Welcome to THEDOG Teachings podcast series, where we explore the extraordinary teachings of Russell A. Smith—teachings that offer a practical and accelerated path to higher consciousness. I'm Gary Eggleton, and today's episode is titled: The Soul's Blueprint: Higher Bodies and Cosmic Evolution.

Have you ever wondered about the unseen forces that shape our existence? Forces that go beyond the physical world we perceive, guiding our growth and evolution as conscious beings? Today, we’re going to delve into something extraordinary—the development of what Gurdjieff called the Kesdjan body, and how this concept holds the key to understanding our potential for spiritual evolution.

If you've ever felt there must be more to existence than what we can see and touch, or if you've pondered the practical meaning behind spiritual concepts like "building a soul," then this episode is for you. We'll explore how modern scientific discoveries about dark matter and dark energy parallel ancient teachings about higher bodies, and most importantly, how this understanding can be applied practically in our own development.

But let me be clear about something. When we talk about higher bodies and spiritual evolution, we're not dealing with abstract theories or mystical speculations. Instead, we’re focusing on practical methods for transformation—verified techniques that have been tested and refined through decades of teaching and practice.

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Let’s begin by Understanding Our Place in the Universe

Modern physics tells us something remarkable: ordinary matter—everything we can see, touch, and measure with our instruments—makes up only about 5% of the universe. The rest consists of approximately 27% dark matter and 68% dark energy. Russell Smith draws a fascinating parallel between these proportions and the relationship between our different bodies.

Just as ordinary matter represents only a small fraction of the universe, our physical body represents only a small part of our potential being. The Kesdjan body, which Russell likens to dark matter, provides an invisible structure that holds our emotional and interpretive faculties together, much as dark matter provides the gravitational framework that holds galaxies in place. And just as dark energy drives the universe's expansion, the mental body or higher being body corresponds to the most subtle and pervasive force in existence.

Now, onto the Wisdom Embedded in "Kesdjan"

In the journey toward higher consciousness, even the words we use can hold profound truths. Take the word "Kesdjan." It’s not merely a label; it’s a word imbued with layered meanings from multiple languages. In Armenian, "Kes" translates to "half," while "Djan" has meanings in both Turkish and Armenian—"soul" or "life" in Turkish, and "work" or "effort" in Armenian. Together, they convey the essence of a half-soul that must be completed through intentional effort and conscious work. This concept of a "half-soul" serves as a reminder that spiritual development isn’t automatic but requires deliberate cultivation.

This linguistic insight sets the stage for understanding the Supreme Octaves—a concept that illuminates the structure of the universe and its profound connection to our growth.

The concept of Supreme Octaves might sound complex, but it becomes clearer when we compare it to music. Just as music has scales, chords, and harmonies, the universe operates through vibrations that organize into patterns. Supreme Octaves are sequences of these vibrations, originating from the highest levels of existence—what some teachings call the Absolute. These vibrations form the foundation of creation and play a critical role in our journey toward higher consciousness.

Russell describes creation as a flow of energy that begins with the purest form of matter, called mental matter, which is represented by the supreme octaves 1s, 2s, and 3s. This mental matter is the highest vibration, closest to the Absolute. From there, the flow continues into astral matter, represented by 3s, 4s, and 5s, which serve as an intermediary level. Finally, it reaches physical matter, represented by 5s, 6s, and 7s, which make up the tangible and visible world. Each level transitions seamlessly into the next:

• The highest of the physical (7s) connects to the lowest of the astral (5s).
• The highest of the astral (3s) connects to the lowest of the mental (1s).

This progression forms a continuous stream of energy and consciousness, demonstrating how all levels of existence are interconnected.

To grasp this idea, imagine a tree. The first and highest Supreme Octave is like the trunk of the tree, a central source from which all vibrations emerge. Branching out from this trunk are other Supreme Octaves. These branches connect back to the trunk at specific points, with the note RE serving as the link between the trunk and its branches. This connection illustrates how everything in the universe remains tied to its origin, forming a harmonious and interconnected whole.

In music, similar relationships exist within chords and scales. The Sub-Dominant Chord (FA-LA-DO), Tonic Chord (DO-MI-SO), and Dominant Chord (SO-TI-RE) follow a universal structure that reflects the flow of creation. These patterns are not random; they resonate deeply because they mirror the underlying vibrations that sustain life.

How do these Supreme Octaves relate to us? They provide a model for our inner development. Just as the tree’s branches grow from the trunk, our journey toward higher consciousness is fueled by these vibrations. The energy of the Supreme Octaves corresponds to the growth of our higher bodies:

1. Higher Emotional Center: This is like the acorn cup—a foundation that must be nurtured to hold the seed of higher awareness.
2. Higher Mental Center: This is the acorn itself, representing the potential for fully developed higher thought and spiritual understanding.

