274 TheSpiritual Life.
Well,let us glance forwards,and see how
mankindshalladvancetogreaterpeace,security
andhappinesson thisphysicalplane. Allthe
changesthatwillcome into the physical plane
inthefuturewillcomefromtheworkmgdown-
wardsof the higher powers thatwillthenbe
generallyevolvedinman. Wecannowpicture
to ourselves the nearest step, that into the
secondregion-themountingofmankindtothe
second great stage of our pyramid; mankind
willbecome self-consciouson the astral plane,
conqueringthe astral realm,and willthusfind
itselfina newworld. Here manwill taketo
himself newpowers,adoptnewmethods,with
new vistas opening before him, new poten-
tialitiesblossomingforthoneveryside. Itisthe
racethat is rising,not merely stray individuals
thatare outstripping their fellows. Letustry
to realise this next stage in human progress,
when the majority of mankind will have ex-
panded from self-consciousnessin the physical
toself-consciousnessintheastralworld; letus
seehowalongthelinesthatwehaveconsidered
inthe physicalworld mankindwillevolveand
grow. Forwhatisthisastralworld, andwhat
dowemeanbytheexpanding ofconsciousness
toembracethissecondregionintheuniverse?
First,thereisexpansionofsense-power. The
