Lesson VII. Cosmic Evolution
We have now reached
a most interesting point in this course of lessons, and a period of fascinating
study lies before us from now until the close of the course. We have acquainted ourselves with the fundamental
principles, and will now proceed to witness these principles in active
operation. We have studied the Yogi Teachings concerning the Truth underlying
all things, and shall now pass on to a consideration of the process of Cosmic Evolution; the Cyclic Laws; the Law of
Spiritual Evolution, or Reincarnation; the Law of Spiritual Cause and
Effect, or Karma; etc. In this lesson we begin the story of the upward
progress of the Universe, and its forms,
shapes, and forces, from the point of
the "moment's pause" following the ceasing of the process of
Involution-the point at which Cosmic
Evolution begins. Our progress is now steadily
upward, so far as the evolution of Individual Centres is concerned. We shall see the principles returning to
the Principle-the centres returning to the great Centre from which they
emanated during the process of Involution. We shall study the long, gradual, but steady ascent of Man, in his journey
toward god-hood. We shall see the Building of an Universe, and the
Growth of the Soul.
In our last lesson
we have seen that at the dawn of a Brahmic
Day, the Absolute begins the creation of a new Universe. The Teachings
inform us that in the beginning, the Absolute forms a Mental Image, or Thought-Form of an Universal Mind Principle, or Universal
Mind-Stuff, as some of the teachers express it. Then
this Universal Mind Principle creates within
itself the Universal Energy Principle. Then this Universal
Energy Principle creates within itself the Universal
Matter Principle. Thus, Energy is a product of
Mind; and Matter a product of Energy.
The
Teachings then further inform us that from the rare,
tenuous, subtle form of Matter in which the Universal Matter Principle first
appeared, there was produced forms of Matter less
rare; and so by easy stages, and degrees, there
appeared grosser and still grosser forms of matter,
until finally there could be no further involution into
grosser forms, and the Involutionary Process ceased. Then
ensued the "moment's pause" of which the
Yogi teachers tell us. At that point Matter existed as
much grosser that the grossest form of Matter now known
to us, as the latter is when compared to the most
subtle vapors known to science. It is impossible to
describe these lower forms of matter, for they have
ages since disappeared from view, and we would have no
words with which to describe them. We can
understand the situation only by comparisons similar to
the above.
Succeeding the moment's pause, there began the Evolutionary
Process, or Cosmic Evolution, which has gone
on ever since, and which will go on for ages to come.
From the grossest forms of Matter there evolved
forms a little more refined, and so on and on. From the simple elementary
forms, evolved more complex and
intricate forms. And from these forms combinations
began to be formed. And the urge was ever upward.
But remember this, that all of this Evolutionary Process is but a Returning Home. It is the Ascent after the Descent. It is not a Creation but an Unfoldment.
The Descent was made by principles as principles-the
Ascent is being made by Individualized
Centres evolved from the principles. Matter manifests
finer and finer forms, and exhibits a greater and greater
subservience to Energy or Force. And Energy or
Force shows a greater and greater degree of "mind"
in it. But, remember this, that there is Mind in even the grossest form of
Matter. This must be so, for what springs
from a thing must contain the elements of its cause.
And the Cosmic Evolution continues, and must continue
for aeons of time. Higher and higher forms of Mind are
being manifested, and still higher and higher forms
will appear in the scale, as the process continues.
The evolution is not only along material lines, but has
passed on to the mental planes, and is now operating
along the spiritual lines as well. And the end, and
aim seems to be that each Ego, after the experiences
of many lives, may unfold and develop to a point
where it may become conscious of its .Real, Self, and realize its identity with
the One Life, and the Spirit.
At this point we may be confronted with the objection
of the student of material science, who will ask why we begin our consideration
of Cosmic Evolution at a point in which
matter has reached the limit of its lowest vibrations, manifesting in the
grossest possible form of matter. These students may point to the fact
that Science begins its consideration of evolution with the nebulae, or faint cloudlike, vaporous matter, from which the
planets were formed. Hut there is only an apparent contradiction here.
