{The Spirit in Animals, Men and Angels}[20th August 1989]

[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]

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