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Lesson XI: Matter and Force.453
nevertheless have to admit the possession of “something like Mind” in the
lower animal and vegetable kingdoms. Recent scientific observers regard
the chemical or molecular action of minerals as a form of mind, which
view, of course, is that of the Yogis who hold that Mind is an invariable
accompaniment of Matter and Energy, this being true of every atom as well
as the combinations of atoms. The Yogis hold that all forms of consciousness
from mere sensation to the highest forms of spiritual consciousness, are all
manifestations and forms of Mind.
In this lesson we shall not have space to consider questions of psychology,
in fact, such a course would be foreign to the purpose of the lesson. But in
order to convey to the student our idea of the meaning of “Mind” we must
say that by “a manifestation of Mind” we mean any act of consciousness, and
by “consciousness” we mean any evidence or manifestation of “awareness,”
from mere “sensation” to the highest forms of consciousness. The student
presently will see why we make this explanation.
“Sensation,” the lowest form of consciousness known to us, is defined by
Webster as: “An impression made upon the mind through the medium of the
organs of sense; feeling awakened by external objects, or by some change
in the internal state of the body.” Sensation is that form of “awareness” or
consciousness, known as a “feeling.” It is not exactly the same as “perception,”
for “sensation” is a “feeling,” while “perception” is a “knowing” of the
“sensation”—the “perception” interprets the “sensation.” For instance, we
may “feel” the presence of a fly on our hand—that is “sensation.” When
our mind realizes that something is on the hand causing a sensation, that
is “perception.” One’s sense of smell may make him aware of an odor,
then his mind turns its attention to the odor, in response to the stimulus
of the sensation, and realizes that he is smelling a rose—do you note the
distinction? However, this is not a lesson in psychology—we merely want
you to realize what “sensation” is, when we speak of it as an evidence of mind.
There can be no sensation without some bit of Mind-substance to accept it.
Just as there can be no sensation unless there is something to “cause” it—so