The nebulae were part of the Process of Involution, and Science is right
when it holds that the gross forms were produced from the finer. Hut the
process of change from finer to grosser was
Involution, not Evolution. Do you sec the difference? Evolution
begins at the point when the stage of Unfoldment commenced. When the gross
forms begin to yield to the new upward
urge, and unfold into finer forms-then begins Evolution.
We shall pass over the period of Evolution in which Matter
was evolving into finer and still finer forms, until at last it reached a degree of
vibration capable of supporting that which we call "life." Of course there
is "life" in all matter-even in the atom, as we have
shown in previous lessons. Hut when we speak of
"life,'' as we now do, we mean what are generally
called "living forms." The Yogi Teachings inform
us that the lowest forms of what we call "life" were
evolved from forms of high crystal life, which indeed they very much resemble. We have spoken of
this re semblance, in the previous lessons of this series. And,
so we shall begin at the point where "living forms"
began.
Speaking now of our own planet, the Earth, we find matter
emerging from the molten state in which it manifested for ages. Gradually
cooling and stratifying, the Earth
contained none of those forms that we call living forms. The temperature
of the Earth in that period is estimated at about 15,000 times hotter than boiling water, which would, of course,
render impossible the existence of
any of the present known forms of
life. But the Yogi Teachings inform us that even in the molten mass there were elementary forms that were to become the ancestral forms of the
later living forms. These elementary
forms were composed of a vaporous, peculiar form of matter, of minute size,
-little more than the atoms, in fact, and yet, just a little more
advanced. Prom these elementary forms, there
gradually evolved, as the Earth cooled and solidified, other forms, and so on until at last the first "living
form" manifested.
As
the globe cooled at the poles, there was gradually created a tropical climate, in
which the temperature was sufficiently cool
to support certain rudimentary forms of life. In the rocks in the far
northern latitudes, there are found
abundant traces of fossils, which goes to prove the correctness of the
Yogi Teachings of the origin of life at the
north pole, from which the living
forms gradually spread south toward the equator, as the Earth's surface
cooled.
The elementary evolving life forms were of a very simple structure,
and were but a degree above the crystals. They were composed of identically the same substance
as the crystals, the only difference being that they displayed a
greater degree of mind. For that matter,
even the highest physical form known to us today is composed of simple chemical materials. And these chemical materials are obtained, either
directly or indirectly, from the
air, water, or earth. The principal
materials composing the physical bodies of plants, animals, and man, are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, with a still smaller proportion of
sulphur and phosphorus, and traces of a few other elements. The material part of all living things is alike-the
difference lies in the degree of
Mind controlling the matter in which it is embodied.
Of
these physical materials, carbon is the most important
to the living forms. It seems to possess properties
capable of drawing to it the other elements, and forcing them into service. From carbon proceeds what is called "protoplasm," the material of which the cells
of animal and vegetable life is composed. From protoplasm
the almost infinite varieties of living forms have
been built up by the process of Evolution, working
gradually and by easy stages. Every living form is made
up, or composed, of a multitude of single cells, and
their combinations. And every form originates in a
single cell which rapidly multiplies and reproduces itself until the form of
the amoeba; the plant; the animal; the man, is
completed. All living forms are but a single cell multiplied. And every cell is
composed
of protoplasm. Therefore we must look for
the beginning of life in the grade of matter called protoplasm.
In this both modern Science and the Yogi Teachings agree fully.
In investigating protoplasm we are made to realize the
wonderful qualities of its principal constituent- Carbon.
Carbon is the wonder worker of the elements.
Manifesting in various forms, as the diamond, graphite,
coal, protoplasm-is it not entitled to respect? The Yogi
Teachings inform us that in Carbon we have that
form of matter which was evolved as the physical
basis of life. If any of you doubt that inorganic
matter may be transformed into living forms, let us
refer you to the plant life, in which you may see the plants building up cells every day from the inorganic, chemical or mineral substances, in the earth, air,
and water. Nature performs every day the miracle of
transforming chemicals and minerals into living plant
cells. And when animal or man eats these plant cells,
so produced, they become transformed into animal cells of which the body is
built up. What it took Nature ages to do
in the beginning, is now performed in a few hours, or minutes.
