Page 63 - Journey to Infinity

grows and thinks is Brahman. From this view point, wherever there is Jiva it is all Brahman. Movement and growth are almost synonyms. Agreed that there is growth and diminution in movement; but both of these are said to be the laws of development or evolution. Growth is progressive and diminution is regressive. Both imply development. The one jets upward and pushes forward. The other pulls downward and drags backwards. But in both these falling or diminishing, i.e. creeping or contracting, the sense of development alone is implied without even the slightest sense of diminishing. Just as the wheels of a vehicle move forward, inspite of their apparent backward and forward movement, even so is the condition of Jiva, Atman or Brahman. Movement and growth are the characteristics of the gross body; and thinking and understanding (knowing) are the characteristics of the subtle body or Sookshma Deha. Both these combine and function together. So if their direction is in accordance with natural combination and quality, they function properly. But if the thought of personal individuality occurs in the mind or subtle body, the concept of right and wrong intention takes root in the form of thought. The thought of good and evil itself is implied in right and wrong intention. The man with intention knows that right (Virtue) is good and wrong (Vice) is bad. And wherever there is this thought the law of good and evil fruit operates and, accordingly, the Jivaautomatically gets the good evil fruit of action. This is good and evil fruit. It is as natural as development and thinking. That individual existence which has no conception of right and wrong, i.e. which has neither good nor bad intention, does not also have either good or bad result thereof. It only grows, thinks and moves just as an infant does.
All the three bodies are found in each and every individual manifestation. But according as their characteristics vary in degree in different beings, certain stages have been clearly marked off.
i. In minerals the causal body itself is gross. The other bodies are included in it. Though it is outwardly insensible it draws, combines and absorbs the atoms in the same way as a man in deep sleep is fed milk. In minerals the causal body and the state of deep-sleep or Sushupihi are in a gross condition.
ii. Plants have gross body, along with the causal body which also includes the subtle body. They draw and combine the atoms—both mobile and static—and absorb them in a way similar to the condition of a new born baby. Both the dream state and deep sleep state or Svapna and Sushupthi are found in them.
iii. In animals all the three bodies, the gross, the subtle and the causal exist. They eat, drink, sleep and wake, and experience joy and sorrow in