1. The soul needed a highly organized instrument to convey its thoughts and desires to the body, and a centralized location from which to carry out this function. Nature has provided us with a most excellent organ for this purpose, the Human Brain. But, at this point in our collective evolution, we can only theorize as to its full potential and power. Vast unused portions were, evidently, created to allow us room to grow into our spiritual maturity.

2. Next, the soul required organs to receive and record events and impressions from across the physical spectrum. Nature has given us five remarkable sensory devices with which to accomplish this task, and holds many others in reserve until such time as the need for them is felt by the race as a whole. A few individuals, however, may awaken these abilities in the Here and Now. They are known as psychics. But, this term is ludicrous, since we all possess the same exact abilities. Some are more refined than others, that is all.

3. A means of communication between the control center and the different parts of the body was also necessary. For this, Nature has wired the human body with a complex and delicately attuned nervous system.

4. A simple method of transportation and manipulation was needed. For this, we were given articulated limbs, the ability to walk erect, and the dexterity that resulted from the development of the opposable thumb.

5. A frame to bind it all together, and a system to protect it from shock, were the next requirements. The 200 piece human skeletal system has proven to be one of the most efficient machines in all of Nature and, combined with the resilient muscles and tendons, it is extremely resistant to low stress injuries.

6. A means of communication with other embodied souls was another priority. For this, Nature has constructed one of the most amazing systems of sound modulation and frequency reception. No other creature can produce the same vocalizations as a human, nor can they interpret such subtle differences in tonal inflection as appear in human speech.

7. A method of carrying repair and maintenance materials to all major body centers, and a system to remove waste products and poisons, was another consideration. The circulatory mechanisms of the human body are perfectly adapted to this job. They carry fresh blood, charged with oxygen and nutrients, to the entire body. They also carry away toxins and waste materials to several different disposal stations, where they are expelled as gas, liquid and solid refuse. If these materials were not removed, the body would soon weaken and die.

8. The body requires a means of acquiring and processing materials for fuel and repairs. Nature not only provided human beings with the tools to eat and digest food, but also created an entire planet full of plants and animals from which to obtain these nutrients. In other words, we inhabit one of the largest green-groceries in the universe.

9. Lastly, a means of reproducing and providing bodies for other souls was needed. The human reproductive system was developed for this purpose. But, as a beneficial byproduct, it also turned out to be a rather pleasing experience. If it were not, the human race might never have established itself.
 
 

An unhealthy and imperfectly developed body will not allow the mind, the physical manifestation of the soul, to function properly. Nor can such a body be utilized to the best advantage and expression of the Spirit. Western health and fitness enthusiasts develop their bodies, but they do so for the sake of the body itself, believing that they are their bodies. The Mystic, on the other hand, develops the body as a Temple of the Spirit. The western fitness fanatics content themselves with mechanical movements and exercises to develop the outer appearance of the muscles alone. The Mystic adds the element of mind to the task and develops not only the muscles but every system, organ and cell of the body as well. He or she also acquires control over both the involuntary systems and voluntary functions of the whole organism. The Mystic is as proud of the body as a violinist is of the Stradivarius which responds to just the slightest touch.

The Mystic regards the body as a magnificent piece of organic machinery, conceived and created by the Great Intelligence behind all of Creation. The same Intelligence is operating through every individual human body and, when a person follows the subliminal directions of this Intelligence, he or she will enjoy health and vitality. But, when a person runs contrary to its urgings, an uncomfortable state occurs and the body degenerates into a state of dis-ease.

The Divine Intelligence, the physical manifestation of which we call Nature, is ever on the alert to repair damage, heal wounds, knit broken bones, and remove foreign materials that have invaded the system. Each human body is actually a "colony" creature, composed of countless individual little lives, or cells. It is theorized, for example, that there are at least 75,000,000,000 (seventy-five thousand million) such cells in just one cubic inch of human blood. In fact, this figure would account for the red-blood cells alone and does not include the antibodies or white cells. And, in this cellular community, there are individual intelligences that serve as carriers, builders, police, messengers, food producers, soldiers, and reserves.

You are responsible for the life and welfare of every cell in your body. Over the course of the next few chapters, we will discuss some of the many ways in which you can improve the condition and productivity of these individual lives and the life of the body as a whole.

Whenever confronted with a choice of methods, systems or disciplines, first ask the question: "Which is the most natural?" For instance, I have heard a rather prominent martial arts teacher tell his students that they were in danger of losing their Life-Force energy by coming into contact with the ground. He advised them to wear rubber soled shoes, to never sit upon rock or stone, and in all other ways to insulate themselves from touching the earth, which he claimed would rob them of their power. But, what does Nature have to say about such nonsense? Do the strongest, most dynamic and magnetic people do such things? Are they debilitated by lying down in a grassy meadow? Does the bosom of Mother Earth draw the life energies from her children, or is it the other way around? Is it not the natural impulse of every child to kick off the burden of shoes and go barefoot in the dirt?

Next, these so-called "masters" will claim that the air itself is hazardous to one’s health (outside of the larger metropolises, I mean). So, question everything you hear and read, and apply the test of Nature to all teachings of this kind, even to what you read in this book.