(From p. 212 to p. 252, Vol. I.)
From p. 212 to 221 the reader can for himself find all that the author of the Secret Doctrine desired to give out in those pages.
What Are Elementals? In describing the groups of the Hierarchies the 6th and 7th groups are touched on at page 221, where it is said that elementals are a part of the numberless side groups "shot out like boughs of a tree from the first group of the four." And they are all subject to Karma (19th line, p. 221), which they have to workout during every cycle. As it is said, lower on the page, "A Dhyan Chohan has to become" such, it must follow that even a Dhyan Chohan was once at work in the planes of being where elementals are, and from that rose up to the higher place; this must be under the laws of evolution, of Karma, of Reincarnation.
Man's Great Destiny. Following the argument hinted at about elementals, on p. 221, it is said that the celestial Hierarchy of this Manvantara will be transferred in the next cycle of life to higher, superior worlds, in order to make room for a new hierarchy, of the same order, which will be composed of the elect ones of our own human race. Such is our destiny, and such the path up which we climb; and when that point is reached, we must work still on for the benefit of those below us. This is the basis of altruism, and without altruism the consummation cannot be reached.
That High Spirits Work on Earth in bodies of men, while those spirits are still in the highest spheres, see V. I, p. 233-234 and notes, also note p. 235. On p. 233 it is clearly explained that the author does not mean that which is called among the spiritualists "control" of mediums by a spirit, but the actual continuance of the status and functions of the incarnated spirit in the supersensuous regions, while actually using as its own and working in a mortal envelope on earth. So that, according to her, there are certain persons on this earth, living and working as ordinary human beings and members of society, whose informing divine part is so immeasureably high in development that they as such high beings have a definite status and function in the "supersensuous regions." We should say — assuming the correctness of the author's statement — that she herself was such a case, and that "H. P. B.," whether hourly in the day or at night when all around was still, had a "status and function" in other spheres where she consciously carried on the work of that high station, whatever it was. There were many events in her daily life known to those who were intimate with her that this hint may ravel, or at least shed much light upon. And in one of her letters this sentence appears — in substance — "The difference between you and me is that you are not conscious except at day, while I am conscious day and night, and have much to do and to endure in both of these existences from which you, being thus half-conscious, are happily saved."
In the Hindu books and teachings there is a reference to this when they speak of high gnanees — that is, persons full of knowledge and spiritual power — being attracted to this earth by certain acts and at certain times in the history of nation, race, or city.
Loss of the Soul. The possibility of the abandonment of the body by the soul is outlined on page 234, V. I. thus: "The soul could free itself from and quit the tabernacle (of the body) for various reasons, such as insanity, spiritual and physical depravity, etc." And at the end of the note on p. 235 it is hinted broadly that such freeing of the soul from the body, leaving the latter to run out its course, is not confined to the case of those who are insane or depraved, but may occur with those who make great advance in knowledge and such consequent alteration in the constitution of the soul, as it were, that they no longer can dwell on earth, using the old body. It does not appear, however, that this subject, is carried any further than this hint, found, as is so usual with H. P. B., in a note. In this the words are; "For this occurrence is found to take place in wicked materialists as well as in persons 'who advance in holiness and never turn back.' " From my knowledge of her methods I regard this note as a deliberate reverse of sentence, in which the object of it is found in the words which are used in the underlined part.
The Necessity for Individual Effort. This is very emphatically put, and in precisely the style of H. P. B., in the 3rd paragraph on page 244, in the parallelisms, where Atma is spoken of. Here she shows that Atma is not subject to change or improvement, but is the "ray of light eternal which shines upon and through the darkness of matter — when the latter is willing" [Italics are mine.] If matter, in the human being, the personal self, the body, and the astral body, with passions and desires, is not willing to be fully informed by the Spirit, then Atma will not shine through it because it cannot, inasmuch as matter then does not submit itself to the Divine behests. The willingness can only be shown by individual effort toward goodness and purification. It would seem that this ought to do away with that negation and supineness indulged in by even theosophists who talk of "not interfering with Karma".
Only Three Dimensions of Matter. The "fourth dimension" is combatted on pages 251-253 et seq.: "So long as there are foot-rules within the resources of Kosmos, to apply to matter, so long will they be able to measure it in three ways and no more." [p. 254. ]