Spirit and matter are the two opposite poles in all forms of physical manifestation. Spirit (or Life) is the positive pole, in the sense that it is the active creative principle. Matter (physical matter) is the negative pole, the receptacle for the positive creative impulses of spirit. In all its multifarious forms, matter is diametrically opposed to spirit, and yet they are one. Spirit is matter at its highest point, and matter is spirit at its lowest point.
The laws of matter are contraction, cooling, stiffening, hardening and solidification. The laws of spirit are fire, warmth, heat, expansion and radiation.
Way back in the deepest chasms of time, Spirit embodied itself in matter, and out of this union was formed, in time, a suitable shell composed of matter capable of resisting the force of spirit. Spirit subjected itself to the laws of matter in order to lift and spiritualise it. This spiritualisation of matter over aeons of time is the evolutionary process.
The divine current of life flows uninterruptedly through material bodies, forming new shells, which become ever more able to bear and manifest the vibrations of spirit. While the material, living, and yet unconscious shell, the person, lives his shadowy existence, he is being wrought out of his unconscious mind by spirit in order that his consciousness may be roused.
In this way, spirit helps itself to grow more conscious in matter, till such time as the greatest miracle is achieved: matter becomes spiritualised and the two opposing poles – spirit and matter – meet as one in perfect unity – Sat Chit Ananda (Consciousness Knowledge and Bliss). This is spirituality, perhaps more akin to the processes of science than to devotional religion.
Identification with spirit (as opposed to matter), and the conscious observation of matter from that high vantage point, is the key to the great attainment.
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