GNANY YOGA/PART 2
THE SECOND LESSON
OMNIPRESENT LIFE.
In
our First Lesson of this series, we brought out the idea that the human mind
was compelled to report the fact that it could not think of The Absolute except
as possessing the quality of Omnipresence—Present-Everywhere. And, likewise,
the human mind is compelled to think that all there IS must be The Absolute,
or of the Absolute. And if a thing is of the
Absolute, then the Absolute must be in it, in some way—must be
the essence of it. Granting this, we must then think that everything
must be filled with the essence of Life, for Life must be one of the qualities
of the Absolute, or rather what we call Life must be the outward expression of
the essential Being of the Absolute. And if this be so, then it would follow
that everything in the Universe must be Alive. The mind cannot
escape this conclusion. And if the facts do not bear out this conclusion then
we must be forced to admit that the entire basic theory of the Absolute and its
emanations must fall, and be considered as an error. No chain is stronger than
its weakest link, and if this link be too weak to bear the weight of the facts
of the universe, then must the chain be discarded as imperfect and useless, and
another substituted. This fact is not generally mentioned by those speaking and
writing of All being One, or an emanation of the One, but it must be considered
and met. If there is a single thing in the Universe that is
"dead"—non-living—lifeless—then the theory must fall. If a thing is
non-living, then the essence of the Absolute cannot be in it—it must be alien
and foreign to the Absolute, and in that case the Absolute cannot be Absolute
for there is something outside of itself. And so it becomes of the greatest
importance to examine into the evidences of the presence of Life in all things,
organic or inorganic. The evidence is at hand—let us examine it.
The
ancient occultists of all peoples always taught that the Universe was
Alive—that there was Life in everything—that there was nothing dead in
Nature—that Death meant simply a change in form in the material of the dead
bodies. They taught that Life, in varying degrees of manifestation and
expression, was present in everything and object, even down to the hardest
mineral form, and the atoms composing that form.
Modern
Science is now rapidly advancing to the same position, and each months
investigations and discoveries serve only to emphasize the teachings.
Burbank,
that wonderful moulder of plant life, has well expressed this thought, when he
says: "All my investigations have led me away from the idea of a dead
material universe tossed about by various forces, to that of a universe which
is absolutely all force, life, soul, thought, or whatever name we may choose to
call it. Every atom, molecule, plant, animal or planet, is only an aggregation
of organized unit forces, held in place by stronger forces, thus holding them
for a time latent, though teeming with inconceivable power. All life on our
planet is, so to speak, just on the outer fringe of this infinite ocean of force.
The universe is not half dead, but all alive."
Science
today is gazing upon a living universe. She has not yet realized the full
significance of what she has discovered, and her hands are raised as if to
shade her eyes from the unaccustomed glare that is bursting upon her. From the
dark cavern of universal dead matter, she has stepped out into the glare of the
noon-day sun of a Universe All-Alive even to its smallest and apparently most
inert particle.
Beginning
at Man, the highest form of Life known to us, we may pass rapidly down the
scale of animal life, seeing life in full operation at each descending step.
Passing from the animal to the vegetable kingdom, we still see Life in full
operation, although in lessened degrees of expression. We shall not stop here
to review the many manifestations of Life among the forms of plant-life, for we
shall have occasion to mention them in our next lesson, but it must be apparent
to all that Life is constantly manifesting in the sprouting of seeds; the putting
forth of stalk, leaves, blossoms, fruit, etc., and in the enormous
manifestation of force and energy in such growth and development. One may see
the life force in the plant pressing forth for expression and manifestation,
from the first sprouting of the seed, until the last vital action on the part
of the mature plant or tree.
Besides
the vital action observable in the growth and development of plants, we know,
of course, that plants sicken and die, and manifest all other attributes of
living forms. There is no room for argument about the presence of life in the
plant kingdom.
But
there are other forms of life far below the scale of the plants. There is the
world of the bacteria, microbes, infusoria—the groups of cells with a common
life—the single cell creatures, down to the Monera, the creatures lower than
the single cells—the Things of the slime of the ocean bed.
