" Here, we assume, the organism recognizes its self as distinct
from its environment, and from its counterparts, etc., but this recognition
has not sufficient consciousness to _assert_ that recognition, and so we
say that there is no _self_-consciousness. There is what occultists have
agreed to call simple consciousness, but this does not include a
realization of identity, as apart from environment. This may be better
understood if we separate these degrees or phases of consciousness into
groups, applicable to the human organism, leaving, for a time the
consideration of whether or not some human specimens are higher in the
scales than are some animals.
Physical, or sense consciousness, is shared alike by man and the animals.
Beyond this phase of consciousness we may classify the human species in the
following terms:
Physical self-consciousness.
Mental self-consciousness.
Soul (individual) "I" consciousness.
Spiritual self-consciousness.
Physical self-consciousness is that phase of self-recognition which knows
itself as a body distinct from its neighbors; from its natural environment.
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