CHAPTER III.

LIFE AFTER DEATH SCIENTIFICALLY DEMONSTRABLE.
The evidences of life after physical death, as obtained by men of science, are evidences which flow from a personal and purely rational course of development.
The formula for this course is based upon exact knowledge of certain fundamental elements and principles in Nature. It is a formula which has been successfully demonstrated by the special students of all ages. It is a far more exacting course of discipline than those prescribed by our great universities.
Modern systems conserve almost entirely a mental and mus- cular development. The broader system, on the other hand, includes development in the physical, spiritual, mental and moral departments of life. This formula for self-development has been known only to the few. Hints of this definite, tried, tested and fully demonstrated method may be found in a few existing pub- lications. The authors, however, writing for the general public, have so veiled their true meanings in allegory, poetry and mys- tical symbolism as to conceal rather than reveal the correct prin- ciples and the true method of development.
A notable instance is the Bulwer literature. His "Zanoni" and "Strange Story" have been at once the puzzle and delight of the past half century.
This scientific formula remains a secret for the best of reasons:
1. By reason of both public ignorance and indifference to the fact that there is need of such knowledge.
2. The impossibility of teaching it except under the proper
conditions.
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LIFE AFTER PHYSICAL DEATH. 31
3. The danger of imparting it to the ambitious and the un- scrupulous.
This scientific formula, however, like almost all special and personal knowledge of spiritual things, remains undiscovered to the world at large, more because of public indifference than because of its guardianship. Whatever man has achieved man may achieve independently of any school or sect or order. Other men may work out any scientific facts that have been demon- strated in the past if they but possess the INTELLIGENCE, the COUR- AGE and the PERSEVERANCE required.
Bulwer truly says, "Truth can no more be seen by the mind unprepared than the sun can rise in the midst of night."
Those who possess this knowledge cannot impart it to un- prepared minds. It were a crime to openly proclaim it to the vicious. It were folly to. thrust it upon the foolish, the apathetic and the ignorant.
The reader, however, will recall the fact that some form of asceticism distinguishes the records of all teachers, seers, pro- phets and holy men of all ages, peoples and religions.
Asceticism, to some extent, is an important factor in the de- velopment of spiritual insight and of spiritual powers.
The fasting, solitude and silence set forth, with more or less prominence, in all sacred writings have a rational and scientific explanation in natural law. The long fast maintained by Christ was not a theatric episode. It was a matter of pure science. The Apostles were taught the value of asceticism. John the Baptist attained spiritual vision partly through such means. The same is true of St. Paul.
No eater of meat and drinker of wine, nor one given to undue physical indulgence, has thus far in the history of spiritual de- velopment demonstrated the fact of life after death, scientifically.
There is but one purely rational and scientific course of 'spirit- ual self-development. There are, however, many unnatural, re- volting and dangerous practices which enable man to reach spiritual vision. These unnatural and forcing processes are as
32 HARMONICS OF EVOLUTION.
far from true development as are the forcing processes of our public schools from true education.
The horrible Yogi practices antedate Buddhism. Buddha rejected and condemned that revolting formula. To us, however, Buddha's asceticism appears needlessly harsh and barren of the natural joys of life. Christ's life, so far as we know, is in this respect a far more pleasing example. His one long fast is about all we hear of austerity. He appears to have had in view for the masses not so much the scientific development of spiritual in- sight, as the right performance of earthly duties. He taught temperance in all things. His purpose was to furnish the prin- ciples of a perfect earthly life. It was not to publicly impart scientific facts.
Natural Science to-day declares that spiritual knowledge and spiritual powers gained at the expense of a natural, purposeful, human life are useless knowledge and power to both the individ- ual and the world.
Merciless self-torture is strongly condemned. The modern man who aspires to such knowledge may obtain it without torture to the physical body, without the suppression of every human desire and ambition and without crucifixion of the natural affec- tions.
All those practices belong to the past. Those past rigors have, however, an explanation in natural law. That explanation (as will be seen more plainly later on) lies in the fact of evolution itself. The physical organism of man six thousand years ago was vastly coarser in texture than that of a nineteenth century man. His passions were stronger. He was more animal in his desires and appetites. He was scientifically farther from the spirit- ual plane. Hence the necessity for the more forceful methods of those long past ages.
If these rigors have been necessary in the past, they are no longer so to the same extent. The natural processes of evolution have refined the physical body of man and keyed it to higher vibrations in Nature. In the past, men thought it necessary to
LIFE AFTER PHYSICAL DEATH. 33
use severe means to eliminate their appetites and passions. That severity was probably necessary at that time. Even in Christ's day rigid asceticism was regarded as a necessary part of holi- ness. He was accused of gluttony in that he often ate with the common people and observed their common customs.
Illustrations of unnatural asceticism are found among the Yogi, the Indian Fakirs, howling Dervishes and Catholic monks and nuns. All these differing classes, however, are inspired by different motives.
The Yogi seek continual absorption in spiritual things. The Fakir trades upon his acquired powers. The Dervishes, monks and nuns are influenced mainly by the belief that they are pur- chasing a heavenly favor by a life of self-torture.
In one respect our western would-be teachers of "occultism" are making grave mistakes. These zealous but uninstructed in- structors are suggesting .and advocating certain austerities as to diet, exercise and meditation that are simply Yogi practice. They, of course, do not know that their instructions may induce mediumship, nervous prostration or insanity.
The exact and scientific formula for self-development rests upon that fundamental principle in Nature which is commonly termed the law of Motion and Number.
The law of Motion and Number is the law with which physical science is now dealing. The modern school, however, knows it popularly as the law of Vibration.
The law of Motion and Number (so termed by the ancients), or the law of Vibration (so termed by the moderns) is, in fact, the spiritual principle of polarity. The law of polarity has to do with the positive and receptive vital energies in Nature acting upon matter.
This law of vibration or polarity has to do (primarily) with the refinement of matter and its rate of vibratory action. Science has made certain important discoveries, viz: