The Yogi teachings inform us that, in the Beginning, The Absolute formed a Mental Image, or Thought-Form, of an Universal Mind—­that is, of an Universal Principle of Mind.  And here the distinction is made between this Universal Mind Principle, or Universal Mind-Stuff, as some have called it, and the Infinite Mind itself.  The Infinite Mind is something infinitely above this creation of the Universal Mind Principle, the latter being as much an “emanation” as is Matter.  Let there be no mistake about this.  The Infinite Mind is Spirit—­the Universal Mind Principle is “Mind-Stuff” of which all Finite Mind is a part.  This Universal Mind Principle was the first conception of The Absolute, in the process of the creation of the Universe.  It was the “Stuff” from which all Finite Mind forms, and is formed.  It is the Universal Mental Energy.  Know it as such—­but do not confound it with Spirit, which we have called Infinite Mind, because we had no other term.  There is a subtle difference here, which is most important to a careful understanding of the subject.

The Yogi teachings inform us that from this Mental Principle there was developed the Universal Principle of Force or Energy.  And that from this Universal Force Principle there developed the Universal Principle of Matter.  The Sanscrit terms for these Three Principles are as follows:  Chitta, or the Universal Mind Substance, or Principle; Prana, or the Universal Energy Principle; and Akasa, or the Universal Principle of Matter.  We have spoken of these Three Principles, or Three Great Manifestations, in our “Advanced Course” of lessons, which followed our “Fourteen Lessons,” several years ago, but it becomes necessary for us to refer to them again at this place in connection with the present presentation of the subject.  As was stated in the lessons just mentioned, these Three Manifestations, or Principles, are really one, and shade into each other.  This matter has been fully touched upon in the concluding lessons of the aforesaid “Advanced Course,” to which we must refer you for further details, in order to avoid repetition here.  You will find a wonderful correspondence between these centuries-old Yogi teachings, and the latest conceptions of Modern Science.

Well, to return to the main path once more, the Teachings inform us that The Absolute “thought” into being—­that is, held the Mental Image, or Thought-Form, of—­Chitta, or Universal Mind Principle.  This Chitta was finite, of course, and was bound and governed by the Laws of Finite Mind, imposed upon it by the Will of The Absolute.  Everything that is Finite is governed by Laws imposed by the great LAW which we call The Absolute.  Then began the Great INVOLUTION which was necessary before Evolution was possible.  The word “Involve,” you know, means “to wrap up; to cover; to hide; etc.;” and the word “Evolve” means “to unwrap; to unfold; to un-roll; etc.”  Before a thing can be “evolved,” or “unfolded,”