By aligning ourselves with the vibrations of the Supreme Octaves, we cultivate these centers, moving from ordinary existence to higher consciousness. This alignment is not just abstract; it’s practical. Music, for example, resonates deeply within us because it mirrors the structure of the universe. Listening to or creating harmonious music can help us align with these vibrations, feeding our emotional and mental bodies.

As we develop, we follow the path laid out by the Supreme Octaves, tracing our way back to the source. Each step is like a note in a scale, guiding us closer to harmony with the Absolute. This journey is not merely about personal growth but about participating in the universal process of creation and ascent.

By understanding the Supreme Octaves and their connection to our inner development, we uncover a blueprint for spiritual evolution. These vibrations, mirrored in the structure of music, provide us with a tangible way to engage with the cosmos, bridging the physical and spiritual realms. Ultimately, they remind us that our journey is part of a greater harmony, one that begins and ends with the Absolute.

Let’s now examine The Hierarchy of Consciousness

Consider how differently various organisms experience reality. A single-celled organism simply reacts to its environment. It has no inner world, no ability to create meaning. A fish, while more complex, still operates primarily through mechanical reactions. Startle it, and it darts away, but it retains no memory of the event. A deer, however, can remember and learn from experiences, showing the beginnings of what we might call a Kesdjan body.

Humans, however, occupy a unique position in this hierarchy. As Russell describes, "Man is on the cusp" between physical life and the spiritual realm. Just as soil marks the boundary between non-living and living matter, humanity stands at the threshold of ordinary life and higher consciousness. This unique position makes us the only beings capable of consciously crystallizing higher matters into permanent forms.

Focussing on The Presence of Higher Matters

These higher matters are abundantly present—imagine holding up your finger, and millions of these subtle energies pass through it every second. That’s how much mental and astral stuff surrounds us. Yet, these higher matters can’t organize themselves. They require physical matter to evolve high enough to crystallize and organize them.

When humans develop their higher centers—first the higher emotional and then the higher mental centers—they become impartial. They transform into what Russell calls "a well-oiled working machine," operating as intended. The first higher matter gives us our emotional or astral life. The second provides the mental body, where higher reasoning and objectivity emerge.

We now address Practical Examples of Higher Bodies

Let me share some practical examples of how these different bodies operate in daily life. Imagine driving to work. Your physical body handles the mechanical aspects—pressing pedals, turning the wheel, responding to traffic signals. That’s ordinary matter at work, the 5% we can directly perceive. But there’s a deeper level of experience happening simultaneously. Your Kesdjan body might process the meaning of the journey—perhaps feeling anticipation about an important meeting or reflecting on a conversation from yesterday.

The higher being body takes this further. Stuck in traffic, most people react mechanically—with frustration or anger. But through conscious work, you can transform these impressions. Instead of reacting, you might use the moment for self-observation, noticing your automatic responses without being caught in them. Even more profoundly, the higher being body can perceive the interconnectedness of the situation—thousands of people on their journeys, each with their own destinations and challenges.

Let’s now talk about the Conscious Transformation of Impressions

One of the most powerful exercises Russell teaches is the conscious transformation of impressions. Think about how you experience a sunset. Most people react mechanically with a quick, "How beautiful," before returning to their thoughts. But through conscious work, such moments can feed our higher bodies.

Start with intentional attention. Engage with the sunset fully: notice the colors, patterns, and interplay of light and shadow. That’s working with the physical body. Then, feel the emotional impact—the peace, the wonder, the gratitude. That’s engaging the Kesdjan body. Finally, open yourself to a broader awareness—the cosmic dance of Earth and Sun, the balance of light and darkness, the cycles of ending and beginning. That’s the higher being body coming into play.

Gurdjieff referred to such moments as "Magnetic Center moments." These moments are more than fleeting instances of beauty or meaning—they are pivotal points that can help us build our emotional bodies. By intentionally creating and recognizing these Magnetic Center moments, we feed our Kesdjan body with an enhanced sense of meaning and significance. Gurdjieff emphasized that these moments must be cultivated intentionally and woven into the fabric of our lives. When we notice the profound in the ordinary and consciously anchor these impressions, we expand our emotional capacity and create the conditions for spiritual growth.

By actively seeking these moments—whether in nature, music, art, or meaningful interactions—we not only enrich our experience but also create a reservoir of emotional depth. This reservoir provides sustenance for our Kesdjan body, enabling it to crystallize and grow. In turn, this growth supports our journey toward developing the higher being body, bringing us closer to objective consciousness and our evolutionary potential.

So, are we born with a soul or is the Soul in Embryo?

Gurdjieff had a unique perspective on the concept of a soul, emphasizing its importance and the difficulty in developing one. He believed that most people do not have a fully developed soul and that it is a challenging task to cultivate one. According to Gurdjieff, a soul-less existence is characterized by symptoms such as depression, loneliness, violence, and various forms of prejudice and malice, which are prevalent in the current state of the world.

Gurdjieff used the idea of a soul as a motivational tool for his students, encouraging them to engage in “conscious labor and intentional suffering” to develop their souls. He stated that a soul is not something one is born with but something that needs to be developed through intentional effort. This process involves a significant amount of inner work and self-awareness.

