Page:The astral world, higher occult powers; (IA astralworldhighe00tiff).pdf/171

 CHAPTER X.

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE SPIRIT.

The idea which has sometimes prevailed, that when the spirit enters the Spirit-world it becomes divested of certain states of affection, certain loves or delights, and that it becomes so changed in its character or station as to seek its delight in some other direction, is very general among Spiritualists. They believe that all our evil passions and affections pertain to this body, and that when the spirit leaves it, his disposition to do evil or to enjoy the fruits of his evil desires ceases. Now, I wish to investigate this subject thoroughly upon principles which commend themselves to every individual's consciousness.

That which constitutes me a conscious being does not differ from that which constitutes you conscious beings. So far as the element of consciousness itself is concerned—so far as it enters into the mind—it is the same in every individual. Your individuality or mine does not consist in the fact that we are conscious, and possess in ourselves a consciousness, but it consists in that of which we are conscious. That which causes me to differ from you is that which comes into a certain relation to that consciousness.

This conscious principle within the spirit, whether