The
Yogi Teachings, again on all-fours with modern
Science, inform us that living forms had their beginning
in water. In the slimy bed of the polar seas the
simple cell-forms appeared, having their origin in the transitional stages before mentioned. The first living
forms were a lowly form of plant life, consisting of a single cell. From these
forms were evolved forms composed of groups of
cells, and so proceeded the work of evolution, from the
lower form to the higher, ever in an upward path.
As we have said, the single cell is the physical centre, or parent, of
every living form. It contains what is
known as the nucleus, or kernel, which seems to be more highly
organized than the rest of the material of the cell-it may be considered as the
"brain" of the cell, if
you wish to use your imagination a little. The single cell reproduces
itself by growth and division, or separation. Each cell manifests the functions
of life, whether it be a single-celled creature, or a cell which with billions of others, goes to make up a
higher form. It feels, feeds, grows, and reproduces itself. In the
single-celled creature, the one cell performs all of the functions, of course.
But as the forms become more complex, the
many cells composing a form perform certain functions which are
allotted to it, the division of labor resulting in a higher manifestation. This
is true not only in the case of animal forms, but also in the case of plant forms. The cells in the bone, muscle, nerve-tissue and blood of the animal differ
according to their offices; and the same is true in the cells in the
sap, stem, root, leaf, seed and flower of the plant.
As we have said, the cells multiply by division, after a period of growth.
The cell grows by material taken into its substance, as food. When sufficient
food has been partaken, and enough new material accumulated to cause the cell to attain a certain size, then
it divides, or separates into two cells, the division being equal, and
the point of cleavage being at the kernel or nucleus. As the two parts separate, the protoplasm
of each
groups itself around its nucleus, and two living forms
exist where there was but one a moment before. And then
each of the two cells proceed to grow rapidly,
and then separate, and so on to the end, each cell multiplying
into millions, as time passes.
Ascending in the scale, we next find the living forms composed of
cell-groups. These cell-groups are formed by
single cells dividing, and then subdividing, but instead of passing on their way they group themselves in
clusters, or masses. There are millions of forms
of these cell-group creatures, among which we find the sponges, polyps,
etc.
In the early forms
of life it is difficult to distinguish
between the animal and the plant forms, in fact the early forms partake
of the qualities of both. Rut as we advance
in the scale a little there is seen a decided "branching out," and one large branch is formed of the evolving plant forms, and the other of the
evolving animal forms. The plant-branch begins with the sea-weeds, and passes
on to the fungi, lichens, mosses, ferns, pines and
palm-ferns, grasses, etc., then to the trees, shrubs and herbs. The
animal-branch begins with the monera, or
single-cell forms, which are little more
than a drop of sticky, glue-like protoplasm. Then it passes on to the amoebae, which begins
to show a slight difference in its parts. Then on the foramin-ifera, which secretes a shell of lime from the water. Then on a step
higher to the polycystina, which secretes
a shell, or skeleton of flint-like material from the water.
Then come the sponges. Then the
coral-animals,
anemones and jelly-fish. Then come the
sea-lilies, star-fish, etc. Then the various families of
worms.
Thenthe crabs, spiders, centipedes, insects.
Then come the mollusca, which include the
oysters,
clams and other
shell-fish; snails, cuttle-fish, sea-squirts, etc. All of the above families of animal-forms are what are
known as "invertebrates," that is, without a
backbone.
Then
we come to the "vertebrates," or animals having a backbone.
First we see the fish family with its thousands of forms. Then come the amphibia,
which include the toads, frogs, etc. Then come the
reptiles, which include the serpents, lizards, crocodiles,
turtles, etc. Then come the great family of birds, with
its wonderful variety of forms, sizes, and
characteristics.
Then come the mammals, the name of
which comes from the Latin word meaning "the
breast," the characteristic of which group comes
from the fact that they nourish their young by milk,
or similar fluid, secreted by the mother. The
mammals are the highest form of the vertebrates.
