My Library

nothing is desired from the point of view of consciousness in relation to its own plane. An entirely new form of cognition is found to be in operation when we descend to this level: that of the passage of vibration from object to subject, and the sense is experienced of being separated from one’s surroundings in contrast to that of being part of them, as was the case at the causal level. The chief phenomenon within the mental body is that of the continual passage through it of vibrations from below and above, as if through a tube which formed the axis of the body. The physical head appears to be in the middle or the mental body, and the mental consciousness is in direct contact with the brain. The interplay between them appears as a perpetual phenomenon, from which there is no escape: the whole of the mental life centres found it. An attempt to look outwards reveals the existence of incalculable numbers of human beings of both sexes, and of all ages, as well as of hosts of angels. The great majority of men appear to be asleep, and their mental bodies remind one of transparent cocoons. Examination of a single individual shows considerable activity within, where he dwells in a world peopled by forms of his own creation, and pervaded by an atmosphere of happy satisfaction and of complete fulfilment. These cocoon-like enclosures are to be seen scattered about over the whole landscape, which more resembles a skyscape. Apparently they are the souls in devachan,26 or the heaven-world. Occasionally the luminous figure of an advanced human being, wide-awake at the mental level, moves across the field of vision. Many such are to be seen congregated at certain points throughout the mental world. Their forms are outlined by a golden and white light. Each appears to be enclosed within an ovoid, like a transparent bubble of light. Vast distances, which would correspond to thousands of miles at the physical level, open before the mental eyes. The whole world seems to stretch away at one’s feet. Everywhere the sleepers dream within their sheltering envelopes, unmoved and undisturbed by any external phenomena. Angels and men pass across the sky. There is an utter stillness, absolute quiet. Beings pass through it, but all else is motionless. It resembles rather an icebound landscape, lit by a full moon; the sky is indigo, and there are no stars visible. Every object shines with a white