These
tiny Things—living Things—present to the sight merely a tiny speck of jelly,
without organs of any kind. And yet they exercise all the functions of
life—movement, nutrition, reproduction, sensation, and dissolution. Some of
these elementary forms are all stomach, that is they are all one organ capable
of performing all the functions necessary for the life of the animal. The
creature has no mouth, but when it wishes to devour an object it simply
envelopes it—wraps itself around it like a bit of glue around a gnat, and then
absorbs the substance of its prey through its whole body.
Scientists
have turned some of these tiny creatures inside out, and yet they have gone on
with their life functions undisturbed and untroubled. They have cut them up
into still tinier bits, and yet each bit lived on as a separate animal,
performing all of its functions undisturbed. They are all the same all over, and
all the way through. They reproduce themselves by growing to a certain size,
and then separating into two, and so on. The rapidity of the increase is most
remarkable.
Haekel
says of the Monera: "The Monera are the simplest permanent cytods. Their
entire body consists of merely soft, structureless plasm. However thoroughly we
may examine them with the help of the most delicate reagents and the strongest
optical instruments, we yet find that all the parts are completely homogeneous.
These Monera are therefore, in the strictest sense of the word, 'organisms
without organs,' or even in a strict philosophical sense they might not even be
called organisms, since they possess no organs and since they are not composed
of various particles. They can only be called organisms in so far as they are
capable of exercising the organic phenomena of life, of nutrition,
reproduction, sensation and movement."
Verworn
records an interesting instance of life and mind among the Rhizopods,
a very low form of living thing. He relates that the Difflugia ampula,
a creature occupying a tiny shell formed of minute particles of sand, has a
long projection of its substance, like a feeler or tendril, with which it
searches on the bottom of the sea for sandy material with which to build the
shell or outer covering for its offspring, which are born by division from the
parent body. It grasps the particle of sand by the feeler, and passes it into
its body by enclosing it. Verworn removed the sand from the bottom of the tank,
replacing it by very minute particles of highly colored glass. Shortly
afterward he noticed a collection of these particles of glass in the body of
the creature, and a little later he saw a tiny speck of protoplasm emitted from
the parent by separation. At the same time he noticed that the bits of glass
collected by the mother creature were passed out and placed around the body of
the new creature, and cemented together by a substance secreted by the body of
the parent, thus forming a shell and covering for the offspring. This
proceeding showed the presence of a mental something sufficient to cause the
creature to prepare a shell for the offspring previous to its birth—or rather
to gather the material for such shell, to be afterward used; to distinguish the
proper material; to mould it into shape, and cement it. The scientist reported
that a creature always gathered just exactly enough sand for its purpose—never
too little, and never an excess. And this in a creature that is little more
than a tiny drop of glue!
We
may consider the life actions of the Moneron a little further, for it is the
lowest form of so-called "living matter"—the point at which living
forms pass off into non-living forms (so-called). This tiny speck of glue—an
organism without organs—is endowed with the faculty called sensation. It draws
away from that which is likely to injure it, and toward that which it
desires—all in response to an elementary sensation. It has the instinct of
self-preservation and self-protection. It seeks and finds its prey, and then eats,
digests and assimilates it. It is able to move about by "false-feet,"
or bits of its body which it pushes forth at will from any part of its
substance. It reproduces itself, as we have seen, by separation and
self-division.
The
life of the bacteria and germs—the yeasty forms of life—are familiar to many of
us. And yet there are forms of life still below these. The line between living
forms and non-living forms is being set back further and further by science.
Living creatures are now known that resemble the non-living so closely that the
line cannot be definitely drawn.
Living
creatures are known that are capable of being dried and laid away for several
years, and then may be revived by the application of moisture. They resemble
dust, but are full of life and function. Certain forms of bacilli are known to
Science that have been subjected to degrees of heat and cold that are but terms
to any but the scientific mind.
Low
forms of life called Diatoms or "living crystals" are known. They are
tiny geometrical forms. They are composed of a tiny drop of plasm, resembling
glue, covered by a thin shell of siliceous or sandy material. They are visible
only through the microscope, and are so small that thousands of them might be
gathered together on the head of a pin. They are so like chemical crystals that
it requires a shrewd and careful observer to distinguish them. And yet they are
alive, and perform all the functions of life.
