[20] Paul calls Plato’s _Nous_ “Spirit”; but as this spirit is “substance,” then, of course, _Buddhi_ and not _Atma_ is meant, as the latter cannot philosophically be called “substance” under any circumstance. We include Atma among the human “principles” in order not to create additional confusion. In reality it is no “human” but the universal _absolute_ principle of which Buddhi, the Soul-Spirit, is the carrier. [21] “Plato and Pythagoras,” says Plutarch, “distribute the soul into two parts, the rational (noetic) and irrational (agnoia); that that part of the soul of man which is rational is eternal; for though it be not God, yet it is the product of an eternal deity, but that part of the soul which is divested of reason (agnoia) dies.” The modern term _Agnostic_ comes from _Agnosis_, a cognate word. We wonder why Mr. Huxley, the author of the word, should have connected his great intellect with “the soul divested of reason” which dies? Is it the exaggerated humility of the modern materialist? [22] The Kabalists who know the relation of Jehovah, the life and children-giver, to the Moon, and the influence of the latter on generation, will again see the point as much as some astrologers will. [23] Proserpina, or Persephone, stands here for post mortem Karma, which is said to regulate the separation of the lower from the higher “principles”: the _Soul_, as _Nephesh_, the breath of animal life, which remains for a time in Kama-loka, from the higher compound _Ego_, which goes into the state of Devachan, or bliss. [24] Until the separation of the higher, spiritual “principle” takes place from the lower ones, which remain in the Kama-loka until disintegrated. VII. ON THE VARIOUS POST MORTEM STATES. THE PHYSICAL AND THE SPIRITUAL MAN. ENQ. I am glad to hear you believe in the immortality of the Soul. THEO. Not of “the Soul,” but of the divine Spirit; or rather in the immortality of the reincarnating Ego. ENQ. What is the difference? THEO. A very great one in our philosophy, but this is too abstruse and difficult a question to touch lightly upon. We shall have to analyse them separately, and then in conjunction. We may begin with Spirit.