I. Inner Evolution and Outer Possibilities for Development

Thus two lines of development run parallel to each other, and from this we can now also see how, so to speak, certain conflicting states of mind can arise in a person. In terms of outer development, one cannot think otherwise than that, in line with spiritual science, up to the age of 14, let us say, the abilities of the etheric body develop. At the age of 14 or 15, his astral body is actually released and born. It may then be that we are dealing with an individuality, that is, with someone who comes from previous embodiments and who has strong, great inner soul abilities. We are thus assuming the case of a person who, through his karma, through his earlier development in previous lives, has strong inner abilities. In order to live out these abilities in the world, one needs the forces, the organs of each human shell. Now, let us assume that we neglect to educate the person who has such abilities so that he can live them out through the astral body in particular. We neglect the development of his astral body in the right time. What will happen then? In order to understand what will happen, let us imagine something specific.