First among the mammals we find the aplacentals, or those which bring forth immature young, which are grouped into two divisions,i. e., (I) the monotremes, or
one-vented animals, in which group belong the duck-bills, spiny ant-caters, etc.; and (2) the marsupials, or pouched animals, in which group belong the kangaroo, opossum,
etc.
The
next highest form among the mammals are known as
the placentals, or those which bring forth mature young. In this class
are found the ant-eaters, sloth, manatee,
the whale and porpoise, the horse, cow, sheep, and other hoofed animals;
the elephant, seal, the dog, wolf, lion,
tiger, and all flesh eating animals; the hares, rats, mice, and all other
gnawing animals; the bats, moles, and other insect-feeders; then come the great
family of apes, from the small monkeys up to the orang-outang, chimpanzee, and
other forms nearly approaching man. And
then comes the highest, Man, from the Kaffir, Bush-man, Cave-man, and Digger Indian, up through the many stages until the
highest forms of our own race are reached.
From
the Monera to Man is a long path, containing many stages, but it is a path
including all the intermediate forms. The Yogi Teachings hold to the theory of evolution, as maintained by modern Science, but
it goes still further, for it holds
not only that the physical forms are
subject to the evolutionary process, but that also the "souls"
embodied in these forms are subject to the
evolutionary process. In other words the Yogi Teachings hold that there
is a twin-process of evolution under way,
the main object of which is to develop "souls," but which also
finds it necessary to evolve higher and
higher forms of physical bodies for these constantly advancing souls to
occupy.
Let
us take a hasty glance at the ascending forms of animal life, as they rise in
the evolutionary scale. By so doing we can
witness the growth of the soul, within them, as manifested by the higher and
higher physical forms which are used as channels of expression by the souls within. Let us first
study soul-evolution from the outer viewpoint, before we proceed to examine it
from the inner. By so doing we will have a fuller
idea of the process than if we ignored the outer and proceed at once to
the inner. Despise not the outer form, for it has always been, and is now, the
Temple of the Soul, which the latter is remodelling and rebuilding in order to accommodate its constantly increasing
needs and demands.
Let us
begin with the Protozoa, or one-celled forms -the lowest form of animal
life. The lowest form of this lowest class is that remarkable creature that we
have mentioned in previous lessons-the Moneron. This creature lives in
water, the natural element in which organic life is believed to have had its
beginning. It is a very tiny, shapeless, colorless, slimy, sticky
mass-something like a tiny drop of glue- alike all over and in its mass, and
without organs or parts of any kind. Some have claimed that below the field of the microscope there may be something
like elementary organs in the
Moneron, but so far as the human eye
may discover there is no evidence of anything of the kind. It has no
organs or parts with which to perforin particular functions, as is the case with the higher forms of life. These functions, as
you know, may be classed into three groups, /.e. nutrition, reproduction,
and relation-that is, the function of feeding,
the function of reproducing its kind, and the function of receiving and
responding to the impressions of the outside world. All of these three classes of functions the Moneron
performs-but with any part of its body, or with all of it.
Every part, or the
whole, of the Moneron absorbs food and oxygen-it is all mouth and lungs. Every part, or the whole, digests the food-it is all
stomach. Every part, or the whole, performs the reproductive function-it
is all reproductive organism. Every part of
it senses the impressions from outside, and responds to it-it is all
organs of sense, and organs of motion. It
envelops its prey as a drop of glue surrounds a particle of sand, and then absorbs the substance of
the prey into its own substance. It moves by prolonging any part of itself outward in a sort of tail-like
appendage. which it uses as a "foot," or "finger"
with which to propel itself; draw itself to. or push itself away from an
object. This prolongation is called a pseudopod, or
"false-foot." When it gets through using the "false-foot" for the particular purpose, it simply draws back into itself that portion which had been
protruded for the purpose.
