers"n,
"r an in/isible 2"$er. >t may be an elemental, an astral c"r2se, "r a malici"us in3luence, and the Medium
bec"me an e2ile2tic, a maniac, "r a criminal. < 2ers"n $h" surrenders his $ill t" an unkn"$n 2"$er is
n"t less insane than he $h" $"uld entrust his m"ney and /aluables t" the 3irst stranger "r /agab"nd that
$"uld ask him 3"r it.
>3 a crime is c"mmitted in c"nseBuence "3 0hy2n"tic suggesti"nsA, it is the hy2n"tiser and n"t the
sensiti/e 2ers"n $h" is res2"nsible 3"r it. .uch cases "ccur e/ery day4 3"r it is n"t necessary that a /ery
sensiti/e 2ers"n sh"uld be 2ut t" slee2 3"r t" bec"me ca2able "3 being in3luenced by the $ill "3 an"ther.
<ll indi/idual minds act u2"n each "ther4 each in3luences the "ther "r bec"mes in3luenced by "thers
$ith"ut kn"$ing the 9Page 32.: s"urce "3 the in3luence. Th"ughts and im2ulses c"me and g", and their
s"urce is n"t kn"$n. ?" man creates his "$n th"ughts "ut "3 n"thing, and he $h" has n" sel3'kn"$ledge
cann"t e/en kn"$ $h" "r $hat it is that is thinking "r $illing in him.
H"$ many murders and crimes are c"mmitted e/ery year thr"ugh sensiti/e 2ers"ns, $h" ha/e been
in3luenced, 0hy2n"tisedA, "r 0mesmerisedA by in/isible 2"$ers t" c"mmit them, and $h" had n"t su33icient
$ill'2"$er t" resist, it is im2"ssible t" determine. >n such cases $e hang "r 2unish the instrument, but the
real cul2rit esca2es. .uch a 05usticeA is eBui/alent t" 2unishing a stick $ith $hich a murder has been
c"mmitted, and t" let the man $h" used the stick g" 3ree. =erily the c"ming generati"ns $ill ha/e as
much cause t" laugh at the ign"rance "3 their ancest"rs as $e n"$ laugh at the ign"rance "3 th"se $h"
2receded us.
We take n"t things 3"r $hat they are, but 3"r $hat $e imagine them t" be. The sa/age sees in the
scul2tured Miner/a "nly a curi"us 2iece "3 r"ck, and a beauti3ul 2ainting is t" him "nly a 2iece "3 cl"th
daubed "/er $ith c"l"urs. The greedy miser, l""king at the beauties "3 nature, thinks "nly "3 the m"ney'
/alue they re2resent, $hile 3"r the 2"et the 3"rest s$arms $ith 3airies and the $ater $ith s2rites. The
artist 3inds beauti3ul 3"rms in the $andering cl"uds and in the 2r"5ecting r"cks "3 the m"untains, and t"
him $h"se mind is 2"etic e/ery symb"l in nature bec"mes a 2"em and suggests t" him ne$ ideas4 but
the c"$ard $anders thr"ugh li3e $ith a sc"$l u2"n his 3ace4 he sees in e/ery c"rner an enemy, and 3"r
him the $"rld has n"thing attracti/e e1ce2t. his "$n little sel3. The $"rld is a mirr"r $herein e/ery man
may see his "$n 3ace. T" him $h"se s"ul is beauti3ul, the $"rld $ill l""k beauti3ul4 t" him $h"se s"ul is
de3"rmed, e/erything $ill seem t" be e/il.
Page ,-
The 2"$er "3 the imaginati"n, i3 rendered str"ng by the $ill and made ali/e by the s2irit, is little kn"$n.
The im2ressi"ns made "n the mind by the e33ects "3 such an imaginati"n may be 2"$er3ul and lasting
u2"n the 2ers"n. They change "r dist"rt the 3eatures, they render the hair $hite in a single h"ur4 they
9Page 3/4: mark, kill, dis3igure, "r break the b"nes "3 the unb"rn child, and make the e33ects "3 in5uries
recei/ed by "ne 2ers"n /isible u2"n the b"dy "3 an"ther $ith $h"m that 2ers"n is in sym2athy. They act
m"re 2"$er3ully than drugs4 they cause and cure diseases, 2r"duce hallucinati"ns, and stigmata.
>maginati"n 2er3"rms its miracles, either c"nsci"usly "r unc"nsci"usly. By altering the surr"undings "3
animals the c"l"ur "3 their "33s2ring can be changed at $ill. The tiger9s stri2es c"rres2"nd t" the l"ng
5ungle grass, and the le"2ard9s s2"ts resemble the s2eckled light 3alling thr"ugh the lea/es. 9 .ir F"hn
#ubb"ck4 0Pr"ceedings "3 the British <ss"ciati"nA: The 3"rces "3 nature, in3luenced by the imaginati"n "3
man, act "n the imaginati"n "3 nature, and create tendencies "n the astral 2lane, $hich, in the c"urse "3
e/"luti"n, 3ind e12ressi"n thr"ugh material 3"rms. >n this $ay man9s /ices "r /irtues bec"me "b5ecti/e
realities, and as man9s imaginati"n bec"mes 2uri3ied, the earth bec"mes m"re beauti3ul and re3ined,
$hile his /ices 3ind their e12ressi"n in 2"is"n"us re2tiles and n"1i"us 2lants.The *lementals in the s"ul
"3 man are the 2r"ducts "3 the acti"n "3 the th"ught in the indi/idual mind "3 man4 the elemental 3"rms in
the s"ul "3 the $"rld are the 2r"ducts "3 the c"llecti/e th"ughts "3 all beings. These elemental 2"$ers are
attracted t" the germs "3 animals, and may gr"$ int" "b5ecti/e /isible animal 3"rms, and m"di3y the
characters and als" the "ut$ard a22earance "3 the animals "3 "ur gl"be. We there3"re see that as the
imaginati"n "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind changes during the c"urse "3 ages, "ld 3"rms disa22ear and ne$ "nes
c"me int" e1istence. Perha2s i3 there $ere n" snakes in human 3"rms, the snakes "3 the animal kingd"m
$"uld cease t" e1ist.
But the im2ressi"ns made "n the mind d" n"t end $ith the li3e "3 the indi/idual "n the 2hysical 2lane. <
cause $hich 2r"duces a sudden terr"r, "r "ther$ise acts str"ngly "n the imaginati"n, can 2r"duce an
im2ressi"n that n"t "nly lasts thr"ugh li3e but bey"nd it. < 2ers"n, 3"r instance, $h" during his li3e has
str"ngly belie/ed in the e1istence "3 eternal damnati"n and hell'3ire, may at his entrance int" the
sub5ecti/e state a3ter death, actually 9Page 3/3: beh"ld all the terr"rs "3 hell $hich his imaginati"n during
li3e has c"n5ured u24 the terri3ied s"ul, seeing be3"re it all the h"rr"rs "3 its "$n /i/id imaginati"n, rushes
back again int" the deserted b"dy, and clings t" it in des2air, seeking 2r"tecti"n. Pers"nal c"nsci"usness
returns, and it 3inds itsel3 ali/e in the gra/e, $here it 2asses a sec"nd time thr"ugh the 2angs "3 death,
"r, by sending "ut its astral 3"rm in search "3 sustenance 3r"m the li/ing, it bec"mes a /am2ire, and
2r"l"ngs 3"r a$hile its h"rrible e1istence. 9Ma1imilian Perty: 0Die mystischen *rscheinungen in der ?aturA
: .uch mis3"rtunes in "rth"d"1 c"untries are by n" means rare, and the best remedy 3"r it is kn"$ledge
and the cremati"n "3 the b"dy s""n a3ter death.
@n the "ther hand, the c"n/icted murderer $h", be3"re ste22ing "n the gall"$s, has been 3ully
0c"n/ertedA and 02re2aredA by the attending clergyman, and made t" belie/e 3irmly that his sins ha/e
been 3"rgi/en, and that the angels $ill stand ready t" recei/e him $ith "2en arms, may, "n his entrance
t" the sub5ecti/e state, see the creati"ns "3 his "$n imaginati"ns be3"re him until the delusi"n 3ades
a$ay.
>n the state a3ter death and in the de/achanic c"nditi"n the imaginati"n neither creates ne$ and "riginal
3"rms n"r is it ca2able "3 recei/ing ne$ im2ressi"ns4 it li/es "n the sum "3 the im2ressi"ns accumulated
during li3e, $hich e/"lute innumerable /ariati"ns "3 mental states, symb"lised in their c"rres2"nding
sub5ecti/e 3"rms, and lasting until their 3"rces are e1hausted. These mental states may be called illusi/e
in the same sense as e/ents "3 the 2hysical li3e may be called illusi/e, and li3e in 0hea/enA "r 0hellA may
Page ,G
be called a dream, as li3e "n this earth is called a dream. The dream "3 li3e "nly di33ers 3r"m the dream
a3ter death, that, during the "ne, $e are able t" make use "3 "ur $ill t" guide and c"ntr"l "ur imaginati"n
and acts, $hile during the latter that guidance is $anting, and $e earn that $hich $e ha/e s"$n. ?"
e33"rt, $hether 3"r g""d "r 3"r e/il, is e/er l"st. Th"se $h" ha/e reached "ut in their as2irati"ns t"$ards a
high ideal "n earth $ill 3ind it in hea/en4 9Page 3/(: th"se $h"se desires ha/e dragged them d"$n $ill sink
t" the le/el "3 their desires.
>t is generally su22"sed that this $"rld in $hich $e li/e is the m"st dense and 0materialA, and the astral
$"rld the land "3 /a2"ury gh"sts4 but the terms 0materialityA, 0densityA,etc., are merely relati/e terms.
What a22ear t" us dense and material n"$, $ill a22ear ethereal "r /a2"r"us i3 $e are in an"ther state,
and things $hich are in/isible t" us n"$ may a22ear gr"ssly material then. There are $"rlds m"re dense
and material t" its inhabitants than "ur 2hysical $"rld is t" us4 3"r it is the light "3 the s2irit that enli/ens
matter, and the m"re matter is gathered u2 by sensuality and c"ncentrated by sel3ishness, the less
2enetrable t" the s2irit $ill it bec"me, and the m"re dense and hard $ill it gr"$, alth"ugh it may 3"r all
that n"t be 2erce2tible t" "ur 2hysical senses, they being ada2ted merely t" "ur 2resent state "3
e1istence.
There is n" hea/en "r hell but that $hich man creates in his imaginati"n4 ne/ertheless, the state in $hich
he li/es is real t" him. >3 $e $ish t" secure ha22iness a3ter death in "ur ne1t li3e u2"n this 2lanet, $e
must secure it be3"re $e die by c"ntr"lling "ur im2ulses 3"r e/il, and by culti/ating a 2ure and e1alted
imaginati"n.
We sh"uld enter the higher li3e n"$, instead "3 $aiting 3"r it t" c"me t" us in the herea3ter. The term
0hea/enA means a state "3 s2iritual c"nsci"usness and en5"yment "3 s2iritual truths4 but h"$ can he $h"
has e/"l/ed n" s2iritual c"nsci"usness and n" s2iritual 2"$er "3 2erce2ti"n en5"y the 2erce2ti"n "3
s2iritual things $hich he has n"t the s2iritual 2"$er t" 2ercei/eE < man $ith"ut s2iritual 2"$er entering a
hea/en $"uld be like a man blind and dea3 and $ith"ut the 2"$er t" 3eel. Man can "nly en5"y that $hich
he is able t" realise, that $hich he cann"t realise d"es n"t e1ist 3"r him.
The surest $ay t" be ha22y is t" rise ab"/e 0sel3A. Pe"2le cra/e 3"r amusements and 2astimes4 but t"
3"rget "ne9s time is t" 3"rget "ne9s sel34 by 3"rgetting themsel/es they are rendered ha22y. The charm "3
music c"nsists in the tem2"rary abs"r2ti"n it causes t" 9Page 3/): the 2ers"nality in the harm"ny "3
s"und. >3 $e $itness a theatrical 2er3"rmance and enter int" the s2irit "3 the 2lay, $e 3"rget "ur 2ers"nal
s"rr"$s and li/e in the act"r. <n "rat"r $h" is in 3ull acc"rd $ith his audience bec"mes ins2ired $ith the
sentiments "3 his audience4 it is his audience that gi/es e12ressi"ns "3 his 3eelings thr"ugh him. There
are n" 0s2irits0 reBuired t" ins2ire an ins2irati"nal s2eaker. >3 he is im2ressible the th"ughts "3 th"se that
are 2resent $ill be su33icient t" ins2ire him.
>3 $e enter a cathedral "r a tem2le, $h"se architecture ins2ires sublimity and s"lemnity, e12anding the
s"ul4 $here the language "3 music s2eaks t" the heart, dra$ing it a$ay 3r"m the attachment t" the earth4
and the beauty and "d"ur "3 3l"$ers lull the senses int" a 3"rget3ulness "3 sel3, such amusements render
us tem2"rarily ha22y t" an e1tent 2r"2"rti"nate t" the degree in $hich they succeed in destr"ying "ur
c"nsci"usness "3 2ers"nality and sel3.
Page ,)
>llusi"ns as such d" n"t e1ist4 their e1istence is an illusi"n. ?ature is n"t an illusi"n, but a mani3estati"n "3
truth. */ery 3"rm in nature is an e12ressi"n "3 truth4 but it reBuires the eye "3 truth t" 3ind the truth in
th"se 3"rms. >3 $e cling t" 3"rms, $e cling t" illusi"ns, ha/ing n" real e1istence4 i3 $e cling t" the truth $e
ha/e the reality. >3 "ur ha22iness de2ends "n the 2"ssessi"n "3 a cherished 3"rm, "ur ha22iness $ill
2erish $hen that 3"rm disa22ears.
T" attain real kn"$ledge is t" make the mind 3ree "3 its illusi"ns4 this 3reed"m is attained "nly by a l"/e
3"r the truth4 3"r the truth is the li3e and the 3"undati"n "3 "ur e1istence, $hich $ill remain a3ter all the
illusi"ns c"nstituting "ur l"$er nature ha/e 2assed a$ay4 $hen $e $ill 2"ssess n"thing but that $hich
$e are, and being "ursel/es the light and the truth $e $ill be in 2"ssessi"n "3 truth. 9Page 3/-:
Page ,6
CH,PT'* 5II
CO&SCIO+S&'SS
I am that I amE$ >Bile$
*=*;OTH>?: in the uni/erse is a mani3estati"n "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind. */erything is there3"re mind
itsel3, and e1ists in abs"lute c"nsci"usness4 but relati/e c"nsci"usness begins $hen it bec"mes mani3est
in the 3"rm. The term c"nsci"usness signi3ies realisati"n "3 e1istence. !"nsci"usness in the abs"lute is
unc"nsci"usness in relati"n t" things. !"nsci"usness means kn"$ledge and li3e4 unc"nsci"usness is
ign"rance and death. <n im2er3ect kn"$ledge is a state "3 im2er3ect c"nsci"usness4 the highest 2"ssible
state "3 c"nsci"usness is the 3ull realisati"n "3 the truth.
< thing has n" e1istence relati/ely t" "ursel/es be3"re $e bec"me c"nsci"us "3 its e1istence. < 2ers"n
$h" d"es n"t realise his "$n e1istence is unc"nsci"us, and, 3"r the time being, t" all 2ractical 2ur2"ses
dead. We cann"t actually realise the e1istence "3 a 2"$er $hich $e d" n"t 2"ssess. We see the e33ects
2r"duced by electricity and realise that such e33ects take 2lace4 but $e d" n"t realise the e1istence "r the
nature "3 $hat is called WelectricityA i3 $e are n"t c"nsci"us "3 that same 2"$er e1isting in "ur "$n
c"nstituti"n. >n the same sense $e can realise the e33ect "3 the mani3estati"n "3 di/ine $isd"m $ithin the
uni/erse4 $e beh"ld the e12ressi"n "3 beauty, 5ustice, and truth4 but $e cann"t realise the e1istence "3
these 2rinci2les, unless $e bec"me c"nsci"us "3 their 2resence in us. :"d9s $"rks e1ist and $e see the
2r"ducts "3 the 9Page 3/2: acti"n "3 his s2irit in nature4 but :"d himsel3 is t" us a n"nentity i3 $e are n"t
rendered di/ine by his 2resence in us4 $e cann"t realise the nature "3 :"d, unless his di/ine nature is
2resent in us and c"mes t" "ur "$n c"nsci"usness. < state "3 e1istence is inc"m2rehensible unless it is
e12erienced and realised, and it begins t" e1ist 3r"m the m"ment that it is realised. >3 a 2ers"n $ere the
legal 2"ssess"r "3 milli"ns "3 m"ney and did n"t kn"$ it, he $"uld ha/e n" means t" dis2"se "3 it "r
en5"y it. < man is 2resent at the deli/ery "3 the m"st el"Buent s2eech, and, unless he hears $hat is said,
that s2eech $ill ha/e n" e1istence 3"r him. */ery man is end"$ed $ith reas"n and c"nscience, but i3 he
ne/er listens t" its /"ice, the relati"n bet$een him and the /"ice "3 $isd"m $ill cease t" e1ist, and it $ill
die 3"r him in 2r"2"rti"n as he dies t" the 2"$er t" hear it.
< man may be ali/e and c"nsci"us in relati"n t" "ne thing, and dead and unc"nsci"us relati/ely t"
an"ther. @ne set "3 his 3aculties may be acti/e and c"nsci"us, $hile an"ther set is unc"nsci"us and its
acti/ity sus2ended. < 2ers"n $h" listens attenti/ely t" music is c"nsci"us "3 n"thing but s"und4 "ne $h"
is $ra2t in the admirati"n "3 3"rm is "nly c"nsci"us "3 seeing4 an"ther, $h" su33ers 3r"m 2ain, may be
c"nsci"us "3 n"thing but the relati"n that e1ists bet$een him and the sensati"n "3 2ain. < man abs"rbed
in th"ught belie/es himsel3 al"ne in the midst "3 a cr"$d. He may be threatened by destructi"n and be
unc"nsci"us "3 the danger. >3 he has the strength "3 a li"n, it $ill a/ail him n"thing unless he bec"mes
Page ,%
c"nsci"us "3 it4 he cann"t be imm"rtal unless he bec"mes c"nsci"us "3 his "$n imm"rtal li3e. The m"re a
2ers"n learns t" realise the true state "3 his e1istence the m"re $ill he bec"me c"nsci"us "3 real
e1istence. >3 he d"es n"t realise his true state he d"es n"t kn"$ himsel3. >3 he 3ully kn"$s himsel3, he $ill
be c"nsci"us "3 his "$n 2"$ers, he $ill kn"$ h"$ t" e1ercise them and bec"me str"ng.
T" bec"me c"nsci"us "3 the e1istence "3 a thing is t" 2"ssess it. T" 2ercei/e its e1istence means t" enter
9Page 3//: int" relati"n $ith it, and t" realise the e1istence "3 that relati"n. !"nsci"usness begins,
there3"re, $here/er sensati"n begins, but sensati"n and 2erce2ti"n "3 a 3"rm are "nly 3"ll"$ed by a
rec"gniti"n "3 the truth i3 the 2rinci2le that e1ists in that 3"rm is a c"nsci"us 2"$er in "ur "$n c"nstituti"n.
>3 a stranger is intr"duced t" us $e 2ercei/e his e1teri"r 3"rm and see the cl"thes $hich he $ears, $e
realise his e1istence as a li/ing 3"rm, but $e kn"$ n"thing "3 his true character. His a22earance may be
2re2"ssessing and still he may be untruth3ul, his cl"thing may be ne$ and elegant and still his character
bad. His b"dy may be healthy, but his s"ul may be diseased. His certi3icates and testim"nials may be
e1cellent, and yet they may decei/e us. >3 $e $ant t" kn"$ the true character "3 the man, $e must be
able t" realise the nature "3 his character in "ursel/es. We may l""k int" his eyes, and $hen s"ul s2eaks
t" s"ul, the t$" $ill enter int" c"nsci"us relati"n $ith each "ther, and there $ill be n" dece2ti"n 2"ssible.
This rec"gniti"n "3 the truth by direct 2erce2ti"n is "ne "3 the 3aculties $hich at the 2resent state "3
e/"luti"n are n"t yet 3ully de/el"2ed in man. >t is a si1th sense that as yet e1ists "nly as a bud in the tree
"3 li3e, $hile the "ther 3i/e senses ha/e been 3ully de/el"2ed. .till it e1ists, and there3"re the 3irst
im2ressi"n $e recei/e "3 a stranger is usually c"rrect, but n"t al$ays belie/ed, because s2eculati"n
c"mes in t" mislead.
Perce2ti"n is the entering int" a relati"n t" the "b5ect "3 "ne9s 2erce2ti"n. .uch a relati"n is "nly
2"ssible, i3 the 2ercei/er and the "b5ect "3 his 2erce2ti"n e1ist u2"n the same 2lane "3 e1istence. F"r this
reas"n 2hysical "b5ects are 2ercei/ed by the 2hysical senses4 the things "3 the s"ul by the s"ul, and that
$hich bel"ngs t" the s2irit can "nly be 2ercei/ed by the 2"$er "3 the sel3'c"nsci"us s2irit in man.
*/erything that e1ists, e1ists $ithin the 7ni/ersal Mind, and n"thing can e1ist "utside "3 it, because the
7ni/ersal Mind includes all. Perce2ti"n is a 3aculty by $hich mind learns t" kn"$ $hat is g"ing "n $ithin
itsel3. T" see a thing is t" 2ercei/e the e1istence "3 its 9Page 3/0: a22earance $ithin "ne9s "$n mind4 t"
3eel the 2resence "3 an in/isible 2"$er $ithin the s"ul is t" bec"me c"nsci"us "3 its 2resence by means
"3 the sense "3 t"uch that bel"ngs t" the mind. Man can kn"$ n"thing but $hat e1ists $ithin his "$n
mind. */en the m"st ardent l"/er has ne/er seen his bel"/ed "ne, he merely sees the image $hich the
3"rm "3 the latter 2r"duces in his mind. >3 $e 2ass thr"ugh the streets "3 a city the images "3 men and
$"men 2ass re/ie$ in "ur mind $hile their b"dies meet "ur "$n4 but 3"r the images $hich they 2r"duce
$ithin "ur c"nsci"usness $e $"uld kn"$ n"thing ab"ut their e1istence. The images 2r"duced in the
mind c"me t" the c"nsci"usness $h"se $"rksh"2 is the brain4 i3 man9s c"nsci"usness $ere centered in
s"me "ther 2art "3 his b"dy, he $"uld bec"me c"nsci"us in that 2art "3 the sensati"ns $hich he recei/es.
He might 3"r instance see $ith his st"mach "r hear $ith his 3ingers, as has "3ten been 2r"/ed by
scienti3ically c"nducted e12eriments, and the reas"n "3 it is that sensati"n is n"t a Buality bel"nging t"
the 2hysical b"dy4 but bel"ngs t" the astral 3"rm, $h"se senses are n"t s" l"calised4 but $hich
2enetrates the 2hysical b"dy and $h"se senses bec"me l"calised therein.
< sel3'c"nsci"us 2"$er, being uni/ersally di33used thr"ugh s2ace, $"uld ha/e the 3aculty t" realise all
that takes 2lace in any 2"rti"n "3 it, because it $"uld be in c"nsci"us relati"n $ith e/erything. <
c"nsci"us 2"$er being b"und t" a material 3"rm, can "nly realise that $hich enters int" relati"nshi2 $ith
Page ,(
that 3"rm. <ll sel3'c"nsci"usness and all 2erce2ti"n cann"t bel"ng t" a limited 3"rm4 it bel"ngs t" the
di/ine nature "3 man, $hich is n"t limited by the limitati"ns "3 3"rm.
Fr"m the in3luence "3 the uni/ersal 2"$er "3 Mind, and the resistance "3 the 3"rm, 2hysical senses came
int" e1istence. >3 man had "riginally remained in 2er3ect harm"ny $ith the 7ni/ersal Mind, he $"uld
ne/er ha/e bec"me cl"thed in a material 3"rm. There c"uld be n" 2erce2ti"n $ith"ut resistance. >3 "ur
b"dies $ere 2er3ectly trans2arent t" light $e c"uld n"t 2ercei/e the light, because light cann"t illuminate
itsel3. The Astral RPage +%&S Light 2enetrates "ur b"dies, but $e are n"t able t" see it, because the 2hysical
b"dy "33ers n" resistance t" it.
<t the time $hen $e 3all aslee2, c"nsci"usness gradually lea/es its seat in the brain and merges int" the
c"nsci"usness "3 the Winner manA. We then begin t" realise an"ther state "3 e1istence4 and i3 a 2art "3 the
c"nsci"usness still remains $ith the brain, the 2erce2ti"n "3 the interi"r c"nsci"usness c"mes t" the
c"gnisance "3 the 2ers"nal sel3. >t is there3"re 2"ssible in that hal3'c"nsci"us state, bet$een slee2ing and
$aking, $hen c"nsci"usness is "scillating bet$een t$" states "3 e1istence, t" recei/e im2"rtant
re/elati"ns 3r"m the higher state and retain them in the 2ers"nal mem"ry. The m"re "ur c"nsci"usness
merges in that higher state, the better $ill $e realise the higher e1istence, but the im2ressi"ns u2"n "ur
e1ternal sel3 $ill bec"me dim and n"t be remembered4 but as l"ng as the greatest 2art "3 "ur
c"nsci"usness is acti/e $ithin the material brain, the 2erce2ti"ns "3 a higher state $ill "nly be dim and
mi1ed u2 $ith mem"ries and sensati"ns "3 the l"$er state "3 e1istence.
There 2r"bably $as a time in the de/el"2ment "3 the b"dy "3 man, $hen his 3"rm $as ' s" t" say ' all
eye, and his $h"le sur3ace sensiti/e t" the 2"$er "3 light. The resistance "3 his 3"rm t" the in3luence "3
light created the eye. Fishes ha/e been 3"und in subterranean lakes $hich ha/e n" eyes4 there being n"
light, they needed n" "rgans t" recei/e it and n"ne t" resist it. >n tr"2ical c"untries the intensity "3 light is
str"nger. Tr"2ical man needs the dark 2igment in his skin t" 2r"tect his nude b"dy 3r"m the in3luence "3
the tr"2ical sun.
There are semi'material e1istences H*lementalsI $hich ha/e n" teguments su33iciently s"lid t" 2r"tect
them 3r"m terrestrial light. .uch natures are /ery sensiti/e t" the acti"n "3 light, they can "nly c"ntinue t"
li/e in darkness, and "nly mani3est their 2"$ers at night. R Adolphe d5 Assier, $h" s2ent much time in the
in/estigati"n "3 "ccult 2hen"mena, tells "3 a case, $here a 2ers"n sle2t in a Whaunted h"useA, 3"r the
2ur2"se "3 in/estigating the s2""k. He $ent t" bed and le3t the light burning. <t "nce a dark shad"$
seemed t" rush thr"ugh the d""r int" his r""m and $ent under his bed. .""n a l"ng arm e1tended 3r"m
under the bed, reached u2 t" the table and e1tinguished the light, and immediately the ram2age began.
Furniture $as "/erthr"$n and br"ken, and the n"ise $as s" great that it attracted the neighb"urs, $h"
came $ith a light, $hen the dark shad"$ 3led thr"ugh the d""r.S 9Page 3/.: >3 the astral b"dy "3 man $ere
e12"sed t" the 3ull in3luence "3, the astral light, $ith"ut ha/ing acBuired the 2"$er t" resist it, it $"uld be
destr"yed sl"$ly "r Buickly acc"rding t" the intensity "3 that light. The myths "3 WhellA and W2urgat"ryA are
suggesti/e "3 that acti"n "3 the destructi/e acti"n "3 the <stral #ight. But this destructi"n is n"t
necessarily acc"m2anied by sensati"n, unless that b"dy is c"nsci"us. < c"r2se 3r"m $hich the s2irit has
$ithdra$n may be cremated and cann"t 3eel it, an astral c"r2se may diss"l/e int" its elements and 3eel
n" 2ain. @nly $hen a 3"rm bec"mes ass"ciated $ith s2irit, in $hate/er 2lane "3 e1istence, there $ill
sensati"n bec"me mani3est.
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."me "3 the 2ractices "3 black magic and necr"mancy are based u2"n this 3act, and it d"es n"t a22ear
im2"ssible that the astral b"dies "3 the dead may be t"rmented by the li/ing, i3 they kne$ h"$ t" end"$
them $ith s2irit, and t" rea$aken c"nsci"usness by in3using s"me "3 their "$n li3e $ithin these 3"rms.
>3 "ur b"dies $ere su33iciently ethereal t" 2ass thr"ugh "thers $ith"ut e12eriencing any resistance, $e
$"uld n"t 3eel their 2resence. >3 the keyb"ard "3 the ear $ere n"t 2resent t" recei/e the /ibrati"ns "3
s"und, hearing $"uld be de3ecti/e. The 2"$er t" resist 2r"duces sensati"n.
Man su33ers because he resists. >3 he $ere t" "bey the la$s "3 his nature under all circumstances, he
$"uld kn"$ n" b"dily disease4 i3 he $ere t" e1ecute in all things the di/ine $ill "3 :"d, he $"uld incur n"
su33ering.
#i3e, sensati"n, 2erce2ti"n, and c"nsci"usness may be $ithdra$n 3r"m the 2hysical b"dy and bec"me
acti/e in the astral b"dy "3 man. The astral man then bec"mes c"nsci"us "3 his e1istence inde2endent "3
the 2hysical b"dy and can de/el"2 3aculties "3 sense. He may then see sights $hich ha/e n" e1istence
3"r the 2hysical =Page >?@A eye, hear s"unds that the 2hysical ear cann"t hear, 3eel, taste, and smell things
$h"se e1istence the 2hysical senses cann"t realise, and $hich c"nseBuently ha/e n" e1istence t" them.
What an ast"nishing sight $"uld meet the eyes "3 a m"rtal, i3 the /eil that merci3ully hides the astral
$"rld 3r"m his sight $ere t" be suddenly rem"/edL He $"uld see the s2ace $hich he inhabits "ccu2ied
by a di33erent $"rld 3ull "3 inhabitants, "3 $h"se e1istence he kne$ n"thing. What be3"re a22eared t" him
dense and s"lid $"uld n"$ seem t" be shad"$y, and $hat seemed t" him like em2ty s2ace he $"uld
3ind 2e"2led $ith li3e.
.cienti3ically c"nducted researches ha/e br"ught t" light many instances "3 cases in $hich the astral
senses ha/e been rendered m"re "r less acti/e. The .eeress "3 Pre/"rst, 3"r instance, 2ercei/ed many
things $hich 3"r "ther 2ers"ns had n" e1istence4 the hist"ry "3 the saints gi/es numer"us similar
e1am2les, and m"dern Wmediumshi2A 2r"/es the e1istence "3 such inner senses by 3acts $hich "ccur
e/ery day. >3 the astral senses "3 a 2ers"n are 3ully ali/e and acti/e, he is able t" 2ercei/e things $ith"ut
the use "3 his 2hysical senses. He $ill be clairvo!ant and clairaudient, he $ill be able t" see, hear, 3eel,
taste, and smell the astral attributes "3 things e1isting in "r "ut "r c"r2"real 3"rms.
<ll h"uses are WhauntedA, but n"t all 2ers"ns are eBually able t" see the gh"sts that haunt them, because
t" 2ercei/e things "n the astral 2lane reBuires the de/el"2ment "r a sense ada2ted t" such 2erce2ti"ns.
Th"ughts are Wgh"stsA, and "nly th"se that can see images 3"rmed "3 th"ught can see Wgh"stsA, unless
the latter are su33iciently materialised t" re3ract the light and t" bec"me /isible t" the eye.
We may 3eel the 2resence "3 an astral 3"rm $ith"ut being able t" see it, and be 5ust as certain "3 its
2resence as i3 $e did beh"ld it $ith "ur eyes4 3"r the sense "3 t"uch is n"t less reliable than the sense "3
sight. The 2resence "3 a h"ly, high, and e1alted idea that enters the mind 3ills it $ith a 3eeling "3
ha22iness, $ith an e1hilarating in3luence $h"se /ibrati"ns may be 2ercei/ed l"ng a3ter that th"ught has
g"ne. 9Page 303:
The e12lanati"n $hich material science gi/es in regard t" the 2r"cess "3 seeing "nly e12lains the
Page ,,
3"rmati"n "3 a 2icture "n the retina "3 the 2hysical eye, but gi/es n" e12lanati"n $hate/er h"$ these
2ictures c"me t" the c"nsci"usness "3 the mind. >3 the mind "3 man $ere encl"sed in the 2hysical b"dy "3
man he c"uld n"t 2ercei/e the size "3 any e1teri"r thing. >n such a case he c"uld at best see the minute
2icture 3"rmed "n his retina, and the "utside $"rld $"uld a22ear t" him like the micr"sc"2ic "b5ect seen
thr"ugh a re/ersed telesc"2e. But the re3lecti"ns 3"rmed in the 2hysical eye "nly ser/e t" call the
attenti"n "3 the mind t" the "b5ects "3 its 2erce2ti"n, "r a$aken the interi"r sense "3 3eeling $hich the
mind 2"ssesses t" a c"nsci"usness "3 its relati"n t" the "b5ects "3 its 2erce2ti"n, $hich e1ist $ithin its
"$n s2here. =isible man is the kernel "3 the in/isible man, the s2here "3 his mind surr"unds him in all
sides like an in/isible 2ul2, e1tending 3ar int" s2ace, and he can bec"me c"nsci"us "3 the "b5ects
e1isting $ithin that s2here i3 he rec"gnises his relati"n $ith them.
This in/isible and ethereal s2here is as essential t" c"nstitute a man as the 2ul2 "3 a 2each is essential
t" c"nstitute a 2each, but material science kn"$s "nly the kernel, and kn"$s n"thing ab"ut the 2ul2. .till
this s"ul s2here e1ists, and intermingles $ith the s2heres "3 "thers, 2r"ducing sym2athies, "r
anti2athies, acc"rding t" the harm"ny, "r disharm"ny, "3 their res2ecti/e elements. < great many e/ents
may take 2lace $ithin "ne9s mind and $e may n"t 2ercei/e them, unless "ur attenti"n is attracted t"
them, and they c"me t" "ur c"nsci"usness.
The mind 2ercei/es $hat is g"ing "n in the 2hysical 2lane by being a$akened by 2hysical means t" a
c"nsci"usness "3 his relati"nshi2 $ith 2hysical things4 it 2ercei/es $hat is g"ing "n in the realm "3 the
s"ul by being a$akened t" a c"nsci"usness "3 his relati"nshi2 $ith the realm "3 the s"ul by in3luences
c"ming 3r"m that realm, and it 2ercei/es s2iritual truth by being a$akened t" a rec"gniti"n "3 its
relati"nshi2 t" truth by the 2"$er 2r"ceeding 3r"m it.
The 2hysical b"dy may be d"rmant and 2ercei/e n" 9Page 30(: e1ternal "b5ects4 the astral senses are
unde/el"2ed4 the s2iritual 2"$er "3 2erce2ti"n in the ma5"rity "3 mankind is still inacti/e, and 3eels the
2resence "3 the s2irit "nly by the uncertain re3le1 "3 its light, like a man in a semi'c"nsci"us c"nditi"n
may see the re3le1 "3 light shining thr"ugh the cl"sed lids and n"t kn"$ $hat it is. This is the 2"$er "3
intuiti"n that 2recedes an a$akening t" s2iritual kn"$ledge.
Mind has n" c"ncei/able limits, and distance is there3"re n" im2ediment t" mental 2erce2ti"n, because a
mind being in s"lidarity $ith the $h"le stands in relati"n t" e/ery 2art "3 the $h"le, and as s""n as man
rec"gnises his relati"n t" an "b5ect in s2ace he bec"mes c"nsci"us "3 its 2resence.
The reas"n $hy the mind "3 man d"es n"t 2ercei/e e/erything and reBuires the aid "3 the 2hysical
senses, is that <dam is still slee2ing the slee2 $hich came "/er him $hile he $as an inhabitant "3 the
2aradise. He is still unc"nsci"us "3 the 3act that his real nature c"m2rises the all4 his c"nsci"usness has
bec"me b"und t" a material 3"rm, and he is n"$ the 2ris"ner "3 that 3"rm.
T" see a thing is identical $ith t"uching it $ith the mind. The indi/idual mind "3 man being "ne $ith the
uni/ersal mind, e1tends thr"ugh s2ace4 it is there3"re n"t merely the images "3 things, but the things
themsel/es that e1ist $ithin the 2eri2hery "3 "ur mind, h"$e/er distant 3r"m the centre "3 "ur
c"nsci"usness they may be, and i3 $e $ere able t" shi3t that centre 3r"m "ne 2lace t" an"ther $ithin the
s2here "3 the mind, $e might in a m"ment "3 time a22r"ach t" the "b5ect "3 "ur 2erce2ti"n.
Page +KK
The mind substance is e/ery$here, but its c"nsci"usness is limited. >3 the $h"le s2here "3 the mind "3 a
man $ere sel3'c"nsci"us, he $"uld be "mni2resent and all'kn"$ing. <s the s2here "3 2erce2ti"n "3 an
indi/idual mind e12ands, s" e12ands the s2here "3 his c"nsci"us being.
The centre "3 c"nsci"usness in man is l"cated in the brain, and i3 the mind t"uches an "b5ect the
im2ressi"ns ha/e t" tra/el all the $ay t" the brain. >3 $e l""k at a distant star "ur mind is actually there
and in c"ntact 9Page 30): $ith it, and i3 $e c"uld trans3er "ur c"nsci"usness t" that 2lace "3 c"ntact, $e
$"uld be "ursel/es u2"n that star and 2ercei/e the "b5ects there"n as i3 $e $ere standing 2ers"nally
u2"n its sur3ace.
This h"$e/er is an im2"ssibility as l"ng as the centre "3 "ur c"nsci"usness is in the brain4 because that
c"nsci"usness is an illusi"n itsel3, it enables us t" r"am thr"ugh s2ace by means "3 "ur imaginati"n, but
d"es n"t re/eal the truth. The c"nsci"usness "3 the brain is in regard t" "ur true sel3'c"nsci"usness $hat
the 3alse light "3 the m""n is t" the light "3 the sun. @ur true sel3'c"nsci"usness rests in the heart, and
there3"re the heart can e12and in that uni/ersal l"/e, $hich is n"t imaginary, thr"ugh the $h"le "3
creati"n. >3 that l"/e bec"mes sel3'c"nsci"us in "ur heart, all the mysteries "3 the uni/erse $ill be "2en
be3"re us.
Perce2ti"n is passive imagination, because i3 $e 2ercei/e an "b5ect, the relati"n $hich it bears t" us
c"mes t" "ur c"nsci"usness $ith"ut any acti/e e1erti"n "n "ur 2art. But there is an active imagination by
$hich $e may enter int" relati"n $ith a distant "b5ect in s2ace by a trans3er "3 c"nsci"usness. By this
2"$er $e may act u2"n a distant "b5ect i3 $e succeed in 3"rming a true image "3 it in "ur "$n
c"nsci"usness. By c"ncentrating "ur c"nsci"usness u2"n such an "b5ect $e bec"me c"nsci"us in that
2lace "3 the s2here "3 "ur mind $here that "b5ect e1ists. Thus $e establish a c"nsci"us relati"n bet$een
such an "b5ect and "ursel/es, but this reBuires that s2iritual 2"$er $hich resides in the heart.
!"nsci"usness is e1istence, and there are as many states "3 c"nsci"usness as there are states "3
e1istence. */ery li/ing being has a c"nsci"usness "3 its "$n, and the state "3 its c"nsci"usness changes
e/ery m"ment "3 time, as 3ast as the im2ressi"ns $hich it recei/es change4 because its c"nsci"usness is
the 2erce2ti"n "3 the relati"n it bears t" things, and as this relati"n changes, c"nsci"usness changes its
character.
>3 "ur $h"le attenti"n is taken u2 by animal 2leasure, $e e1ist in an animal state "3 c"nsci"usness4 i3 $e
are a$are "3 the 2resence "3 s2iritual 2rinci2les, such as h"2e, 3aith, charity, 5ustice, truth, etc., $e li/e in
"ur 9Page 30-: s2iritual c"nsci"usness, and bet$een these t$" e1tremes there are a great /ariety "3
gradati"ns. !"nsci"usness itsel3 d"es n"t change, it "nly m"/es u2 and d"$n "n the scale "3 e1istence.
There is "nly "ne kind "3 c"nsci"usness $hich ne/er changes its 2lace because it is inde2endent "3 all
relati"n t" things. >t is the sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 sel3'e1istence, the realisati"n "3 the + am. >t can be
ign"red, but "nce attained it cann"t change, because :"d ne/er changes4 its change $"uld in/"l/e n"n'
e1istence "r the annihilati"n "3 all. He $h" has n"t attained that true sel3'c"nsci"usness, the realisati"n
"3 the e1istence "3 his "$n real sel3 d"es n"t e1ist. He may be highly de/el"2ed 2hysically and
intellectually4 ne/ertheless he is n"thing else but a c"m2"und "3 2hysical and intellectual elements and
his sense "3 sel3 an e/er'changing illusi"n. He cann"t die, because he has ne/er c"me t" li3e4 he d"es
Page +K+
n"t truly e1ist, because he d"es n"t realise his true e1istence. There is n" "ne truly ali/e, e1ce2t he $h"
can realise his "$n true di/ine li3e.
When #i3e mani3ests itsel3 in a 3"rm it begins t" li/e relati/ely t" 3"rm4 but the degree "3 c"nsci"usness "3
the 3"rm de2ends "n the state "3 its "rganisati"n. >n a l"$ "rganised 3"rm there is sensati"n, but n"
intelligence. <n "yster has c"nsci"usness, but n" intelligence. < man may ha/e a great deal "3 intellect
and n" c"nsci"usness "3 s2irituality, sublimity, 5ustice, beauty, "r truth.
The l"$est e1istences 3"ll"$ im2licitly the la$s "3 nature "r "3 Universal ,eason4 because in them e1ists
n" di33erentiati"n "3 mind4 they ha/e n" $ill and reas"n "3 their "$n. The highest s2iritual beings 3"ll"$
their "$n reas"n4 but their $ill and reas"n is in harm"ny $ith the uni/ersal la$. The di33erence bet$een
the l"$est beings and the highest "nes is, there3"re, that the l"$est "nes 2er3"rm the $ill "3 W:"dA
unc"nsci"usly and unkn"$ingly4 $hile the highest "nes d" the same thing kn"$ingly and c"nsci"usly. >t
is "nly the reas"ning beings $h" imagine that they are their "$n la$'gi/ers, and may d" $hat they
2lease. <ll e/il is caused by reas"ning4 the 9Page 302: enlightened d"es n"t reas"n4 he has ;eas"n itsel3
3"r his guide.
The muscular system e1ercises its habitual m"/ements in the act "3 $alking, eating, c., $ith"ut being
es2ecially guided by a su2erintending intellect, like a cl"ck$"rk that, a3ter being "nce set in m"ti"n,
c"ntinues t" run4 and a man $h" is in the habit "3 d"ing that $hich is right and 5ust, $ill act in acc"rdance
$ith the la$ "3 $isd"m and 5ustice instincti/ely, and $ith"ut any c"nsiderati"n "r d"ubt.
*ach state "3 mind has its "$n m"de "3 2erce2ti"n, sensati"n, instinct, and c"nsci"usness, and the
acti/ity "3 "ne may "/er2"$er and su22ress that "3 the "ther. < 2ers"n being "nly c"nsci"us "3 the
sensati"ns created by s"me 2hysical act, is at that time unc"nsci"us "3 s2iritual in3luences. @ne $h" is
under the in3luence "3 chl"r"3"rm l"ses his e1ternal sensati"n. @ne in a state "3 trance is a$ake "n a
higher 2lane "3 e1istence, and unc"nsci"us "3 $hat ha22ens "n the 2hysical 2lane.
The unintelligent muscular system is c"nsci"us "3 n"thing else but the attracti"n "3 *arth. >n it the
element "3 *arth 2red"minates, and unless it is u2held by reas"n, it acts acc"rding t" the im2ulse
created in it by that attracti"n. The astral b"dy is unintelligent, and unless in3used $ith the intelligence
c"ming 3r"m the higher 2rinci2les, it 3"ll"$s the attracti"ns "3 the astral 2lane. These attracti"ns are its
desires. <s the 2hysical b"dy, i3 unguided by reas"n, 3"ll"$s the la$ "3 gra/itati"n, s" the astral b"dy
3"ll"$s the attracti"ns "3 desire. The animal c"nsci"usness "3 man is that unreas"ning attracti"n $hich
im2els him t" seek 3"r the grati3icati"n "3 his instincts.
!"rrectly s2eaking, there is n" such thing as animal reas"n, animal intellect, animal c"nsci"usness, etc.
!"nsci"usness, reas"n, intelligence, etc., in the abs"lute, ha/e n" Buali3icati"ns4 they are uni/ersal
2rinci2les, that is t" say, 3uncti"ns "3 the Universal One Lie, mani3esting themsel/es "n /ari"us 2lanes in
/ari"us 3"rms.
The c"nditi"n "3 a 2ers"n $h"se c"nsci"usness is n" m"re illumined by reas"n, is seen in em"ti"nal
mania and "bsessi"n. >n such cases the 2ers"n acts entirely 9Page 30/: acc"rding t" the im2ulses acting
Page +K-
in him, and $hen he rec"/ers his reas"n, he is unc"nsci"us "3 his acti"ns during that state. .uch states
mani3est themsel/es s"metimes in "nly "ne 2ers"n, "r they a33ect se/eral 2ers"ns simultane"usly, and
e/en $h"le c"untries, as has been e12erienced in s"me $h"lesale W"bsessi"nsA "ccurring during the
Middle <ges. RW Hist"ire des diables de #"udinA. ' !ases "3 "bsessi"n are by n" means un3reBuent, and
many cases "3 insanity are merely cases "3 "bsessi"n. >t is e1tremely desirable in the interests "3
humanity that "ur su2erintendents and d"ct"rs "3 insane asylums sh"uld study the "ccult la$s "3 nature,
and learn t" kn"$ the causes "3 insanity, instead "3 merely studying their e1ternal e33ects.S They are "3ten
"bser/ed in cases "3 hysteria, may be $itnessed at religi"us meetings, during theatrical 2er3"rmances,
during the attack u2"n an enemy, "r at any "ther "ccasi"n, $here the 2assi"ns "3 the multitude are
e1cited, inducing them t" acts "3 3"lly "r bra/ery, and enabling 2e"2le t" 2er3"rm acts $hich they $"uld
be neither $illing n"r able t" 2er3"rm i3 they $ere guided "nly by the calculati"ns "3 their intellect. <ll such
states are the mani3estati"n "3 unseen 2"$ers, acting in and thr"ugh di33erent 3"rms.
There are 2ers"ns in $h"m the astral b"dy has bec"me the centre "3 c"nsci"usness, and they may
acBuire the 2"$er t" trans3er that c"nsci"usness t" a distant l"cality. Mind is e/ery$here, and ca2able "3
recei/ing im2ressi"ns. >3 $e steadily c"ncentrate "ur th"ughts u2"n a distant 2ers"n "r a 2lace, a current
"3 mind is created. @ur th"ughts g" t" the desired l"cality, 3"r that l"cality, h"$e/er 3ar it may be, is still
$ithin the s2here "3 mind. >3 $e ha/e been there be3"re, "r i3 there is s"mething t" attract us, it $ill n"t be
di33icult t" 3ind it. 7nder "rdinary circumstances c"nsci"usness remains $ith the b"dy. But i3 "ur astral
elements are su33iciently ali/e, s" as n"t t" cling t" the b"dy, but t" acc"m2any "ur th"ughts, then "ur
c"nsci"usness may g" $ith them, being 2r"5ected there by the 2"$er "3 the $ill, and the m"re the $ill is
intense the easier $ill this be acc"m2lished. We shall then /isit the ch"sen 2lace c"nsci"usly and kn"$
$hat $e are 9Page 300: d"ing, and "ur astral elements carry the mem"ry back and im2ress them u2"n "ur
2hysical brain.
This is the secret h"$ the th"ught b"dy may be 2r"5ected t" a distance by th"se $h" ha/e acBuired that
2"$er. >t is a 2"$er that may be acBuired by birth "r learned by 2ractice. There are 2ers"ns in $h"m, in
c"nseBuence "3 either an inherited 2eculiarity "3 the c"nstituti"n "r 3r"m sickness, such a se2arati"n
bet$een the 2hysical and astral elements may either /"luntarily "r in/"luntarily take 2lace, and the astral
3"rm either c"nsci"usly "r unc"nsci"usly tra/el t" distant 2laces "r 2ers"ns, and by the assistance "3 the
"dic and magnetic emanati"ns e/en WmaterialiseA int" a /isible and e/en tangible 3"rm. R Adolphe d 5
Assier cites se/eral instances in $hich the d"uble "3 a 2ers"n $as seen simultane"usly $ith the 2hysical
3"rm. < y"ung lady at c"llege $as seen by her mates in the 2arl"ur "3 the sch""l, $hile at the same time
her d"uble $as in the garden. The str"nger the Wd"ubleA gre$, the m"re 3aint became her c"r2"real 3"rm.
When she rec"/ered her strength, the d"uble disa22eared 3r"m sight. >n this case, the c"nsci"usness "3
the lady $as e/idently di/ided bet$een the r""m and the garden, and as her th"ughts $ent t" the 3l"$ers
they 3"rmed a b"dy there. >n studying the la$ acc"rding t" $hich such a22arently mysteri"us things
"ccur, it $ill be ad/isable t" remember that all orms, $hether material "r ethereal, c"nsist merely "3
certain /ibrati"ns "3 2rim"rdial matter, mani3esting themsel/es acc"rding t" the character im2ressed
u2"n them. S
The (ama$rupa is s"metimes attracted unc"nsci"usly t" 2laces $hile the 2hysical b"dy is aslee2. >t has
been seen by im2ressible 2ers"ns "n such "ccasi"ns, but it sh"$s n" signs "3 intelligence "r li3e4 it "nly
acts like an aut"mat"n and returns $hen the 2hysical b"dy reBuires its 2resence. <t the time "3 death,
$hen the c"hesi"n bet$een the l"$er and higher 2rinci2les is l""sened, such a 2r"5ecti"n is "3 n"t
un3reBuent "ccurrence4 it may then be 3"r a sh"rt time, c"nsci"us, ali/e, and intelligent, and re2resent the
Page +KG
true man. [?umer"us instances "3 such "ccurrences may be 3"und in *, :urney, WPhantasms "3 the
#i/ingA]
There are a great number "3 cases "n rec"rd $here, in c"nseBuence "3 a sudden and intense em"ti"n,
3"r instance, the desire t" see a certain 2ers"n, the th"ught 9Page 301: b"dy 2r"5ecting itsel3 3r"m the
2hysical b"dy has bec"me c"nsci"us and /isible at a distance. >n cases "3 h"me'sickness $e 3ind s"me
a22r"ach t" an instance "3 this, The 2ers"n se2arated 3r"m h"me and 3riends, ha/ing an intense
yearning t" see his nati/e 2lace again, 2r"5ects his th"ughts t" that 2lace, He li/es 8 s" t" say 8 in that
2lace, $hile his 2hysical b"dy /egetates in an"ther. He bec"mes $eaker, and 3inally dies4 that is t" say,
he g"es $here his th"ughts already are, alth"ugh his gradual g"ing is im2erce2tible and unrec"gnisable
t" 2hysical senses.
>n cases "3 sickness "r death a similar 2r"cess "3 se2arati"n takes 2lace. When, 3r"m $hate/er cause,
the uni"n bet$een the 2hysical 3"rm and the astral b"dy bec"mes $eakened, the astral 3"rm se2arates
itsel3 3"r a $hile "r 2ermanently 3r"m the 2hysical 3"rm.
The sym2t"ms "3 such a beginning "3 se2arati"n is "3ten "bser/ed in se/ere sickness, $hen the 2atient
has the sensati"n as i3 an"ther 2ers"n $ere lying in the same bed $ith him. <s rec"/ery takes 2lace, the
2rinci2les $h"se c"hesi"n has been l""sened bec"me reunited and that sensati"n disa22ears.
<cc"rding t" the 2lane "3 e1istence, $here a 2ers"n li/es is the state "3 his c"nsci"usness, and each "3
these 2lanes has its "$n sensati"ns, 2erce2ti"ns, and mem"ries. What is seen and 2ercei/ed and
remembered in "ne state, is n"t remembered in an"ther state, and it is there3"re n"t im2r"bable that a
2ers"n, entering int" a higher state "3 c"nsci"usness a3ter the death "3 his b"dy, $ill remember n"thing
ab"ut the c"nditi"ns "3 his terrestrial li3e. R< case is cited in Dr Hamm"nd9s b""k "n insanity, in $hich a
ser/ant, $hile in a state "3 int"1icati"n, carried a 2ackage $ith $hich he had been entrusted t" the $r"ng
h"use. Ha/ing bec"me s"ber, he c"uld n"t remember the 2lace, and the 2ackage $as su22"sed t" be
l"st4 but a3ter he g"t drunk again he remembered the 2lace, he $ent there and rec"/ered the
2ackage.This g"es t" sh"$ that $hen he $as drunk he $as an"ther 2ers"n than $hen he $as s"ber4
man9s indi/iduality c"ntinually changes acc"rding t" the c"nditi"ns in $hich he e1ists, and as his
c"nsci"usness changes he bec"mes an"ther indi/idual, alth"ugh he still retains the same "ut$ard 3"rm.
S
>n the state "3 int"1icati"n the 2ers"n is "nly c"nsci"us RPage +(,S "3 his animal e1istence and entirely
unc"nsci"us "3 his higher e1istence. < s"mnambule in the lucid c"nditi"n l""ks u2"n her b"dy as a being
distinct 3r"m her "$n sel3, $h" is, t" a certain e1tent, under her care. .he s2eaks "3 that being in the third
2ers"n, 2rescribes s"metimes 3"r it as a 2hysician 2rescribes 3"r his 2atient and "3ten sh"$s tastes,
inclinati"ns, and "2ini"ns entirely "22"sed t" th"se $hich she 2"ssesses in her n"rmal c"nditi"n.
Pers"ns $hile in a trance may l"/e an"ther 2ers"n intensely, because they are then ca2able t" 2ercei/e
his g""d interi"r Bualities, and detest him $hen they are in their n"rmal c"nditi"n, $hen they merely
beh"ld his e1ternal attributes. 9 H. Jach"kke: W=erklaerungenA HTrans3igurati"nsI:
>n the state "3 trance the b"dy is entirely unc"nsci"us and unable t" realise any 2hysical sensati"n. >t
may be burnt "r buried. .uch a 2r"ceeding $"uld n"t a33ect the inner man "ther$ise than t" 2re/ent his
Page +K)
return t" that b"dy. But $hile his earthly 3"rm is unc"nsci"us, his s2iritual sel3 is c"nsci"us, and may be
engaged in duties bey"nd "ur c"m2rehensi"n, am"ng scenes 3r"m $hich it must be 2ain3ul t" return t"
the b"nds "3 *arth.
*/en $hile 2hysical c"nsci"usness is acti/e the c"nsci"usness "3 the higher 2rinci2les may be s"
e1alted as t" render the b"dy little c"nsci"us "3 2ain. Hist"ry s2eaks "3 men and $"men $h"se s"uls
re5"iced $hile their earthly tabernacles $ere underg"ing the t"rtures "3 the rack, "r de/"ured by 3lames
at the stake.
Man leads essentially t$" li/es, "ne $hile he is 3ully a$ake, an"ther $hile he is 3ully aslee2. *ach has its
"$n 2erce2ti"ns, c"nsci"usness, and e12eriences, but the e12eriences during slee2 are n"t
remembered $hen $e are 3ully Wa$akeA. <t the b"rderland bet$een slee2 and $aking, $here the
im2ressi"ns "3 each state meet and mingle, is the realm "3 c"n3used dreams, $hich seld"m c"ntain any
truth.
This state is, h"$e/er, 3a/"urable t" recei/e im2ressi"ns 3r"m the inner sel3. The inner man may use
symb"lical 3"rms and alleg"rical images t" c"n/ey ideas 9Page 314: t" the l"$er sel3, and t" gi/e it
adm"niti"ns, 3"reb"dings, and $arnings in regard t" 3uture e/ents.
There are /ari"us kinds "3 dreams. Many a di33icult 2r"blem has been s"l/ed during slee2, and the
terrestrial $"rld is n"t al$ays $ith"ut any re3le1 "3 the light 3r"m ab"/e. The mind "3 the slee2er during
the slee2 "3 the b"dy c"mes int" c"ntact $ith "ther minds, and 2asses thr"ugh e12eriences $hich "ne
d"es n"t remember $hen a$ake. Man, in his $aking c"nditi"n, "3ten has e12eriences $hich he
a3ter$ards d"es n"t remember, but $hich he, ne/ertheless, en5"yed at the time $hen they "ccurred, and
$hich at that time $ere real t" him.R @ne e1tra"rdinary case is menti"ned in <. P. .innett9s W>ncidents in
the #i3e "3 Madame Bla/atskyA. .2eaking "3 her sickness in Ti3lis, Madame Bla/atsky says, that she had
the sensati"n as i3 she $ere t$" di33erent 2ers"ns, "ne being the Madame Bla/atsky, $h"se b"dy $as
lying sick in bed, the "ther 2ers"n an entirely di33erent and su2eri"r being. WWhen > $as in my l"$er
stateA, she says, W > kne$ $h" that "ther 2ers"n $as and $hat she H"r heI had been d"ing4 but $hen >
$as that "ther being mysel3, > did n"t kn"$ n"r care $h" $as that Madame Bla/atskyA. >t is there3"re
/ery $ell 2"ssible that Madame Bla/atsky9s Wtranscendental EgoA, $ith all its c"nsci"usness, 3aculties,
and 2"$ers "3 2erce2ti"n, in 3act, her real sel, $as c"nsci"usly and really underg"ing certain mysteri"us
e12eriences in Tibet, $hile the 2hysical instrument, $hich $e call WMadame Bla/atskyA, $as sick at Ti3lis.
S
Man 3eels in himsel3 at least t$" sets "3 attracti"ns that c"me t" his c"nsci"usness. @ne set drags him
d"$n t" earth and makes him cling t" material necessities and en5"yments, the "ther set, li3ting him u2
int" the regi"n "3 the unkn"$n, makes him 3"rget the allurements "3 matter, and brings him nearer t" the
realm "3 imm"rtal beauty. The greatest 2"ets and 2hil"s"2hers ha/e rec"gnised this 3act "3 d"uble
c"nsci"usness, "r the t$" 2"les "3 "ne, and bet$een th"se t$" 2"les ebbs and 3l""ds the n"rmal
c"nsci"usness "3 the a/erage human being.
:"ethe e12resses this in his WFaustA in ab"ut the 3"ll"$ing terms:
Page +K6
T$" s"uls, alas > are c"nsci"us in my breast,
@ne 3r"m the "ther seeks t" se2arate.
@ne clings t" earth, $here all its li3e is r""ted,
The "ther rises u2$ards t" the g"ds. 9Page 313:
@ne attracti"n arises 3r"m Wisd"m, an"ther 3r"m 3"lly. By the 2"$er "3 Kn"$ledge, Man is enabled t"
ch""se $hich $ay he $ill 3"ll"$, and by the 2"$er "3 "bedience he is enabled t" 2r"ceed. He may li/e
"n the l"$er 2lanes "3 c"nsci"usness and bec"me dead t" s2irituality and imm"rtal li3e4 "r in the highest
s2heres "3 th"ught, $here his mind e12ands and $here he ultimately $ill 3ind that spiritual sel$
consciousness" $hich is 'ivine -isdom" the realisation o eternal truth. Fe$ may be able t" reach such a
state, and 3e$ $ill be able t" c"m2rehend its 2"ssibility4 but there ha/e been men $h", "n the thresh"ld
"3 ?ir$ana, and $hile their 2hysical b"dies c"ntinued t" li/e "n this 2lanet, c"uld c"nsci"usly r"am
thr"ugh the inter2lanetary s2aces and see the $"nders "3 the material and s2iritual $"rlds. This is the
highest 3"rm "3 <de2tshi2 attainable "n *arth, and t" him $h" acc"m2lishes it the mysteries "3 the
7ni/erse $ill be like an "2en b""k.
Di/ine Wisd"m 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 mani3esting itsel3 reBuires an "rganism. >n the mineral kingd"m it
mani3ests itsel3 as attracti"n, in 2lants as li3e, in animals as instinct, in human beings as reas"n, in Di/ine
natures as sel3'kn"$ledge4 "n e/ery 2lane the character "3 its mani3estati"n de2ends "n the character "3
the "rganism thr"ugh $hich it acts. With"ut a human "rganism, e/en the m"st intelligent animal cann"t
bec"me a man4 $ith"ut a s2iritual "rganism e/en the m"st 2i"us christian $ill be "nly a dreamer.
*/ery state "3 c"nsci"usness reBuires 3"r its e12ressi"n a suitable "rganism, and the greater the realm "3
its mani3estati"n, the m"re e12anded must be the s2here "3 its acti/ity. There is n" realisati"n "3 2hysical
e1istence $ith"ut a 2hysical b"dy4 there is n" em"ti"nal nature $ith"ut an "rganised astral 3"rm4 n"
ideati"n $ith"ut an "rganised mind, and n" di/ine e1istence $ith"ut an inc"rru2tible b"dy. With"ut that
s2iritual "rganisati"n, $h"se elements are sel3'c"nsci"us imm"rtality, di/ine 5ustice, eternal beauty and
harm"ny, uni/ersal 5ustice and l"/e, kn"$ledge and 2"$er, 2urity and 2er3ecti"n, 3reed"m and gl"ry,
e/en the m"st de/"ut $"rshi22er can "nly 3eel. */en the m"st de/"ut $"rshi22er, as RPage +&-S l"ng as
the di/ine s2irit has n"t a$akened $ithin his s"ul, $ill merely 3eel the beauties "3 the s2iritual realm in the
same sense as a blind man may en5"y the $arm rays "3 the sunshine $ith"ut being able t" see the light4
"nly $hen the 2r"cess "3 s2iritual regenerati"n has been acc"m2lished $ill he be able t" see the sun "3
di/ine gl"ry $ithin his "$n s"ul, and kn"$ that he e1ists as an eternal, sel3'e1istent and imm"rtal 2"$er
in :"d.
T" bec"me a magician reBuires a 2er3ect man and n"t merely a being b"rn "3 a dream4 the e1ercise "3
s2iritual 2"$er reBuires a substantial b"dy as its 3"undati"n4 t" attain true kn"$ledge "3 all the mysteries
"3 the uni/erse reBuires an "rganisati"n as large as the $"rld. This s2iritual b"dy gr"$s "ut "3 the
elements "3 the c"rru2tible material b"dy. With"ut that "rganism there can be n" realisati"n "3 "ne9s "$n
di/ine nature: W7nless a man is reb"rn in the .2irit, he cann"t enter the Kingd"m "3 :"dA.
Page +K%
CH,PT'* 5III
+&CO&SCIO+S&'SS
=Omne onum a %eo# im;erfectum a %iaaloE$ F Paracelsus
9Page 31): !@?.!>@7.?*.. is kn"$ledge and li3e4 unc"nsci"usness is ign"rance and death. >3 $e are
c"nsci"us "3 the e1istence "3 a thing, $e kn"$ that a relati"n e1ists bet$een "ursel/es and that thing. >3
$e bec"me unc"nsci"us "3 its e1istence, neither $e n"r that "b5ect ceases t" e1ist, but $e 3ail t"
rec"gnise its relati"n t" us. <s s""n as $e begin t" realise that relati"n, the character "3 the "b5ect
2ercei/ed in the s2here "3 "ur mind bec"mes a 2art "3 "ur mental c"nstituti"n, and $e begin t" live in
relati"n t" it. We then 2"ssess it in "ur c"nsci"usness, and may retain it there by the 2"$er "3 "ur Will. >3
it disa22ears, $e may recall it by the 2"$er "3 rec"llecti"n and mem"ry. T" kn"$ an "b5ect is t" li/e
relati/ely t" it, t" 3"rget it is t" cease t" e1ist in relati"n t" it.
7nc"nsci"usness, ign"rance, and death are there3"re syn"nym"us terms, and e/ery"ne is dead in
2r"2"rti"n as he is ign"rant. >3 he is ign"rant "3 a 3act, he is dead relati/ely t" it, alth"ugh he may be 3ully
ali/e relati/ely t" "ther things. We cann"t be c"nsci"us "3 e/erything at "nce, and there3"re, as "ur
im2ressi"ns and th"ughts change, "ur c"nsci"usness and relati"n t" certain things change, and $e
c"ntinually die relati/ely t" s"me things and li/e relati/ely t" "thers. There can be n" abs"lute
unc"nsci"usness4 because the One Lie is sel3'e1istent and inde2endent "3 its mani3estati"ns. >t
mani3ests itsel3 in "ur 3"rms, and e/en i3 "ur 3"rms diss"l/e, Lie c"ntinues t" be and t" e/"l/e "ther
3"rms. 9Page 31-: There can be n" cessati"n "3 abs"lute c"nsci"usness as l"ng as there is abs"lute
being, because the 0<bs"luteA ne/er ceases t" be in relati"n t" itsel3. ;elati/e death and
unc"nsci"usness "ccurs e/ery m"ment, and $e are n"t a$are "3 its "ccurrence. We meet hundreds "3
c"r2ses in the streets, $hich are entirely dead and unc"nsci"us in regard t" certain things "3 $hich $e
are ali/e4 and $e are dead in regard t" many things t" $hich "thers are ali/e and c"nsci"us. @nly
simultane"usly "ccurring "mniscience in regard t" e/erything that e1ists $"uld be abs"lute li3e $ith"ut
any admi1ture "3 death, but such a state is an im2"ssibility as l"ng as man is b"und t" a 2ers"nality and
limited 3"rm, and has there3"re "nly a limited e1istence and c"nsci"usness.
*ach 2rinci2le in man has a certain s2here "3 acti/ity, and its 2erce2ti"ns can "nly e1tend t" the limits "3
that s2here. *ach is dead t" such m"des "3 acti/ity as are in n" relati"n $ith it. Minerals are unc"nsci"us
"3 the acti"n "3 intelligence, but n"t "3 the attracti"n "3 *arth4 the s2irit is dead t" earthly attracti"n and
mechanical 2ressure, but n"t t" l"/e. >3 $e can change the m"de "3 acti/ity in a 3"rm, $e call int"
e1istence a ne$ state "3 c"nsci"usness, because $e establish ne$ relati"ns "3 a di33erent "rder4 the "ld
acti/ity dies and a ne$ "ne begins t" li/e.
>3 the energy $hich $e are n"$ using 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 digesting 3""d, 3"r 2er3"rming intellectual lab"ur
and 3"r en5"ying sensual 2leasures, $ere used 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 de/el"2ing the s2iritual germs
c"ntained $ithin the c"nstituti"n "3 man, $e $"uld be in a c"m2arati/ely sh"rt time re$arded 3"r "ur
lab"ur by bec"ming su2eri"r beings, "3 a state s" 3ar ab"/e "ur 2resent c"nditi"n, that $e can at 2resent
n"t e/en c"ncei/e "3 it, because $e ha/e n" e12erience ab"ut it. <ll $e kn"$ ab"ut such states is that
$hich has been t"ld t" us by th"se $h" ha/e entered it, and in m"ments "3 tranBuility and e1altati"n the
s"ul "3 e/en n"t highly s2iritually de/el"2ed 2e"2le may "ccasi"nally 2ass by the tem2le "3 di/ine
Page +K(
$isd"m, $hen the d""r is le3t a5ar, and 3r"m the glance caught "3 the interi"r light that streams 9Page 312:
thr"ugh the :ates "3 :"ld it may 3"rm a c"nce2ti"n ab"ut the beauties c"ntained therein.
>n the c"nstituti"n "3 a/erage man li3e is es2ecially acti/e in the 2hysical b"dy, and he clings t" the li3e "3
that b"dy as i3 it $ere the "nly 2"ssible m"de "3 e1istence. He kn"$s "3 n" "ther m"de "3 li3e, and is,
there3"re, a3raid t" die. < 2ers"n $h" has c"ncentrated his li3e and c"nsci"usness int" his astral b"dy $ill
be c"nsci"us "3 an"ther e1istence, and his 2hysical b"dy $ill be "nly s" 3ar "3 /alue t" him, as by its
instrumentality he can act "n the 2hysical 2lane. Physical death is a c"ntinuati"n "3 the acti/ity "3 li3e in
"ther 2rinci2les. >3 $e, by an "ccult 2r"cess, c"ncentrate all "ur li3e int" "ur higher 2rinci2les be3"re "ur
b"dy ceases t" li/e, $e master death, and li/e inde2endent "3 "ur 2hysical b"dy.9.uch beings e1ist and
are called 0?irmDnakDyasA. .ee H. P. Bla/atsky, 0The &oice o the SilenceA, Part >>>. They are n"t t" be
c"n3"unded $ith the s"'called 0The"s"2hical MahatmasA, $h" are terrestrial men and <de2ts4 but $h"
ha/e been re2resented by s"me 3anatical admirers as 0s2iritsA "r gh"sts.:
.uch a trans3er "3 li3e and c"nsci"usness is n"t bey"nd 2"ssibility. >t has been acc"m2lished by many,
and $ill be acc"m2lished by "thers. The material elements "3 the 2hysical b"dy are c"ntinually sub5ect t"
eliminati"n and rene$al. By 2ermitting the 2hysical b"dy gradually t" die, $hile the s2iritual "rganism
bec"mes de/el"2ed, the astral b"dy assumes the 3uncti"ns "3 the 2hysical 3"rm.
?" "ne $"uld be $illing t" l""k u2"n such a change as death, and ne/ertheless it $"uld be n"thing else
but a m"de "3 dying sl"$ as 3ar as the 2hysical b"dy is c"ncerned, $hile at the same time it is a raising
"3 the real man int" a su2eri"r 3"rm "3 e1istence. Death 8 $hether sl"$ "r Buick 8 is n"thing but a
2r"cess "3 2uri3icati"n, by $hich the im2er3ect is eliminated and rendered unc"nsci"us. ?"thing 2erishes
but that $hich is n"t able t" li/e. Princi2les cann"t die, "nly their mani3estati"ns cease in "ne 2lane, t"
a22ear in an"ther.
@nly that $hich is 2er3ect can remain $ith"ut being 9Page 31/: changed. :"d d"es n"t redeem the
2ers"nal man by the 2r"cess "3 death4 he redeems himsel3 by 3reeing himsel3 3r"m the 2ers"nality "3 the
man. Truth, $isd"m, 5ustice, beauty, g""dness, etc., cann"t be e1terminated4 it is merely the 3"rms in
$hich they bec"me mani3est that can be destr"yed. >3 all the $ise men in the $"rld $ere t" die, the
2rinci2le "3 Wisd"m $"uld ne/ertheless c"ntinue t" e1ist, and mani3est in due time in "ther rece2ti/e
3"rms4 i3 #"/e $ere t" lea/e the hearts "3 all human beings, it $"uld thereby n"t be annihilated, it $"uld
merely cease t" e1ist relati/ely t" men, and men $"uld cease t" li/e, $hile l"/e $"uld c"ntinue to be0
*ternal 2rinci2les are sel3'e1istent, and there3"re inde2endent "3 3"rms, and n"t sub5ect t" change4 but
3"rms are changeable, and cann"t c"ntinue $ith"ut the 2resence "3 the 2rinci2les $h"se instruments 3"r
mani3estati"n they re2resent.
The human b"dy is an instrument 3"r the mani3estati"n "3 li3e, the s"ul is an instrument 3"r the
mani3estati"n "3 s2irit. When li3e lea/es the b"dy, the b"dy disintegrates4 i3 the s2irit lea/es the astral
3"rm, the latter diss"l/es. < 2ers"n in $h"m the s2iritual 2rinci2le has bec"me entirely inacti/e is m"rally
dead, alth"ugh his b"dy may be 3ull "3 li3e and his earthly s"ul 3ull "3 animal desires. .uch s2iritless li/ing
c"r2ses "r shells are "3ten seen in 3ashi"nable s"ciety as $ell as in the cr"$ds $here the /ulgar
assemble. < 2ers"n in $h"m the 2rinci2le "3 reas"n has bec"me inacti/e is intellectually dead, alth"ugh
his b"dy may be 3ull "3 animal li3e4 lunatics are dead 2e"2le, in $h"m reas"n has ceased t" li/e. >3 the
s"ul lea/es the b"dy, the 3"rm dies, but the s"ul li/es i3 end"$ed $ith s2irit, but i3 its c"nnecti"n $ith s2irit
Page +K&
ceases, either be3"re "r a3ter the death "3 the b"dy, it diss"l/es int" the elements "3 the astral 2lane.
The astral s"ul, like the b"dy, is a c"m2"und "rganism, c"m2"sed "3 /ari"us elements. ."me "3 these
elements may be 3it t" assimilate $ith the s2irit, "thers are n"t 3it t" d" s". >3 a 2ers"n, during his earthly
li3e, has n"t 2uri3ied his s"ul su33iciently, s" as t" enter the s2iritual state immediately a3ter the death "3
the 9Page 310: 2hysical b"dy, a gradual se2arati"n "3 the 2ure and im2ure elements 3r"m the still im2ure
remains takes 2lace in the state a3ter death. When the 3inal se2arati"n is acc"m2lished, the s2iritual
elements enter the s2iritual state H$hich, in 3act, they ha/e ne/er le3tI4 and the l"$er elements remain in
the l"$er 2lane, $here they gradually disintegrate.
>3 the "rganisati"n "3 the 2hysical b"dy bec"mes im2aired t" such an e1tent, that the 2rinci2le "3 li3e
cann"t em2l"y it any l"nger t" ser/e as an instrument 3"r its mani3estati"n, it ceases t" act. Death may
begin at the head, the heart, "r the lungs but li3e lingers l"ngest in the head, and is still acti/e there t" a
certain e1tent a3ter the b"dy, t" all e1teri"r a22earances, has bec"me unc"nsci"us and ceased t" li/e.
The 2"$er "3 th"ught c"ntinues 3"r a time t" $"rk in its habitual manner, alth"ugh sensati"n has ceased
t" e1ist in the ner/es. This acti/ity may e/en gr"$ in intensity as the 2rinci2les bec"me disunited4 and i3
the th"ught "3 the dying is intensely directed u2"n an absent 3riend it can im2ress itsel3 u2"n the
c"nsci"usness "3 that 3riend, and 2erha2s cause him t" see the a22ariti"n "3 the dying. <t last /itality
lea/es the brain, and the higher 2rinci2les de2art, carrying $ith them their 2r"2er acti/ity, li3e, and
c"nsci"usness, lea/ing behind an em2ty 3"rm, a mask, and illusi"n. There need n"t necessarily be any
l"ss "3 c"nsci"usness in regard t" the 2ers"ns and things by $hich the dying 2ers"n is surr"unded4 the
"nly c"nsci"usness $hich necessarily ceases is that $hich re3ers t" c"nditi"ns c"ncerning his
2ers"nality, such as 2hysical sensati"n, 2ain, $eight, heat and c"ld, hunger and thirst, $hich a33ected the
2hysical 3"rm. <s his li3e de2arts 3r"m the brain, an"ther state "3 c"nsci"usness c"mes int" e1istence,
because he enters int" relati"n t" a di33erent "rder "3 things. 0The 2rinci2le, carrying mem"ry, emerges
3r"m the brain, and e/ery e/ent "3 the li3e $hich is ebbing a$ay, is re/ie$ed by the mind. Picture a3ter
2icture 2resents itsel3 $ith li/ing /i/idness be3"re his c"nsci"usness, and he li/es in a 3e$ minutes his
$h"le li3e again. Pers"ns in a state "r dr"$ning ha/e 9Page 311: e12erienced that state. That im2ressi"n
$hich has been the str"ngest, sur/i/es all the rest4 the "ther im2ressi"ns disa22ear t" rea22ear again in
the de/achanic state. ?" man dies unc"nsci"us, $hate/er e1ternal a22earances may seem t" indicate t"
the c"ntrary4 e/en a madman $ill ha/e a m"ment, at the time "3 his death, $hen his intellect $ill be
rest"red. Th"se $h" are 2resent at such s"lemn m"ments sh"uld take care n"t t" disturb, by "utbursts
"3 grie3 "r "ther$ise, that 2r"cess by $hich the s"ul beh"lds the e33ects "3 the 2ast and lays the 2lan 3"r
its 3uture e1istenceA. 9 *1tracted 3r"m the letter "3 an <de2t.:
The 2r"cess "3 the 2arting "3 the astral 3"rm 3r"m the 2hysical remains is described by a clair/"yant as
3"ll"$s: 0<t 3irst > sa$ a beauti3ul light "3 a 2ale blue c"l"ur, in $hich a22eared a small egg'sha2ed
substance ab"ut three 3eet ab"/e the head. >t $as n"t stati"nary, but $a/ered t" and 3r" like a ball""n in
the air. :radually it el"ngated t" the length "3 the b"dy, the $h"le en/el"2ed in a mist "r sm"ke. >
2ercei/ed a 3ace c"rres2"nding in 3eatures t" that $hich $as s" s""n t" be s"ulless, "nly brighter, m"re
sm""th, m"re beauti3ul, yet un3inished, $ith the same $ant "3 e12ressi"n that $e "bser/e in a ne$'b"rn
in3ant. With e/ery breath 3r"m the dying b"dy the ethereal 3"rm $as added t" and became m"re 2er3ect.
Presently the 3eet became de3ined, n"t side by side, as the dying man had 2laced himsel3, but "ne
hanging bel"$ the "ther, and "ne knee bent, as ne$'b"rn in3ants $"uld be in an accidental 2"siti"n. The
b"dy a22eared t" be enshr"uded in a cl"udlike mist. < c"untless h"st "3 "ther 2resences seemed t" be
near. When the $h"le $as c"m2lete, all sl"$ly 2assed "ut "3 sightA. [<. F. Da/is describes a similar
Page +K,
scene.]
This ethereal b"dy is the s"ul'b"dy "r perisprit "3 the 2ers"n that died. >t is n"t the s2irit itsel3, but still
c"nnected $ith the s2irit, as it $as c"nnected $ith it during li3e. >t still c"ntains the g""d and e/il
tendencies $hich it acBuired during li3e, unless its attracti"n t"$ards "ne 2"le "r the "ther $as already s"
great 9Page 31.: that a se2arati"n "3 the highest 2rinci2le has taken 2lace be3"re 2hysical death. The real
man is an im2ers"nal 2"$er, and his e1istence d"es n"t de2end "n a 2hysical 3"rm, he "nly acBuires
such a 3"rm t" mani3est his acti/ity "n the l"$er 2lanes. >3 his s2irit rises ab"/e the attracti"ns "3 his
l"$er sel3, his l"$er sel3 $ill be unc"nsci"us and disintegrate4 but i3 he clings t" his animal nature $ith a
great intensity "3 desire, a centre "3 c"nsci"usness may bec"me established therein, and its sense "3
2ers"nality still c"ntinue t" e1ist 3"r a $hile e/en a3ter the 2hysical b"dy is dead. His s"ul $ill in such
cases be a semi'c"nsci"us inhabitant "3 the (ama loca state.
The time during $hich an astral c"r2se may remain in this state be3"re it is entirely diss"l/ed de2ends "n
the density and strength "3 its elements. >t may di33er 3r"m a 3e$ h"urs "r days t" a great many years.
Man is made u2 "3 a great many li/ing elements "r 2rinci2les, "3 $hich each "ne e1ists in its "$n
indi/idual state $hile they all recei/e their li3e 3r"m the s2irit. When the s2irit $ithdra$s they bec"me
se2arated, $hile each retains 3"r a $hile its "$n 2articular li3e in the same sense as a $heel $hich is
"nce set int" m"ti"n $ill c"ntinue t" run until a3ter the 3"rce is e1hausted, e/en i3 the "riginal m"ti/e
2"$er is $ithdra$n.
The remnant "3 a man in the (ama loca state is there3"re n"t the man, but an elementary 2art "3 him
$hich may "r may n"t be c"nsci"us that it e1ists.
This Kama l"ca state is the 0land "3 the shad"$sA, the Hades "3 the ancient :reeks, and the 02urgat"ry0
"3 the ;"man !ath"lic !hurch. >ts inhabitants may "r may n"t 2"ssess c"nsci"usness and intelligence,
but the astral s"uls "3 a/erage men and $"men 2"ssess n" intelligence "3 their "$n4 they can, h"$e/er,
be made t" act intelligently by the 2"$er "3 the Elementals, $h" in3use their "$n c"nsci"usness int"
them. Paracelsus says: 0Men and $"men die e/ery day, $h"se s"uls during their li/es ha/e been sub5ect
t" the in3luence and guidance "3 *lementals. H"$ much easier $ill it be 3"r such *lementals t" in3luence
the sidereal b"dies "3 such 2ers"ns and t" make them act as they 2lease, a3ter their 9Page 3.4: s"uls
ha/e l"st the 2r"tecti"n $hich their 2hysical b"dies a33"rdedL They may use their s"ul'b"dies t" m"/e
2hysical "b5ects 3r"m 2lace t" 2lace, t" carry such "b5ects 3r"m distant c"untries, and t" 2er3"rm "ther
3eats "3 a similar kind that may a22ear miracul"us t" the uninitiatedA.
The state "3 c"nsci"usness "3 the 3"urth 2rinci2le Hthe animal s"ulI a3ter the l"$er triad has bec"me
unc"nsci"us and li3eless, there3"re, di33ers $idely in di33erent 2ers"ns, acc"rding t" the c"nditi"ns that
ha/e been established during its c"nnecti"n $ith the b"dy. The s"ul "3 an a/erage 2ers"n in Kama l"ca
$ith "nly m"derate sel3ish desires is n"t c"nsci"us and intelligent en"ugh t" kn"$ that its 2hysical b"dy
has died, and that it is itsel3 underg"ing the 2r"cess "3 disintegrati"n4 but the s"ul "3 a 2ers"n $h"se
$h"le c"nsci"usness $as centred in sel3, chained t" earth by 3ear, rem"rse, greed, "r desire 3"r re/enge,
9 !hinamen kill themsel/es 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 3astening their s"ul u2"n an enemy and taking re/enge.
#et th"se $h" 0kn"$A that this is a su2erstiti"n try the e12eriment.: may be c"nsci"us and intelligent
en"ugh t" make des2erate e33"rts t" enter again int" 2hysical li3e. Feeling its im2ending 3ate, seeking t"
2r"l"ng its e1istence, it clings 3"r 2r"tecti"n t" the "rganism "3 s"me li/ing being, and causes "bsessi"n.
Page ++K
?"t "nly $eak'minded human beings but als" animals may be sub5ect t" such an "bsessi"n.
T" a b"dy $ith"ut sensati"n "r c"nsci"usness it can make n" di33erence under $hat c"nditi"ns it may
c"ntinue t" e1ist "r 2erish, because it cann"t realise its e1istence4 but t" a s"ul in $hich the di/ine s2ark
"3 intelligence c"ming 3r"m the si1th 2rinci2le has kindled c"nsci"usness and sensati"n, its surr"unding
c"nditi"ns $ill be "3 im2"rtance, because it realises them m"re "r less 3ully acc"rding t" the degree "3 its
c"nsci"usness. .uch surr"undings, in the state a3ter death, each man creates 3"r himsel3 during li3e by
his th"ughts, his $"rds, and his acts. Man is creating all his li3e the $"rld $herein he $ill li/e in the
herea3ter.
Th"ught is substantial and "b5ecti/e t" th"se $h" li/e "n the 2lane "3 th"ught. */en "n the 2hysical
2lane 9Page 3.3: e/ery 3"rm that e1ists is materialised th"ught, gr"$n "r made int" a 3"rm4 the $"rld "3 the
s"uls is a $"rld in $hich th"ught itsel3 a22ears material and s"lid t" th"se $h" e1ist in that $"rld. Man is
a centre 3r"m $hich c"ntinually th"ught is e/"l/ed, and crystallises int" 3"rms in that $"rld. His th"ughts
are things that ha/e li3e and 3"rm and tenacity4 real entities, s"lid and m"re enduring than the 3"rms "3
the 2hysical 2lane. :""d th"ughts are light and rise ab"/e us, but e/il th"ughts are hea/y and sink. The
$"rld bel"$ us t" $hich they sink is the s2here "3 the gr"ssest, m"st diseased, and sensual th"ughts
e/"l/ed by e/il'dis2"sed and ign"rant men. >t is a $"rld still m"re material and s"lid t" its inhabitants
than "urs is t" us4 it is the habitati"n "3 man'created 2ers"nal deities, de/ils, and m"nstr"sities in/ented
by the m"rbid imaginati"n "3 man.
They are "nly the 2r"ducts "3 th"ughts, but ne/ertheless they are relati/ely real and substantial t" th"se
$h" li/e am"ng them and realise their e1istence. The myths "3 hell and 2urgat"ry are based "n ill'
underst""d 3acts.0HellsA e1ist, but man is himsel3 their creat"r. Brutal man creates m"nsters by the
$"rking "3 his diseased imaginati"n during li3e4 disemb"died man $ill be attracted t" its creati"ns. There
are 3e$ 2ers"ns $h" are n"t sub5ect t" e/il th"ughts4 such th"ughts are the re3le1 "3 the lurid light 3r"m
the regi"n "3 3"lly, but they cann"t take 3"rm unless $e gi/e them 3"rm by d$elling "n them and 3eeding
them $ith the substance "3 "ur "$n $ill. #"/e is the li3e "3 the g""d, malice the substance "3 e/il. <n e/il
th"ught, e/"l/ed $ith"ut c"nsent "3 the heart, is $ith"ut li3e4 an e/il th"ught, br"ught int" e1istence $ith
malice, bec"mes malici"us and li/ing. >3 it is emb"died in an act, a ne$ de/il $ill be b"rn int" the $"rld.
The h"rr"rs "3 hell e1ist "nly 3"r th"se $h" ha/e been c"nsci"us, /"luntary, and malici"us c"lab"rers "3
the imaginati"n, 2e"2ling the mind $ith the 2r"ducts "3 3ancy4 the beauties "3 hea/en are "nly realised by
him $h" has created a hea/en $ithin himsel3 during his li3e.
Pain is "nly caused i3 a being e1ists under abn"rmal c"nditi"ns. <lleg"rically s2eaking, de/ils d" n"t
su33er 9Page 3.(: in hell, because they are there in their "$n natural element4 they $"uld su33er i3 they had
t" enter int" hea/en. < man su33ers i3 his head is ke2t under $ater: a 3ish su33ers i3 he is taken "ut "3 the
$ater.
We can "nly be c"nsci"us "3 the e1istence "3 things, i3 a relati"n e1ists bet$een "ursel/es and these
things. < 2ers"n $h" has created n"thing during li3e that c"uld ha/e established a c"nsci"us relati"nshi2
$ith his imm"rtal sel3 $ill ha/e n"thing imm"rtal $ith $hich t" remain in relati"n $ith a3ter death. >3 his
$h"le attenti"n is taken u2 by his 2hysical $ants, the s2here "3 his c"nsci"usness during li3e $ill be
c"n3ined t" th"se material $ants. When he lea/es his material habitati"n material $ants $ill n" l"nger
e1ist 3"r him, and his c"nsci"usness "3 them ceases. Ha/ing created n"thing in his s"ul that can enter
Page +++
int" relati"n $ith his "$n s2irit, his s"ul $ill neither l"se that $hich it ne/er 2"ssessed n"r gain that $hich
it ne/er desired, but remain a blank. Death $ill clear a$ay that $hich hinders "ur s2iritual 2erce2ti"n "3
truth4 but it cann"t enable us t" de/el"2 that 2"$er. >3 $e hire a 2riest "r a 2r"3ess"r t" d" "ur thinking 3"r
us, and t" be guardian "3 "ur kn"$ledge and s2iritual as2irati"ns, $e create n" s2iritual as2irati"ns "r
li/ing th"ughts 3"r "ursel/es. >3 $e are c"ntented t" li/e in the "2ini"ns "3 "thers, $e ha/e n" truth "3 "ur
"$n. The arti3icial c"nsci"usness, $hich has thus been created by the illusi/e re3lecti"n "3 the th"ught "3
"thers "n the mirr"r "3 the indi/idual mind, has n" r""ts in the s2iritual s"ul, and mere "2ini"ns ha/e n"
imm"rtal e1istence. Th"se minds $hich ha/e been 3ed "n illusi"ns $ill ha/e n" substance a3ter the
illusi"ns ha/e 2assed a$ay. The "nly kn"$ledge $hich can remain $ith the s"ul is that $hich it l"/es and
kn"$s and is itsel.
Whate/er th"u l"/est, man, that t"", bec"me y"u must,
:"d, i3 th"u l"/est :"d4 8 dust, i3 th"u l"/est dustA.
$Angelus Silesius.
*/ery cause is 3"ll"$ed by an e33ect. >llusi"ns that ha/e been created in the mind are 3"rces that must
bec"me e1hausted be3"re they can die. They $ill c"ntinue t" act in the sub5ecti/e state and 2r"duce
9Page 3.): "ther illusi"ns by the la$ "3 harm"ny that g"/erns the ass"ciati"n "3 ideas, and all illusi"ns $ill
end in the s2here t" $hich they bel"ng. .el3ish desires $ill end in the s2here "3 sel3, unsel3ish as2irati"ns
and th"ughts $ill bring their "$n re$ards i3 they $ere g""d, and their "$n 2unishment i3 they $ere e/il.
But a3ter all the g""d and e/il th"ughts ha/e been e1hausted in (ama loca and 'evachan, there can be
le3t n"thing "3 the indi/idual but the sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 his s2irit, that e1isted during his li3e in the
innerm"st sanctuary "3 his heart. >3 n" such c"nsci"usness e1isted, i3 there $as n"thing in him t" cause
him t" 3eel his "$n di/ine nature, the 2resence "3 truth, there $ill be n"thing le3t but a blank, an em2ty
mind, t" bec"me reincarnated 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 trying again t" attain the kn"$ledge "3 sel3. Death is a
trans3"rmati"n "r change "3 c"nditi"ns under $hich $e e1ist. @ur desires 3"r things change as the
c"nditi"ns under $hich $e e1ist assume a di33erent character. Be3"re $e are b"rn "ur state "3 li3e
de2ends "n the state "3 the m"ther9s $"mb4 but ha/ing been b"rn int" the $"rld, $e care n"thing m"re
3"r that $hich 3urnished us $ith nutriment and li3e during "ur 3"etal e1istence. Being in3ants, "ur interests
are centred u2"n the breasts "3 the m"ther, but these breasts are 3"rg"tten a3ter $e need them n" m"re.
Things $hich abs"rbed the $h"le "3 "ur c"nsci"usness during "ur y"uth are discarded as $e gr"$ "lder.
>3 $e thr"$ "33 the 2hysical b"dy, the desire 3"r that $hich $as attracti/e t" it and im2"rtant 3"r its
e1istence is thr"$n "33 $ith it, "r 2erishes s""n a3ter$ards.
But i3 the s"ul again a22r"aches the material 2lane, and again enters int" relati"nshi2 $ith it, the "ld
c"nsci"usness and the "ld desires, that $ere g"ne t" slee2, rea$aken, and its 2hysical sensati"ns
return, but /anish again a3ter the in3luence "3 the medium is $ithdra$n. The 0*lementaryA then rela2ses
in his unc"nsci"us state.9 The n"n'remembering "3 2re/i"us a22earances is an essential 3eature in
returning gh"sts.:
There are innumerable /arieties "3 c"nditi"ns and 2"ssibilities in the $"rld "3 s2irit and "n the astral
2lane, as there are u2"n the 2hysical 2lane. >3 the mind 9Page 3.-: begins t" in/estigate these things
se2arately, and $ith"ut understanding the 3undamental la$s "3 nature u2"n $hich such 2hen"mena are
based, it may as $ell des2air "3 e/er being able t" 3"rm a c"rrect c"nce2ti"n "3 them. >3 a b"tanist $ere
t" e1amine se2arately each "ne "3 the th"usands "3 lea/es "3 a large tree $hich he has ne/er seen, 3"r
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the 2ur2"se "3 3inding "ut the true nature "3 that tree, he $"uld ne/er arri/e at an end4 but i3 he "nce
kn"$s the tree as a $h"le, the c"l"ur and sha2e "3 the indi/idual lea/es $ill be "3 sec"ndary im2"rtance.
>3 $e "nce arri/e at a c"rrect c"nce2ti"n "3 the s2iritual nature "3 man, it $ill be easy t" 3"ll"$ the /ari"us
rami3icati"ns "3 the "ne uni/ersal la$.
There is n" death 3"r that $hich is 2er3ect, but the im2er3ect must 2erish s""ner "r later. ."'called death
is sim2ly a 2r"cess "3 eliminati"n "3 that $hich is useless. >n this sense $e all are c"ntinually dying e/ery
day, and e/en $ishing t" die, because e/ery reas"nable 2ers"n desires t" get rid "3 his im2er3ecti"ns
and their c"nseBuences and the su33erings $hich they cause. ?" "ne is a3raid t" l"se that $hich he d"es
n"t $ant, and i3 he clings t" that $hich is useless, it is because he is unc"nsci"us and ign"rant "3 that
$hich is use3ul. >n such a case he is already 2artly dead t" that $hich is g""d, and must c"me t" li3e and
learn t" realise that $hich is use3ul, by dying t" that $hich is useless. This is the s"'called m!stic death,
by $hich the enlightened c"me t" li3e, $hich in/"l/es the unc"nsci"usness "3 $"rthless and earthly
desires and 2assi"ns, and establishes a c"nsci"usness "3 that $hich is imm"rtal and true. The reas"n
$hy men and $"men are s"metimes a3raid t" die is because they mistake the l"$ 3"r the high, and
2re3er material illusi"ns t" s2iritual truths. We "ught n"t t" li/e in the 3ear "3 death4 but in the h"2e "3
c"ming t" li3e. There is n" death 3"r the 2er3ect, and the dead in li3e must thr"$ a$ay their im2er3ectness,
s" that, that $hich is 2er3ect in him may bec"me c"nsci"us and li/e. This mystic death is rec"mmended
by the $ise as being the su2reme remedy against real death. This mystic death is a s2iritual
regenerati"n. 9 F"hn iii. G.: 9Page 3.2:
Hermes Trismegistus says: 0Ha22y is he $h"se /ices die be3"re him04 and the great teacher Th"mas de
Kem2is $rites: 0#earn t" die n"$ t" the $"rld0 Ht" the attracti"ns "3 matterI, 0s" that y"u may begin t" li/e
$ith !hristA4 and Angelus Silesius $rites: 0!hrist r"se n"t 3r"m the dead, he is still in the gra/e 3"r th"se
$h" d" n"t kn"$ himA. The true and "nly sa/i"ur "3 e/ery man "r $"man is the sel3'kn"$ledge "3 di/ine
truth.
< 2ers"n $h"se /ices ha/e died during his earthly li3e d"es n"t need t" die again. His sidereal b"dy $ill
diss"l/e like a sil/er cl"ud, being unc"nsci"us "3 any desires 3"r that $hich is l"$, and his s2irit $ill be
3ully c"nsci"us "3 that $hich is beauti3ul, harm"ni"us, and true4 but he, $h"se c"nscience is centred in
the 2assi"ns that ha/e raged in his s"ul during li3e, can realise n"thing higher than that $hich $as the
highest t" him during his li3e, and cann"t gain any "ther c"nsci"usness by the 2r"cess "3 death. Physical
death is n" gain, it cann"t gi/e us that $hich $e d" n"t already 2"ssess. 7nc"nsci"usness cann"t c"n3er
c"nsci"usness, ign"rance cann"t gi/e kn"$ledge. By the m!stic death $e arri/e at li3e and
c"nsci"usness, kn"$ledge and ha22iness, because the a$aking "3 the higher elements t" li3e im2lies the
death "3 that $hich is useless and l"$. 0 ?either circumcisi"n n"r un'circumcisi"n a/aileth, but a ne$
creatureA. 9 :alat. /i. +6.:
There are Esprits sourants, "ur su33ering s"uls. They are the 0revenantsA "r 0restantsA, the astral b"dies
"3 /ictims "3 2remature death, $h"se 2hysical 3"rms ha/e 2erished be3"re their time. They remain $ithin
the attracti"n "3 the *arth until the time arri/es that sh"uld ha/e been the terminati"n "3 their 2hysical
li/es acc"rding t" the la$ "3 their Karma. They are under n"rmal c"nditi"ns, n"t 3ully c"nsci"us "3 the
c"nditi"ns in $hich they e1ist4 but they may be tem2"rarily stimulated int" li3e by the in3luence "3
mediumshi2. Then $ill their hal3'3"rg"tten desires and mem"ries return and cause them t" su33er. T"
r"use such e1istences 3r"m their stu2"r int" a realisati"n "3 2ain 3"r the 9Page 3./: 2ur2"se "3 grati3ying
idle curi"sity is cruel, and /ery in5uri"us t" such irrati"nal s"uls, as it rea$akens their thirst 3"r li3e and 3"r
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the grati3icati"n "3 earthly desires.
The s"ul "3 the same suicide, h"$e/er, "r that "3 a malici"us 2ers"n, may be 3ully c"nsci"us and realise
the situati"n in $hich it is 2laced. .uch shad"$s $ander ab"ut earth, clinging t" material li3e, and /ainly
trying t" esca2e the diss"luti"n by $hich they are threatened. Partly bere3t "3 reas"n, and 3"ll"$ing their
animal instincts, they may bec"me +ncubi and Succubi" &ampires stealing li3e 3r"m the li/ing t" 2r"l"ng
their "$n e1istence, regardless "3 the 3ate "3 their /ictims. The s"ul'b"dies "3 the dead may be either
unc"nsci"usly "r c"nsci"usly attracted t" mediums 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 c"mmunicating $ith the li/ing. By
using the astral emanati"ns "3 the medium they s"metimes bec"me materialised, /isibly and tangibly,
and a22ear like the deceased 2ers"n himsel3. But i3 a deceased 2ers"n $as in 2"ssessi"n "3 high
as2irati"ns and /irtues, his s"ul'c"r2se $ill n"t be the actual entity $hich it re2resents, alth"ugh it may
act in s"me res2ect as the 2ers"n $h"se mask it $ears. >3 "ne bl"$s int" a trum2et it $ill gi/e the s"und
"3 a trum2et and n" "ther. The s"ul'c"r2se "3 a g""d 2ers"n, i3 in3used arti3icially $ith li3e, $ill 2r"duce
the th"ughts it used t" 2r"duce during li3e4 but there needs t" be n" m"re "3 the identity "3 that 2ers"n in
the c"r2se than there is the identity "3 a 3riend in a 2h"n"gra2h.
The re/elati"ns made by such 0s2iritsA are the ech"es "3 their 3"rmer th"ughts, "r "3 th"ughts im2ressed
u2"n them by the li/ing, as a mirr"r re3lects the 3aces "3 th"se that stand be3"re it. They d" n"t gi/e us a
true descri2ti"n "3 the s2irit9s c"nditi"n in the $"rld "3 s"uls, because they are themsel/es ign"rant "3
that c"nditi"n. <t the time $hen Plat" $as li/ing, such s"uls returned, gi/ing descri2ti"ns "3 Hades and "3
the deities that $ere belie/ed t" e1ist in that 2lace. <t the 2resent day the s"uls "3 ;"man !ath"lics $ill
return and ask 3"r masses t" be relie/ed 3r"m 2urgat"ry, $hile the Pr"testants re3use t" be bene3ited by
the cerem"nies 9Page 3.0: "3 the !ath"lic !hurch. The s"uls "3 dead Hindus ask s"metimes 3"r the
2er3"rmance "3 sacri3ices t" their g"ds, and e/ery such 0s2iritA is d"mineered by th"se ideas in $hich he
belie/ed during his li3e. The discre2ancy in their re2"rts 2r"/e that their tales are "nly the 2r"ducts "3 the
imaginati"n "3 the irrati"nal s"ul.9We d" n"t deny the "ccurrence "3 s"'called s2iritual 2hen"mena4 and
$e are n"t "22"sed t" 0s2iritualismA4 but $e are "22"sed t" the misunderstanding "3 it. We belie/e in
.2iritualism as bel"nging t" the de2artment "3 natural science and as ha/ing been /ery use3ul in
"/erthr"$ing the blind materialism "3 the 2ast. We als" make a distincti"n bet$een Spiritualism $hich
im2lies Spiritualit! and enn"bling ele/ati"n "3 s"ul and Spiritism, $hich c"nsists in dealing $ith the
inhabitants "3 the <stral 2lane, an interc"urse $h"se dangers are un3"rtunately n"t su33iciently kn"$n.:
>3 man has a 0s2iritA that s2irit must be imm"rtal, but a man is n"t imm"rtal i3 he d"es n"t realise the
2resence "3 the imm"rtal s2irit in him. Ha/ing bec"me c"nsci"us in man, it cann"t bec"me unc"nsci"us
again, because it is sel3'e1istent and inde2endent "3 all c"nditi"ns but th"se $hich it creates itsel3. >n him
$h" >., the c"nsci"usness "3 the + Am is indestructible, because it e1ists in the abs"lute eternal One. >3
that c"nsci"usness $ere t" 2erish, the $"rld $"uld 2erish $ith it, because in the c"nsci"usness "3 the +
Am the $"rld came int" e1istence, and by its 2"$er d"es it c"ntinue t" e1ist. >ts c"nsci"usness u2h"lds
the $"rld, its unc"nsci"usness $"uld be annihilati"n, but that $hich n"t truly >. cann"t ha/e the true
c"nsci"usness "3 being4 it may at best 3ancy t" be. >t e1ists4 but as an illusi"n and n"t in truth. The "b5ect
"3 man9s li3e is t" bec"me c"nsci"us that He is 8 n"t an illusi/e 2ers"nal 3"rm 8 but an im2ers"nal,
imm"rtal reality, t" render the unc"nsci"us s2irit c"nsci"us and enable the imm"rtal s"ul t" realise its
"$n imm"rtality4 the "b5ect "3 death is t" release that $hich is c"nsci"us 3r"m that $hich is unc"nsci"us,
and t" 3ree the imm"rtal 3r"m the b"nds "3 matter.
The tree "3 li3e gr"$s and 2r"duces a seed, and this seed has t" be 2lanted again, t" gr"$ int" a tree
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and 2r"duce an"ther seed, and this 2r"cess $ill ha/e t" be 9Page 3.1: re2eated "/er and "/er again, until
at last the s"ul slumbering in the seed a$akens t" the realisati"n "3 its imm"rtal li3e. 7nc"nsci"us "3 any
relati"n t" 2ers"nalities, unc"nsci"us "3 its "$n sel3, it $ill be attracted t" such c"nditi"ns as may be best
suited 3"r its 3urther de/el"2ment, as its Karma decides. >t $ill be attracted t" "/ershad"$ a man $h"se
m"ral and intellectual tendencies and Bualities c"rres2"nd t" its "$n, careless $hether it enters the $"rld
as a ne$'b"rn babe thr"ugh the d""r "3 the hut "3 a beggar "r thr"ugh the 2alace "3 a king. >t d"es n"t
care 3"r its 3uture c"nditi"ns, because it is unc"nsci"us "3 their e1istence. The unc"nsci"us s2iritual
m"nad, descending int" the l"$er 2lane, gathering again the elements $hich bel"nged t" the 2re/i"us
man "3 earth, building again the th"ught'b"dy $hich it had created in 3"rmer li/es and $hich c"nstituted
its terrestrial character, and entering again int" c"nnecti"n $ith a human 2hysical "rganism, is b"rn "nce
m"re int" the $"rld "3 s"rr"$, builds u2 the h"use "3 3lesh, and takes u2 "nce m"re the battle $ith li3e,
the stri3e $ith its l"$er nature, t" make a ste2 3"r$ard and c"me nearer t" :"d.
Thus a man that reigned as a king in a 3"rmer incarnati"n may be reb"rn as a beggar, i3 his character
$as that "3 a beggar4 and a liberal beggar may create as his 3uture success"r a king "r a being "3 n"ble
birth. B"th act $ith"ut 3reed"m "3 ch"ice at the time "3 their /isit t" the *arth, 3"ll"$ing unc"nsci"usly
their Karma. But the <de2t, $h" kn"$s his "$n real sel3 and has learned t" realise his imm"rtal
e1istence, $ill be his "$n master. He has gr"$n ab"/e the sense "3 2ers"nality, and thereby gained
imm"rtal c"nsci"usness during his earthly li3e. He has thr"$n a$ay his l"$er sel3, and death cann"t r"b
him "3 that $hich he n" l"nger 2"ssesses and t" $hich he attaches n" /alue. Being c"nsci"us "3 his
e1istence and "3 the c"nditi"ns under $hich he e1ists, he may 3"ll"$ his "$n ch"ice in the selecti"n "3 a
b"dy, i3 he ch""ses t" reincarnate, either 3"r the bene3it "3 humanity "r 3"r his "$n 2r"gressi"n. Ha/ing
entirely "/erc"me the attracti"ns "3 *arth, he is truly 3ree. He is dead and unc"nsci"us t" all earthly 9Page
3..: tem2tati"ns, but c"nsci"us "3 the highest ha22iness attainable by man. The delusi"n "3 the senses
can 3ashi"n 3"r him n" "ther tabernacle t" im2ris"n his s"ul, and be3"re him lies "2en the r"ad t" eternal
rest in ?ir/ana. 9
But n"$, th"u builder "3 the tabernacle, th"u L
> kn"$ theeL ?e/er shalt th"u build again
These $alls "3 2ain,
?"r raise the r""3'tree "3 deceits, n"r lay
Fresh ra3ters "n the clay.
Br"ken thy h"use is, and the ridge'2"le s2lit >
Delusi"n 3ashi"ned it.
.a/e 2ass > thence. Deli/erance t" "btain.
*d$in <rn"ld: 0The #ight "3 <siaA.:
>3 a 2ers"n has "nce attained s2iritual sel3'kn"$ledge he $ill n"t need t" 3"ll"$ the blind la$ "3 attracti"n,
but he $ill be able t" ch""se the b"dy and the c"nditi"ns m"st suitable t" him. He may then reincarnate
himsel3 in the b"dy "3 a child, "r in the b"dy "3 a gr"$n 2ers"n, $h"se s"ul has been se2arated by
disease "r accident 3r"m the b"dy, and that 2ers"n $ill thus be br"ught t" li3e again, i3 n" /ital "rgan is
t"" seri"usly in5ured, t" carry "n the 3uncti"ns "3 li3e again. !ases are kn"$n in $hich a certain 2ers"n
a22arently died, and 3inally came t" li3e again, $hen 3r"m that time he a22eared t" be an entirely di33erent
Page ++6
man4 he may ha/e died as a ru33ian and a3ter his rec"/ery bec"me suddenly like a saint, s" that such a
sudden change a22eared ine12licable "n any "ther the"ry than that an entirely di33erent character had
taken 2"ssessi"n "3 his b"dy. .uch 2e"2le may, a3ter their rec"/ery takes 2lace, s2eak a language they
ne/er learned, talk 3amiliarly "3 things they ne/er sa$4 call 2e"2le by their names, "3 $hich they ne/er
heard, kn"$ all ab"ut 2laces, $here their 2hysical b"dies ne/er ha/e been, etc., etc. >3 2hen"mena c"uld
2r"/e anything, such "ccurrences might g" t" 2r"/e the the"ry "3 the reincarnati"n "3 li/ing ade2ts.
".hall $e kn"$ "ur l"/ed "nes a3ter death EA is a Buesti"n $hich is "3ten asked, and $hich ans$ers itsel3
i3 the true nature "3 the 0*g"A is kn"$n. >n all 2lanes rules the la$ "3 harm"ny, and like is attracted t" like4
but an illusi"n can "nly kn"$ illusi"ns. We d" n"t 9Page (44: kn"$ each "ther in this li3e, i3 $e ha/e n"t the
kn"$ledge "3 "ur "$n sel3.
He $h", ha/ing bec"me sel3'c"nsci"us "3 his "$n s2iritual nature, kn"$s his "$n real sel3, may rise u2
in his s"ul t" the 2lanes "3 the blessed, and by entering their indi/idual s2heres 5"in their "$n ha22iness
and 2artake "3 their 5"ys4 but the s"uls dreaming in hea/en, being immersed in bliss, d" n"t descend and
5"in in the circus "3 li3e, be3"re the time "3 their reincarnati"n arri/es. .uch a descent $"uld be
degradati"n. Hea/en d"es n"t descend t" earth4 but i3 earth ascends t" hea/en it bec"mes hea/en itsel3.

T" die is t" bec"me unc"nsci"us in relati"n t" certain things. >3 $e bec"me unc"nsci"us "3 a l"$er state,
and thereby bec"me c"nsci"us "3 a higher e1istence, such a change cann"t 2r"2erly be called death. >3
$e bec"me unc"nsci"us "3 a higher c"nditi"n, and thereby enter a l"$er "ne, such a change is 3"ll"$ed
by degradati"n, and there3"re degradati"n is the "nly death t" be 3eared . Degradati"n takes 2lace i3 a
human 3aculty is em2l"yed 3"r a l"$er 2ur2"se than that 3"r $hich it $as by nature intended. Degradati"n
"3 the m"st /ulgar, the l"$est material ty2e takes 2lace, i3 the "rgans "3 the 2hysical b"dy are used 3"r
/illain"us 2ur2"ses, and disease, atr"2hy, and death are the c"mm"n result. < higher and still m"re
detrimental and lasting degradati"n takes 2lace i3 the intellectual 3aculties are habitually used 3"r sel3ish
and degrading 2ur2"ses. >n such cases the intellect, that "ught t" ser/e as a basis 3"r s2iritual
as2irati"ns, bec"mes merged $ith matter, its c"nsci"usness is b"und d"$n t" the 2lane "3 materiality
and sel3ishness, and bec"mes inacti/e in the regi"n "3 s2irituality. The l"$est and m"st enduring
degradati"n takes 2lace i3 man, ha/ing reached a state in $hich his 2ers"nality has, t" a certain e1tent,
merged $ith his im2ers"nal +, degrades his s2iritual sel3 by em2l"ying the 2"$ers $hich such an
amalgamati"n c"n3ers 3"r /illain"us 2ur2"ses "3 a l"$ character. .uch are the 2ractices "3 blac/ magic. <
2ers"n $h", 3"r $ant "3 any better understanding, em2l"ys his intellectual 3aculties 3"r his "$n sel3ish
2ur2"ses, regardless "3 the 9Page (43: 2rinci2le "3 5ustice, is n"t necessarily a /illain, but sim2ly a 3""l.
The murderer may c"mmit a murder t" sa/e himsel3 3r"m being disc"/ered "3 s"me crime, and n"t 3"r
the 2ur2"se "3 r"bbing an"ther 2ers"n "3 li3e. < thie3 may steal a 2urse 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 enriching
himsel3, and n"t 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 rendering an"ther man 2""r. .uch acts are the result "3 ign"rance4
2ers"ns usually act e/il 3"r sel3ish 2ur2"ses and n"t 3"r the 2ure l"/e "3 e/il. .uch acts are the result "3
2ers"nal 3eelings, and 2ers"nal 3eelings cease t" e1ist $hen the 2ers"nality t" $hich they bel"ng ceases
t" e1ist. .uch a 2ers"nal e1istence ceases $hen his li3e "n the l"$er 2lane ceases t" act. The higher
s2iritual + "3 the man is neither a gainer n"r l"ser "n such an "ccasi"n, it remains the same as it $as
be3"re the c"m2"und "3 3"rces re2resenting the late 2ers"nality $as b"rn.
The real /illain, h"$e/er, is he $h" 2er3"rms e/il 3"r the l"/e "3 e/il $ith"ut 2ers"nal c"nsiderati"ns. <
2ers"n $h" is n" m"re in3luenced by his sense "3 2ers"nality, and has attained s2iritual kn"$ledge, is a
magician. Th"se $h" em2l"y such a 2"$er 3"r the 2ur2"ses "3 e/il ha/e been called blac/ magicians "r
Page ++%
Brothers o the Shado%, in the same sense as th"se $h" em2l"y their s2iritual 2"$ers 3"r g""d
2ur2"ses ha/e been called Brothers o Light. The $hite magician is a s2iritual 2"$er 3"r g""d4 the real
black magician is a li/ing 2"$er "3 e/il attached t" a 2ers"nality that 2er3"rms e/il instincti/ely and 3"r the
l"/e "3 e/il itsel3. This 2"$er "3 e/il may kill the man "r the animal that ne/er "33ended it, and by $h"se
death it has n"thing t" gain, destr"ys 3"r the l"/e "3 destructi"n, causes su33ering $ith"ut e12ecting any
bene3it 3"r itsel3, r"bs t" thr"$ a$ay the s2"ils, re/els in t"rture and death. .uch an indi/idual attracts
and calls t" its aid "ther im2ers"nal e/il 2"$ers, $hich bec"me a 2art "3 it, and $hich c"ntinue t" e1ist
a3ter the 2ers"nality ceases t" li/e "n the 2hysical 2lane. Many incarnati"ns may be needed be3"re such
a 2"$er $ill c"me int" e1istence, but $hen it "nce li/es it $ill 2erish as sl"$ as it gre$. 0<ngelsA, as $ell
as 0de/ilsA, are b"rn int" the $"rld, and children $ith /illain"us 2r"2ensities and malici"us characters are
n"t 9Page (4(S /ery rare. They are the 2r"ducts "3 such 3"rces as in 3"rmer incarnati"ns ha/e de/el"2ed a
s2iritual c"nsci"usness in the directi"n "3 e/il.
< 2"$er $hich may be em2l"yed 3"r a g""d 2ur2"se, can als" be used 3"r an e/il 2ur2"se. >3 $e can by
magnetism decrease the ra2idity "3 the 2ulse "3 a 3e/er'2atient, $e may als" decrease it t" such an
e1tent, that the sub5ect ceases t" li/e. >3 $e can 3"rce a 2ers"n by "ur $ill t" 2er3"rm a g""d act, $e may
als" 3"rce him t" c"mmit a crime. */erything is either g""d "r e/il acc"rding t" the 2ur2"se 3"r $hich it is
used.
>t is unnecessary t" enter int" details in regard t" the 2ractices "3 Black Magic and ."rcery. >t is m"re
n"ble and use3ul t" study h"$ $e can bene3it mankind than t" satis3y "ur curi"sity in regard t" the
2"$ers 3"r e/il. T" sh"$ t" $hat aberrati"ns "3 mind a cra/ing 3"r the 2"$er "3 $"rking black magic may
lead, it may be menti"ned that the $"uld'be black magician and great /i/isect"r, *illes de ,a!s"
mar7chal "3 France, and better kn"$n as 0Blue BeardA, $h" $as e1ecuted 3"r his crimes at ?antes, killed
and t"rtured t" death during a 3e$ years n"t less than "ne hundred and si1ty $"men and children in the
interest "3 his science, and 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 grati3ying his curi"sity in regard t" Black Magic.
The $hite magician delights in d"ing g""d, the ser/ant "3 the black art re/els in cruelty. The 3"rmer c"'
"2erates $ith the Di/ine .2irit "3 Wisd"m, the latter c"'"2erates $ith certain s2iritual 3"rces "3 nature4 the
3"rmer $ill be e1alted in :"d and united $ith him4 the latter $ill ultimately be abs"rbed by the beings $ith
$hich he has ass"ciated and $hich he called t" his aid.
T" enn"ble "ur character and t" raise "ur c"nsci"usness int" the s2iritual 2lane is t" li/e4 t" let it sink t" a
l"$er le/el is t" die. The natural "rder "3 the uni/erse is that the high sh"uld ele/ate the l"$4 but i3 the
high is made t" ser/e the l"$, degradati"n is the result. */ery$here in the $"rksh"2 "3 nature the high
acts u2"n the l"$ by the 2"$er "3 the highest. The highest itsel3 cann"t be degraded. Truth itsel3 cann"t
be turned int" 3alseh""d, it can "nly be re5ected "r misa22lied. ;eas"n itsel3 cann"t be rendered 3""lish,
it can "nly be 9Page (4): misused by reas"ning 3""lishly. The uni/ersal and im2ers"nal cann"t itsel3
bec"me limited, it can "nly c"me int" c"ntact $ith such 2ers"nalities as are able t" a22r"ach it. The #a$
d"es n"t su33er by breaking its c"nnecti"n $ith the 3"rm, the 3"rm al"ne su33ers and dies.
The truth is e/ery$here, seeking t" mani3est itsel3 in the c"nsci"usness "3 man. Man9s c"nsci"usness
r"tates bet$een the t$" 2"les "3 g""d and e/il, "3 s2irit and matter. The "mni2resent in3luence "3 the
great s2iritual .un renders him str"ng t" "/erc"me the attracti"n "3 matter, and assists him t" c"me
/ict"ri"us "ut "3 the struggle $ith e/il. Man is n"t entirely 3ree as l"ng as he is n"t in 2"ssessi"n "3
Page ++(
2er3ect kn"$ledge, $hich means, realisati"n "3 truth4 but he is 3ree t" all"$ himsel3 t" be attracted by a
l"/e 3"r the truth "r t" cl"se his d""r against it. He may bec"me united $ith the 2rinci2le "3 $isd"m, "r he
may se/er his c"nnecti"n $ith it and sell his inherited rights t" imm"rtality 3"r a c"m2arati/ely $"rthless
mess "3 2"ttage. The !entaur in his nature, $h"se l"$er 2rinci2les are animal, $hile the u22er 2arts are
2"ssessed "3 >ntellect, may carry a$ay his s2iritual as2irati"ns and lull them int" unc"nsci"usness by the
music "3 its illusi"ns.
B"dies may be c"m2arati/ely l"ng'li/ed, and s"me 3"rms, c"m2ared $ith "thers, may be /ery enduring4
but there is n"thing 2ermanent but the sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 l"/e and the sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 hate.
#"/e is light, and hate is darkness, and in the end l"/e $ill c"nBuer hate, because darkness cann"t
destr"y light, and $here/er light 2enetrates int" darkness, there $ill l"/e c"nBuer, and e/il and darkness
$ill disa22ear. 9Page (4-:
Page ++&
CH,PT'* I7
T*,&SFO*M,TIO&S
Be !e transformed ! the rene<ing of !our mindE$>*om$ Gii$ ($
TH* 7ni/erse is a mani3estati"n "3 Di/ine Wisd"m and th"ught is an acti"n "3 Mind. The Mind in $hich
Wisd"m can bring an uni/erse int" e1istence must be an 7ni/ersal Mind, embracing in its t"tality all the
indi/idual minds that e/er e1isted, and c"ntaining the germs "3 e/erything that $ill e/er c"me int"
e1istence. >deas are states "3 mind, and the th"ughts "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind st"red u2 in the <stral #ight,
a3ter their re2resentati/e 3"rms ha/e diss"l/ed, gr"$ again int" /isible 3"rms, by being cl"thed $ith
matter.Man remembers his th"ughts4 that is t" say, he enters again int" "ne "3 his 2re/i"us mental
states. T" remember a thing is t" read it in the mind. The Astral Light is the b""k "3 mem"ry, in $hich
e/ery th"ught is engra/ed and e/ery e/ent rec"rded, and the m"re intense the th"ught the dee2er $ill it
be engra/ed, and the l"nger $ill the 2icture remain. Th"ught is a 3"rce, and its 2r"ducts remain in the
<stral #ight l"ng a3ter the 2ers"n $h" ga/e them 3"rm has ceased t" li/e. <s the images "3 things $hich
e1ist in the <stral #ight remain there 3"r ages, they may be seen by the clair/"yant. .uch images are
3"rmed "3 th"ught, and as 9Page (42: th"ught is s"mething substantial, it is e/en 2"ssible 3"r the @ccultist
t" re2r"duce b""ks, $ritings, etc., $hich ha/e e1isted th"usands "3 years ag".Men d" n"t create
th"ught4 the ideas e1isting in the <stral #ight 3l"$ int" their minds, and there they trans3"rm themsel/es
int" "ther sha2es, c"mbining $ith "ther ideas, c"nsci"usly "r unc"nsci"usly, acc"rding t" the la$s that
c"ntr"l the c"rrelati"ns, interrelati"ns, and ass"ciati"ns "3 th"ught. < great mind can gras2 a great idea,
a narr"$ mind is "nly ca2able "3 h"lding narr"$ ideas. Th"ughts are e1isting things and are s"metimes
gras2ed c"ntem2"rane"usly by se/eral rece2ti/e minds. ."me great disc"/eries ha/e been made
alm"st simultane"usly by se/eral minds. 9There are three claimants 3"r the disc"/ery "3 chl"r"3"rm, t$"
3"r the disc"/ery "3 7ranus, t$" 3"r the Bell tele2h"ne, etc.. : >deas c"ntained in the imaginati"n "3 nature
thr"$ their re3lecti"ns u2"n the minds "3 men, and, acc"rding t" the ca2acities "3 the latter t" recei/e
ideas, they c"me t" their c"nsci"usness, clear "r dist"rted, 2lain "r shad"$y, like images "3 2ictures
re3lected in li/ing mirr"rs, that are either clear "r rendered dim by the accumulati"n "3 dust. >n th"se li/ing
mirr"rs they are rem"deled and trans3"rmed int" ne$ 2ictures, t" 2e"2le the currents "3 the <stral #ight
$ith ne$ images, and t" gi/e rise t" ne$ 3"rms "3 th"ught. There3"re a s2iritually str"ng 2ers"n $h" li/es
in s"litude and silence may d" a great $"rk, by e/"l/ing ideas, $hich $ill remain im2ressed u2"n the
<stral #ight and c"me t" the c"gnisance "3 th"se $h" are ca2able t" gras2 them.The th"ughts "3 men
im2ress themsel/es u2"n the <stral #ight, and e/ery e/ent that takes 2lace "n the 2hysical 2lane is
rec"rded in the mem"ry "3 nature. */ery st"ne, e/ery 2lant, e/ery animal as $ell as e/ery man, has a
s2here in $hich is rec"rded e/ery e/ent "3 its e1istence. They all ha/e a little $"rld "3 their "$n, made "3
th"ught, and $hene/er they m"/e, they thin/4 3"r their m"ti"ns are m"ti"ns "3 th"ught. >n the <stral #ight
"3 each is st"red u2 e/ery e/ent "3 its 2ast hist"ry, 9Page (4/: and "3 the hist"ry "3 its surr"undings4 s" that
e/erything, n" matter h"$ insigni3icant it may be, can gi/e an acc"unt "3 its daily li3e, 3r"m the beginning
Page ++,
"3 its e1istence as t" 3"rm u2 t" the 2resent, t" him $h" is able t" read. < 2iece "3 lava 3r"m P"m2eii $ill
gi/e t" the Ps!chometer a true descri2ti"n "3 the /"lcanic eru2ti"n that de/astated that t"$n and buried >t
under its ashes, $here it remained hidden 3"r nearly t$" th"usand years4 a 3l"ating timber carried by the
:ul3 .tream t" the 3ar ?"rth can gi/e t" the inhabitants "3 the ?"rth a true 2icture "3 tr"2ical li3e4 and a
2iece "3 b"ne "3 a #astodon teach the /egetable and animal li3e "3 antedilu/ian 2eri"ds. 9 Pr"3. Wm.
Dent"n: W."ul "3 ThingsA. :The 2ictures im2ressed in the <stral #ight react u2"n the mental s2heres "3
indi/idual minds and can create in them em"ti"nal disturbances, e/en i3 these 2ictures d" n"t c"me t"
the 3ull c"nsci"usness "3 their minds. Deeds c"mmitted $ith a great c"ncentrati"n "3 th"ught call li/ing
2"$ers in the <stral #ight int" e1istence, tem2ting "thers t" c"mmit similar acts. [< case is kn"$n, 3"r
instance, in $hich a 2ris"ner hung himsel3 in his cell, and se/eral "ther 2ers"ns that $ere successi/ely
shut u2 in the same cell hung themsel/es als" $ith"ut any a22arent cause. <t an"ther 2lace a sentinel
killed himsel3 at his 2"st, and se/eral s"ldiers m"unting guard a3ter him did like$ise, s" that the 2"st had
t" be deserted. Many similar e1am2les may be cited. !rimes "3 a certain character "3ten bec"me
e2idemic in 2laces $here a criminal has been e1ecuted4 murder bec"mes e2idemic like measles "r
scarlatina. ]
Man d"es n"t kn"$ the in3luences $hich cause him t" think and t" act, as l"ng as he d"es n"t kn"$ his
"$n nature. He is there3"re n"t a res2"nsible being, e1ce2t t" the e1tent "3 his $isd"m and 2"$er t"
c"ntr"l his "$n nature. Wisd"m and strength can "nly be attained in li3e by e12erience and by the
e1ercise "3 the 2"$er "3 "/erc"ming tem2tati"n.>3 the true nature "3 the c"nstituti"n "3 man $ere 2r"2erly
underst""d, capital punishment $"uld s""n be aband"ned as 2er3ectly useless, un5ust, and c"ntrary t"
the la$ "3 nature. That $hich c"mmits a murder "r any "ther crime is a c"nsci"us and in/isible 2"$er,
9Page (40: $hich cann"t be killed and $hich d"es n"t im2r"/e in character by being se2arated 3r"m its
e1ternal 3"rm. The b"dy is inn"cent, it is merely an instrument in the hands "3 the in/isible cul2rit, the
astral man. The 3ace "3 e/en a criminal bears an e12ressi"n "3 2eace $hen the s"ul has de2arted. By
se/ering the b"nds bet$een this /ici"us 2"$er and the 2hysical 3"rm, $e d" n"t change its tendency t"
act e/il4 but $hile during the li3e "3 the b"dy the acti"n "3 that 2"$er $as restricted t" "nly "ne 3"rm,
ha/ing been liberated, it n"$ incites numer"us "ther $eak'minded 2e"2le t" 2er3"rm the same crimes 3"r
$hich the b"dy $as e1ecuted. Thus by capital punishment e/il is n"t ab"lished, but its s2here "3 acti"n
increased. <s 3ar as the the"ry "3 in3luencing "ther $"uld'be criminals $ith 3ear, my making an e1am2le
"3 "ne, and thus t" 2re/ent "thers 3r"m c"mmitting crimes, is c"ncerned4 it is $ell kn"$n that criminals
d" n"t l""k u2"n any 2unishment as being s"mething $hich they ha/e deser/ed 3"r their deeds, but as
being a c"nseBuence "3 ha/ing been s" careless as t" all"$ themsel/es t" be caught, and they usually
make u2 their minds, that i3 they $ere 2ermitted t" esca2e, they $"uld be m"re care3ul 8 n"t t" be caught
again.#i3e is a sch""l thr"ugh $hich e/ery"ne must 2ass 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 acBuiring e12erience,
strength "3 character, and sel3'kn"$ledge. T" r"b a 2ers"n "3 this "22"rtunity is a great crime i3 it is d"ne
kn"$ingly. The 3""l $h" kills an"ther man has little res2"nsibility, because he has n" actual kn"$ledge "3
the nature "3 his deed4 but the la$gi/er $h" institutes legal murder is the true criminal . < l"ck "3 hair, a
2iece "3 cl"thing, the hand$riting "3 a 2ers"n "r any article he may ha/e t"uched, handled, "r $"rn, can
indicate t" an intuiti/e mind that 2ers"n9s state "3 health, his 2hysical, em"ti"nal, intellectual, and m"ral
attributes and Buali3icati"ns. The 2icture "3 a murderer may be im2ressed "n the retina "3 his /ictim, and
re2r"duced by means "3 2h"t"gra2hy4 it is im2ressed "n all the surr"undings "3 the 2lace $here the
deed "ccurred, and can there be detected by the 2sych"meter $h", thus c"ming en rapport $ith the
criminal, can 3"ll"$ 9Page (41: him and hunt him d"$n 5ust as the bl""dh"und traces the ste2s "3 a 3ugiti/e
sla/e.9*mma Hardinge Britten: W:h"st #andA. The case cited in this b""k, in $hich a clair/"yant 3"ll"$ed
the tracks "3 a murderer thr"ugh se/eral t"$ns and caught him at last, is Bu"ted in se/eral :erman
2ublicati"ns "3 the last century.:This tendency "3 the <stral #ight t" inhere in material b"dies gi/es
amulets their 2"$er and in/ests kee2'sakes and relics $ith certain "ccult 2r"2erties. < ring, a l"ck "3 hair,
Page +-K
"r a letter 3r"m a 3riend, can n"t "nly c"n5ure u2 that 3riend9s 2icture in a 2ers"n9s mem"ry, but bring him
en rapport $ith the 2eculiar mental state "3 $hich that 2ers"n $as "r is a re2resentati"n. >3 y"u $ish t"
3"rget a 2ers"n, "r 3ree y"ursel3 3r"m his magnetic attracti"n, 2art 3r"m e/erything that reminds y"u "3
him, "r select "nly such articles as call u2 disagreeable mem"ries and are there3"re re2ulsi/e. <rticles
bel"nging t" a 2ers"n bring us in sym2athy $ith that 2ers"n, and this circumstance is s"metimes used
3"r 2ur2"ses "3 black magic. Paracelsus in his $ritings ab"ut the #umia and the trans2lantati"n "3
diseases gi/es many illustrati"ns "3 this the"ry. The e1istence "3 a 2"$er, by $hich a disease may be
trans3erred u2"n a healthy 2ers"n, e/en in Wn"n'c"ntagi"usA cases, by means "3 s"me article bel"nging
t" the sick 2ers"n, is generally belie/ed in by the 2e"2le in /ari"us c"untries. >t must, h"$e/er, be
remembered that in making such e12eriments the success de2ends "n the am"unt "3 W3aithA $hich the
magician can em2l"y. With"ut that 3aith, $hich is s"ul kn"$ledge, n"thing can be acc"m2lished in any
de2artment "3 li3e.<s e/ery 3"rm is the re2resentati"n "3 a certain mental state, e/ery "b5ect has such
attributes as al$ays bel"ng t" that state, and there3"re e/ery substance has its sym2athies and its
anti2athies4 the l"adst"ne attracts ir"n, and ir"n the "1ygen "3 the air4 hygr"sc"2ic b"dies attract $ater,
a33inities e1ist bet$een certain b"dies, s"me substances change their c"l"urs under certain c"l"ured
rays, $hile "thers remain una33ected, etc.. These 2hen"mena are all n"thing else but the /ari"us
mani3estati"ns 9Page (4.: "3 the One Lie, in $hich the 2rinci2le "3 Love is acti/e and seeks t" unite
$hate/er is harm"ni"us. */ery material "b5ect is c"ndensed and s"lidi3ied 3"rce. #""ked at in this light, it
d"es n"t seem im2"ssible that the ancients sh"uld ha/e attributed certain /irtues t" certain 2reci"us
st"nes, and belie/ed that the :arnet $as c"nduci/e t" 5"y, the !halced"ny t" c"urage, the T"2az
2r"m"ting chastity, the <methyst assisting reas"n, and the .a22hire intuiti"n. < s2iritual 3"rce, t" be
e33ecti/e, reBuires a sensiti/e "b5ect t" act u2"n. >n an age $hich tends t" e1treme materialism, s2iritual
in3luence ceases t" be 2ercei/ed, but i3 a 2ers"n cann"t 3eel the "ccult in3luences "3 nature, it d"es n"t
necessarily 3"ll"$ that they d" n"t e1ist, and that there are n"t "thers able t" 2ercei/e them because
their im2ressi"nal ca2acities are greater.
@nly the 3""l belie/es that he kn"$s e/erything. What is really kn"$n is "nly like a grain "3 sand "n the
sh"re "3 the "cean in c"m2aris"n t" $hat is still unkn"$n. Physi"l"gists kn"$ that certain 2lants and
chemicals ha/e certain 2"$ers, and they e12lain their e33ects. They kn"$ that Digitalis decreases the
Buickness "3 the 2ulse by 2aralysing the heart4 that Bellad"nna dilates the 2u2il by 2aralysing the
muscular 3ibres "3 the >ris4 that @2ium in small d"ses 2r"duces slee2 by causing anaemia "3 the brain,
$hile large d"ses 2r"duce c"ma by causing c"ngesti"n, etc.4 but $hy these substances ha/e such
e33ects, "r $hy s"me chemical c"m2"und "3 ?itr"gen, @1ygen, !arb"n, and Hydr"gen is 2"is"n"us in
"ne chemical c"mbinati"n, $hile the same substances, i3 c"mbined in a di33erent st"echi"metrical
2r"2"rti"n, may be used as 3""d, neither chemistry n"r 2hysi"l"gy can tell us at 2resent. >3 $e, h"$e/er,
l""k u2"n all 3"rms as symb"ls "3 mental states, it $ill n"t be m"re di33icult t" imagine $hy strychnine is
2"is"n"us, than $hy hate can kill, "r 3ear 2aralyse the heart . < sim2le idea $hich is "nce 3irmly r""ted in
the mind cann"t be changed. >3 an idea is c"m2licated it is less di33icult t" m"di3y it in its details, s" that
gradually an entirely di33erent c"m2"und $ill be the 9Page (34: result. >n 2hysical chemistry the la$ is
anal"g"us. !"m2"und b"dies may be easily changed int" "ther c"mbinati"ns, but single b"dies cann"t
be changed. There are, h"$e/er, indicati"ns that e/en these s"'called single b"dies are the results "3
c"mbinati"ns "3 still m"re 2rimiti/e elements. >t has been "bser/ed that $hen lightning has struck gilded
"rnaments they ha/e bec"me blackened, and it has been 3"und, "n analysing the blackened matter, that
the 2resence "3 sul2hur $as distinctly indicated. 7nless sul2hur e1ists in the lightning it must ha/e
e1isted in the g"ld, and ha/e been e/"l/ed by the acti"n "3 lightning. We may then 3airly assume that
g"ld c"ntains the elements "3 sul2hur, and this is n" an"maly in the case "3 g"ld, as "ther metals ha/e
als" been 2r"/ed t" c"ntain the elements "3 sul2hur, 9Da/id #"$, F.;..,*: W.im2le B"dies in !hemistryA.:
and the dreams "3 2hysical <lchemy may ha/e s"me 3"undati"n, a3ter all. But sul2hur is su22"sed t" be
Page +-+
related t" nitr"gen, and the elements "3 nitr"gen are belie/ed t" be hydr"gen and carb"n, and i3 $e g"
still 3urther, $e 3ind that e/en "n the 2hysical 2lane all b"dies are "nly m"di3icati"ns "3 "ne 2rim"rdial
element, $hich is n"t "3 a su33iciently material nature t" be detected by 2hysical means, and that in this
2rim"rdial element the germs "3 all "ther sec"ndary 2rinci2les must be c"ntained.The 2"$er t" recei/e,
2reser/e, and trans3"rm ideas, is the 2"$er "3 Will and >maginati"n. >3 an idea enters int" the mind, the
imaginati"n cl"thes it int" a 3"rm, $ith "r $ith"ut a c"nsci"us e1ercise "3 the $ill. We ste2 u2"n a 2iece
"3 r"2e in the dark and immediately imagine that $e ha/e ste22ed u2"n a snake. This is called passive
imagination4 $hile, i3 $e determine t" gi/e a certain 3"rm t" an idea, it is called active imagination4 but in
b"th cases the $ill is acti/e4 "nly in the 3"rmer instance it is e1ercised instincti/ely, and in the latter this is
d"ne $ith intent and deliberati"n.The $ill is, there3"re, the acti/e 2"$er, and it 3"rms the basis "3 all
artistic and magical. "2erati"ns. 9Page (33: <rt and magic are cl"sely related t"gether4 b"th gi/e "b5ecti/e
3"rm t" sub5ecti/e ideas. The artist e1ercises this 2"$er $hen he mentally 2r"5ects the 2icture 3"rmed in
his mind u2"n the can/as and chains it there by the use "3 his 2encil "r brush4 the scul2t"r sha2es the
2icture "3 a 3"rm "n his mind and emb"dies it in the marble. He then em2l"ys mechanical 3"rce t" 3ree
the ideal 3r"m all that is 3"reign t" it, and raises it 3r"m the t"mb, a materialisati"n "3 th"ught. >n the
regenerati"n "3 man the $ill is entirely inacti/e as 3ar as the creati"n "3 an ideal is c"ncerned4 but it is
highly acti/e in kee2ing a$ay all the in3luences $hich $ill 2re/ent the realisati"n "3 the ideal. :"d d"es
n"t need the c"'"2erati"n "3 man, his $ill al"ne is su33icient4 he "nly reBuires that the $ill "3 man shall n"t
2re/ent him in the 2er3"rmance "3 his $"rk. The magician 3"rms an image "n his mind and makes it
2erce2tible t" "thers by 2r"5ecting it int" their mental s2heres. 7niting his "$n mental s2here $ith theirs,
they are made t" 2artici2ate "3 his imaginati"n, and they see that as a reality $hat he ch""ses t" 3ancy
and think.By this la$ many "3 the 3eats 2er3"rmed by >ndian 3akirs can be e12lained. They cause tigers
and ele2hants t" a22ear be3"re a multitude, by 3"rming the images "3 such things in the s2here "3 their
mind. What the s2ectat"rs see "n such "ccasi"ns is n"thing else but the th"ughts "3 the c"n5ur"r,
rendered "b5ecti/e and /isible by the latter.9The 3act, that $hat the s2ectat"rs "n such "ccasi"ns belie/e
t" see d"es n"t actually take 2lace, has been 2r"/ed by means "3 2h"t"gra2hy.:>n the case "3 an artist
mechanical lab"ur e1ecutes the $"rk4 in the case "3 a magician, the $ill4 but the greatest am"unt "3
lab"ur $ill n"t enable a 2ers"n $h" is n"t an artist t" 2r"duce a real $"rk "3 art, and the greatest
c"ncentrati"n "3 th"ught $ill n"t enable a 2ers"n $h" has n" s2iritual 2"$er t" 2er3"rm a true magical
3eat. The W$illA t" $hich $e re3er is a s2iritual sel3'c"nsci"us 2"$er, unkn"$n t" m"dern 2sych"l"gy. <
2ers"n may be an e1cellent anat"mist and kn"$ n"thing $hate/er ab"ut li/ing s2iritual 9Page (3(:
2rinci2les4 he may be a s2lendid chemist and kn"$ n"thing $hate/er ab"ut <lchemy4 he may ha/e
2er3ect c"ntr"l "/er the mechanical 3"rces "3 nature acting "n the 2hysical 2lane and kn"$ n"thing
$hate/er ab"ut the chemistry "3 the s"ul.F"r this reas"n the mysteries "3 <lchemy $ill 3"r e/er remain
mysteries t" a scientist $h" has n" s2iritual 2"$er at his c"mmand. This s2iritual 2"$er is the s2iritual
$ill. With"ut this 2"$er he can "nly se2arate the substances "3 c"m2"und b"dies and rec"mbine them
again as is d"ne in !hemistry, but n"t em2l"y the 2rinci2le "3 li3e.The 2r"cesses "3 nature are alchemical
2r"cesses4 because, $ith"ut the 2rinci2le "3 li3e acting u2"n the chemical substances "3 the earth, n"
gr"$th $"uld result. >3 the 3"rce "3 attracti"n and re2ulsi"n $ere entirely eBual, e/erything $"uld be at a
standstill. >3 gr"$th and decay $"uld g" hand in hand, n"thing c"uld gr"$, because a cell $"uld begin t"
decay as s""n as it $"uld begin t" 3"rm. The chemist may take earth, and $ater, and air, and se2arate
them int" their c"nstituent elements, and rec"mbine them again, and at the end "3 his $"rk he $ill be
$here he began. But the <lchemy "3 nature takes $ater, and earth, and air, and in3uses int" them the 3ire
"3 li3e, 3"rming them int" trees and 2r"ducing 3l"$ers and 3ruits. ?ature c"uld n"t gi/e her li3e'im2arting
in3luence t" her children i3 she did n"t 2"ssess it4 the chemist, ha/ing n" li3e'2rinci2le at his c"mmand, "r
n"t kn"$ing h"$ t" em2l"y it, cann"t 2er3"rm the $"nders "3 <lchemy. The reas"n $hy $e ha/e at
2resent /ery 3e$ alchemists, is because $e ha/e /ery 3e$ 2ers"ns end"$ed $ith the li3e "3 the s2irit.
There are three as2ects "3 <lchemy. >t deals $ith the 2hysical substances "3 things, m"re es2ecially $ith
their s"uls, and in its highest as2ect $ith their s2iritual centres. >n its 2hysical 2r"cesses it reBuires
Page +--
2hysical means, and 3r"m the study "3 these m"dern chemistry has taken its rise. By the de/el"2ed
2"$ers "3 his s"ul the <lchemist may act u2"n the s"uls "3 material substances, and i3 he can change
their Bualities, the character "3 the 2hysical 3"rm may be changed. >3 the s2iritual 9Page (3): W3ireA is
a$akened $ithin him, he attains the s2iritual 2"$ers reBuired t" act u2"n the in3eri"r elements. <n
insu33icient degree "3 heat $ill n"t acc"m2lish anything great: he must gradually attain $ithin himsel3 the
3ire "3 di/ine l"/e until he bec"mes himsel3 the Salamander, able t" li/e in a light in $hich n"thing im2ure
can e1ist. 9 H. P. Bla/atsky says: W*/erything in this $"rld "3 e33ects is made u2 "3 three 2rinci2les and
3"ur as2ects, each "b5ect has an "b5ecti/e e1teri"r, a /ital s"ul, and a di/ine s2ark "3 s2iritual 3ire. By
these 2rinci2les nature acts, and in "rder t" imitate nature, (ri!asa/ti Hthe creati/e $illI must be
de/el"2ed in man. This s2iritual 2"$er is als" called the W-ordA, "3 $hich it is $ritten, that there is n"
need t" seek it in distant 2laces4 W or it is close to !ouB it is in !our mouth and in !our heartA.: .ohannes
Tritheim says: WThe Spiritus #undi resembles a breath, a22earing at 3irst like a 3"g and a3ter$ards
c"ndensing like $ater. This 9 $ater9 H<9kasaI $as in the beginning 2er/aded by the 2rinci2le "3 li3e, and
light $as a$akened in it by the iat "3 the eternal s2irit. This spirit o light, called the s"ul "3 the $"rld Hthe
<stral #ightI, is a s2iritual substance, $hich can be made /isible and tangible by art4 it is a substance, but
being in/isible, $e call it s2irit. This 9s"ul9 "r corpus is hidden in the centre "3 e/erything, and can be
e1tracted by means "3 the s2iritual 3ire in man, $hich is identical $ith the uni/ersal s2iritual 3ire,
c"nstituting the essence "3 nature and c"ntaining the images and 3igures "3 the 7ni/ersal MindA.
This #ight resides in the Water and is hidden as a Seed in all things. */erything that "riginated 3r"m the
spirit o light is sustained by it, and there3"re this s2irit is "mni2resent4 the $h"le "3 nature $"uld 2erish
and disa22ear i3 it $ere rem"/ed 3r"m it4 it is the principium "3 all things. [F. Tritheim: WMiracul"saA, !ha2.
1i/. ]
There $ere true <lchemists during the Middle <ges $h" kne$ h"$ t" e1tract that .eed 3r"m the s"ul'
essence "3 the $"rld, and there are s"me $h" ha/e the 2"$er t" 2er3"rm that 2r"cess t"day4 but th"se
$h" d" n"t 2"ssess that 2"$er $ill n"t be inclined t" admit the 2"ssibility "3 such 3acts.W >t is an eternal
truth, that 9Page (3-: $ith"ut "ur secret magical 3ire n"thing can be acc"m2lished in "ur art. The ign"rant
$ill n"t belie/e in it because they d" n"t 2"ssess that 3ire, and $ith"ut this all their lab"ur is useless.
With"ut that 3ire s2irits cann"t be b"und, much less can they be acted u2"n by material 3ireA. 9 W+ am the
Light and the TruthA4 but he $h" s2"ke th"se $"rds and s2eaks them still, cann"t be made the ser/ant "3
th"se $h" are n"t themsel/es that Light4 n"r can any WChristian ScientistA turn himsel3 int" a !hrist by
belie/ing himsel3 t" be !hrist. ;eal kn"$ledge is attained by n"thing less than e12erience. ?" "ne
bec"mes a !hrist unless the !hrist bec"mes re/ealed in him.:
."me "3 the m"re enlightened m"dern chemists d" n"t deny the 2"ssibility that a metal may be
trans3"rmed int" an"ther4 but the m"st seri"us "b5ecti"ns made against the ancient <lchemists is that
their "b5ect $as t" make arti3icial material g"ld. .uch "b5ecti"ns are based u2"n an entire misc"nce2ti"n
"3 alchemistical terms. The s"le circumstance that certain 2lanetary c"nstellati"ns in the micr"c"sm $ere
"3 the utm"st im2"rtance 3"r the success "3 alchemical 2r"cesses is su33icient t" sh"$ that the
<lchemists e12erimented $ith the souls "3 things, "3 $hich their material 3"rms are "nly the e1ternal
re2resentati/es "n the 2hysical 2lane. :"ld, the 2urest and m"st inc"rru2tible metal, re2resented .2irit,
Magnesia $isd"m, and !alcinated Magnesia $isd"m attained thr"ugh su33ering.
.ul2hur, Mercury, and .alt re2resent the trinity "3 all things, the 3iery, $atery, and material elements, and
ha/e n"thing t" d" $ith material substances. They are essentially "ne, but three3"ld in their
Page +-G
mani3estati"n. 9 Here $e are ab"ut t" di/ulge "ne "3 the secrets "3 <lchemy, the truth "3 $hich $ill,
h"$e/er, be sel3'e/ident. @n a 2receding 2age $e ha/e e12lained that in e/ery at"m "3 the b"dy "3 man
are c"ntained all the 2rinci2les $hich g" t" make u2 the $h"le "rganism "3 man, $ith all its "rgans and
3uncti"ns4 and like$ise, in e/ery at"m "3 matter is c"ntained a 2rinci2le, $hich may gr"$ int" a $h"le
uni/erse "3 matter $ith its great /ariety "3 substances. < 2rinci2le cann"t be changed "r trans3"rmed int"
an"ther. Princi2les are eternal. @nly the m"de "3 their mani3estati"n may be changed. and the basis "3 all
material things, mani3esting itsel3 "ut$ardly as ir"n "r lead, may. under certain c"nditi"ns, by changing
the di/ine 2ur2"se "3 its e1istence be made t" mani3est itsel3 as sil/er "r g"ld. The <lchemist d"es n"t
create any ne$ substance, he merely guides nature, and induces her t" gr"$ W the seeds o mineralsA, >n
the same sense as a gardener assists nature t" gr"$ the seeds "3 2lants, and t" de/el"2 them int"
3l"$ers. The alchemists, there3"re, say: W We cann"t make g"ld "ut "3 anything $hich is n"t g"ld. T"
make material g"ld, $e must ha/e s2iritual g"ld4 $e can merely cause the s2ir>tual g"ld $hich e1ists
already t" gr"$ int" a /isible and material 3"rm. This 2r"cess is taught by the science "3 <lchemy, but this
science is necessarily inc"m2rehensible t" him $h" has n"t arri/ed at that stage "3 spiritual /no%ledge,
in $hich he can e1ercise a Wspiritual %illA, and a Ws2iritual $illA d"es n"t e1ist in a man $h"se $ill is n"t
ree "3 material "r 2ers"nal desires. <s the gardener 2uts the seed int" the gr"und, and su22lies it $ith
$ater and $ith the necessary tem2erature, like$ise the <lchemist $atersW the seeds "3 the metals $ith
s2iritual in3luences 2r"ceeding 3r"m his "$n di/ine s"ul. >3 a true a22reciati"n "3 these truths is arri/ed at,
it $ill at "nce rem"/e <lchemy 3r"m the realm "3 su2erstiti"n, and bring it $ithin the limits "3 an exact
spiritual science.
T" ans$er the Buesti"n $hether "r n"t any"ne e/er succeeded in making g"ld gr"$ in this manner, $e
$>ll say that there is a :erman b""k in e1istence entitled, W!"llecti"n "3 hist"rical acc"unts regarding
s"me remarkable "ccurrences in the li3e "3 s"me still li/ing <de2tsA. >t $as 2rinted >n +(&K4 and am"ng
many m"st interesting anecd"tes ab"ut success3ul attem2ts "3 Wmaking g"ld gr"$, there are c"2ies "3 the
legal d"cuments and decisi"ns "3 the c"urt at #ei2zig in regard t" a case $here, during the absence "3
the Count o Erbach in the year +(+6, an <de2t /isited the c"untess in the castle "3 Tan/erstein, and "ut
"3 gratitude 3"r an im2"rtant ser/ice $hich had been rendered t" him by the c"untess, he trans3"rmed all
the sil/er she had int" g"ld. When the c"unt returned, $h", as it seems, ke2t his "$n 2r"2erty se2arate
3r"m that "3 his $i3e, he claimed that g"ld 3"r himsel3, a22ealing t" a certain statute "3 the la$, acc"rding
t" $hich, treasures disc"/ered u2"n "r bel"$ the sur3ace "3 a certain 2iece "3 land bel"ng t" the
2r"2riet"r "3 that territ"ry4 but the c"urt decided that as the material Hthe sil/erI "ut "3 $hich the g"ld had
been made bel"nged legally t" the c"untess, c"nseBuently this g"ld c"uld n"t be classi3ied as a hidden
treasure, and did n"t c"me $ithin the reach "3 that statute. The c"unt thereu2"n l"st his case, and his
$i3e $as 2ermitted t" kee2 the g"ld.
We ha/e reas"ns t" belie/e in the genuineness "3 these d"cuments4 and i3 l""ked at 3r"m the stand2"int
"3 @ccultism, it d"es n"t at all seem im2r"bable that g"ld can be made in that manner. M"re"/er, $e
ha/e s"me 2ers"nal e12erience t" su22"rt "ur belie34 3"r there li/ed ab"ut ten years ag" a 2ers"n $h"se
name $as Prestel, $ithin a sh"rt distance "3 the t"$n $here $e are n"$ $riting, $h" $as a re2uted
;"sicrucian and <lchemist. We 2ers"nally kne$ this man, and are $ell acBuainted $ith t$" "3 his still
li/ing disci2les. This man $as generally kn"$n as an eccentric and mysteri"us 2ers"n. He 2"ssessed
great 2"$ers "3 2r"5ecting the images 3"rmed in his "$n mind u2"n the minds "3 "thers, s" that they
belie/ed t" see things $hich, h"$e/er, had n" "b5ecti/e e1istence. F"r instance he $as "nce $aylaid by
an enemy, and as the latter b"unced u2"n him, he caused him t" see a terrible sight "3 a sca33"ld and an
e1ecuti"ner, s" that the 2ers"n $as terri3ied and ran a$ay4 and it $as n"t Prestel $h" t"ld this st"ry, but
the man himsel3 $h" attacked him: the 3"rmer ke2t silent ab"ut it.
Page +-)
?"$, this man $as n"t a 3ull'3ledged <lchemist, and c"uld n"t make g"ld and the Elixir o Lie, because,
as he said, he c"uld n"t 3ind a $"man su33iciently pure and at the same time $illing, t" assist him in his
lab"urs4 3"r, it is kn"$n t" all <lchemists, it reBuires the c"'"2erati"n "3 the male and the emale element
t" acc"m2lish the highest 2r"cess. This 2ers"n c"uld there3"re n"t make 2ure g"ld4 but he c"uld change
the nature "3 metals s" that they $"uld "btain certain chemical Bualities, di33ering 3r"m substances "3 the
same kind. He c"uld, s" t" say ennoble metals, s" that, 3"r instance, >r"n "r Brass $"uld n"t rust i3
e12"sed t" air and $ater4 and $e are n"$ in 2"ssessi"n "3 a ;"sicrucian !r"ss made "3 brass, $hich,
alth"ugh it is "/er t$enty years "ld, and has been e12"sed t" salt'$ater air, and t" climates $here e/ery
"ther in3eri"r metal rusts, is still as bright as it has been $hen 3irst recei/ed, and it ne/er needed any
cleaning "r 2"lishing.
This 2ers"n als" had the 2"$er t" cause c"mbustible substances t" bec"me inc"mbustible, and he
c"uld 2er3"rm many "3 the alchemical 2r"cesses described in the b""ks "3 T0 Tritheim, abb"t "3 Spandau.
He insisted that he c"uld ha/e made himsel3 t" li/e a th"usand years, i3 he had 3"und a suitable 2ers"n
t" assist him in his alchemical $"rk. : RPage -+6S
The m"st im2"rtant alchemical $"rk is the generati"n "3 man4 it reBuires n"t "nly the chemical
c"mbinati"n "3 2hysical substances, but in/"l/es the chemistry "3 the s"ul and an in3luence "3 the s2irit,
and all must harm"ni"usly act t"gether, i3 a human being and n"t a human m"nster and mental
homunculus is t" be the result. >3 9Page (3/: the rules "3 <lchemy $ere better underst""d and adhered t",
scr"3ula, cancers, sy2hilis, tubercul"sis, and "ther inherited diseases $"uld disa22ear, and a str"ng and
healthy generati"n "3 men and $"men $"uld be the result.
The great alembic in $hich the 2assi"ns "3 men are 2uri3ied and trans3"rmed is the mind. The true magic
3ire, $ith"ut $hich n"thing use3ul can be acc"m2lished, is his sel3'c"nsci"us l"/e, in "ther $"rds, s2iritual
rec"gniti"n 9Page (30: "3 sel3. Man d"es n"t create "r "riginate a th"ught. >deas are already in e1istence.
He d"es n"t in/ent ideas, the ideas are already 2resent4 he can "nly c"llect, elab"rate, and m"di3y their
e12ressi"ns. We cann"t imagine anything that d"es n"t e1ist, $e can "nly make ne$ c"mbinati"ns "3
that $hich is already in e1istence. We may imagine a snake $ith the head "3 a man, because snakes and
men d" e1ist4 but $e cann"t imagine the 3"rm "3 an inhabitant "3 the .un, because $e ha/e n"
c"nce2ti"n "3 the 3"rms that may be e1isting under c"nditi"ns "3 $hich $e ha/e n" e12erience, and
$hich there3"re d" n"t e1ist or us0
>3 8 as s"me m"dern 2hysi"l"gists belie/e 8 th"ughts $ere a secreti"n "3 the brain, as the bile is a
secreti"n "3 the li/er, a th"ught $"uld be l"st as s""n as it $as e12ressed, and $e $"uld ha/e t" $ait 3"r
the brain t" recu2erate its 2"$er, and t" 3"rm and secrete an"ther "ne like it again be3"re $e c"uld ha/e
t$ice the same th"ught. We $"uld ha/e t" be care3ul n"t t" e12ress "ur th"ught "r im2art "ur kn"$ledge
t" "thers, as by d"ing s" it $"uld be l"st t" "ursel/es. =erily, i3 $e seek 3"r absurdities, $e need n"t l""k
3"r them in ancient b""ks "n <lchemy, but 3ind them su33iciently re2resented in the $"rks "3 m"dern
scienti3ic auth"rities.
Th"ughts and ideas are entities, and e1ist inde2endently "3 the 2erce2ti"n "3 man4 they d" n"t need man
3"r their e1istence, but man needs them t" enable him t" think. Th"ughts and ideas, set in m"ti"n by the
Will, m"/e thr"ugh s2ace4 a th"ught set in m"ti"n in the <stral *ther resembles the e12anding ri22les
u2"n the sur3ace "3 a lake4 a th"ught 2r"5ected t" a certain destinati"n by the 2"$er "3 an <de2t may be
Page +-6
c"m2ared t" an electric current 2assing $ith lightning'/el"city thr"ugh s2ace. Th"ughts directed t"$ards
an "b5ect are like a m"untain stream rushing t"$ards that "b5ect, and i3 the $ills "3 se/eral 2ers"ns
c"mbine t" direct it, it gr"$s in e1tensi"n and 3"rce, 2r"/ided their $ills are single'minded and $ith"ut
any sec"ndary designs. 9 This la$ is said t" be $ell kn"$n t" certain WFesuitsA and em2l"yed 3"r the
2ur2"se "3 in3luencing minds at a distance.: >3 a m"untain stream strikes 9Page (31: a r"ck, $h"se
resistance it cann"t c"nBuer and $hich it cann"t 2ass, the $aters $ill s$ell int" a lake, de/astating the
sh"re and surging back t"$ards its s"urce. >3 a th"ught'current cann"t enter the s2here "3 mind "3 the
indi/idual t"$ards $h"m it is directed, it reb"unds u2"n the mind "3 the indi/idual 3r"m $h"m the im2ulse
came. < 2ers"n $h" c"ncentrates the 3ull 2"$er "3 a malici"us th"ught u2"n an"ther may, i3 he 3ails t"
succeed, be killed by the energy $hich he has called int" acti"n.
<n illustrati"n "3 this la$ may be seen $hen a 2ers"n dies "3 grie3 "n acc"unt "3 disa22"intment. The ray
"3 3"rce c"ntinually 2r"5ected by l"ng and intense desire, unable t" acc"m2lish its 2ur2"se, returns t" the
heart, 2r"ducing a sudden re/ulsi"n "3 3eeling4 it changes l"/e int" grie3, attracti"n int" re2ulsi"n, desire
int" c"ntem2t, it may cause sickness and death.
#ight tra/els thr"ugh the air $ith a /el"city "3 "/er +&K,KKK miles 2er sec"nd4 th"ughts 2ass $ith a similar
/el"city thr"ugh s2ace. < ray "3 light is seen t" 3lash thr"ugh the air and is interce2ted by s"me n"n'
c"nducting material. <n idea 3lashes thr"ugh s2ace and is interce2ted by a rece2ti/e mind. < s"und is
heard by an inde3inite number "3 2ers"ns, and an idea may a33ect the $"rld. <s a 2ebble thr"$n int"
$ater 2r"duces c"ncentric $a/es, $hich gr"$ $ider and $ider, but less distinct as distance increases, s"
a th"ught a33ects s"me 2ers"n, and s2reading 3r"m that centre creates a ri22le in the 3amily, the t"$n, the
c"untry, "r all "/er the $"rld.
< bi"genesis "3 th"ught'in3ecti"ns and mental e2idemics might be $ritten. T" such an in/estigati"n $"uld
bel"ng the hist"ries "3 all great re3"rmati"ns "riginating 3r"m s"me central idea4 als" the hist"ry "3 the
crusades, the 3lagellants, the inBuisiti"n, medie/al $itchcra3t, and m"dern materialism, and the
absurdities "3 3ashi"n.
T" gi/e 2resu22"ses the ability t" recei/e. The 2"ssibility t" im2ress a th"ught u2"n an"ther mind
2resu22"ses the ability "3 that mind t" recei/e that im2ressi"n. < 2ers"n $h" is su33iciently sensiti/e and
9Page (3.: in a 2assi/e c"nditi"n, $ill $ith"ut di33iculty be br"ught under the c"ntr"l "3 the $ill "3 an"ther,
and be made t" act unc"nsci"usly in "bedience t" that $ill. < slee2ing 2ers"n may be im2ressed $ith
such dreams as an"ther may call u2 in his imaginati"n, by 2r"5ecting a 2icture 3"rmed in his mind int" the
mind "3 the slee2er4 a 2ers"n in a mesmeric trance may ha/e his imaginati"n identi3ied $ith that "3 the
2ers"n $h" mesmerised him, and be made t" c"m2ly im2licitly $ith the $ill "3 the master.
We see in e/eryday li3e that "ne 2ers"n sub5ects an"ther "ne t" his $ill and causes him t" "bey his
c"mmands $ith"ut 2utting him t" slee2, and e/en $ith"ut e12ressly stating a $ish. < general d"es n"t
need t" hy2n"tise his s"ldiers t" make them "bey his "rders.The di33erence bet$een such an "bedient
2ers"n and "ne in the hy2n"tic slee2 is merely that the 3"rmer $ill n"t and the latter cann"t resist.
<n im2ulse created by the $ill c"ntinues until the energy is e1hausted. >3 the 3irst im2ulse is 3"ll"$ed by a
series "3 "thers acting in the same directi"n, the e33ect $ill be c"rres2"ndingly greater, and "ne 2ers"n
Page +-%
may a33ect the th"ughts "3 an"ther at a distance "3 th"usands "3 miles by c"ntinually directing his
th"ughts u2"n him.
>t $"uld be im2"ssible t" m"/e inanimate b"dies at a distance by the mere 2"$er "3 $ill, i3 there $ere n"
substantial c"ntact bet$een such "b5ects and the 2ers"n $h" attem2ts t" m"/e them. ?e/ertheless such
m"/ements take 2lace, and 2r"/e that there must be a c"ntact "3 s"me kind, e/en i3 it is an in/isible "ne.
The <9kasa 3urnishes that c"ntact, and the de/el"2ed $ill 2"$er "3 a 2ers"n may act thr"ugh the
substance "3 his s"ul u2"n the s"ul "3 the "b5ect, and set that "b5ect in m"ti"n. >n this $ay tables may be
made t" talk and bells be made t" ring. This, h"$e/er, cann"t be acc"m2lished by e/eryb"dy4 t"
acc"m2lish this an astral "rganism is reBuired, and it can there3"re be d"ne "nly by such 2ers"ns as
ha/e their astral b"dy de/el"2ed and are ca2able t" use its "rgans at $ill. 9 H. P. Bla/atsky $rites in a
2ri/ate letter t" the auth"r: A> 2r"/ed that all that mediums can d" thr"ugh Ws2iritsA, "thers c"uld d" at $ill
$ith"ut any s2irits4 that the ringing "3 bells, th"ught'reading, ra2s, and 2hysical 2hen"mena c"uld be
achie/ed by any"ne $h" had the 3aculty "3 acting in his 2hysical b"dy through the organs o the astral
bod!" and > had that 3aculty e/er since > $as 3"ur years "ld. > c"uld make 3urniture m"/e and "b5ects 3ly
a22arently, and by my astral arms that su22"rted them, $hich remained in/isible4 all this be3"re > e/en
kne$ "3 the MastersA. : 9Page ((4:
The th"ughts and c"nsci"usness "3 a 2ers"n "r "3 a number "3 2ers"ns may be 2r"5ected and
c"ncentrated u2"n any "b5ect "r t" any 2lace that e1ists $ithin the s2here "3 their minds. >t may be made
t" inhere in material "b5ects by entering their astral elements and 2r"ducing c"rres2"nding /ibrati"ns.
Plants "r 2reci"us st"nes may be br"ught in this manner int" sym2athetic relati"n $ith 2ers"ns, s" that i3
the 2ers"n is sick "r dies, the 2lants $ither and the st"nes l"se their brilliancy. ?" "b5ect in nature is
entirely inanimate, and the li3e'2rinci2le is the same in all, $hether it be a man "r a st"ne4 "nly the state
"3 their acti/ities di33er. >3 $e can induce c"rres2"nding /ibrati"ns in the s"uls "3 a l"$er "rder "3 li3e, their
li3e $ill be united $ith us because all indi/idual 3"rms are "nly centres in $hich the 7ni/ersal Mind has
crystallised int" 3"rms, and all 3"rms are related t"gether and b"und t"gether by the uni/ersal cement "3
#"/e. < bird may dr"2 d"$n dead $hen its mate is killed, a m"ther may 3eel the 2ain "3 an accident
ha22ening t" her child, t$in'br"thers ha/e been kn"$n t" ha/e bec"me a33ected simultane"usly $ith the
same disease and t" die at the same time, alth"ugh their b"dies $ere 3ar a2art 3r"m each "ther. ?"
being stands entirely is"lated in nature, all are united by di/ine l"/e, and the m"re they bec"me
c"nsci"us "3 the l"/e that unites them the m"re d" they realise that they are "ne.
.e2arati"n and di33erentiati"n e1ists "nly in regard t" the 3"rm, the 3undamental 2"$er is one, and th"se
$h" ha/e united their minds $ith that 2rinci2le kn"$ that they are "ne, and distance 3"rms n"
im2ediment t" the acti"ns "3 their minds. .2irit is substance, inse2arable, im2enetrable, indi/isible, and
eternal4 3"rm is an aggregate, se2arate, 2enetrable, di/isible and sub5ect t" 9Page ((3: c"ntinual change.
The Wc"mmuni"n "3 the saintsW is a reality, 3"r they are all "ne in the s2irit. #ight is "nly "ne. < number "3
lights in a r""m are as "ne light c"m2"sed "3 that number. There is "nly "ne W."und W but many
e12ressi"ns. >3 an "rchestra is 2layed in a r""m, each instrument 2r"duces s"und, the s"und "3 each 3ills
the $h"le r""m and is heard acc"rding t" its intensity. @ne instrument may s"und l"uder than an"ther4
"ne light may shine brighter than the rest4 but they d" n"t annihilate "r e1tinguish each "ther. ."und is
"ne, and #ight is "ne, and .2irit is "ne, "nly their mani3estati"ns di33er in Buality and in strength.
#"/e is "ne, but it mani3ests itsel3 in /ari"us $ays. #"/e unites all. #"/e is a state "3 the Will. Th"ught is
directed by $ill, but the $ill t" be 2"$er3ul must be 2ure. >3 $e desire t$" things at the same time, the $ill
Page +-(
acts in t$" di33erent directi"ns: but di/isi"n causes $eakness, "nly in unity is strength. Will is "ne. The
$ill is a uni/ersal 2rinci2le and n"t c"n3ined $ithin a 3"rm. >3 $e c"ncentrate "ur $ill and th"ught united
u2"n a cl"ud in the sky, $e can cause that cl"ud t" diss"l/e, and the ra2idity $ith $hich it diss"l/es $ill
be 2r"2"rti"nate t" the strength "3 "ur c"ncentrati"n "3 mind.9There $ill be /ery 3e$ "3 "ur readers $h"
ha/e ne/er n"ticed, that i3 they 2ass a certain 2ers"n in the street, and then turn ar"und t" l""k a3ter him
"r her, it /ery "3ten ha22ens that the latter turns at the same time t" l""k a3ter them. This ha22ens s"
3reBuent, t" be a mere matter "3 c"incidence, and is caused by the 3act that the im2ulse "3 $ill "3 "ne
2ers"n can c"mmunicate itsel3 t" an"ther 2ers"n. But i3 "ne desires t" make a 2ers"n turn ar"und by the
e33"rt "3 his $ill, and 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 seeing $hether he can d" s", he $ill 2r"bably 3ail4 because the
desire t" grati3y his curi"sity $eakens the 3"rce "3 his $ill4 he desires t$" things at "nce, and he 3ails. :
<s all 3"rms are "nly e1ternal e12ressi"ns "3 th"ught, i3 $e c"uld h"ld "n t" a th"ught and 2r"5ect it, $e
c"uld create a 3"rm. But men d" n"t c"ntr"l th"ught, they are the /ictims "3 it4 they d" n"t think $hat they
ch""se, but $hat they are 3"rced t" think, by the th"ughts 3lying int" their minds. T" "btain magic 2"$er
the 3irst reBuirement is t" learn h"$ t" c"ntr"l 9Page (((: th"ught4 t" c"mmand "ur "$n m""ds "3 mind,
and t" all"$ "nly such ideas t" enter the mind as $e /"luntarily ch""se t" admit. Wh"e/er has 3"r the
3irst time attem2ted t" c"mmand a th"ught, and t" h"ld "n t" it 3"r 3i/e minutes, $ill ha/e e12erienced the
di33iculty, and yet $ith"ut this 3irst reBuirement n" 2r"gress in magic $ill e/er be made.
Be3"re "ne can bec"me a magician he must learn t" c"ntr"l his "$n mind4 3"r mind is the substance $ith
$hich the magician acts, and the 2"$er t" c"ntr"l it is the beginning "3 magic. ?" "ne can c"ntr"l the
mind "3 an"ther as l"ng as he cann"t c"ntr"l his "$n. The $ill acts "ut$ardly 3r"m $ithin the centre "3
the heart, and n" "ne can make it act bey"nd the 2eri2hery "3 his b"dy as l"ng as he has n"t bec"me
str"ng en"ugh t" guide it $ithin the b"dy. The ne"2hyte must learn 3irst t" c"ntr"l his "$n em"ti"ns
be3"re he can c"ntr"l the em"ti"ns "3 "thers, he must kn"$ h"$ t" master his th"ughts be3"re he can
make them "b5ecti/e. But the mind cann"t c"ntr"l its "$n sel3, it cann"t rise ab"/e its "$n nature. T"
c"ntr"l the acti"n "3 the mind a #aster is reBuired4 this Master is the s2irit "3 man. But s2irit $ith"ut
substance is $ith"ut 2"$er 8 $ith"ut an "rganism thr"ugh $hich t" act, it is merely a s2irit. That $hich
c"ntr"ls the mind is the s2iritually a$akened inner man 8 the di/ine nature in man, $hich is su2eri"r t"
his terrestrial mind.
T" change a 3"rm $e change the state "3 mind, "3 $hich the 3"rm is an e12ressi"n. !ertain states "3 mind
3ind their e12ressi"ns in certain attitudes, and these attitudes induce c"rres2"nding mental states. <
2r"ud man $ill $alk erect, a c"$ard $ill cree2, a c"ntinually 2ractised cree2ing $alk $ill de/el"2 a
c"$ardly nature, and a habitually erect 2"sture $ill make a man 2r"ud "r c"nsci"us "3 his dignity. <n
act"r $h" can identi3y himsel3 3ully $ith the 2ers"nality $h"se 2art he 2lays, need n"t study attitudes t"
a22ear natural4 an angry 2ers"n $h" 3"rces himsel3 t" smile lessens his anger4 a 2ers"n $ith a c"ntinual
sc"$l "n the 3ace $ill 3ind it di33icult t" be gay. >t is "n acc"unt "3 the desire t" 3acilitate the entering int"
certain mental states that 9Page ((): certain attitudes ha/e been 2rescribed in religi"us cerem"nies and
acts "3 de/"ti"n.
>3 the Mind $ere its "$n Master, i3 the acti"ns "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind $ere n"t sub5ect t" the eternal di/ine
la$ "3 cause and e33ect, but guided by the arbitrary $hims and n"ti"ns "3 s"me in/isible 2"$er
c"nstituted "3 Mind $ith"ut $isd"m, the m"st e1tra"rdinary results $ere liable t" 3"ll"$ and the age "3
actual miracles $"uld begin. The earth $"uld 2erha2s stand still 3"r a day "r a year and begin t" re/"l/e
again the ne1t4 s"metimes it might turn 3ast and at "ther times sl"$, and there is n" end t" the
Page +-&
absurdities $hich might take 2lace4 es2ecially i3 this imaginary 2"$er c"uld be induced t" 3"ll"$ the
ad/ices "3 its $"rshi22ers.
T" the su2er3icial "bser/er the 2r"cesses "3 nature seem t" be the results "3 chance. The sun shines and
the rain 3alls u2"n the land "3 the 2i"us as $ell as u2"n that "3 the $icked4 st"rms and 3ires rage,
careless $hether they destr"y the li3e and 2r"2erty "3 the learned "r that "3 the ign"rant, because they
are the necessary results "3 the la$ "3 cause and e33ect. The interest "3 indi/iduals cann"t c"ntr"l the
$el3are "3 the $h"le. While the $el3are "3 the human b"dy seems t" be, t" a certain e1tent, under the
c"ntr"l "3 the $ill "3 the indi/idual, the 2r"cesses "3 nature, as a $h"le, a22ear t" be unguided by the
reas"n "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind.
The intellect, being unreas"nable, is dis2"sed t" gauge the abs"lute reas"n "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind by the
relati/e understanding "3 c"m2arati/ely micr"sc"2ic man. By the same right might the insect cra$ling in
the dust d"ubt the intelligence "3 the $anderer, by $h"se 3""t it is maimed "r killed $ith"ut c"nsiderati"n
and $ith"ut rem"rse4 such an insect, i3 ca2able "3 reas"ning, $"uld disc"/er n" intellect in that 3""t, and
yet the man, $h"se 3""t is the destr"yer, may be highly intellectual.
The cause, $hy $e cann"t c"m2rehend the eternal 2rinci2le "3 reas"n in nature, is because it acts
acc"rding t" la$, being "ne $ith the la$4 $hile "ur intellect, being 3illed $ith c"nsiderati"ns "3 sel3'
interests, is n"t 3ree "3 desire, and there3"re al$ays inclined t" act c"ntrary t" the la$. 9Page ((-:
>n/isible causes 2r"duce /isible e33ects, and the same cause, acting under similar c"nditi"ns, $ill al$ays
2r"duce similar results. Whene/er a certain am"unt "3 energy has been accumulated, the time $ill arri/e
$hen it $ill be e12ended. The accumulated tensi"n bet$een the 2articles "3 e12l"si/es 3inds its
eBuilibrium at the a22r"ach "3 a s2ark4 the electric tensi"n established in the u22er regi"ns "3 the air
3inds its relie3 in lightning4 accumulated em"ti"ns $ill be eBuilibrised by an "utburst "3 2assi"n4
accumulated energies in the s"ul "3 the earth 2r"duce earthBuakes in the b"dy "3 the earth, in the same
manner as an "utburst "3 grie3 causes the human 3"rm t" tremble and t" shake. Man9s reas"n may
2re/ent an "utburst "3 his em"ti"ns4 but $here is the 2ers"nal g"d t" c"ntr"l the em"ti"ns "3 the s"ul "3
the $"rld E :"d d"es n"t 2re/ent the gr"$th "3 $arts, "r cancers, "r tum"urs4 :"d being the la$ cann"t
act in c"ntradicti"n $ith himsel3. His blessings are acc"m2anied by curses. Man9s 3""t crushes the insect,
because man9s 2erce2ti"n and intelligence d"es n"t 2er/ade his 3eet4 :"d d"es n"t 2re/ent the gr"$th
"3 a st"ne in the bladder, because the high cann"t mani3est itsel3 in the l"$, $isd"m cann"t be acti/e in
an unc"nsci"us 3"rm4 the means must be ada2ted t" the end. When uni/ersal Man $ill ha/e s" 3ar
2er3ected himsel3 as t" be a sel3'c"nsci"us s2here "3 $isd"m $ith"ut any material 2arts, then $ill nature
itsel3 be a g"d. The music that can be made $ith a har2 cann"t be made $ith a stick. The abs"lute
intelligence "3 the 7ni/ersal Mind can "nly mani3est itsel3 relati/ely thr"ugh instruments ada2ted t"
intellectual mani3estati"n. !"nsci"usness can mani3est itsel3 as relati/e c"nsci"usness "nly in c"nsci"us
3"rms.
Wisd"m is n"t a 2r"duct "3 the "rganisati"n "3 man. >t is eternal and uni/ersal. >t 3inds its e12ressi"n in
the 3undamental la$s u2"n $hich the uni/erse $ith all its 3"rms is c"nstructed. >t is e12ressed in the
sha2e "3 a lea3, in the b"dy "3 an animal, in the "rganism "3 man. >ts acti"n can be 3"und e/ery$here in
nature, as l"ng as the beings in nature li/e acc"rding t" natural la$. There are n" diseases in nature,
$hich ha/e n"t been "riginally created by 2"$ers $hich acted c"ntrary t" the la$s "3 9Page ((2: nature
Page +-,
and became there3"re unnatural. @ut$ard a22earances seem t" c"ntradict this asserti"n4 because $e
3ind animals a33ected $ith diseases, and e2idemic diseases are e/en "3 3reBuent "ccurrence in the
/egetable kingd"m. But a dee2er in/estigati"n int" the "ccult la$s "3 nature $ill g" t" sh"$ that all the
3"rms "3 nature, minerals, /egetables, and animals, are merely states "r e12ressi"ns "3 the 7ni/ersal
Mind "3 7ni/ersal Man. They are the 2r"ducts "3 the imaginati"n "3 ?ature, and as the imaginati"n "3
?ature is acted "n, in3luenced and m"di3ied by the imaginati"n "3 man, a m"rbid imaginati"n "3 man is
3"ll"$ed by a m"rbid state "3 ?ature, and m"rbid results 3"ll"$ again "n the 2hysical 2lane. This la$
e12lains $hy 2eri"ds "3 great m"ral de2ra/ity, sensuality, su2erstiti"n, and materialism are al$ays
3"ll"$ed by 2lagues, e2idemics, 3amine, $ars, etc., and it $"uld be $"rth the $hile t" c"llect statistics t"
sh"$ that such has in/ariably been the case.
The elementary 3"rces "3 nature are blind and "bey the la$ that c"ntr"ls them. < m"ti"n "riginated by an
im2ulse c"ntinues until the "riginal energy is e12ended. .t"nes ha/e n" intelligence, because they ha/e
n" "rganisati"n thr"ugh $hich intelligence can bec"me mani3est, but i3 an intelligent 2"$er sets them int"
m"ti"n, they "bey the la$ "3 its nature. <s the "rganisms rise in the scale "3 e/"luti"n and de/el"2ment
"3 3"rm, their c"nsci"usness bec"mes m"re mani3est. !"nsci"usness bec"mes mani3est as instinct in
the animal creati"n. >t teaches the bird t" 3ly, the 3ish t" s$im, the ants t" build their h"uses, the s$all"$s
t" make their nests. <cting thr"ugh the ner/e centres and the s2inal c"rd it induces the acti"ns "3 the
heart and lungs and "ther "rganic and in/"luntary acti"ns "3 the b"dy.
<s the s2inal c"rd, in the c"urse "3 e/"luti"n, de/el"2s int" a brain, the 2rinci2le "3 c"nsci"usness
"btains a m"re 2er3ect instrument 3"r its mani3estati"n. >ntellectual 2"$er takes the 2lace "3 instinct, and
the 7ni/ersal Mind begins t" think thr"ugh the indi/idual brain "3 man, in the same sense as uni/ersal
nature uses his b"dy 3"r mani3esting her 2"$ers.
