The Spiritist Messenger N 42

Advanced Study Group of Spiritism http://www.geae.inf.br/ Founded on October 15th 1992 The Spiritist Messenger - Monthly Electronic Report of the GEAE Group GEAE 8th year - Number 42 - distributed: September 2003 "Unshakable faith is only that which can face reason face to face in every Humankind epoch." Allan Kardec

CONTENT

TEXTS

A Doctor From the Spiritual World
(August 2003)

Yvonne Limoges

The Spiritist Society of Florida

My father is going to be 74 years old this month yet, he remembers as a child of about five years old receiving "magnetic passes" by a spirit, who called herself "Lula" coming through a medium at the front table of his Spiritist Center in New York City. All the children were called up front, as everyone would softly proclaim "Lula is here!"

Now "Lula" communicates through that very same child, through the mediumship of my father, the director of his own Spiritist Center. And how wonderful it is when she comes! Everyone who is knows her, can tell when she communicates, her manner and speech is so familiar to us, she acts and speaks as if she is a little old lady. She is always so humble and kind; she brings the rest of the mediums at the table to tears, filling them with spiritual joy!

She calls us "her children" and proceeds to tell us how much she loves us. She blesses us all and inspires us greatly with her words brought from up high. She is a morally superior spirit yet, she is so humble and so down to earth.

She tells us of "the plants" she has brought from the spirit world. We watch as the medium’s hands start twisting and squeezing something invisible to non-mediums above the glasses of water she has requested for everyone. She tells us all to drink the water while thinking of God, Our Celestial Father, and of His Goodness and His Greatness.

When it is time, for each person who desires it, they come up to the medium for magnetic passes. The medium sees what she sees; her look is as if it is an x-ray machine, seeing dark spots where there are physical problems and nice pink areas where things are fine. She can zero in on everyone’s particular physical ailment. It never ceases to amaze me how accurate and detailed she is and how surprised the people are, when she tells them what she sees. She then gently provides advice regarding each situation. Many times she has advised those with problems to go to their doctor regarding very specific ailments which were unknown to the person, which are then found by their physicians. How wonderful! The spiritual and material worlds working together for our physical health!

She also provides her special fluids to provide for our spiritual health. We are spiritual beings and the fluidic nature of our spirits pick up negative energies which can make us feel physically ill and/or affect our moods. She disperses these types of energies replacing them with positive spiritual fluids which revitalize and cleanse our spirits and our ambiance. She always seems especially pleased to see the children when they come up to receive their passes.

How beautiful and wonderful that God has permitted this spirit Lula to be able to visit with us at our Center and we always feel so very blessed by her presence. Her words inspire, her passes rejuvenate us, physically and spiritually! May God Bless her!

SPIRITISM - A SPIRITUAL ALTERNATIVE

Spiritism was a word coined by French educator Allan Kardec in the 1850's, as the name of a science and religious philosophy which deals with the description of the interaction of the material world and the spiritual world, and in addition, its moral and philosophical implications. This information was revealed by superior spirits transmitted by way of persons endowed with the faculty of mediumship to the members of Kardec's Society and to others. The material was catalogued and compiled into several books and published by Allan Kardec. The information contained in these books are from morally and intellectually superior spirits who were permitted by the Creator to provide this information in a more scientific and logical way than done in the past, which before was accomplished by way of allegory or symbolism, because mankind had intellectually and spiritually matured enough to receive them. Also, science also had to advance to a certain level as well. Logic and reason are now the order of the day, not superstition.

As a science, it studies and describes the realities dealing with the mechanics of the interaction of the material and spiritual worlds, and the universal laws involved. It explains the reality of what Life is because it describes our true natures and the true nature of the universe. It explains the process of life and death.

As a philosophy, it describes the purpose of Life, explains the apparent inequities of life and the cause of human suffering, and it provides for a moral code which explains what proper conduct should be and why.

Its religious aspect supports the fact there exists a Supreme Intelligence, which was the First Cause and Creator, of all things in existence. Also, that the practice of Love, in all its aspects, is the only way to full understanding of the Creator.

The principles of the Spiritist Doctrine have been used by those who have accepted these principles for a period of more than 150 years and they have withstood the test of time, up unto the present, this being the year 2003. Those who would study these principles should have an open mind, study them, and accept only what your reason finds acceptable. You should reject anything that goes against your reason. This is all we ask. I believe that Spiritism offers a logical and satisfying answer for the purpose of Life.

