So it is with the Microcosm. The Ego on his own plane and on a tiny scale, repeats the action of the Logos. For certain ends he builds a certain form; he gathers certain material, and aims at a definite consummation that shall be the result of that gathered material vibrating to a certain measure, governed in one specific life by certain rules and aiming at some one particular object, - not all possible objects.

Let us be specific and illustrate: An Ego has formed his threefold body of manifestation and set his ring-pass-not with the purpose in view of building into his [109] causal body the faculty of "mental apprehension of the basic facts of life." The object of that one incarnation is to develop the mental capacity of the student; to teach him concrete facts and science and thus to enlarge the content of his mental body, with a view to future work. He may be over-developed on the heart side, too much of the devotee; he may have spent many lives in dreaming dreams and in seeing visions and in mystic meditation. To be practical, full of common sense, to know the curriculum of the Hall of Learning and to apply practically the knowledge learnt on the physical plane is his great need. Yet, even though his ring-pass-not seems to proscribe and limit his inherent tendencies, and even though the stage is set so that it would seem he must learn the lessons of practical living in the world, he learns not, but follows what is to him the line of least resistance. He dreams his dreams, and stays aloof from world affairs; be does not fulfil the desire of the Ego, but misses opportunity; he suffers much, and in the next life is necessitated a similar staging and a stronger urge, and a closer ring-pass-not until he complies with the will of his Ego.