With the highest de/el"2ment "3 the human brain, 9Page ((/: the m"st 2er3ect instrument 3"r the e1ternal
mani3estati"n "3 mind is attained. But the essential man is a s2irit, and $ith the de/el"2ment "3 the m"st
2er3ect 2hysical 3"rm the clima1 "3 his s2iritual e/"luti"n is n"t reached. The essential man is a s2irit and
reBuires a s2iritual "rganisati"n 3"r the dis2lay "3 his 2"$ers. He has $ithin himsel3 the latent 2"$er t"
realise his "$n di/ine and uni/ersal e1istence, and t" a$aken this 2"$er hidden $ithin his 2sychical
c"nstituti"n an"ther light than the light "3 nature is reBuired. This #ight is the light "3 Di/ine Wisd"m, "ne
and in3inite, and bey"nd the c"nce2ti"n "3 the brain. >t is itsel3 the "ne eternal #i3e int" $hich man must
enter, i3 he desires t" realise his "$n imm"rtal e1istence. T" realise that di/ine uni/ersal e1istence, an
"rganised s"ul as $ide as the uni/erse is reBuired. This s"ul bel"ngs t" the di/ine man, the Di/inity in
Humanity, $h"se material b"dy is the $"rld and $h"se sel3'c"nsci"usness is 'ivine -isdom, the sel$
recognition o Truth, the ;edeemer "3 <ll.
Page +GK
CH,PT'* 7
C*',TIO&$
",nd 8od said: Let us make ManE$ C Bile$
9The term Creation is 3reBuently misunderst""d. ?either the Bible n"r any "ther reas"nable b""k says
that anything had e/er been created "ut "3 n"thing. .uch su2erstiti"n bel"ngs entirely t" m"dern
materialistic .cience, $hich belie/es that li3e and c"nsci"usness c"uld gr"$ "ut "3 dead and
unc"nsci"us things. The $"rd 0!reati"nA means the 2r"ducti"n "3 orms "ut "3 already e1isting 3"rmless
materials4 orm in the abs"lute is n"t a thing, it is n"thing but an illusi"n, and there3"re i3 a 3"rm is
2r"duced n"thing but an illusi"n has been created.:
TH* m"st im2"rtant Buesti"n that $as e/er asked, and is still asked $ith an1iety and "3ten $ith 3ear, is
the same that $as 2r"2"unded th"usands "3 years ag" by the *gy2tian .2hin1, $h" killed him that
attem2ted t" s"l/e the riddle and did n"t succeed:What is Man E <ges ha/e 2assed a$ay since the
Buesti"n $as 3irst asked, nati"ns ha/e slain each "ther in cruel religi"us $ar3are, making /ain e33"rts t"
im2"se u2"n each "ther such s"luti"n "3 the great 2r"blem as they belie/ed they had 3"und, but 3r"m the
t"mbs "3 the 2ast "nly re'ech"es the same Buesti"n 8 What is ManE <nd yet the ans$er seems sim2le.
;eas"n, i3 di/ested "3 religi"us "r scienti3ic 2re5udices, tells us that man, like e/ery "ther 3"rm in the
uni/erse, is a c"llecti/e centre "3 energy, a s"litary ray "3 the uni/ersally 2resent Di/ine #ight 0$hich is
the c"mm"n s"urce "3 e/erything that e1istsA4 he is a true child "3 the great .2iritual Sun. 9Page ((1: <s
the rays "3 "ur sun "nly bec"me /isibly acti/e in c"ntact $ith dust, s" the di/ine ray is abs"rbed and
re3lected by matter.
The sun'ray 2lays $ith the $a/es "3 the "cean: the heat created by the c"ntact "3 $ater $ith light 3r"m
ab"/e e1tracts 3r"m bel"$ the re3ined material, and the /a2"urs rise t" the sky, $here, like the gh"sts "3
the seas, they $ander in cl"uds "3 mani3"ld sha2es, tra/elling 3reely thr"ugh the air, 2laying $ith the
$inds, until the time arri/es $hen the energies $hich kee2 them sus2ended bec"me e1hausted and they
"nce m"re descend t" the earth. >n a similar manner a di/ine ray "3 the s2iritual sun mingles $ith matter
$hile d$elling "n *arth, abs"rbing and assimilating $hate/er c"rres2"nds t" its "$n nature. <s the
butter3ly 3lits 3r"m 3l"$er t" 3l"$er, tasting the s$eets "3 each, s" the human m"nad 2asses 3r"m li3e t"
li3e, 3r"m 2lanet t" 2lanet, gathering e12erience, kn"$ledge, and strength, but $hen the day "3 li3e is
"/er, night 3"ll"$s, and $ith it 3"ll"$s slee2, bringing dreams "3 /i/id reality. The gr"ssest elements
remain t" mingle again $ith earth, the m"re re3ined elements 8 the astral elements 8 $hich are still $ithin
the attracti"n "3 the 2lanet, 3l"at ab"ut, dri/en hither and thither by their inherent tendencies, until the
energy $hich h"lds them t"gether is e1hausted, and they diss"l/e again in the 2lane t" $hich they
bel"ng, but the highest s2iritual energies "3 man, held t"gether by l"/e, 3reed 3r"m the attracti"n "3 *arth,
Page +G+
ascend t" their s"urce like a $hite'r"bed s2irit, bringing $ith them the 2r"ducts "3 e12eriences bey"nd
the limits "3 matter. Man9s l"/e and as2irati"n d" n"t bel"ng t" *arth. They create energies $hich are
acti/e bey"nd the c"n3ines "3 the gra/e and the 3uneral'2yre4 their acti/ity lasts 3"r ages, until it bec"mes
e1hausted, and the 2uri3ied ray, still end"$ed $ith the tendencies im2ressed u2"n it by its last /isit t" the
2lanet, again seeks ass"ciati"n $ith matter, builds again its 2ris"n'h"use "3 animated clay, and a22ears
an "ld act"r in a ne$ 2art u2"n the e/er'changing stage "3 li3e.
."me "3 the greatest 2hil"s"2hers ha/e arri/ed at a rec"gniti"n "3 this truth by s2eculati"n and l"gical
9Page ((.: reas"ning, $hile "thers, $h"se minds $ere illumined by $isd"m, ha/e 2ercei/ed it as a sel3'
e/ident 3act by the 2"$er "3 intuiti"n.
T" build the ne$ h"use the im2ressi"ns gathered by its 2re/i"us /isits 3urnish the material. The sl"th3ul
rich man "3 the 2ast may bec"me the beggar "3 the 3uture, and the industri"us $"rker in the 2resent li3e
de/el"2 tendencies $hich $ill lay the 3"undati"n "3 greatness in the ne1t. .u33ering in "ne li3e may
2r"duce 2atience and 3"rtitude that $ill be use3ul in an"ther4 hardshi2s $ill 2r"duce endurance, sel3'
denial $ill strengthen the $ill4 tastes engendered in "ne li3e $ill be "ur guides in an"ther4 and latent
energies $ill bec"me acti/e $hene/er circumstances reBuire it during an e1istence "n the material 2lane
either in "ne li3e "r an"ther acc"rding t" the eternal la$ "3 cause and e33ect.
< child burns its 3ingers by t"uching the 3lame, and the adult d"es n"t remember all the circumstances
under $hich the accident "ccurred4 still the 3act that 3ire $ill burn and must n"t be t"uched $ill remain
im2ressed u2"n the mind. >n the same manner the e12eriences gained in "ne li3e are n"t remembered in
their details in the ne1t, but the im2ressi"ns $hich they 2r"duce $ill remain. 9 There is a certain stage in
the s2iritual e/"luti"n "3 man, $hen he $ill remember the e/ents "3 his 2re/i"us li/es4 but t" remember
them in his 2resent state "3 im2er3ecti"n $"uld be merely a hindrance in his 2r"gress. >t has been said,
that by n"t remembering the err"rs "3 "ur 2ast li/es, and their e/il c"nseBuences, man is liable t" c"mmit
his 2re/i"us err"rs again4 but $e "ught n"t t" d" g""d merely as a matter "3 s2eculati"n and t" a/"id e/il
c"nseBuences resulting there3r"m, but 3r"m an inherent sense "3 duty, regardless "3 $hat the resulting
c"nseBuences may be.: <gain and again man 2asses thr"ugh the $heel "3 trans3"rmati"n, changing his
l"$er energies int" higher "nes, until matter attracts him n" l"nger, and he bec"mes $hat he is destined
t" be, a g"d.
Man, like the ma5"rity "3 "rganised beings, is an at"m in the immensity "3 the uni/erse4 he cann"t be
di/ided and still remain a man4 but unlike "ther and l"$er "rganised beings, $h"se realisati"n "3
e1istence is c"n3ined t" the 2hysical "r astral 2lane, that $hich 9Page ()4: c"nstitutes him a Man and
distinguishes him 3r"m an animal is an integral and c"nsci"us 2art "3 the highest s2iritual energy "3 the
uni/erse, $hich is e/ery$here 2resent, and his s2iritual c"nsci"usness is, there3"re, n"t limited t" a
certain l"cality in the 2hysical $"rld.
Wh" made Man E C Man makes himsel3 during e/ery day "3 his li3e. He is his "$n creat"r. The clay 8
the material b"dy 8 that clings t" the ray "3 the mani3ested #i3e, is taken 3r"m *arth, the energies, called
the astral soul, are the 2r"ducts "3 the astral 2lane, the highest energies bel"ng t" the s2irit. <nimal man,
like the l"$er "rders "3 nature, is a 2r"duct "3 the blind la$ "3 necessity, and may e/en be 2r"duced
arti3icially. 9 .ee Paracelsus, H"munculiA. : The 2hysical attributes "3 the child and its mental
Buali3icati"ns are the result "3 inheritance "3 2re/i"usly e1isting c"nditi"ns. #ike the tree that can send its
Page +G-
r""ts int" the neighb"uring s"il and gather the nutriment by $hich it is surr"unded, but cann"t r"am
ab"ut in search "3 3""d at distant 2laces, s" 2hysical man has "nly a limited ch"ice in the selecti"n "3
such means "3 de/el"2ment as he may reBuire4 he gr"$s, because he cann"t resist the la$ "3 necessity
and the im2ulses gi/en by nature. But as reas"n begins t" enlighten him, the $"rk "3 creati"n begins.
The intelligence $ithin says t" the $ill: 0#et us make manA. .he urges the $ill, and the $ill sullenly lea/es
its 3a/"urite "ccu2ati"n "3 ser/ing the 2assi"ns and begins t" m"uld man in acc"rdance $ith the di/ine
image held u2 be3"re him by $isd"m.
Let us ma/e #an, means: #et us make a di/ine man "ut "3 an animal man4 let us surr"und the di/ine ray
$ithin us $ith the 2urest "3 essences4 let us thr"$ "33 e/erything $hich is sensual and gr"ssly material,
and $hich hinders "ur 2r"gress4 let us trans3"rm the em"ti"ns int" /irtues in $hich the s2iritual ray may
cl"the itsel3 $hen it re'ascends t" its thr"ne.
#et us make manL >t de2ends entirely "n "ur e33"rts $hat kind "3 a man $e shall make. T" make an
a/erage man "r e/en a su2eri"r "ne in the c"mm"n acce2tati"n "3 the term is n"t a /ery di33icult matter.
9Page ()3: F"ll"$ the rules "3 health and the la$s "3 diet, 2r"/ide ab"/e all 3"r y"ursel3 and ne/er gi/e
anything a$ay, unless by d"ing s" y"u are sure t" get m"re in return. O"u $ill then make a res2ectable
animal, a 0sel3'madeA man, 2r"minent, inde2endent, and rich ' "ne $h" li/es and dies "n the 2lane "3
sel3ishness, an "b5ect "3 en/y 3"r many4 res2ected 2erha2s by many, but n"t by his c"nscience.
There is an"ther class "3 sel3'made men4 th"se "n the intellectual 2lane. They stand be3"re the $"rld as
the $"rld9s bene3act"rs, as 2hil"s"2hers, teachers, statesmen, in/ent"rs, "r artists. They ha/e $hat is
called genius, and instead "3 being mere imitat"rs, they 2"ssess "riginality. They bene3it themsel/es by
bene3iting the $"rld. >ntellectual researches that bene3it n" "ne are un2r"ducti/e4 they resemble 2hysical
e1ercise $ith dumb'bells, by $hich muscular strength may be gained, but n" lab"ur acc"m2lished. <n
intellectual 2ursuit may be 3"ll"$ed 3"r merely sel3ish 2ur2"ses4 but unless there is a l"/e 3"r the "b5ect "3
that study, little 2r"gress $ill be made, and instead "3 a sage, a b""k$"rm $ill be the result. True genius
is a magician $h" creates a $"rld 3"r himsel3 and 3"r "thers, and his 2"$er e12ands as he gr"$s in
2er3ecti"n.
The l"$er intellectual lab"ur al"ne cann"t be the true "b5ect "3 li3e4 the truth cann"t be gras2ed by the
unaided e33"rts "3 the brain, and he $h" attem2ts t" arri/e at the truth merely by the intellectual lab"ur "3
the brain, $ith"ut c"nsulting the heart, $ill 3ail. The heart resembles the Sun as the seat "3 Wisd"m, the
brain c"rres2"nds t" the #oon4 it is the seat "3 the reas"ning intellect, and recei/es its light and li3e 3r"m
the .un. >3 the .un stands guard "/er the M""n, th"ughts $hich are distaste3ul t" the heart $ill n"t enter
the brain. The heart and the head sh"uld $"rk t"gether in harm"ny, t" kill the drag"n "3 ign"rance,
d$elling u2"n the thresh"ld "3 the tem2le, and t" arri/e at the truth.
>n the alleg"rical b""ks "3 the Alchemists the Sun re2resents >ntelligence4 he is the 0heartA "3 "ur s"lar
system4 the #oon re2resents dreams and desires "r the 0brainA4 Earth re2resents the 2hysical Bod!. >3
the 9Page ()(: male Sun c"habits $ith the 3emale #oon in the %ater o Truth, they $ill 2r"duce a s"n
$h"se name is -isdom. The intellect is the material man $h"se bride is s2iritual understanding, the
di/ine $"man4 n" man "r $"man is 2er3ect as l"ng as the celestial marriage has n"t taken 2lace thr"ugh
the 2"$er "3 Di/ine #"/e.9!"m2are 0The Perect -a!" o the )inding o ChristA.:
Page +GG
The materials "3 $hich Man is c"nstructed are the 2rinci2les that 3l"$ int" him 3r"m the st"re'h"use "3
uni/ersal nature, the builder is the $ill, reas"n the su2erintendent, and $isd"m the su2reme architect.
The building g"es "n $ith"ut n"ise, and n" s"und "3 the hammer is heard, because the materials are
already 2re2ared by nature4 they "nly reBuire t" be 2ut int" their 2r"2er 2laces. The highest is the .2irit
"r 0!"nsci"usnessA, and .2irit al"ne is imm"rtal. .uch "3 the l"$er elements as harm"nise $ith it
amalgamate $ith the s2irit, and are rendered c"nsci"us and imm"rtal. .2irit can "nly 3ind its
c"rres2"nding /ibrati"ns in the highest s2iritual elements "3 the s"ul such as are 3urnished by the higher
2rinci2les, and c"nsist "3 the 2urest th"ughts, as2irati"ns, and mem"ries 2r"duced by the 3i3th, in $hich
resides the intellectual 2"$er "3 man. Pure intelligence is .2irituality, but intellectual acti/ity c"n3ined
$ithin the l"$er 2lanes "3 th"ught can bring t" light n" s2iritual treasures. >ntellectual acti/ity is n"t a
2"$er4 but the result "3 the 2"$er "3 s2irit acting $ithin the mind. < /ery intellectual and learned 2ers"n
may be /ery unha22y and unharm"ni"us, i3 his tendencies are t"$ards sel3ishness, and his mind
inca2able t" be illuminated by the light "3 truth. Wisd"m is the sel3'rec"gniti"n "3 the truth4 it resides in
the s2iritual s"ul "3 man, and sends its light d"$n int" his 3i3th 2rinci2le, shining thr"ugh the cl"uds "3
matter like the sunlight 2enetrating a 3"g.
The 3i3th 2rinci2le recei/es its stimulus 3r"m the 3"urth, the irrati"nal nature "3 man. We cann"t build a
h"use $ith"ut s"lid material, and $e may 5ust as $ell attem2t t" run a steam'engine $ith"ut 3uel "r $ater
as t" make a genius "ut "3 a being $ith"ut any em"ti"ns. The str"nger the em"ti"ns are, the m"re
enduring $ill 9Page ()): be the s2iritual tem2le, i3 they can be made t" 3it int" the $alls and 2illars. <
2ers"n "riginally $ith"ut any em"ti"ns is $ith"ut /irtues, he is $ith"ut energy, a shad"$, neither c"ld n"r
$arm, and necessarily useless. The 2assi"nate man is nearer t" the s2irit, i3 he can guide his 2assi"ns in
the right directi"n, than the man $h" has n"thing t" guide and n"thing t" c"nBuer.
T" 2r"duce a 2er3ect building, "r a 2er3ect man, the 2r"2"rti"ns must be harm"ni"us. Wisd"m guides the
$"rk and l"/e 3urnishes the cement. <n em"ti"n is either a /irtue "r a /ice acc"rding t" the manner in
$hich it is a22lied. Misa22lied /irtues bec"me /ices, and $ell'directed /ices are /irtues. < man $h" acts
acc"rding t" the dictates "3 2rudence al"ne is a c"$ard4 "ne $h" indiscriminately e1ercises his
gener"sity is a s2endthri3t4 c"urage $ith"ut cauti"n is rashness4 /enerati"n $ith"ut kn"$ledge 2r"duces
su2erstiti"n4 charity $ith"ut 5udgment makes a beggar, and e/en "ne'sided 5ustice, un'tem2ered by
mercy, 2r"duces a miserly, cruel, and des2icable tyrant.
The irrati"nal s"ul, im2elled "nly by its desires and unguided by $isd"m, resembles a drunken man $h"
has l"st his 2hysical balance4 it t"tters 3r"m side t" side, 3alls 3r"m "ne e1treme int" an"ther, and cann"t
guide its ste2s. @nly an eBuilibrium "3 3"rces can 2r"duce harm"ny, beauty, and 2er3ecti"n. The irrati"nal
s"ul, s$ayed by unc"ntr"llable em"ti"ns, 3"rms an un3it habitati"n 3"r the di/ine ray, that l"/es 2eace
and tranBuillity.
The c"ntr"l "3 the em"ti"ns is the di33icult struggle that is alleg"rically re2resented by the t$el/e lab"urs
"3 Hercules, $hich the "racle "3 Jeus c"mmanded him t" 2er3"rm. */ery man $h" desires t" 2r"gress is
his "$n Hercules and $"rks 3"r the bene3it "3 the king Hhis <tmaI, $h"se "rders he recei/es thr"ugh the
di/ine "racle "3 his "$n c"nscience. He is c"nstantly engaged in battle, because the l"$er 2rinci2les
3ight 3"r their li/es and $ill n"t be c"nBuered. They are the 2r"ducts "3 matter and they cling t" their
s"urce.
Page +G)
Whence d" the em"ti"ns c"meE
The c"sm"l"gies "3 the ancients e12ress under /ari"us 9Page ()-: alleg"ries the same 3undamental truth4
that 0in the beginningA the *reat )irst Cause e/"l/ed "ut "3 itsel3, by the 2"$er "3 its "$n $ill, certain
2"$ers, $h"se acti"n and reacti"n br"ught the elementary 3"rces that c"nstituted the $"rld int"
e1istence. These elementary 3"rces are the De/as "3 the *ast, the *l"hims "3 the Bible, the <3rites "3 the
Persians, the Titans "3 the ;"mans, the *ggreg"res "3 the b""k "3 *n"ch. They are the acti/e agents "3
the c"sm"s, bene3icial "r detrimental acc"rding t" the c"nditi"ns under $hich they act, intelligent "r
unintelligent acc"rding t" the nature "3 the instrument thr"ugh $hich they $"rk. They are n"t necessarily
sel3'c"nsci"us rati"nal entities, but may mani3est themsel/es thr"ugh c"nsci"us "rganisms end"$ed $ith
reas"n4 they are n"t 2ers"ns, but bec"me 2ers"ni3ied by 3inding e12ressi"n in indi/idual 3"rms. #"/e and
hate, en/y and bene/"lence, lust and greed are n"t 2ers"ns, but bec"me 2ers"ni3ied in human "r animal
3"rms. <n e1tremely malici"us 2ers"n is the emb"diment "3 malice, and i3 he sees the dem"n in an
"b5ecti/e 3"rm, he beh"lds the re3lecti"n "3 his "$n s"ul in the mirr"r "3 his mind. .2irit e1ists
e/ery$here, but $e cann"t 2ercei/e a s2irit unless it 3irst enters the s2here "3 "ur s"ul. The s2irit that
enters "ur s"ul "btains its li3e 3r"m "ursel/es, and i3 $e d" n"t e12el it 3r"m "ur s"ul it gr"$s str"ng by
/am2irising "ur li3e. #ike a 2arasite gr"$ing "n a tree and 3eeding "n its substance, it 3astens its 3eelers
ar"und the tree "3 "ur li3e and gr"$s str"ng $hile "ur "$n li3e gr"$s $eak. < th"ught, "nce taking r""t in
the mind, $ill gr"$ until it bec"mes e12ressed in an act, $hen, "btaining a li3e "3 its "$n by that act, it
lea/es its 2lace t" a success"r. Th"se elementary 3"rces "3 nature are e/ery$here, and al$ays ready t"
enter the s"ul i3 its d""rs are n"t de3ended. T" call u2 a $icked s2irit $e need n"t g" in search "3 him, $e
need "nly all"$ him t" c"me. T" call u2 a de/il means t" gi/e $ay t" an e/il th"ught, t" /anBuish him
means t" resist success3ully a tem2tati"n t" e/il.
The elementary 2"$ers "3 nature are innumerable, and their classi3icati"n ga/e rise t" the 2anthe"ns "3
the 9Page ()2: :reeks and t" the myth"l"gies "3 the *ast. The greatest 2"$er is Ceus, the 3ather "3 the
g"ds, "r the s"urce 3r"m $hich all "ther 2"$ers take their "rigin. Miner/a, the g"ddess "3 $isd"m,
s2rings 3r"m his head, her "rigin is the n"blest "3 all, but =enus, the daughter "3 the .un, arising 3r"m the
"cean "3 the uni/ersal ."ul, c"nBuers all by her beauty. .he h"lds t"gether the $"rlds in s2ace by the
2"$er "3 her attracti"n, binds s"uls t" s"uls, chains the like t" like, and binds the e/il t" e/il. .he is the
m"ther "3 the min"r g"ds that c"mbat each "ther, because l"/e "3 sel3, l"/e "3 2"ssessi"n, l"/e "3 3ame,
l"/e "3 2"$er, etc., are all "nly children "3 the uni/ersal 2"$er "3 l"/e. They 3ight am"ng themsel/es like
children, because acti"n gi/es rise t" reacti"n, l"/e is "22"sed by hate, h"2e by 3ear, 3aith by d"ubt, etc.
T" c"ntr"l them the g"d "3 Po%er HMarsI must be united $ith the g"ddess "3 #"/e 8 in "ther $"rds, the
2assi"ns must be held in "bedience by the Will.
*ach 2"$er e1ists and is held in its elementary matri1 "r /ehicle, the <9kDsa, the Universal Proteus, the
generat"r "3 3"rm, $hich 3inds its "ut$ard e12ressi"n in Matter, and these 2"$ers c"nstitute the eternal
circle, "r the sna/e, 0$h"se head shall be crushed by the heel "3 the $"manA, meaning Wisd"m, the
eternal /irgin, $h"se 0daughtersA are aith" hope, and charit!.
The snake cann"t enter the s"ul, i3 the s"ul is de3ended by $isd"m. >3 an e/il th"ught enters the s"ul and
$e d" n"t re5ect it, $e harb"ur a de/il in "ur heart, $h"se claims $e take int" c"nsiderati"n4 $e gi/e him
a 2r"mise and induce him t" remain, and, like an un$elc"me credit"r, he $ill c"ntinually urge his claims
until they are 3ul3illed.
Page +G6
The l"$er triads "3 2rinci2les in the c"nstituti"n "3 man recei/e their nutriment 3r"m the in3eri"r kingd"ms
"3 nature. >3 the b"dy is "/er3ed "r stimulated by drink, the em"ti"nal element $ill bec"me e1cessi/ely
acti/e and the intellect $ill bec"me $eak. T"" stimulating 3""d "r drink is in5uri"us 3"r higher
de/el"2ment, because li3e $ill in such cases $ithdra$ its acti/ity 3r"m the higher 2rinci2les and be made
t" $"rk in the l"$er 2rinci2les "3 man. #arge Buantities "3 "ther$ise healthy 9Page ()/: 3""d $ill be
in5uri"us 3"r the same reas"n. The 2rinci2le "3 li3e $hich trans3"rms the l"$er energies int" higher "nes is
the same 2rinci2le $hich causes the digesti"n "3 3""d. >3 it is sBuandered in the l"$er "rgans, the higher
"rgans $ill star/e. ."me men are habituated t" meat'eating, and they reBuire it4 "thers are used t"
alc"h"l, and i3 they $"uld suddenly disc"ntinue its use they $ill su33er4 but meat and alc"h"l are, under
n"rmal c"nditi"ns, unnecessary 3"r the human system, and "3ten they act 2"siti/ely in5uri"us.
The 2rinci2le argument "3 the l"/ers "3 animal 3""d is that it 0gi/es b"dily strength, and is necessary 3"r
th"se $h" ha/e t" 2er3"rm manual lab"urA. This argument is based u2"n an err"ne"us "2ini"n, because
animal 3""d d"es n"t gi/e as much strength as a /egetable diet4 9<cc"rding t" the calculati"ns made by
Pr"/. F. =. #iebig, the same am"unt "3 albumin"us substances 3"r $hich, i3 in the 3"rm "3 animal 3""d, is
2aid >@@ d., can be b"ught in the sha2e "3 2eas 3"r ,d. , and in that "3 $heat 3"r )d : it "nly stimulates
the "rganism, and induces it t" use u2 the strength $hich it already 2"ssesses in a sh"rt 2eri"d "3 time
instead "3 sa/ing it u2 3"r the 3uture. The c"nseBuences "3 an e1clusi/e animal diet, glutt"ny, e1treme
sensuality, c"mbati/eness, cruelty, and stu2idity, ind"lence, 2hysical and 2sychical a2athy, are the
necessary c"nseBuences "3 "/er'stimulati"n.
Dar$in says that 0the hardest'$"rking 2e"2le he e/er met are the 2ers"ns that $"rk in the mines "3 !hili,
and that they are li/ing "n an e1clusi/ely /egetable dietA. The c"untry 2e"2le in >reland li/e alm"st
$ith"ut meat'eating, and yet they are str"ng and enduring. The c"mm"n ;ussian eats /ery little meat
and en5"ys g""d health. The str"ngest 2e"2le that can 2erha2s be 3"und any$here are the c"untry
2e"2le in the ."uth "3 Ba/aria, and they eat meat "nly "n e1ce2ti"nal "ccasi"ns and h"ly'days. H"rses,
bulls, ele2hants, are the str"ngest animals, and li/e "n /egetable 3""d, $hile the 2r"minent traits "3
character "3 the 3lesh'eating animals are c"$ardice, irritability, and cunning. < bear ke2t at the
<nat"mical Museum at :iessen 9Page ()0: sh"$ed a Buiet, gentle nature as l"ng as he $as 3ed "n bread,
but a 3e$ days 3eeding "n meat made him, n"t str"nger, but /ici"us and danger"us.
#et th"se $h" desire t" kn"$ the truth in regard t" meat'eating seek the ans$ers t" their Buesti"ns, n"t
$ith the intellect "3 the head, but thr"ugh the /"ice "3 $isd"m s2eaking in the interi"r "3 their heart, and
they $ill n"t be mistaken.9.ee Dr <. Kings3"rd: 0The Per3ect Way in DietA$ :
<n"ther Buesti"n arises in regard t" the eating "3 3lesh4 it is the Buesti"n $hether "r n"t man has a right
t" kill animals 3"r his 3""d. T" the 2r"3essed !hristians $h" claim t" belie/e in the Bible there seems t"
be n" cause 3"r any d"ubt, because the c"mmand is 2lain: 0Thou shalt not /illA. <nd yet this c"mmand is
disregarded daily by milli"ns "3 2r"3essed 0!hristiansA, $h" base their illus"ry right t" kill animals u2"n a
misunderst""d /erse "3 their Bible. >t is said that :"d 2ermitted man t"0 ha/e d"mini"n "/er the 3ish "3
the sea, and "/er the 3"$ls "3 the air, and "/er the cattle, and "/er e/ery li/ing thing that m"/eth u2"n
the earthA, 9:enesis i. -%. : i3 he kills his in3eri"rs, his d"mini"n "/er them is at an end. Man9s 2rer"gati/e
is t" a22ease su33ering, n"t t" cause it4 n"t t" interru2t the $"rk "3 e/"luti"n, but t" assist it. !hristianity
and murder are inc"m2atible terms.
Page +G%
Meat is stimulating, and stimulating 3""d creates a desire 3"r stimulating drink. The best cure 3"r the
desire 3"r alc"h"lic drink is t" a/"id the eating "3 meat. >t is d"ubt3ul $hether there is any 2assi"n in the
$"rld m"re de/ilish and m"re detrimental t" the true interests "3 humanity and "3 indi/idual ha22iness
than the l"/e "3 <lc"h"l. <s meat'eating end"$s man $ith illus"ry strength, that s""n 3ades a$ay, lea/ing
its 2"ssess"r $eaker than he $as be3"re4 like$ise stimulating drinks lull him int" an illus"ry ha22iness,
$hich s""n disa22ears, and is 3"ll"$ed by lasting and real misery, causing su33ering t" himsel3 and t"
"thers. >t causes a l"ng list "3 diseases "3 the internal "rgans, and leads t" 2remature death4 it is the
cause "3 by 3ar the great 9Page ()1: ma5"rity "3 all crimes c"mmitted in ci/ilised c"untries. T" th"se $h"
l""k u2"n man as a rati"nal being, it seems inc"m2rehensible $hy ci/ilised nati"ns $ill su33er an e/il in
their midst that 3ills their 5ails, h"s2itals, lunatic asylums, and gra/eyards4 and $hy men $ill 0 2ut an
enemy in their m"uthsA that destr"ys their health, their reas"n, and their li3e4 but th"se $h" l""k dee2er
see that in "ur 2resent age the da$n "3 reas"n has "nly begun, and that the s2iritual 3aculties "3 the
ma5"rity "3 men still slee2 in the icy embrace "3 ign"rance. ;e3"rms are necessary, but they cann"t be
inaugurated by merely e1ternal means4 the "nly redeemer is kn"$ledge.9.ee Dr <. Kings3"rd: 0The
<lch"h"lic !"ntr"/ersyA. :
The b"dy 2"litic resembles the indi/idual b"dy. >t is "3 n" use t" destr"y the means t" grati3y a desire as
l"ng as the desire itsel3 is su33ered t" e1ist. The e/ils that a33ect mankind are the "utc"me "3 their desires
3"r such e/ils. Means t" grati3y e/il desires $ill e1ist as l"ng as they are 2atr"nised, and i3 they are
ab"lished "ther means $ill be 3"und. Weeds are n"t destr"yed by cutting their lea/es, i3 the r""ts are
all"$ed t" remain. These r""ts gr"$ in the dark s"il "3, ign"rance, they can "nly be destr"yed by the light
"3 the truth.
T" eat and drink and slee2 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 li/ing, and n"t t" li/e 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 eating, drinking,
and slee2ing, is a ma1im $hich is "3ten heard, but $hich is n"t 3reBuently carried "ut. < great deal "3
nutriment daily taken by men ser/es n" "ther 2ur2"se than t" c"m2ly $ith habit, and t" grati3y an
arti3icially created desire. The m"re a man is gr"ss and material, the greater is the Buantity "3 3""d he
desires, and the m"re 3""d he takes the m"re gr"ss and material $ill he bec"me. ?"ble and re3ined
natures reBuire little nutriment, ethereal beings and 0s2iritualA entities reBuire n" material 3""d.
The means sh"uld al$ays be ada2ted t" the end in /ie$. >3 the end is l"$ and /ulgar, l"$ and /ulgar
means $ill be needed4 i3 it is n"ble and high, eBually high and n"ble means are reBuired. < 2rize'3ighter,
$h"se main "b5ect is t" de/el"2 muscle, $ill reBuire 9Page ().: a di33erent training 3r"m that "3 "ne $h"
desires t" de/el"2 the 3aculty t" 2ercei/e s2iritual truths. !"nditi"ns that may be suitable 3"r the
de/el"2ment "3 "ne 2ers"n may be im2racticable 3"r an"ther. @ne man $ill de/el"2 3aster thr"ugh
2"/erty, an"ther thr"ugh $ealth4 "ne man may need as his initial 2sychic stimulus the gentle and e1alting
in3luences "3 married li3e, $hile an"ther "ne9s as2irati"ns rise higher, i3 inde2endent "3 earthly ties. *ach
man $h" e1ercises his $ill 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 his higher de/el"2ment is, t" the e1tent he e1ercises it, a
2ractical "ccultist. */ery"ne gr"$s necessarily in "ne directi"n "r in an"ther4 n"ne remain stati"nary.
Th"se $h" desire t" "utstri2 "thers in gr"$th must act.
@ne "3 the Tibetan <de2ts says in a letter C
"Man is made u2 "3 ideas, and ideas guide his li3e. The $"rld "3 sub5ecti/ity is the "nly reality t" him e/en
"n this 2hysical 2lane. T" the "ccultist it gr"$s m"re real as it g"es 3urther and 3urther 3r"m illus"ry
Page +G(
earthly "b5ecti/ity, and its ultimate reality is Parabrahm. Hence an as2irant 3"r "ccult kn"$ledge sh"uld
begin t" c"ncentrate all his desires "n the highest ideal, that "3 abs"lute sel3'sacri3ice, 2hilanthr"2y,
di/ine kindness, as "3 all the highest /irtues "btainable "n this *arth, and $"rk u2 t" it incessantly. The
m"re strenu"us his e33"rts t" rise u2 t" that ideal, the "3tener is his $ill'2"$er e1ercised, and the str"nger
it bec"mes. When it is thus strengthened, it sets u2 a tendency, in the gr"ss shell "3 Stula$sharira, t" d"
such acts as are c"m2atible $ith the highest ideal he has t" $"rk u2 t", and his acts intensi3y his $ill'
2"$er d"ubly, "$ing t" the "2erati"n "3 the $ell'kn"$n la$ "3 acti"n and reacti"n. Hence in @ccultism
great stress is laid "n 2ractical results.
"?"$ the Buesti"n is: What are these 2ractical results, and h"$ are they t" be 2r"duced E >t is a $ell'
kn"$n 3act, deri/ed 3r"m "bser/ati"n and e12erience, that 2r"gress is the la$ "3 nature. The acce2tance
"3 this truth suggests the idea, that humanity is in its l"$er state "3 de/el"2ment, and is 2r"gressing
t"$ards the stages "3 2er3ecti"n. >t $ill a22r"ach the 3inal g"al $hen it de/el"2s ne$ sensibilities and a
clear relati"n $ith 9Page (-4: nature. Fr"m this it is "b/i"us that a 3inal state "3 2er3ecti"n $ill be arri/ed at
$hen the energy that animates man c"'"2erates $ith the @ne #i3e "2erating in the Cosmos in achie/ing
this mighty "b5ect4 and kn"$ledge is the m"st 2"$er3ul means t" that end.
"Thus it $ill be clear that the ultimate "b5ect "3 nature is t" make man 2er3ect thr"ugh the uni"n "3 the
human s2irit $ith the One Lie. Ha/ing this 3inal g"al be3"re "ur mind, an intellectual br"therh""d sh"uld
be 3"rmed by uniting all t"gether, and this is the "nly ste22ing'st"ne t"$ards the 3inal g"al. T" 2r"duce
this 2ractical result, uni"n, $e must h"ld u2 the highest ideal, $hich 3"rms the real man, and make "thers
see that truth and act u2 t" it. T" lead "ur neighb"urs and 3ell"$'creatures t" this right 2ath, the best
means sh"uld be 2ursued $ith sel3'sacri3icing habits. When "ur energy as a c"llecti/e $h"le is thus
e12ended, in $"rking u2 t" the highest ideal, it bec"mes 2"tent, and the grandest results are 2r"duced
"n the s2iritual 2lane. <s this is the m"st im2"rtant $"rk in $hich e/ery "ccultist sh"uld be engaged, an
as2irant 3"r higher kn"$ledge sh"uld s2are n" e33"rts t" bring ab"ut this end. With the 2r"gressi/e tide "3
e/"luti"n "3 the b"dy as a $h"le, the mental and the s2iritual 3aculties "3 humanity e12and.T" hel2 this
tide "n, a kn"$ledge "3 2hil"s"2hical truths sh"uld be s2read. This is %hat is expected rom an aspirant
or occult /no%ledge" and %hat he should do80
The $ill is de/el"2ed thr"ugh acti"n and strengthened by 3aith. The m"/ements "3 the b"dy, such as
$alking, are "nly success3ully 2er3"rmed by a 2ers"n because he has a 3ull and un$a/ering 3aith in his
2"$er t" 2er3"rm them. Fear and d"ubt 2aralyse the $ill and 2r"duce im2"tency4 but h"2e and 3aith
2r"duce mar/ell"us results. The la$yer "r 2hysician $h" has n" 3aith in his "$n ability $ill make
blunders, and i3 his clients "r 2atients share his d"ubts, his use3ulness $ill be seri"usly im2aired4
$hereas e/en the ign"rant 3anatic "r Buack may succeed, i3 he has 3aith in himsel3.
#"rd #ytt"n says: 0The /ictims "3 the gh"stly "ne are th"se that $"uld as2ire and can "nly 3earA.9Page (-3:
Fear and D"ubt are the hell'b"rn daughters "3 ign"rance that drag man d"$n t" 2erditi"n4 $hile Faith is
the $hite'r"bed angel that lends him her $ings and end"$s him $ith 2"$er. 0 .amsayatma =inasyatiA
Hthe d"ubter 2erishesI, said Krishna t" <r5una, his 3a/"urite disci2le.
Faith is s"ul'kn"$ledge4 there3"re, e/en $ith"ut intellectual kn"$ledge, it is m"re use3ul than intellectual
kn"$ledge $ith"ut 3aith. .tr"ng 3aith, e/en i3 resting u2"n an err"ne"us c"nce2ti"n, acts 2"$er3ully in
2r"ducing results4 3aith 2r"duces an e1alted state "3 the imaginati"n, $hich strengthens the $ill, banishes
Page +G&
2ain, cures disease, leads t" her"ism, and trans3"rms hell int" hea/en.
The "nly $ay t" de/el"2 $ill'2"$er is t" act acc"rding t" la$. *ach act creates a ne$ im2ulse, $hich,
added t" the already e1isting energy, increases its strength. :""d acts increase the 2"$er 3"r g""d4 e/il
acts, the 2"$er 3"r e/il. < 2ers"n $h" acts "nly 3r"m im2ulse mani3ests n" $ill "3 his "$n. >3 he "beys his
l"$er im2ulses he 2assi/ely de/el"2s int" a criminal "r a maniac4 he $h" acts by the im2ulse "3 di/ine
$isd"m is a g"d. The m"st h"rrible crimes are "3ten c"mmitted $ith"ut any 2r"2"rti"nate 2r"/"cati"n,
because the 2er2etrat"rs had n"t the 2"$er t" resist the im2ulses that 2r"m2ted them t" such acts. .uch
2ers"ns are n"t necessarily $icked4 they are $eak and irres2"nsible beings4 they are the ser/ants "3 the
im2ulses that c"ntr"l them, and they can be made the hel2less instruments and /ictims "3 th"se $h"
kn"$ h"$ t" call 3"rth their em"ti"ns4 they are like the s"ldiers "3 t$" "22"sing armies, $h" are n"t
necessarily 2ers"nal enemies4 but are made t" hate and kill each "ther by a22eals t" their 2assi"ns. The
"3tener such 2ers"ns gi/e $ay t" im2ulses, the m"re is their 2"$er "3 resistance diminished, and their
"$n im2"tency is their ruin. >t is "3 little use t" be merely 2assi/ely g""d, i3 abstinence 3r"m $r"ng'd"ing
may be s" called. < 2ers"n $h" d"es neither g""d n"r e/il acc"m2lishes n"thing. < st"ne, an animal, an
imbecile, may be c"nsidered g""d, because they d" n" acti/e e/il4 a 2ers"n may li/e a hundred years,
and at the end "3 9Page (-(: his li3e he may n"t ha/e been m"re use3ul than a st"ne. 9He $h" is neither
h"t n"r c"ld, but luke$arm, $ill be s2ued "ut by natureA. 8 Bible.:
There is n"thing in nature $hich has n"t a three3"ld as2ect and a three3"ld acti/ity. The -ill$po%er 3"rms
n" e1ce2ti"n t" this rule. >n its l"$est as2ect the Will is that 2"$er $hich induces the /"luntary and
in/"luntary 3uncti"ns "3 the 2hysical "rganism4 its centre "3 acti/ity is the s2inal c"rd. >n its higher as2ect
it is the 2"$er $hich induces 2sychic acti/ity4 it is di33used thr"ugh the bl""d $hich c"mes 3r"m the heart
and returns t" it, and its acti"ns are g"/erned, "r can be g"/erned, by intellect acting in the brain by
means "3 the im2ulses, in3luences, and auras radiating 3r"m there. >n its highest as2ects the -ill is a
li/ing and sel3'c"nsci"us 2"$er ha/ing its centre in -isdom.
The $ill, t" bec"me 2"$er3ul, must be 3ree "3 desire. >3 $e desire an "b5ect, $e d" n"t attract that "b5ect,
but the "b5ect attracts us. *li2has #e/i says: 0The Will acc"m2lishes e/erything $hich it d"es n"t desireA4
and the truth "3 this 2arad"1 is seen in e/ery'day li3e. Th"se $h" cra/e 3"r 3ame "r riches are ne/er
c"ntented4 the rich miser is 2""rer than the beggar in the street4 ha22iness is a shad"$ that 3lies be3"re
him $h" seeks it in material 2leasures. The surest $ay t" bec"me rich is by being c"ntented $ith $hat
$e ha/e4 the sa3est $ay t" "btain 2"$er is t" sacri3ice "ursel/es 3"r "thers4 and i3 $e desire l"/e, $e
must distribute the l"/e $e 2"ssess t" "thers, and then the l"/e "3 "thers $ill descend u2"n us like the
rain descends u2"n the earth.
The de/el"2ment "3 the $ill is a 2r"cess "3 gr"$th, and the "nly true $ay t" de/el"2 the Will is by being
"bedient t" the uni/ersal #a$. >3 $e $ish t" use nature, $e must act acc"rding t" natural la$4 i3 $e $ish
t" use s2iritual 2"$ers, $e must act in "bedience t" the s2iritual la$. Then $ill $e bec"me masters "3
?ature and :"d, and "ur Will, $ill bec"me a ser/iceable instrument 3"r the 3ul3illment "3 la$4 but as l"ng
as the Will is g"/erned by 2ers"nal desire, it is n"t %e 9Page (-): $h" c"ntr"l "ur $ill, but it is "ur desire.
<s l"ng as $e d" the $ill "3 the l"$er animal $e cann"t be g"ds4 "nly $hen $e 2er3"rm the $ill "3 the
Di/inity, $e $ill bec"me 3ree "3 the b"ndage "3 the animal elements, and "ur true .el3 $ill be the Master.
Man in his y"uth l"ngs 3"r the material 2leasures "3 earth, 3"r the grati3icati"n "3 his 2hysical b"dy. <s he
Page +G,
ad/ances, he thr"$s a$ay the 2laythings "3 his childh""d and reaches "ut 3"r s"mething higher. He
enters int" intellectual 2ursuits, and a3ter years "3 lab"r he may 3ind that he has been $asting his time by
running a3ter a shad"$. Perha2s l"/e ste2s in and he thinks himsel3 the m"st 3"rtunate "3 m"rtals, "nly t"
3ind "ut, s""ner "r later, that ideals can "nly be 3"und in the ideal $"rld. He bec"mes c"n/inced "3 the
em2tiness "3 the shad"$s he has been 2ursuing, and, like the $inged butter3ly emerging 3r"m the
chrysalis, he stretches "ut his 3eelers int" the realm "3 in3inite s2irit, and is ast"nished t" 3ind a radiant
sun $here he "nly e12ected t" 3ind darkness and death. ."me arri/e at this light s""ner4 "thers arri/e
later, and many are lured a$ay by s"me illusi/e light and 2erish, and like insects that mistake the 3lame
"3 a candle 3"r the light "3 the sun, sc"rch their $ings in its 3ire.