Spiritism is especially for those who cannot accept, or fully embrace, some or all, of the basic tenets of Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. Hopefully, you may find more logical and less superstitious answers to the purpose of Life, more support while undergoing suffering, and comfort regarding the knowledge it brings regarding life after death. Spiritism offers a person more than just "things happen because it is God's Will" and we cannot know what that is… and, it offers an alternative to the only two current choices of the afterlife, heaven or hell, …and that alternative is soul evolution.

In Item 56, Chapter I, Second Part of “The Spirits’ Book”, Allan Kardec says: “The Human form, though differenced in some details, and with certain organic modifications necessitated by the nature of the sphere in which the soul is called to exist, appears to be common to the inhabitants of all the globes of the universe; this, at least, is what the Spirits tell us...”

Despite the fact that Kardec, from this point onwards starts to draw some conclusions based on the first part of the quoted sentence, we would like to call the reader’s attention to its last part where he says “this, at least, is what the Spirits tell us”. As all those who have studied the Spiritist Codification know well, Kardec never made any affirmation without having first submitted it to his reason and to common sense. The caution expressed in the last part of the sentence clearly shows that such was not the case concerning the affirmation that “The Human form … appears to be common to the inhabitants of all the globes of the universe”. We will try to show in this work that Kardec had good reasons to be so cautious.

Since ancient times man has noticed that some animal species show certain human-like behaviors that are called intelligent when referring to mankind. That was how animals as varied as dogs, crows, dolphins, parrots, chimpanzees and owls, among others, have throughout the centuries been associated with characteristics like fidelity, smartness, friendship, ability and wisdom.

From XXth century onwards the issue of “Non-Human Intelligence” captured the attention of scientists, resulting today in an abundance of scientists dedicated to the study of various animal species. Such scientists are divided in associative psychologists, a branch of science that was born in the USA in the 20’s and etologists, another branch of science, born in Europe in the 30’s. It is important to stress based on that information that there was no branch of science in the XIXth century entirely dedicated to the study of animal behavior, a fact that justifies Kardec’s hesitation to accept what the Spirits had said about the hominal form in the various worlds.

At the beginning of those studies the notion that animal intelligence had to be compared to that of man and evaluated according to it was predominant. According to that understanding science has compared among various species their brain’s absolute and then relative size, has used the encephalization quotient and estimated the amount of folding in the neocortex. None of those approaches were shown to be good enough. Many scholars nowadays are supporting the thesis that intelligence is something that cannot be analyzed interspecies. They understand that intelligence must be studied within each species only according to the way its members choose among many sets of information available which one will allow them to succeed in each challenge they have to face.

Having to face the uncountable studies available nowadays proving the intelligence of various species, someone might place an objection to their soul’s evolution saying that what they do today is basically the same as they did centuries ago or even since history has recorded their existence. Far from being a valid counter argument such an affirmation would only show, to our point of view, a mistaken perception about the evolution of human intelligence. The intelligence of human beings as much as that of other animals doesn’t show to have evolved much during the last millennia, as clearly suggested by the sophistication of the old scriptures and philosophical writings. The evolution that the human species really shows is predominately scientific and technological, and it has happened as a result of human ability to build tools and communicate in a sophisticated manner that we call language.

Therefore, if we want to know if another species is capable of reaching, some time in the future, a stage similar to where humanity is now, we need to know more than whether the species is intelligent or not, we need to know if its individuals are able to make tools and if the way they communicate among themselves is sophisticated enough to be called a language. We have to consider, nevertheless, that the stage where humanity is now doesn’t necessarily represent a compulsory stage for all animal species. If it is true that having a language stands out as a necessary evolutionary achievement, the same cannot be said regarding tool-making ability, which may or may not be necessary depending on the environment in which the species lives and on the conditions in which it has to survive.

Researchers have found sophisticated communication abilities and many more intelligent features in several species, some of them living in the sea, some on land and others perching on trees and moving through the air. In a future article to be published we will give an example of each kind in order to better characterize that information.

