Individuality

Individuality is a term used in Theosophy to refer to the three higher and permanent principles in a human being or, more specifically, to the fifth principle, the higher manas or reincarnating Ego.

Individuality and Personality

The seven principles that constitute human beings are frequently separated in two great divisions, grouping the three higher and the four lower:

The teachings of Occultism divide man into three aspects -- the divine, the thinking or rational, and the irrational or animal man. For metaphysical purposes also he is considered under a septenary division, or, as it is agreed to express it in theosophy, he is composed of seven "principles," three of which constitute the Higher Triad, and the remaining four the lower Quaternary. It is in the latter that dwells the Personality which embraces all the characteristics, including memory and consciousness, of each physical life in turn. The Individuality is the Higher Ego (Manas) of the Triad considered as a Unity. In other words the Individuality is our imperishable Ego which reincarnates and clothes itself in a new Personality at every new birth.