Next in order, above the Instinctive Mind, is what we have called the Intellect, that part of the mind that does our reasoning, analyzing; “thinking,” etc.  You are using it in the consideration of this lesson.  But note this:  You are using it, but it is not You, any more than was the Instinctive Mind that you considered a moment ago.  You will begin to make the separation, if you will think but a moment.  We will not take up your time with a consideration of Intellect or Reason.  You will find a good description of this part of the mind in any good elementary work on Psychology.  Our only idea in mentioning it is that you may make the classification, and that we may afterward show you that the Intellect is but a tool of the Ego, instead of being the real “I” itself, as so many seem to imagine.

The third, and highest, Mental Principle is what is called the Spiritual Mind, that part of the mind which is almost unknown to many of the race, but which has developed into consciousness with nearly all who read this lesson, for the fact that the subject of this lesson attracts you is a proof that this part of your mental nature is unfolding into consciousness.  This region of the mind is the source of that which we call “genius,” “inspiration,” “spirituality,” and all that we consider the “highest” in our mental make-up.  All the great thoughts and ideas float into the field of consciousness from this part of the mind.  All the great unfoldment of the race comes from there.  All the higher mental ideas that have come to Man in his upward evolutionary journey, that tend in the direction of nobility; true religious feeling; kindness; humanity; justice; unselfish love; mercy; sympathy, etc., have come to him through his slowly unfolding Spiritual Mind.  His love of God and of his fellow man have come in this way.  His knowledge of the great occult truths reach him through this channel.  The mental realization of the “I,” which we are endeavoring to teach in these lessons, must come to him by way of the Spiritual Mind unfolding its ideas into his field of consciousness.

But even this great and wonderful part of the mind is but a tool—­a highly finished one, it is true, but still a tool—­to the Ego, or “I.”

We propose to give you a little mental drill work, toward the end that you may be able more readily to distinguish the “I” from the mind, or mental states.  In this connection we would say that every part, plane, and function of the mind is good, and necessary, and the student must not fall into the error of supposing that because we tell him to set aside first this part of the mind and then that part, that we are undervaluing the mind, or that we regard it as an encumbrance or hindrance.  Far from this, we realize that it is by the use of the mind that Man is enabled to arrive at a knowledge of his true nature and Self, and that his progress through many stages yet will depend upon the unfolding of his mental faculties.