Leaving
these creatures, we enter the kingdom of the crystals, in our search for life.
Yes, the crystals manifest life, as strange as this statement may appear to
those who have not followed the march of Science. The crystals are born, grow,
live, and may be killed by chemicals or electricity. Science has added a new
department called "Plasmology," the purpose of which is the study of
crystal life. Some investigators have progressed so far as to claim that they
have discovered signs of rudimentary sex functioning among crystals. At any
rate, crystals are born and grow like living things. As a recent scientific
writer has said: "Crystallization, as we are to learn now, is not a mere
mechanical grouping of dead atoms. It is a birth."
The
crystal forms from the mother liquor, and its body is built up systematically,
regularly, and according to a well defined plan or pattern, just as are the
body and bones of the animal form, and the wood and bark of the tree. There is
life at work in the growth of the crystal. And not only does the crystal grow,
but it also reproduces itself by separation or splitting-off, just as is the
case with the lower forms of life, just mentioned.
The
principal point of difference between the growth and development of the
crystals and that of the lower forms of life referred to is that the crystal
takes its nourishment from the outside, and builds up from its outer surface,
while the Monera absorbs its nourishment from within, and grows outwardly from
within. If the crystal had a soft center, and took its nourishment in that way,
it would be almost identical with the Diatom, or, if the Diatom grew from the
outside, it would be but a crystal. A very fine dividing line.
Crystals,
like living forms, may be sterilized and rendered incapable of reproduction by
chemical process, or electrical discharges. They may also be "killed"
and future growth prevented in this manner. Surely this looks like
"Life," does it not?
To
realize the importance of this idea of life among the crystals, we must
remember that our hardest rocks and metals are composed of crystals, and that
the dirt and earth upon which we grow and live are but crumbled rock and
miniature crystals. Therefore the very dust under our feet is alive. There
is nothing dead. There is no transformation of "dead matter"
into live plant matter, and then into live animal matter. The chemicals are
alive, and from chemical to man's body there is but a continuous change of
shape and form of living matter. Any man's body, decomposing, is again resolved
into chemicals, and the chain begins over again. Merely changes in living
forms—that's all, so far as the bodies are concerned.
Nature
furnishes us with many examples of this presence of life in the inorganic
world. We have but to look around to see the truth of the statement that All is
Alive. There is that which is known as the "fatigue of elasticity" in
metals. Razors get tired, and require a rest. Tuning forks lose their powers of
vibration, to a degree, and have to be given a vacation. 'Machinery in mills
and manufactories needs an occasional day off. Metals are subject to disease and
infection, and have been poisoned and restored by antidotes. Window glass,
especially stained glass, is subject to a disease spreading from pane to pane.
Men
accustomed to handling and using tools and machinery naturally drop into the
habit of speaking of these things as if they were alive. They seem to recognize
the presence of "feeling" in tools or machine, and to perceive in
each a sort of "character" or personality, which must be respected,
humored, or coaxed in order to get the best results.
Perhaps
the most valuable testimony along these lines, and which goes very far toward
proving the centuries-old theories of the Yogis regarding Omnipresent Life,
comes from Prof. J. Chunder Bose, of the Calcutta University, a Hindu educated
in the English Universities, under the best teachers, and who is now a leading
scientific authority in the western world, tie has given to the world some very
valuable scientific information along these lines in his book entitled "Response
in the Living and Non-living," which has caused the widest comment and
created the greatest interest among the highest scientific authorities. His
experiments along the lines of the gathering of evidence of life in the
inorganic forms have revolutionized the theories of modern science, and have done
much to further the idea that life is present everywhere, and that there is no
such thing as dead matter.
He
bases his work upon the theory that the best and only true test for the
presence of life in matter is the response of matter to external stimulus.
Proceeding from this fundamental theory he has proven by in-numerable
experiments that so-called inorganic matter, minerals, metals, etc., give a
response to such stimulus, which response is similar, if not identical, to the
response of the matter composing the bodies of plants, animals, men.
