[Redbook6:215-218][19890820:2007b]{The
Spirit in Animals, Men and Angels}[20th August 1989]
19890820.2007
[continued]
Although
the statement has been made,* I think, that ‘the division between
Men and animals is absolute’ (by contrast, ‘the division between
Men and Angels is not absolute’),** this can only apply so far as
Individuals are concerned – and even then, Men can become like
animals in the freely-chosen Veiling of the Spirit within.
What
I think I am trying to say [here], is that whereas Individuals of any
species of animal seem unlikely to be able to rise to the spiritual
status of Man (unlike individual Men, who can rise to a spiritual
status like that of Angels), on the other hand a whole species may
evolve in the course of time to a mental condition which gives rise
to the spiritual status of Man*** – that highly ambivalent status
which allows an individual of the species freely to descend to a
status equivalent to that of an animal (but never without hope of
redemption) or to ascend to a spiritual status like that of Angels
(but never without fear of falling).
****
*in
[2]
**(Quotes
unchecked)
["The
difference between Animals and Men is absolute. The difference
between Men and Angels is not absolute, and it is possible for Men to
become as Angels by the development of their inner sense."]#
***The
only example known to us being, of course, Man.
****[Science
would say ‘other animals’ instead of ‘animals’ by contrast
with Humans (instead of ‘Men’ these days, correctly)
throughout; and the idea that there is any absolute difference
between Humans and other animals would not be generally
scientifically acceptable. But read on:]
#[
‘“My
question is: What are the differences between Animals, Men and
Angels?”
After
a long pause, [xS] said: “Animals are, like Men, a part of
Totality, the created Universe, everything created of God: a part
with awareness, and with intelligence.
“Men
are like animals, but with an extra sense: the ability to recognise
evil, and the ability to recognise God. By evil, I do not mean social
consequences, although the same actions often embody both. If an
animal turned out to have this extra sense, we should be justified in
calling it Human, in the moral sense. If a man does not possess this
sense in any form, he is not a Man, in this sense.”
“That
is a sweeping statement.” The Fellow leant forward in his chair.
“Are you thinking of psychopaths?”
“Possibly.”
[xS] agreed. “But you asked me also about Agents, and this may help
to distinguish Men from animals. I perceive that you do not believe
in Angels.
“The
difference between Animals and Men is absolute. The difference
between Men and Angels is not absolute, and it is possible for Men to
become as Angels by the development of their inner sense.”
I
saw that the Assistant Chaplain stared at [xS].
She
continued: “Angels are Spirits whose separation from God the Spirit
is of a far lesser degree than is the separation of Men. For this
reason Angels have a power over the Totality within which they
operate which, while less than that of God, is greater than that of
Men. But by the same token, as their separation from God is less, so
their independence is less. Angels exist willingly to serve the
purposes of God: they are his Agents. Angels are dependent on God
the Spirit, but independent of Totality; Men are dependent on the
Totality, but are given independence of choice from God the Spirit.
Men may sink with the Animals, or rise with the Angels.”
After
a long pause, the Fellow said – so quietly that I could scarcely
hear him – “I think I understand how Men may become as Animals.
But I do not understand yet how they may become as Angels.”
[xS]
said: “It is possible for Men to become as Angels by development of
the inner sense. As their knowledge of God intensifies, so the power
over them of the separated World fades. So it is commonly told among
Men that the greatest of the Saints and Prophets had power over the
separated World, and were not subject to its restraints in the same
way as ordinary Men. It is, once again, a question of degree: from
the simple hermit who no longer feels the cravings of the corporeal
body, in his love for God the Spirit; to the prophet who is able to
see the futures of the World, and call down the power of God the
Spirit over the separated World. Only complete subjugation to the
will of God the Spirit achieves that intensity: and then a Man might
die to Earth, and be numbered among the Angels themselves.
“Angels,
too, differ in the degree of their separation from God the Spirit,
according to their function; and they are subject at times to the
pull of the separated World within which they must operate: not so
much, generally, of the material World, which they may take or leave
more or less at will, with discretion; but the mental World – the
mental World of Men with whom they work – causes them great joy
and, at times, great distress.”'
([2]
– which is subject to revision]
]
[continues]
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