The Causal Body and the Ego - Canadian Theosophical Association

The Causal Body and the Ego by Arthur E. Powell
Needless to say, in the animal kingdom, the permanent atoms receive far more varied vibrations than in
the lower kingdoms: consequently, they differentiate more quickly. As this differentiation proceeds, the
multiplication of Group-Souls goes on with increasing rapidity, the number of Lower Triads in any one
Group-Soul of course steadily diminishing.
DIAGRAM XVII illustrates the fission of an animal Group-Soul. Mineral and vegetable Group-Souls, as
already described, also divide by a similar process of fission.
Again and again the Group-Soul divides, until eventually
each Lower Triad possesses its own separate envelope.
The Triad is still within the enveloping case of elemental
essence, which protects and nourishes it. It is drawing near
to "Individualisation", and the term Group-Soul is no longer
strictly applicable to it, because one Lower Triad clearly is
not a "group". It is a single Lower Triad which has
separated off from the "group" to which previously it
belonged.
DIAGRAM XVIIIA shows the stage which has now been
reached: in the Group-Soul envelope there is but one
Lower Triad; but there are still several animal forms
attached to the Group-Soul. The next stage is reached
when there is only one animal form attached to the Group-
Soul. This is indicated in Diagram XVIII-B. Large numbers
of the higher domestic animals have reached this stage,
and have really become separate entities, incarnating in a
succession of animal bodies; although they have not as
yet, of course, attained to the possession of a causal body
- the true mark of individualisation.
Before passing on to describe the very interesting process of individualisation, we may here note an
analogy between the animal, when it is approaching individualisation, and the human ante-natal life. The
animal at this stage corresponds to the last two months of the human foetus.
Now it is known that a seven-months child may be born and may survive, but it will be stronger healthier,
more vigorous, if it profits yet another two months by its mother's shielding and nourishing life. So is it
also better, for the normal development of the ego, that it should not burst too soon the envelope of the
Group-Soul, but should remain within it, still absorbing life through it, and strengthening from its
constituents the finest part of its own mental body. When that mental body has reached the limit of
growth possible, under these shielded conditions, then the time is ripe for individualisation to take place.
Knowledge of these facts has sometimes caused occultists to warn people, who are very fond of animals,
not to be exaggerated in their affection, or to show it in unwise ways. For it is possible that the growth of
the animal may be unhealthily forced—just as we know the development of a child may be unhealthily
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