MYTRAVELS intheSPIRITWORLD

By CAROLINED.LARSEN

Ithinkthebook,isvaluable. SIRARTHURCONANDOYLE

1927 Rutland,Vermont U.S.A.

Introduction
Now,whenspeculationandresearchconcerningthelifeafterdeatharearousingmore interestinthepublicmindthanatanyothertimeinhumanhistory,itseemspeculiarlyfittingthat Ishouldpublishmy"TravelsintheSpiritWorld. Sofar,everyattempttoliftthecurtainthatseparatesusfromtherealmsofthespiritshas beencarriedonthrougha"medium."Butinthislittlebook,IshalldescribescenesoftheSpirit WorldwhichIhavewitnessedwithmyowneyes,andIshallrelateconversationswithspiritsin whichIhaveactuallytakenpart.Ihavebeenenabledtotellyouof thesemarvelousoccurrences byvirtueofararefacultywhichfewpossess:theabilitytoleavethephysicalbodyandtolive forthetimebeingintheastral,thepowerofbeingaspiritthoughtherehasbeennoactual physicaldeath.So,becauseofmyadditionalabilitytoreasonandtoreflectonthemeaningofall Isawandbeard,aswellasthepowertoretainitinthememory,Ihavegarneredtheknowledge ofthelifehereafterwhichInowpresenttothepublicaknowledgewhichmustbeconsidered asfirsthandevidenceonthesubjectaknowledgeobtained,Ibelieve,bytheonlyprocess possibletomortals. Thisabilitytodetachoneselffromthematerialandtoliveintheastralisnotapower peculiartome.Therearemanyrecordsofasimilarfacility.Inmycase,however,disassociation fromthematerialwaspurelyinvoluntary.Asthereaderwilldiscoverbyreadingtheopening chapterofthebook,Ididnotseekorfosteranysuchpower.Itpossessedmeunawares. Furthermore,Idonotclaimanysuperiorityorsupernaturalgiftbecauseofmyunlookedfor power.Iregarditmerelyasa"facility"anadditionalpowerwhichsomepersonshappento possess.Onehearslittleofrevelationsbyvirtueofsuchapowerbecausethosewhohaveitpay noattentiontoitorsuppressitaltogether. TomyreadersIcommendtheresultsofmyobservationsofthelifehereafter,forI believethateventothosewhowillnotseefittoacceptthemascredible,theywillatleastprove tobeofmorethanephemeralinterest.AsformyselfIhavenodoubtwhatIhaveseenand experiencedisreal,veryreal.Nothinginallmylifehasmadesuchalastingandvivid impressionuponmymind.AndIampositivethatnotravelercouldbemorecertainofthereality ofhisexperiencesthanIamoftherealityofmyspirittravels.Idonotclaimtohaveseenallof thelifeoftheSpiritWorld.InfactIhaveseenonlyaverylittleofit.ButIamsurethatIhave seensomethingofeachofitsmultifariousphases.Atleast,myexperienceshavebeensovaried thatmyreaderswillbeabletoobtainareasonablybroadconceptionoftheconditionswhichwill confrontuswhenweleaveourpresentsphere. Ifmyaccountshouldbefoundsomewhatdisjointed,thecausemustbeattributedtomy refusaltoelaborateorpadmymaterial.Iamdeterminedtorelateonlythoseoccurrenceswhich I actuallyexperiencedinthesestrangeadventuresofmine.Thisbeingmyonlyobject,Iam convincedthatthereaderwillnotbeundulysevereincriticizingthislittlevolumeforitslackof literaryvalueorforanyotherofitsshortcomings.

C.D.L.

MyTravelsintheSpiritWorld

Inthefallof1910,whilelivinginBurlington,Vermont,Ihad,oneevening,retiredrather early.Inaddition totheusualthoughtsrunningthroughthemindIwasmuchinterestedin listeningtothemusicfloatingupfromdownstairswheremyhusband,whoisaviolinist,was rehearsingastringquartetforacominglocalconcert.Themusicianswereplayingaquartetby Beethoven,myfavoritecomposer.Iwasenjoyingthemusicexceedingly,regrettingthatmy pleasurewasoccasionallymarrednotonlybytheplayingofthesecondviolinist,ayoung Frenchman,who,althoughaverygoodamateur,hadthemisfortuneofplayingoutoftunenow andthen,butalsobythetooloudplayingofthecellist,alocalmerchant.Ihadbeenenjoying Beethovenforsometimeinspiteofthefaultsofthesetwoplayers,whensuddenlyIunderwenta verystrangeexperience.Afeelingofdeepoppressionandapprehensioncameovermenotunlike thatwhichprecedesafaintingspell.Ibracedmyselfagainstit,buttonoavail.Theoverpowering oppressiondeepenedandsoonnumbnesscreptovermeuntileverymusclebecameparalyzed.In thisconditionIremainedforsometime.Mymind,however,wasstillworkingasclearlyasever. AtfirstIheardthemusicplainly,butsoonthesoundsbegantoslipawayfrommebydegrees untilfinallyeverythingbecameablank,andIwasunconscioustolifeandtheworld.Howlong thisstatelastedIdonotknow.WhathappenedduringthisperiodIamalsounabletorelate.The nextthingIknewwasthatI,myself,wasstandingonthefloorbesidemybedlookingdown attentivelyatmyownphysicalbodylyinginit. Irecognizedeverylineinthatfamiliarface,paleandstillasindeath,thefeaturesdrawn, theeyestightlyclosedandthemouthpartlyopen.Thearmsandhandsrestedlimpandlifeless besidethebody.Igazedatthatmaterialformofmineforafewmomentswhilemingledfeelings passedoverme.Strangelyenough,theywerenotfeelingsofgreatsurprise.Iexperiencedno shockatfindingmyselfinthispeculiarsituation.Itwaschieflycuriositythatpossessedmy mind.IwasperfectlycalmandcomposedasIviewedthemortalformIhadjustpreviously inhabited.Inowraisedmyeyesfrommybody,andlookedaroundtheroom.Everything appearedtomeasnaturalasever.Therewasthelittletablewithbooksandtrinketsonitthere werethebureau,thedresser,thebigarmchair,thesmallerchairs,thegreencarpetonthefloor, theredwallpaperwithitspatternsofurnsandflowersthosefigureswhichIhadoftencounted overwhensleepless.Andtherewasthelittlepartlyshadedelectriclampwhichlightedmy bedroom,burningasusual.Whilemyeyesobservedthesefamiliarobjectsthemusicfrom downstairskeptfloatinguptomyears.Iglancedoncemoreatmybodywhich,toall appearances,seemeddead.ThenIturnedandwalkedslowlytowards thedoor,passedthroughit andintoahallthatledtothebathroom.AsIwalkedtowardsthatroompastthestairway,Iheard themusiccomingupwithincreasedforce,andIdelightedinthelovelyadagiofromBeethoven's Op.127Quartet,aspecialfavoriteofmine.AsIenteredthebathroomthestrainsgradually diminishedinvolume.Inowapproachedalargemirrorhangingabovethewashbowl.Through forceofhabitIwentthroughthemotionsofturningontheelectriclight,whichofcourseIdid notactuallyturnon.Buttherewasnoneedforilluminationforfrommybodyandfaceemanated astrongwhitishlightthatlighteduptheroombrilliantly. LookingintothemirrorIbecameawareforthefirsttimeoftheastonishing transformationIhadundergone.Insteadofseeingamiddleagedwoman,Ibeheldthefigureofa

girlabouteighteenyearsofage.Irecognizedtheformandfeaturesofmygirlhood.ButIwas nowinfinitelymorebeautiful.Myfaceappearedasifitwerechiseledoutofthefinestalabaster anditseemedtransparent,asdidmyarmsandhandswhenIraisedthemtotouchmyhair.It seemedasifIcouldseethroughthem.Buttheywerenotentirelytranslucent,forinthecenterof thearmsandhandsandfingerstherewasadarker,morecompactsubstance,asinXray photographs.Myeyes,quitestronginthephysicalbodywerepiercinglykeennow. Theyshonewithsuchlustrethatthemirrorreflectedtheirpenetratingbeams.Myhair,nolonger gray,wasnow,asinmyyouth,darkbrown,anditfellinwavesovermyshouldersanddownmy back.Andtomydelight,Iwasdressedintheloveliestwhiteshininggarmentimaginablea sleevelessonepiecedress,cutlowattheneckandreachingalmosttotheankles.Ilooked downatmylegsandsawthattheywereasbeautifulasmyarms,neckandface. Iwalkedforwardandbackwardbeforethemirrorrevelinginmynewlyfoundbeauty. WhenIlookedmyselffullinthefaceIbecamealmostfrightenedatthestrengthandbrilliancyof myeyes.Iraisedmyhandsbeforemyfaceandclosedandopenedthefingers.Theyseemedso airyanddelicate.YetIfeltnolackofstrengthinthemandnochangeofsensationinmoving them.Myjoyandenthusiasmwereunboundedatseeingmyselfsobeautiful.EagerlyIdrankin theglory.ItwasalsoanexhilaratingsensationtobeconsciousofthefactthatIwasoutofmy physicalbodyandthatIlivedintheastral. Thisrealizationneveronceleftme.DuringthetimethatIwasoccupiedbeforethemirror Ihadfollowed,moreorlesscarelessly,themusicfromthequartet.ButnowIforgotmyvanity andlistenedattentively.SuddenlyIheardthestrainsofMendelssohn'sViolinConcerto.Iknew atoncethattheFrenchmanwasplayingthesolo.Itwasahabithealwaysindulgedwhilethe musicwasbeingchangedonthestands.But,asalways,heplayeditoutoftune.AsusualIfelt disgustedandforthemomentforgettingallaboutmyselfImutteredangrily,"Oh!Iwishmy husbandwouldtellthatFrenchmantoplaythatConcertointuneornottoplayitatall." FortunatelythequartetnowbegantoplayagainandthesoothingmusicofBeethovencalmed me. OncemoreIturnedtoadmiremyselfinthemirror.Notbeingcontenttoenjoymybeauty aloneIwishedthatothersmightseeitandsharewithmethejoy.Ablockawayfromusliveda MissB.,afriendofminewhohadoftencomplimentedmeonmytasteindressingandonmy generalappearance.IconceivedthenotionthatIwouldgotoherandshowmyself."Won'tshe beastonished!"Iaskedmyself."Ifshecomplimentedmebefore,whatwillshesaynow?""But first,"Ireflected,"Iwillgodownandpresentmyselftomyhusbandandtheothermen."I thoughtwithamusementoftheexpressionthatwouldsweepacrosstheirastonishedfaces.Idid notfancythathadIsucceededingettinguptoMissB.,ordowntomyhusbandandtheother musicians,noneofthemwouldhavebeenabletoseemeatall,unlessperchancesomeofthem possessedtheabilitytoseemeas"aghost." NosoonerhadIconceivedthisintentionthanIproceededtocarryitout.Turningaway fromthemirrorIwalkedoutintothehall.Enjoyinginanticipationthesuccessofmyplan,I steppedongaily.Ireveledinthefeelingofbodilylightness.Whileinthephysicalbodyonehas tomovethelegswithconsciouseffort,nowImovedwiththefreedomofthought.Itwasa delightfulsensation.NoonecouldbehappierthanIwhenIbeganthedescentofthestairway. TheBeethovenmusicsoundedlovelierthanever.ItincreasedinforceasIadvancedstepbystep.

