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Evolution and Involution

(The Principle of the Shadowy Arc)

Posted 14/4/07

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Evolution does not simply involve moving progressively upwards as if following the line on the graph of a successful sales department. It is also unlike moving through school in which students tend to move up through the school at the same speed and stay in the same groups or classes.

 

In fact Evolution (of both spirit & matter) involves first a descending arc. Spirit must descend into matter and clothe itself in it. On the downward arc matter eclipses spirit more and more until it is shadowed (The Shadowy Arc). Matter is evolving to a greater extent than spirit during this descent.

 

Eventually the spirit reaches the lowest point on the arc of descent and begins to rise out of matter. In this ascending arc spirit evolves to the greater extent. Ultimately spirit separates itself from matter and the cycle is repeated again after a period of rest.

 

Evolution and Involution operate together, one is not possible without the other. Matter and Spirit are parts of the same whole and both must evolve.

 

A human incarnation is a descent into matter in which the spiritual part of man acquires a human body to gain physical experience. Humans can be described as spiritual beings who have physical experiences but when in incarnation it is easy to regard it as the other way round.

 

In human evolution our level of consciousness gives us a level of choice or self determination which means we can accelerate or impede our evolution both individually and as a whole.

 

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