He
devised delicate apparatus for the measurement of the response to the outside
stimulus, the degree, and other evidence being recorded in traces on a
revolving cylinder. The tracings or curves obtained from tin and other metals,
when compared with those obtained from living muscle, were found to be
identical. He used a galvanometer, a very delicate and accurate scientific
instrument, in his experiments. This instrument is so finely adjusted that the
faintest current will cause a deflection of the registering needle, which is
delicately swung on a tiny pivot. If the galvanometer be attached to a human
nerve, and the end of the nerve be irritated, the needle will register.
Prof.
Bose found that when he attached the galvanometer to bars of various metals
they gave a similar response when struck or twisted. The greater the irritation
applied to the metal, the greater the response registered by the instrument.
The analogy between the response of the metal and that of the living muscle was
startling. For instance, just as in the case of the living animal muscle or
nerve matter, the response becomes fatigued, so in the case of the metal the
curve registered by the needle became fainter and still fainter, as the bar
became more and more fatigued by the continued irritation. And again, just
after such fatigue the muscle would become rested, and would again respond
actively, so would the metal when given a chance to recuperate.
Tetanus
due to shocks constantly repeated, was caused and recovered. Metals recorded
evidences of fatigue. Drugs caused identical effects on metals and animals—some
exciting; some depressing; some killing. Some poisonous chemicals killed pieces
of metal, rendering them immobile and therefore incapable of registering
records on the apparatus. In some cases antidotes were promptly administered,
and saved the life of the metal.
Prof.
Bose also conducted experiments on plants in the same way. Pieces of vegetable
matter were found to be capable of stimulation, fatigue, excitement,
depression, poison. Mrs. Annie Besant, who witnessed some of these experiments
in Calcutta, has written as follows regarding the experiments on plant life:
"There is something rather pathetic in seeing the way in which the tiny
spot of light which records the pulses in the plant, travels in ever weaker and
weaker curves, when the plant is under the influence of poison, then falls into
a final despairing straight line, and—stops. One feels as though a murder has
been committed—as indeed it has."
In
one of Prof. Bose's public experiments he clearly demonstrated that a bar of
iron was fully as sensitive as the human body, and that it could be irritated
and stimulated in the same way, and finally could be poisoned and killed.
"Among such phenomena," he asks, "how can we draw the line of
demarkation, and say, 'Here the physical ends, and there the physiological
begins'? No such barrier exists." According to his theory, which agrees
with the oldest occult theories, by the way, life is present in every object
and form of Nature, and all forms respond to external stimulus, which response
is a proof of the presence of life in the form.
Prof.
Bose's great book is full of the most startling results of experiments. He
proves that the metals manifest something like sleep; can be killed; exhibit
torpor and sluggishness; get tired or lazy; wake up; can be roused into
activity; may be stimulated, strengthened, weakened; suffer from extreme cold
and heat; may be drugged or intoxicated, the different metals manifesting a
different response to certain drugs, just as different men and animals manifest
a varying degree of similar resistance. The response of a piece of steel
subjected to the influence of a chemical poison shows a gradual fluttering and
weakening until it finally dies away, just as animal matter does when similarly
poisoned. When revived in time by an antidote, the recovery was similarly
gradual in both metal and muscle. A remarkable fact is noted by the scientist
when he tells us that the very poisons that kill the metals are themselves
alive and may be killed, drugged, stimulated, etc., showing the same response
as in the case of the metals, proving the existence in them of the same life
that is in the metals and animal matter that they influence.
Of
course when these metals are "killed" there is merely a killing of
the metal as metal—the atoms and principles of which the metal is composed
remaining fully alive and active, just as is the case with the atom of the
human body after the soul passes out—the body is as much alive after death as
during the life of the person, the activity of the parts being along the lines
of dissolution instead of construction in that case.
We
hear much of the claims of scientists who announce that they are on the eve of
"creating life" from non-living matter. This is all
nonsense—life can come only from life. Life from non-life is an absurdity. And
all Life comes from the One Life underlying All. But it is true that Science
has done, is doing, and will do, something very much like "creating
life," but of course this is merely changing the form of Life into other
forms—the lesser form into the higher—just as one produces a plant from a seed,
or a fruit from a plant. The Life is always there, and responds to the proper
stimulus and conditions.