But,alas,mypleasantplanwasnottoberealizedandmyhopesofexcitingadmirationand wonderweretobedashedtotheground.JustasIcametothelittleplatformwhichdividesthe stairwayintotwoflights,Isaw,standingbeforeme,awomanspiritinshiningclotheswitharms outstretchedandwithforefingerpointingupwards.Therewasalookofstrongdeterminationon herfaceasshespoketomesternly,"Whereareyougoing?Gobacktoyourbody!"Whetherit wasthatonthis,myfirstexperience"outofmybody,"Iwasnottobepermittedtoenjoymore thanthisshorttrailorthatIhadbrokenunwittinglysomerulegoverningsuchexperienceIknew instinctivelythatfromthisspirit'scommandandauthoritytherewasnoappeal.Imustobey. ReluctantlyIturned,ascendedthestairswalkedthroughthehallintomybedroomanduptomy bed.MyphysicalbodylaythereasstillandlifelessaswhenIleftit.Ivieweditwithfeelingsof loathinganddisappointment.IknewthatIwouldsoonhavetoenteritagain,nomatterhowugly itseemedtome,orhowevermuchIshrankfromit.Themusicrisingfrombelowalsohelpedto saddenmyspiritinthatitremindedmeofmyfailuretopresentmyselfbeforemyhusbandinmy changedform.Butnotimewasleftmeforreflections.InanotherinstantIhadagainjoinedwith myphysicalform.WithagaspandastartIwokeupinit. Somewhatconfusedatfirst,Isoonregainedmyusualcomposureofmind.Andtherethe strangeexperienceIhadjustpassedthroughstoodbeforemeinallitsvividness.Iwasnowina positiontoconfirmthroughpersonalknowledgethetruthofthepossibilitythatonecanleavethe physicalbody,tastelifeintheastralandreturnagain totheearthlyform.NowIheardthemusic oncemorethroughmymortalears.Butsoontherehearsalended.WhenIrelatedtomyhusband thestoryofmysupernaturalexperienceandwecomparednotesastowhathadoccurred downstairs,thatwhichIhadheardwithmyastralearsagreedtothesmallestdetailwithwhathe toldmehadtakenplaceattherehearsal.Thiswasmyfirstexperience"outofthebody." ButsincethenIhaveoftenbeenaccordedtheprivilege.Ihavetraveledfarandwideinspace, visitedheavenlybodiesvisitedmanypartsoftheSpiritWorldwhereIhaveseenandheard thingswhichIbelievehaveneverbeengiventotheworld. Intheprecedingdescriptionofmyfirstexperience"outofthebody"itwillbe rememberedthatIwasconfinedtothelimitsofmyhome.Forsomeunknownreasonawoman spiritpreventedmefromleavingthehouse.Butastimewentonandtheseexperiencescontinued IwasgraduallyallowedmoreandmorelibertyandsoonIwanderedratherwidelyabout.Atfirst I traveledonlythroughmyimmediateneighborhoodbutasIgainedexperienceinhandling myselfintheastralItookmoreextensivetripswhichcoveredthegreaterpartoftheearth.In thesetripsIgatheredacompleteknowledgeofthespiritexistenceimmediatelyafterdeath:how theylive,howtheyactandthink.Letmesayinpassingthatmostspirits,untiltheygravitateto theirproperrealm,remainforatimeintheenvironmentwherethey spenttheirearthlylife.Then withtheaidofguidesIwaspermittedextensivetravelsintothegreatrealmsofthespiritswhere Ilearnedabouttheconditionsgoverningtheirfutureexistence,observedspiritexistenceinallits diverseformsoflife.Finally,mostremarkableofall,Iwasgrantedtheunusualprivilegeofatrip intotheveryabyssofspacetowitnessthewonderfulspectacleoftheuniverseablazewithlife. IfalloftheinformationconcerninglifehereafterwhichIgatheredontheseoccasions couldbecomegenerallyaccepted,thepresentdreadofsocalled"death"wouldentirely disappear.Ourgriefanddespairatthelossofourlovedoneswouldchangeintoacalm

resignationinthefaceoftheconvictionthatasthe"dead"aremorealivethanever,the separationisbutmomentary,thereunioniscloseathand. WithoutfurtherpreliminariesIshallbeginmynarrativeoflifeafterdeath.Ishalldivide mystoryintothreeparts.First,Ishalldescribethemanneroflifehereonearthimmediatelyafter death.Secondly,IshallpicturelifeintherealrealmsoftheSpiritsandfinally,Ishallgivemy observationsofthesurginglifewhichfillstheentireUniverse. SPIRITLIFEONEARTH Thephrase,"thereisnodeath,"usedthroughagesfortheconsolationofmourning relativesandfriends,isactuallyandliterallytrue.Fornosoonerhasthephysicalbodybeen stilledindeaththanoutofthatmortalform,nowofnomoreavailtohim,stepsthepersonality whichhadsorecentlyinhabiteditanduseditforhismanifestationsinthislife.Hestandsnowin thefullglowofanotherexistencehavingexchangedhisshortandlimitedlifeintheprisonof earthlyclayforlifeeternalandinfiniteinpossibility. Ahumanbeingmaybesaidtobecomposedofthreedistinctparts.First,theego,thereal I,theactualpersonality,ortoemployabetterunderstoodterm,theSoul,whichresidesinan astralbody,whichagainisencasedinthephysicalbody.Whendeathovertakesthemortalform thespiritcontinueslifeinthenewbody.Hencethereisnodeathasfarasthatpersonalityis concerned.Thereisonlytransmutationfromoneformoflifetoanother.Materiallymindedas weare,weareapttothinkofthischangeassomethingvague,withnorealfoundationtoit.We seeagraphicinstanceof thiscommonerrorintheillustratedpaperswherethespiritisoften depictedasaspiralcolumnofsmokeatthetopofwhichappearsthepictureofastrangely distortedhumanface.Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruththanthismisrepresentation.A disembodiedspiritappears,feels,thinksandactsjustexactlyasIdidinmyfirstexperience"out ofthebody."Thespiritbody,whichinformandappearanceisanexactduplicateofthematerial body,iscomposedofasubstanceasfineasthatofthematerialbodyiscoarse.Itsfinesubstance isattunedtovibrationswhoserapidityourbodilysensescannotperceive.Moreover,tothespirit, theastralbodyfeelsjustasnaturalandsubstantialasdidthematerialbodywhenitwas inhabited. WhenIstoodbeforethemirrorinthebathroomandadmiredtheappearanceofmynew body,IfeltjustasrealasIfeltwhenIwasinsidethatmortalformthatwaslyingonthebedin theotherroom.AsIclenchedandunclenchedmyhand,asIturnedaround,asIwalkedthrough thehall,Ifeltpowerandvitalitysurgingthrougheverypartofthebody.Therewerenonew, terrifyingsensations.Theonlyperceptiblechangewasastrange,ratherdelightfullightnessand buoyancy.Notonlyareallofthesensationsoftheformerbodysight,sound,touch,tasteand smellpresentinthenewbody,buttheyhavebecomegreatlyintensified.Thespiritsees everythinginthemateriallifeaswellaseverythinginthespiritlife,butinthespiritlifethereare notthelimitationsofvisioncharacteristicofthemateriallife.Aswiththespiriteyes,sowiththe spiritear.Itcandetectsoundsthatwouldcompletelyeludethematerialear. Inlikemannertheothersensesaregrowingkeener.Tomyastralearsthesoundsof musicfromdownstairstookonanewbeauty.Ihadneverbeforeknownsuchclarityand

delicacy.Moreoverwithmyastraleyes,Iperceivedmysurroundingswithclearnessand vividnesspreviouslyunknown.FurthermoreIcouldstandupinthebathroomandseeclearlymy husbandandtheotherthreemendownstairsthroughalltheinterveningmaterialbarriers. Butthoughthesensesbyanincreasedsusceptibilityreacttothechangefrommaterialtoastral, themindundergoesnotransmutationwhatsoeverexceptto takeontheaddedfacilityofbeing capableofreadingothers'thoughts.Onewakesintheastralasoneleftthematerial.Sofarasmy stateofmindwasconcernedIwasmerelycontinuingearthlyexistence.Sowithallspirits.Many ofthem,becauseofthisconditionofmindtogetherwiththenaturalfeelingoftheirastralbody, aredeludedintobelievingthattheystillliveinthematerialandtheyendeavortocarryonlifeas theyhadalwaysdone.Nordoesmemorysufferinthepassingover.Intheastral,Icould remembereverydetailofmypastmateriallife.Iwasperfectlyawareofmyownidentity.Iknew exactlywhathadtranspireduptothetimewhenIassumedtheastral.Suchisthecasewith spirits.ThisfactwasoftendemonstratedtomebyconversationswithspiritswhomIhadknown inearthlife.They,too,wereabletorecallevencertaintrivialdetailsoftheirpastexistencewith whichwewerebothfamiliar. IntheSpiritWorldthereisnoage.Theastralbodycannotgrowold,hencethereisno senility.Whenaspiritarrivesintheastralworld,heassumestheappearancecharacteristicofthe fullbloomofhismanhood. Childrenenteringthespiritlifegrowintheastralbodyuntilthey reachmaturity.Astheastralbodyisanexactcopyofthephysical,somenandwomenremain menandwomenintheSpiritWorld.Alltheircharacteristicsandpeculiarmasculineand femininequalitiesremainunchanged.Spirits,likehumans,weargarments:thatisanunalterable regulationintheSpiritWorldnospiritcaneverappearwithoutcovering.Theappearanceof clothesisaffectedinthefollowingmanner:Fromeveryspiritemanatesastrongaura,apseudo phosphoriclight.Thisauraiscompletelycontrolledbythemind.Outofthissubstanceis mouldedthevestureofthebody.Atfirst,rightafterdeath,themouldinginmostcasesisan unconsciousact.Fornosoonerisaspiritseparatedfromthephysicalbodythanitisinsome mannerdressed,eventhoughthegarmentbeonlyasortofashroud.Butasthemindgains controlofitself,theactofdressingbecomesaconsciousactandthefashionofthewearing apparelislargelygovernedbytheindividual'staste.Hence,justafterdeath,whenthemindis stillcompletelydominatedbyearthlyidealsandhabits,thespiritsgenerallyeffectthefashionsof theclotheswhichwerewornprevioustopassingover.Sothefirstthingtocatchmyeyeinmy firstwanderingintheastralwasthestrangespectacleofspiritswhoappearedasmortalsin earthlyraimentwalkingeverywhere. IntheSpiritWorld,thecoloroftheauradefinesthequalityofthespirit.Alldarkercolors denotealowstateofdevelopment.Asthespiritprogressesupwardthecolorsoftheaurabecome continuallybrighter.Theseauracolorsofcoursedeterminealsothecolorofthespiritgarment. Hencethecharacter,quality,anddevelopmentofthespiritaredenotedbythecolorofthe garment. Someofthedepartedspiritsareatoncefullyawarethattheyareabletoreflectontheir conditionjustasIwasabletoreflectonmine.Otherspiritssuspectdimlythatsomethingstrange hasovertakenthembuttheyrefuseabsolutelytoaccepttherealizationandinordertoshutit morecompletelyoutoftheirmindstheydeliberatelycontinuetheirfamiliaractivityoftheworld. Thuswiththeirmindsillattunedtotheirconditionstheyseemunabletoreasonclearlyabout

theirstateuntilbyslowdegreestheyareadjustedtoit.Themajorityofspiritshoweverareinso confusedastateof mindthattheydonotsuspectatallthegreatchangetheyhaveundergone.No sooneraretheyoutoftheirearthlyformthantheyproceedatoncetolivetheirlifealongtheold familiarlines.Thebusinessmanimmediatelystartsforhisofficetodirectaffairs,wondering constantlyatthedelayintheexecutionofhisorders.Thetravelerladenwithbaggage,ashe thinks,looksforthetrainwhichshallcarryhimonhisusualroute.Thejudgeplaceshimselfon thebenchreadytolistentothepleas.Butsomehowmattersdonotconcurtohissatisfaction.The lawyerhuntsforhisclient,buteitherheisunabletofindhimorelsehemakesnoconnection withthepropercourtroom.Theprofessoreagerlylectureshisclassandwondersangrilywhythe classdoesnotpayhimthecustomaryattention.Thehostessanxiouslyattemptstogatherher gueststogetherforthepartyshehadplanned,butsuccessdoesnotcrownherefforts.The mechanicandtheworkertrotcheerfullytotheirplacesofwork,butnothingseem togoright. Heresomespiritswillentertheiraccustomedstorestopurchasesomethingonlytolosesightof theclerkortodiscoverthattheyhaveforgottenthemoneywherewithtoeffectthepurchase. Otherswiltentertheoldfamiliarrestaurant,sitdownatatableandgivethewaitertheorderfor theirfavoritedishes.Buttheyfindthewaitersodisrespectfulthatheeitherignoresthem completelyorfailstobringthedesiredfood.Disgustedwithsuchservicetheyleavetheplaceto tryelsewhere.Butasimilarresultgreetseveryeffort.Sotheyallcontinueintheirdiverse customaryactivitiesofearthlylifeonlytofindconstantlysomeinexplicablebarriersexisting betweenthemandtheirdesires.Theyliveasinthatdreaminwhichoneattemptsaccustomed actionsonlytofindoneselfbewilderinglybaffledineveryfutileattempt.Theyarefilledwith surprisethatrelativesandfriendsignorethem,andthattheirusualaimsfailcompletely. Yetnooneattemptstodisillusionthem.Firstofall,itisnotpermittedtodothatasthesudden shockofsuchinformationvolunteeredtoanignorantspiritwouldhavedisastrousresults. Furthermoremostspiritswouldnotlistentosuchtalktheywouldstoutlyandangrilydenythat therewasanythingunusualthematterwiththem.Thereforeatfirstthereisnoquestioningand everyonemustthere,ashere,dispelhisownillusionsandslowlyformulatehisownideas.For themindsuffersnochangeindeath. EverywhereinmyjourneysIfoundthesenewcitizensofSpiritLandthrongingthe streetsofcities,passinginandoutofhouses,travelingontrainsandvoyagingonsteamers.In fact,wherevermortalshabitatetherearetobefoundalsodenizensoftheSpiritWorld.Soin reality,thereareasmany spiritsinhabitingthisearthastherearemortals.Itwasastrangesight tome,ableasIwastoreflectonthestrangenessofthesituation,tolookdownabusystreetand toseespiritsandmortalsinterminglingwithoneanother.OccasionallyIwouldfollowintothe housesof spiritsIhadknownintheflesh.Theywouldliedownonthebedtheyhadalwaysused, reclineonthecouchwhichhadsooftenbeenacomforttothem,taketheusualseatintheeasy chairandoccupytheoldfamiliarplaceatthefamilytable.Buttherewasalwaysatroubled expressionontheirfacesbecausenoneofthosewhomtheyhadlovedseemedtorecognizethem. Restless,theywouldrise,andwanderaimlesslyoutamongthecrowdinsearchofsomethingor somebodythatcouldbeofsomeassistancetoclearupthemystery.Ioftentalkedwithsuch spiritsaswellaswiththosewhounderstoodthetruthofthesituation.Inalmosteveryinstance howevertheyspokefirstandthenapproachedme.Ishallrelatesomeoftheseincidentsand conversationsastheyarebothinterestingandahelpinunderstandingtheconditionofthespirit mind. AtonetimeaMrs.C.,apleasantacquaintanceofearthlife,approachedme.Shewas

