Part 7

I had interesting glimpses of those who were “working with themselves.” One who was considered “eminent” in art on Earth was cutting, carving, breathing upon an image of himself.

“What is he doing?” I exclaimed, now really surprised.

“Removing the angularities and errors of his own nature: jealousy of other artists, the deepest scar; selfish love of human praise--that overweening desire for adulation; unwillingness to accord to others appreciation of their true merits,” replied the Guide.

Later, I saw that artist self-renovated, and one whom he had envied derided and scorned, when both were in Earth life, working together, producing, through artist minds on earth, works that possess the merits of both with the added tone of harmony; the strength of one being merged in perfect accord with the grace and loveliness of the other, blending in wondrous works of Beauty.

This was a wonderful lesson, serving to illustrate that at first, and possibly for some time after entering spirit life one’s chief occupation is--or should be--removing one’s own limitations; but this cannot begin until one is aware that one has the imperfections; to be conscious of one’s faults is half the remedy.

Bodily imperfections, infirmities and disease, unless retained psychologically by having constantly encroached upon the mind, or deformities that are dwelt upon mentally, are dropped with the body; but such infirmities of mind as are born of an undue “egotism,” undue self love, (the capital “I” around which the universe revolves), must be removed before the spirit can enter upon real work. As with artists so with those eminent in science or any department of human thought and endeavor; the truly Great are ever the most humble; realizing that however much they know, and however clearly they can think “the universe is full of things we do not know”; as one of the great ones aptly said.

I had met one--a brilliant mind--who in Earth life was gifted in many ways, chiefly mathematics. He had breakfasted on billions, dined on duodecillions, supped on sepdecillions, he wrote to the rythm of “logarithms,” and worshiped at the shrine of the calculus! I tried to imagine what he might be doing. Perhaps he was measuring the immeasurable or calculating the uncalculable! I saw him! Where was his Observatory? Where his maps, charts, instruments? The answer swept over and through me with a great thrill.

The knowledge that comes to the spirit is instantaneous--if one is ready--how can one use even the most perfect instrumentalities and methods when time and space are eliminated? Truth is perceived: in homely phrase “No ladder for the air men,” “no mathematics for the soul!” I never could have imagined how quickly he would “perceive.” He had attained the real knowledge of wisdom and love.

The poet-prophets of the world, those who have sung in immortal verse the Truths of the Skies: Truths of Freedom, Justice, Love, Spiritual Exaltation, moved by the theme of their songs, using their art as a setting to the Jewel of Truth, these endowed ones knew that without the inspiring theme, the words, the rythm would be empty bubbles, glittering nothings.

ALL ARE TEACHERS

All exalted lives (spiritually) moving and living in similar planes of thought--born of their spiritual states--are attracted to each other in spirit life for the interchange of perceptions of Truth and bearing forward the work of illuminating such minds on Earth as are ready to receive along the lines of human progress and unfoldment, imparting “the things they are ready to know.”

Spirits, the wise ones, do not make the mistake, as many do in human life, of trying to force upon the minds of those whom they teach the truths or knowledge for which those minds are not prepared: “Arithmetic first, after that geometry and higher mathematics,” is the rule in Earth schools. So in the instruction by spirit Teachers there is adaptation to the pupil not only of the Teacher but of that which is to be taught. There are “ministering spirits” adapted to every condition.

I could but marvel at the wonderful workings of these principles that govern the influence of “mind upon mind”--really spirit upon spirit; so much more complex yet more potent than the “forces” and operation of the “laws” of the material universe--“laws” so little understood, “forces” so dimly perceived.

“Most of the people on the Earth-plane know so little even concerning the things and forces most intimately connected with their bodily existence: the sunshine, the air they breathe, the earth beneath them, the sea, and the heavens of Stars; we must not wonder over-much that they know little or nothing of this inner, though more real, realm of Spirit.”

This was from the Guide. Anticipating the question that was welling up from the mind: “Why do not those on Earth know more of these spirit states, more of their own conditions spiritually?” The answer had already been given, and as we passed on the Teacher said:

“Growth, unfoldment, waiting, working.”

CO-WORKERS

Among the groups and assemblages whom I met and with whom I was most frequently in communication during this surpassing sojourn were the arisen co-workers in the “Movement” with which my life-work has been most identified:

“SPIRITUALISM”

In the work of a life-time as a chosen “instrument” to bear “glad tidings,” to promote the knowledge of spirit existence here and beyond the change called death, and the ministration from and communion with the arisen ones, I had met in outward existence every leading mind and every worker (medium) known in the Spiritualistic movement.

We were always friends, always co-workers, sisters and brothers bearing forward a great Truth. Very frequently during this wonderful visit in the realm of spirit I saw them--either alone or in smaller or larger groups, renewing the companionship that had been so beautiful and delightful when we had worked side by side in human forms.

In your memory, dear reader, or in your reading scan the list of names who were first known as “Investigators” then as “Spiritualists,” and the names of those known as MEDIUMS (there were no “Psychics” in those days.) I knew and loved them all. I met them all. Each one in spirit life is still engaged in imparting this knowledge--most important of all that human beings can receive--concerning Spiritual Truth. Existence, life, love, work beyond the change called death;

SPIRITUALISM AS A MOVEMENT,

I had ever been instructed by my Guides, was given to the world when needed, and when there were those upon the Earth who were ready, when the “ages were ripe” for its coming.

In spirit states of Earth and in the realms far beyond were those who knew the “day and hour” had come for “moving upon the minds of Earth with this new illumination.”

There was from the “smallest” to the “greatest,” from the seemingly “least” to the “most important” of the manifestations a concerted action. The “rappings” at Hydesville were no “accident,” the visions of Clairvoyant and seer, the writings and trance utterances (phenomenal) were all a part of this Stupendous Movement. All, all, under guidance of those wise Spirits who knew what the people of the world needed and gave it to them according to their needs.

Necessarily many extremists and “imitators” would be attracted to the subject--like driftwood following or borne upon every new current of thought--but it is safe to say that Spiritualism during the sixty-seven years since the “Rochester Knockings” has attracted the attention of more eminent minds in every department of human research (and convinced them too) and given knowledge and consolation to a greater number of people than any movement or system of knowledge in ancient or modern times. With those who are willing and anxious to be classed as Spiritualists it is knowledge of life beyond death--and of the presence and ministration of the beloved arisen ones.

So spoke my Guide to me and to the group of co-workers who had come forward to meet and greet me. How young and beautiful they were. Always I had noted in earth life how beautiful the dear ones are when one has been for a time absent from them--and here, in this realm of perpetual youth, with the freedom from human pain and cares that some of them had so bravely borne, I could but note the beauty that is theirs.