A
number of scientists are working on the problem of generating living forms from
inorganic matter. The old idea of "spontaneous generation," for many
years relegated to the scrap-pile of Science, is again coming to the front. Although
the theory of Evolution compels its adherents to accept the idea that at one
time in the past living forms sprung from the non-living (so-called), yet it
has been generally believed that the conditions which brought about this stage
of evolution has forever passed. But the indications now all point to the other
view that this stage of evolution is, and always has been, in operation, and
that new forms of life are constantly evolving from the inorganic forms.
"Creation," so-called (although the word is an absurdity from the
Yogi point of view), is constantly being performed.
Dr.
Charlton Bastian, of London, Eng., has long been a prominent advocate of this
theory of continuous spontaneous generation. Laughed down and considered
defeated by the leading scientific minds of a generation ago, he still pluckily
kept at work, and his recent books were like bombshells in the orthodox
scientific camp. He has taken more than five thousand photo-micrographs, all
showing most startling facts in connection with the origin of living forms from
the inorganic. He claims that the microscope reveals the development in a
previously clear liquid of very minute black spots, which gradually enlarge and
transform into bacteria—living forms of a very low order. Prof. Burke, of
Cambridge, Eng., has demonstrated that he may produce in sterilized boullion,
subjected to the action of sterilized radium chloride, minute living bodies
which manifest growth and subdivision. Science is being gradually forced to the
conclusion that living forms are still arising in the world by natural
processes, which is not at all remarkable when one remembers that natural law
is uniform and continuous. These recent discoveries go to swell the already
large list of modern scientific ideas which correspond with the centuries-old
Yogi teachings. When the Occult explanation that there is Life in
everything, inorganic as well as organic, and that evolution is
constant, is heard, then may we see that these experiments simply prove that
the forms of life may be changed and developed—not that Life may be
"created."
The
chemical and mineral world furnish us with many instances of the growth and
development of forms closely resembling the forms of the vegetable world. What
is known as "metallic vegetation," as shown in the "lead
tree," gives us an interesting example of this phenomenon. The experiment
is performed by placing in a wide-necked bottle a clear acidulated solution of
acetate of lead. The bottle is corked, a piece of copper wire being fastened to
the cork, from which wire is suspended a piece of zinc, the latter hanging as
nearly as possible in the center of the lead solution. When the bottle is
corked the copper wire immediately begins to surround itself with a growth of
metallic lead resembling fine moss. From this moss spring branches and limbs,
which in turn manifest a growth similar to foliage, until at last a miniature
bush or tree is formed. Similar "metallic vegetation" may be produced
by other metallic solutions.
All
of you have noticed how crystals of frost form on window panes in shapes of
leaves, branches, foliage, flowers, blossoms, etc. Saltpeter when subjected to
the effect of polarized light assumes forms closely resembling the forms of the
orchid. Nature is full of these resemblances.
A German
scientist recently performed a remarkable experiment with certain metallic
salts. He subjected the salts to the action of a galvanic current, when to his
surprise the particles of the salts grouped themselves around the negative pole
of the battery, and then grew into a shape closely resembling a miniature
mushroom, with tiny stem and umbrella top. These metallic mushrooms at first
presented a transparent appearance, but gradually developed color, the top of
the umbrella being a bright red, with a faint rose shade on the under surface.
The stems showed a pale straw color. This was most interesting, but the
important fact of the experiment consists in the discovery that these mushrooms
have fine veins or tubes running along the stems, through which the nourishment,
or additional material for growth, is transported, so that the growth is
actually from the inside, just as is the case with fungus life. To all intents
and purposes, these inorganic metallic growths were low forms of vegetable his.
But
the search for Life does not end with the forms of the mineral world as we know
them. Science has separated the material forms into smaller forms, and again
still smaller. And if there is Life in the form composed of countless
particles, then must there be Life in the particles themselves. For Life cannot
come from non-Life, and if there be not Life in the particles, the theory of
Omnipresent Life must fan. So we must look beyond the form and shape of the
mineral—mist separate it into its constituent parts, and then examine the parts
for indications of Life.