In his teachings, Gurdjieff often used forceful sayings to convey his ideas. One of his famous sayings is, “Blessed is he who has a soul, Blessed is he who has none, but Woe and grief to him who has it in embryo.” This maxim suggests that those who do not have a soul can live in blissful ignorance, while those who start the process of developing a soul but give up halfway will face spiritual torment.

The metaphor of growing an acorn cup to eventually hold an acorn provides a helpful way to visualize this process. The acorn cup represents the higher emotional center—a foundational structure that must be developed first. Once this is established, the acorn itself, representing the higher mental center, can begin to form. Perhaps this is the soul: the interplay and development of these higher centers through conscious effort.

Gurdjieff’s approach to the soul is also deeply connected to self-knowledge and the understanding of one’s own machine (body and mind). He believed that without self-knowledge, individuals cannot be free and will remain slaves to their automatic impulses and desires. Developing a soul requires an understanding of the working and functions of one’s own being and an intentional effort to transcend the limitations of the ordinary mind and emotions.

In summary, Gurdjieff’s teachings on the soul emphasize the necessity of conscious effort and inner work to develop a soul, which is essential for spiritual growth and freedom. His aphorism—"Blessed is he who has a soul, blessed is he who has none, but woe and grief to him who has it in embryo"—captures the responsibility and challenge of this journey. Those with no soul live in simplicity, those with a fully developed soul achieve the highest fulfillment, and those in the process of development must carry the burden and responsibility of nurturing the embryo into full realization.

Let’s now take a look at the concept of Out-of-Body Experiences: A Shift in Consciousness

One of the most intriguing topics in spiritual exploration is the concept of out-of-body experiences (OBEs). While often interpreted as the soul leaving the body, Russell’s teachings suggest that OBEs might actually reflect a shift in consciousness from the physical body to the astral or Kesdjan body. Rather than leaving our body, we’re transitioning to experience life through a higher body that already resides within us.

THEDOG Teachings provide a Master Exercise that allows practitioners to experience this shift. This exercise becomes accessible only after completing foundational steps: mastering the Objective Exercise, practicing daily exercises, building the emotional body, and memorizing a chosen 1,001-word sequence to prove attention and command of the intellectual centre, before we get it to step down and take its rightful place. The discipline and effort required ensure that participants are prepared to safely and effectively engage with this profound experience.

Through this exercise, participants report a heightened sense of awareness, objectivity, and connection to higher realms of existence. They experience themselves as both within and beyond the physical world, gaining insight into the deeper structures of reality and their own being.

Now, Let’s Connect Cosmic Parallels to Expansion

Russell draws a fascinating connection between Jesus’s ascension and cosmic principles. In Gurdjieff’s teaching, higher matter opposes physical matter. When Jesus rose, it symbolized a cosmic principle: crystallized higher bodies, freed from physical form, naturally rising and creating a repelling force against physical matter. This mirrors what modern physics observes in the universe’s expansion.

Scientists were puzzled when they discovered galaxies accelerating away from each other. Gravity should slow these movements, but something—what they call dark energy—pushes physical matter apart. Russell suggests that this cosmic repulsion reflects the principle of higher matter opposing physical matter. As humanity develops higher bodies, this phenomenon may even influence the physical universe. 

Dark energy is a mysterious force that counteracts gravity, causing galaxies to move away from each other at an increasing rate. In contrast, dark matter interacts primarily through gravity and does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects. Dark matter acts as a cosmic glue, holding galaxies and larger structures together.

Let’s Finish by Living Beyond the 5%

Think about it: the physical matter we see and touch comprises only 5% of reality. Yet most of us live entirely focused on this fraction. Developing higher bodies allows us to connect with the remaining 95% of existence—the dark matter and dark energy of our inner evolution.

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As we conclude our exploration of The Soul’s Blueprint, remember that this work isn’t theoretical—it’s practical and verifiable. Just as scientists discovered dark matter and dark energy to explain the unseen forces shaping the universe, these teachings reveal the invisible forces shaping our inner evolution.

The development of higher bodies isn’t automatic—it requires conscious effort, consistent work, and intentional practice. But neither is it mysterious. By engaging in this process, we participate in something that transcends individual development—we touch the very purpose of human existence.

If you’re ready to engage with these ideas practically, I invite you to visit thedogteachings.com, where you’ll find The Blueprint of Consciousness - An Accelerated Path to Awakening. Russell Smith’s groundbreaking work provides detailed maps and practical methods for this development, including specific exercises for working with the higher bodies we’ve discussed today.

Our twice-weekly Zoom classes offer direct support for this work—whether you’re just beginning with The Blueprint of Consciousness or engaging with the advanced Master Exercises where experiences of the higher bodies often emerge.

Until next time, may your work with the higher bodies bring you closer to objective consciousness and your full evolutionary potential.

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