Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-19

in the Kosmos. As Man has practically
illimitable Future, so also he has had a
practically illimitable Past. The planets
of our system constitute chain through
which the complex currents of life and
action travel. Each monad or ego has to
pass through regular graduation OF pre-
liminary existences before it is born into
this world and this earth occupies by no
means conspicuous or exalted position in
the long range of existences.
We will here quote from the "Frag-
ments of Occult Truth" published in the
Theosophst, first reminding our readers
that these papers are written under the
direct supervision OF the Adopts 1.-THE
system of worlds is circuit round which
all individual spiritual entities have, alike,
to pass and that passage constitutes the
Evolution of Man. For it must be real
lied that the evolution of man is still
going On, and by no means yet complete.
Darwinian writings have taught the
modern world to regard the ape as an
ancestor, but the simple conceit of
| Western speculation has rarely per-
mitted European evolutionists to look
in the other direction, and recognize the
| probability that to our remote descend
ants we may be, as that unwelcome pro-
genitor to us. The chain of
worlds to which this earth belongs are not
ali prepared for a material existence ex-
actly or even approximately resembling
our own. In reality they are very un-
like each other, not merely in external
conditions, but in that supreme character
istic, the proportion in which spirit and
matter are mingled in their constitution
Oar own world presents us with condi-
tions in which spirit and matter are, on
the whole, evenly balanced in equilibrium
Let it not be supposed on that account
that it is very highly elevated in the scale
of perfection. On the contrary, it occu-
pies very low plane in that scale. The
worlds that are higher in the scale are
those in which spirit largely predomi-
mates. Man, as we know
him on this earth. Is but Ralf
way through the evolutionary process
20 which he owes his present development
He will be as much greater, before the des-
tiny of our system is accomplished,
than he is now, as he is now greater than
the missing link. And that improve
ment even will be accomplished on this
earth, which, in the other worlds of the
| ascending series, there are still loftier
peaks Of perfection to be ecaled. II is
utterly beyond the range Of faculties un-
tutored in the discernment of occult mys-
teries to imagine the kind OF life which
man will thus ultimately lead before the
zenith OF the great cycle is attained. 1t
is not in accordance with the design of
these papers to discuss the questions pre-
| sented exhaustively. It will be seen that
the topic above glanced at is one of vast
magnitude and consequence, and it
would be impossible here to do
more than suggest the character and
tendencies of the occult treatment of it,
The novelty of the doctrine will no doubt
surprise many, though not such as have
studied the esoteric teaching of Brahman-
| ism and Buddhism. But to those who are
disposed to suspect fallacy and illusion in
any propositions associated with Oriental
religions, it may be pointed ont that the
Occult Brotherhood only hold those doc
trines common to Brahmanism and Budd-
hism which belong to the foundation truths
OF all arcane knowledge; which in fact
represent the common stock of recondite
natural science attained by the students of
Oocultism among the early Aryans; and
which have been not only handed down in
the sacred books and orally, from genera
ton to generation, but have again and
again beer freshly demonstrated and added
to, by independent research in the same
directions, and by the same methods.
We now come to subjec5 which has
already provoked much controversy, though
not in quarters often penetrated by the
general public. It was stated in one of
the earlier papers that the Occultists of
the East held views which clashed with
those of the Western Spiritualists. The
fact is that Theosophy as developed in
India fatty denies the correctness OF the
explanations which the Spiritualists give
of the phenomena of the seance-room, as
will be seen from the following statement
in the fragments :" CHOW neither dur
ing its CESSATION in the subjective world of
effects, nor during its temporary period Of
enjoyment in its newly-developed EGG.
hood of the fruit of its good deeds tits
Karma on earth), nor after its entry or re-
birth into the higher objective world Of
causes, can the Ego re enter this present
,oorld. During the first period it is, SO tc
speak, dormant, and can no more issue
from the state in which it is developing
than child can come out of its mothers
womb to pay 0 visit before the period Of
pregnancy concludes. During the second
period, however ethereal and purified o.
gross matter the regenerated Ego may
be, it is still subject to the physical and
universal laws of matter. 1t cannot
even if it would, span the abyss tha'
separates its state from ours. 1t can b.
visited in spirit by man, but it canno'
descend into our grosser atmosphere anc
reach us. 1t attracts, it cannot be at
trac.ed its spiritual polarity presenting
an insuperable obstacle. Once reborn
into the higher world and independent o
the physical impossibility OF any communi
cation between its world and ours, to al
but the very highest Adepts) the new Egg
has became a new person. 1t has lost it
old consciousness linked with earthly ex
, perieRces, and has acquired new con
seriousness, which, as time rolls on, will b.
interpene.rased by its experiences in tina
higher sphere. The time will come, nj
doubt, but many steps higher on til
ladder, when the Ego viii regain its con
sciousness OF all It's past stages of exist