It performs the functions of digestion, assimilation, elimination,
etc., perfectly, just as the higher forms of life-but
it has no organs for the functions, and performs them severally, and
collectively with any, or all parts of its body. What the higher animals perform with intricate organs and parts-heart,
stomach, lungs, liver, kidneys, etc., etc.-this tiny creature performs without
organs, and with its entire body, or any part thereof. The function
of reproduction is startlingly simple in the case of the Moneron. It simply divides itself in two parts, and that is all
there is to it. There is no male or female sex in its case-it combines both
within itself. The reproductive process is even far more simple than the
"budding" of plants. You may turn one of these wonderful creatures inside
out, and still it goes on the even tenor of its way, in no manner disturbed or
affected. It is simply a "living drop of glue," which eats, digests,
receives impressions and responds thereto, and reproduces itself. This tiny
glue-drop performs virtually the same life functions as do the higher complex
forms of living things. Which is the greater "miracle"-the Moncron or
Man?
A slight step
upward from the Moneron brings us to the Amoeba. The name of this new
creature is derived from the Greek word
meaning "change," and has been bestowed because the creature
is constantly changing its shape. This continual change of shape is caused by a
continuous prolongation and drawing-in of its pseudopods, or
"false-feet." which also gives the creature the appearance of a
"many-fingered" organism. This creature shows the first step toward
"parts," for it has something like a membrane or "skin" at
its surface. and a "nucleus" at its centre, and also an expanding and
contracting cavity within its substance, which it uses for holding, digesting
and distributing its food, and also for storing and distributing its oxygen-an
elementary combination of stomach and lungs ! So you see that the amoeba has
taken a step upward from the moneron, and is beginning to appreciate the convenicnce
of parts and organs. It is interesting to note, in this
connection, that while the ordinary celts of the higher animal body resemble the monera in many ways, still the
white corpuscles in the blood of man and the
animals bear a startling resemblance to the amoebae so far as regards
size, general structure, and movements, and are in fact
known to Science as "amoeboids." The white
corpuscles change their shape, take in food in an
intelligent manner, and live a comparatively
independent life, their movements showing
independent "thought," and "will."
Some
of the amoebae (the diatoms, for instance) secrete
solid matter from the water, and build therefrom
shells or houses, which serve to protect them from their enemies. These
shells are full of tiny holes, through which
the pseudopods are extended in their search for food, and for purposes of
movement. Some of these shells are
composed of secreted lime, and
others of a flinty substance, the "selection" of these substances from the other mineral particles
in the water, evidencing a degree of
"thought," and mind, even
in these lowly creatures. The skeletons of these tiny creatures form vast deposits of chalk and similar substances.
Next
higher in the scale are the Infusoria. These creatures
differ from the amoebae inasmuch as instead of
pseudopods, they have developed tiny-vibrating
filaments, or thread-like appendages, which are used for
drawing in their prey and for moving about. These filaments are permanent, and
are not temporary like the pseudopods of the monera or amoebae-they are
the first signs. of permanent hands and feet. These creatures have also discovered the possibilities of organs and parts, to
a still greater degree than have their cousins
the amoebae, and have evolved something like a mouth-opening (very rudimentary) and also a short gullet
through which they pass their food and oxygen -they
have developed the first signs of a throat, windpipe and
food-passage.
Next
come the family of Sponges, the soft skeletons of which form the useful
article of everyday use. There are many
forms who weave a home of far more delicacy and beauty than their more
familiar and homely brothers. The sponge creature itself is a slimy, soft
creature, which fills in the spaces in its spongy skeleton. It is fastened to
one spot, and gathers in its food from the water around it (and oxygen as well), by means of numerous whip-like
filaments called cilia, which flash through the water driving in the food and oxygen to the inner positions of its
body. The water thus drawn in, as well as the refuse from the food, is
then driven out in the same manner. It is interesting to note that in the
organisms of the higher animals, including man, there are numerous cilia performing
offices in connection with nutrition, etc. When Nature perfects an instrument,
it is very apt to retain it. even in the higher forms, although in the latter
its importance may be dwarfed by higher ones.
