The question of the centers has always had a great deal of interest for men, and much harm has been done through the directing of attention upon the physical centers. Unfortunately, names have been given to the centers which have their counterparts in the physical form, and with the usual aptitude of man to identify himself with that which is tangible and physical, a mass of data has accumulated which is based (not on spiritual knowledge) but on a study of the effects produced through meditation on the physical centers. Such meditation is only safely undertaken when a man is no longer polarized in the lower personal self but views all things from the standpoint of the Ego with whom he is completely identified. When this is the case, the centers in physical matter are recognized as being simply focal points of energy located in the etheric body, and having a definite use. This use is to act as transmitters of certain forms of energy consciously directed by the Ego or Self, with the intent of driving the physical body (which is not a principle) to fulfil egoic purpose. To do this the Ego has to follow certain rules, to conform to law, and to have attained not only conscious control of the physical body, but a knowledge of the laws of energy, and of the constitution of the etheric body, and its relation to the physical. The attention of students must be called to certain fundamental facts anent the centers and thus supplement, correlate, and summarize that already given in this Treatise. That a certain amount of repetition will be necessary is of value, and the information here given and the correspondences indicated, should provide all followers of raja yoga with a basis for sane consideration, wise meditation and a fuller comprehension of the truths involved. Owing to the rapid development of the race, and the future [1156] quick unfoldment of etheric vision, the gain will be very real if occult students have at least a theoretical concept of the nature of that which will be seen relatively so soon.

1. The three lower kingdoms in nature.
2. The three lower subplanes of the physical plane.
3. The third solar system, from the logoic standpoint.

These energy centers are transmitters of energy from [1157] many and varied sources which might be briefly enumerated as follows:

1. From the seven Rays, via the seven subrays of any specific monadic ray.
2. From the triple aspects of the planetary Logos as He manifests through a scheme.
3. From what are called "the sevenfold divisions of the logoic Heart," or the sun in its sevenfold essential nature, as it is seen lying esoterically behind the outer physical solar form.
4. From the seven Rishis of the Great Bear; this pours in via the Monad and is transmitted downward, merging on the higher levels of the mental plane with seven streams of energy from the Pleiades which come in as the psychical force demonstrating through the solar Angel.

It is this fact which accounts for the gradual growth and development of a man. At first it is the force of the plane substance, which directs him, causing him to identify [1158] himself with the grosser substance and to consider himself a man, a member of the fourth Kingdom, and to be convinced, therefore, that he is the Not-Self. Later as force from the Ego pours in, his psychical evolution proceeds (I use the word "psychical" here in its higher connotation) and he begins to consider himself as the Ego, the Thinker, the One who uses the form. Finally, energy from the Monad begins to be responded to and he knows himself to be neither the man nor the angel, but a divine, essence or Spirit. These three types of energy demonstrate during manifestation as Spirit, Soul, and Body, and through them the three aspects of the Godhead meet and converge in man, and lie latent in every atom.

The sevenfold energy of the planes, and therefore of substance, finds its consummation when the four lower centers are fully active. The sevenfold energy of the psyche, the consciousness aspect, demonstrates when the three higher in the three worlds are vibrating with accuracy. The sevenfold activity of spirit makes itself felt when each of these seven centers is not only fully active but is rotating as "wheels turning upon themselves," when they are fourth dimensional and are not only individually alive but are all linked up with the sevenfold head center. A man is then seen as he is truly - a network of fire with flaming focal points, transmitting and circulating fiery energy. These centers not only receive the energy through the top of the head, or through a point slightly above the top of the head, to be more accurate, but pass it out through the head center likewise, that which is being passed out being seen as differing in color, being brighter and vibrating more rapidly than that which is being received. The etheric body is formed of a negative aspect of fire, and is the recipient of a positive fire. As the various types of fire blend, merge, and circulate, they gain thereby and produce definite effects in the fires of the microcosmic system. [1159]