consciousofhavingpassedover.Withagentlesmileshesaid,"Isawyourkindfeelingsforme andrealizedhowyoumournedformewhenIdied,andIthankyousomuchforthebeautiful rosesyousentme(meaningtoherfuneral).IfIhadknownandseenwhatIdonow,thingswould havebeendifferent."Shereferredtosomemisunderstandingbetweenusthathadbeencausedby thejealoustalkofsomeofherrelatives.Havingsaidthistomeshewentonherway.Ididnot replybutfeltverypleased.Shewasabeautifulspirit.Heraurawasbrightandherdresswhite. Thisdenotedspiritualdevelopment. Anotherfriend,MissM.,waspresentinherownhome whenherfuneralwasgoingon.Ihadwanderedthereoutofcuriosity.Hermindwasvery confusedandsheseemeddazed.Shedidnotrealizethatshehadpassedout.Henceshedidnot comprehendthatitwasherownbodythathadbeenlaidoutinthecoffin.Sheevidentlyknew thatherparentsweregrievingsadlybecauseofher.Shetriedfranticallytomakethem understandthatshewasrightthereandthateverythingwaswell.Verymuchpuzzledthather parentssocompletelyignoredher,shewalkeduptomeandinaveryexcitedmannerinquired, "Whatisallthisfussabout?Iamhere!Iamhere!"Icouldnotutterawordtosetherrightabout herconditionasitisimpossibletovolunteersuchinformationtoaspiritwhichhasjustpassed over.Suchknowledgemustcometothemthroughtheirowneffortsbyslowdegrees.Findingshe couldgetnoassistancefromme,myfriendturnedabruptlyandleftthehouseingreatdistress. OnemanImetmadeagoodimpressiononme.HehadbeenmylawyerinDenmarkfor manyyears.Hewasamanofsplendidqualitiesandsterlingcharacter.Inadditiontobeingmy lawyerhewasalsoamanwhomIwasproudtocallafriend.AfterIcametoAmericahehad faithfullytakencareofmyaffairsintheoldcountry.Butsuddenlyhislettersstopped.AlthoughI hadneverbeeninformedofhisdeceaseIfeltcertainhemusthavedied,forIknewthat otherwisehewouldneverhavefailedme.Tomy greatdelight,inoneofmywanderings,this friend,Rosengaardbyname,camerightupinfrontofme.Witheyessmilinginsincere friendshiphelookedsteadilyatmeforawhile.Itdidnottakemelongtorecognizehimalthough whenIlastsawhimonearthhewasamanofsixtyyearsandnowhewasashehadbeeninthe fullbloomofhismanhood."Doyouremember"hespokeup,"thatwhenyouleftDenmarkI promisedyouthatwhateverhappenedandwhereveryouwereIshouldalwaysstandbyyou faithfully?Ikeptthatpromise,"hecontinued,"untilIcoulddosonolonger.Forwhenyour lastlettercameIhadalreadypassedover.Thatwasthereasonwhyyouneverreceivedany answer."Iknewbeforehehadfinishedthathehadspokenthetruthandhadactedhonorably withmeineveryway,asatruefriendshould.Withthesamekindsmilestillplayingonhisface heturnedandleftmeassoonashehaddeliveredhismessage.Inmuchjoyoverhavingmetmy goodfriendundersuchconditionsIstoodforamomentwatchinghimdisappear.Heseemedto beinfairlygoodconditionspirituallyashisaurawasquitebright.Butsincehehadnotbeenover thereverylong,hestilladornedhimselfinthefashionhehadalwaysfollowed,namely:a cutawaywiththecustomary stripedtrousers.Ourmeetingprovedthattruefriendshipexistsand lastsbeyondthegrave. OnewomanspiritwhomIcameacross,aMrs.B.,wasstillignorantofthefactthatshe hadleftearthlife.Hermindwasfullofangerandbitternessbecauseshehadfoundthather husband'sprofessedlovethroughalongmarriedlifehadbeenfalse."Now,"shesaid,"helives withawomanwhosquandersallIhelpedhimtosave."Iwasnotinterestedinhearingmoreand Iquicklydepartedfromher.

Ihadaratheramusingexperiencewithamanspiritwhoinearthlifehadbeenvery prominentinsociety,business,literatureandart.ThisMr.H.Ihadgrowntoknowverywell, becauseofmutualinterestswhichheandmyhusbandpossessed.Bothofushadbeenonvery friendlytermswithhim,aswellaswithhisfamily.AlthoughIhadalwayshighlyrespectedthis man,Ihadnursedacertainantipathyforhim.Thisfeelingmadeitselffeltagaininspiritlife.Just asIwascrossinganopenfieldIbecameawarethatsomeonewastreadingcloselyuponmy heels.TurningaroundwhomshouldIseebutmyoldfriendMr.H.eagerlywatchingand followingme!Althoughhehadbeenaveryoldmanwhenhedied,henowappearedyoung.But Ihadnodifficultyinrecognizinghim.Strangelyenoughhestillworehiscustomarygraysack suit.AssoonasIhadrecognizedhimIquicklyandwithdeterminationturnedmyhead, quickenedmystepsandwalkedstraightahead.However,thissnubofminedidnotseemtodeter himbecausehekeptfollowingme.Soitwentonforquiteawhile.FinallyIcrossedoverintoa gardenwhereIsatdownonabench,thinkingthatmyunwelcomecompanionmustnowbequite ashamedofhimself,andthathewouldleaveme.ButIwasmistaken.Hewalkedrighttothe benchandtookaseatontheotherend.Bendingforward,andwitheyestwinkling,helookedme fullintheface,evidentlyintentonmakingmeregretmycoolnessandprobablyhopingthatI wouldcondescendtospeaktohim.Butthisappealingactionofhisdidnotsoftenmymood.Isat coldandindifferentasastatue.Atlasthebegantospeak:"Wewerewellacquaintedandfriendly inearthlifewhycan'twecontinueamicablyhere?"Butwithoutdeigningtoreply,Iroseup haughtilyandwalkedawaywithgravedignity.ForawhilemyfriendfollowedmebutsoonI discoveredthathehaddisappeared. ImetandrecognizedawomanspiritwhoonearthhadbeenaRoyalQueenofmodern times.Shehadenjoyedmuchpowerandwidepopularityinearthlife.Herpresentlifecontrasted drablywithherformerexistence.Althoughheraurawasofafairlybrighthueshehadadorned herselfinthesimplestpossiblewaywithakindofshroudwhichcoveredherheadandbody. Howdifferentfromherroyalsplendoronearth!Shewalkedaroundinseeminglystunned bewilderment,ignorantofhavingpassedover.Herpowerwasgoneandnoattentionwaspaidto her.Shesimplycouldnotunderstandherpresentpredicament.Herstateofmindseemedso confusedanddazedthatthinkingwasimpossible.Shedidnotnoticeme.Isimplywatchedher forawhileoutofcuriosity. Instrongcontrasttotheappearanceandconditionofthisroyalpersonagewasthebearing ofanotherQueenwhoonearthhadbeengreatlybelovedforthekindnessandgenerousdeeds whichhadfilledherlonglife.Imetherinthatpalacewhereshehadalwayslived.Shehad stayedthereuntilnowbecause,asIunderstandit,shehadevidentlynotyetcompletely disassociatedherselffromherpastlifeofwelldoing.Sheconfidedtome,"Thereissomelittle workyetIwouldhavelikedtohavedoneandIamsorryIdidnotgetitfinished."Itwas delightfultobenearsuchalovelyspirit.Heraurawasverybrightandshewascladinapure whitedressofbeautifuldesign.Ihadthefeelingthatthisnoblespiritwouldnotstaymuchlonger therebutthatshewouldgravitatetothespiritregionswhereshewouldfitinbetterandwhere shewouldbegivenopportunitytocontinuehernoblework,thusfurtheringthedevelopmentso wellstartedinearthlife. Ireceivedadifferentimpressionfromtheappearanceofherhusband,theformerking, whocameintothepalacewhileIwaswithher.Hisaurawasnotbright.Indeedittendedtobe

dark.Hewasdressedinafrockcoatwithstripedtrousers.Hedidnotseemtorealizefullythe conditionsunderwhichhelived.Hecarriedhimselfwithroyaldignityandseemedrather surprisedtoseemewithhisqueen.Theonethingthatheinstinctivelyrealizedwasevidentlythe benefitwhichhemightderivefromassociationwiththelovelyspiritthatwasoncehisqueen. Butinakindyetfirmmanner,sherefusedhimtheprivilegeofstayingnearher.Withseemingly woundeddignity,hewentfromuswithheavystepsandsoonIleftthepresenceoftheformer queen. Aterriblestateofmindwasevidencedbythespiritofayoungboywhoonpassing sneeredatme."Iwillsplityourheadopenandletoutyourbrains,"hesaidcastingafrightful, maliciouslookuponme.Thisboyhadjustpassedoverinthemidstofawfulcrimes.Hestill believedhimselfinthefleshandevidentlywishedtocontinuehisdevilishpleasures.Hiscolor wasverydark.Fortunatelythelawsgoverningspiritliferestrainonespiritfrompromiscuous interferencewithanotherspirit.Ifsuchwerenotthecasethisboywouldhavecarriedonhis fiendishcrimesintheSpiritWorldaswellasonearth. ThefollowingincidentwasextremelyinterestingtomebecauseIactuallywitnessedthe personalitypassinandoutofthephysicalbodyinquestionseveraltimesandfinallyleaveit.Mr. G.waswellknowntobothmyhusbandandmyself,althoughitcouldnotbesaidthatwewere onfriendlytermswithhim.Hewasamanwhoindulgedliberallyinliquor,afailingwhich masteredhimtimeandagain.Throughsomespecialtroublenotnecessarytostateherehelost hisheadcompletelyandstartedacareerofdrinkanddopetowhichhefinallysuccumbed.On thenighthedied,Ihappenedtobeoutinmyspiritbody.PassinghishomeIwentin.Inthebed layMr.G.interribleconvulsionscausedbyanoverdoseofdopeandliquor.Besidehisbedstood twomenwho,Iknew,werealsotryingtodosomethingforhim.(Thiswaslaterverifiedthrough theeffortofmyhusband.)SuddenlyIsawMr.G.riseupinhisastralbodyandstepoutentirely fromhisphysicalcounterpart.Atoncehestartedaneagerandthoroughsearchallaroundthebed forahalffilledbottleofwhiskeyandasmallbottleofnarcoticswhichhehadsecreted.He found themandendeavoredtoliftthemtohismouth.Failinginthis,anexpressionofchagrinspread overhisface.Thenhewentuptohisbodyandswiftlyheconnectedwithitoncemore.Inashort whileheagainsteppedoutofhismortalformonlytogo throughthesameperformance.Thishe didseveraltimesanditwasstrangetoobservethateverytimehelefthisbodyitbecamestillin deathandthatassoonasheconnectedwithit,itwrithedinfearfulconvulsions.Finallyhecame outforthelasttimeandjustashestartedtolookforthebottlesagainhesuddenlycaughtsightof me.Straighteninguphelookedmefullintheeyeswithanexpressionofstupefiedsurprise.Then turningaway,hestaggeredoutofthehousecompletelyconfusedinhismindandignorantofthe factthathehadleftbehindhisphysicalformwhichhewasnevertoinhabitagain.Itwas significantthateachtimethathesteppedoutofhisbodyhisaurainstantlycoveredhimwitha dresssimilartoasacksuithealwayswore.Butitwasofbrowncolor,denotingthelackofany spiritualdevelopment. Mr.R.,ayoungspiritwhoonearthhadbeenawellknownactor,seemedperfectlyhappy andblissfullyignorantofhavingpassedover.Hewasdressedinafashionablegreyishsacksuit withthesamefastidiouscarewhichcharacterizedhiscostumeinearthlife.Ashecametowards mehebegananelegantlyexuberanttango,wavingwhatappearedtobeabeautifulflowerinhis hand.Thishehadevidentlypickedashethoughtfromhisownestate.Ashedancedpastmehe

