Part 3

Spirit states are as varied as are the personal states of those composing them; the knowledge--or lack of it--possessed by the person IS the spirit state, i.e., knowledge of spiritual principles.

Oh, if one could coin new words, or new understandings, in order better to express that which one knows when set free from Earthly environment! Yes, the New Understanding; that is the great need; and that must really be attained by unfoldment, growth from within, the pervading all illuminating power of the spirit.

Those in the spirit states who were reproducing the familiar scenes of their recent Earth conditions were satisfied and even very happy--especially when the scenes so reproduced were of a nature that had brought comparative happiness in Earth life--in their ability to make things seem “exactly as they did in Earth life,” not even knowing that this similitude was the result of their own thought-forms instead of being inherent or organic in the “spirit land.”

Interesting and absorbing as were these lessons of observing, the process of weaving their thoughts into the forms most desired or needed by the spirits producing them, there were many whose reproductions were of the shadowed kind and were not voluntary, but results of the deep impress that the shadows of Earth-experiences had made upon their minds. No one illustration could serve--but all states and conditions that I could realize were shown.

TIME NOT A FACTOR

Time does not seem to be a factor in the realm of spirits except as related to people and events in the human state with which spirits have connection.

It was, however, a source of continual wonder and surprise to note the changing forms and atmospheres in the surroundings of those with whom I was brought in contact. I saw spirits who, when in Earth life had been in positions of external power--usually considered “exalted”--as of kings or rulers--the result of no “merit” or achievement of their own, but the “incident” or “accident” of birth, who were arrayed in their own thought-robes of power, but closer observation would reveal the poverty and meagerness of their “Robes of Royalty” and they were sometimes seeking somewhat with which to clothe themselves, something to conceal their paucity of raiment and surroundings. Most of those, however, who had held such positions as are the result of “titles,” “rank” and “castes,” seemed endowed with perception enough to know that those external conditions are not perpetuated in spirit states, unless one has become so imbued with the idea that “titles,” “wealth,” and outward “honors” are valuable in themselves. And that the “Divine Right of Kings” is indeed a “right” derived from Heaven.

THE TRULY GREAT ARE HUMBLE

I saw many of those who had been poor in worldly possessions, even despised and scorned among men or put to death because of their advocacy of an unpopular “cause” now radiant in their own spiritual brightness, unconsciously

“Wearing their sunbright thoughts For Robes of Royalty.”

Ah! How beautiful were they! These of the shining faces and radiant hearts! Ever intent on trying to aid humanity, whether in shadowed spirit states or in Earthly conditions.

One may not give the names (even if one knew them) by which these in the various spirit states were known on Earth. I saw many who were known to be Great: Great in thoughts, deeds and words for the enlightenment of their fellow-beings. Ever were they humble, as ever are the truly Great. None in spirit life are outwardly adorned with the “honors” given to them or their “memory” by a tardy World. The truly exalted are far too intent on ameliorating the adverse conditions of spirit and human states to take note of the praise and pomp of Earthly “celebrations” in “memory” of them, sometimes tardily bestowed.

To be truly Beloved by an individual, a country or a world is indeed blessed, and exalted souls do know and understand the true meaning of being “appreciated and beloved.”

The Light of the Shining ones, the Great ones, is not dimmed in the brightness of the higher spheres, for they are of its light a part.

SPIRIT GROUPS AND INSPIRERS

It is because of the spirit possessions that those of kindred thoughts, perceptions, aspirations are attracted to each other and form groups--not conventional or arbitrary--interchanging ideas--purposes--and working together for others. I saw them “moving upon” the minds of those in Earth-forms whom they could reach, sometimes singly, sometimes in groups, as the conditions might require. The Student in his library, the Inventor in his “work shop” or laboratory, the “Discoverer” in his Observatory searching for new worlds or on ships of “exploration” sailing for Unknown lands, more particularly those who are seeking to solve the vexed “problems” of human life.

Ah! It was indeed a scene of wonder to see each and every spirit thus intent on doing good to his kind, imparting some needed thought, some “clue” or “thread” of an intricate proposition that would solve the whole! Long are these “Inventions” and “discoveries” known in Spirit states before the one is “born” into human life that can give them outward Expression. How luminous seemed the Atmospheres of Spirit thus surrounding those in Earth life when the Heavenly presences were near! And such lives are always luminous in their own brightness or the Higher ones could not “draw near” and inspire them.

The people know the names of some of those now on Earth whose “discoveries,” “inventions,” and works have transformed the world! Those arisen ones who aid in bearing forward the Works Beautiful, direct their thoughts to such as are ready in Earth life. Here are the “Thinkers,” whose knowledge of the Truths of the Universe constitutes the source of all power, Ideas that born of those Truths reach the minds prepared to receive them and move the world. We saw and paused among assemblies, groups pursuing their usual course of conferring, interchanging of ideals and preparing to impart more and more the knowledge that is theirs--as minds are prepared to receive.

Knowledge is imparted by adaptation.

All such imparting of knowledge must be by adaptation. The Spirit is attracted--would be from the very nature of the Spirit--to the one best prepared to receive from that Spirit. Thus the subtle law of imparting knowledge by adaptation governs the realm of spirit and constitutes the basis of deciding concerning “Guides,” “Guardian Spirits,” and all “ministering ones.” Affection determines the intimate personal guardians.

FROM SPIRIT TO SPIRIT

It was most interesting and enlightening to see--as I was permitted to witness--a number of those who are in human states receiving from luminous and illuminating spirits some new application of science or art, some new presentation of Truth! The minds of Earth so impressed are not narrowly questioning “from whence do the ideas come”? Fearful, if from another mind that those receiving them may “lose their Individuality.” Such minds know that Truths belong to minds--and that somewhere are greater minds than one’s own--who can impart knowledge. Truth is the common heritage of souls; of Intelligence; and happy is the mind, spirit or Angel that can perceive or receive it from any source. Intelligence alone perceives and imparts Intelligence.

The process of imparting knowledge from spirit to spirit (whether those imparting and receiving are in spirit states or still in Earth-forms), grows ever more and more interesting as one passes into greater awakening and perception of the realities, the verities of spirit. “Teaching,” “Education” (in the human sense) only exists in those states or conditions in the spirit realm where the human methods and forms of thought still govern the minds of the spirits.

Love is the great Illuminator in all realms and worlds, and thus adaptation of Teacher and the one to be taught must be the keynote to all reception of knowledge.

One would like to say so much while comparing the “Educational” process of spirit states with the methods of Earth (excellent as some of the latter have become); but one must hasten to record added experiences while they are near to the outward consciousness from within. For when one enters again into the daily life of Earth, even although it is ever pervaded by those surpassing scenes, the vividness of the higher state becomes dimmed by the necessary veiling that human conditions bring.

THERE IS AN ANSWER FOR EVERY QUESTION

Everything that I wished to know found ready answer; even before the wish was formed into thought. I could realize that the answer came from the Guide, who was my teacher by adaptation. I could realize that for every real aspiration there is ever an answer; in fact that the answer from within and above prompts the aspiration, the wish to know. That there is a solution for every so-called “problem”; for, in the final analysis, there are no “problems”--except states of non-perception.

All this and a thousand times more of inward awakening came to me as I grew in the perception of the Knowledge of the Spirit.