Excerpt from Chapter 4: The Material Self
The material level is the
foundation of the life forces hierarchy. It encompasses a
broad range of elements, all of which relate to matter,
whether man-made or naturally occurring. For most of us the
word "material" probably brings to mind things in our
external environment such as money, houses, cars, clothing,
jewelry, and other possessions. Like all matter, these
things have a force, which may or may not affect us. When
the material force predominates, as is often evident in
western cultures, this fuels a continual need and desire to
acquire more and more. We then derive our sense of value
from material possessions and wealth.
While external objects are an important aspect of the
material level, they are only one part of the story. We are
often so preoccupied with them that we overlook another
essential element: our own internal material resources, the
most valuable of which come from our lineage. Apart from
the heirlooms that have been passed down over generations,
many of us are unaware of the inherent resources that we
have been given by our ancestors: their cultural and
spiritual heritages, achievements, struggles, strengths,
weaknesses, joys, and sorrows all shape and color who we
are. The fabric of our being is a rich tapestry woven from
the threads of the life experiences of those who have gone
before. Using the qualities bestowed upon us by our
ancestors enables us to arise from our material nature
while still maintaining our connection to it.
Our physical bodies are composed of material elements in
the form of tissue, bone, muscle, and organs. These are
shaped via the blueprint of our DNA, which is supplied by
our parents and illustrates the essential nature of that
genetic coding. Although the force of our coding is most
evident in our physical features and shapes, it also
influences our character, traits, and predispositions to
illness or good health.
In recent years, scientific research on identical twins has
verified that DNA influences our psychological, mental, and
emotional aspects. Studies describe identical twins
separated since birth that were reunited in adulthood after
being raised in very different environments. In addition to
their corresponding physical characteristics, researchers
discovered many astounding similarities in their psyches,
tastes, habits, and emotions. In contrast to previous
theories, these studies have demonstrated that the force of
our genetic coding plays a more substantial role in our
development than the force of our external environment.
Every cell of your body carries your familial
predispositions. Your structure may hold you in a posture
that is similar to that of your father, or you may have
your mother’s sluggish digestive system. You may take
on an indolent approach to life, as have those of past
generations on one side of your family, and yet the
brilliance of your thinking may resemble another family
member. You may inherit your mother’s honesty, your
father’s tenacity, and perhaps your
grandfather’s thriftiness, or lack thereof......