The concept presented so far suggests that a causal envelope goes through stages of development. In less developed individuals, the causal envelope is initially almost empty. As an individual progresses in development, the ovoid gradually becomes filled. Once completely filled, it not only starts to grow in size but also emits streams of force in various directions. This is indeed one of the most remarkable traits of a developed individual—the ability to act as a conduit for higher force. Their helpful and giving nature enables divine strength to flow through them to reach many who are not yet strong enough to receive it directly.
Moreover, a radiant crown of brilliant sparks ascends from the upper part of the causal envelope, symbolising spiritual aspiration. This enhances the person’s beauty and dignity. Regardless of the lower personality’s activities on the physical plane, this stream of sparks continually rises. This is because once the soul of a human is awakened on its own level and begins to comprehend something about itself and its connection to the Divine, it looks upwards to the source from which it originated, irrespective of any activities it may be involved in on lower planes. It is good to know that some part of you is not reprehensible. Most religious systems have humanity looking up towards a divine source. Monotheistic religions would call this source “God”, and somehow, we feel connected to it. In reality, when a human being looks towards its origin, it’s looking up to its monad, residing on the 43rd plane of matter. This is its source. Is this source divine? Yes, it is if you consider all matter in the universe is part of the “Divine”. It is wishful thinking to consider that at this stage in our evolution, we can have any comprehension of the Absolute.
It’s important to remember that even the most noble personality is just a small and partial expression of the real higher self. As soon as the higher self begins to explore, it discovers nearly unlimited possibilities that are beyond our imagination in this limited physical life. It is worth reiterating again and again that although we have a greater part of our being living a resplendent life in our causal bodies, that collection of memories only sees the light of day when the monad, that is, you and me, is able to discern these memories in their entirety and remain conscious of the fact. That only happens when we are able to join the two halves of our mental envelope together and gain continuity of consciousness. Keep working on it; we are not there yet.
The intense spiritual aspiration that crowns a developed person also serves as the channel through which divine power descends. Therefore, the stronger and more abundant our aspirations, the greater the grace we receive from above. The concept of grace is a loaded term, and it is often associated with the forgiveness of karma. Karma is never forgiven; it is just transmuted in another way through service. Grace, in this context, however, is referring to receiving the gift of knowledge, which seems to come out of the blue. This is not the case. That knowledge, and maybe even wisdom, has been hard fought for and acquired in previous incarnations—the process of aspiration taps into this reservoir of memories.
When considering the causal envelope of an Arhat (46-Self), someone who has passed the Fourth of the great Initiations (i4), the colours this envelope emits have two characteristics that are contradictory on the physical plane. They are more delicate and ethereal than any previously described, yet at the same time, they are fuller, more brilliant, and more luminous. The size of the causal envelope is many times larger than that of the physical envelope, displaying magnificent development of the highest types of intellect, love, devotion, a great wealth of sympathy, and the highest spirituality.
The bands of colours are arranged in concentric rings and extending beyond them, and there are streams of white light radiating outwards from the centre. The outpouring of Divine influence is enormously intensified, as the person has become an almost perfect channel for the life and power of the Logos. Not only does the glory radiate from the person in white light, but all the colours of the rainbow play around them in ever-changing gleams, like mother-of-pearl. There is something in that radiation that strengthens the highest qualities in every person who approaches them, regardless of those qualities. No one can come within the range of their influence without being better for it; such a transformed person shines upon all around them like the sun, for like that luminary, they have become a manifestation of the Logos.
The aura of the Adept or Master (45-self) is greatly increased in size and shines brilliantly, surpassing all imagination in its beautiful appearance. According to C.W. Leadbeater, mortal language cannot describe the beauty, form, and colour of these radiant spheres. Describing such a vehicle would be a separate study, beyond the capabilities of anyone except those who are already far along the Path. The best advice that can be given is to take your dark glasses with you.
In the case of the causal envelope of an Arhat (46-self), the colours no longer move in whirling clouds. Instead, they are arranged in great concentric shells, penetrated everywhere by radiations of living light, always pouring forth from the arhat as a centre.
The order of the colours varies according to the ray to which the Adept belongs so that there are several well-marked varieties amid their glory. This fact has been perfectly preserved in many of the roughly drawn pictures of the Lord Buddha, which can be seen on the temple walls in Sri Lanka. The Great Teacher is usually represented there surrounded by an aura. Although the colouring and general arrangement of those surroundings would be very inaccurate and even impossible if intended for the aura of an ordinary person or even for that of one who is the rank of a Master, it is a rough and material representation of the actual higher vehicle of the Adept of that particular ray to which this Great One belongs.
The causal envelope is sometimes referred to as the “auric egg.” When H.P. Blavatsky mentioned the sacred auric egg, she likely was referring to the four permanent atoms: the physical and emotional permanent atoms, the mental unit, and the mental permanent atom within an envelope of matter of the Atmic (45) or Unity (46) plane.
The Causal Envelope, also known as the Augoeides or the glorified “person”, is not an image of any one of that person’s past vehicles, but it contains within itself the essence of all that was best in each of them. As it grows through experience, it indicates more or less perfectly what the Deity intends humanity to be. By observing the causal vehicle, we can see the stage of evolution that the person has reached. Not only can we see the person’s past history, but also, to a considerable extent, the future that lies before them. By the future, it is meant here that the colour spectrum emitted by the monad at this stage in its development will point towards which of the seven paths it is most likely to follow.
The glorified form within the causal envelope is an approach to the archetype and becomes closer to it as humans develop. The human form is the model for the highest evolution in this particular system. It may vary slightly on different planets, but generally, it is the same in overall structure. In other solar systems, forms may be completely different, but we currently have no information on the subject. Prana, or Vitality, exists in all planes and thus must play some role in the causal envelope, but we currently have no information about this either.
After the causal envelope is formed, the complexity of the prana circulating in the nervous system of the physical envelope increases significantly. It becomes even more enriched as human evolution progresses. As consciousness becomes active on the mental plane, the prana of that plane mixes with the lower planes, as conscious activity occurs in higher regions.
In the causal envelope, like in the other vehicles, there are Chakras or force centres, which serve as points of connection for force to flow from one vehicle to another. Currently, no information is available regarding the Chakras of the causal envelope.
That raps up our look at the composition and structure of the causal envelope. In the following presentation, we look at causal thought and how its abstract nature differs from the concrete thought of the mental envelope.