“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

Here in a simple manner is a case in point. The molecules and atoms and even smaller particles, all contain their separate consciousness. They form into cells. Now, although the cells maintain individuality and do not lose any of their abilities, in this formation into cells there is actually a pooling of individual consciousness of atoms and molecules into, and to form, an individual cellular consciousness. Here the consciousness of each individual molecule or atom, by this psychic gestalt, gains immeasurably. The combination of individual consciousness into a combination forms a new, enlarged, more powerful cellular consciousness that is capable of much more experience and fulfillment than would be possible for the isolated atom or molecule.

Now we carry this even further, as you most probably suspected. You end up with organs composed of literally unnumbered individual cells, in which case the same combination with its resulting benefits for the individual, also results in the formation of a larger consciousness.

The consciousness forms its own materialization. The physical body is truly a more wondrous phenomenon than is supposed, but here I hope I do not push you too far, for this combination of consciousness continues, and its results can be seen in the consciousness of the physical brain.

It would seem, therefore, that what you call consciousness might be the result of this combination. That is, it would seem that self-consciousness was the result of this combination. Each cell, however, has its own consciousness, and when I speak of consciousness as being an attribute of cellular life, I speak only for convenience, since actually cellular life is an attribute of consciousness.

The physical body is therefore an attribute of consciousness. The atoms and molecules possess a self-consciousness to some degree, as well as a generalized consciousness. The self-awareness of a human being is partially composed of the combination of self-aware individual atoms and molecules that compose it. The generalized consciousness which you call the subconscious, is composed of the combination of generalized consciousness from the individual cells and molecules, but now we come down to the source of the self-aware conscious individual behind or within each molecule. Where did it come from to begin with?

The inner ego therefore is your counterpart. It breaks energy down into simple components, but it must still operate within the given laws of the inner universe. It therefore forms the separate molecules and atoms that will compose the individual. Its own knowledge is put into condensed form, and the molecules are therefore able to combine and recombine, according to the material properties inherent in your universe.

You will see why this is an important point when you reread this material. You will see why, although the conscious human being may seem to be the result of this combination and recombination, he is, nevertheless, more than that result. He is a particular personality formed purposely, and not in a random fashion, the inner ego creating a replica of itself to function within a definite, peculiar set of circumstances. This is extremely important.