Science
teaches us that all forms of matter are compiled of minute particles called
molecules. A molecule is the smallest particle of matter that is possible,
unless the chemical atoms composing the matter fly apart and the matter be
resolved into its original elements. For instance, let us take the familiar
instance of a drop of water. Let us divide and subdivide the drop, until at
last we get to the smallest possible particle of water. That smallest possible particle
would be a "molecule" of water. We cannot subdivide this molecule
without causing its atoms of hydrogen and oxygen to fly apart—and then there
would be no water at all. Well, these molecules manifest a
something called Attraction for each other. They attract other molecules of the
same kind, and are likewise attracted. The operation of this law of attraction
results in the formation of masses of matter, whether those masses be mountains
of solid rock, or a drop of water, or a volume of gas. All masses of matter are
composed of aggregations of molecules, held together by the law of attraction.
This law of attraction is called Cohesion. This Cohesive Attraction is not a
mere mechanical force, as many suppose, but is an exhibition of Life action,
manifesting in the presence of the molecule of a "like" or
"love" for the similar molecule. And when the Life energies begin to
manifest on a certain plane, and proceed to mould the molecules into crystals,
so that we may see the actual process under way, we begin to realize very
clearly that there is "something at work" in this building up.
But
wonderful as this may seem to those unfamiliar with the idea, the manifestation
of Life among the atoms is still more so. The atom, you will remember, is the
chemical unit which, uniting with other atoms, makes up the molecule. For
instance, if we take two atoms of the gas called hydrogen and one atom of the
gas called oxygen, and place them near each other, they will at once rush
toward each other and form a partnership, which is called a molecule of water.
And so it is with all atoms—they are continually forming partnerships, or
dissolving them. Marriage and divorce is a part of the life of the atoms. These
evidences of attraction and repulsion among the atoms are receiving much
attention from careful thinkers, and some of the most advanced minds of the age
see in this phenomena the corroboration of the old Yogi idea that there is Life
and vital action in the smallest particles of matter.
The
atoms manifest vital characteristics in their attractions and repulsions. They
move along the lines of their attractions and form marriages, and thus
combining they form the substances with which we are familiar. When they
combine, remember, they do not lose their individuality and melt into a
permanent substance, but merely unite and yet remain distinct. If the
combination be destroyed by chemical action, electrical discharge, etc., the
atoms fly apart, and again live their own separate lives, until they come in
contact with other atoms with which they have affinities, and form a new union
or partnership. In many chemical changes the atoms divorce themselves, each
forsaking its mate or mates, and seeking some newer affinity in the shape of a
more congenial atom. The atoms manifest a fickleness and will always desert a
lesser attraction for a greater one. This is no mere bit of imagery, or
scientific poetry. It is a scientific statement of the action of atoms along
the lines of vital manifestation.
The
great German scientist, Haekel, has said: "I cannot imagine the simplest
chemical and physical processes without attributing the movement of the
material particles to unconscious sensation. The idea of Chemical Affinity
consists in the fact that the various chemical elements perceive differences in
the qualities of other elements, and experience pleasure or revulsion at
contact with them, and execute their respective movements on this ground."
He also says: "We may ascribe the feeling of pleasure or pain
(satisfaction or dissatisfaction) to all atoms, and thereby ascribe the
elective affinities of chemistry to the attraction between living atoms and
repulsion between hating atoms." He also says that "the sensations in
animal and plant life are connected by a long series of evolutionary stages with
the simpler forms of sensation that we find in the inorganic elements, and that
reveal themselves in chemical affinity." Naegli says: "If the
molecules possess something that is related, however distantly, to sensation,
it must be comfortable for them to be able to follow their attractions and
repulsions, and uncomfortable for them when they are forced to do
otherwise."
We
might fill page after page with quotations from eminent thinkers going to prove
the correctness of the old Yogi teachings that Life is Omnipresent. Modern
Science is rapidly advancing to this position, leaving behind her the old idea
of "dead matter." Even the new theories of the electron—the little
particles of electrical energy which are now believed to constitute the base of
the atom—does not change this idea, for the electrons manifest attraction, and
response thereto, and form themselves into groups composing the atom. And even
if we pass beyond matter into the mystical Ether which Science assumes to be
the material base of things, we must believe that there is life there too, and
that as Prof. Dolbear says: "The Ether has besides the function of energy
and motion, other inherent properties, out of which could emerge, under proper
circumstances, other phenomena, such as life, mind, or whatever may be in the
substratum," and, that as Prof. Cope has hinted, that the basis of Life
lies back of the atoms and may be found in the Universal Ether.
