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Lesson X: The Riddle of the Universe.435
possess Force or Energy (Prana); and Mind substance (Chitta), all of which
three substances, or things are relative manifestations of the Absolute, the
Spirit being the only “thing in itself” apparent—the only “real thing” about
man, for the other three are changeable, temporary, incomplete, etc., and
lacking in the qualities that belong to the Absolute as we have mentioned
them in the above statements. We shall take up this matter of the constitution
of Man, in our next lesson, and merely mention the above in this place, as an
aid to the student, and partially to answer the inevitable question that comes
up at this part of the instruction. We must now go on to a consideration of
the Three Great Manifestations or Relativities. We will then speak of The
Spirit, Atman, or Absolute, and Man’s Relation to God, which is the heart of
“The Riddle of the Universe.” The Spirit is the Unmanifest—Matter, Energy
and Mind are Manifestations (relative, of course) of the Absolute. Remember
this, always, in order to prevent confusion.
The Three Great Manifestations of the Absolute, which may be sensed,
studied, and comparatively well understood by the Intellect of even Man of
to-day, are as follows:
(1.) Matter, or Substance (Akasa).
(2.) Energy, or Force (Prana).
(3.) “Mind-Substance” (Chitta).
These three divisions are recognized by the modern advanced Western
physical scientists, although some of them try to “dodge” the last mentioned
form. In our consideration of the subject, we shall give you the views of
the best Western thinkers, or rather the result of their speculations and
investigations, so that you may see how closely they are approaching the
Yogi Philosophy, at least so far as the relative “world of form” is concerned.
The Yogis know that the three above mentioned manifestations are really not
three, but are three phases of one manifestation, their teachings being that
Matter is a grosser form of Energy or Force, gradually shading and melting
into the latter; also that Force or Energy is a grosser form of “Mind Substance,”
gradually shading and melting into this last mentioned manifestation. And