forms with which we share this planet. Man could think and reason, while animals could not.
In the last thirty years, however, scientific studies have slowly chipped away at the idea that humans are unique, thinking beings. The definition of man as the only toolmaker was shattered by Jane Goodall’s studies of chimpanzee behavior which revealed that chimps not only use but fashion tools. Shortly after that revelation, anthropologists began the task of teaching sign language to chimpanzees, and these studies would soon call man’s “uniqueness” into question to an even greater degree.
The first chimp to master sign language was a young female named Washo. Within months, Washo had mastered a vocabulary of over 400 words and could converse freely on a number of subjects. One day, her teacher showed Washo her own reflection in a mirror and asked, “Who is that?” Without hesitation, Washo signed, “Me, Washo.” With that simple gesture, the young chimp demonstrated the faculty of self-identity and challenged the idea that self-awareness was a uniquely human characteristic. Since Washo, other species such as gorillas and orangutans have also demonstrated this faculty and have further demonstrated the capability to understand such abstract concepts as death, as evidenced by the gorilla Koko, who mourned the passing of her pet kitten, “All Ball.”
Yet, a close look at humankind’s analysis of itself will reveal that there is more to the issue of “humanness” than the concept of self-awareness. The questions we humans ask raise not only the issue of who we are, but why we are here, and where we are going. They often take on a spiritual aspect, hinting at the idea that there may be something outside of humanity, a power greater than ourselves, which we have forgotten or do not comprehend.
From time to time, enlightened thinkers have appeared who have tried to answer these questions. For the most part, however, humanity has ignored or misunderstood their teachings, often encasing them in symbolic ritual. At best, these teachings were interpreted to mean that we were physical beings seeking a spiritual experience. Yet no idea could have been more incorrect. A review of the great religious works of the world’s cultures such as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the biblical account of Genesis, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Sermon on the Mount, the Tao Teh Ching, and Zen philosophy, to name only a few, each teach one simple truth: we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.2
The fact is that we are spiritual beings, created by God to be companions and co-creators with Him. The soul came into existence as God extended a portion of Himself in the spirit of love. Our true origin is not this earth, for we are not physical beings. While we sojourn on this planet, however, the soul, which is our real self, inhabits a human body, a vehicle created for the purpose of housing the soul during its experiences on earth. The soul’s origin is divine, the result of a spiritual creation, while the body’s origin is earthly, the result of a physical creation. While the body can be destroyed, the soul is eternal.
It is this duality of nature which has baffled humankind throughout the centuries, for we too often see only our physical selves and do not understand our true spiritual being. It is also the reason humanity continues to question its origins, its purpose, and its destiny. In order to address the questions which humanity has long pondered, we must therefore consider both our spiritual origins and our physical heritage. For we cannot understand who we are, why we are here, or where we are going until we first understand how and why we came to be. We will therefore begin by taking a look at our spiritual creation, so that we might better understand the nature of our true selves. “… in man’s analysis and understanding of himself, it is as well to know from whence he came as to know whither he is going.” (5753-1)
The Creation of the Soul
The biblical account of creation with which most people are familiar comes from the Gospel of Saint John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) This eloquent passage has long been the subject of speculation and debate. It garnered the interest of early Christian scholars who were quick to identify the “Logos” (word), interpreted from the Greek, as the Christ. Some excerpts from the Edgar Cayce readings support this idea: “We have first the Son, then the other sons or celestial beings that are given their force and power.” (262-52)
Another interpretation, however, proposes that the Logos is actually a pattern of consciousness, which was imprinted upon each soul at the moment of its creation. The following excerpt from the readings seems to support this view: “For, as is given in the beginning: God moved and said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light, not the light of the sun, but rather that of which, through which, in which every soul had, has, and ever has its being.” (5246-1)
It is not so much which interpretation is correct, as it is that this pattern existed at the time the soul was created, imprinted upon the spirit or life force of the soul at the moment of its birth. This pattern, sometimes called Christ Consciousness, refers to the state of consciousness wherein the soul abides in perfect harmony with the Creative Force.
While the Gospel of John briefly mentions the “beginning,” the most complete biblical account of creation is found in the Book of Genesis. A comparison of Genesis and the material in the Cayce readings reveals many parallels. Both versions make it clear that the true nature of man is spiritual, that we were first created in spirit. The spiritual creation is recalled in Genesis 1:26, “And God said, let us make man in our image, and after our likeness.” Since God is Spirit or energy (force), and not a physical being, this passage refers to the fact that humankind was created in the spiritual image or likeness of God. It does not refer to physical attributes.
The readings further elaborate that God, in a desire for companionship and expression, extended Himself, through love, and thus souls came into being. “… when there was the creating, or the calling of individual entities into being, we were made to be the companions with the Father-God.” (1567-2) “Hence, as He moved, souls—portions of Himself—came into being.” (263-13) This indicates that all souls were created in spirit at the same moment. (From this point forward, I use several names as given in the Cayce readings to denote “God,” including Father-God, Creative Spirit, Creative Force, Spirit, Creator, God-Force, and Universal Mind. Each refers to the divine, omniscient, omnipotent, and sometimes personal, creative force that brought the universe into existence.)
Our Spiritual Purpose
We were created to be more than just companions with God, however, for our Creator also gave a purpose to our existence. This purpose was for us to be His heirs, co-creators with Him. “For, we are joint heirs with that universal force we call God …” (5755-2) “The soul of each individual is a portion then of the Whole, with the birthright of Creative Forces to become a co-creator with the Father …” (1549-1) The soul, as a portion of the Creative Force, is everlasting and possesses creative power. Through our expression of that power, we may come to know that we are one with the Father-God. The attainment of oneness with our Creator is thus our destiny. “For in the beginning, God said, ‘Let there be light.’ Ye … are one of those sparks of light with all the ability of creation, with all the knowledge of God.” (5367-1)
Our birthright, the purpose for which we were created, is called the First Cause. This original purpose is the underlying principle which motivates all that we do. When we are in spirit form, free of bodily limitations, we possess full knowledge of the First Cause. When we enter physical form, however, the density of the physical body causes us to lose sight of that principle. We see only our physical form and we come to identify with it, rather than with our spiritual nature. It was Jesus of Nazareth, as the first documented soul to achieve Christ Consciousness, who, in His parables and teachings, would call that birthright to our remembrance.
The Gift of Free Will
In addition to bringing us into existence and giving us purpose, the Creative Spirit bestowed a gift upon the soul. This gift—free will—would prove to be our greatest blessing as well as our greatest burden. Once given to the soul, this attribute became an irrevocable part of our being. When used correctly, in accordance with Universal Law, it allows us to express our co-creative abilities and experience companionship with the Creative Force. When used incorrectly, however, in a manner contrary to Universal Law, it