Some
scientists go even further, and assert that not only is Life present in
everything, but that Mind is present where Life is. Verily, the dreams of the
Yogi fathers are coming true, and from the ranks of the materialists are coming
the material proofs of the spiritual teachings. Listen to these words from Dr.
Saleeby, in his recent valuable scientific work, "Evolution, the Master
Key." He says:
"Life
is potential in matter; life-energy is not a thing unique and created at a
particular time in the past. If evolution be true, living matter has been
evolved by natural processes from matter which is, apparently, not alive. But
if life is potential in matter, it is a thousand times more evident that Mind
is potential in Life. The evolutionist is impelled to believe that Mind is
potential in matter. (I adopt that form of words for the moment, but not without
future criticism.) The microscopic cell, a minute speck of matter that is to
become man, has in it the promise and the germ of mind. May we not then draw
the inference that the elements of mind are present in those chemical
elements—carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, sodium,
potassium, chlorine—that are found in the cell. Not only must we do so, but we
must go further, since we know that each of these elements, and every other, is
built up out of one invariable unit, the electron, and we must therefore assert
that Mind is potential in the unit of Matter—the electron itself… It is to
assert the sublime truth first perceived by Spinoza, that Mind and Matter are
the warp and woof of what Goethe called 'the living garment of God.' Both are
complementary expressions of the Unknowable Reality which underlies both."
There
is no such thing as non-vital attraction or repulsion. All inclinations for or
against another object, or thing, is an evidence of Life. Each thing has
sufficient life energy to enable it to carry on its work. And as each form
advances by evolution into a higher form, it is able to have more of the Life
energy manifest through it. As its material machinery is built up, it becomes
able to manifest a greater and higher degree of Life. It is not that one thing
has a low life, or another a high life—this cannot be, for there is but One
Life. It is like the current of electricity that is able to run the most
delicate machinery or manifest a light in the incandescent lamp. Give it the
organ or machinery of manifestation, and it manifests—give it a low form, and
it will manifest a low degree—give it a high form, and it will manifest a high
degree. The same steam power runs the clumsy engine, or the perfect apparatus
which drives the most delicate mechanism. And so it is with the One Life—its
manifestations may seem low and clumsy, or high and perfect—but it all depends
upon the material or mental machinery through which it works. There is but One
Life, manifesting in countless forms and shapes, and degrees. One Life
underlying All—in All.
From
the highest forms of Life down through the animal, vegetable and mineral
kingdoms, we see Life everywhere present—Death an illusion. Back of all visible
forms of material life there is still the beginnings of manifested life
pressing forward for expression and manifestation. And underneath all is the
Spirit of Life—longing, striving, feeling, acting.
In
the mountain and the ocean—the flower and the tree—the sunset—the dawn—the
suns—the stars—all is Life—manifestations of the One Life. Everything is Alive,
quick with living force, power, action; thrilling with vitality; throbbing with
feeling; filled with activity. All is from the One Life—and all that is from
the One Life is Alive. There is no dead substance in the Universe—there can be
none—for Life cannot Die. All is Alive. And Life is in All.
Carry
with you this Central Thought of the Lesson:
CENTRAL
THOUGHT: There is but One Life, and its manifestations comprise all the
forms and shapes of the Universe. From Life comes but Life—and Life can come
only from Life. Therefore we have the right to expect that all manifestations
of the One Life should be Alive. And we are not mocked in such belief. Not only
do the highest Occult Teachings inform us that Everything is Alive, but Modern
Science has proven to us that Life is present everywhere—even in that which was
formerly considered dead matter. It now sees that even the atom, and what lies
back of the atom, is charged with Life Energy and Action. Forms and shapes may
change, and do change—but Life remains eternal and infinite. It cannot Die—for
it is LIFE.
Peace
be with thee.
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