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Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism436
the Mind-substance in its highest phases and operations almost reaches
the plane of Spirit, from which it has emerged, in fact, it becomes so fine
at the point of its emergence, that the human mind (even the mind of the
most advanced souls), cannot point to the exact line of difference. These
things we shall consider later. Our first concern is a consideration of the
Manifestation of Matter.
(1) Matter. (Akasa)
“Matter,” is a word or term used by scientists to designate that substance
of which the material and physical Universe is composed, which substance is
claimed to have extension in space which it occupies, and to be perceptible
to the senses—the “body” of things—the “substance” of things. It is usually
divided into three classes, or phases, i.e., Solid, Liquid and Aeriform. Solid
Matter is matter whose parts firmly cohere and resist impression, such as
stone, metal, wood, etc. Liquid Matter is matter having free motion among
its parts and easily yielding to impression, such as melted metals, tar, treacle,
oil, water, etc., in short, matter that “flows.” Aeriform Matter is matter that
may be called “elastic fluids,” such as vapor, gas, air, etc. Of course, these
three forms of matter are really variations of one form, for all matter may be
placed into either and all of the three classes by a change of temperature,
for instance, Ice is a kind of matter in Solid form; Water the same kind of
matter in Liquid form; Steam the same kind of matter in Aeriform. The
degrees of temperature, producing any of the three mentioned forms vary,
but any and all forms of matter are capable of changing their form, as above,
upon being subjected to the proper temperature. For instance, Air, which
is generally thought of as being Aeriform, has been liquidified and changed
into Liquid Air by the application of a very low degree of temperature,
and science knows that if a sufficiently low temperature be produced, the
Liquid Air would “freeze” and become solid. Likewise, take Lead, which
appears as a solid in our ordinary temperature, and subject it to sufficient