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lookedmefullinthefaceandlavisheduponmeamostdelightfulsmile.TurningIwatchedhim disappearinthedistanceingreathaste.Wonderingtowhatdestinationhewasheadingatthat speed,Idecidedoutofcuriositytofollowhim.PresentlywewereinNewYorkCityandstraight forwardhewenttoawellknownnightcafewhichhehadfrequentedwhenintheflesh.Entering, beplacedhimselfatatable,crossedhislegsandnonchalantlybeganasurveyoftheguests presentwhileatthesametimeheendeavoredtoattracttheattentionofoneofthewaiters.There werepresentagoodmanymortalguestsandquiteafewspirits,someofthemseatedattables.A coupleofthemwerestandingbehindthechairsofsomemortalsrestingtheirelbowsontheir shoulders.Andonewomanspirithadperchedherselfontopofthepiano.Ihadtakenaseatina cornerwhereIcouldbetterobserveMr.R.,whokeptturninghishead,eyeingeverybody,and stillwaitingtobeserved.HavingsatisfiedmycuriosityInowrosetodepartwhensuddenlyMr. R.caughtsightofme.Evidentlymylooksmusthavepleasedhim,forwithasmilingfacehe camerushingovertomeandinaboyishenthusiasmhequicklyenfoldedmeinhisarms.Justas indignantatsuchanimpertinenceasIwouldhavebeeninthefleshItoremyselffreeandhastily lefttheplace. Highlysignificantwasthefollowingencounterwithaspiritwhofoundlifeinthespirit worldentirelydifferentfromwhatshehadexpected.I hadbeenwellacquaintedwithMissW.I hadlikedherverymuchandfeltmuchgrievedathearingofherdeath.Ononeofmyastral journeyssometimeafterherdeceaseIwasdrawnbyastrangepowertowardsthehousewhere shehadlived.Ienteredit,passedupthestairwayandwentintotheroomthathadbeenher bedroom.ThererecliningonacouchIfoundmyformerfriend.Shegavemearecognizing glancebutotherwisesheevidencednosignofanimation.Itdidnottakemelongtodiscoverthat shewasin afearfullydepressedanddejectedmood.Filledwithmuchsympathyforher,I advancedtohersideandplacingmyarmaroundhershoulderIinquiredconcerningthecauseof hertroubles.Atthisshebrokedownentirely.Droppingherheadonmyshouldershegaveherself uptobittergrief.Afterawhilesheslowlygainedcontrolofherselfandinahaltingmannershe begantorelatetomethatshehadjustcometotherealizationthatshehadpassedoutofearth life.WiththiscametheshockingdiscoverythatlifeinSpiritWorldwasnotatallwhatshehad expectedorwhatshebelieveditwouldbe.Furthermorethroughknowledgealreadygainedby experienceandfrominformationvolunteeredbymoredevelopedspiritsfromwhomshehad inquiredshefoundherselfillpreparedtotackletheproblemofthatlife.Shediscoveredthatshe wasalmosttotallylackinginthedevelopmentofthoseveryqualitiesneededforadvancement. Shefoundherselfallalone,facingalifeofsternrealitieswhereeveryonecarriesoutsideoneself, infullview,theevidenceofhisorherspiritualqualitiesandexactstateofdevelopmentinthe coloremanated.Toaddtoherdistress,shenowcouldseethatallherfriendsofearthlifehad beenfalse.Notakindthoughtfromthemhadfollowedherandinherbitternesssheblamedthem toanextentforhersadpredicament."Ihatethemall!"sheexclaimed,forshehadagreatmany friendsandhadbeenverypopular."Withtheirfalseandlyingflatterytheyhelpedtomislead me."NotknowingjustwhattodotobeofhelptoherIexclaimedimpulsively,"Well!W.,don't youknowhowmuchyourmotherlovesyouandhowmuchshegrievesforyou?""Yes,"she repliedwearily,"sheisnottobeblamedforthis.Butwhatofalltheothers?"Andthenshe relapsedintoherformersilenceandgloom.WithnofurtherresponsefromherIkeptontalking, advisingherasbestIcould.Itoldherthatbysettingherselfrightandbystudyandbyhardwork shecoulddevelopherselfandthusshewouldeventuallysucceedandbehappy.However,my advicedidnotseemtobeofanyavail.ButmyfriendseemedtobebenefitedbythesympathyI

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hadshownasympathysheknewtobegenuine.Risingfromthecouchsheplacedherheadon myshoulderandIthrewmyarm aroundherwaistasiftosupporther.Inthismannerweslowly descendedthestairway,leftthehouseandsoonweparted,sheseeminglyasdespondentaswhen Ifirstfoundher. Thelengthoftimewhichsomespiritsspendonearthwaseffectivelydemonstratedtome bythefollowingratherhumorousepisode:IwasvisitinginNewYorkCity,andonenightjustas IwasonthepointofgoingtosleepIbecameconsciousofastrangesensation.Itseemedasif someonewasfingeringmyhairor,rather,asifan electricapparatusgivingoffaslightcurrent wasbeingmovedallovermyscalp.IquicklyfellintotheconditionusualtomewhenIwas abouttoleavemyphysicalbodyandimmediatelyIstoodonthefloorbesideit.Tomygreat surpriseIsawthewholeroomfilledwithIndianspirits,alldressedintheircustomarygarbof twoorthreehundredyearsago.Theyhadbeenattemptingtoscalpme,accordingtotheirusual custom.Nowintheastral,onthesamefootingwiththem,Itookadvantageofmysuperiority overthemspirituallytoorderthemtoleavetheroomasquicklyaspossible.Theyobeyed instantly.Inahelterskelterfashiontheytumbledoutoftheroomandbuildinggesticulating vigorouslywhiletheyangrilysworeandcursedattheWhiteMan.Theytalkedsorapidlyintheir owndialectsthattheysoundedlikeawholearmyofgeesefrightenedbysomestrange occurrence.AlthoughtheyspokeintheirownlanguageIunderstoodperfectlywhattheysaid becauseassoonasoneisintheastralonebecomesalinguist.Oneunderstandsperfectlyany languagespokenonearth.CurioustoknowwhereallthoseIndianswouldgoIfollowedthem. Thewayleddowntownandintothecentreofwhatisnowcalled"theroaringforties."There, intothebasementofoneofthetheatres,theyallwent.Isteppedintotheplace.Itwaspacked withthesespiritssquattingorlyingonthefloororstandingup,allexcitedlytakingpartinwhatI assumedtobeawarcouncil.Onthewallsofthebasementofthistheatre,inthemen'ssmoking room,aredepictedscenesofIndiansandearlysettlersofManhattan,conferringanddealingwith eachother.IlearnedlaterthatthesiteofthetheatreIhavementionedmarkedthespotwherean earlyIndiantribehadpitchedtheircamp.TheseIndianspiritshadhauntedtheearthnowfor almostthreehundredyearsandtheybelievedevenyetthattheywerestillinearthlifeandthat theywereillusedbytheWhiteMan.ThatiswhatIunderstoodfromtheirconversation.They wereangrybecausethepalefacehadtakeneverybitofManhattanawayfrom them.Franticin theirwrath,theystartedoutregularlytoscalpsomebody.Soifthepatronsofthistheatreshould atanytime,providingtheyare"touchy,"feelaqueersensationintheirhair,theywillknowthe reason. Nowletmetellyouofoneofthestrangestincidentsinallmyastralwanderingsonearth. OneoftherecentPresidentshaddied.Thewholecountryhadtakenaspecialinterestinallthe newspertainingtohisdeathandfuneral.Thisarousedinmeastrongdesiretoknowhowhe mightfeelinthespiritbody.SouponthefirstoccasionwhenIleftmyphysicalbody,Iheaded straightfortheWhiteHouse.Insteadofimmediatelyfindingthespiritoftherecentlydeceased President,asIhadexpected,tomysurpriseIcameacrossthespiritofaPresidentwhohad departedthislifemorethanahundredyearsago.HehadbeenoneofthefirstExecutivesofthis country.Heappearedtobeastately,aristocraticlookingpersonage,fastidiouslydressedinthe heightofthefashionofhistimewithkneebreeches,silkstockingsandbuckledshoes.His elaboratelyembroideredwaistcoatwashalfconcealedbyadelicatelaceruchewhichfellfrom thecollarofhiscoat.Hewasseatedin ahugechair,crosslegged,conversingwithhiswifewho

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satinfrontofhim.Shewasalsogarbedinahighlyfashionableattire.Alongwideskirtfellfrom awasplikewaistandtightfittingbodice.Herhairwasdonehighonherhead.Herevery movementwasmarkedwiththeexquisitegraceandrefinementofthearistocrat.AsIpassed throughtheroomtheoldPresidentlookedatmewithcoldhauteur,aglanceofmingled annoyanceandofcuriosity,asifheresentedmyintrusionandquestionedmypurpose.Butmy presencewasspeedilyignoredbytheoldPresidentandhiswife,asstillanotherspiritenteredthe roomthatoftherecentlydeceasedPresident.Heseemedinaperfectdaze.Icouldjudgefrom hisstuporthathewasabsolutelyunawareofwhathadactuallyhappenedtohim.Heseemed unabletoreasonortothinkclearly.Heevidentlytried,withgreateffort,tocollecthisthoughts thathemightcomprehendhispredicament.Hecouldnotunderstandwhystrangevisitorswere presentwithouthisinvitation.Butthetensesituationdidnotlastlong,fortheoldPresidentnow roseslowlytohisfeet.Advancingafewsteps,andassuminganauthoritativeairheplaced himselfdirectlyinfrontofthenewlyarrivedPresident.Withoutanydisplayofceremonyhe addressedhim:"Well,Iamnotgoingsofarastoorderyououtofhereyoumaystayuntilyou findyourself,butafterthatyoumustdepart."However,thisabruptgreetingoftheoldPresident didnotseemtorufflethenewlyarrivedspirit,probablybecauseheseemedunabletounderstand clearlywhatwasgoingonabouthim.Afterthisspirithadlefttheapartment,theoldPresident condescendinglyconfided:"IdonotlikethisspiritandIhaveneverlikedthewayinwhichhe rantheCountry."Thenheturnedandlefttheroom.Sizingupthesituationquickly,Irealized thatthisspiritcouplehadbeenboundtotheWhiteHousealltheseyearsandhadprevented themselvesfromadvancingsimplybecausetheirmindshadbeenandwerestillsecurelylinkedto thatenvironmentwheretheyinthefleshhadenjoyedsomuchpowerandglory.Theywere jealouslyregardingeverythingwhichhadbeenandwasevenyethappeninginthatfamousplace. Untiltheydevelopamoreidealisticconceptionofexistence,theywillremainintheiroldlimited environment.Yettheywereguiltyofnogreatormaliciouswrongtheywereearthboundsimply becauseoftheirlowideals. ImightrecountmanymoresuchconversationswhichIhadwithnewlyarrivedspirits. ButIthinkthatIhavepresentedsufficientmaterialtogivethereaderaclearideaofthestateof mind,oftheideals,andoftheconductofthosespiritswhoareinthefirststageoftheirnewlife. Asthereaderhasalreadyseen,thetimespentbythespiritson earthbeforetheygravitatetothe sphereofspiritlifevariesgreatly. Beforetakingfinalleaveoftheearththeyallhoverabouttheiroldenvironment.For thosegenerouslyendowedwithhighlydevelopedspiritualqualities,theperiodoftransitionto largeattainmentsisshort.Otherslessdevelopedarechainedmorefirmlytotheinterestsoftheir oldlife.Butthemajorityofspiritsremainearthboundforprotractedperiodsbecausetheyare unawarethatanychangehastakenplace.Somefaintlysuspectanalterationbuttheyrefuseto acknowledgeitbecauseoftheirloveforallthatwhichsavorsofthepast.Therearemany,also, whoreturnfromthespiritabodestospendmoretimeontheearthbecausetheyhavemadeno progressthere.Totheearth returnalsonumerousevilspiritswhofindtherelargerfieldsfortheir insidiouspractices.Thesespiritsofevilbecomemoreorlesspermanentresidents.Counteracting themalefactionsofthesezealousevilspiritsthereisagreatarmyofhighlydevelopedspiritswho constantlypassandrepassbetweenthespiritrealmandtheearthonerrandsofmercy.These spiritsconstitutethearmyofthegood.Thegoodandtheevilspiritsarecontinuallyatwar,and