#i3e is a c"ntinual battle bet$een err"r and truth4 bet$een man9s s2iritual as2irati"ns and the demands "3
his animal instincts. There are t$" gigantic "bstacles in the $ay "3 2r"gress: his misc"nce2ti"n "3 the
nature "3 :"d and "3 Man. <s l"ng as man belie/es in an e1tra'c"smic 2ers"nal :"d distributing 3a/"urs
t" s"me and 2unishing "thers at 2leasure, a :"d that can be reas"ned $ith, 2ersuaded, and 2aci3ied by
ign"rant man, he $ill kee2 himsel3 $ithin the narr"$ c"n3ines "3 his ign"rance, and his mind cann"t
e12and. T" think "3 s"me 2lace "3 2ers"nal en5"yment "r hea/en, d"es n"t assist man9s 2r"gressi"n. >3
such a 2ers"n desists 3r"m d"ing a $icked act, "r denies himsel3 a material 2leasure, he d"es n"t d" s"
3r"m any innate l"/e "3 g""d4 but either because he e12ects a re$ard 3r"m :"d 3"r his 0sacri3iceA, "r
because his 3ear "3 :"d makes him a c"$ard. We must d" g""d, n"t "n acc"unt "3 any 9Page (--:
2ers"nal c"nsiderati"n, but because t" d" g""d is "ur duty. T" be g""d is t" be $ise4 the 3""l e12ects
re$ards4 the $ise e12ects n"thing. The $ise kn"$s that by bene3iting the $"rld he bene3its himsel3, and
that by in5uring "thers he bec"mes his "$n e1ecuti"ner.
What are the 2"$ers "3 Man, by $hich he may bene3it the $"rld E Man has n" 2"$ers bel"nging t"
himsel3. */en the substance "3 $hich his "rganisati"n is made u2, d"es n"t bel"ng but is "nly lent t" him
by ?ature, and he must return it. He cann"t make any use "3 it, e1ce2t thr"ugh that uni/ersal 2"$er,
$hich is acti/e $ithin his "rganisati"n, $hich is called the -ill, and $hich itsel3 is a 3uncti"n "3 an
uni/ersal 2rinci2le, the Spirit.
Man as a 2ers"nal and limited being is merely a mani3estati"n "3 this uni/ersal 2rinci2le in an indi/idual
3"rm, and all the s2iritual 2"$ers he seems t" 2"ssess bel"ng t" the .2irit. #ike all "ther 3"rms in nature
he recei/es li3e, light, and energy 3r"m the uni/ersal 3"untain "3 #i3e, and en5"ys their 2"ssessi"n 3"r a
sh"rt s2an "3 time4 he has n" 2"$ers $hate/er $hich he may 2r"2erly call his "$n.
Thus the sunshine and rain, the air and earth, d"es n"t bel"ng t" a 2lant. They are uni/ersal elements
bel"nging t" nature. They c"me and hel2 t" build u2 the 2lant, they assist in the gr"$th "3 the r"sebush
as $ell as the thistle4 their business is t" de/el"2 the seed, and $hen their $"rk is d"ne, the "rganism in
$hich they $ere acti/e returns again t" its m"ther, the *arth. There is then n"thing $hich 2r"2erly
bel"ngs t" the 2lant4 but the seed c"ntinues t" e1ist $ith"ut the 2arental "rganism a3ter ha/ing attained
maturity, and in it is c"ntained the character "3 the s2ecies t" $hich it bel"ngs.
#i3e, sensati"n, and c"nsci"usness are n"t the 2r"2erty "3 2ers"nal man4 neither d"es he 2r"duce them.
They are 3uncti"ns "3 the .2irit and bel"ng "riginally t" :"d. The One Lie 3urnishes the 2rinci2les $hich
g" t" build u2 the "rganism called #an, the 3"rms "3 the g""d as $ell as th"se "3 the $icked. They hel2
t" de/el"2 the germ "3 >ntelligence in man, and $hen their $"rk is 9Page (-2: d"ne they return again t" the
Page +)K
uni/ersal 3"untain. The germ "3 Di/inity is all there is "3 the real man, and all that is able t" c"ntinue t"
e1ist as an indi/idual, and it is n"t a man, but a .2irit, "ne and identical in its essence $ith the 7ni/ersal
:"d, and "ne "3 his children. H"$ many 2ers"ns e1ist in $h"m this di/ine germ reaches maturity during
their earthly li3e E H"$ many die be3"re it begins t" s2r"ut E H"$ many d" n"t e/en kn"$ that such a
germ e1istsE
T" this 7ni/ersal Princi2le bel"ng the 3uncti"ns $hich $e call Will and #i3e and #ight4 its 3"undati"n is
#"/e. T" it bel"ng all the 3undamental 2"$ers $hich 2r"duced the uni/erse and man, and "nly $hen man
has bec"me "ne and identical $ith :"d "r t" s2eak m"re c"rrectly, $hen he has c"me t" realise his
"neness $ith :"d, can he claim t" ha/e 2"$ers "3 his "$n.
But the Will "3 this 7ni/ersal P"$er is identical $ith uni/ersal #a$, and man $h" acts against the #a$
acts against the Will "3 :"d, and as :"d is man9s "nly real eternal .el3, he $h" acts against that #a$
destr"ys himsel3.
The 3irst and m"st im2"rtant "b5ect "3 man9s e1istence is, there3"re, that he sh"uld learn the la$ "3 :"d
and "3 ?ature, s" that he may "bey it and thereby bec"me "ne $ith the la$ and li/e in :"d. < man $h"
kn"$s the #a$ kn"$s himsel3, and a man $h" kn"$s his di/ine .el3 kn"$s :"d.
The "nly 2"$er $hich man may right3ully claim his "$n is his Sel$/no%ledge4 it bel"ngs t" him because
he has reBuired it by the em2l"yment "3 the 2"$ers lent t" him by :"d. ?"t the 0kn"$ledgeA "3 the
illusi"ns "3 li3e, 3"r such kn"$ledge is illusi/e, and $ill end $ith th"se illusi"ns4 n"t mere intellectual
learning, 3"r that treasure $ill be e1hausted in time4 but the s2iritual sel3'kn"$ledge "3 the heart, $hich
means the 2"$er t" gras2 the truth $hich e1ists in "ursel/es.
What has been said ab"ut the Will is eBually a22licable t" the >maginati"n. >3 man lets his "$n th"ughts
rest, and rises u2 t" the s2here "3 the highest ideal, his mind bec"mes a mirr"r $herein the th"ughts "3
:"d $ill be re3lected, and in $hich he may see the 2ast, the 9Page (-/: 2resent, and 3uture4 but i3 he
begins t" s2eculate $ithin the realm "3 illusi"ns, he $ill see the truth dist"rted and beh"ld his "$n
hallucinati"ns.
The kn"$ledge "3 :"d and the kn"$ledge "3 man are ultimately identical, and he $h" kn"$s himsel3
kn"$s :"d. >3 $e understand the nature "3 the di/ine attributes $ithin us, $e $ill kn"$ the #a$. >t $ill
then n"t be di33icult t" unite "ur Will $ith the su2reme Will "r the c"sm"s4 and $e shall be n" l"nger
sub5ect t" the in3luences "3 the astral 2lane, but be their masters. Then $ill the Titans be c"nBuered by
the g"ds4 the ser2ent in us $ill ha/e its head crushed by Di/ine Wisd"m4 the de/ils $ithin "ur "$n hells
$ill be c"nBuered, and instead "3 being ruled by illusi"ns, $e shall be ruled by Wisd"m.
>t is s"metimes said that it d"es n"t make any di33erence $hat a man belie/es s" l"ng as he acts rightly4
but a 2ers"n cann"t be certain t" act rightly, unless he kn"$s $hat is right. The belie3 "3 the ma5"rity is
n"t al$ays the c"rrect belie3, and the /"ice "3 reas"n is "3ten dr"$ned in the clam"ur "3 a su2erstiti"n
based u2"n err"ne"us the"l"gical d"ctrine. <n err"ne"us belie3 is detrimental t" 2r"gress in 2r"2"rti"n
as it is uni/ersal4 such belie3 rests "n illusi"n, kn"$ledge is based "n truth. The greatest "3 all religi"us
Page +)+
teachers there3"re rec"mmended ,ight Belie as being the 3irst ste2 "n the 3oble Eightold Path0
The eight stages "n the noble eightold Path t" 3ind the truth are, acc"rding t" the d"ctrine "3 :autama
Buddha, the 3"ll"$ing '
+. ;ight Belie3.
-. ;ight Th"ught.
G. ;ight .2eech.
). ;ight D"ctrine.
6. ;ight Means "3 #i/elih""d.
%. ;ight *ndea/"ur.
(. ;ight Mem"ry.
&. ;ight Meditati"n.
The man $h" kee2s these augas in mind and 3"ll"$s them $ill be 3ree 3r"m s"rr"$, and may
bec"me sa3e 3r"m 3uture rebirths $ith their c"nseBuent miseries.
Perha2s it $ill be use3ul t" kee2 in mind the 3"ll"$ing rules C 9Page (-0:
I$ D" n"t belie/e that there is anything higher in the uni/erse than y"ur "$n di/ine sel3, and kn"$ that
y"u are e1actly $hat y"u 2ermit y"ursel3 t" bec"me. The true religi"n is the rec"gniti"n "3 di/ine truth4
id"ls are 2laythings 3"r children.
($ #earn that man is essentially a c"m2"nent and integral 2art "3 uni/ersal humanity, and that $hat is
d"ne by "ne indi/idual acts and reacts "n all.
)$ ;ealise that man9s nature is an emb"diment "3 ideas, and his 2hysical b"dy an instrument $hich
enables him t" c"me int" c"ntact $ith matter4 and that this instrument sh"uld n"t be used 3"r un$"rthy
2ur2"ses. >t sh"uld neither be $"rshi22ed n"r neglected.
-$ #et n"thing that a33ects y"ur 2hysical b"dy, its c"m3"rt, "r the circumstances in $hich y"u are 2laced,
disturb the eBuilibrium "3 y"ur mind. !ra/e 3"r n"thing "n the material 2lane, li/e ab"ut it $ith"ut l"sing
c"ntr"l "/er it. Matter 3"rms the ste2s u2"n $hich $e may ascend t" the kingd"m "3 hea/en.
2$ ?e/er e12ect anything 3r"m anyb"dy, but be al$ays ready t" assist "thers t" the e1tent "3 y"ur ability,
and acc"rding t" the reBuirements "3 5ustice. ?e/er 3ear anything but t" "33end the m"ral la$ and y"u $ill
n"t su33er. ?e/er h"2e 3"r any re$ard and y"u $ill n"t be disa22"inted. ?e/er ask 3"r l"/e, sym2athy, "r
gratitude 3r"m anyb"dy, but be al$ays ready t" best"$ them "n "thers. .uch things c"me "nly $hen
they are n"t desired.
Page +)-
/$ #earn t" distinguish and t" discriminate bet$een the true and the 3alse, and act u2 t" y"ur highest
ideal. :rie/e n"t i3 y"u 3all, but rise and 2r"ceed "n y"ur $ay.
0$ #earn t" a22reciate e/erything Hy"ursel3 includedI at its true /alue in all the /ari"us 2lanes. < 2ers"n
$h" attem2ts t" l""k d"$n u2"n "ne $h" is his su2eri"r is a 3""l, and a 2ers"n $h" l""ks u2 t" "ne $h"
is in3eri"r is mentally blind. >t is n"t su33icient t" belie/e in the /alue "3 a thing, its /alue must be realised,
"ther$ise it resembles a treasure hidden in the /aults "3 a miser. 9Page (-1:
#"uis !laude de .aint Martin Hthe 7nkn"$n Phil"s"2herI says:
"This is $hat sh"uld 2ass in a man $h" is rest"red t" his di/ine 2r"2"rti"ns thr"ugh the 2r"cess "3
regenerati"n C
"?"t a desire, but in "bedience t" the la$.
"?"t an idea, $hich is n"t a sacred c"mmunicati"n $ith :"d.
"?"t a $"rd, $hich is n"t a s"/ereign decree.
"?"t an act, $hich is n"t a de/el"2ment and e1tensi"n "3 the /i/i3ying rule "3 the -ord0
">nstead "3 this, "ur desires are 3alse, because they c"me 3r"m "ursel/es.
"@ur th"ughts are /ague and c"rru2t, because they 3"rm adulter"us alliances.
"@ur $"rds are $ith"ut e33icacy, because $e all"$ them t" be blunted e/ery day by the heter"gene"us
substances t" $hich $e c"ntinually a22ly them.
"@ur acts are insigni3icant and barren, because they can but be the results "3 "ur $"rdsA.
The best "3 all instructi"ns 3"r bec"ming s2iritual and ultimately di/ine are t" be 3"und in the Bhaga/ad
:ita. They als" teach that man needs n"t t" e1ert his sel3'$ill 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 sa/ing himsel34 3"r
Krishna says: 0De/"te thy heart t" Me, $"rshi2 Me, sacri3ice y"ursel3 t" Me, b"$ d"$n be3"re Me, s"
shalt th"u surely c"me t" meA49 Bhaga/ad :ita, 1/iii. %6: and the 2rayer "3 the !hristians says: 0#et thy
$ill be d"ne "n earth Hin "ur m"rtal natureI as it is d"ne in hea/en Hin "ur s2iritual natureIA.
.uch and similar instructi"ns are n"thing ne$4 they ha/e been 2r"n"unced in /ari"us 3"rms by the
2hil"s"2hers "3 all ages, and ha/e been c"llected in b""ks, and men ha/e read them $ith"ut getting any
Page +)G
better 3"r it, because they c"uld n"t realise the necessity 3"r 3"ll"$ing such ad/ice. These d"ctrines ha/e
been taught by the ancient ;ishis and Munis, by Buddha and !hrist, !"n3ucius, J"r"aster and
Mah"med, Plat", #uther and .hakes2eare, and e/ery re3"rmer. They ha/e been 2reached in serm"ns,
and $ritten in 2"ems and 2r"se, in $"rks "3 2hil"s"2hy, literature, 3icti"n, and art. 9Page (-.: They ha/e
been heard by all, underst""d by s"me, and 2ractised by a 3e$. T" learn them is easy, t" realise them is
di33icult, t" ad"2t them in 2ractical li3e is di/ine. The highest s2iritual truths cann"t be intellectually
gras2ed, the reas"ning 2"$ers "3 hal3'animal man cann"t c"ncei/e "3 their im2"rtance4 terrestrial man
can "nly l""k u2 t" th"se ideals $hich are 2erce2tible t" his s2iritual /isi"n in m"ments "3 as2irati"n, and
"nly gradually can he gr"$ u2 int" that 2lane $hen, bec"ming less animal and m"re s2iritual, he $ill be
able t" realise the 3act that this gr"$th is n"t necessary t" 2lease a g"d $h"se 3a/"ur must be "btained,
"r t" insure a ha22y animal li3e4 but that he himsel3 bec"mes a g"d by that gr"$th, and learns t"
e12erience his "$n imm"rtal e1istence. The highest energies are latent in the l"$er "nes4 they are the
attributes "3 the s2iritual s"ul, $hich in the ma5"rity "3 men is still in a state "3 in3ancy, but $hich in 3uture
generati"ns $ill be m"re uni/ersally de/el"2ed, $hen humanity as a $h"le, ha/ing 2r"gressed higher,
$ill l""k back u2"n "ur 2resent era as the age "3 ign"rance and misery, $hile they themsel/es $ill en5"y
the 3ruits "3 the higher e/"luti"n "3 Man. 9Page (24:
Page +))
CH,PT'* 7I
LI8HT
Let there e LightE$ F Bile
F@;M, 2ers"nality, and sensuality are the death "3 s2irit: the diss"luti"n "3 3"rm, l"ss "3 2ers"nality and
unc"nsci"usness "3 sensu"us 2erce2ti"ns, render s2irit 3ree and rest"re it t" li3e. The elementary 3"rces
"3 nature, b"und t" 3"rms, bec"me the 2ris"ners "3 the 3"rms. Being ent"mbed in matter they l"se their
liberty "3 acti"n and m"/e "nly in "bedience t" e1ternal im2ulses4 the m"re they cling t" 3"rm, the m"re
dense, c"m2act, hea/y, and dull $ill they bec"me, and the less $ill they be sel3'acting and 3ree. .unlight
and heat are c"m2arati/ely 3ree4 their elements tra/el 3r"m 2lanet t" 2lanet, until they are abs"rbed by
earthly 3"rms. !rystallised int" matter they slee2 in trees and 3"rests and 3ields "3 c"al, until they are
liberated by the sl"$ dec"m2"siti"n "3 3"rm, "r 3"rcibly rest"red t" 3reed"m by the g"d "3 3ire. The $a/es
"3 "cean and lake 2lay 5"y3ully $ith the sh"re. Full "3 mirth they thr"$ their s2ray u2"n the lazy r"cks.
The laughing $aters "3 the $andering br""k glide restlessly thr"ugh 3"rest and 3ield, dancing and $hirling
and 2laying $ith the 3l"$ers that gr"$ by the side "3 their r"ad. They rush $ith"ut 3ear "/er 2reci2ices,
3alling in cascades "/er the m"untain sides, uniting, di/iding, and uniting again, mingling $ith ri/ers and
resting at last 3"r a $hile in the sea. But $hen $inter arri/es and King Fr"st 2uts his icy hand u2"n their
3aces, they crystallise int" indi/idual 3"rms, they are then r"bbed "3 their 3reed"m, and like 9Page (23: the
damsels and knights "3 the enchanted castle, they are d""med t" slee2 until the $arm breath "3 y"uth3ul
.2ring breaks the s2ell "3 the s"rcerer, and kisses them back int" li3e.
The 3undamental la$s "3 nature are the same in all her de2artments, and man 3"rms n" e1ce2ti"n t" the
general rule. He is a centre ar"und $hich s"me "3 the intelligent as $ell as s"me "3 the unintelligent
3"rces ha/e crystallised int" a 3"rm. B"und by the la$s "3 the Karma $hich that centre created, they are
d""med t" d$ell in a 3"rm, and t" 2artake "3 the accidents t" $hich 3"rms are e12"sed4 im2ris"ned in a
2ers"nality, they 2artake "3 the su33erings $hich the tendencies "3 that 2ers"nality ha/e called int"
e1istence. They may be e12"sed t" desires $h"se thirst increases in 2r"2"rti"n as they are 3urnished
$ith drink, t" 2assi"ns $h"se 3ire burns h"tter in 2r"2"rti"n as their demand 3"r 3uel is granted, they are
tem2ted t" run a3ter shad"$s that e/er 3ly, t" gras2 at h"2es that e/er beck"n and /anish as s""n as
they are a22r"ached, t" s"rr"$s that enter the h"use alth"ugh the d""rs may be cl"sed against them, t"
3ears $h"se 3"rms ha/e n" substance, t" illusi"ns that disa22ear "nly $ith the li3e "3 the 3"rm. #ike
Pr"metheus b"und t" a r"ck, the im2ers"nal s2irit is chained t" a 2ers"nality, until the c"nsci"usness "3
his herculean 2"$er a$akes in him, and bursting his chains he bec"mes again 3ree.
?"t all the elements that g" t" make u2 a c"m2lete man are encl"sed in his material 3"rm. The 3ar
greater 2art "3 them is bey"nd the limits "3 his 2hysical b"dy4 the latter is merely a centre in $hich th"se
in/isible elements meet. The b"dy "3 man d"es n"t encl"se the s2here "3 his s2irit4 his s"ul is 3ar greater
Page +)6
than the circum3erence "3 his 3"rm.9 F"r this reas"n 2ers"ns mani3esting great genius ha/e been called
Wgreat s"ulsA "r W#ahatmasA, 3r"m WmahaA great and WatmaA the s"ul. : The elements that e1ist bey"nd the
limits "3 his /isible "rganism stand in intimate relati"n $ith th"se that are $ithin, alth"ugh the elements
$ithin the 3"rm may n"t seem t" be c"nsci"us "3 the e1istence "3 th"se bey"nd. .till they act and react
u2"n each "ther. 9Page (2(:
The mind "3 man is 3ar m"re im2"rtant than his 2hysical 3"rm. Th"ught can create a 3"rm, but n" 3"rm
can 2r"duce a th"ught4 and yet the substance "3 th"ught is in/isible as l"ng as it has n"t cl"thed itsel3 in
a 3"rm. <ir e1ists $ithin and bey"nd the 2hysical b"dy4 it is in/isible and yet it is an im2"rtant element "3
the b"dy, a man $h" c"uld n"t breathe $"uld be /ery inc"m2lete. The "cean "3 mind in $hich man e1ists
is as necessary t" his s"ul'li3e as the air is t" his b"dy, he cann"t breathe i3 de2ri/ed "3 air4 he cann"t
think i3 de2ri/ed "3 mind. The "uter acts u2"n the inner, the inner u2"n the "uter, the ab"/e u2"n the
bel"$, the great u2"n the little, and the little u2"n the great. < man $h" c"uld li/e inde2endent "3 his
surr"undings $"uld be sel3'e1istent, he $"uld be a g"d.
The s2irit is n"t c"n3ined by the 3"rm, it "nly "/er'shad"$s the 3"rm4 the 3"rm d"es n"t c"ntain the s2irit,
it is "nly its "ut$ard e12ressi"n4 it is the instrument u2"n $hich the s2irit 2lays, and $hich reacts u2"n its
t"uch, $hile the s2irit res2"nds t" its /ibrati"ns. <n ancient 2r"/erb says: W*/erything that e1ists u2"n the
*arth has its ethereal c"unter2art ab"/e the *arth, and there is n"thing, h"$e/er insigni3icant it may
a22ear in the $"rld, $hich is n"t de2ending "n s"mething higher4 s" that, i3 the l"$er 2art acts, its
2receding higher 2art reacts u2"n itA. 9 ."har Wa5ecae :
The greatest 2hil"s"2hers in ancient times taught that the DEFG that al"ne rec"gnised n"umena, al$ays
remained "utside the 2hysical b"dy "3 man4 that it "/ershad"$ed his head, and that "nly the ign"rant
belie/ed it e1isted $ithin themsel/es. M"dern 2hil"s"2hers ha/e arri/ed at similar c"nclusi"ns. Fichte
$rites: WThe real s2irit $hich c"mes t" itsel3 in human c"nsci"usness is t" be regarded as an im2ers"nal
2neuma 8 uni/ersal reas"n 8 and the g""d "3 man9s $h"le de/el"2ment there3"re can be n" "ther than
t" substitute the uni/ersal 3"r the indi/idual c"nsci"usnessA.
The Bhagavad *ita says: WThe .u2reme Brahma is $ithin and $ith"ut all beings4 m"ti"nless and yet
RPage (2): m"/ing. ?"t distributed in beings, yet c"nstantly distributed in them. He is the light "3 all
lumin"us things and in e/erything its 2er3ecti"nA, 9 Bhaga/ad :ita, 1iii: and the same truth, s2eaking
thr"ugh the m"uth "3 Fesus "3 ?azareth, says: W > am the #ight "3 the $"rld. He that 3"ll"$eth me shall n"t
$alk in darkness but shall ha/e the light "3 li3eA. 9.t F"hn, /iii. +- :
The greatest "3 all teachers, :autama Buddha, says: WThe 2ermanent ne/er mingles $ith the
im2ermanent, alth"ugh the t$" are "ne. @nly $hen all "ut$ard a22earances are g"ne, is that "ne
2rinci2le "3 li3e le3t, $hich e1ists inde2endently "3 all e1ternal 2hen"mena. >t is the 3ire that burns $ithin
the e1ternal light $hen the 3uel is e12ended and the 3lame is e1tinguished, 3"r that 3ire is neither in the
3lame n"r in the 3uel, n"r yet inside either "3 the t$", but ab"/e, beneath, and e/ery$hereA.
This 2rinci2le, in $hich rests the sel3'rec"gniti"n "3 eternal truth is the real Ego "3 e/ery human being,
and he $h" succeeds in attaining sel3'kn"$ledge "3 it has 3"und the !hrist. >t is the true and li/ing !hrist
"3 the real !hristians, n"t the dead WFesusA but the li/ing .a/i"ur, the Di/inity, $h", being b"rn in "ur
Page +)%
Humanity, remains $ith his 3"ll"$ers unt" the end "3 the $"rld. */ery"ne $h" unites his "$n s"ul $ith
that !hrist 8 n" matter $hat his creed "r c"n3essi"n may be 8 $ill bec"me as true and /eritable a !hrist
as e/er li/ed u2"n the *arth. >t is the XYZY[ "3 the ancients, the <dam Kad"m "3 the Hebre$s, the @siris
"3 the *gy2tians, the >s$ar "3 the Hindus, the $ay, the light, and the truth, the di/ine .el3 "3 e/ery man
and the ;edeemer 3"r all.9 Th"ugh !hrist a th"usand times in Bethlehem is b"rn4 >3 he9s n"t b"rn in thee,
thy s"ul is all 3"rl"rnA. C <ngelus .ilesius Hb"rn +%-)I:
Hermes Trismegistus says "3 that being called WManA: W>ts 3ather is the .un HDi/ine Wisd"mI, his m"ther
the stars Hthe <stral lightI and his b"dy the generati"ns "3 menA
The $h"le "3 a man is n"t encl"sed $ithin the small 9Page (2-: circle that circumscribes his terrestrial li3e.
He $h" has 3"und the W )ather A $ithin himsel3 kn"$s the true insigni3icance "3 his "$n 2ers"nal sel3. The
li3e "3 the 2ers"nality is made u2 "3 a c"m2arati/ely small number "3 years 2assed am"ng the illusi"ns "3
the terrestrial 2lane4 the e12erience "3 the inner man is made u2 "3 the essence "3 a great many "3 such
li/es4 he has retained "3 them "nly that $hich is use3ul and grand, $hile the $"rthless materials ha/e
been re5ected, but the li3e "3 the Di/ine man is eternal, uni/ersal, sel3' e1istent, and in3inite. He $h" has
"nce realised the 2resence "3 his :"d laughs at the idea "3 ha/ing e/er imagined himsel3 t" be
s"mething m"re than a bundle "3 semi'c"nsci"us elements 3r"m $hich the inner .el3 dra$s nutriment, i3
it 3inds anything therein c"m2atible $ith its "$n nature. What is all the 2"$er and gl"ry "3 earthly kings
c"m2ared $ith the di/ine Man, the King in the realm "3 the s"ulE $hat is all the science "3 this earth but
n"nsense, i3 c"m2ared $ith the sel3'kn"$ledge "3 the regenerated E Well may he $h" has $elc"med the
Lord in his s"ul be $illing t" ren"unce m"ney, 2"$er and 3ame, terrestrial l"/es and all the illusi"ns "3
li3e, i3 it can be called Wrenunciati"nA t" re3use t" t"uch things u2"n $hich "ne l""ks $ith indi33erence.
H"$ can he, $h" has ne/er seen the image "3 the true .a/i"ur, in his heart l"/e him, and h"$ can he
$h" has "nce beheld his "$n real ideal .el3 cease t" l"/e and ad"re it $ith his $h"le mind and $ith all
the 3aculties "3 the s"ulE But such things $ill n"t be underst""d by th"se $h" cann"t yet rise ab"/e
limitati"n4 let th"se $h" kn"$ them re5"ice and $"rshi2 in silence.
He $h" has succeeded in merging the higher elements "3 his s"ul $ith that di/ine .el3 $ill kn"$ its
2"$er in his "$n heart. This 2rinci2le ba2tises his s"ul $ith 3ire, and he $h" recei/es this ba2tism "3 3ire
is "rdained a 2riest and a King. He $h" is 3ull "3 its in3luence is the true Wvicegerent "3 :"dA, because the
su2reme 2"$er "3 the uni/erse acts thr"ugh his instrumentality. The rec"gniti"n "3 this 2rinci2le 3ills his
heart $ith a 2eace W$hich 2asseth understandingA. it attracts the 9Page (22: a33ecti"ns "3 men t" him, and
sheds blessings u2"n e/ery"ne $h" a22r"aches his 2resence. >t 3"rgi/es the sins "3 men, by
trans3"rming them int" "ther beings $h" ha/e n"t sinned and need there3"re n"t t" be 2ard"ned4 it d"es
n"t reBuire t" hear c"n3essi"n t" gi/e ad/ice, because it understands the innerm"st th"ughts "3 e/ery
being, and its adm"nishing /"ice is heard in the heart that has learned t" understand the language "3
c"nscience. The de/el"2ment "3 the 2"$er t" 2ercei/e its 2"$er c"n3irms men9s 3aith, by enabling them
t" rec"gnise that t" be true $hich they heret"3"re "nly belie/ed t" be true, and being taught by the truth
itsel3, they can make n" mistake. >t c"mmunicates $ith man by being abs"rbed by man, and by
abs"rbing the s"ul "3 man int" itsel34 it brings the dying t" li3e, because, being imm"rtal, he $h" is
c"nsci"usly united $ith it en5"ys its "$n imm"rtality4 the marriages it celebrates can ne/er be diss"l/ed,
because in its 2"$er all humanity is b"und t"gether t" "ne indiss"luble $h"le4 t" se2arate 3r"m it $"uld
be death t" the 2art that se2arates itsel3 3r"m the $h"le. The $"rld in $hich this 2rinci2le e1ists is the
s2here "3 eternal li3e4 it is the "nly true and in3allible WchurchA and its 2"$er cann"t be taken a$ay. This
church is truly uni/ersal, n"thing can li/e $ith"ut its 5urisdicti"n, because n"thing can c"ntinue t" e1ist
Page +)(
$ith"ut the auth"rity "3 li3e. .till it has n" 2articular name, reBuires n" "ther 3ee 3"r initiati"n but sel3'
sacri3ice, n" cerem"nies "r rites e1ce2t the Wcruci3i1i"nA and death "3 the irrati"nal man. WHeathensA and
W>n3idelsA may enter it $ith"ut changing their 3aith4 "2ini"ns cease t" e1ist $here the truth is re/ealed.
But this true !hrist is n"t the !hrist "3 2"2ular !hristianism. He has l"ng ag" been dri/en a$ay 3r"m the
m"dern !hristian tem2les, and an id"l has "ccu2ied his 2lace. The m"ney'changers and tradesmen
ha/e again taken 2"ssessi"n "3 the tem2le "3 the s"ul, sacri3icing the li3e'bl""d "3 the 2""r at the altars "3
$""den g"ds, cl"sing their eyes t" the truth and $"rshi22ing tinsel, sBuandering the $ealth "3 nati"ns 3"r
the gl"ri3icati"n "3 the illusi"n "3 sel3. The true W."n "3 ManA 9Page (2/: is still sc"33ed at by his n"minal
3"ll"$ers, traduced by his 2retended 3riends, t"rmented by the lusts "3 the 3lesh, cruci3ied by men $h" d"
n"t rec"gnise in him the "nly s"urce "3 their li3e, killed by men in their "$n hearts, ign"rantly and
3""lishly, because they d" n"t kn"$ $hat they are d"ing, and that their "$n li3e'substance de2arts at the
time $hen he de2arts 3r"m their li3e.
M"dern hy2"crisy ad"res the religi"n "3 sel3ishness and re5ects the g"s2el "3 l"/e. Humanity debases
her "$n dignity by cr"uching at the 3eet "3 id"ls, $here she sh"uld stand u2 in her "$n dignity and 2urity
as the Bueen "3 the $h"le creati"n. The s"ul "3 humanity is still dreaming and has n"t yet a$akened t"
li3e. .he seeks 3"r a g"d $h"m she d"es n"t kn"$, and cann"t realise the 3act that in hersel3 is that g"d,
and that there can be n" "ther g"d besides him. Men and $"men clam"ur 3"r the c"ming "3 a g"d, and
yet this g"d is there and e/ery$here, and e/er ready t" mani3est his 2resence as s""n as he is admitted
int" the heart.
This unkn"$n g"d is attainable t" all and may be rec"gnised by e/ery"ne. >t is a 2rinci2le e/er ready t"
be b"rn as a 2"$er in e/ery heart $here the c"nditi"ns 3"r its birth are 2re2ared. >t al$ays begins t"
c"me t" li3e in a WmangerA bet$een the elemental and animal 3"rces in man. >t can "nly be b"rn in a l"$ly
2lace, because 2ride and su2erstiti"n are its enemies, and in a heart 3illed $ith /anity it $"uld s""n
2erish. The ne$s "3 its birth sends a thrill "3 2leasure thr"ugh the 2hysical b"dy, and the m"rning stars in
the s"ul sing t"gether 3"r 5"y, heralding the da$n "3 the day 3"r the resurrecti"n "3 the celestial s2irit. The
three magicians 3r"m the *ast, Spirit, Soul" and #atter, re2resenting Love" -isdom" and Po%er, a22ear
at the manger and "33er their gi3ts t" the ne$'b"rn babe. >3 the king "3 2ride and ambiti"n d"es n"t
succeed in dri/ing it "ut "3 the c"untry, it begins t" gr"$, and as it gr"$s its di/inity bec"mes mani3est. >t
argues $ith the intellectual 2"$ers in the tem2le "3 the mind and silences their s"2histry by its su2eri"r
kn"$ledge. >t 2enetrates int" mysteries, $hich intellectuality, b"rn "3 sensual 9Page (20: 2erce2ti"ns,
cann"t. e12lain. :rey'headed material science, su2erstiti"n h"ary $ith age, "ld l"gic based u2"n
misc"nce2ti"ns "3 3undamental truths, gi/e $ay, and are 3"rced t" ackn"$ledge the $isd"m "3 the hal3'
gr"$n g"d.
#i/ing in the $ilderness "3 material desires, it is /ainly tem2ted by the de/il "3 sel3ishness. >t cann"t be
misled by 2ers"nal c"nsiderati"ns, because being su2eri"r t" them, it has n" 2ers"nal claims. The Wde/ilA
can gi/e t" it n"thing that it d"es n"t already 2"ssess, because being the highest it rules "/er all that is
l"$.
This 2rinci2le is the 3irst emanati"n "3 The <bs"lute. >t bec"mes the W"nly'beg"tten s"nA "3 its 3ather, and
is as "ld as the 3ather, because the <bs"lute c"uld "nly bec"me a W3atherA at the time $hen the Ws"nA $as
b"rn.9Bible: .t F"hn i. +4 Hebre$s i. G: >t is the li/ing -ord, and e/ery man is that -ord, in $h"m this
Page +)&
Ws"n "3 g"dA bec"mes mani3est. >t is the di/ine sel3 "3 e/ery man, his "$n di/ine ethereal c"unter2art
$ith"ut any in3irmities, because the latter "nly bel"ng t" the terrestrial 3"rm. >t is n"t a 2ers"nality, but it
may bec"me indi/idualised in man and yet remain in its essence im2ers"nal, a li/ing being, ubiBuit"us,
inc"rru2tible, and imm"rtal. This is the great mystery be3"re $hich the intellect, reas"ning 3r"m
2articulars t" uni/ersals, stands h"2elessly still, but $hich the s"ul, $h"se inner s2iritual 2erce2ti"ns are
ali/e, beh"lds $ith ast"nishment and $"nder. @nly that $hich is in3inite and imm"rtal in man can
c"m2rehend in3initude and imm"rtality.
<s l"ng as the $a/ering intellect d"ubts the e1istence "3 :"d, it cann"t bec"me c"nsci"us "3 His
e1istence, because "nly the steady light "3 uncl"uded reas"n can 2enetrate int" the de2ths $here di/ine
$isd"m d$ells. Mere Wbelie3A is a c"n3essi"n "3 ign"rance4 true 3aith is based u2"n e12erience. We
cann"t be c"n/inced "3 the e1istence "3 s"mething $e d" n"t kn"$, and "3 $hich $e are unc"nsci"us,
e1ce2t by bec"ming c"nsci"us "3 its e1istence. !"nsci"usness, kn"$ledge, and realisati"n "3 the
e1istence "3 s"mething can "nly begin at the m"ment $hen that s"mething begins t" bec"me c"nsci"us
$ithin 9Page (21: "ursel/es. We may search 3"r the g"d $ithin us, but $e cann"t arti3icially bring him t"
li3e. We can 2re2are the c"nditi"ns under $hich he may mani3est his c"nsci"usness $ithin "ursel/es, by
di/esting the mind 3r"m all 2redilecti"ns and 2re5udices4 the di/ine 2rinci2le a$akes $ithin us by the
2"$er "3 its "$n grace. .uch a grace is n"t a 3a/"ur c"n3erred by a 2artial, $himsical, and 2ers"nal g"d,
it is the e33ect "3 a 3ree $ill $hich has the 2"$er t" grant its "$n 2rayers. <s $ell may an ac"rn encl"sed
in a st"ne 2ray t" be de/el"2ed int" an "ak as a man $h"se heart is 3illed $ith desires 3"r the l"$ ask t"
bec"me c"nsci"us "3 the high. T" 2ut im2licit belie3 in the statement "3 b"nze "r 2riest is $eakness, t"
kee2 the s"ul 2ure, s" that it can be taught by $isd"m itsel3, is strength, t" arri/e at c"n/icti"n thr"ugh
the kn"$ledge "3 the s"ul c"n3ers the "nly true 3aith.
Tennys"n s2eaks "3 the beginning "3 true 3aith $hen he says '
We ha/e but 3aith, $e cann"t kn"$,
< beam in darkness, let it gr"$A.
When the beam has gr"$n, it c"nstitutes spiritual /no%ledge, $hich is identical $ith the living po%er "3
aith.
When the di/ine being bec"mes c"nsci"us in the 2ers"nal man, the b"dy begins t" 3eel ne$ sensati"ns,
the 2ulse begins t" thr"b $ith m"re /ig"ur, the animal 3"rces stirred u2 in their WhellsA by the arri/al "3 the
ne$ light, bec"me m"re acti/e, 2ains $ill be e12erienced in /ari"us 2arts "3 his b"dy, and the candidate
3"r imm"rtality $ill 2hysically e12erience a 2r"cess resembling the martyrd"m "3 the cruci3ied !hrist. 9The
2ains re3erred t" are the result "3 the 2enetrating 2"$er "3 the s2irit, in3using a ne$ li3e int" the 2hysical
3"rm.: The 2enetrati"n "3 the m"rtal by the ne$ li3e $ill necessarily cause su33ering until the l"$er
elements are entirely sub5ected and that $hich is im2ure eliminated.
There is n" sal/ati"n e1ce2t thr"ugh su33ering4 2ains acc"m2any man9s entrance int" the $"rld, 2ains
acc"m2any his regenerati"n. The l"$ must die s" that the high may li/e. @nly he $h" has tasted the
bitterness 9Page (2.: "3 e/il can 3ully realise the s$eetness "3 g""d, "nly he $h" has su33ered the heat "3
the day can 3ully a22reciate the c""l "3 the e/ening breeze. He $h" has li/ed in darkness $ill kn"$ the
Page +),
true /alue "3 light $hen he enters its realm.
What is true in regard t" indi/idual man is eBually true in regard t" humanity as a $h"le, but that $hich
may be acc"m2lished in a 3e$ suitable indi/idual "rganisms in a c"m2arati/ely sh"rt time, $ill reBuire
ages t" take 2lace in the b"dy "3 humanity as a $h"le.
Th"ugh "ther things gr"$ 3air against the sun,
Oet 3ruits that bl"ss"m 3irst $ill 3irst be ri2eA.
@thell", ii. G.
>n3inite l"/e radiating 3r"m the centre "3 the <ll, eternally descends int" the hearts "3 mankind. Di/ine
$isd"m has n" se2arate $ill "3 its "$n, but is d"ing the $ill "3 the Father. !hrist takes u2"n His
sh"ulders the sins "3 the $"rld, 3"r he $h" has entered int" the realisati"n "3 di/ine truth, has ste22ed
"ut "3 the realm "3 ign"rance and illusi"ns and bec"me 3ree, is $ith"ut sin, He can gain n" 2ers"nal
bene3it by His descent int" matter4 being 2er3ecti"n itsel3, He needs n" 3urther 2er3ecti"n.9Bhaga/ad :ita,
iii. --: <s men and $"men bec"me c"nsci"us "3 His di/ine 2resence, they bec"me a$are n"t merely "3
their "$n indi/idual e/ils, but "3 the su33erings "3 humanity as a $h"le4 they begin t" su33er $ith and 3"r
each "ther, they rec"gnise in the di/inity in humanity the uni/ersal link that binds them all t"gether int"
"ne harm"ni"us $h"le.
;ealising their high nature as s"ns "3 the eternal :"d, they die t" all that is l"$, and the m"re they die t"
it the m"re $ill they bec"me ali/e in the "nly true, real, and imm"rtal li3e. The m"tt" "3 the ancient
,osicrucian 3raternity $as: +n 'eo nascimur" in .esu morimur" reviviscimus in Spiritu Sancto4 that is t"
say, they rec"gnised that their s"uls $ere b"rn 3r"m the uni/ersal 3"untain "3 all4 they died t" their l"$er
natures by entering int" the s2iritual b"dy "3 !hrist, and gained eternal li3e by being 2enetrated,
illuminated, n"urished and gl"ri3ied by the light "3 di/ine truth. 9Page (/4:
The tem2le $here they $"rshi22ed $as that "3 the WH"ly :h"stA, the s2irit "3 di/ine $isd"m, 2er/ading
the s"ul "3 the $"rld. This they re2resented by the symb"ls "3 #ercur! and the earth 5"ined in "ne.
These ideas are n"t ne$, they ha/e n"t c"me int" e1istence $ith the ad/ent "3 m"dern !hristianity4 they
are eternal truths, as "ld as the $"rld, and they ha/e been re2resented in /ari"us 3ables and alleg"ries
am"ng the nati"ns "3 this gl"be. >n the W@ld TestamentA $e 3ind the d"ctrine "3 sal/ati"n re2resented in
the st"ry "3 ?"ah9s ark. ?"ah re2resents the s2iritual man, and the ark the 2lane "3 di/ine sel3'
c"nsci"usness. @nly th"se elements "3 the 2sychic "rganism "3 man $hich enter this s2iritual realm can
be sa/ed, $hile th"se $h" remain in a l"$er state are d""med t" destructi"n. 72"n the $aters "3 th"ught
3l"ats the shi2 c"ntaining many c"m2artments4 the %indo% "3 kn"$ledge is "2en t" enable the inner man
t" l""k "ut u2"n the $atery $aste. The intellectual raven is sent "ut t" disc"/er dry land, but it can 3ind
n" 2lace t" rest, and returns t" the ark4 the dove "3 s2iritual kn"$ledge al"ne can 3ind s"lid gr"und in the
realm "3 the s2irit4 it returns carrying the emblem "3 2eace, the d"ubts recede, and the ark is turned int" a
tem2le resting u2"n the t"2 "3 the m"untain "3 sel3 kn"$ledge.
Page +6K
Blessed is he $h"se ark during his terrestrial li3e is guided u2"n this Ar$ar$at "3 true Faith4 it $ill enable
him 2atiently and $ith indi33erence t" bear the ills "3 terrestrial li3e until the s"ul is released 3r"m its b"nds,
and returns t" its h"me in the eternal kingd"m, ha/ing bec"me se2arated 3r"m all the attracti"ns "3 earth.
H"$ grand and sublime are the mysteries "3 true religi"nL H"$ su2eri"r is kn"$ledge "3 the s"ul t"
s2eculati/e scienceL H"$ in3initely great the li/ing s2irit "3 TruthL
Th"se $h" cling t" e1ternal 3"rms, cling t" illusi"n. T" c"n/ert an ign"rant 2ers"n by substituting "ne
3"rm "3 illusi"n 3"r an"ther is useless, and the m"ney and lab"ur e12ended 3"r such Wc"n/ersi"nsA is
$asted. >gn"rance e1changed 3"r ign"rance remains ign"rance still4 a change "3 "2ini"n cann"t establish
9Page (/3: sel3'kn"$ledge and an imaginary kn"$ledge d"es n"t make a man $ise.
