Study Notes
PARAGRAPH 18
The isolation is certainly necessary for first knowledge. A diamond is a diamond and a pearl a pearl, each thing of its own class, existing by its distinction from all others, each distinguished by its own form and properties. But each has also properties and elements which are common to both and others which are common to material things in general.
EXPLANATION
In our practical dealing with the material objects we classify them, set them artificially apart and isolate them from the whole for separate analysis. This isolation helps us in studying the object individually and is necessary for first knowledge.
For example, diamond and pearl are two different things. Each has its own class and is distinct from the others. Each is distinguished by its own form and properties. Both have properties common to material things in general.
And in reality each does not exist only by its distinctions, but much more essentially by that which is common to both; and we get back to the very basis and enduring truth of all material things only when we find that all are the same thing, one energy, one substance or, if you like, one universal motion which throws up, brings out, combines, realises these different forms, these various properties, these fixed and harmonised potentialities of its own being.
EXPLANATION
In the above example of diamond and pearl, each exists not only by its distinctions. Each exists much more essentially by that which is common to both. Therefore, we find that all are the same thing, one energy, one substance, one universal motion. This is the very basis and enduring truth of all material things.
This one energy, one universal motion throws up, brings out, combines, realises these different forms, these various properties, these fixed and harmonised potentialities of its own being.
If we stop short at the knowledge of distinctions, we can deal only with diamond and pearl as they are, fix their values, uses, varieties, make the best ordinary use and profit of them; but if we can get to the knowledge and control of their elements and the common properties of the class to which they belong, we may arrive at the power of making either a diamond or pearl at our pleasure: go farther still and master that which all material things are in their essence and we may arrive even at the power of transmutation which would give the greatest possible control of material Nature.
EXPLANATION
If we limit our knowledge with the distinctions alone such knowledge will have only restricted applications. The knowledge of distinct qualities of diamond and pearl will help us fix their values, uses, varieties and make the best ordinary use of them and the best profit of them.
But if we have the knowledge and control of their elements and the common properties of the class to which they belong we make either a diamond or pearl at our will. Still we can go farther and master that which all material things are in their essence. We may even arrive at the power of transmutation of material things. By this we can completely change one material into another material. This would give us the greatest possible control over material nature.
Thus the knowledge of distinctions arrives at its greatest truth and effective use when we arrive at the deeper knowledge of that which reconciles distinctions in the unity behind all variations. That deeper knowledge does not deprive the other and more superficial of effectivity nor convict it of vanity.
EXPLANATION
The deeper knowledge of the essence of all material things reconciles distinctions in the unity behind all variations. By that, the knowledge of distinctions arrives at its greatest truth and effective use. The deeper knowledge does not deprive the other and more superficial effectivity. Nor does it reject it as worthless.
We cannot conclude from our ultimate material discovery that there is no original substance or Matter, only energy manifesting substance or manifesting as substance,— that diamond and pearl are non-existent, unreal, only true to the illusion of our senses of perception and action, that the one substance, energy or motion is the sole eternal truth and that therefore the best or only rational use of our science would be to dissolve diamond and pearl and everything else that we can dissolve into this one eternal and original reality and get done with their forms and properties for ever.
EXPLANATION
We cannot conclude that there is no original substance or Matter; that there is only energy manifesting substance or manifesting as substance. If we take that view then diamond and pearl are non-existent and they are only true to the perception of our senses and action; one energy or motion would be sole eternal truth.
Then, the best or only rational use of our science would be to dissolve all things with their forms and properties into this one eternal and original reality.
There is an essentiality of things, a commonalty of things, an individuality of things; the commonalty and individuality are true and eternal powers of the essentiality: that transcends them both, but the three together and not one by itself are the eternal terms of existence.
EXPLANATION
There is an essential aspect (transcendent), commonalty (cosmic) aspect and an individual aspect. Commonalty and indidividuality are true and eternal powers of the essentiality which transcends both. The three together are the eternal terms of existence.