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A Series of Lessons in Gnani Yoga722
Leaving these creatures, we enter the kingdom of the crystals, in our
search for life. Yes, the crystals manifest life, as strange as this statement may
appear to those who have not followed the march of Science. The crystals
are born, grow, live, and may be killed by chemicals or electricity. Science
has added a new department called “Plasmology,” the purpose of which
is the study of crystal life. Some investigators have progressed so far as to
claim that they have discovered signs of rudimentary sex functioning among
crystals. At any rate, crystals are born and grow like living things. As a recent
scientific writer has said: “Crystallization, as we are to learn now, is not a
mere mechanical grouping of dead atoms. It is a birth.”
The crystal forms from the mother liquor, and its body is built up
systematically, regularly, and according to a well defined plan or pattern,
just as are the body and bones of the animal form, and the wood and bark
of the tree. There is life at work in the growth of the crystal. And not only
does the crystal grow, but it also reproduces itself by separation or splittingoff,
just as is the case with the lower forms of life, just mentioned.
The principal point of difference between the growth and development
of the crystals and that of the lower forms of life referred to is that the crystal
takes its nourishment from the outside, and builds up from its outer surface,
while the Monera absorbs its nourishment from within, and grows outwardly
from within. If the crystal had a soft center, and took its nourishment in that
way, it would be almost identical with the Diatom, or, if the Diatom grew
from the outside, it would be but a crystal. A very fine dividing line.
Crystals, like living forms, may be sterilized and rendered incapable of
reproduction by chemical process, or electrical discharges. They may also
be “killed” and future growth prevented in this manner. Surely this looks
like “Life,” does it not?
To realize the importance of this idea of life among the crystals, we must
remember that our hardest rocks and metals are composed of crystals, and
that the dirt and earth upon which we grow and live are but crumbled
rock and miniature crystals. Therefore the very dust under our feet is alive.