III. The Pre-Michaelite Way, and the Way of Michael

> 1. In the evolution of mankind, Consciousness comes down, step by step, along the ladder of Thought-development. There is a first stage of consciousness: here Man realizes thoughts in his I, as Being imbued with Spirit, Soul and Life. Then comes a second stage, where Man realizes Thoughts in his astral body. Here they appear rather as living and soul-endowed Images of the spirit-Beings. At a third stage, the Thoughts are realized in Man's ether-body; here they are only an inner life-stir, like the after-echo of a life of soul. At the fourth stage, the present one, Thoughts are realized by Man in his physical body, and represent dead Shadows of the Spirit. > 2. In proportion as Spirit, Soul and Life recede from human Thinking. Man's own Will comes to life. Freedom grows possible. > 3. It is Michael's task to lead Man back by the paths of Will, thither whence first he came, when on the paths of Thought he descended from the realization of the supersensible world to the realization of the sensible world in his earthly consciousness.