I

...the “I Am,” or “I,” or “Soul” recognized by the

individual, even faintly, is the conscious recognition of the

Cosmic Will or One Life which is our Real Self. And, likewise, such recognition is mutual, for in it also is comprised the recognition of the individual by the One Life. When we know, recognize and realize the “One” within us; then the “One” recognizes us within itself. And thenceforth it remembers us, and our Spiritual

Evolution begins.

The Arcane Teaching holds that the dual‑nature in

individuals—the “two natures struggling for supremacy”—arise from the struggle between the “I” which is the reincarnated Ego, and the “Me” which is the Personality received along the lines of

heredity, ancestral race, thought, etc. The “I” is the Real Self‑the “Me” is the personality which has been inherited. The “character of the individual arises from the balance struck between the

two. The weak soul allows the “Me” to bear down the balance in its own direction; while the strong soul asserts the “I,” and seats itself upon the throne of Individuality.

The very fact of the existence of such a struggle between the “Me” and the “I” of the individual, shows that there must be an “I” or Ego superior to and in a measure independent of the inherited and acquired “Me.” And the fact that the individual

experiences this dual‑nature is his proof that he has attained at least some degree of Egohood, for those of the race who lack Egohood are like the lower animals and simply follow inherited and racial desire. The only “conflict” in the minds of

those lacking Egohood is the conflict between opposing desires of this kind‑there is no “I” to set aside desire, or to master it by Will. The strong Ego is able to master Desire by Will‑able

not only to desire to will, but to will to will. Desire and Will are the two poles of the manifestation of “Will.” Desire rules the individual, unless he masters it by Will. The Ego may assert its

will over the inherited desires of the “Me” or False‑Self.

The “Me” always perishes, sooner or later, the “I” alone being the Real Self. Where the “I” has not been evolved or “born,” it cannot exist to persist after the dissolution of the “Me,” of course.