I was rummaging through some old notes that I had on the Lazaris material and found the following on the elements (their correspondance to the energies and fources of the aethers, etc.) and a generalized description of evolution which is most insightful:

The Elements

The dynamism of the energies and their forces create the Elements

Element: Fire
Energy of Aether: Warmth; Force of Aether: Strong nuclear force with Weak force; Elemental: Salamander; Aspect of Human Self: Spiritual

Element: Air
Energy of Aether: Light; Force of Aether: Weak force with Strong nuclear force; Elemental: Sylph; Aspect of Human Self: Mental

Element: Water
Energy of Aether: Chemical; Force of Aether: Electromagnetic; Elemental: Undyne; Aspect of Human Self: Emotional

Element: Earth
Energy of Aether: Life Energy; Force of Aether: Gravitational; Elemental: Gnome; Aspect of Human Self: Physical

PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION:

1. Any form that exists (has meaning and significance) tends to maintain its form and reproduce itself.

2. In order to exist and to be alive and to maintain it's form and reproduce: form must receive energy from outside itself.
• energy intake postpones dissipation (second law of Thermodynamics)
• note that observation, which is a form of energy intake from outside itself, postpones the quantum mechanical diffusion of information associated with the form

3. A form will take as much external energy as it can get (limited only by threats to its integrity).

4. Those forms most successful at garnering energy are stronger, live longer and reproduce more of themselves.

5. When a form becomes too efficient at garnering energy from its environment, it can threaten to destroy that environment even if it means destroying itself.

6. Evolution can move in two directions:
• evolve through disharmony and entropy (often to its destruction), evolving to a lesser form, i.e. downward evolution
• evolve in a direction of harmony, creation and negative entropy (not just postponing but reversing entropy) either by chance (random evolution) and/or by necessity (survival of the fittest, natural selection)

7. Harmony, negative entropy and creation (progressive evolution) can be assured if any one of the following happens:
• by increasing complexity (e.g. technology)
• by increasing degrees of freedom (e.g. fish to mammal to bird)
• resonance (resonant causation)
• conscious reflection and choice
• conscious destiny and choice
• conscious dreaming and visioning
• human grace (4 aspects): 1. seeking and learning new skills; 2. rise to challenge of strength, power & talent (of living); 3. to create order (to create new meaning and significance); 4. to be spiritual: seek the highest truth; seek the greatest freedom; to honour tradition and character, vision and vitality; dignity