MAN AND THEMETHOD OFEVOLUTION 133
acquired them sometime, somewhere. Some people do
remember their past, however, as a remarkable instance
related at the end of the next chapter will show, and is but
one among many.
Again, if their wer e no return to Earth, what is the use of
living? Why strive for anything? Why should a life of
happiness in an et ernal heaven b e the r eward for a good life?
What benefit cou ld come from a good life in a heaven where
everybody is already happy? Surely in a place where
everybody is happy and contented there is no need for
sympathy, self-sacrifice or wise counsel! No one would need
them t her e; but on Earth there are many who need t hose very
things and such humanitarian and altruistic qualities are of
the greatest service to struggling humanity. Therefore the
Great Law, which works for Good, brings man back to work
again in the world for the benefit of himself and others, with
his acquired treasures, instead of letting them go to waste in
a heaven where no one needs them.
PREPARATIONS FOR REBIRTH
Having thus seen the necessity for repeated
embodiments, we will next consider the method by which
this purpose is accomplished.
Previous to taking the dip into matter, the threefold spirit
is naked, having only the forces of the four seed atoms
(which are the nuclei of the threefold body and the sheath of
mind). Its descent resembles the putting on of several pairs
of gloves of increasing thickness, as previously illustrated.
The forces of the mind of the last incarnation are awakened
from their latency in the seed atom. This begins to attract to
itself materials from the highest subdivision of the Region of
Concrete Thought, in a manner similar to that in which a
magnet draws to itself iron filings.