The next step in the ascending scale of life-forms is occupied by the polyps, which are found
in water, fastened to floating matter. The polyps fasten themselves to this floating
matter, with their mouths downward, from the latter dangling certain tentacles,
or thin, long arms. These tentacles contain small thread-like coils in contact
with a poisonous fluid, and enclosed in a cell. When the tentacles come in
contact with the prey of the creature, or with anything that is sensed as a
possible enemy, they contract around the object and the little cells hurst and
the tiny thread-like coils are released and twist themselves like a loop around
the object, poisoning it with the secreted fluid. Some of the polyps secrete
flint-like tubes, which they inhabit, and from the ends of which they emerge
like flowers. From these parent polyps
emerge clusters of young:, resembling buds. These bud-like young afterwards
become what are known as jelly-fishes, etc., which in turn reproduce
themselves-but here is a wonder-the
jelly-fish lay eggs, which when hatched produce stationary polyps like
their grandparent, and not moving creatures like their parents. The jelly-fishes have a comparatively complex organism. They
have an intricate system of canal-like passages with which to convey their food and oxygen to the
various parts. They also have something like muscles, which contract and
enable the creature to "swim." They also
possess a "nervous system." and, most wonderful of all, they
have rudimentary eyes and ears. Their tentacles,
like those of the parent-polyp, secrete the poisonous fluid which is
discharged into prey or enemy.
Akin
to the polyps are the sea-anemones, with their beautiful colors, and still
more complex structure and organism, the tentacles of which resemble the petals
of a flower. Varying slightly from these are the coral-creatures, which form in
colonies and the skeletons of which form the coral trees and branches, and
other forms, with which we are familiar.
Passing on to the
next highest family of life-forms. we see
the spiny-bodied sea-creatures, such as the sea-urchin, star-fish, etc.,
which possess a thick, hard skin, covered by spines or prickly projections.
These creatures abound in numerous species. The starfish has rays projecting from a common centre, which gives it
its name, while the sea-urchin resembles a ball.
The sea-lilies, with their stems and flowers (so-called) belong
to this family, as do also the seacucumbers, whose name is obtained from their
shape and general appearance, but which are animals possessing a comparatively complex organism, one of the features of
which is a stomach which may be discarded at will and replaced by a new one.
These creatures have a well defined nervous system, and have eves, and some of
them even rudimentary eyelids.
Ascending the scale
of life-forms, we next observe the great
family of the Annulosa, or jointed creatures, which comprises the various families of the worm,
the crab, the spider, the ant. etc. In this great family are grouped
nearly four-fifths of the known life-forms. Their bodies are well formed and they have nervous
systems running along the body and consisting of
two thin threads, knotted at different points into
ganglia or masses of nerve cells similar to those possessed
by the higher animals. They possess eyes and other
sense organs, in some cases highly developed. They
possess organs, corresponding to the heart, and have a well-developed
digestive apparatus. Note this advance in
the nutritive organism: the moneron takes its food at any point of its body; the amoeba takes its food by means of its "false-feet,"
and drives it through its body by a
rhythmic movement of its substance; the polyp distributes its food to
its various parts by means of the water which it absorbs with the food; the sea-urchin and star-fish distribute
their food by canals in their bodies which open directly into the water; in the higher forms of the annulosa,
the food is distributed by a
fluid resembling blood, which
carries the nourishment to every part and organ. and which carries away the waste matter, the blood being propelled through the body by
a rudimentary heart. The oxygen is distributed by each of these forms in a corresponding way, the higher
forms having rudimentary lungs and
respiratory organs. Step by step the
life-forms are perfected, and the organs
necessary to perform certain definite functions are evolved from rudimentary to
perfected forms.
The
families of worms are the humblest members of the
great family of the Annulosa. Next come the creatures called Rotifers,
which are very minute. Then come the
Crustacea, so called from their crust-like shell. This group
includes the crabs, lobsters, etc., and closely resembles the insects. In fact,
some of the best authorities believe that
the insects and the crustacea spring from the same parent form, and some of the Yogi authorities hold to this belief,
while others do not attempt to pass
upon it, deeming it immaterial,
inasmuch as all life-forms have a common origin. The western scientists
pay great attention to outward details, while the Oriental mind is apt to pass
over these details as of slight importance, preferring: to seek the cause back
of the outward form. On one point both the
Yogi teachers and the scientists absolutely agree, and that is that the
family of insect life had its origin in some aquatic creature. Roth hold that
the wings of the insect have been evolved from
organs primarily used for breathing purposes by the ancestor when it took short
aerial flights, the need for means of flight afterwards acting to develop these
rudimentary organs into perfected wings. There need be no more wonder
expressed at this change than in the rase of the transformation of the insect
from grub to chrysalis, and then to insect. In fact this process is a reproduction
of the stages through which the life-form passed during the long ages between
sea-creature and land-insect.
