ONE LIFE MANIFESTING THROUGH MANY FORMS

Life is One, yet the visible forms through which Life expresses Itself, as far as human awareness is concerned, are many and may be divided into four perceivable kingdoms: the Mineral, Vegetable, Animal, and Human kingdoms. For those who have evolved beyond these four there lies evidence of a fifth or Superhuman Kingdom.

The visible forms that we see around us and in which we ourselves dwell are all response mechanisms through which the Universal Consciousness works. These form mechanisms are themselves expressions of an aspect of consciousness and indicate the point of evolution of the being or entity dwelling within. Each kingdom in nature carries the consciousness aspect forward to a more advanced stage of perfection than does the preceding kingdom. Simple observation of the varying ranges of capacity in each species reveals to the mind’s eye the truth of this statement. Each succeeding kingdom manifests a fuller revelation of the inner and hidden Life.

When a unit of Life is born into a form, its consciousness identifies (in that time and space) with the particular form and surrounding conditions; it is not possible in the early stages of existence to realise the inherent divinity or to express it consciously; the (undeveloped) psyche is limited to that of the particular and is therefore oblivious to the universal. The greater the identification with the form aspect the lower the unity and synthesis, and at the same time, the greater the darkness and the denser the prison. Such are the levels of consciousness of the lower or subhuman kingdoms in nature.

The more the unit of Life is identified with “the One who is conscious”, the greater again is the higher, yet different, unity and synthesis. As consciousness learns to align with the “Observing Principle” dwelling within the form, it recognises its inherent divinity and begins to express it consciously.

Mankind, the fourth kingdom in Life’s expression, can identify with both aspects: the form mechanisms (body/bodies) and with Life. In the early stages, the psychological state of the human consciousness is more identified with the forms in nature and remains blind to the inner Life and its very real potency. As human consciousness evolves on the upward spiral through time and experience gained, it identifies more closely with the indwelling Life aspect, the Soul. At the midway stage which marks the average human being, consciousness is torn violently between the two, the form and the Life.

Life becomes the battleground.

The above is a very brief synopsis of the unfoldment of consciousness from the inchoate to the sentient, from the sentient to the mentally alert, and from the mentally alert to the “divinely appreciated.” In the progressive stages of the evolutionary drama, consciousness is steadily lifted out of the dark prison house of matter and into the light of spirit.