Today, we will examine the various methods and degrees of individualisation. The information presented here links back directly to the series on Chains, Rounds, and Globes. In the previous presentation, it was mentioned that the effort leading to individualisation must be initiated by the animal itself. This effort can occur in three distinct ways and can significantly impact the future life of the entity involved.
When a soul is formed, the three aspects of the Higher Triad, i.e., Atma, Buddhi, and Manas, must all be called forth. The first connection, however, may be made through any one of the three, as follows.
- Between the lower (47:4) higher (47:1) minds
- Between the emotional (48) and Buddhi (46) envelopes
(3) Between the physical envelope (49) and Atma(45:4)
The animal will individualise in the first case through intellect, in the second case through emotions, and in the third case through will. Now, we will briefly consider each of these three methods.
( I ) If an animal is frequently around a person who is more focused on mental activities than emotions, the animal’s intellectual development may be encouraged by the close relationship. It is likely that the animal will develop its individuality through its mind, as it makes efforts to understand its human companion.
( II ) If the master is an emotional person, full of strong affection, it is probable that the animal will primarily develop through its emotional nature. The eventual breaking of the link with the group soul will likely be caused by a sudden outpouring of intense affection, which will reach the spiritual aspect of the floating Monad associated with it and thus lead to the formation of the soul.
( III ) Individualisation through Will – In another scenario, if the owner is highly spiritual or has a strong will, the animal will develop a strong affection and admiration for the owner. However, it is the will within the animal that is primarily stimulated. This will manifest as intense activity and unwavering determination to accomplish whatever the animal may attempt, especially in serving its owner.
The character and type of the master significantly influence the animal’s destiny. Most interactions between the two happen without direct intention, through constant and unavoidable action due to their close proximity. The person’s emotional and mental vibrations are much stronger and more complex than those of the animal, continuously influencing the animal.
The student should avoid the error of thinking that the “distance” between Atma and the physical envelope is greater than that between the lower mind and the higher mind or between the emotional (48) and the Unity (46) principles. It is not a question of distance in space but instead of conveying a sympathetic vibration from the reflection to the original. Looking at the matter in this way, it is clear that each reflection must be in some direct connection with its original, whatever the “distance” between them may be.
The animal’s desire to ascend creates a consistent upward force along the three mentioned aspects. The moment this force breaks through the constraints and establishes the necessary connection between the Monad and the personality, it influences the characteristics of the new soul formed. The link is formed instantly through affection or will but takes more time when it happens through intellect. This difference affects the future evolution of the individual.
The people who became individualised by intellectual development during the Moon Chain came into Earth’s incarnation about a million years ago. Since then, they have had an average interval of about 1,200 years between lives. Those monads in the group who achieved individualisation through a sudden surge of affection came into terrestrial incarnation around 600,000 years ago. On average, this group took about 700 years between each incarnation. Currently, the reincarnation cycles of both groups are essentially the same.
People who develop individuality through emotional connection are able to produce slightly more force, if anything, than those who develop individuality through intellect. However, a better way to describe the difference between the two groups is to say that they generate a different type of force. The shorter interval between lives is because the 700-year group experiences their life in Devachan in a more concentrated form. As a result, they process the outcomes of their incarnations with an equal amount of effort but in much less time.
It seems likely that the timing of the reincarnations of these two groups on Earth was coordinated so that they could finish a similar number of lifetimes and come together to work in harmony. It is important to bring groups of people into existence at the same time so they can work out their karmic relationships and learn to work together towards a common goal. This plays a major role in regulating how energy is used.
Apart from the differences in the method of individualisation, there are also variations in the degree of individualisation due to the stage at which it occurs. The stage of development at which the individualisation takes place makes a significant difference. For instance, if a prairie dog were to individualise, it would only achieve a very basic type of individualisation. It would probably be, at most, nothing more than a separated fragment of the group soul, with a Monad hovering over it, connected perhaps by a line or two of spiritual matter.
A case of this kind would correspond to the “lunar animal-men.” These souls were individualised at the earliest stage of the animal kingdom when individualisation became possible. They began their human life without a proper causal envelope but with the Monad floating above a personality, connected only by specific threads of nirvanic matter. They were the ones who, in the first round of the Earth period, inhabited the forms created by the Lords of the Moon, thus laying the groundwork for all the kingdoms.
