Essence

The Arcane Teaching holds that the Cosmic Will--the first-born of the Womb of Infinity--the Cosmic Egg from which hatches the Univers--is in its last analysis, SPIRIT.  By "Spirit" is meant"ESSENCE"--remember this definition. "Essence" is a term derived from the Latin word, "esse," meaning "to be."  Therefore Essence (or Spirit) means the "beingness" of Being.  Spirit is the essence of the Cosmos.  Spirit is that which is the first-born of the Infinity of Nothingness--the first thing to BE.  And from Spirit all the Cosmos proceeds--and at the last the Cosmos is all Spirit.  Back of Spirit there is naught by the Infinity of Nothingness.  And over and above Spirit there is naught but The LAW.  Spirit is Being; and Being is Spirit.

The Arcane Teaching uses the term "Cosmic Will" to indicate the creative activities of Spirit.  Spirit is the essence of the Cosmic Will--the Cosmic Will is the outward activities of Spirit.  But Spirit and the Cosmic Will are the same thing--in its the inner and outer aspects.  By "Will" is not meant that human quality called "will"--this latter is but the mental quality which calls forth Will.  Will is the principle of all activity--it is activity in itself.  Life is one of the manifestation of the Cosmic Will.  Will is the "lifeness" of Life.  Will is the outward aspect of Spirit.