(1.) He may remain in the earth’s sphere (Vâyu or Kâma‐loka), in that ethereal locality concealed from human sight save during flashes of clairvoyance. In this case his astral body, owing to its great purity and spirituality, having lost the conditions required for Âkâshic light (the nether or terrestrial ether) to absorb its semi‐material particles, the Adept will have to remain in the company of disintegrating shells—doing no good or useful work. This, of course, cannot be. (2.) He can by a supreme effort of will merge entirely into, and get united with, his Monad. By doing so, however, he would (_a_) deprive his Higher Self of posthumous Samâdhi—a bliss which is not real Nirvâna—the astral, however pure, being too earthly for such state; and (_b_) he would thereby open himself to Karmic law; the action being, in fact, the outcome of personal selfishness—of reaping the fruits produced by and for oneself—alone. (3.) The Adept has the option of renouncing conscious Nirvâna and rest, to work on earth for the good of mankind. This he can do in a two‐fold way: either, as above said, by consolidating his astral body into physical appearance, he can reassume the self‐same personality; or he can avail himself of an entirely new physical body, whether that of a newly‐born infant or—as Shankarâchârya is reported to have done with the body of a dead Râjah—by “entering a deserted sheath,” and living in it as long as he chooses. This is what is called “continuous existence.” The Section entitled “The Mystery about Buddha” will throw additional light on this theory, to the profane incomprehensible, or to the generality simply _absurd_. Such is the doctrine taught, everyone having the choice of either fathoming it still deeper, or of leaving it unnoticed. The above is simply a small portion of what might have been given in _Isis Unveiled_, had the time come then, as it has now. One cannot study and profit by Occult Science, unless one gives himself up to it—heart, soul, and body. Some of its truths are too awful, too dangerous, for the average mind. None can toy and play with such terrible weapons with impunity. Therefore it is, as St. Paul has it, “unlawful” to speak of them. Let us accept the reminder and talk only of that which is “lawful.”