All things

in the universe move

from the subtle to the manifest

and back again. Whether the form

is that of a star or a person,

the process is

the same.

First, the subtle energy exists. Next,

it becomes manifest and takes on life.

After a time, the life passes away,

but the subtle energy goes on,

either returning to the subtle realm,

where it remains, or once again

attaching to manifest things.

The character

of your existence

is determined by the energies

to which you connect yourself. If

you attach yourself to gross energies—

loving this person, hating that clan,

rejecting one experience or

habitually indulging in another—

then you will lead a series of

heavy, attached lives.

This can go on for

a very long and

tedious time.

The way of

the integral being

is to join with higher things.

By holding to that which is refined

and subtle, she traverses refined and

subtle realms. If she enters the

world, she does so lightly,

without attachment.

Intellectual knowledge

exists in and of the brain.

Because the brain is part of the body,

which must one day expire,

this collection of facts,

however large and

impressive, will

expire as well.

Insight, however,

is a function of the spirit.

Because your spirit follows you

through cycle after cycle of

life, death, and rebirth, you

have the opportunity

of cultivating insight

in an ongoing

fashion.

The ego says

that the world is vast,

and that the particles which form it

are tiny. When tiny particles join,

it says, the vast world appears.

When the vast world

disperses, it says,

tiny particles

appear.

The ego is

entranced by all these

names and ideas, but the subtle truth

is that world and particle are

the same; neither one vast,

neither one tiny.

Every thing is

equal to every other thing.

Names and concepts only block your

perception of this Great Oneness.

Therefore it is wise to

ignore them.

Those who live

inside their egos are

continually bewildered: they struggle

frantically to know whether things are

large or small, whether or not there is

a purpose to joining or dispersing,

whether the universe is blind

and mechanical or the

divine creation of

a conscious

being.