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Lesson XII: Mind and Spirit.467
form of mere sensation or feeling (even chemical attraction and repulsion
being a form of sensation) up to the highest form of mental effort known to
man or beings much higher than man.
The Atman, or Spirit.
We now pass on to a consideration of the Atman, the Real Self, the Spirit,
and its expression in Man. In the consideration of it, we shall drop the Sanscrit
term Atman, and will use the word “Spirit,” to convey the same meaning. We
mention the Sanscrit term only that you may recognize and understand it
when you see it in other writings on the subject.
To grasp the idea of Spirit, we must turn the mind upon the subject of the
Absolute. In a previous lesson we have tried to give you the report of the
Intellect upon its consideration of the Absolute. In that report we have tried
to tell you what the Intellect finds itself compelled to believe or acknowledge.
We may say here that this testimony of the Intellect is confirmed by the
testimony of the higher faculties of the mind, and the advanced souls of
all ages, who have acquired spiritual insight, corroborate the report of the
Intellect regarding its conceptions of the Absolute. The highest reports are
along the same lines. But, student, remember this fact which is lost sight of by
many investigators—the Mind, even the Mind of the most advanced souls,
can report only that which it finds within itself. And even the Universal Mind,
the sum-total of all the Mind that has been projected by the Absolute—
and this includes such part of the Mind as is now manifested in conscious
intelligence as well as Mind not so manifested—is not able to go outside
of itself for knowledge. It is conditioned and limited, the limitations and
conditions having been placed upon it by the Absolute. So, you see that
even the Universal Mind—the sum-total of all the mind there is—can report
only what it knows in itself, and can give no report concerning the nature
of the Absolute, other than that which the Absolute allows it to have and
has deposited in it. The Universal Mind is not the Absolute, remember, but