We need not take up
much of your time in speaking of the wonderful complex organism of some of the
insect family, which are next on the scale above the Crustacea. The wonders of
spider-life-the almost human life of the ants-the spirit of the bee-hive-and
all the rest of the wonders of insect life are familiar
to all of our readers. A study of some good book on the life of the higher
forms of the insect family will prove of value to anyone, for it will open his
or her eyes to the wonderful manifestation of life and mind among these
creatures. Remember the remark of Darwin, that the brain of the ant,
although not much larger than a pin point,
"is one of the most marvelous
atoms of matter in the world, perhaps more so than the brain of
man."
Closely allied to
the crustacca is the sub-family of the mollusca,
which includes the oyster, clams, and similar creatures; also the
snails, cuttle-fish, slugs. nautilus, sea-squirts, etc., etc. Some are
protected by a hard shell, while others have
a gristly outer skin, serving as an armor, while others still are naked.
Those having shells secrete the material
for their construction from the water. Some of them are fixed to rocks,
etc., while others roam at will. Strange as it may appear at first sight, some
of the higher forms of the mollusca slv>w signs of a rudimentary vertebra, and science has hazarded the opinion that
the sea-squirts and similar
creatures were descended from some
ancestor from whom also descended the vertebrate animals, of which man
is the highest form known today on this
planet. We shall mention this connection in our next lesson, where we
will take up the story of "The Ascent of Man" from the lowly
vertebrate forms.
And now, in closing this lesson, we must remind the
reader that we are not teaching Evolution as it is conceived by modern
science. We are viewing it from the
opposite viewpoint of the Yogi Teaching. Modern Science teaches that Mind is a by-product of the evolving material forms-while the Yogi Teachings hold that there was Mind involved in
the lowest form, and that that Mind
constantly pressing forward for unfoldment compelled the gradual
evolution, or unfoldment of the
slowly advancing degrees of organization
and function. Science teaches that "function precedes organization," that is, that a form performs
certain functions, imperfectly and crudely, before it evolves the organs
suitable for the functioning. For
instance the lower forms digested food before they evolved stomachs-the
latter coming to meet the need. Rut the Yogi Teachings go further and claim that "desire precedes function,"
that is, that the lowly life form
"desires" to have digestive apparatus, in order to proceed in the evolutionary scale, before it begins the functioning that brings about the more
complex organism. There is ever the
"urge" of the Mind which
craves unfoldment, and which the creatrue
feels as a dim desire, which grows stronger and stronger as time goes
on. Some yield more readily to the urge,
and such become the parents of possible higher forms. "Many are called,
but few are chosen," and so matters move along slowly from generation to
generation, a few forms serving to carry on the evolutionary urge to
their descendants. But is always the
Evolutionary Urge of the imprisoned Mind striving to
cast aside its sheaths and to have more perfect machinery with which, and
through which, to manifest and express itself? This is the difference between the
"Evolution" of Modern Science and the "Unfold-ment" of the
Yogi Teachings. The one is all material,
with mind as a mere by-product, while the other is all Mind, with matter as a
tool and instrument of expression and manifestation.
As we have said in this lesson-and as we shall point out to you in detail in future lessons-accompanying this evolution of bodies there is an evolution of "souls" producing the former. This evolution of souls is a basic principle of the Yogi Teachings, but it is first necessary that you acquaint yourselves with the evolution
of bodies and forms, before you may fully grasp the higher teachings.
Our next lesson will be entitled "The Ascent of Man,"
in which the rise of man-that is, his body- from the
lowly forms of the vertebrates is shown. In the same
lesson we shall begin our consideration of the
"evolution of souls." We trust that the students are carefully studying the details of each lesson, for every
lesson has its part in the grand whole of the Teachings.
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