"By evolution, we must understand a conscious process and conscious efforts, continuous and connected. There is no mechanical evolution. (...) Evolution, if it is possible, can only be conscious, and the beginning of evolution is always the evolution of consciousness, it cannot be the evolution of anything else. If consciousness begins to evolve, other things begin to grow and evolve. If consciousness remains on the same level, everything else remains at the same level"
- Ouspensky