Maria João de Deus, Chico Xavier’s beloved mother, referred to the inhabitants of Saturn using the following words: “They had nothing in common with the kind of human beings that live on Earth, appearing to me extraordinarily ugly in their animal-like organization, with membranes serving as wings allowing them liberty to drift in the air at will.” In view of her astonishment, the instructor explained her about the living conditions present in that world. Then, referring to the world’s inhabitants, he said: “Those creatures that appear to you as animals coming from regions of Earth where zoophytes find their living elements, are beings highly endowed with wisdom, sensibility and intelligence. Their senses and overall perception are far superior than those of Earth’s human beings and the main concern of their existence is the increase of their intellectual power.”

We have shown in our study that species evolve in different ways depending on the environment where they live and the challenges they have to face in order to survive. We have further shown that, despite the specific evolutionary path taken, every species will sooner or later reach the hominal realm and proceed towards angelitude. Considering that evolution happens in two planes, we know that the changes made necessary in the physical body reflect on similar changes in the subtle body and vice-versa. Therefore, an animal that has been evolving for thousands of years in a liquid environment has a physical body highly adapted to liquid environments, with the same adaptations reflected on its subtle body. The same can be said, mutatis mutandis, with respect to an animal that has been moving through the air for thousands of years along its evolution.

The beings that Maria João perceived in Saturn weren’t therefore a product of illusion but something absolutely possible to expect. Because Saturn is a gaseous world, the beings that live there must necessarily have their physical and subtle bodies adapted to such an environment. After having learnt that the intelligence of some bird species has been evolving we are allowed to presume that the path they are taking may lead them several millennia from now to a similar stage.

We expect to have shown strong evidences pointing to the conclusion that there are several different paths in evolution and that the present human physical and subtle constitution is just one and not the sole option a soul has to live in when it reaches the hominal realm. We salute once more at this point the wise caution of Kardec.

SPIRIT WORLD

(Translated from the 25th Portuguese edition entitled "Nosso Lar". First Portuguese edition published in 1944 by Federação Espírita Brasileira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.)

It was nine o'clock in the evening, and we had not yet had a moment's rest except for the short consultations necessary for the solution of spiritual problems. Here I saw a patient begging for help, over there another in need of magnetic passes. On our way to assist two patients in Pavilion Eleven, I heard screams in a nearby ward. I would have run in that direction, if Narcisa had not held me back.

"Please don't go," she warned, "the sexually unbalanced patients are lodged there. The picture would be too painful to your eyes. Wait until you are better prepared."

I did not insist, but thousands of questions rushed to my mind. A new world was unfolding itself and my curiosity was great. I had to concentrate on Lysias' mother's advice so as not to become distracted from my legitimate duties. Soon after nine, a quaint little man, to all appearances a humble worker emerged from amidst the trees of the enormous park. I later learned that he belonged to the sentinel corps of the Chambers of Rectification. Narcisa greeted him and asked:

"I've come to inform you that an unfortunate woman is begging for help at the large gate that leads to the tilling fields. I believe she must have escaped the attention of the front line sentinels." He answered, anxiously.

"According to our regulations, we are forbidden to. The poor creature is surrounded by black spots."

I was filled with curiosity, and followed her for a considerable distance across the moonlit fields. We were surrounded by the silent park its shady trees rustling gently in the soft breeze. After walking for well over a mile, we came to the gate. There stood the pitiful figure of a woman begging for mercy from the other side. I saw nothing but a squalid creature dressed in rags with a hideous face, and legs covered with raw sores, but, judging from her startled expression, I realized that Narcisa saw many more details, still imperceptible to me.

"Children of God," she cried on seeing us, "please give shelter to my wary soul! Where is the paradise of the elect, that I may enjoy the peace I long for?"

I was filled with compassion at her tearful voice. Narcisa, though also sorry for the unfortunate beggar, whispered to me:

"Your spirit vision isn't sufficiently trained. If it depended on me, I would let her in at once, but on dealing with creatures in this condition, I can't decide for myself. I must apply to the Chief Warden on duty."

We hurried back to the house, where for the first time I came into contact with the Chief of Sentinels of the Chambers of Rectification. Narcisa introduced us and then rapidly reported the occurrence.

We were soon back at the gate. The Chief Warden carefully examined the newcomer from the Lower Zone and declared:

"For the time being, this woman can't receive our assistance. She is one of the strongest vampires [8]. I have ever come across. She must be left to herself."

I could not help but shocked at those words. Wouldn't it be neglecting our Christian duty to abandon this unhappy sister to her fate? Narcisa seemed to think likewise, and tried to plead with the Chief Warden:

"But, Brother Paul, wouldn't it be possible to shelter this poor creature in the Chambers?" Pointing to the beggar who was impatient at the delay and complaining loudly, he addressed the nurse.

