Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism | Page 7

Man's mind functions on
three planes of effort, each plane shading imperceptibly into the planes on either side of it
- the one next higher or the one next lower. The student may think of the matter either as
one mind functioning along three lines, or as three minds shading into each other; both
views have more or less of the truth in them; the real truth is too complex to be
considered in detail in an elementary lesson. The principal thing is to get the idea fixed in
the mind - to form mental pegs upon which to hang future information. We will touch
briefly upon the several "minds," or planes of mental effort, beginning with the lowest,
the instinctive mind.
(4) The Instinctive Mind.

This plane of mentation we share in connection with the lower animals, in, at least, its
lower forms. It is the first plane of mentation reached in the scale of evolution. Its lowest
phases are along lines in which consciousness is scarcely evident, and it extends from this
lowly place in the scale until it manifests a very high degree of consciousness in
comparison with its lowest phases; in fact, when it begins to shade into the fifth principle,
it is difficult to distinguish it from the lowest forms of the latter.
The first dawn of the instinctive mind may be seen even in the mineral kingdom, more
particularly in crystals, etc. Then in the plant kingdom it grows more distinct and higher
in the scale, some of the higher families of plants showing even a rudimentary form of
consciousness. Then in the world of the lower animals are seen increasing manifestations
of the instinctive mind, from the almost plant like intelligence of the lower forms until we
reach a degree almost equal to that of the lowest form of human life. Then, among men,
we see it shading gradually into the fifth principle, the intellect, until in the highest form
of man today we see the fifth principle, intellect, in control to a certain extent, and
subordinating the fourth principle to it, either wisely or unwisely. But, remember this,
that even the highest form of man carries about with him the fourth principle, the
instinctive mind, and in varying degrees uses it, or is used by it. The instinctive mind is
most useful to man in this stage of his development - he could not exist as a physical
being without it, in fact - and he may make a most valuable servant of it if he understands
it; but woe to him if he allows it to remain in control or to usurp prerogatives belonging
to its higher brother. Now, right here we must call your attention to the fact that man is
still a growing creature - he is not a finished product by any means. He has reached his
present stage of growth after a toilsome journey; but it is merely sunrise yet, and the full
day is far off. The fifth principle, the intellect, has unfolded to a certain degree,
particularly in the more advanced men of today, but the unfoldment is merely beginning
with many.
Many men are but little more than animals, and their minds function almost entirely upon
the instinctive plane. And all men of today, with the exceptions of a few very highly
developed individuals, have need to be on guard lest the instinctive mind does not
occasionally unduly assert its power over them, when they are off their guard.
The lowest phase of the work of the instinctive mind is akin to the same work
manifesting in the plant kingdom. The work of our bodies is performed by this part of the
mind. The constant work of repair, replacement, change, digestion, assimilation,
elimination, etc., is being performed by this part of the mind, all below the plane of
consciousness. The wondrous work of the body, in health and sickness, is faithfully
carried on by this part of our minds, all without our conscious knowledge. The intelligent
work of every organ, part, and cell of the body is under the superintendence of this part of
the mind. Read in "Science of Breath" of the marvelous process of the circulation of the
blood, its purification, etc., and realize, faintly, what a wonderful work is even this lowest
phase of the instinctive mind. We will show more of its workings in our forthcoming
work "Hatha Yoga," but any school physiology will give you a clear idea of what it does,
although its writer does not tell the cause behind it. This part of the work of the
instinctive mind is well performed in the lower animals, plants, and in man, until the
latter begins to unfold a little intellect, when he often begins to meddle with the work

properly