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eachstrugglesfordominationoverthehumanrace.Thusthespiritpopulationoftheearthis greaterthanthemortalpopulation,anditslifeisascosmopolitanandmultifarious. Theplaceswherethespiritsjourneyafterleavingtheeartharegreatspheresorplanes arrangedinadescendingorderof development.Eachoftheseplanesisanindependentworldof enormousdimensions.IdonotknowhowmanysuchworldsactuallyexistforIhavenever penetratedfartherthanthefourth.Tothefirstoftheseplanesallspiritseventuallygravitate.As farasIcanperceive,thisplaneissituatedincloseproximitytooursolarsystem.Inmytravelsto thesespheresandinspaceitwasnecessaryformetobeaccompaniedbyaguide.AssoonasI passedfrommyphysicalbodyreadytogoonthesejourneysaguide,alwaysthesameindividual wasbymyside. Whatinterestthisspiritguidemaytakeinmeorwhatlawsgovernhisguidance,Idonot know.Butheisalwaysatmyrighthandhedirectsmywayandfromhimcomesmyknowledge oftherealmswevisit.Hecarefullyfixesthetimeformyreturntomybody,lestanabsencetoo prolongedshouldmakereturnimpossible,andlestdeathofthebodyshouldensue.Itisasifa currentofmysteriousinfluenceunitedastralandphysicalbody,acurrentwhichgradually weakensastheperiodofabsencefromthephysicalbodyisprolonged.Myguideisafigureof muchstateliness,tallandwellproportioned.Heisdressedsomewhatinthefashionoftheold Romannobles,inatunicreachingtothefeet.Heisdistinguishedbyanairofgreatauthority, recognizedwhereverhegoes.HecallsmeCarolloforCaroline. THEFIRSTSPIRITPLANE MyFirstvisitwasnottotheplanewherespiritsarriveimmediatelyonleavingearth,but tolevelsofhigherlifeanddevelopment.WhatIsawthereledmetoasktoseethefirstplane, anditseemsbesttodescribethatfirstplanebeforeIpicturethegloriesofthethirdandfourth plane,whichasIhavetoldyou,Iactuallysawfirst.Thefirstplaneistheplaceofthosejust releasedfromourlife,wheretheymaylearnthewaytohigherlevels,anditisalsotheplaceof earthboundsouls,someofwhomseemedneverdestinedtogofarther.ItwaswhenIwasaboutto leavethefourthplane,thatIaskedtobetakentothefirstplane.AllthatIhadseenoverwhelmed methelifeofthespirits,thewonderfulbeautyoftheirsurroundings,thelovethatgovernstheir relations,theirdignity,graceandserenity.Thecryofdelightthatrosetomylipswasstifledbya suddenthoughtofpityforthosewhoknewnottheseglories."Where,"Iasked,"arethosespirits whomaynotenterhere?Wheredwelltheevilspirits?Andwheredospiritsfirstarrive?" Myguideanswered,"Youshallsee."Inamomentwewerespeedingthroughspace,through endlessvoidsofdarkness.Thephrase"Agreatgulfisfixed"passedthroughmymind.Butno wordwasspoken.Atlastlightappearedinthedistance,andsoonwesetfootinaworld,dark anddullcomparedwiththesphereIhadjustleft,butnotunlikethisworldinwhichwelive,with itsopencountry,itscitieswithstreetsandbuildings,anditslifemovinginfamiliarpaths.This similarity,Ilearned,wasduetothefactthatmanyofthenewlyarrivedspiritsarestillignorantof theirmortalchange,andstrivetocontinuetheirwonted(habitual)activities,untiltheyare disillusionedbythefailureoftheirhollowpursuits.Everythingatfirstconspirestheretoconfirm thismistake.Eventhelight,thoughbrighterthanonearth,isnotsobrightastodispelthe illusion.

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Ifoundmyselfinacityofgiganticsize,itsstreetsrunningbetweencontinuousbuildings inseeminglyendlesslines,savewheretheyledontogreatopensquares.Thetrafficwasdenser thaninanyearthlycity.Throngsofspiritshurriedpastineverydirection.Multitudesandmore multitudesofthempushedbythespotwhereIhadstationedmyself.Theywere,Ilearned, newcomers.Theyseemedtomeconfused,disturbed,endlesslyseeking.OntheirfacesIread bewilderment,agitation,andvaguedesireasiftheyweresetuponreachinganuncertaingoal. Mostofthem,stillunawaretheyhadleftthisearth,wereseekingtodiscoverwhytheywere suddenlysurroundedwithstrangersinacitylikeanyearthlycity,yetsomewhatmorethan strange.Puzzledsurprise,wonder,distress,incredulity,andadawningapprehension,peered fromthesepassingfaces.Afewwhounderstoodorsuspectedtheirstatesoughtonly confirmationandtoreachtheirdestination,asyetunknown.Allweredressedasonearth,forthe aurafromtheastralbody,shapedbythespiritmind,clothesthespiritswiththefamiliarvesture ofearth,andthesenewcomerswerestillcompletelygovernedbytheidealsoftheirformerlife. Sothemultitudesofbeings,dressedasonearth,movedby thepurposeofearth,pressedthrough thestreetslinedwithhousesofallkindsandforallpurposesasinanearthlycity.Theactionof thesurgingthrongseemedearthlytoo.Themanynewlyarrivedspiritsevidencetheirdesireto pursuetheirlifeastheyhadpursueditinthepast.Mostofthespiritscometotherealizationthat theyarenolongerontheearthonlybycontinueddisappointments,whichgraduallydestroythe valuestheyhavebeenaccustomedtoplaceonearthlythings.Thusthisplaneseemsasakindof clearinghouseforthenewlyarrived.Thosemosthighlydevelopedspirituallyonearthpass almostdirectlytohigherspheresotherslessdevelopedbutanxioustoadvancepreparefor advancementbyintensetrainingundertheguidanceofspiritsfromhigherlevelswhohave voluntarilychosenthetaskofhelpers.Finallytherelingerhere,perhapspermanently,the earthboundsoulsthosewhosemindsareopenonlytodesiresandinfluencesofearth,having nowishforspiritualdevelopmentthosealsowhodeservethecharacterizationoftheLadyin Comus:"Thouartnotfittohearthyselfconvinced!"Thedifferentclassesofspiritsonthisplane liveinseparateplaces,andthespirithelpersseethatnoclassmingleswithandhampersany otherclass. Thesehelpingspiritsaretobeseeneverywhereandareeasilyrecognized,fortheiraura envelopstheminaballofwhitelightwhichindicatestheirhighspiritualstate.Theyare commanding,yetsympatheticfigures,whosefacesrevealtheirspiritualqualities.Allarecladin longwhiterobesreachingtothefeet.Themenusuallywearaformoftunic,andthewomena simplebutveryfemininedresswithaheadcoveringwhichflowsdownthebacktothebottom. Thedutiesofthesehelpersaremanifold.Theyarealwaysreadytohelp,whetheritbeintheway ofinstruction,orofgivingstrength,encouragementorsympathy,orbyperforminganyofthe deedsthatspringfromthepurespirituallovewhichfillstheirminds.Nocryforhelpor assistancegoesunheededbythem,butneitheristheirhelporworkforceduponanyone. Inthatworldashereeveryoneisleftfreetocarveouthisowndestiny.Beforeassistance canbegiven,theseekermustpossessasinceredesireforimprovementintermsfamiliartouson earth.Selfmastery,truth,justiceandprincipallypurespirituallovethosearethequalitiesof characteronwhichreststhelifeofthehigherspheres.Gaininthesequalitieshereisgainthere. Mereintellect,culture,andknowledgearethereofnovalueexcepttogivethosehighervirtues force,andtoadvancethemtoagreatereffectivenesswhichripensintothefruitofhigh responsibility,service,andauthority.Tothisendnewspiritsmustdirecttheireffortsandprepare

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themselvesfortheprogresstheydesireintothesublimelifeofhigherspiritworlds,eretheyare directedandassistedontheirway. Alargeproportionofthespiritsdwellingonthefirstplanearethosewhoarestruggling byhardandsincereefforttoraisethemselvestoahigherlevel,tomastertheideasthatprevailin moreadvancedspiritualstates,andtoconformtonewlyformedideals.Buttherearealsomany whohavenodesiresotoimproveandindeednocomprehension ofwhatimprovementmeans. Onearththesespiritshadnovisionofspiritualthingsandtheywerewhollyabsorbedinmaterial pleasures,worldlysuccessorbasedesires.Thoseaspectsoflifewhichwereatbestofonly passingvaluehadabsorbedtheirefforts.Withtheeyesofthesoulstillblind,theynowtryonly toliveagaintheirearthlyinterestsandjoys.Andthosewhosedesireswereevilstrivetoattract others,bothspiritsandthosestillinourworld,totheirownfalsestandards.Withthemlifedoes notadvance,butonlyfutilelyrepeatsitself.Amongtheseearthboundsoulsarethesuicides. These,bynatureoftheircrime,musthavebeenthoseforwhomhardconditionsofexistenceon earthswallowedupallelsetillblackdespaircutoffeveryrayofspirituallight.Theybringhither thesamestateofmind,and,deafandblindtohigherconsolation,theystrugglebacktoearthto undergoagainthehorrorofselfmurderattheveryspotwheretheextremityofdespairformerly overtookthem.Thesameretributionovertakesthosewhohavecommittedmurderorother crimesofatrociousviolence.Fortheearthboundsoulsbringwiththemtheirworldastheyhave madeit. Suchisthepermanentpopulationofthisrealm.Anxioustoseeformyselfthedetailsof lifeinthissphere,Isoughtthedwellingplacesoftheearthboundsouls.Thecontrastbetween theirexistenceandthatoftheprogressivespiritswasstartling.Inthefacesoftheearthbound spiritsisexpressedalltheirevilpassionsanddesires,alltheirloworearthlyaims.Theiraurais verydarkincolor,contrastingstronglywiththatofprogressingspirits,amongstwhomlight colorsprevailwhite,cream,pink,paleblueandmanyothers.Forasthespiritbecomes brighter,theauraexpressesthechangebyitsincreasingbrightness.Butamongtheearthbound spiritsoneseesonlydarkaurasanddarkclothing,andalwaysofthefashionwornonearth,just astheirfacescarrystilltheplainstampofearthlylustsandweaknesses.Thedarkcloudthatrests ontheirfacesseemsheavilychargedwiththedespairandmaliceoftheirevildeeds.Ientereda houseandfoundthatroomledontoroominastraightandseeminglyendlessline.Everyroom wasthehomeofaspiritwhennotseekingtheoldhauntsonearth.Manyofthedwellerswere strangeandterrible.Inoneroomsatthesquatanduglyformofawomanwhoonearthhadkept ahouseofillfame.Shehadbeentheruinofthebodyandsoulofmanyanunfortunategirl.Now, thoughintheSpiritWorld,heronehorribledesirewastocontinueherformerinfamouscareer. Shecouldstillinfluenceyounggirlstogoastrayandleadthemtoagutterlife,orshecouldtake possessionofthemandcompelthemtoruin.AsIpassedsheappearedtobesittingbeforea mirrorpaintingherface.Shewaswearingthestyleandformofdressandfineryofher professiononearth,andherfacewasdarkwithvulgarmalice.Shegavemeaviciouslook,asif tosay,"Whoareyouandwhatdoyouwanthere?"Then sheturnedinsolentlyawaytocontinue paintingherface.IshudderedasIhurriedfromherpresencetoanotherroom,whereIfound tenantsofmanytypes,pathetic,orrepulsive,orhorrible. Inoneroomaladywaspacingthefloorwithslowdeliberation.Herstatelyfigure,her aristocraticandrefinedmannercaughtandheldmyattention.Shewasdressedasafashionable

