Glossary entry

Etheric Double of the Material Body

The etheric counterpart or mould of the material body.

Short explanation

In these teachings, the Etheric Double of the material body is its etheric counterpart or mould. It is connected with the Material Permanent Atom and is described as the mould upon which the material body is built, maintained and grows. The Etheric Double is also connected with etheric processes through which impressions and the activity of life are expressed in relation to the material body.

Meaning within the teaching

The website uses Etheric Double as the English technical term and retains “etheric counterpart or mould” as its first-use explanation.

Important distinctions

It should not be merged with categories borrowed from other systems.
It is not merely a duplicate physical body.
It is related to, but not identical with, the Material Permanent Atom.
The four etheric functions or conditions will not be defined until their source passages are fully compared.

Related terms

Permanent Atom — the Material Permanent Atom is connected with, but distinct from, the Etheric Double.
The Human Being — the introductory framework.