"To allow her to enter would be to neglect my responsibility as a warden. Narcisa, have you noticed anything else besides the black spots:" Narcisa had not, and he continued.

Narcisa looked intently at the woman, and, after a few moments, replied that there were fifty-eight. Brother Paul continued, patiently:

"Those fifty-eight dark spots represent so many children killed at birth. On each of these spots I can perceive the mental image of one of the little children whose life she extinguished, some by crushing blows, others by suffocation. This unhappy creature was a gynecologist who exploited inexperienced young women, committing heinous crimes under the pretext of easing the conscience of others. She is in a worse position than cases of suicide or murders who may, at times, show mitigating circumstances."

I recalled the numerous cases in my practice when, to save the mother's life, the unborn child had to be sacrificed. But, reading my thoughts, Brother Paul added:

"Of course, I'm not referring to legitimate measures which are forms of redeeming trials, but to the crime of killing those who have obtained the sublime right to live and are about to begin their sojourn on the physical plane."

Yielding to the feelings of compassion inherent in noble souls, Narcisa again attempted to intercede on her behalf:

"Brother Paul, I was also a great sinner in the past. Please, let's take in this unhappy woman. I promise to make her my special concern."

"My friend," he answered, I know we are all greatly indebted spirits. However, we have improved enough to acknowledge our own weaknesses and work to redeem our errors. All this woman wants, for the time being, is to create disturbance and confusion among our workers of good will. Those who haven't yet freed themselves from the bonds of hypocrisy emit destructive forces. Now, what would be the use of our vigilance if it were not to keep out dangerous influences?"

"Let's prove what I have said." He added, with a meaningful smile. He then approached the beggar and asked her:

"But, my friend," he reasoned, "we must learn to accept expiatory suffering. Why did you so often cut the life thread of helpless little infants, who, with God's permission, were about to begin their redeeming struggle on Earth?"

At these words she looked around apprehensively, assumed a hateful expression and shouted:

"Who is accusing me of this infamy? My conscience is at peace! I spent my whole life on Earth working on behalf of motherhood. I was charitable and pious, good and pure!"

"I am sorry, but the record of your thoughts and actions tell a different story. I believe, sister, that you haven't yet received the benefit of remorse. When you open your soul to the blessings of God, acknowledging your own needs, then you may come to us.

"Devil, Wizard!" She yelled furiously at him, "Satan's own follower! I'll never come here again! I am waiting for the promised heaven, which I hope to find."

"Then please go your own way. Your heaven isn't here. This is a place of work, where patients are aware of their infirmity and are assisted by brothers and sisters of good will to struggle back to health."

"I haven't asked for any remedy of assistance." She retorted angrily. "All I want is the Paradise my good works entitle me to enter."

Shooting us a parting look of hatred, she discarded the assumed appearance of a wandering beggar and walked away defiantly, with firm steps and a haughty gait. Brother Paul gazed at the retreating figure for quite a while, then turned to us and added:

"Did you observe the vampire? She has crime written all over her and pleads innocence. She is obviously wicked and yet declares herself good and pure. She suffers desperately and feigns tranquility. She has created a hell for herself, yet pretends to be looking for heaven."

We listened respectfully to the Chief Warden, who closed his valuable lesson by saying:

"We must always be aware of appearances, either good of bad. Divine Providence never forsakes anybody. Therefore, that unfortunate creature will find aid elsewhere. But for the sake of legitimate charity, in the position I hold here, I couldn't possibly open our doors to her."

8 - By “vampire” the spirit author refers to one who extinguishes life for personal advantage. (Translator’s note.)

Returning across the moonlit park, I experienced a strange sense of fascination. Those big, shady trees and flourishing patches of greenery held my admiring attention. As we walked, I questioned her about the surroundings:

"This great park," she said, "not only contains the paths to the Lower Zone and the plants we cultivate for nutricious juices, but Minister Veneranda has also created delightful areas used for educational purposes."

"They are known as the 'green halls', and are situated in the midst of the trees. They are perfectly suited for the lectures given by the Ministers of Regeneration. The most beautiful is reserved for the Governor's lectures when he visits us. Others are used for visiting Ministers and students in general. Their elegant trees blossom periodically, looking like small, colorful towers of natural charm. The sky is our sheltering roof, allowing us to enjoy the blessings of the sun and of distant stars."