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ladyofthemiddleoflastcentury,andwastall.Herfaceboreevidenceofhavingbeenvery beautifulonearth.HerpersonalityarousedinmeasympathysostrongandimmediatethatI exclaimed,"Whyisshehere?""Youmayaskher,"saidmyguide.Approachingher,Iasked, "Whyareyouhere?"Withagracefulgesturesherepliedwithregret,yetwithapparent resignation,"HowcouldIleavethese?"Ilookeddownatthepointshedesignatedandsawwith surpriseawonderfulcollectionofsparklingjewelsonwhichshefixedhereyes.Iunderstood:the jewelswhichshehadownedonearthstillpossessedhersoul.Theyheldhernowasthen,and linkedhertoearthwithachainthatonlyshecouldbreak.Henceherresidenceamongtheearth boundsouls.Ilookedathersympatheticallyandwentonmyway.Suchspiritscanlookforward onlytoanexistenceofdespondencyormisery.Theyhavemadetheirownconditions,andonlya realizationoftheworthlessnessoftheirideals,andasinceredesiretofreethemselvesfromthem canreleasethemtoabrighterexistence.Toooftenamongtheearthboundsoulsnosuchdesire exists,formanyarewhollydominatedbythedesireofevil. Icameacrossmanysuch.Oneofthemparticularlyattractedmyattentionbecausehewas suchanunusuallyhorriblespecimenofthistypeofspirits.Evilseemedtohaveactually deformedhim.Hisfacewasillproportionedfartoowideforitsheight.Therewashardly anythingonecouldcallanose,andthemouthstretchedfromeartoear.Theears,abnormally large,hungbelowthechin.Beneathanextremelyflatforeheadnearerthetemplesthanthenose, wassetalargepairofeyesthatshonewithadiabolicalmalicewhichfrozetheveryspiritwithin me.Hisfaceexpressedonlyevil,lowlustandruthlesshatred.Iclungtomyguideforprotection. Thearmsofthismisshapenspiritdangledlooselyfromthegrotesqueframe.Hisfingers,gnarled andrough,resembledtheclawsofaneagle.Thecolorofthisspiritwasdarkbrown,themost undesirablecolorintheSpiritWorld,foritindicatestheloweststateofexistence.Hisrobeofthe samecolorwascaughtatthewristin suchamannerthat,whenheliftedhisarms,heresembleda hugeflyingbat.Myguideexplainedtomethatsuchaspiritspentmostofhistimeontheearth, endeavoringtowinovermortalstoalifeofsinandevilsuchashehadhimselfindulgedin. Sucharethearmyofevilspiritswhoseonlyworkistoswaymortalstolowdesiresortopossess theirmindsforpurposesofmalefactions.Theyarethearmyofwrong,inwhomloveofgoodhas atrophieduntiltheyrecoilfromthehighthingsofthespiritasfromanelementdeadlytotheir nature.Changefromthisstateishardindeed,butnotimpossible,forthere,ashere,everyoneis lefttocarveouthisowndestiny.Inhimselfreposetheseedsofchange.Healonecanmakethem grow.Butthefarthersuch asoulhasdepartedfromgood,theharderitistoreturn.Everyevil deeddemandsitscompensation,andthebalancemustbestruckinthesoul.Inthissenseonlyis thereHeavenandHell."Whatweareiswhatbecomesofus!"Yettheslightestsighforchangeis heardandguidancegiven. WhilepassingthroughtherealmoftheearthboundIcameuponscenesyetmorepathetic andtragic,whichIwouldgladlyerasefrommymemory,werethatpossible.Awomanspirit helperapproachedandsilentlymotionedmetofollow.Ifeltherauthority,andfollowedher throughdenselypopulatedpartsalternatingwithemptyspaces.AswepassedalongIstudiedher silently,fornowordwasspokenbetweenus,sheseemingengrossedinherownreflections.Her flowingdresswasshiningwhite,herheadcoveringfellgracefullydownherbackandherhands restedonherbreast.Informandfaceshewasverybeautiful,andabrightwhiteauraenveloped herwithradiance.ButitwasofherspiritualqualitiesthatIwaschieflyconscious.Purity,love andsympathyseemedtoemanatefromherastheperfumefromaflower.Strengthofintellect

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andhighauthorityclothedherindignity.Mymindwasdividedbetweenadmirationformyguide andspeculationastowhereshewastakingme.Presentlyourjourneyendedbeforethehuge gatesofanenclosureofprodigioussize.Beforethegatesstoodatall,silent,andmotionless figure,evidentlyaguard.Hisexpressionwasaustereandpassionlessandaddedtothe impressionofdesolationthatpervadedthewholescene.Onlythepresenceofmyguidegaveme couragetoremain.Onanorderfromhimthetwoponderousgatesslowlyswungbackandas slowlyclosedbehindus.WhatIbeheldwasstrange,andnolessdepressingandhorrible.The vastenclosurewasaplaceofdetention,ahospital,ahouseofcorrectionforthosespiritswho arrivedwithmindscloudedorshatteredbytheuseofdrugsorliquor,orbyindulgenceintheir evilpassionsonearth.Heretheirminds,andoftentheirastralbodies,remainedcrippledason earth.Oncouches,onthefloor,orhuddledincornerslayorcrouchedthesewrecksofhumanity, blindofspiritandshrivelledoflimb,oftenentirelyunclothed,withstuporordullhopelessness writtenintheireyes.Theatmosphereofdeath,desolation,anddespairfilledmysoulwith anguish.Mywomanguidesuddenlystopped.Herebeforeusonabenchlayashapetwistedand deformed.Itsmotionlesssilenceseemedhorriblethefacewasterriblydistortedandthelimbsa random heap.YetIrecognizedwithhorrorthefaceofonewhoselifeoncecloselytouchedmine. Ilookedatthehelper.Whyhadsheshownmethisman,thethoughtofwhombroughtupsuch painfulmemories?Thehelper'sgraveeyesmetmine."Canyounothelphim?"shesaid."You oncestoodclosetohimonearth."Forsympathyandlovearenecessaryforevenaspiritof highlydevelopednaturetoassistanearthboundsoul."Yes,"Isaid,"Iwasonceclosetothis spirit,butIamsonolonger."Yet,nottoneglectapossiblechancetobeofaid,Iconqueredmy antipathysufficientlytotouchhimthreetimesuponthehead,callinghimbytheoldfamiliar name.Itwasofnoavail.Heremainedsunkinhisstupor,andthehelpersaidsadly,"Ifearyou candonothing,"knowingwellthereasonformyfailure.ForonearthIhadcontractedintense dislikeforthisperson,norcouldIyetshakeoffthisrepugnance.Hencetherewasbetweenusno pointofcontact,forsympathyandloveisthefirststeptospiritualhelp. Thehelpermotionedmetofollowandagainweslowlypassedontowardsthegates.Here myeyescaughtsightofthefigureofayoungman,apparentlyofLatinrace,recliningagainstthe wallinahalfsittingposture.Hisfeaturesbetrayedtheterriblesufferingshehadundergoneand whichhewasstillexperiencing.Hiseyesrovedfromsidetosidewithanexpressionofsneering, maliciousresentmentwhichdidnotveilthehopelessdespairintheirdepths.Hehadundoubtedly beenscrutinizingthosewhoenteredforalongtimeinthehopeofsomeassistance.Nowhis supplicatinggazewasturnedonme.ButmyrecentexperiencetoldmethatIcouldofferhimno aid.AsIwaspassingout,Iturnedandagainreviewedtheharrowingscene,andexclaimed,sadly andperhapswithanoteofprotestinmytone,"Butwhyareallthesehere?Whohasbrought themintothisterribleplace?""Noonebutthemselves,"saidthehelpergravely."Theirdeeds haveplacedthemthere."Iaskednomorequestionsbutfollowedthehelperinsilence. Ihadnowleftbehindnotonlytheabodeofhighlydevelopedspiritswhowaitonlytobe guidedtohigherplanesthethrongingdwellingplacesofthoseearnestlystrivingforfurther spiritualgrowthbutalsothedepressingrealmsofearthboundsouls.AndnowIcametothe dwellingsofamultitudeofquitedifferenttype.Heredweltthosewhoarenotboundbymaterial thingsofearth,butwhoareyetofbutrudimentaryspiritualdevelopment.Onearththesepeople wererespectable,trustworthy,andevenkind.Evildidnottemptthem.Theylivedthepleasant lifeofthepleasantportionoftheworld.Iftheythoughtoftheirspirituallifeatall,itwaswith

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approval,forweretheynotgoodcitizens,goodneighbors?Butonthewholetheygavelittle considerationtothethingsofthespirit.Mostcertainlytheydidnotprefertheunseenthingsto theseenandknown.Theirsoulswerefallow(uncultivated)fieldsseasonafterseason.Theydid notgrownoxiousweeds,butneitherdidtheyripenthegoldenwheatofthesoul.Hence,though nowinarealmwhereinfinitepossibilitiesopenahead,theirprogressisslow.Theyliveason earthinpleasanthouseswithdelightfulgardens,surprisinglyliketheirsurroundingshere,in touchwithfriendstowhomtheyarecourteousandneighborly,dressingastheydidonearth,and distinguishedbythebrightandcheerfulcolorsoftheiraura,instrongcontrasttotheearthbound souls.Buttheyarecontentwiththeirearthmadeambitions,andwiththeeasy virtueofpleasant, unheroiclife,unmindfulofthespiritualstrugglethatmarkseverywheretheupwardroad. Sometimesbecauseofmutualsympathytheylivetogetheringroupsofthreeorfourormore,but moreoftenmanisattractedtowomansomewhatasonthisearth,thoughtherethebondispurely spiritual.HereIfoundlivinganauntandacousinofmyown.Onearththisladyhadlong presidedoverthehouseofmycousin,awealthybanker,who,likeher,nevermarried.Theirlong andharmoniouslifetogetherhadproducedaneaseofintercoursethatmadeitscontinuance natural.SointheSpiritWorldIfoundthemagainlivingcontentedly,andreproducingasfaras mightbethedetailsoftheirearthlylife.Eventhegoodnaturedsuperiorityofthearistocratic classthattheyrepresentedwasreproducedintheirnewlife,itsnarrowhumansympathies,its entirerespectability,anditsrectitude.Noatmospherecouldwellbemorehostiletochange,and theirdevelopmenthadbeenslowthoughmyaunt'swasclearlysomewhatmorerapidthanmy cousin's.Heknewme,andevidentlyknewtheconditionsofmyvisittotheSpiritWorld,for drawingmeclosetohimhesaid,"Caroline,youhavedonewell.""WhereisAuntHerlig?"I asked."Sheisoutdoingsomeworkof mercy.Sheoftengoesforthatpurpose,"hereplied. Evidentlyshehadprogressedfarenoughtosetherfeetontherightpath. HereIalsocameacrossagirlrecentlyarrivedintheSpiritWorld,whoonearthhadbeen oneofmyfriends.Sherecognizedmeandseemedinterestedtoseeme.IntalkingwithherIfelt thathermindwasinapeculiarstateofhazinessconcerningherownposition.Shehadjoineda numberoffriendsandacquaintancesfromearthwhohadalllivedinthesamecityandhadall attendedthesamechurch.Allofthemwereinthesameconfusedanduncertainconditionof mind.Theyhadevidentlybandedtogetheraswouldanumberofpeoplefromthesameplace whenstrandedinastrangecountrysurroundedbystrangepeopleandconditions.Theykept togetherformutualencouragement,advice,andtohelpeachothersolvetheirnewproblems. Theygatheredatregularintervalsinthesamemeetingplace,carryingonendlessdiscussionsin anattempttoarriveatsomeconclusionconcerningthemeaningofthewholeaffair,whatthey oughttodo,andhowitshouldbedone.Attheirgatheringstheyobservedsomeofthe ceremoniesandformalitieswhichtheyusedintheirchurchservicesonearth.Butthesemeetings alwaysendedinafreeforalldiscussion.Iwaspresentatoneofthesediscussionsanditwas interestingtoseehoweagerallweretopropoundtheirowntheories.Onetallmanwouldgetup and,beginningwith"Wellnow,letmeexplain.ThisisthewayIthinkitis,"wouldgoonfora while,whenanotherwouldinterrupthimwitha"No,Idon'tbelieveitisso.NowIamcertain thisisthesolution."Andhewouldforatimepropoundhisideasemphasizinghiswordswiththe poundingofhisrightfistagainstthepalmofhislefthand.Hewouldhavegonesomewayinhis discoursewhenawomanwouldinterruptandexpressherdoubtastotheprecedingspeaker's views.Andsoitwentonuntileachhadhadhissay.Whentheyallhadsaidsomethingtheywere

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nofurtherthanwhentheyhadbegun.Thentheywoulddisperseinalldirectionsonlytodrift backagaintofindoutifanyonehadreceivedanynewinformation. OnethingInotedwithparticularinterest:Manypreferencesandprejudicesofearthstill prevailthere,thoughnotintenselyenoughtohamperdevelopment.Thusthelivesofraceand nationalitycommonlyprevailbutinaspiritoffriendlymutualagreement.Theseseemthemore closelytoreproducethewaysoftheirformerlives.IlearnedthiswhenIaskedwhyIsawno Orientals.Findingthattheynaturallypreferredtolivetogether,thoughtheyareunderno compulsiontodoso,Iwasimpelledtovisittheirquarters.Ifoundthemlivingheremuchasthey livedintheirownlands,withhousesandgardensinOrientalstyle,exercisingthecharacteristic courtesy,graceandhospitalitywhichappearedintheirdelightfulattentionstome.Theygaveme deliciousfruitandadelectabledrink.Itwasexceedinglydelightfultowalkintheirlovely Orientalgardens,filledwithspecimensofexoticflowers,andIwasdelightedbeyondmeasure withtheirentiretreatmentofme.Ithoughttoshowmyappreciationbyleavingwiththemsome slightgift.ThisIquietlydid,andbelievedIhadsucceededinmyplan,butonreachingthe confinesofthisquarter,IwasembarrassedtofindoneofmyJapanesefriendsstandingbefore mewithmylittlegift.Thishehandedmewithasmileandalowbow,anddisappearedbeforeI couldprotest. Ididnot,ofcourse,seeallofthisfirstplane,butIsawenough toknowthatthereevery spiritisfreetofollowhisownidealsandinclinations.Hisdestinyisinhisownhands,limited onlybyhispastlife.Butsincespiritualbarriersarethestrongestofall,classcannotminglewith class.Shouldanearthboundspiritstrayintotheregionofhighersoulshisdarkeraurawould betrayhimandacurrent,asofelectricenergy,proceedingfromthefirstspirithewouldmeet, wouldsweephimbacktohisownplace.Thereisbutonepathupwardthatofpersonaleffortto becomefitforahighertypeofexistence.Tothistheactivitiesoftheplacearedirectedandfor thisendorderanddisciplineprevail.Fornooneispermittedtointerferewiththeeffortsof others.Onthewhole,lifeisgoodandpleasantamongthoseontheupwardpath,butwords cannotexpressthedarkhopelessnessofthecompletelyearthboundsouls.Ifoundno"Heaven" nor"Hell"exceptasitexistsinthespirit.

