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our own—something that belongs to us personally—that it is difficult for us to realize that Mind-substance is a Universal principle just as Matter or Energy, and that we are but drawing upon the Universal supply in our men¬ tal operations. And more than this, the'particular portion of Mind-substance that we are using, although separated from the Mind-substance used by other individuals by a thin wall of the very finest kind of Matter, is really in touch with the other apparently separated minds, and with the Universal Mind of which it forms a part. Just as is the Matter of which our physical bodies are com¬ posed really in touch with all Matter, and just as is the Vital Force used by us really in touch with all Energy, so is our Mind-substance really in touch with all Mind- substance. It is as if the Ego in its progress were moving through great oceans of Matter, Energy, or Mind-sub¬ stance, making use of that of each which it needed and which immediately surrounded it, and leaving each behind as it moved on through the great volume of the ocean. This illustration is clumsy, but it may bring to your consciousness a realization that the Ego is the only thing that is really Yours, unchangeable and unaltered, and that all the rest is merely that portion of the Universal supply that you draw to yourself for the wants of the moment. It may also bring more clearly before your mind the great Unity of things—may enable you to see things as a Whole, rather than as separated pans. Remember, You —the “ I ”—are the only Real thing about and around you—all that has permanence—and Matter, Force and even Mind-substance, are but your instruments for use and expression. There are great oceans of each surrounding the “ I ” as it moves along. It is well for you also to bear in mind the Universality THE EXPANSION OF THE SELF All of the Universe is alive, vibrating anc._ with life and energy and motion. There is nothing :n the Universe. Life is everywhere, and always accompanied by intelligence. There is no such thing as a dead, unintelligent Universe. Instead of being atoms of Life floating in a sea of death, we are atoms of Life surrounded by an ocean of Life, pulsating, moving, think¬ ing, living. Every atom of what we call Matter is alive. It has energy or force with it, and is always accompanied by intelligence and life. Look around us as we will— at the animal world—at the plant world—yes, even at the world of minerals, and we see life, life, life—all alive and having intelligence. When we are able to bring this conception into the realm of actual consciousness—when we are able not only to intellectually accept this fact, but to even go still further and feel and be conscious of this Universal Life on all sides, then are we well on the road to attaining the Cosmic Consciousness. But all these things are but steps leading up to the realization of the Oneness in Spirit, on the pari of the Individual. Gradually there dawns upon him the realization that there is a Unity in the manifestation of Spirit from the Absolute—a unity with itself, and a Union with the Absolute. All this manifestation of Spirit on the part of the Absolute—all this begetting of Divine Children was in the nature of a single act rather than as a series of acts, if we may be permitted to speak of the manifestation as an act. Each Egois a Centre of Con¬ sciousness in this great ocean ofUSpirit—each is a Real Self, apparently separate from the others and from its source, but the separation is only apparent in both cases, for there is the closest bond of union between the Egos of the Universe of Universes—each is knit to the other in the closest bond of union, and each is still attached to the Absolute by spiritual filaments, if we may M titSTfy RAJA YOGA term. In time we shall grow more con3 /mutual relationship, as the sheaths are outgrt ist aside, and in the end we will be withdrawn into the Absolute—shall return to the Mansion of the Father. It is of the highest importance to the developing soul to unfold into a realization of this relationship and unity, for when this conception is once fully established the soul is enabled to rise above certain of the lower planes, and is free from the operation of certain laws that bind the undeveloped soul. Therefore the Yogi teachers are constantly leading the Candidates toward this goal. First by this path, and then by that one, giving them different glimpses of the desired point, until finally the student finds a path best fitted for his feet, and he moves along straight to the mark, and throwing aside the confining bonds that have proved so irksome, he cries aloud for joy at his new-found Freedom. The following exercises and Mental Drills are intended to aid the Candidate in his work of growing into a realization of his