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Lesson XI: Matter and Force.443
centuries) being “Akasa.” Akasa is the Sanscrit term for the principle of the
Manifestation of Matter. The teachings are that it pervades and penetrates
infinite space—that it is everywhere; omnipresent. It is taught that every and
all forms of Matter evolve from this Akasa—first the six lower forms of “ether”
in succession; then the gases and vapors, in their order of fineness; then the
air; then the liquids; then the solids. The Akasa is the substance composing
the finest gases, and the densest solids—the sun; the moon; the stars; the air;
the water; the human body; the body of the animals; the body of the plants;
the earth; the rocks—everything having form; every shape; everything that
can be sensed by the ordinary senses. Besides this, the higher forms of Akasa
are finer and more tenuous and subtle than any form of matter perceptible
to the senses of the ordinary man. The “souls” of the disembodied, both
those that have passed out at death, as well as those which are traveling in
the astral body, have a “body” of fine matter, imperceptible to the ordinary
senses. And beings on higher planes than ours are encased in some of its
subtle forms, such a vehicle being necessary for the holding together of the
several elements in the constitution of man and the higher beings. Matter in
some form is necessary for Force and Energy to play upon, and Mind must
always have a body of Matter (oftener of the most refined kind) in order
to manifest itself at all. The Absolute uses its finest form of Manifestation
(Mind is its highest form) for certain expression, and Mind in turn, uses the
lower vehicles, Force and Matter as its tools; instruments; conveniences;
and vehicles of expression. We mention this at this place that the student
may remember that there are grades of matter very much higher than that
which are perceptible to our ordinary senses. So clearly is this fact known
to advanced occultists, that some of the old writers, using Oriental imagery,
have used the term “The Body of God” in referring to Matter. And this
expression may help the student to appreciate the importance and dignity
of Matter, although seeing its comparative lowness in the scale. We should
avoid the folly of the physical scientists who make of Matter a God; and the