THESECONDSPIRITPLANE WithmyguideInowpassedontothesecondspiritplane.ThisgreatrealmIfoundtobe merelyacontinuationofthefirstplane,exceptforthefactthatthereweretherenoearthbound souls.Itsinhabitantswereworkingforhigherattainmentsandthereweremanyspirithelpersto teachandassist,andguidethesteadyflowofnewcomersthroughtheirvariedperiodsof residence,untiltheselearnerswerereadyforhigherplanes.Thustheinhabitantswereconstantly changing,asthosewhomoveupwardwerereplacedbyothers.Lifetherewaspleasant,and variedtosuitdifferenttastes,somechoosingtodwellincitiesothersintheopencountryamong thefields,delightfullyestablishedintheirbeautifulwhitehousesofhighlyartisticarchitecture andornamentationsituatedinthemidstofcharminggardensfilledwithmassesoftheloveliest flowers. Thehigherspiritualattainmentsofthisplanedemonstrateditselfbythebrightandlighter huesoftheauraaswellasbytheelevationoftheidealsofthenewinhabitants.Thedressofthe

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women,Inoted,resembledcloselythatofthespirithelperofthehospital,whilethegarbofthe menwassimilartothatofmyguide,aflowinggarmentlikeatoga.Forthereis,inthesecond plane,nodesiretogarboneselfinclothesofthegeneralearthlyappearanceanevidenceofthe weakeningofearthlyideals.Wespentlittletimethere.AsIhaveexplained,Ivisitedthethird andfourthplanesbeforeIwent,atmyownrequest,tothelowerspheres.Hencethesetworealms werethelastIsawintheSpiritWorld. THETHIRDPLANE Thethirdplanewasafairandgloriousworld,impossibleofadequatedescriptioninthe termsofourworldlyspeech.Thosewhothereresidedwerehighlyperfectedspiritsfortobe admittedtheymusthavereachedanadvancedstageofdevelopment.Norwasitpossiblethat othersshouldenter,fortheirmentalstateswouldhavebetrayedtheirpresence. Thelightofthisplanewasofsurpassing,allpervadingbrightness,and,unitedwiththat givenbyeachspirit,wasdazzlinginitsbrilliancy.Wonderfulbeautyeverywhereenthralledthe eye.Theplacewaslikeagreatgarden,withbushesandshrubberyofgorgeoushues,andstately trees,somelikemagnificentpalms,othersofformsunknownonearth,asifNatureandArthad beenperfectly blendedtocharmtheeye.Aboutthehousesofthehappyonesbloomedawealth offlowerswhoserareanddelicatecolorsvied(competed)withodor (scent)surpassingthoseof "Arabytheblest."Therewerenolargecitiesthere:thehomeswereplacedinlittlegroupsoftwo orthreelikepearlsinarichsettingoflawnandgardentoofairforhumanwords.Hereandthere rosestatelyedificeswherelargegatheringscongregatedtofeeltheinfluenceofguidesand teachersfromhigherplanes,aninfluenceexertedbyspeechorbysubtlermeans. Thedressworntherewasverysimple:onlyaflowingrobesufficientlyvariedto emphasizethedistinctionbetweenthemenandthewomen.Itwascolored,asusual,bytheaura ofthewearer,thelighterandpalershadesaloneappearing,suchaspink,paleorange,creamy, paleblue,white,andothersdifficulttodescribe.Thedelicatehuesoftheserobes,andthe multitudeofcolorsintheblanketsofflowersmassedagainsttheolivegreenofthelandscape chargedthedazzlingairwithbeautytilltheeyeofthebeholderwasraptbytheharmonyofsight, asingreatmusictheearisraptbytheharmonyofsound.Inthishappyplanetheinhabitantshad solvedthepuzzleofuniversalbrotherhood,hereonearththesubjectofcenturiesofdebate,and stillimpossibleoffullrealization.Notonlyweretheydwellingincompleteharmonythedream ofthealtruisthadbeenrealized!Eachlivedfortheother,sinceinthatpurespheretheinterestsof allwereone.Therewas,itistrue,roomforenvyandjealousy,inthegreatauthorityofthemore intelligent,forinaperfectworldallmeritmustberecognized.Butthespiritfromwhichenvy springsdidnotexistthere,forenvyimpliesaselfishaim.Inthatspiritrealmeach knowsthathe hasbeenaccordedfulljustice,andeachgloriedinthegreatermeritofhisfellowwhilethoseof superiorgiftshumblyregardedtheirheritageasaprivilege.Indeed,inthatpurerspheredegrees ofmeritmusthaveseemedtrivialitiescomparedwiththeboundlessheightswhichbeckoned beyond.Loveandsympathywouldpermitnodiscord.Fromthisplanecomethehelpers,teachers and"angelsofmercy,"whoworkamongthelessfortunateinhabitantsofthelowerspheres.This service,however,isanactoftheirownvolitionproceedingfromtheirsympathyanddesireto serve,abeneficewhichresultsintheirownfurtherdevelopment.

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SPIRITCHILDREN MykeenestinterestintheSpiritWorldwasarousedbymyvisittotherealmwheredwell thespiritchildrenwhocomethitherinchildhood.Aroundmyexperienceinthatrealmclusterthe mostbeautifulmemories.Therethespiritchildrengrowthroughallstagesofchildhoodand youth.Allsmallchildrenpassdirectlyfromearthtothethirdplane,tocontinuetheretheirbodily andspiritualgrowth.Myexperiencetherewasawonderfulrevelation.Theplacewasonevast gardenofheavenlysplendor,inwhichstoodnumberlessmagnificentbuildings,forutilitarian andrecreationalpurposes.Womenhelpers,whohaveknownmotherhoodonearth,caredwith tendersolicitudeforthebabiesandlittlechildren.Olderchildrenweretaughtandguidedwith minutecareandthatneverfailingkindnesswhich,however,doesnotneglectdiscipline.Men andwomenhelpersofvariousqualifications,superintendedbysuperiorspirits,carriedontheir appealingwork.Naturallynomoreperfectsystemcouldexist,norcouldmoreidealsurroundings beimagined.Nothingbutbeautymettheeye,nouglinesscouldtheredistortthemind.Flowers ofgorgeoushuesinbedsofraredesigns,treesofperfectformandbeauty,birdsofvaried plumage,fruitsofdeliciousflavorarebutthemoreobviousprivilegesofthatdelightfulland. Pathsthroughshrubberyandacrossparksdivinelyplannedledtoplaygroundswherethose fortunatechildrenwereseenatplaybesidetheirhelpersandteachers.Itwasanatmosphereof beauty,obedienceandlove. Isawthatthestudyofplantsandflowerswasaneagerlyfollowedoccupation,whichwas supplementedbythecareofgardens,inperpetualbloom.Nosoonerhadaflowerfadedorbeen pickedthananotherblossomedfromthesamestem. AsIpassedthroughthebeautiesand wondersofthisplace,mymindconstantlysoughtforcomparisonsfromearth,forearthofcourse wasstillmyhome.Ifoundnosatisfactorycomparison,allwasdifferent.Ithought,forexample, ofthegroundonwhichIwalked:wasitsolid,asonearth?Totestit,Isteppedfromthepathto theloosesoilofthegardenbeds,andjumpedlightlyupanddown.Theearthseemedtogiveway likeswampyground,butmyfeetdidnotsink,nordidtheyleavefootprintsasonearth. Asiftofillmycupofjoyinthislovelyspot,Irecognizedamongthechildrenasisterof minewhodiedwhenbutafewyearsold.AsIwaspassingdownabeautifulpath,enthralledby thewonderofcolorandfragrance,Isawthisyounggirlkneelingtopickaflower.Something aboutherheldmyattention,andIgazedonherintentlyasIcamenearer.Shelooked tobe sixteenorseventeen.Shewascladinasimplewhitedressreachingjustbelowtheknee,and leavingneckandarmsbare.Thesweetandserenebeautyofherfacewasframedinamassof blondehairthatfelllooselyalmosttoherwaist.Shemadeapictureofappealingbeautyasshe benttowardtheflowers,hertransparentfingersencirclingthestems.AsIapproachedshehalf turnedherhead,andforamomentwegazedintoeachother'sfaces.InstantaneouslyIrecognized herasthatlittlechildwhohaddiedonmylap,nowayoungwomanoftheSpiritWorld.The lookonherfacewasoneofintensesurprise,asifsheweresaying,"What,areyoualsohere?" Tenderloveshoneinhereyes.Myfeelingsseemedtooverpowerme.Istrovetopauseand speak,butsomestrangepowerheldmesilent,andurgedmeon.Icouldnotstop,butIturned severaltimestogazeonher,standingmotionless,forgetfuloftheflower,lookingintentlyafter me,withthatsameminglingofloveandsweetsurprisetillIpassedfromsight.

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Oncemorethecuriosityoftheearthmovedme,andIwantedtotastethefruitIsaw growingsobeautifullythere.NosoonerhadIwishedthanahandreachedoutfromthethick foliageandpresentedmewithanapple.Ididnotseetheownerofthehand.Itasted,andfound mysensesthrilledwithadeliciousflavorlikenothingonthisearth. LeavingtheLandofChildrenIpassedthroughotherpartsofthisplane,whereImoved amongthethrongsofexaltedbeings,themansionswithoutend,inthemidstofstatelygardens. MymindwasfullofamazementattheextentofthiswonderfulworldandthesayingofChrist cametome,InmyFather'shousearemanymansions."Thegloriesofthatwondrousspiritland wereincomparable.Itseemedthebestof allpossibleheavenswithitsatmosphereofuniversal peace,sympathyandhappiness.Lovehoveredoverall.Howdelightfulitwastopassabodeafter abode,watchingthespiritsenjoytheblessingsreapedthroughvictoryovertheevilsandthe tribulationsofthepast.Thrilledandenchantedbyasceneofextraordinarytranquilityandcharm, Icouldnotrefrainfromspeakingtoaspiritwhowassittinginhisgardenrestingagainstatree entirelysurroundedbyflowersandluxuriantvegetationofexquisitehueandfragrance.Hiseyes bespokeanequanimityofmindbeyondmortalpowertoexperienceorconceive.Fromhisface shonearadianthappiness.Asifinreplytomyexpressionsofamazementhesaid,"Yes,whatan inexpressiblejoyitistobepermitted todwellinthesegloriousrealmsaftersomuchmortal agony,somanytrials,suchgreattribulations,suchpiercingsorrows." Anotherdesirecametometohearmusic.Iwasguidedtoahighstructureofartistic architecture,whoseentiretop,arrangedlikeaplatform,seatedahugeorchestracomposedofall varietiesofinstruments,somefamiliartomeandothersstrange.Everymusicianshowedhimself amasterofhisartinthefrequentconcertsgivenbythisaswellasbynumeroussimilar organizations.Themusicbegan,andimmediatelyIwasheldentrancedbyitssweepingmajesty, andbyitsoverwhelmingemotionalappeal.Icouldnotendureit,perhapsbecauseIwasstillof earth.Completelyovercome,Ihadtobeledaway. Myguidenowwishedtoconductmetoadistantplace,wherethereawaitedsomethingof greatinteresttome.Risingalittlefromtheground,thebodyataverticalangle,wepassed swiftlythroughspace,impelledonlybytheagencyofthewill.Belowusamarvelouspanorama unrolled,aswetraveledon.Thedelicatelycoloredspirithouses,withtheirvariedarchitecture andwonderfullyartisticornamentation,seemedbathedinbrilliantlightofunearthlysplendor. Aroundthemspreadgardenswithflowersandshrubberyandtrees,surpassingincolorand designthemostperfectcreationsofhumanlandscapeartists.Atintervalsthegreatmansionsand palacesforlargegatheringsroseamongthetrees,impressiveinsizeyetdelicateincolorand beautyofline.Againstthevividbrillianceofflowersandolivegreenofthelevellawnsonwhich multitudesofspiritsenfoldedintheirrobesoflightandmanycolorscontinuallymoved,these perfectcreationsrosetomouldaharmonyofformandcolorthatcaughtandheldthespiritlike perfectmusic.Arrivingatawideflatofopenground,wesawinthedistancewhatappeared tobe agreatbedofvaricoloredflowers.Wedescendedandapproached.OnnearingthespotI discoveredthatwhatIhadmistakenforabedofflowerswasinrealityagreatthrongofwomen spirits,cladinbrightlycoloredrobes.Theywerestandingbeforeahugearchedstructure, apparentlyawaitingsomeevent.Ilearnedthattheywerethe"Helpers"waitingtobesentontheir errandsas"AngelsofMercy,"bothtotheearthandtothelowerplanes.SinceIlearnedthatthis wasbutoneplaceamongmanywheretheHelpersreceivedtheirdirections.Iconcludedthat

