245. We have now come far enough in our analyses of terrestrial mankind's mode of existence to have realised that it constitutes a fundamental preparation for a higher form of life experience, an embryonic state to a new kingdom. We have witnessed that terrestrial people are at one and the same time "degenerating animals" and "developing human beings". They constitute animals on account of all the tendencies in their mentality which lead to the "killing principle" and therefore in any kind of form belongs to what we call "evil". By virtue of all the tendencies in that same mentality which lead to the "life-giving principle", meaning "genuine love", and which belong to what we call the "good", they will gradually develop from an animal mentality towards a far higher and finely cultivated human condition. Through culture, authority and the administration of justice the animal tendencies will be subdued and restricted and also through the suffering and difficulties those tendencies themselves incur, so that in this way they are gradually destroyed, while the human tendencies are stimulated, being supported by religion, enlightenment, higher science, unselfishness and pure love. As terrestrial mankind is on the way from darkness to light its whole existence on Earth may be termed a "Road towards Light" just as the accumulated terrestrial events and experiences which are met with can be regarded as an introduction to the true life, to a cosmic existence, to a life at one with the absolute Godhead.
      In symbol No. 5 the readers and seekers of Truth are given a kind of chart or concentrated view of the most important factors and their relative places on this Road towards Light.