Part Two: The Nature of Man
The key to understanding the evolutionary process is to first understand that process in relation to man. While this in no way insures that we fully know and understand our own being, it is at least a useful and crucial starting point
Figure I, the most important diagram in the book, presents the concept of the planes and subplanes, and how they relate to man. These planes represent the other “dimensions” that are spoken of in other books. It also shows where man exists upon this diagram, and puts into perspective the existence we will lead after we graduate from life in the lowest three planes that constitute what are termed “the three lower worlds”.
Man is comprised of three bodies of consciousness, a physical, an astral, and a mental. They exist on the physical, astral, and mental planes respectively. The consciousness that we possess is derived from the inherent qualities of the deva lives that inhabit these planes and subplanes. There is also a forth body, the etheric body, that has no inherent consciousness of its own, but serves to interlink the other bodies. While man can incarnate in either a male or female body, man is always considered masculine. We all have lived through many lives as either a man or woman to gain that experience.
A number of Chakras or energy centers are found in the etheric, astral, and mental bodies. There are seven major centers associated with the etheric body, and each is associated with a physical endocrine gland. The astral body also has seven corresponding centers, while the mental body has but four. There are also a series of 21 minor centers, as well as 49 tertiary centers that are associated with the function of still other organs and vital body parts. Their activity is interrelated with our sensory system as well as being representative of our evolutionary status.
The endocrine system is a biochemical system comprised of seven glands that supply a number of hormones through the blood and circulatory system. This system allows the life process of the subjective bodies to act upon the physical. The complex interrelationships between the endocrine glands, their various feedback modes, their operation during various phases of the life process is not a product of natural selection.
The process of incarnation is described, and this first relates to the method of construction of the different forms employed by the soul, always building downward, subplane by subplane. Next, the “before life” phase is related as well as the final unification with a physical fetal form. The book then examines the change called death, followed by the progressive return to the soul, ascending the planes of consciousness. This involves the successive “rejection” of the various bodies which become shells.
Finally there is a shift to the more “historical” phases of the evolutionary development. While the early rootraces are mentioned, the emphasis is on the Lemurian and Atlantean, together with the present Aryan rootrace and subraces. These rootraces trace the evolutionary process that man has passed through, each progressively relating to the perfection of one of his bodies of consciousness.
The consciousness of the various bodies is examined. This leads to the reality that our waking consciousness is separable from the physical body, and that the brain is necessary for our conscious self to exert control over the physical form. This happens automatically when the bodies are united and interpenetrating.