relationship with the Whole of Life and Being. Mental Drill (1) Read over what we have said in the “Advanced Course ” regarding the principle known as Matter. Realize that all Matter is One at the last—that the real underlying substance of Matter is Akasa or Ether, and that all the varying forms evident to our senses are but modifications and grosser forms of that underlying prin¬ ciple. Realize that by known chemical processes all forms of Matter known to us, or, rather, all combinations resulting in “ forms,” may be resolved into their original elements, and that these elements are merely Akasa in different states of vibration. Let the idea of t.'ie Onenc's of the visible Universe sink deeply into your mind, until MIN/Sr^ THE EXPANSION OF THE SELF mes fixed there. The erroneous concept? ty in the material world must be replaced by sciousness of Unity—Oneness, at the last, in spite of the appearance of variety and manifold forms. You must grow to see behind the world of forms of Matter, and see the great principle of Matter (Akasa or Ether) back of, within, and under it all. You must grow to feel this, as well as to intellectually see it. (2) Meditate oyer the last-mentioned truths, and then follow the matter still farther. Read what we have said in the “Advanced Course ” (Lesson XI) about the last analysis of Matter showing it fading away into Force or Energy until the dividing line is lost, and Matter merges into Energy or Force, showing them both to he but the same thing. Matter being a grosser form of Energy or Force. This idea should be impressed upon the under¬ standing, in order that the complete edifice of the Know ¬ ing of the Oneness may be complete in all of its parts. (3) Then read in the “Advanced Lessons ” about Energy or Force, in the oneness underlying its various manifestations. Consider how one form of Energy may be transformed into another, and so on around the circle, the one principle producing the entire cham of appear¬ ances. Realize that the energy within you by which you move and act is but one of the forms of this great Prin¬ ciple of Energy with which the Universe is filled, and that you may draw to you the required Energy from the great Universal supply. But above all endeavour to grasp the idea of the Oneness pervading the world of Energy or Force, or motion. See it in its entirety, rather than in its apparent separateness. These steps may appear somewhat tedious and useless, but take our word for it, they are all helps in fitting the mind to grasp the idea of the One¬ ness of All. Each step is important, and renders the next higher one more easily attained. In this mental driii it RAJA YOGA well to mentally picture the Universe in pep itidn—everything is in motion—all matter is changing its forms, and manifesting the Energy within it. Suns and worlds rush through space, their particles constantly changing and moving. Chemical com¬ position and decomposition is constant and unceasing, everywhere the work of building up and breaking down is going on. New combinations of atoms and worlds are constantly being formed and dissolved. And after considering this Oneness of the principle of Energy, reflect that through all these changes of form the Ego —the Real Self—YOU—stand unchanged and unharmed —Eternal, Invincible, Indestructible, Invulnerable, Real and Constant among this changing world of forms and force. You are above it all, and it revolves around and about you—Spirit. (4) Read what we have said in the “Advanced Course” about Force or Energy, shading into Mind-substance, which is its parent. Realize that Mind is back of all this great exhibition of Energy and Force that you have been considering. Then will you be ready to consider the Oneness of Mind. (5) Read what we have said in the “Advanced Lessons” about Mind-substance. Realize that there is a great world of Mind-substance, or a Universal Mind, which is at the disposal of the Ego. All Thought is the product of the Ego’s use of this Mind-substance, its tool and instru¬ ment. Realize that this Ocean of Mind is entire and Whole, and that the Ego may draw freely from it. Realize that You have this great Ocean of Mind at your command, when you unfold sufficiently to use it. Realize that Mind is back of and underneath all of the world of form and names and action, and that in that sense: “ All is Mind,” although still higher in the scale THE EXPANSION OF THE SELF Men Mind are You, the Real Self, the Ego? -station of the Absolute. f . Realize your identity with and relationship to All o. ue. Look around you at Life in all its forms, from he lowest to the highest, all being exhibitions of the P ri ,? c *P* e Life in operation along different stages o j he Path. Scorn not the humblest forms, but look behind the form and see the reality—Life. Feel yourself t P ,f l °! th , e £r f at Universal Life.