THE TRUE IDEA OF MAN
Volume 16, Category 26, Section 4
June, 2026
Preface: PB’s use of the term “Man” in this section, as in most of his writing, does not refer to gender. It is an abbreviation of the word “humanity,” and is inclusive of both male and female.
We learned in the previous sections of this category that the World Idea is the fundamental pattern of both the universe and man, and that it provides the fundamental meaning of human life. Is PB indicating that our experience in the cosmos, and understanding the meaning of that experience, shows us the meaning of ourselves as well?
You are part of the World-Mind’s World-Idea. Therefore, you are a part of its purpose too. Seek to be shown what that is, and how you may realize it, rather than mope in misery, frustration, or fear. Look upon your situation–personal, domestic, career, mental, emotional, spiritual–as having significance within that purpose, as teaching you some specific lesson or telling you what to do or not to do. [26:4.101]
Every person is unconsciously trying to fulfil a higher purpose set for each by the Overself, and all the purposes fit together and combine to form a part of the World-Idea. [26:4.105]
Every law of the universe and every principle of its operation can be found reflected in the nature and life of every human. [26:4.66]
PB gives a terse definition of “Man” and speaks about his place in the many levels of the unfolding World Idea.
What is Man? This is the most important question which has ever been put before the mind.
The idea of Man which exists in and is eternally known by the World-Mind is a master-idea. [26:4.1&2]
Such is the triple nature of a human–a lower self of animal instincts, a middle self of human thoughts, a higher self of divine nature. [26:4.55]
The “man” that is made in the image of God is not physical man or desire-filled man or thought-breeding man but he who dwells behind all these–silent, serene, and unnoticed. [26:4.74]
How does Natural Life provide for individuals to become one with their higher selves?
Our source is in the Overself; our growth is but a return to it, made fully conscious as we were not before.
The immediate purpose of human incarnation and evolution is to develop a true and full self-consciousness at all levels from the lowest to the highest. [26:4.265 & 266]
We can be co-workers with the World-Mind only to the extent that we withdraw from our ego. Then only are we able to receive correctly the wonderful revelation of the world’s meaning and laws, so that we can participate intelligently and lovingly. [26:4.146]
If left to their own capacity, many would fall back and fail to grow. But life or Nature does not leave them unassisted like that. For there is the World-Idea, the vital spark, the germ born of World-Mind, the mental picture held by the higher power, which pushes each living cell to fulfil itself. But there is also ignorance opposition and deterioration. We must make our contributions and in the end do so. We have to. As the World-Idea unfolds, you get more self-control and gain self-knowledge until you discover the Overself. [26:4.213]
As the two interact–the human purpose and the World-Idea–each person slowly unfolds their intelligence, which is the fusion of intellect with intuition, and this culminates in Enlightenment, the ultimate and revelatory Insight. [26:4.220]
Compiled by Judy S.