>3 a man has religi"n, it matters little by $hat name he may call it, "r under $hat 3"rm he may attem2t t"
e12ress that $hich cann"t be e12ressed in a 3"rm. The Buddhist, $h" l""ks u2"n the image "3 Buddha
as a 3igurati/e re2resentati"n "3 a li/ing 2rinci2le, and $h", in mem"ry "3 a "nce li/ing 2ers"n in $h"m
that 2rinci2le 3"und its 3ullest e12ressi"n, and $h"se e1am2le he $ishes t" 3"ll"$, "33ers 3l"$ers and
3ruits at his shrine, is as near the truth as the !hristian $h" sees in the 2icture "3 Fesus "3 ?azareth the
re2resentati"n "3 his highest ideal, 3"r it is n"t the person, h"$e/er much he may be /enerated, that
"ught t" be $"rshi22ed but Di/ine Wisd"m itsel3, $ith"ut $h"se light :autama c"uld n"t ha/e bec"me a
Buddha, n"r Fesus a !hrist.
There has been a great deal "3 time and lab"ur s2ent t" 2r"/e "r dis2r"/e that the 3"under "3 !hristianity
$as a 2ers"n li/ing in Palestine at the beginning "3 the !hristian era. T" kn"$ $hether "r n"t such a
2ers"n by the name "3 .esus, "r 2erha2s .ehoshua, e/er e1isted, and $hether he e1isted at the time
indicated by the"l"gians, may be a matter "3 great hist"rical interest, but it cann"t be "3 su2reme
im2"rtance 3"r "ur sal/ati"n4 because the 2ers"nality "3 e/en a :"d incarnate is "nly a mask, and the
kn"$ledge "3 an"ther man is n"t "ur "$n.
The WLight o AsiaA says:
Within thysel3 sal/ati"n must be 3"undA.
and Angelus Silesius HF"hn .che33lerI e12resses the same truth, $hen he says:
The cr"ss "3 :"lg"tha can ne/er sa/e thy s"ul,
The cr"ss in thine "$n heart al"ne can make thee $h"leA.
The d"ctrines "3 the Fesus "3 the :"s2el gr"$ in sublimity in 2r"2"rti"n as their secret meaning is
underst""d4 the tales "3 the Bible in regard t" His deeds and the miracles $hich He 2er3"rmed, and
$hich t" the su2er3icial "bser/er a22ear incredible and absurd, re2resent eternal truths and
2sych"l"gical 2r"cesses $hich are n"t merely things "3 the 2ast, but $hich "ccur e/en 9Page (/(: n"$
Page +6+
$ithin the realm "3 the s"ul "3 man, and in 2r"2"rti"n as man c"mes nearer t" the true li/ing !hrist, /eil
a3ter /eil dr"2s 3r"m his eyes.
The the"ry "3 the redem2ti"n "3 man d"es n"t date 3r"m the time $hen the hist"rical !hrist is su22"sed
t" ha/e been b"rn. The hist"ry "3 !hrist 3inds its 2r"t"ty2e in the hist"ry "3 Krishna. The :reeks taught
the redem2ti"n "3 the s"ul under the alleg"ry "3 Amor and Ps!che. Ps!che Hthe human s"ulI en5"ys the
embraces "3 her di/ine l"/er e/ery night Hin each incarnati"nI. .he 3eels his di/ine 2resence and hears
the /"ice "3 intuiti"n in her heart, but she is n"t 2ermitted t" see the s"urce 3r"m $hich that /"ice
2r"ceeds. <t a time $hen the g"d is slee2ing her curi"sity a$akes and she $ishes t" see him "b5ecti/ely.
.he lights the lam2 "3 the intellect and 2r"ceeds t" e1amine critically the s"urce "3 her ha22iness4 but at
that m"ment the g"d disa22ears. Des2airingly she $anders thr"ugh the l"$er regi"ns "3 her intellect and
thr"ugh the s2here "3 sensual 2erce2ti"ns. .he cann"t 3ind her g"d by the 2"$er "3 reas"ning 3r"m the
material 2lane. ;eady t" die Hgi/ing u2 her sel3'$illI, she is sa/ed by the 2"$er "3 l"/e. #"sing her Wsel3A
in l"/e, she bec"mes united $ith him, kn"$ing his attributes, $hich are n"$ her "$n.
M"dern !hristianity has n"t destr"yed the @lym2ian g"ds, it "nly destr"yed the 3"rms in $hich they $ere
re2resented. They $ere alleg"rical re2resentati"ns "3 truths, and truths cann"t be killed. The la$s "3
nature are the same t"day as they $ere at the time "3 Tiberius4 !hristianism has "nly changed the
symb"ls and called "ld things by ne$ names. Dead heathen id"ls ha/e been resurrected in the 3"rm "3
;"man !ath"lic saints.
M"dern $riters ha/e re2resented the same "ld truths in "ther 3"rms, in 2r"se and in /erse. :"ethe
re2resents it beauti3ully in his WFaust.A Dr Faust, the man "3 great intellect and celebrated 3"r his learning,
in s2ite "3 all his scienti3ic acc"m2lishments, is unable t" 3ind the truth.
The unkn"$n is the use3ul thing t" kn"$4
That $hich $e kn"$ is useless 3"r "ur 2ur2"seA. 9Page (/):
Des2airing at the im2"tency and insu33iciency "3 s2eculati/e research, he enters int" a 2act $ith the
2rinci2le "3 e/il. By its assistance he attains $ealth, l"/e, and 2"$er, he en5"ys all that the senses are
ca2able t" en5"y, still 3eeling intuiti/ely that sel3ish en5"yment cann"t c"n3er true ha22iness. ?either the
s2lend"ur "3 the im2erial c"urt, n"r the beauty "3 Helen "3 Tr"y, $h" returns 3r"m the land "3 shad"$s at
his reBuest, n"r the "rgies "3 the Bloc/sberg, $here all human 2assi"ns are let l""se $ith"ut restraint,
can satis3y his cra/ing. #"rd "3 the *arth, he sees "nly a single hut $hich is n"t yet his "$n, and he takes
e/en that, regardless "3 the 3ate "3 its inhabitants. .till he is n"t satis3ied until, a3ter ha/ing rec"/ered a
2art "3 land 3r"m the "cean by his lab"urs, he c"ntem2lates the ha22iness $hich "thers may en5"y by
rea2ing the bene3it "3 his $"rk. This is the 3irst unsel3ish th"ught that takes r""t in his mind. >t 3ills him
$ith e1treme ha22iness, and in the c"ntem2lati"n "3 the ha22iness "3 "thers his sense "3 sel3 dies and
his im2ers"nal s"ul is sa/ed.The s"ul kn"$s that it is, but it cann"t intellectually and critically e1amine
itsel3 unless it ste2s "ut "3 itsel3, and, ste22ing "ut "3 itsel3, it ceases t" be "ne. The eye cann"t see itsel3
$ith"ut the aid "3 a mirr"r4 g""d bec"mes "nly kn"$n t" us a3ter $e ha/e e12erienced e/il, t" bec"me
$ise $e must 3irst bec"me 3""lish and gain e12erience by eating "3 the 3"rbidden 3ruit. < s2iritual 2"$er
n"t ha/ing been emb"died in a 3"rm, $"uld n"t kn"$ the nature "3 3reed"m. T" learn the c"nditi"ns "3
e1istence man bec"mes emb"died in 3"rm and acBuires kn"$ledge4 ha/ing gained that kn"$ledge, 3"rm
Page +6-
is n" l"nger reBuired.The sel3ish desire 3"r e1istence im2ris"ns the inner man int" a m"rtal 3"rm4 he $h"
during his li3e "n *arth c"nBuers all sel3ish desire 3"r e1istence bec"mes 3ree. The di/ine Buddha, resting
under the B"ddhi'tree "3 $isd"m, and ha/ing his mind 3i1ed "n the chain "3 causati"n, said: W>gn"rance is
the s"urce "3 all e/il. Fr"m ign"rance s2ring the San/haras HtendenciesI "3 three3"ld nature'2r"ducti"ns
"3 b"dy, "3 s2eech, and th"ught Hduring the 2re/i"us li3eI4 3r"m the .ankharas 9Page (/-: "riginates
Hrelati/eI c"nsci"usness, 3r"m c"nsci"usness s2ring name and 3"rm, 3r"m this the si1 regi"ns Hthe si1
sensesI4 3r"m this s2rings desire, 3r"m desire attachment, 3r"m attachment e1istence, birth, "ld age,
death, grie3, lamentati"n, su33ering, de5ecti"n, and des2air. By the destructi"n "3 ign"rance the .ankharas
are destr"yed, and their c"nsci"usness, name, and 3"rm, the si1 regi"ns, c"ntact, sensati"n, desire,
attachment, e1istence, and its c"nseBuent e/ils. Fr"m ign"rance s2ring all e/ils, 3r"m sel3'kn"$ledge
c"mes cessati"n "3 this mass "3 misery. The truly enlightened "ne stands, dis2elling the h"sts "3 illusi"ns
like the sun that illuminates the skyA.The 2"$er $hich destr"ys sel3ishness and the sense "3 2ers"nality
is the same $hich caused the e1istence "3 man4 it is the 2"$er "3 uni/ersal l"/e, and the m"re the l"/e "3
a 2ers"n e12ands "/er all "thers the m"re $ill the c"nsci"usness "3 2ers"nality be di33used. We esteem
a 2ers"n acc"rding t" the degree in $hich he 2re3ers c"mm"n interests t" the interests "3 his "$n
2ers"nality. We admire gener"sity, and unsel3ishness, and bene/"lence, and yet such Bualities are
absurd and useless, i3 $e belie/e that the highest "b5ect "3 man9s e1istence is his "$n 2ers"nal
ha22iness "n the 2hysical 2lane4 because the highest ha22iness in that 2lane c"nsists in the greatest
am"unt "3 2"ssessi"ns 2ertaining t" that 2lane. T" gi/e is t" e12erience a 2ers"nal l"ss. But i3 man
stri/es 3"r s2iritual 2"$er, t" sacri3ice 2ers"nal 2"ssessi"ns $ill be his gain, because the less he is
attracted by 2ers"nal 2"ssessi"ns the m"re $ill his s"ul bec"me 3ree. T" gi/e $ith the /ie$ "3 e12ecting
s"me bene3it in return is useless 3"r such a 2ur2"se, because a 2ers"n ha/ing such an "b5ect in /ie$
sim2ly gi/es u2 "ne 2ers"nal 2"ssessi"n 3"r an"ther. He is a tradesman that clings t" his g""ds, and is
"nly $illing t" 2art $ith s"mething g""d 2r"/ided he can get s"mething better in e1change . <cc"rding t"
the unsel3ishness and the s2iritual 2"$er "3 a 2ers"n his indi/idual in3luence may e1tend "/er a 3amily, a
/illage, a t"$n, a c"untry, "r "/er the $h"le *arth. */ery"ne desires in3luence, and seeks t" "btain 9Page
(/2: 2"$er by "btaining $ealth and 2"siti"n. But the in3luence gained by such 2"ssessi"ns is n"t s2iritual
2"$er. < 3""l may be a 2"2e, a king, "r a milli"nary, and 2e"2le b"$ in "bedience be3"re him "n acc"unt
"3 his 2"siti"n and $ealth. They may des2ise his 2ers"n and ad"re his 2"ssessi"ns, $hich he himsel3
ad"res, and t" $hich his 2ers"n is as sub5ect as the l"$est "ne "3 his sla/es. .uch a 2ers"n is n"t a
c"mmander4 it is his $ealth that c"mmands him and the "thers. His $ealth and n"t he is, in such a case,
the "b5ect "3 the $"rld9s admirati"n. When his $ealth is sBuandered, th"se $h" used t" cr"uch at his 3eet
s2urn him a$ay 3r"m their table. The s2iritual 2"$er "3 a 2ers"n is inde2endent "3 such e1ternal
c"nditi"ns, a /irtu"us 2ers"n is esteemed in 2r"2"rti"n as his Bualities bec"me kn"$n, and the s2iritually
str"ng e1erts a 2"$er3ul in/isible in3luence "/er all his surr"undings.Man may be c"m2ared $ith a 2lanet
re/"l/ing ar"und its "$n centre and circling ar"und an in/isible sun. <b"/e the "rbit in $hich he turns is
light, and bel"$ is the darkness. The light ab"/e and the darkness bel"$ attract him4 3arther he tra/els
3r"m the in/isible sun, 3r"m $hich the light 2r"ceeds, the m"re $ill he a22r"ach the shad"$, and ha/ing
reached a certain 2"int at $hich either "ne "r the "ther attracti"n ceases, he $ill either rise u2 t" the
s"urce "3 light "r sink int" the darkness. < change 3r"m darkness t" light, 3r"m e/il t" g""d, is "nly
2"ssible as l"ng as man, in his re/"luti"ns ar"und the centre "3 his "$n sel3, has n"t transcended the
"rbit $here the attracti"ns "3 light and shad"$s are eBual. Ha/ing transcended that "rbit, n" return is
2"ssible. @nly he $h" has attained the kn"$ledge "3 sel3 $ill be able t" ch""se 3ree, because he $ill
kn"$ the nature "3 that $hich he ch""ses4 the blind ha/e n" 3reed"m "3 ch"ice. The unpardonable sin is
t" /no%ingl! and %ilull! re5ect s2iritual truth $hen it bec"mes mani3est in the heart. >n a certain sense all
sins are Wun2ard"nableA, because they all cause e33ects, $hich ha/e t" bec"me e1hausted be3"re they
can cease4 but i3 a 2ers"n kn"$ingly and $il3ully re5ects the truth re/ealed t" him by his "$n inner sel3'
c"nsci"usness, it 2r"/es that he 9Page (//: l"/es e/il better than g""d, and that his nature is e/il. He $h"
is ign"rant is n"t res2"nsible 3"r his acts. But he $h" kn"$s the truth by its interi"r sel3're/elati"n in his
Page +6G
"$n c"nsci"usness and re5ects it, c"ndemns himsel3. Truth al"ne $ill sur/i/e in the end $hile e/il $ill
2erish in e/il. >t is there3"re danger"us 3"r men t" seek 3"r "ccult s2iritual kn"$ledge 3"r the grati3icati"n
"3 scienti3ic curi"sity, be3"re they ha/e bec"me su33iciently $ise t" select "nly that $hich is true. 9Page (/0:
Page +6)
CH,PT'* 7II
TH'OSOPH6

He to <hom time is like eternit!# and eternit! like time# is freeE$ F "acko# oeh$e.
T" 2icture the eternal and intellectually inc"m2rehensible in 3"rms, and t" describe the unimaginable in
$"rds, is a task $h"se di33iculty has been e12erienced by all $h" e/er attem2ted it. The 3"rmless cann"t
be described in 3"rms, it can "nly be re2resented by alleg"ries $hich can "nly be underst""d by th"se
$h"se minds are "2en t" the s2iritual illuminati"n "3 truth. The misunderstanding "3 alleg"rical
e12ressi"ns in the sacred b""ks has led t" religi"us $ars, t" the t"rturing, burning, and killing "3
th"usands "3 inn"cent /ictims, it has caused the li/ing $i/es "3 dead Hindus t" be burned $ith the
c"r2ses "3 their husbands, it has caused ign"rant men and $"men t" thr"$ themsel/es be3"re the
$heels "3 the car "3 the .uggernath, it causes the endless Buarrels bet$een s"me -KK !hristian sects,
and $hile the truth unites all humanity int" "ne harm"ni"us $h"le, the misunderstanding "3 it 2r"duces
innumerable disc"rds and diseases.Far, in the un3ath"mable abyss "3 s2ace, 3ar bey"nd the reach "3 the
imaginati"n "3 man, una22r"achable e/en by the highest and 2urest angel "r th"ught, and ne/ertheless
"mni2resent in his "$n essence and 2"$er, sel3'e1istent, eternal, res2lendent in his "$n gl"ry is the
Shining One, $h"se !entre is rest, 2eace and ha22iness, $h"se heart is in/isible Fire, $h"se rays are
9Page (/1: #ight and #i3e, 2er/ading the 7ni/erse t" its utm"st limits, 2enetrating e/ery 3"rm and causing it
t" li/e and t" gr"$. Their harm"ni"us /ibrati"ns are undulating thr"ugh s2ace, n"urishing all animate and
inanimate beings $ith the substance "3 #"/e. Meeting $ith the slee2ing 3"rms "3 th"ught in s2ace, the
2r"ducts "3 a 2re/i"us day "3 creati"n, the di/ine rays "3 $isd"m end"$ them $ith li3e, causing them t"
bec"me li/ing systems "3 $"rlds, chained t"gether by the 2"$er "3 mutual rec"gniti"n, mani3esting itsel3
as attracti"n and guiding them "n in their restless re/"luti"ns. Penetrating int" the hearts "3 animals and
men, they create sensati"n and relati/e c"nsci"usness, cause the 3"rm t" 3eel, t" 2ercei/e and t" kn"$
its surr"undings, call int" li3e the em"ti"ns, instincts, and the 2"$er "3 reas"ning. Penetrating dee2 int"
the hearts "3 men, they kindle there the di/ine 3ire in $h"se light man may see the image "3 the .hining
@ne, and kn"$ it t" be his "$n imm"rtal ideal, t" be realised $ithin himsel3.But it is bey"nd the 2"$er "3
man t" describe in language that $hich cann"t be described, t" c"mbine $"rds, s" that the reader may
3"rm an intellectual c"nce2ti"n "3 s"mething, 3"r $hich n" intellectual c"nce2ti"n e1ists, because it is
bey"nd the e12erience "3 the limited mind. >n the 2resence "3 the highest, the unthinkable ideal,
intellectual lab"ur ceases, and s2iritual rec"gniti"n begins. WThe secret things bel"ng t" the #"rdA4 "nly
di/ine $isd"m itsel3 can kn"$ that $hich is di/ine4 it being the sel3'kn"$ledge "3 :"d in man4 the sel3'
realisati"n "3 truth. >ntellectual lab"ur is a 3uncti"n $hich man shares $ith certain animals4 but the
2rer"gati/e "3 s2iritual man is t" realise $ithin his "$n sel3'c"nsci"usness the 2resence "3 Truth, t"
bec"me himsel3 "ne $ith the :"d "3 the uni/erse and 5"in His sel3'kn"$ledge, and this sel3'realisati"n "3
truth is called 'ivine -isdom or Theosophia0
>n this eternal uni/ersal s"urce "3 all that e1ists is all magic po%er c"ntained, e/en t" the e1tent "3
creating ne$ $"rlds. The realisati"n "3 its e1istence is the Philosopher5s Stone and the Elixir o lie "r
Universal Panacea, $hich can be had e/ery$here and at any time 9Page (/.:$ith"ut e12ense by
e/ery"ne. >t is attainable "nly by man, because the l"$er animals are n"t yet 3ar en"ugh ad/anced t" be
used as /ehicles 3"r the mani3estati"n "3 di/ine $isd"m4 but he $h"m it has a$akened t" li3e shares its
attributes and is a li/ing tem2le "3 :"d. The man $h"m this 2rinci2le has n"t a$akened 3r"m its slee2 is
merely an intellectual animal, and can 2"ssess n" s2iritual "r magical 2"$ers. ."me m"dern
W2hil"s"2hersA, $h" say that man has n" magical 2"$ers, are right 3r"m their "$n 2"int "3 /ie$4 3"r the
Page +66
WmanA kn"$n t" m"dern science has n" s2iritual li3e and there3"re n" s2iritual 2"$er4 the real man "nly
begins t" e1ist $hen he a$akens t" the realisati"n "3 his di/ine nature. True 2hil"s"2hers ha/e
rec"gnised this 3act. .ch"2enhauer says: W >n c"nseBuence "3 the acti"n "3 Mgrace9, the entire being "3
man bec"mes rem"delled, s" that he desires n" l"nger anything "3 that 3"r $hich he $as cra/ing
heret"3"re, and bec"mes s" t" say a ne$ manA. 9:"d is as much in a stick "3 $""d as in a human being4
but the di33erence is that a stick "3 $""d kn"$s n"thing "3 :"d4 $hile man may attain the realisati"n "3
his 2resence in himA. 8 Ec/hart0 :
*/erything in nature has a three3"ld nature, and like$ise the alleg"ries "3 the sacred b""ks "3 the *ast as
$ell as th"se "3 the West ha/e a three3"ld meaning 8 an e1"teric, an es"teric, and a s2iritual
signi3icati"n. The /ulgar, the learned as $ell as the unlearned, can see "nly the e1ternal side, $hich is
"3ten s" absurd, that its /ery absurdity sh"uld ser/e as a $arning t" 2e"2le end"$ed $ith reas"n n"t t"
acce2t such 3ables in their literal meaning. Th"se $h" are $illing t" learn can be instructed, but they that
belie/e that they already kn"$, re3use t" be taught. F"r this reas"n the man'a22"inted guardians "3 the
truth, the learned teachers "3 science and religi"n are "3ten the last "nes t" rec"gnise that $hich is
true.Ho% can %e enter the path E 8 @nly in 2ractical e12erience is li3e. Petri3ied s2eculati/e science,
m"uldy s2eculati/e 2hil"s"2hy, and dried'u2 s2eculati/e the"l"gy stand in "ur $ay. Humanity a$akes
3r"m its slumber 9Page (04: and asks 3"r bread, but recei/es "nly a st"ne. >t turns t" science, but science
is silent, $ra2s itsel3 u2 in its /anity and turns a$ay4 it turns t" 2hil"s"2hy, and "ld 2hil"s"2hy ans$ers,
but its talk is an inc"m2rehensible 5arg"n, and c"n3uses matters still m"re. >t turns t" the"l"gy, but
the"l"gy threatens the "bn"1i"us Buesti"ner $ith curses, and bids him t" be satis3ied $ith a blind 3aith.
But the 2e"2le, as a $h"le, are n" l"nger satis3ied $ith such ans$ers4 they are n" l"nger c"ntented $ith
the asserti"n that the truth is t" be kn"$n t" a 3e$ 2ri/ileged classes, and that they themsel/es must
remain ign"rant. Wisd"m is n"t t" be m"n"2"lised by any sectarian b"dy "r any ."ciety.>3 $e $ish t"
enter the 2ath t" in3inite li3e, the 3irst reBuirement is
TO D&OW
Kn"$ledge is the 2erce2ti"n and understanding "3 truth. We can "nly kn"$ that $hich $e 2ercei/e.
There are t$" 2rinci2al m"des "3 2erce2ti"n, namely, seeing and 3eeling. *ach "3 these m"des, i3
unacc"m2anied by the "ther, is unreliable4 "nly i3 $e simultane"usly see and 3eel a thing d" $e
e12erience that it e1ists. Th"usands "3 years ha/e 2assed a$ay since mankind 3irst sa$ the sun and the
stars, and m"dern telesc"2es ha/e br"ught them nearer t" us. ?e/ertheless "ur kn"$ledge "3 these
c"smic b"dies and the c"nditi"ns "3 li3e e1isting u2"n them, c"nsists merely "3 s2eculati"ns and
"2ini"ns, $hich may be "/erthr"$n at any time, $hen "ur means 3"r "bser/ati"n are su22lanted by
better "nes. We gi/e names t" the substances disc"/ered by the s2ectr"sc"2e, but $e $ill n"t kn"$ the
true nature "3 the stars as l"ng as $e are n"t able t" 2artake "3 their c"nsci"usness and e12erience the
Bualities "3 li3e and characters emb"died in their 3"rms.F"r th"usands "3 years mankind has intuiti/ely 3elt
the 2resence "3 the 7nkn"$n. Th"se $h" e12erienced the 2resence "3 the uni/ersal .2irit, kn"$ that it
e1ists. :enerati"ns a3ter generati"ns ha/e disa22eared 3r"m earth a3ter s2ending their li/es in /ain
e33"rts t" kn"$ 9Page (03:"b5ecti/ely that :"d $h"se 2"$er they 3elt in their hearts4 but $h"m they c"uld
n"t see $ith their eyes.>3 $e are able t" see and t" 3eel the e1ternal Bualities "3 a thing, $e may
understand $hat these Bualities are, but $e $ill still be ign"rant "3 its interi"r character. T" kn"$ its s2irit
it $ill be necessary t" enter int" its s2irit, and this can "nly be d"ne by the s2irit "3 man, n"t by his
e1ternal senses. The s2iritual 2rinci2le in man, i3 "nce a$akened t" sel3'c"nsci"usness, has attributes
and 3uncti"ns 3ar su2eri"r t" th"se "3 the e1ternal man4 it has the 2"$er t" 2ercei/e, t" see and t" 3eel
Page +6%
the internal Bualities "3 things $hich are im2erce2tible t" the e1ternal senses4 it can identi3y itsel3 $ith the
"b5ect "3 its "bser/ati"n and 2artake "3 its c"nsci"usness, it bec"mes 3"r the time being united $ith that
"b5ect and shares its 3eelings, it 2artakes "3 its sub5ecti/e sensati"ns.Thus d"es a l"/er 2artake "3 the
5"ys and s"rr"$s "3 the "b5ect he l"/es, and 3eel as i3 he $ere "ne $ith it in s2irit4 3"r l"/e is the 2"$er by
$hich such a di/ine state is attained, it 2enetrates all things, and c"ming 3r"m the heart it g"es t" the
heart.What is it that 2re/ents us t" l"/e and t" kn"$ all things but "ur "$n dislikes and misc"nce2ti"nsE
We d" n"t see things as they are but as $e imagine them t" be. He $h" desires t" kn"$ all things
sh"uld n"t l""k u2"n them $ith his "$n eyes, but $ith the eyes "3 the truth4 he sh"uld n"t think the
th"ughts suggested by e1ternal a22earances, but he sh"uld let 'ivine -isdom do his thin/ing %ithin his
mind0T" "btain true kn"$ledge $e must be able t" recei/e the light "3 the truth4 $e must 3ree "ur minds
3r"m the learned rubbish that has accumulated there thr"ugh the 2er/erted meth"ds "3 educati"n "3
m"dern ci/ilizati"n. The m"re 3alse d"ctrines $e ha/e learned the m"re di33icult $ill be the lab"ur t"
make r""m 3"r the truth, and it may take years t" unlearn that $hich $e ha/e , learned at the e12ense "3
a great deal "3 lab"ur, m"ney, and time. The Bible says that W$e must bec"me like little children be3"re
$e can enter the kingd"m "3 9Page (0(: truthA. The 2rinci2al thing t" kn"$ is t" /no% our o%n true Sel 4 i3
$e kn"$ "ursel/es, $e $ill kn"$ that $e are t" be the kings "3 the uni/erse. The essential #an is a Son
o *od, he is s"mething inc"m2arably greater, 3ar m"re sublime and 3ar m"re 2"$er3ul than the
insigni3icant, changeable and im2ermanent and unc"nsci"us being described as WmanA in "ur scienti3ic
$"rks "n anthr"2"l"gy.Well may #an $h" kn"$s his true nature be 2r"ud "3 his n"bility and 2"$er4 $ell
may the man "3 earth be ashamed "3 his $eakness. The real Man is a di/ine being, $h"se 2"$er
e1tends as 3ar as his th"ughts can reach4 the illusi/e man is a c"m2"und "3 semi'animal 3"rces, sub5ect
t" their ca2rices and $hims, $ith a s2ark "3 di/ine 3ire in him t" enable him t" c"ntr"l them, but $hich
s2ark is "nly t"" 3reBuently le3t t" sm"ulder and /anish. The 3"rmer is imm"rtal, the latter e1ists a 3e$
years am"ng the illusi"ns "3 li3e: The real man realises his "$n imm"rtality4 the deluded illusi"n, ha/ing
the a22earance "3 a human being, deludes itsel3 $ith the h"2e "3 "btaining 2ermissi"n, by the 3a/"ur "3
s"me 2ers"nal g"d, t" carry its 3alseh""ds int" a s2here in $hich "nly the truth e1ists. 9 ;e/elati"ns 11i.
-(:
There are three kinds "3 kn"$ledge, the use3ul, the useless, and the harm3ul. The useless kn"$ledge is
the kn"$ledge "3, "r rather the adherence t", illusi"ns and 3alseh""ds4 it is n" real kn"$ledge, alth"ugh it
embraces a great deal "3 $hat is c"nsidered "3 great im2"rtance in ci/ilized c"untries that men sh"uld
kn"$. >t is true that m"dern science has "n many "ccasi"ns dra$n a$ay a2art "3 the /eil $hich hides the
$"nders "3 Wisd"m in ?ature4 but as "ur science has n"t reached the 3"undati"n "3 truth4 it is mi1ed u2
$ith illusi"ns. @ur scienti3ic systems are c"ntinually sub5ect t" change, and $hat is c"nsidered t" be 3inal
truth by "ne generati"n, is "3ten re5ected as 3alse by the ne1t. @ur Wscienti3ic attainmentsA c"n3er n" real
kn"$ledge "3 3undamental la$ "3 nature, because they are based u2"n ign"rance, in regard t" the
3"untain "3 <ll, and, h"$e/er l"gical the deducti"ns made 3r"m 3alse 9Page (0): 2remises may be,
3alseh""ds can 2r"duce "nly 3alseh""d.What can be m"re err"ne"us than the asserti"n "3 rati"nalistic
s2eculat"rs, that the intellect is a 2r"duct "3 the material "rganizati"n "3 the 2hysical b"dy4 that li3e is a
2r"duct "3 the mechanical acti"n "3 a dead 3"rce4 that e33ects can be 2r"duced $ith"ut any adeBuate
causes4 that s"mething can c"me "ut "3 s"mething ha/ing elements therein ca2able t" 2r"duce it4 that
man9s mind e1ists $ithin the narr"$ limits "3 his skull4 that man can kn"$ n"thing e1ce2t $hat he
2ercei/es $ith his e1ternal senses4 that c"nsci"usness is the result "3 the chemical acti"n "3 unc"nsci"us
substances4 that man can $ill, think, imagine, l"/e, and hate $ith"ut ha/ing a s"ul4 that $isd"m,
kn"$ledge, s2iritual 2erce2ti"n, 2r"2hecy, etc., $ere results "3 2ath"l"gical c"nditi"ns "3 the b"dy and
"ther endless absurdities and scienti3ic hallucinati"ns.<s l"ng as the true nature "3 man is n"t kn"$n, his
l"$er interests are mistaken 3"r his higher "nes. .cienti3ic attainments are "3ten "nly used 3"r the
2ur2"se "3 "btaining the 2"$er t" s2eculate "n the ign"rance "3 th"se that ha/e n" such intellectual
Page +6(
acBuirements, and by taking ad/antage "3 their belie3s t" "btain m"ney and material c"m3"rt. .uch
scienti3ic attainments may be g""d 3"r such 2ur2"ses, but they retard the 2r"gress "3 man in a s2iritual
directi"n, because they make men m"re sel3ish, and cause them t" $"rshi2 matter4 they are there3"re
useless 3"r the "nly true and 2ermanent interest "3 man.
>3 science $ishes t" 3ind the 3"undati"n "3 truth, it must begin t" realise the unity "3 the uni/erse and
kn"$ that the $"rld "3 a22earances mani3ested in nature is a re/elati"n "3 truth "riginating in di/ine
$isd"m. This realisati"n cann"t be attained by arguments and in3erences, it is "nly realised by the 2"$er
"3 uni/ersal l"/e, $hich is the rec"gniti"n "3 truth.
T" bring thee t" thy :"d, l"/e takes the sh"rtest r"ute4
The $ay $hich science leads is but a r"und ab"utA. R<ngelu .ilesiusS
The harm3ul kn"$ledge c"nsists in scienti3ic attainments 9Page (0-: $ith"ut any c"rres2"nding 2erce2ti"n
"3 the m"ral as2ect "3 truth. >t is "nly 2artial kn"$ledge, because it rec"gnises "nly a 2art "3 the truth. <
high intellectual de/el"2ment $ith"ut any c"rres2"nding gr"$th "3 s2irituality is a curse t" mankind.
Kn"$ledge t" be g""d must be illuminated by Wisd"m4 kn"$ledge $ith"ut $isd"m is danger"us t"
2"ssess. Misunderstanding and misa22licati"n "3 truths are the s"urces "3 e/il.
W< little kn"$ledge is a danger"us thingA.
.uch an attainment "3 kn"$ledge $ith"ut $isd"m may bec"me detrimental. The in/enti"n "3 the
3ulminates "3 mercury, "3 gun2"$der and nitr"'glycerine, has caused much su33ering t" a large 2art "3
humanity.?"t that the substances a22lied, "r the 3"rces $hich are liberated, are intrinsically e/il, but their
misa22licati"n in the hands "3 th"se $ith"ut $isd"m leads t" e/il results. >3 all men $ere intelligent
en"ugh t" understand the la$s $hich g"/ern the $"rld, and $ise en"ugh t" em2l"y their kn"$ledge 3"r
g""d 2ur2"ses "nly, n" e/il results $"uld 3"ll"$.@ne "3 the m"st harm3ul acBuisiti"ns is the s"'called
Wreligi"us kn"$ledgeA4 that is t" say the h"lding "n t" the"l"gical d"ctrines $hich are $r"ng "r
misunderst""d, because it is unacc"m2anied by any un3"ldment "3 true s2irituality. .uch a W religi"nA
results in big"try, hy2"crisy and int"lerance4 it is based u2"n 3ear and n"t u2"n 3aith. < religi"n $ith"ut
uni/ersal l"/e is an absurdity4 because that #"/e is the link $hich relates man t" :"d. < 3aith $ith"ut l"/e
is "nly a su2erstiti"n. ?e/ertheless it is that 3""lish W3aithA $hich clam"urs the m"st 3"r its rights. Faith
$ith"ut l"/e $ill make the greatest r"ar and din4
The cask s"unds l"udest $hen there is n"ught $ithinA. R<ngelus .ilesiusS
>3 $e 2r"ceed a ste2 3urther and imagine intellectual but $icked and sel3ish 2e"2le 2"ssessed n"t "nly "3
the 2"$er t" em2l"y e12l"si/es, and 2"is"n"us drugs, t" in5ure "thers, but able t" send their "$n
degrading 2"is"n"us th"ughts t" a distance, t" lea/e at $ill the 9Page (02: 2ris"n h"use "3 the 2hysical
b"dy t" kill "r in5ure "thers, the m"st disastr"us results $"uld 3"ll"$. .uch 3"rbidden kn"$ledge has been
and is s"metimes 2"ssessed by 2e"2le $ith criminal tendencies, a 3act $hich is uni/ersally kn"$n in the
*ast, and u2"n the 2"ssibility and actuality "3 such 3acts ha/e been established "n many "ccasi"ns, and
am"ng "thers by many "3 the $itch trials "3 the Middle <ges. M"dern scientists may n"$ laugh at these
Page +6&
3acts, but the d"ct"rs "3 la$, "3 medicine, and "3 the"l"gy "3 their times, $ere as sure "3 their kn"$ledge
as m"dern re2resentati/es "3 science are "3 their "$n "2ini"ns t"day, and the 3"rmer had as many
intellectual ca2acities as the latter. The "nly di33erence is that the 3"rmer kne$ these 3acts, but ga/e a
$r"ng e12lanati"n4 the latter 3ind it easier t" ign"re than t" e12lain.
Man is c"ntinually surr"unded by unseen in3luences, and the astral plane is s$arming $ith entities and
3"rces, $hich are acting u2"n him 3"r g""d "r 3"r e/il, acc"rding t" his g""d "r e/il inclinati"ns. <t the
2resent state "3 e/"luti"n man has a 2hysical b"dy, $hich is admirably ada2ted t" m"di3y the in3luence
3r"m the astral 2lane, and t" shelter him against the W monsters o the deepA.
>3 the 2hysical b"dy is in g""d health, it acts as an arm"ur, and, m"re"/er, man has the 2"$er, by a
5udici"us e1ercise "3 his $ill, t" s" c"ncentrate the odic aura by $hich he is surr"unded, as t" render his
arm"ur im2enetrable t" the in3luences "3 the astral $"rld and its inhabitants4 but i3 by bad health, by a
careless e12enditure "3 /itality, "r by the 2ractice "3 mediumshi2, he dis2erses his 2r"tecti/e 2"$er, his
2hysical arm"ur $ill bec"me $eakened and unable t" guard him4 he bec"mes the /ictim "3 elementaries
and elemental 3"rces, his mental 3aculties l"se their balance, and s""ner "r later he $ill, like the
symb"lical Adam and Eve" /no% that he is na/ed, and e12"sed t" in3luences $hich he cann"t re2el.
.uch is the result 3"r $hich th"se ign"rantly cra/e $h" $ish t" "btain kn"$ledge $ith"ut c"rres2"nding
m"rality. T" su22ly the ign"rant "r $eak $ith 2"$ers "3 destructi"n $"uld be like 2r"/iding children $ith
gun2"$der and matches 3"r 2lay. 9Page (0/:
@nly an intelligent and $ell'balanced mind can discriminate 2r"2erly and di/e int" the hidden mysteries
"3 ?ature. W@nly the 2ure in heart can see :"dA. He $h" has reached that stage need n"t search the
$"rld 3"r a 2ers"n t" instruct him4 the higher intelligences $ill be attracted t" him, and bec"me his
instruct"r, in the same manner as he himsel3 is attracted by the beauty "3 an animal "r "3 a 3l"$er.
< har2 d"es n"t in/ent s"und but "beys the hand "3 a master, and the m"re 2er3ect the instrument, the
s$eeter $ill be the music. < diam"nd d"es n"t "riginate light, but re3lects it, and the 2urer the diam"nd
the 2urer $ill be its lustre. Man d"es n"t in/ent "r create th"ught, $ill, and intelligence. He is a mirr"r in
$hich the th"ughts "3 the $"rld are re3lected, an instrument thr"ugh $hich the $ill "3 nature e12resses
itsel34 a 2earl 3illed $ith a dr"2 "3 $ater 3r"m the uni/ersal "cean "3 intelligence.
The "nly true kn"$ledge is the kn"$ledge "3 "ne9s "$n true sel3, $hich kn"$s neither Wg""dA n"r We/ilA,
but is the realisati"n "3 truth. He $h" ate 3r"m the tree "3 the kn"$ledge "3 illusi"n has died4 because by
e12eriencing the illusi"n "3 sel3, he has died t" his s2iritual nature and bec"me an illusi"n himsel3.9:en.
ii. +(: >3 y"u eat "3 the tree "3 di/ine kn"$ledge, $hich is the tree "3 li3e, y"ur illusi"n $ill die and y"u $ill
li/e. O"ur 2ers"nality $ill be s$all"$ed u2 by a realisati"n "3 the 3act that Wy"uA are nothing, and that :"d
in y"u is the "nly true sel3 and the <ll. ;ealising this, y"u $ill n"t be Was "ne "3 the g"dsA4 but a sel3'
c"nsci"us 2"$er in :"d, unlimited and imm"rtal.
H"$ can sel3'kn"$ledge be attainedE The ans$er is: WBy the realisati"n "3 truthA. The truth is
e/ery$here, al$ays ready t" mani3est itsel3 in y"u and ar"und y"u, i3 y"u "nly 2ermit it t" bec"me
mani3est. Wisd"m reBuires n" "ther teacher but $isd"m itsel3. ;ise u2 t" it in y"ur s"ul and it $ill
descend u2"n y"u and 3ill y"ur heart. He $h" ascends t" the t"2 "3 a high m"untain need n"t enBuire 3"r
Page +6,
s"meb"dy t" bring him 2ure air. Pure air surr"unds him there "n all sides. 9Page (00: The realm "3 $isd"m
is n"t limited, and he $h"se mind is rece2ti/e $ill n"t su33er 3r"m $ant "3 di/ine grace t" 3eed his h"ly
as2irati"n.
The sch""l in $hich the "ccultist graduates has many classes, each class re2resenting a li3e. The days
"3 /acati"n may arri/e be3"re the less"n is learned, and $hat has been learned may be 3"rg"tten during
the time "3 /acati"n4 but still the im2ressi"n remains, and a thing "nce learned is easily learned again.
This acc"unts 3"r the di33erent talents $ith $hich men are end"$ed, and 3"r their 2r"2ensities 3"r g""d "r
3"r e/il. ?" e33"rt is l"st, e/ery cause creates a c"rres2"nding e33ect, n" 3a/"urs are granted, n" in5ustice
takes 2lace. Blind t" bribes and dea3 t" a22eals is the la$ "3 5ustice, dealing its treasures "ut t" e/ery"ne
acc"rding t" his ca2acities t" recei/e, but he $h" has n" sel3ish desire 3"r re$ard, and n" c"$ardly 3ear
"3 2unishment, but $h" dares t" act rightly because he $ill n"t d" $r"ng, identi3ies himsel3 $ith the la$,
and in the eBuilibrium "3 the la$ $ill he 3ind his Po%er
.The sec"nd reBuirement is
TO WILL
>3 $e are n"t $illing t" recei/e the truth $e $ill n"t "btain it.
Men belie/e that they l"/e the truth, but there are 3e$ $h" l"/ing 3"r its "$n sake desire it. They desire
$elc"me truths4 th"se that are un$elc"me are re5ected. @2ini"ns $hich 3latter the /anity and are in
harm"ny $ith accust"med m"des "3 th"ught are acce2ted4 strange truths are regarded $ith
ast"nishment and dri/en a$ay 3r"m the d""r. Men are "3ten a3raid "3 that $hich they d" n"t kn"$, and,
n"t kn"$ing the truth, they are a3raid t" recei/e it. They ask ne$ truths 3"r their 2ass2"rts, and i3 they d"
n"t bear the stam2 "3 s"me 3ashi"nable auth"rity they are l""ked u2"n as illegitimate children, and are
n"t 2ermitted t" gr"$.
Ho% shall %e learn to love the truthE By learning t" kn"$ it. Ho% can %e /no% the truthE By learning t"
l"/e it. The deluded asks 3"r e1ternal 2r""3s, but 9Page (01: the $ise reBuires n" "ther certi3icate 3"r the
truth but its "$n re/elati"n. There can be n" di33erence bet$een s2eculati/e and 2ractical /no%ledge4
because kn"$ledge is "ne, an "2ini"n based u2"n mere s2eculati"n is n" kn"$ledge. Kn"$ledge can
"nly be attained by s2eculati"n, i3 the s2eculati"n is acc"m2anied by e12erience. Th"se $h" $ant t"
kn"$ the truth must 2ractise it4 th"se $h" cann"t 2ractise it $ill n"t kn"$ it4 s2eculati"n $ith"ut 2ractice
is "nly a deceit3ul dream.
Man can ha/e n" actual desire 3"r a thing $hich he has ne/er e12erienced, and $hich he there3"re n"t
kn"$s. H"$ can $e l"/e a thing "3 $hich $e kn"$ n"t that it e1ists E H"$ can $e kn"$ its e1istence,
e1ce2t by realising its 2resence E H"$ can $e realise its 2resence i3 $e d" n"t en5"y it E H"$ can $e
en5"y it i3 $e d" n"t l"/e it E ?either inducti/e n"r deducti/e reas"ning can gi/e us a realisati"n "3 truth.
Di/ine ;eas"n itsel3 al"ne can cause it t" bec"me mani3est in "ursel/es.
Page +%K
T" kn"$ that a thing is g""d, is t" desire it4 3"r it is a la$ acting $ithin the c"nstituti"n "3 man, n" less
than am"ng the 2lanets, that $e sh"uld be attracted t" that $hich $e kn"$ t" be g""d and be re2ulsed
by that $hich $e kn"$ t" be e/il. < str"ng desire t" be g""d, causes man t" 2er3"rm g""d acti"ns4 a
desire t" be e/il, causes him t" c"mmit e/il deeds. Man is the 2r"duct "3 his "$n th"ughts and acts4 i3 he
thinks and acts g""d, he bec"mes g""d4 i3 he thinks and acts e/il, he bec"mes e/il. >n an "ccult sense
W$illingA is identical $ith W3eelingA4 3"r the substance "3 the Will, i3 in3used $ith the c"nsci"usness "3 the
.2irit, 3eels and gras2s its "b5ect. Willing, kn"$ing, and acting are ultimately identical4 because $e can
"nly $ill $hat $e kn"$, and $e can "nly kn"$ that "3 $hich $e ha/e an e12erience.
The "nly $ay t" "btain true 2ractical kn"$ledge "3 s2iritual truths is by the 2ractice "3 the truth C in "ther
$"rds, the a $akening "3 the inner c"nsci"usness t" the rec"gniti"n "3 truth e1isting $ithin "nesel3. @nly
a mind $hich has been 2uri3ied 3r"m all sel3ish desires, and is 3illed $ith a str"ng determinati"n t" learn
the 9Page (0.: truth, is thereby Wduly and truly 2re2aredA t" enter the tem2le "3 $isd"m. */ery time that a
2ers"n, either 3"r sel3ish 2ur2"ses "r t" grati3y the $him "3 an"ther, "r 3"r any "ther 2ers"nal
c"nsiderati"n, gi/es his c"nsent t" s"mething, "3 $hich his reas"n "r c"nscience tells him that it "ught
n"t t" be4 h"$e/er insigni3icant such an act may be4 it $ill ne/ertheless in/"l/e 3"r him a l"ss "3 a certain
am"unt "3 $ill.
