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63: THE PROGRESS OF MAN IN THE OTHER WORLD 233 |
Know that nothing which exists remains in a state of
repose—that is to say, all things are in motion. Everything
is either growing or declining; all things are either coming
from nonexistence into being, or going from existence into
nonexistence. So this flower, this hyacinth, during a certain
period of time was coming from the world of
nonexistence into being, and now it is going from being
into nonexistence. This state of motion is said to be
essential—that is, natural; it cannot be separated from
beings because it is their essential requirement, as it is the
essential requirement of fire to burn.
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Thus it is established that this movement is necessary to
existence, which is either growing or declining. Now, as
the spirit continues to exist after death, it necessarily progresses
or declines; and in the other world to cease to progress
is the same as to decline; but it never leaves its own
condition, in which it continues to develop. For example,
the reality of the spirit of Peter, however far it may progress,
will not reach to the condition of the Reality of
Christ; it progresses only in its own environment.
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Look at this mineral. However far it may evolve, it only
evolves in its own condition; you cannot bring the crystal
to a state where it can attain to sight. This is impossible.
So the moon which is in the heavens, however far it might
evolve, could never become a luminous sun, but in its own
condition it has apogee and perigee. However far the disciples
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might progress, they could never become Christ. It
is true that coal could become a diamond, but both are in
the mineral condition, and their component elements are
the same.
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