"They certainly are." She continued, "Forty years ago Minister Veneranda's idea aroused great enthusiasm all over the Colony, and a campaign was begun to build a 'natural hall'. Every Ministry, including the Ministry of Divine Union, worked, with Veneranda's cooperation, to build delightful arbors all over the Water Park. I think the ones they built in the schools are the most interesting. They vary greatly in size and shape. One of them, which Veneranda built in the Educational Park of the Ministry of Elucidation, is star shaped, contains prodigious vegetation, and is ample enough for five large classes taught by five different instructors. In its center is an enormous apparatus, similar to a projector, which can simultaneously show five different projections. Their initiative improved the city, providing areas which unite useful service, practicality, and spiritual beauty."

"How are the halls furnished?" I inquired as she paused, "In the same style as earthly ones?"

"No, it's different. Thinking of Gospel scenes of Jesus' passage on Earth, Veneranda suggested that all building materials be taken directly from nature. Each hall has benches and chairs carved out of the ground and covered with soft, sweet smelling grass, lending it a restful and distinctive beauty. Declaring that it would be fitting to recall the Master's sermons on the open beach during his travels along the Sea of Tiberias, she introduced the idea of natural furnishings. The halls require constant care, but they return so much in the way of beauty and lovely scenery.

"As I have already told you, most beautiful hall in our Ministry is reserved for the Governor's talks. Veneranda learned that he had always ancient Hellenic landscapes, and decorated it accordingly, shady bowers and seats composed of the interlaced branches of trees. Every thirty days the flowers change in species, and each month presents a new color scheme. The loveliest one is reserved for December, in honor of Jesus' birth when our Colony receives beautiful thoughts and earnest promises from our incarnate brothers, and we, in turn, send our hopes and service to the higher spheres in homage to the Master of masters.

"Perhaps you already know that the Governor visits us nearly every week, on Sundays. He stays for hours, conferring with the Ministers of Regeneration and talking to workers, offering valuable suggestions, examining our border lines with the Lower Zone, receiving our visits and good wishes, and comforting convalescents. Sometimes, when he has time in the evenings, he stays to listen to music and to attend shows staged by the youth of our schools. Most visitors in the Astral City come to our Ministry just to see that 'natural place' which comfortably seats over thirty thousand people."

Listening to Narcisa, I experienced a pleasant sensation, half joy, half curiosity.

"Minister Veneranda's hall," she added, enthusiastically, "is also magnificent. We give its upkeep special care and attention. All we can do in recognition of her great devotion is nothing compared to the outstanding service she has given us. This servant of the Lord has introduced numerous beneficial measures on behalf of the city's most unfortunate inhabitants. Her service record at the Astral City is considered by the Government as one of the most praiseworthy. She has the greatest number of working hours in our Colony, and is the oldest officer in the Government and in the Ministry. She has been in active service here for over two hundred years."

"You are right." She answered. "She is one of the most highly evolved beings in our Spirit Colony. The eleven ministers who share the direction of the Ministry of Regeneration with her always seek her advice before making any important decision. Even the Governor himself often consults her for her enlightened opinion. Only she and the Governor have seen the Master Jesus in the Resplendent Spheres. Yet she never mentions that distinction of her spirit life – she avoids all reference to it.

"I can tell you of another significant incident. One day, four years ago, the Astral City prepared to entertain the Fraternities of Light who rule the Christian destinies of America. They were coming to pay their respects to Veneranda and to bestow the 'Service Merit' medal on her for having completed one million consecutive hours of useful service with admirable devotion, perseverance and self-effacement. She is the first in the Colony to be awarded with such an honor. When presented with the medal, she only wept in silence. Afterwards, she donated it to the town archives, and transferred the honor to the Colony as a collective group, saying that she was unworthy of it. Despite the Governor's protests, she requested that all the celebrations be cancelled. She never again alluded to this incident."

"What an extraordinary woman!" I said, "I wonder why she doesn't inhabit some higher sphere."

"Spiritually, she lives in planes far superior to ours, and only remains in the Astral City out of a great spirit of love and abnegation. I have heard that our sublime benefactress has been working for a thousand years to help a group of loved ones still on Earth. Meanwhile, she waits for them with untiring patience."

Advanced Study Group of Spiritism