What becomes of the lower forces when overcome, and what do we get in return?
In the first place, force per sc is neither good nor bad, it is good or bad according to its use and the motive back of it. The lower forces when conquered, become instruments in the progress and evolution of the soul, just the same as the energy and strength of an unruly horse become means whereby the traveler may reach his goal, or as the power of steam or electricity when harnessed and intelligently directed becomes an instrument in the service of man.
The lower forces are the forces of nature applied to low ends. In the lower kingdoms we find the natural powers and functions all subject to Nature's harmony and control. But in man there is a power by which he can apparently set aside for a time the laws of Nature and act contrary to them. The reason of this is that in man is awakened in varying degree, depending on his development, and this awakening constituting the distinguishing feature of the human stage of evolution, the knowledge that he is one with Nature, and that her powers are his to use, — in other words, he awakes to the consciousness of himself as a Creator. Just so soon as this happens, he becomes in a measure free from the guiding hand of Nature, for the guiding, controlling and compelling power is now his in part. Consequently he can turn this power against Nature and retard — though it may be to but an infinitesimal degree — her evolution; he cannot, however, prevent the attainment of her ultimate purposes.
Because of this awakening, Man becomes a dual being — the higher divine nature, one with the soul of the Universe; the lower nature, physical body with the appetites and desires, the outcome of material evolution. The one from above, the other from below. On the one hand are the promptings of the Soul to a divine life, and on the other the inherited tendency of the lower material nature to continue the life of sensation, which because of the incarnation of the soul is heightened and more alluring than before.
When this stage of evolution is reached, then begins the conflict and the possibility of evil. Up to this stage the forces of Nature compel progress, but when conscious man appears on the scene, they appear then to oppose his further evolution, but the fact is that the higher power, the power of the soul, now incarnated in man, implies the possibility of intelligent co-operation with Nature. Nature does not really oppose the progress of man, she desires and seeks it, but his progress depends on his asserting his divine right and becoming a conscious worker with her. This cannot be brought about save through the exercise of the divine will. And is it not in the very nature of things that this can only be acquired through the overcoming of obstacles? The soul can only so find and know its strength. If it succumbs to these obstacles and will not exercise the divine will, the road downward seems very easy at first, but it grows more and more rugged; there are obstacles on the downward path as well as on the upward, and the greatest obstacle of all to a course of evil at the beginning is the voice of the Soul. The path of good and of progress requires the exercise of will and determination and therefore calls for effort, but every effort made in this direction is a step toward a higher development — that of godhood.
It is not that the forces with which man is endowed are evil, but that by becoming man he becomes responsible for their rise on a higher plane: also that the new powers, which as man he acquires, should be used on this higher and true human plane. In the true man the powers of the soul are in control and the powers of the lower nature in subjection — the result is progress. But if the higher powers are prostituted for the sake of the lower life, the result is evil, for this is contrary to the purposes of Nature.
It is man's duty and destiny to control the lower forces. If he fulfills this he acquires new powers, but the fulfilling can only come through his acting with Nature and that is by seeking the good of all. Nature herself, then. "makes obeisance and regards him as one of her Creators." — J. H. F.