but how could being be born of not-being?
Being alone existed in the beginning."[14] This being is then represented as sentient.

"It saw (and desired), 'may I be many,' and sent forth fire (or heat); fire (or heat) desired and produced water; water, food (earth); with the living spirit the divinity entered fire, water, and earth" (6.

3).

As mind comes from food, breath from water, and speech from fire, all that makes a man is thus derived from the (true) being (6.7.

6); and when one dies his speech is absorbed into mind, his mind into breath, his breath into fire (heat), and heat into the highest godhead (6.8.