Man is chained t" the kingd"m "3 his illusi"ns $ith a th"usand chains. The inhabitants "3 his earthly s"ul
a22ear be3"re him in their m"st seducti/e 3"rms. >3 they are dri/en a$ay they change their masks and
a22ear in s"me "ther 3"rm. But the chains by $hich man is b"und are 3"rged by his "$n desire. His /ices
d" n"t cling t" him against his $ill. He clings t" them, and they $ill desert him as s""n as he rises u2 in
the strength and dignity "3 his manh""d and shakes them "33. There is a meth"d, by $hich $e may,
$ith"ut any acti/e e33"rt, "btain that $hich $e desire, and this is that %e should desire nothing except
%hat the divine spirit %ills %ithin our o%n heart0
The third reBuirement is
TO %,*'
We must dare t" act and thr"$ "33 l"$ desires, instead "3 $aiting inacti/ely until they desert us. We must
dare t" tear "ursel/es l""se 3r"m accust"med habits, irrati"nal th"ughts, and sel3ish c"nsiderati"ns, and
3r"m e/erything that is an im2ediment t" "ur rec"gniti"n "3 truth. We must dare t" c"nBuer "ursel/es and
the $"rld by bec"ming like a disinterested s2ectat"r, taking n" 2art in the 2er3"rmance,9Bhaga/ad :ita: 8
n"t "n acc"unt "3 any stu2id indi33erence "r m"urn3ul acBuiescence t" the decrees "3 3ate, n"r "n acc"unt
"3 being a W2essimistA "r a misanthr"2e4 but "n acc"unt "3 ha/ing "utgr"$n the 3"llies "3 the l"$er $"rld
and realising the beauties "3 the high. We must learn t" "/erc"me "ur "$n ign"rance, dare t" 3ace the
ridicule "3 the ign"rant, the /ili3icati"ns "3 big"ts, the haughtiness "3 the /ain, the c"ntem2t "3 the learned,
and the en/y "3 the small4 dare t" 2r"claim the truth i3 it is use3ul t" d" s", and dare t" he silent i3 taunted
by the 3""l. 9 Pr"/. 11/i. ).: We must dare t" 3ace 2"/erty, su33ering, and is"lati"n, be su2eri"r t" all ills
that may a33ect us, and act under all circumstances acc"rding t" "ur highest c"nce2ti"n "3 truth.
<ll this might be easily acc"m2lished, i3 the $ill "3 man $ere 3ree4 i3 man $ere his "$n master and n"t
b"und $ith the chains "3 the s"ul4 but man is "nly 3ree t" a certain e1tent. Man may 2er3"rm certain acts
Page +%+
and lea/e "thers und"ne i3 he ch""ses4 but his $isd"m determines his ch"ice. < man kn"$ing and $ise
has the 2"$er t" $ill that $hich he d"es n"t desire 2ers"nally, and n"t t" $ill that t" $hich his desires
attract him. T" make the $ill 3ree, acti"n is reBuired, and each acti"n strengthens the $ill, and each
unsel3ish deed increases its 2"$er. There is "nly "ne di/ine #a$ and "ne di/ine Will4 the Will "3 di/ine
Wisd"m. He $h" 3"ll"$s the la$ e1ecutes the $ill "3 :"d4 he $h" "22"ses it may bec"me indi/idually
str"ng in his sel3'$ill4 but $ill 3inally be crushed by the "22"sing 3"rce, $hich is immeasurably str"nger
than he. 'are to obe! the La%" and !ou %ill become !our o%n #aster" and the Lord over all.
There are three $ays t" de/el"2 the 2"$er "3 $ill.
The irst is t" act against "ur "$n desires by 3"rcing "ursel/es t" 2er3"rm acts $hich are disagreeable
and 2ain3ul. This meth"d used t" be 2re/alent in the West during the Middle <ges, and is t"day 2ractised
in the *ast by Fakirs and the l"$er class "3 ascetics. >t is a meth"d by $hich 2e"2le dis2"sed t"
$itchcra3t may "btain su33icient strength "3 $ill t" c"ntr"l s"me "3 the l"$er *lementals, and acBuire
2"$er t" a33ect men and animals at a distance by the in3luence "3 their $ill. >t c"nsists in the endurance "3
2ain $ith indi33erence, and the acc"unts gi/en by tra/ellers in the *ast sh"$ t" $hat height "3 absurdity
such 2ractices "3 Hatha !oga ha/e been carried "ut. But $hile such 2ractices may strengthen the $ill,
they d" n"t eradicate sel3ishness4 but they rather increase it. .een in the 2r"2er 9Page (13: light, 2e"2le
gi/en t" such 2ractices d" n"t act against their desires4 because their desire is the attainment "3 2ers"nal
2"$er. Penances and t"rtures are there3"re $"rse than useless 3"r the higher de/el"2ment "3 the s"ul.
The second $ay is n"t t" 3"ll"$ "ur unla$3ul desires "n acc"unt "3 being a3raid "3 the c"nseBuences
$hich $e might ha/e t" e12erience i3 $e $ere t" be dis"bedient t" the la$. This is the kind "3 m"rality
$hich is usually t" be 3"und in the $"rld4 but $hich is based u2"n c"$ardice and n"t u2"n rec"gniti"n "3
truth. >ts 3"undati"n is the idea t" 3"reg" a small 2leasure 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 en5"ying a greater 2leasure
"3 an eBually sel3ish kind.
Phil"s"2hical c"urage is a Buality 3"r $hich men are admired e/ery$here4 its 3"undati"n is 2ers"nal
/anity. The ;ed >ndian 2rides himsel3 at his indi33erence t" 2hysical 2ain, the Fakir underg"es t"rtures t"
strengthen his $ill'2"$er, the ci/ilised s"ldier is eager t" 2r"/e his c"ntem2t 3"r danger, and t" measure
his strength $ith the strength "3 the enemy. But there are deeds t" 2er3"rm that reBuire a c"urage "3 a
su2eri"r kind. >t reBuires "nly m"mentary "utbursts "3 ambiti"n t" 2er3"rm a daring deed "n the 2hysical
2lane, but a c"ntinual and unremitted strain is needed t" kee2 the em"ti"ns sub5ected, and this strain is
rendered still m"re 3atiguing by the circumstance that it de2ends entirely "n "ur "$n $ill $hether "r n"t
$e $ill endure it, and that i3 $e rela1 the bridle and all"$ "ur em"ti"ns t" run 3ree, sensual grati3icati"n
$ill be the result.
The 2er3"rmance "3 such deed "3 /al"ur reBuires n"t merely a 2hil"s"2hical, but a theosophical c"urage4
namely the c"urage t" d" "ne9s duty because it is "ne9s duty t" d" it, and 3"r n" "ther reas"n. There3"re,
the best $ay is, n"t t" make any sel3ish attem2ts at all t" "/erc"me "ur desires4 but t" let the rec"gniti"n
"3 truth "/erc"me these desires4 t" sacri3ice n"t merely "ur desires, but "ur "$n sel3 $ith all its desires t"
the 3"untain "3 Di/ine Wisd"m, $hich is t" be ound in the tem2le "3 "ur "$n heart, and t" remain there
e/en $hile 9Page (1(: $e attend t" the duties "3 li3e. >3 $e enter that 2lace, all desires $ill remain "utside4
they cann"t enter the sacred 2recinct. >t reBuires a c"urage "3 the highest "rder t" act under all
circumstances in "bedience t" di/ine la$. #"ng may the battle last, but each /ict"ry strengthens the $ill4
Page +%-
each act "3 submissi"n renders it m"re 2"$er3ul, until at last the c"mbat is ended, and "/er the battle3ield
$here the remnants "3 the slain desires are e12"sed t" the dec"m2"sing acti"n "3 the elements h"/ers
the s2iritual eagle, rising t"$ards the sun and en5"ying the serene tranBuillity "3 the ethereal realm.
Metals are 2uri3ied by 3ire and the s2irit is 2uri3ied by su33ering. @nly $hen the m"lten mass has c""led
can $e 5udge "3 the 2r"gress "3 the 2uri3icati"n4 "nly $hen a /ict"ry "/er the em"ti"ns is gained, and
2eace 3"ll"$s a3ter the struggle, can the s2irit rest t" c"ntem2late and realise the beauty "3 eternal truth.
>n /ain $ill men attem2t t" listen t" the /"ice "3 truth during the clash "3 c"ntending desires and "2ini"ns,
"nly in the silence that 3"ll"$s the st"rm can the /"ice "3 truth be heard. 9 Light on the Path, by M. !.:
The 3"urth reBuirement t" the rec"gniti"n "3 the truth is there3"re
TO B' SIL'&T
This means that $e must n"t all"$ any desire t" s2eak in "ur heart, but "nly the /"ice "3 the truth4
because the truth is a 5eal"us g"ddess and su33ers n" ri/als. He $h" selects $isd"m 3"r the bride "3 his
s"ul must $"" her $ith his $h"le heart and dismiss the c"ncubines 3r"m the bridal chamber "3 his s"ul.
He must cl"the her in the 2urity "3 his a33ecti"n and "rnament her $ith the g"ld "3 his l"/e, 3"r $isd"m is
m"dest, she d"es n"t ad"rn hersel3 but $aits until she is ad"rned by her l"/er. .he cann"t be b"ught
$ith m"ney n"r $ith 2r"mises, her l"/e is "nly gained by acts "3 de/"ti"n. .cience is "nly the handmaid
"3 $isd"m, and he $h" makes l"/e t" the ser/ant $ill be re5ected by the 9Page (1): mistress4 but he $h"
sacri3ices his $h"le being t" $isd"m $ill be united $ith it.
The Bhag$at :ita says: WHe $h" thinketh c"nstantly "3 me, his mind undi/erted by any "ther "b5ect, $ill
3ind me. > $ill at all times be easily 3"und by a c"nstant de/"ti"n t" meA.
The !hristian Mystic, Fack"b B"ehme, an illuminated seer, e12resses the same truth, in the 3"rm "3 a
dial"gue bet$een the master and his disci2le, as 3"ll"$s:
The disci2le said t" the master: WH"$ can > succeed in arri/ing at that su2ersensual li3e, in $hich > may
see and hear the .u2remeE A
The master ans$ered: W>3 y"u can "nly 3"r a m"ment enter in th"ught int" the 3"rmless, $here n"
creature resides, y"u $ill hear the /"ice "3 the .u2remeA.
The disci2le said: W>s this 3ar "r nearEA
The master ans$ered: W>t is in y"ursel3, and i3 y"u can c"mmand "nly 3"r "ne h"ur the silence "3 y"ur
desires, y"u $ill hear the ine12ressible $"rds "3 the .u2reme. >3 y"ur "$n $ill and sel3 are silent in y"u,
the 2erce2ti"n "3 the eternal $ill be mani3est thr"ugh y"u4 :"d $ill hear, and see, and talk thr"ugh y"u4
Page +%G
y"ur "$n hearing, desiring, and seeing 2re/ents y"u t" see and hear the .u2remeA. 9 Fack"b B"ehme:
WThe"s"2hical WritingsA, b""k /i.:
These directi"ns are identical $ith th"se 2rescribed by the 2ractice "3 ,a;a$1og, by $hich the h"ly men
"3 the *ast unite their minds $ith the 3"rmless and in3inite. <ll religi"us cerem"nies are calculated t"
ele/ate the mind int" the regi"n "3 the 3"rmless, and, in 3act, all religi"us systems can ha/e n" "ther
ultimate "b5ect than t" teach meth"ds h"$ t" attain such states. <ll churches are n"t $"rthy the name "3
WchurchA, $hich means a spiritual union, unless they ser/e as sch""ls in $hich the science "3 uniting
"nesel3 $ith the eternal 3"untain "3 li3e is 2ractically taught. But it is easier t" all"$ "ne9s mind t" re/el
am"ng the multi3ari"us 3"rms and attracti"ns "3 the material 2lane, "r t" g" thr"ugh 3"rms "3 e1ternal
W$"rshi2A4 than t" enter int" n"thingness, $here at 3irst n" s"und is heard but the ech" "3 "ur /"ice. >t is
easier t" let "ur minds be 9Page (1-: c"ntr"lled by th"ughts that /isit the mind than t" cl"se the d""rs "3
the s"ul t" all th"ughts that ha/e n"t the seal "3 truth im2ressed u2"n their 3"rms4 and this is the reas"n
$hy the ma5"rity "3 men and $"men 2re3er the illusi"ns "3 3inite li3e t" the eternal realities "3 the in3inite4
$hy they 2re3er ign"rance t" a kn"$ledge "3 truth.
T" be silent means t" let n" "ther language be heard $ithin the heart but the language "3 :"d, to listen
to the voice o 'ivine -isdom spea/ing %ithin the heart. 9 H. P. Bla/atsky. WThe voice o the silenceA:
He $h" has learned t" kn"$, t" $ill, t" dare, and t" be silent, is u2"n the true 2ath that leads t" imm"rtal
li3e, but by th"se $h" m"/e merely in the sensual 2lane, "r $h"se minds are abs"rbed in e1ternal things
"3 the intellectual 2lane, e/en the meaning "3 these $"rds $ill n"t be underst""d.
=ari"us instructi"ns are gi/en in the b""ks "3 the *ast in regard t" the 2ractice "3 this silence and interi"r
meditati"n, but they all teach the same thing, namely, a c"ncentrati"n "3 man9s higher c"nsci"usness t" a
single 2"int $ithin his "$n centre.
>n the Oupne/hata the 3"ll"$ing directi"ns are gi/en: '
WBreathe dee2 and sl"$, and c"ncentrate y"ur un$a/ering attenti"n int" the midst "3 y"ur b"dy, int" the
regi"n "3 the heart. The lam2 in y"ur b"dy $ill then be 2r"tected against $ind and m"ti"n, and y"ur
$h"le b"dy $ill bec"me illuminated. O"u must $ithdra$ all y"ur senses $ithin y"ursel3 like a turtle, $hich
$ithdra$s its members $ithin the shell. *nter y"ur "$n heart and guard it, and Brahma $ill enter it like a
3ire "r a str"ke "3 lightning. >n the midst "3 the big 3ire in y"ur heart $ill be a small 3lame, and in the centre
"3 it $ill be AtmaA.
Herocarcas, an abb"t "3 a c"n/ent u2"n the m"unt Athos, gi/es t" his m"nks the 3"ll"$ing directi"ns t"
acBuire the 2"$er "3 true clair/"yance: W.it al"ne in y"ur r""m, a3ter ha/ing the d""r l"cked against
intrusi"n, c"ncentrate y"ur mind u2"n the regi"n "3 the na/el and try t" see $ith that. Try t" 3ind the seat
"3 y"ur heart Hsink y"ur c"nsci"usness int" y"ur heartI, 9Page (12: $here the centre "3 2"$er resides. <t
3irst y"u $ill 3ind n"thing but darkness4 but i3 y"u c"ntinue 3"r days and nights $ith"ut 3atigue, y"u $ill see
light, and e12erience ine12ressible things. When the s2irit "nce rec"gnises its "$n centre in the heart, it
$ill kn"$ $hat it ne/er kne$ be3"re, and there $ill be n"thing hidden be3"re its sight, $hether in hea/en
Page +%)
"r u2"n the earthA.
#et us c"m2are $ith these statements "ne recei/ed 3r"m an unkn"$n uneducated 2ers"n, $h" is an
illuminate "3 "ur times. He has ne/er heard "3 the Oupne/ata n"r "3 Herocarcas4 but he 2"ssesses the
2"$er t" see interi"r truths. He says: W.ink y"ur th"ughts d"$n$ard int" the centre "3 y"ur being, and
y"u $ill 3ind there a germ $hich, i3 c"ntinually n"urished by 2ure and h"ly th"ughts, $ill gr"$ int" a
2"$er that $ill e1tend and rami3y thr"ugh all 2arts "3 y"ur b"dy. O"ur hands and 3eet and y"ur b"dy $ill
become alive4 a sun $ill a22ear $ithin y"ur heart and illuminate y"ur $h"le being. >n this light y"u $ill
see the 2resent, the 2ast, and the 3uture, and by its aid y"u $ill attain the true kn"$ledge "3 sel3A.
Man is himsel3 a creati"n "3 th"ught, 2er/ading the "cean "3 Mind. >3 his s"ul is in 2er3ect acc"rd $ith the
truth, the truth $ill be "ne $ith his s"ul. < talented musician $ill n"t need a scienti3ic calculati"n "3 the
/ibrati"ns "3 s"und t" kn"$ $hether a mel"dy $hich Whe hearsA is mel"di"us "r n"t4 a 2ers"n $h" is "ne
$ith the truth $ill rec"gnise himsel3 in the mirr"rs "3 e/ery e1ternal mani3estati"n "3 truth.
The highest magical 2"$er in nature is -isdom4 it is the "neness "3 +ntelligence" -ill and La%0 >t is the
highest ideal that man can 2"ssess. The highest 2"$er "3 the s"ul is t" e12ress $isd"m in language, the
highest 2"$er "3 2hysical man is t" emb"dy that language in acts.
*/ery 3"rm in ?ature is a symb"l "3 an idea and re2resents a sign, "r a letter, "r a $"rd4 and a
successi"n "3 such symb"ls 3"rms a language. ?ature is there3"re the di/ine language, in $hich the
7ni/ersal Mind e12resses its ideas. The indi/idual mind $hich is de/el"2ed t" such a state "3 2er3ecti"n
as t" 3"rm the best 9Page (1/: instrument thr"ugh $hich the highest intelligence can mani3est itsel3, $ill be
the m"st a2t t" realise the meaning "3 that language. The highest secrets "3 ?ature are, there3"re,
accessible t" him $h"se mental c"nstituti"n is s" 2er3ected as t" enable him t" understand the language
"3 ?ature.
.uch a language means a radiati"n "3 the essence "3 things int" the centre "3 the human mind, and a
radiati"n 3r"m that centre int" the uni/ersal "cean "3 mind. Man in a state "3 2urity, being an image and
an e1ternal e12ressi"n "3 the highest s2iritual 2"$er, is able t" re3lect and re2r"duce the highest truth in
its "riginal 2urity, and man9s e12ressi"ns "ught there3"re t" be a 2er3ect re2r"ducti"n "r ech" "3 the
im2ressi"ns $hich he recei/es 3r"m the s2here "3 eternal truth4 but a/erage man being immersed in
matter, as a result "3 a c"mbinati"n "3 2rinci2les "n a l"$er scale "3 e/"luti"n, recei/es the 2ure "riginal
rays "nly in a state "3 re3racti"n, and can there3"re re2r"duce them "nly in an im2er3ect c"nditi"n. He has
$andered a$ay 3r"m the sun "3 truth, and beh"lding it 3r"m a distance it a22ears t" him "nly as a small
star, ab"ut t" /anish 3r"m sight. */erything in ?ature has its natural name, and he $h" has the 2"$er t"
call a thing by that name can call its 3"rm int" e1istence. This 2r"2er name "3 a thing is its character, the
e12ressi"n "3 the t"tality "3 its 2"$ers and attributes, t" cause the truth in a thing t" bec"me mani3est by
the s2iritual 2"$er "3 the li/ing $"rd, is t" call it int" e1istence. This cann"t be d"ne by any merely
e1ternal language4 but by the li/ing 2"$er "3 the s2irit, "3 $hich the e1ternal e12ressi"n is merely an
"ut$ard symb"l and 3"rm. 9 WThere are three states "3 &ach "r M$"rd9, each m"re interi"r than the "ther,
and each has three elements4 the meaning, the th"ught and its e12ressi"n in s"undA. Subba ,ao,
W#ectures "n the Bhaga/ad :itaA :
Page +%6
There is "nly "ne genuine and interi"r language 3"r man, the symb"ls "3 $hich are natural and must be
intelligible t" all, and this language is an interi"r direct c"mmunicati"n "3 th"ught. This interi"r language
is the 2arent "3 the e1teri"r "ne, and being caused by the 9Page (10: radiati"n "3 the 3irst cause $hich is
unity and $ith $h"m all men are "ne, it 3"ll"$s that i3 the "riginal radiati"n "3 the su2reme ray $ere
e1isting in all men in its "riginal 2urity, all men $"uld understand the same language. There e1ists such
an e1ternal language, $hich is a 2er3ect e12ressi"n "3 that interi"r "ne4 but this language is kn"$n t"
"nly 3e$ and it cann"t be arti3icially acBuired. He $h" kn"$s the internal language $ill als" kn"$ the
e1ternal "ne. The interi"r language breathes s2irit4 $hile the e1teri"r "ne is "nly a successi"n "3 s"unds.
The key t" that interi"r language is in the di/ine -ord, the key t" the e1teri"r "ne is the mental
"rganisati"n "3 c"llecti/e b"dies "3 men. Man in his 2resent c"nditi"n hears the /"ice $hich s2eaks that
interi"r language, but d"es n"t understand it4 he sees the sacred symb"ls, but d"es n"t c"m2rehend
them4 his ear is accust"med t" c"nnect certain meanings $ith certain s"unds, but the true /ibrati"ns are
l"st4 he understands human $ritings in b""ks, but he cann"t di/ine the hier"gly2hics that e12ress the
true nature "3 things.
*ach character has its "$n true symb"l and 3"rm, $hich e12resses its nature4 each symb"l is a thing
re2resenting the essential character "3 a certain 2"$er, and this character can there3"re be rec"gnised
by him $h" kn"$s the language "3 nature in the same $ay as an artist rec"gnises the character "3
an"ther artist, by sim2ly beh"lding his $"rk.
Men ha/e e/er been desiring an uni/ersal language. .uch an uni/ersal language cann"t be arbitrarily
c"nstructed, "r i3 s" c"nstructed, $"uld be m"re di33icult t" learn than any "ther. True language must
e12ress the harm"ny "3 the s"ul $ith the nature "3 things, and as l"ng as there is a di33erentiati"n "3
nati"nal character and disharm"ny there can be n" uni/ersal harm"ni"us language.
There is a three3"ld e12ressi"n "3 di/ine essence4 a 2hysical, an intellectual, and a di/ine $"rd. The 3irst
is the language "3 nature, the sec"nd the language "3 reas"n, the third "ne is the language "3 :"d, $hich
is thought" speech and action in one, and $hich is there3"re a 9Page (11: creati/e 2"$er. *ach true
symb"l "r 3"rm is an e1ternal image "3 an internal state. *ach b"dy is the symb"l "3 an in/isible and
c"rres2"nding 2"$er, and Man, in $h"m the highest 2"$ers are c"ntained, is the m"st n"ble symb"l in
nature, the 3irst and m"st beauti3ul letter in the al2habet "3 earth. >3 he $ere true t" his "$n di/ine nature,
his b"dy $"uld be a b"dy "3 light, a 2er3ect e12ressi"n "3 beauty. F"r e/ery th"ught there is an "ut$ard
e12ressi"n, and i3 $e ha/e a th"ught $hich $e cann"t e12ress by symb"ls, it d"es n"t 3"ll"$ that such
symb"ls d" n"t e1ist, but that $e are un'acBuainted $ith them. < $"rd "r a language is the e12ressi"n "3
th"ught, and t" be 2er3ect it must gi/e 2er3ect e12ressi"n t" the th"ught it is intended t" c"n/ey. By
gi/ing a 3alse e12ressi"n t" th"ught the true 2"$er "3 language is l"st. >n "ur 2resent state "3 ci/ilisati"n
$"rds are used m"re 3"r the 2ur2"se "3 c"ncealing than re/ealing th"ught. #ying in/"l/es a l"ss "3
s2iritual 2"$er. T" gi/e 2ure and 2er3ect e12ressi"n t" th"ught is White Magic4 t" act u2"n the
imaginati"n s" as t" create 3alse im2ressi"ns is $itchcra3t, dece2ti"n, and 3alseh""d. .uch $itchcra3t is
2ractised e/ery day and alm"st in e/ery stati"n "3 li3e, 3r"m the 2riest in the 2ul2it $h" $heedles his
audience int" a belie3 that he 2"ssesses the keys "3 hea/en, d"$n t" the merchant $h" cheats $ith his
g""ds, and the "ld maid securing a husband by means "3 arti3icial teeth and 3alse hair. .uch 2ractices
are 2ublicly den"unced but silently 3"ll"$ed4 they lead t" a uni/ersal disa22earance "3 3aith and trust,
they $ill necessarily lead t" acti/e e/il and bring destructi"n u2"n the nati"n that all"$s them t" gr"$4
because, as the 2"$er "3 g""d increases by 2ractice, in the same manner increases the 2"$er "3 e/il.
Page +%%
Man9s missi"n is t" d" the highest g""d t" himsel3 that means t" d" that $hich is m"st use3ul 3"r his
highest de/el"2ment, and being in his true nature uni/ersal and unlimited, his highest g""d can "nly be
"btained by $"rking 3"r the bene3it "3 the $h"le $"rld and n"t 3"r his "$n limited 2ers"nality.
>n this $ay his nature $ill bec"me m"re re3ined, and its interi"r illuminated by the light "3 9Page (1.: di/ine
$isd"m. By li/ing attached t" Wsel3A he attracts t" himsel3 the unintelligent and material 2rinci2les "3
?ature, his c"nstituti"n bec"mes m"re material, degraded and hea/y until, unable t" rise t" the true light,
be bec"mes meta'2hysically 2etri3ied, l"st in the astral 2lane.
Man9s acti"ns are his $ritings. By 2utting his th"ughts int" acti"n, he e12resses them and rec"rds them
in the b""k "3 li3e. */ery e/il act is 3"ll"$ed by a degradati"n "3 character, a meta2hysical incrustati"n "3
the s"ul. :""d acti"ns diss"l/e e1isting incrustati"ns 2r"duced by e/il deeds, and re'establish the s"ul in
its 3"rmer c"nditi"n. ;e2entance, unless 3"ll"$ed by a change "3 nature, is useless. >t is like the
in3lammati"n caused by a th"rn in the 3lesh4 it causes 2ain, and unless the cause is rem"/ed 2utre3acti"n
$ill be the result. Man9s acts are his creati"ns, they gi/e e12ressi"n t" his th"ughts. The m"ti/e end"$s
them $ith character, the $ill 3urnishes them $ith li3e.
<n intenti"n is 2ractically useless as l"ng as it is n"t 2ut int" 2ractice. < sign, a letter, "r a $"rd is useless
unless it c"n/eys a meaning4 a symb"l re2resents an idea, but n" symb"l can be e33icaci"us unless "ne
masters that $hich it re2resents. The m"st 2"tent magical signs are useless t" him $h" cann"t s2iritually
in his s"ul realise $hat they mean, $hile in him $h" has soul$/no%ledge, the use "3 a single 2"int, a line,
"r any ge"metrical 3igure, may 2ut s2iritual 2"$ers int" acti"n.
#et us in c"nclusi"n attem2t t" e12lain e1"terically and es"terically a 3e$ "3 the m"st im2"rtant magical
signs. We may succeed t" a certain e1tent in gi/ing these e12lanati"ns in $"rds4 but their s2iritual
meaning cann"t be e12ressed in language n"r e/en in music4 language can merely attem2t t" guide the
reader int" a regi"n "3 th"ught in $hich be may be able t" 2ercei/e the secret meaning $ith the eye "3
the s2irit4 i3 he has the 2"$er "3 2ercei/ing the truth s2iritually by the light "3 the truth. 9Page (.4:
The Pentagram or the Fi@e>;ointed Star
>n its external a22earance it is merely a ge"metrical 3igure, 3"und e/ery$here
as a trade'mark "r "rnament. .u2erstiti"us and credul"us 2e"2le "nce
belie/ed, that i3 it $ere dra$n u2"n the d""rs "3 their h"uses it $"uld 2r"tect
them against the intrusi"ns "3 the s"rcerer and the $itch.
>n its esoteric signi3icati"n it symb"lises Man. The 3"ur l"$er triangles re2resent
the 3"ur elementary 3"rces "3 nature, and as the lines "3 each triangle are intimately c"nnected "r
identical $ith th"se 3"rming the "ther lines, the sum "3 these lines 3"rming "nly "ne br"ken line $ith"ut
any interru2ti"n, like$ise the 3"ur l"$er elements are intimately c"nnected and identical $ith the 3i3th
element, the Buintessence "3 all things, situated at the t"2 "3 the 3igure4 re2resenting the head, the seat
"3 intelligence.
Page +%(
The s2iritual kn"$ledge "3 the Fi/e'2"inted .tar is identical $ith its 2ractical a22licati"n. #et us be$are
that the 3igure is al$ays $ell dra$n, lea/ing n" "2en s2ace, thr"ugh $hich the enemy can enter and
disturb the harm"ny e1isting in the Pentag"n. #et us kee2 the 3igure al$ays u2right, $ith the t"2m"st
triangle RPage -,+S 2"inting t" hea/en, 3"r it is the seat "3 Wisd"m, and i3 the 3igure is re/ersed
2er/ersi"n and e/il $ill be the result. #et the lines be straight, s" that all the triangles $ill be harm"ni"us
and "3 eBual size, s" that the symb"l $ill gr"$ $ith"ut any abn"rmal de/el"2ment "3 "ne 2rinci2le at the
c"st "3 an"ther. Then the l"$er triangles $ill send their Buintessence t" the t"2, the seat "3 intelligence,
and the t"2 $ill su22ly the l"$er triangles $ith 2"$er and induce them t" gr"$. Then, $hen the time "3
2r"bati"n and de/el"2ment is "/er, the triangles $ill be abs"rbed by the Pentag"n in the centre, and
3"rm int" a sBuare $ithin the in/isible circle c"nnecting the a2ices "3 the triangles, and "ur destiny $ill be
3ul3illed. There is n" higher duty 3"r man t" 2er3"rm, than t" kee2 the Fi/e'2"inted .2iritual .tar intact4 it
$ill be his 2r"tecti"n during li3e and his sal/ati"n in the herea3ter.
%he &ou#le %riangle or Si'(Pointed Star
This is "ne "3 the m"st im2"rtant signs, and 2ractically a22lied it in/ests
man $ith magic 2"$er. RPage -,-S >ts exoteric meaning is merely t$"
triangles 5"ined t"gether, s" that they 2artially c"/er each "ther, $hile the
a2e1 "3 "ne 2"ints u2$ards and the a2e1 "3 the "ther d"$n$ard. >t is
s"metimes surr"unded by a circle "r by a snake biting its tail, and
s"metimes $ith a tau in the middle.
>ts esoteric meaning is /ery e1tensi/e. >t re2resents am"ng "ther things the
descent "3 s2irit int" matter, and the ascensi"n "3 matter t" s2irit, $hich is
c"ntinually taking 2lace $ithin the circle "3 eternity, re2resented by the snake, the symb"l "3 $isd"m. .i1
2"ints are seen in the star, but the se/enth cann"t be seen4 ne/ertheless the se/enth 2"int must e1ist
unmani3ested, it n"t ha/ing bec"me mani3est4 because $ith"ut a centre there c"uld be n" si1'2"inted
star, n"r any "ther 3igure e1isting.
But $h" can describe in $"rds the secret s2iritual and uni/ersal signi3icati"n "3 the si1'2"inted star and
its in/isible centre E Wh" can intellectually gras2 and describe the beauties and truths $hich it
re2resentsE @nly he $h" e12eriences in his "$n di/ine nature the 2"$er "3 this sign can 2ractically a22ly
it, and he $h" can a22ly it 2ractically is an <de2t. Kn"$ing that sign 2ractically means t" realise the
nature "3 W:"dA, t" be :"d and kn"$, and the la$s "3 eternal nature, it means t" kn"$ by e12erience the
2r"cess "3 e/"luti"n and in/"luti"n "3 matter and s2irit4 t" realise h"$ the li3e'im2ulse tra/els 3r"m 2lanet
t" 2lanet, beginning $ith the e/"luti"n "3 the elemental kingd"m, rising u2 thr"ugh the mineral,
/egetable, and animal kingd"m, and at last e/"l/ing a g"d'like being "ut "3 animal man. T" him $h"
cann"t realise $ithin his heart the di/ine mysteries "3 nature, the blinding light shining 3r"m the centre "3
the 3igure has n" e1istence4 but the <de2t kn"$s that in/isible centre, the great .2iritual .un, the heart "3
the !"sm"s, 3r"m $hich #"/e and #ight and #i3e are radiating 3"r e/er. He sees the se/en 2rim"rdial rays
"3 that light shining int" in/isible matter and 3"rming /isible $"rlds u2"n $hich men and animals li/e and
die, and are ha22y "r disc"ntented acc"rding t" their c"nditi"ns. RPage -,GS He sees h"$ by the breath
"3 that in/isible centre suns and stars, 2lanets and satellites are e/"l/ed, and h"$ i3 the day "3 creati"n "3
3"rms is "/er, it reabs"rbs them int" its b"s"m. =erily the si1'2"inted star is a m"st 2"tent magical sign,
and it reBuires the $isd"m "3 :"d t" understand it, and the "mni2"tent 2"$er "3 Lie t" a22ly it t" its
Page +%&
3ullest e1tent.
>n its e1ternal signi3icati"n the !hristian Cross is a symb"l "3 t"rture and death. The sight "3 a cr"ss calls
u2 in the mind "3 the 2i"us the mem"ry "3 a hist"rical e/ent said t" ha/e taken 2lace in Palestine s"me
t$" th"usand years ag", $hen a n"ble, g""d, and 5ust man, an incarnati"n "3 :"d, is said t" ha/e been
e1ecuted as a criminal u2"n acr"ss.
RPage -,)S The esoteric meaning "3 the !r"ss is /ery
ancient, and the !r"ss has e1isted as a secret
symb"l 2r"bably th"usands "3 years ag" be3"re the
!hristian era. >t is 3"und in the ancient ca/e'tem2les
"3 >ndia and *gy2t, $here it $as he$n in st"ne l"ng
be3"re !hristianity $as kn"$n. The 2hil"s"2hical
Cross re2resents, am"ng "ther things, the 2rinci2le
"3 matter and that "3 s2irit intersecting each "ther,
3"rming the Buaternary $hich, $hen it is inscribed in
the sBuare, 3"rms the basis "3 kn"$ledge 3"r the
@ccultist. The h"riz"ntal line re2resents the animal
2rinci2le, 3"r the heads "3 animals are b"$ed t" the
earth. Man is the "nly being u2"n the gl"be $h"
stands erect4 the di/ine 2rinci2le $ithin him kee2s
him m"rally erect, and there3"re the 2er2endicular
line is the symb"l "3 his di/inity. The cr"ss re2resents
Man, $h" has acted against the la$ and thereby
trans3"rmed himsel3 int" an instrument 3"r his "$n t"rture. Fr"m the beginning "3 his e1istence as a ray
"3 the di/ine s2iritual .un he re2resented a 2er2endicular line, cutting in the directi"n "3 the s"urce 3r"m
$hich he emanated in the beginning. <s the distance 3r"m that s"urce increased, and as the ray entered
int" matter, it de/iated 3r"m the "riginally straight line and became br"ken4 creating thereby a di/isi"n in
its "$n essence and making t$" 2arts "ut "3 the "riginal 7nity4 thus establishing a $ill and imaginati"n "3
its "$n, acting n"t in acc"rdance $ith the #a$, but e/en in "22"siti"n t" it. >3 man 3"ll"$s again the
dictates "3 the #a$, he $ill then be taken 3r"m the !r"ss and resume his 3"rmer 2"siti"n. WT" take u2
"ne9s !r"ssA, means t" submit "ne9s "$n desires t" the rule "3 di/ine #a$.
Wh" can kn"$ the 2ractical s2iritual signi3icati"n "3 the Cross e1ce2t spiritual man, $h" by his
incarnati"n in a terrestrial human 3"rm has bec"me nailed t" the cr"ss "3 su33ering the ills "3 the 3lesh and
its tem2tati"ns, n"r can he regain his 3reed"m unless the terrestrial man dies the mystic death 3"r him, by
nailing his sel3'$ill t" the cr"ss "3 the la$ and dying the mystic death, s" that the true man may li/e.
@n the head "3 the !hristian cr"ss there are inscribed RPage -,6S the letters +030,0+.., $hich in its e1"teric
meaning is said t" read W.esus 3a9arenus" ,ex +udeorum80 This means that the light "3 Di/ine Wisd"m is
the king "3 all kn"$ledge, and must rule "/er all intellectual s2eculati"ns, t" $hich n"t "nly the Fe$s, but
als" "ur m"dern 2hil"s"2hers are de/"ted4 but the ;"sicrucian meaning "3 these letters $as: >n 3obis
,egnat .esus" and this truth $ill als" be realised "nly by th"se $h" are in 2"ssessi"n "3 imm"rtal li3e:
and because in them the true Fesus, the s2iritual s"ul, illumined by the light "3 Di/ine Wisd"m, has
a$akened t" li3e and is actually the #"rd and ruler "3 their interi"r kingd"m.
Page +%,
>n its 2ractical a22licati"n the !r"ss re2resents the sel3'rec"gniti"n "3 Di/ine Truth. He $h"se s2iritual
2erce2ti"n is "2en sees the li/ing !r"ss in its gl"ry. .ublimely stands that !r"ss u2"n the m"untain "3
sel3'kn"$ledge, magni3icent is its as2ect. Far int" hea/en shines the light radiating 3r"m its centre and
illuminating the darkness $ith its bene3icent rays. ;ise, "h man, u2 t" y"ur true dignity, s" that y"u may
see the meaning "3 the true !r"ss. ?"t the dead $""den !r"ss, the emblem "3 ign"rance and su33ering,
n"r the glittering cr"ss made "3 brass, the emblem "3 /anity, sectarianism and su2erstiti"n4 but the true
!r"ss, made "3 the 2ure g"ld "3 the light "3 Wisd"m $hich each true Brother o the *olden and ,os!
Cross carries dee2ly buried $ithin his "$n heart. This cr"ss is the 3ull'gr"$n Tree "3 #i3e and "3
Kn"$ledge, bearing the 3ruits "3 sal/ati"n and imm"rtality, the dis2enser "3 #i3e, the 2r"tect"r against
e/il. He $h" kn"$s 2ractically the true mystery "3 the !r"ss is acBuainted $ith the highest $isd"m4 he
$h" is ad"rned $ith the true !r"ss is sa3e 3r"m all danger. >n3inite 2"$er "3 the !r"ssL >n thee the Truth is
re/ealed. Buried dee2 in the darkness "3 *arth is thy 3""t, teaching us Patience4 high int" the light "3
hea/en reaches thy cr"$n, teaching us )aith. #i3ted by Hope and e1tended by Charit! are thy arms, light
and sunshine surr"und thee. #ink u2"n link the chain "3 creati"n encircles the !r"ss4 $"rlds $ithin
$"rlds, 3"rms $ithin 3"rms, illusi"ns u2"n illusi"ns. But in the Centre is the ;eality RPage -,%S in $hich is
hidden the 5e$el "3 2riceless /alue, the Truth. #et the de$ "3 hea/en $hich c"mes 3r"m the true !r"ss
descend int" y"ur hearts and 2enetrate int" y"ur s"ul and b"dy, s" that it may crystallize int" 3"rm. Then
$ill the darkness $ithin y"ur mind disa22ear, the /eil "3 matter $ill be rent, and be3"re y"ur s2iritual
/isi"n $ill stand re/ealed the angel "3 truth. TrulyL n" "ne can be a real !hristian unless he 2ractically
realises in his s"ul the meaning "3 the symb"l "3 the !r"ss4 the sel3're/elati"n "3 Truth.
The 2resent material age is e/er ready t" re5ect $ith"ut e1aminati"n the symb"ls "3 the 2ast $h"se
meaning it cann"t realise because it d"es n"t 2"ssess the treasures $hich they re2resent. *ngaged in
the 2ursuit "3 material 2leasures, it l"ses sight "3 di/ine $isd"m and e1changes s2iritual $ealth 3"r
$"rthless baubles. #"sing sight "3 his di/ine destiny, man runs a3ter shad"$s, cl"sing his eye t" the Light
o the -orld0 ;uled by 3ear, man b"$s be3"re the M"l"ch "3 su2erstiti"n and ign"rance, rushes madly
int" the arms "3 a dead and c"ld agn"stic science t" 2erish in its st"ny embrace4 but the $ise, $h"se 3ar'
seeing 2erce2ti"n reached bey"nd the narr"$ circle "3 his material surr"undings and bey"nd the sh"rt
s2an "3 time $hich includes "ne "3 his li/es "n this earth, kn"$s that it is in his 2"$er t" c"ntr"l his 3uture
destiny. He raises the magic $and "3 his $ill and Buiets the tem2est "3 the s"ul. The 3"rces $hich $ere
rushing t" his destructi"n "bey him and e1ecute his "rders, and he $alks sa3ely u2"n the $aters under
$h"se calm sur3ace is hidden the abyss "3 death, $hile ab"/e his head shines that bright c"nstellati"n
3"rmed "3 Truth, Kn"$ledge, and P"$er, $h"se centre is the #a$ and $h"se germs can be 3"und in the
s2iritual sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 e/ery human being. RPage -,(S
Page +(K
,PP'&%I7
, &'W 8+I%' O& TH' P,TH
F@; TH@.* WH@ D*.>;* T@ F@##@W TH* P;<!T>!<# W<O
+. Kn"$ that <ll is @ne.
-. Kn"$ that e/erything is Thysel3.
G. Kn"$ that the @ne in a state "3 /ibrati"n 2r"duces the great multi2licity "3 3"rms and acti/ities in the
7ni/erse.
). Kn"$ that i3 y"u e1amine this multi2licity 3r"m the stand2"int "3 y"ur intellectual reas"ning, y"u $ill
arri/e at the 3"ll"$ing deducti"ns:
6. */erything that y"u call W#i3eA, W*nergyA, W.ubstanceA, is a Duality.
%. */erything has a tendency t" return t" 7nity .
(. <ll desire and there3"re all su33ering "riginates 3r"m duality.
&. #et thy as2irati"n be 3"r enlightenment.
,. Kn"$ that the result "3 the 5"ys e12erienced by the attainment "3 enlightenment is ha22iness.
+K. ;ise ab"/e the state "3 c"ndensati"n.
++. Kn"$ that the result "3 the 5"ys e12erienced in the state "3 c"ndensati"n is su33ering.
+-. @n the r"ad 3r"m 7nity in m"ti"n t" tranBuillity is the state "3 c"ndensati"n. >t is the cause "3 y"ur
illusi"ns, because y"u imagine it t" be tranBuillity4 and it is the cause "3 y"ur d"ubts, because y"u regard
it as the "b5ect "3 y"ur desires. Kn"$ that the stri/ing a3ter the uni3icati"n "3 the duality is the "nly s"urce
"3 y"ur $ill, y"ur desires, and "3 th"se 5"ys $h"se results y"u call Wsu33eringA. RPage -,&S
+G. Kn"$ that the d""r 3"r the s"luti"n "3 that $hich is 3i1ed is $hat is called WMatterA.
Page +(+
+). Kn"$ that e/erything has t" 2ass thr"ugh that d""r.
+6. Kn"$ that the d""r 3"r the s"luti"n "3 the 3i1ed is als" called W#i3eA.
+%. Kn"$ that e/erything has t" 2ass thr"ugh that d""r.
+(. <nd that the l"ng s"5"urn in WMatterA and the interru2ti"n "3 the /"yage by W#i3eA means retardati"n in
the s"luti"n "3 the 3i1ed and 2r"crastinati"n in the uni3icati"n "3 the duality.
+&. *n3"rce the 2ractice "3 the 2"$er "3 that $hich is s"l/ed "/er that $hich is c"ndensed.
+,. Direct y"ur attenti"n t" the c"nsci"usness "3 that $hich is diss"l/ed "/er that $hich is c"ndensed.
-K. !arry this c"nsci"usness thr"ugh all the 2lanes "3 y"ur being.
-+. *le/ate y"ur $h"le b"dy t" the ca2acity t" think, t" hear, and t" see.
--. !ause it thereby t" bec"me a 3it instrument 3"r the use "3 y"ur sel3'c"nsci"usness "3 the @ne and "3
y"ur sel3'2"$er Hresulting 3r"m uni3icati"nI.
-G. !"nBuer the 2ains resulting there3r"m.
-). When the di/ine #anguage is "nce heard $ithin thy heart 8 $hen the (ing $ithin thy interi"r has "nce
"btained d"mini"n 8 $hen th"u hast 2assed thr"ugh $ater and 3ire, and thy s2irit has bec"me the li3e "3
thy bl""d 8 then y"u may say: + am" + go" and + remain0
Page +(-

MagicWhiteAndBlack FHartmann

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