A truly intelligent and affectionate pet dog or cat, when properly cared for by its owner and treated as a friend, would undoubtedly develop a level of consciousness and awareness comparable to that of the First Order of Moon Men. Various intermediate types of domestic animals could produce the “basketwork” causal envelope, similar to the one obtained by the Second Order Moon-Men. The last-named class of souls had not yet fully developed a causal envelope but had what might be described as the skeleton of such a vehicle: several interlacing streams of force indicating the outline of the ovoid yet to come. Consequently, they had a curious appearance, almost as though they were enclosed in a kind of basketwork of the higher mental matter.
The reason for these different types of causal bodies is determined by when individualisation occurs. For instance, if an animal, such as a dog, has been in contact with humans for a long time and is part of a small group of 10 or 20, a complete causal envelope is formed upon individualising. If there are about 100 in the group – the stage of a sheepdog – a basketwork causal envelope is formed. If there are several hundred – the prairie dog stage – there is an indication of a causal envelope formed by connecting lines.
The effort required for progressing through different stages of evolution is generally consistent, but it may vary across different kingdoms. There is significant overlap among the various kingdoms of nature, so an animal that reaches the peak of intelligence and affection within the animal kingdom would start its human journey at an advanced level, skipping primitive human conditions. Conversely, an individual leaving the animal kingdom at a lower level would begin their human journey at a lower point in the human hierarchy.
This explains a remark once made by a Master when referring to the cruelty and superstition shown by the great mass of humanity: ‘They have individualised too soon; they are not yet worthy of the human form.”
The three methods of individualisation—intellect, affection, and will—are normal. Occasionally, however, individualisation is attained in other ways, which are considered abnormal or irregular.
For example, at the beginning of the Moon Chain, a specific group of beings were at the point of individualisation. They were drawn towards it by associating with some of the perfected inhabitants, whom we call the Lords of the Moon. An unfortunate twist, however, entered into their development, and they began to take so much pride in their intellectual advancement that it became a prominent feature in their character. They worked not so much to gain the approval or affection of their masters as to show their advantage over their fellow beings and to incite their envy. We have discussed this group before, but it is worth revisiting their story.
This motivation compelled this group to make efforts that led to individualisation. As a result, the causal bodies that were formed displayed almost no colour except for orange. They were permitted to individualise, seemingly because if they had continued in the animal kingdom any longer, they would have deteriorated rather than improved. This detachment, also known as a “shipload,” comprised approximately two million individuals. Their pride characterised them, and although they were clever in their own way, they lacked many other qualities. The individuals from Globe A of the Moon-Chain refused to enter the vehicles offered to them in the Earth-Chain, while the souls from Globe B, with a golden hue, and the souls from Globe C, with a rose colour, accepted the terms, boarded the vehicles, and fulfilled their destinies.
All throughout their history, these orange souls caused trouble to themselves and to others owing to their arrogance and unruliness. They have been described as turbulent, aggressive, independent, separative, prone to discontent, and eager for change.
Some of the cleverest individuals among them became the notorious “Lords of the Dark Face” in Atlantis. Later, they became world-devastating conquerors, caring nothing for the thousands who were slain or starved in the course of gratification of their mad ambition. Even later, they became unscrupulous millionaires, aptly termed “Napoleons of finance”.
Another way of individualising is through fear. In some cases, animals that humans have cruelly treated have developed cunning through their strenuous efforts to understand and avoid cruelty. As a result, they have broken away from the Group Soul and have produced a soul possessing only a very low level of intellectuality.
There are different types of souls. One type is characterised by cruelty, leading to hatred instead of fear. This explains the behaviour of incredibly cruel and bloodthirsty individuals, such as the inquisitors from the Middle Ages, as well as present-day child torturers.
Another type is characterised by an intense desire for power over others, akin to the behaviour of a dominant bull. Individuals with this kind of soul often exhibit great cruelty and seem to derive pleasure from it, likely due to viewing torturing others as a display of power over them.
Conversely, individuals who have developed at a relatively low level along more positive lines, such as through affection, represent a primitive yet joyous and good-natured soul. These individuals, despite being 1. Young Souls demonstrate kindness.
So the next time you meet a bully or unscrupulous individual, show them kindness. They were probably abused pets once! Next time, we will look at the functions of the causal body.