World-Brain

In awakening into Consciousness the World‑Brain creates centres of material shape and form within itself. Then by slow degrees more complex form, and combinations appear. Upon the created worlds appear the material appropriate for the manifestation of organic life. Then Life, as we know it, appears.

The Will is the Motive Power behind all manifestation in the World‑Brain of the Cosmos.

...below the plane of Ego, all the life activities of the World‑Brain are along sub‑conscious lines—below the plane of Consciousness. In other words, the Being in whom we are, knows and is conscious of us, only when we are conscious of Being within us.

The Cosmic Will remembers the Ego in the Astral World, and in the World‑Brain it again embodies it in material form. We urge you to study this carefully and thoroughly, before proceeding further, in order that you may make this great Truth your own for all time. Consider this: To be remembered by the Cosmic Will in the World‑Brain, is to persist in Being—for whatever is so remembered cannot perish so long as the World‑Brain persists and exists.

Substance and Motion are not illusions—they are co‑equal with Mind, in reality and actuality. There can be no Mind without Substance and Motion; there can be no substance without Mind and Motion; there can be no Motion without Mind and Substance. The “Three Principles” are always found together—in Everything the Three are found. There is no separateness in the Three Principles—there are, and must be, always in combination. And this combination in the Cosmos, gives us that which may be called the World‑Brain.

In this Aphorism is contained a marvelous scientific truth, little suspected by the majority of thinkers. Every mental state produces a corresponding material change in the structure and substance of the brain—the brain‑cells respond to the faintest

mental state. The Arcane Teaching informs us that the Cosmos, being a great World‑Brain, is governed by the same laws—“as below, so above.” This being so, we may see how the Cosmos while still being mental may yet manifest in actual material and physical forms and phenomena, under the direction of the Mind. There is Mind back of every material and physical form and appearance. Here is the reconciliation between mentalism and materialism—idealism and naturalism.

In the World‑Brain, there are many planes of consciousness, just as there are in your own brain‑mind. There are the instinctive planes, and those still below—the sub‑conscious, and those above—and the super‑conscious, and other stages of which man does not as yet dream. Just as the various brain‑cells perform their several functions, varying in the degree of importance and function—so do the various centres in the World‑Brain play theirs, in the same varying importance and degree. Each is a part of the All. And there is a relationship and interdependence between all. None is alone and separate. Separateness is an illusion.

In considering the World‑Brain, do not make the mistake of the average student, in thinking merely of this speck of dust called the Earth, as being all that is included in the Cosmos. In the Cosmos are contained an infinitude of infinitudes of universes; of suns, and planets. Space itself must be exhausted before the universes are exhausted. Number itself must be exhausted, before their number is exhausted. Remember, they are the products of Infinity, and consequently their number, degrees, and variety is infinite in extent and possibility.

Many philosophies have held that the universe is mental, in its last analysis, and that the Universal Mind is the reality behind the appearances.  Others have held that the universe is merely an imagination, illusion, or dramatization, in the mind of a Supreme Being.  But all of these conceptions use the terms "mind" or "mental" as something having no connection with material substance, the latter being an illusion.  But the Arcane Teaching recognizes Substance as being as real and actual as Mind or Motion--the three being but aspects of the same thing--the Three Principles which are really One.  And in giving to Substance and Motion equal places with Mind, the conception is seen to be rather more like a "World-Brain" than a "World-Mind," for like the brain it contains the principles of Substance, Motion and Consciousness.  Thought is the product of these three-the action of Consciousness upon Substance, by means of the vibrations of Motion.  As in the human brain, so in the Cosmic Brain--"as above, so below; as below, so above."  From One know All.  Substance and Motion are not illusions--they are co-equal with Mind, in reality and actuality.  There can be no Mind without Substance and Motion; there can be no Substance without Mind and Motion; there can be no Motion without Mind and Substance.  The "Three Principles" are always found together--in Everything the Three are found. There is no separateness in the Three Principles--there are and must be, always in combination.  And this combination in the Cosmos, gives us that which may be called the World-Brain.

The human‑brain has its analogy in the World‑Brain. In this Arcane Teaching we may understand the principles of the embodiment of mind in matter, and the action of mind upon matter by means of energy. Compare this Teaching of the World‑Brain with the teachings of science, in its phases of Inorganic Evolution, and Organic Evolution, and see how the Teaching throws light on the whole process. See how there is ever a mental action preceding the physical manifestation. Desire ever precedes function, shape and form. Mind is always embodied in substance. Substance

always contains mind.

Aphorism xi. The Cosmic Will, as the World‑Brain, seeking Consciousness through its appropriate Principle, manifests the natural phenomena of the universe. From a state of Unconsciousness, through many stages of Semi‑Consciousness—through many degrees of Simple Consciousness; Self‑Consciousness; Super‑Consciousness; and states still higher in the scale, undreamt by mortal mind, on toward the highest states of Cosmic Consciousness—Spirit conscious of Itself; the Cosmic Will proceeds. Consciousness, in all of its phases, proceeds through Change—Consciousness depends upon Constant Change. Consciousness always produces Activity, and manifests Motion. Consciousness always manifests objectively in Change and Motion in Substance—in substantial shape and form. In this, then, is to be found the explanation of the phenomena of the involution and evolution of the Cosmos, with all the incidents thereof—in this is found the answer to the Ultimate “Why.” The answer is understandable only through the symbol of the “World‑Brain.”

The above is one of the most important of the Basic Aphorisms--the one which explains the "Why of the Manifest Evolving Cosmos.  The answer is understandable only through the symbold of the "World-Brain." The Cosmic Spirit or Will, awakening fromits sleep of Unconsciousness, during the Cosmic Night in the Infinity of Nothingness, seeks Consciousness.  Consciousness is the "livingness" of Life--therefore the Cosmos seeks Life itself.  The Cosmos manifests in order to gain Conscious Life.  Like the mortal awakening from a profound sleep, almost death-like inits intensity, the Cosmos begins its task of regaining Consciousness, which is the "livingness" of its Life.  And as to the mortal sleeper, such Consciousness comes to it slowly.

In the World-Brain, there are mayny planes of consciousness, just as there are in your own brain-mind.  There are the instinctive planes, and those still below--the sub-conscious, and those above--and the super-conscious, and other stagesof which man does not as yet dream.  Just as the various brain-cells perform their several functions, varying in the degree of importance and function--so do the various centers in the World-Brain play theirs, in the same varying importance and degree.  Each is a part of the All.  And there is a relationship and interdependence between all.  None is alone and separate.  Separateness is an illusion.  All is One.  The part played by Man--by You--in this great Cosmic Drama, will be considered in the succeeding parts of this series of lessons.  Therein will be taught the lesson of "Man, Know Thyself!"

In considering the World-Brain, do not make the mistake of the average student, in thinking merely of this speck of dust called the Earth, as being all that is included in the Cosmos.  In the Cosmos are contained an infinitude of infinitudes of universes; of sun, and planets.  Space itself must be exhausted before the universes are exhausted.  Number itself must be exhausted, before their number is exhausted.  Remember, they are the products of Infinity, and consequently their number, degrees, and variety is infinite in extent and possibility.