w often it may return,
will not bear a bitter fruit. Therefore, it is evident that returning and
coming back to the material world does not become the cause of perfection.
This theory has no proofs nor evidences; it is simply an idea. No, in
reality the cause of acquiring perfections is the bounty of God.

The Theosophists believe that man on the arc of ascent(165) will return
many times until he reaches the Supreme Center; in that condition matter
becomes a clear mirror, the light of the spirit will shine upon it with
its full power, and essential perfection will be acquired. Now, this is an
established and deep theological proposition, that the material worlds are
terminated at the end of the arc of descent, and that the condition of man
is at the end of the arc of descent, and at the beginning of the arc of
ascent, which is opposite to the Supreme Center. Also, from the beginning
to the end of the arc of ascent, there are numerous spiritual degrees. The
arc of descent is called beginning,(166) and that of ascent is called
progress.(167) The arc of descent ends in materialities, and the arc of
ascent ends in spiritualities. The point of the compass in describing a
circle makes no retrograde motion, for this would be contrary to the
natural movement and the divine order; otherwise, the symmetry of the
circle would be spoiled.

Moreover, this material world has not such value or such excellence that
man, after having escaped from this cage, will desire a second time to
fall into this snare. No, through the Eternal Bounty the worth and true
ability of man becomes apparent and visible by traversing the degrees of
existence, and not by returning. When the shell is once opened, it will be
apparent and evident whether it contains a pearl or worthless matter. When
once the plant has grown it will bring forth either thorns or flowers;
there is no need for it to grow up again. Besides, advancing and moving in
the worlds in a direct order according to the natural law is the cause of
existence, and a movement contrary to the system and law of nature is the
cause of nonexistence. The return of the soul after death is contrary to
the natural movement, and opposed to the divine system.

Therefore, by returning, it is absolutely impossible to obtain existence;
it is as if man, after being freed from the womb, should return to it a
second time. Consider what a puerile imagination this is which is implied
by the belief in reincarnatio