The Causal Body and the Ego - Canadian Theosophical Association

The Causal Body and the Ego by Arthur E. Powell
cold, blows, pressure, shaking, etc. - through which the mineral substances pass, are conveyed to the
attached physical permanent atoms, thus arousing vague answers of sympathetic vibration from the
deeply slumbering consciousness within.
When any permanent atom has reached a certain responsiveness, or when a mineral form, i.e., The
particles to which the permanent atom is attached, is broken up, the Group-Soul withdraws that atom into
itself.
The experiences acquired by that atom—i.e., The vibrations it has been forced to execute - remain in it
as powers of vibrating in particular ways, as vibratory powers in short. Then the permanent atom, having
lost its embodiment in the mineral form, remains, as we might say, naked in its Group-Soul: here it
continues to repeat the vibrations it has learnt, repeating its life experiences, and thus setting up pulses
which run through the envelope of the Group-Soul, and are thereby conveyed to the other permanent
atoms contained in that Group-Soul. Thus each permanent atom affects and helps all others.
Now another important phenomenon arises. It is clear that those permanent atoms which have had
experiences similar in character will be affected more strongly by each other, than will be those whose
experiences have been different,. Thus a certain segregation will take place within the Group-Soul, and
presently a filmy separating wall will grow inwards from the envelope, dividing these segregated groups
from each other.
Reverting to the simile of the water in the bucket, we may conceive of a scarcely perceptible film forming
itself across the bucket. At first the water filters through this barrier to some extent: but nevertheless the
glasses of water taken out from one side of that barrier are always returned to the same side, so that by
degrees the water on one side becomes differentiated from the water on the other side. Then the barrier
gradually densifies, and becomes, impenetrable, so that eventually there are two distinct portions of
water instead of one.
In similar fashion, the Group-Soul after a time divides itself by fission, and forms two Group-Souls. The
process is repeated over and over again, producing, an ever-increasing number of Group-Souls, with
contents showing a correspondingly ever-increasing distinction of consciousness, while of course, still
sharing certain fundamental characteristics .
The laws according to which permanent atoms in a Group-Soul are plunged into the kingdoms of nature
are as yet by no means clear. There are indications, that the evolution of the mineral, vegetable and the
lowest part of the animal kingdom belongs rather to the evolution of the earth itself than to that of the
Triads, representing the Monads, who are evolving in the solar system and who come, in due course, to
the earth to pursue their evolution by utilising, the conditions it affords.
Thus, grass and small plants of every kind seem to be related to the earth itself much as man's hairs are
related to his body, and not to be connected with the Monads and their Triads. The life in grass, etc.,
appears to be that of the Second Logos, which holds them together as forms, whilst the life in the atoms
and molecules composing them is, of course that of the Third Logos, modified not only by the Planetary
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