e., from full
unconsciousness to semi-perception; the second or higher group embraces
the kingdoms from vegetable to man; the mineral kingdom thus forming
the central or turning-point in the degrees of the "Monadic Essence"--
considered as an Evoluting Energy. Three stages in the elemental side;
the mineral kingdom; three stages in the objective physical side--these
are the seven links of the evolutionary chain. A descent of spirit into
matter, equivalent to an ascent in physical evolution; a re-ascent from
the deepest depths of materiality (the mineral) towards its status quo
ante, with a corresponding dissipation of concrete organisms up to
Nirvana--the vanishing point of differentiated matter. Perhaps a simple
diagram will aid us:--
[[Diagram here]]
The line A D represents the gradual obscuration of spirit as it passes
into concrete matter; the point D indicates the evolutionary position
of the mineral kingdom from its incipient (d) to its ultimate concretion
(a); c, b, a, on the left-hand side of the figure, are the three stages
of elemental evolution; i.
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