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theremusthavebeenmyriadsoftheseministeringangelsalwaysreadytoserveinthehourof need.Deeplyinterested,Iapproachedtolookmoreclearlyatthespiritsnearestme.Ifeltthat theywereindeedwellfittedforthetaskforwhichtheyhadvolunteered.Theirlovelyandserene faceswereeloquentwithwarmsympathy.Thedivineloveandkindnessthatlookedfromtheir eyesspokeclearlyoftheprinciplethatanimatedalltheiractions.Wordsanddemeanortoldof theirimpatiencetohurrytotheworkofservicethatirresistiblycalled.Theymadeasplendidand delightfulpicturestandingdrapedtothefeetinrobesofdifferentcolors,wearingaheaddress alsocoloredbytheirauras.Thisvarietyofthelighterandbrightercolor,andthebrilliantwhite lightstreamingfromtheirfaces,togetherwiththeirexquisitefemininegrace,producedaneffect of marvelousbeauty. Ahushnowfellonthegatheringandeveryeyeturnedwithexpectationtowardthree figuresofauthoritativepresence,whichnowappeared.Theseweremalespiritsfromthehigher planeswhohadcometodirectthehelpers.Theywerecladinshininggarmentsandbore themselveswithhighdignity.Theypassedbelowthearchstandinginfrontofthegatheringand appeareduponitstopwheretheyissueddirectionstothehelpers,whoimmediately,singlyandin groups,wenteagerlyontheirway.Ifeltdeepgratitudetomyguideforthehappinessof beholdingthisscene,whichwastomea"heaven"farmorerealandcomfortingthananywhichI hadconceivedonearth. Mytimeforleavingthethirdplanehadnowcome,andIknewthatsoonImustreturnto reinhabitmyearthlybody.ButbeforethatshouldcometopassIimploredmyguidetogiveme atleastaglimpseofthegloriesofthefourthplane.Tomyjoy,heconsented,saying,"Youshall see." THEFOURTHPLANE Aswedescendedinourapproachtothefourthplane,myeyeswerealmostblindedbythe gloryofthespectacle.Fromeverydirectionthrongedtroopsofspirits,apparentlyconvergingon agreatbuildingofamazingsize,beautyandsplendor.Eachspiritseemedenvelopedinaballof flamingwhitelight,emanatingfromhimselfandgivingtothebrilliantlightofthisplanean additionalsplendorandforcethattomebecamealmostoverpoweringinitsbrilliancy.Therethe spiritsweredressedinauralgarmentsofvaryingcolorswhichtheemanatinglightdidnot concealthewomeninrobesfallinginrichfolds,themenincloselyfittinggarments.Thescene wasofmarvelousbeautyandindescribablebrilliance.Almostatoncemyguidebroughtmeto thelinesofthemovingprocession,andsoon,withtherest,Ienteredthemajestichalltoward whichthespiritswerethronging.Itwasanenormousauditorium,arrangedinasemicircleabout araisedplatform.Withoutapparentushering,orothershowofauthority,thegreatthrongfound theiraccustomedplacesinthemostorderlyfashion.Seatswereassignedtomyselfandmy guide,andwhilewewerewaitingexpectantlytherewasopportunitytostudytheassemblage. Theforemostimpressionwasthatalreadymentionedoftheinexpressibleand overpoweringbrilliance,producedbythenaturalilluminationofthisplane,thewhitesplendorof thefaces,thelightaboutthem,andtheaurawhichcoloredtheirshiningraimentinamultitudeof hues.Notlessstrikingwasthementalimpressionproducedbytheirfaces,vividwithintelligence andpower,andglowingwithsympathy,loveandunderstanding.Forthesespiritshadnotonly

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triumphedinselfmasterytheyhadattainedwisdomandaknowledgeofmysteriesofwhichI couldonlyfaintlyguess.Consciousofmyownunfitness,Ifeltmyselffadingintoutter insignificance.Conversationsanddiscussionsengagedgroupsofspiritsaboutmediscussions thatappearedweightyandofintenseinterest. Inotedhere,aselsewhere,intheSpiritWorld,thatmenwereinauthority,butthisgave themnoactualdominionoverwomen,forbothtaketheirproperplaces,andbothhavetheir missions.Theworkofthemenismorecreativewomenconserveandapply.Menare administratorswomeninspiretobeautyandsweetness,andareangelsofmercy,comforters, teachers,andmotherspirits.ThusintheSpiritWorldthecontrastbetweenmasculineand feminineissharplydefinedinmannerandcustomaswellasindress.Themodestyandgraceof womenissetoveragainstthestrengthandauthorityofmen. AhushnowfellonthecongregationasfivemeningarmentsmoreshiningthananyIhad yetseenascendedtheplatformandinturnbegantospeak.Allpresentlistenedwithrapt attention,hungupontheirwordsandunconsciouslypressedcloser,eagertoknowthewonders beingunfolded.IcouldunderstandnothingitexceededmypowersbutnonethelessIfeltthe influence,andstruggledtoapproachthewonderfulstrangers.Mymovementsinthethrong createdsomeconfusion,andIwasrebukedandeyedwithreprovinglooks,particularlyasany spirittherecouldseeandknowthatIwasoutofplace.Onespiritnearesttomeexclaimed sternly,"ThisistheHallofLearningandnooneispermittedtocreateanydisturbance!" However,myguideexplainedonmybehalf:"Thisspirithasnotyetpassedover,forspecial purposessheispermittedhere."Thisseemedtosatisfythoseaboutme,andIheardmurmursof understanding. Iforcedmyselftomastermyexcitementandremainedquietuntilthespeakersfinished. ThegreatconcoursebrokeupinorderlyquietandmyguideandIwentonourlongjourneyto thefirstplane,inaccordancewithmyexpresseddesire.Isawlittleelseofthefourthplane,butI wasinformedthatlifetherewassimilartolifeinthethirdplane,thoughmoredeveloped,more perfect,andmoreglorious. MYVISITINTOTHEABYSSOFSPACE MytripstothevariouspartsoftheSpiritWorld,itmustbeunderstood,wereatdifferent times,forotherwiseIshouldhavebeentoolongabsentfrommybody,whichwouldhavemeant bodilydeath,andIwouldhavebeencompelledtoremainprematurelyinthespiritrealms.Thus thelastjourneyImadeintotheimmensespacesofouruniverseoccurredsometimesubsequent tomyreturnfromthefourthplane.ThisseemedtomebyfarthelongestjourneyIhadmade,as thefourplanesIhadvisitedappearedtobenotfardistantfromoursolarsystem. Accompaniedasalwaysbymyguide,Ipassedfirstthroughthespacesofoursystem.As wemadeourflighttowardsVenus,Ibeheldourearthatsuchadistancethatitappearedlikea greatbigblackball.Saturnwepassedsocloselythatwecouldperceivethelittleglobesthat composeitsringsspeedingaboutthelargersphere.Soon ahugeblackglobepassed,orappeared topass,asifpursuingSaturn."Likealoverfollowingadancinggirl,"Iexclaimed,lapsinginto humanlevity.Myguidedidnotdeigntonoticemymildjoke."That,"hesaiddryly,"iswhatyou callJupiter."When wepassedoverVenuswefloatedinahorizontalmannerwithface

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downward,closetothesurface.Whenpartwayacrossitwecametoacompletestandstill.ThusI wasaffordedasplendidopportunitytoobservethisplanetatcloserange.Itappearedtobeadark anddismalworldcoveredwithastrangestuntedvegetationwhichshowedgloominglythrough thecloudsofsteamthatrolledupfromthesurfaceoftheplanet.Myriadsofinsectsflewaboutin greatclouds."Whatsteam!Whatamassofinsects!Why,nobodycouldlivehere,Iexclaimed. OtherthantheinsectsIcouldperceivenoevidenceoflife.Isawnoseasnormountainsthere wasonlybarrenness,sterility.Thewholescenewasoverpoweringinitsawfuldrearinessand utterdesolation. Wenowleftthesolarsystemandpenetratedfarintotheabyssofspace,amongthe countlessstarsmovingwithincrediblespeedandunimaginablymultipliedinbrilliancybecause ofourcloseproximity.Thesightchallengedimagination.ButmuchasImarveledat,thisnearer viewoftheseenormousmaterialworlds,Iwonderedinfinitelymoreatthecountlessliving beingsthatfilledtheuniverse.SpiritsofhighsuperiorityandauthoritysuchasIhadneverseen eveninthefourthplanepassedineverydirection,singlyandinlargerorsmallergroups.Awhite lightofintensepoweremanatedfromeach,andenvelopedtheminaflamingradiance,that variedinintensityinproportiontotheirspiritualpower.Allweregarbedinglowingwhite.The combinedbrilliancyofthelightthusproducedfloodedallspace.Thegreatwhirlingglobeswere asnothingtothisaweinspiringspectacle.Themeresightofthesemajesticspiritsevenfromafar wasenoughtoconvincethebeholderthattheyweretherulersandcontrollersofthewhole universe,ofmatterandofspirit.Theoverpoweringdominanceoftheirpersonalitiessubduedmy spiritsothat,staringandstupefied,Itrembledandshrankattheirpresence.Twoinparticular,a manandawomanspirit,burnedwiththelightoftwoflamingsunsdimmingallothersnearthem withtheintenselustreoftheirwhiteradiance.Astheysweptmajesticallybymethereflashed acrossmymindthewords,"Andthereshallbenodarknessinthem."Dazzled,Icowered,raising myhandtomyforeheadin aninvoluntarytributeofhumilityandawe.Itisimpossibletosay howfarIwasfromthemsincespacedoesnotlimittheastralbody.But,nearorfar,Icould clearlydistinguisheveryexpressionoftheircountenances.Theyweredressedinmagnificent robesofpurewhite.Thedressofthefemalespiritwasalongflowingroberipplingfromher forminlooseandgracefullines,asshefloatedinaperpendicularposition,inclinedwithknees slightlybent.Thedressofthemalespiritwasaclosefittingtogathatreachedtohisfeet.He movedinasimilarposture,buthisheadwasthrownfurtherback.Hiseyes,followingthe directionofhisoutstretchedhand,werefocuseduponsomegreatdistantstar.Asheexpounded tohiscompanionsomegreatmysterioustruth,heseemedtheembodimentofauthorityand wisdom.Butonhisfeaturesplayedthesoftlightofspirituallovewhichtemperedhisausterity withitsetherealglow.Tomeheseemedallpowerful,fittedtocommandinstantobediencefrom anyforces,materialorspirit.Hiscompanion,thoughpossessedofmuchofhisspiritualpower andauthority,displayedthesesamequalitiesbuttheyweresubduedbyafemininegraceand lovelinesswhichrenderedherfacesublimeinitsserenenobility.Theyappearedtobegods ratherthanperfectspirits,yetIwasinformedthattheyhadoncedweltinhumanform somewhere.WhethertheirunionbeganthenorlaterIdidnotknow,butnowtheywerebound foreternitybythetiesofspiritualattractionandlove.Byspiritualdevelopmenttheyhadrisento thehighestpower,and,asmyguideexplained,theywerenowapartofthatSupremePowerthat rulesandguidesboththematerialandspirituniverse.Thehostofspiritsgazedintentlyafter themwithrespectfuladmirationandawe.ItwasagloriousmomentformewhenIbeheldthese marvelousbeings,andknewthehappinessoftheirclosepresence.ForatimeIstoodmotionless

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andgazedafterthedisappearingglory,whichlessenedasthesetwobeingspassedfromsight,till myeyesbeheldinthedistanceonlythewhitelightthatenfoldedthem.

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