The Penal Code of the Future Life, presented by Allan Kardec in Heaven and Hell* (chapter VII of the first part), is a source of interesting reflections on the law of action and reaction that governs human paths.

As the Encoder himself ponders, in the same chapter and with the subtitle Principles of the Spiritist Doctrine on future penalties, “(...) with regard to future penalties, it is not based on a preconceived theory; it is not a system replacing another system: in everything it relies on observations, and it is these that give it full authority. Nobody ever imagined that souls, after death, would find themselves in such and such conditions; it is they, those same souls, departed from Earth, who come to us today to initiate into the mysteries of the future life, to describe to us their happy or unhappy situation, the impressions, the transformation by the death of the body, thus completing, in a word, the Christ's teachings on this point. I need to say that in this case it is not about the revelations of a single Spirit, which could see things from its point of view, under a single aspect, still dominated by earthly losses. Nor is it about a revelation made exclusively to an individual one who could be carried away by appearances, or by an ecstatic vision susceptible to illusions, and not often more than a reflection of an exalted imagination. Rather, it is about countless examples provided by Spirits of all categories, from the highest to the lowest of the scale, through so many assistants (mediums) spread throughout the world, so that the revelation is no longer the privilege of someone, because everyone can prove it, observing it, without being forced to believe by someone else's belief.”

This initial transcript is important for us to situate ourselves in the universe of observations that the Encoder was placed for the elaboration of the spiritist theory, all arising from the revelations that the spirits themselves made.

The Book of Spirits itself, published on April 18, 1857 with the doctrinal foundations of Spiritism and organized in the form of questions and answers, had its fourth part, with two chapters and exactly one hundred questions with their respective answers, totally dedicated to theme of punishments and enjoyments, earthly and futures.

In the aforementioned Code, which we mentioned in the first paragraph above, we will use the 3rd of the 33 items, to guide the development of the theme. The original text presents itself in the following terms: There is not a single imperfection of the soul that does not have disastrous and unavoidable consequences, just as there is not a single quality that is not a source of joy.

Now, it is the imperfections or qualities of the human soul that generate their happy or wrong actions. And these actions are characterized with the moral stamp of the stage in which the being is situated. Therefore, the thoughts, feelings, and the very actions performed in the course of an existence generate reflections on one's existence, on spiritual life or even on the next or future existences, depending of course on the extension or gravity of the promoted action.

The law of action and reaction, or each according to their own works, is based on a perfect mechanism of justice and absolute equality for all. There is no favoritism for anyone. Acting well, we will have the merit of good. Acting badly, we will have the consequences. It is not a question of punishment at all, but of the natural consequences of each action.

Any harm we do to ourselves or others will have unavoidable consequences in our own lives. This is from Divine Law. And any benefit we distribute will generate merits and corresponding benefits in our own way, even if there is ingratitude on the part of the beneficiaries.

We come to understand, therefore, that doing harm to anyone will never be rewarding, as we will always answer for the harm we do, including ourselves. And, in the same way, any happiness or tranquility that we bring to others will inevitably turn out to be good for ourselves.

It is for no other reason that Jesus taught to forgive. The hatred fueled, the revenge carried out or the constant persecution of any person will result in stages of suffering and pain for its own author. By forgiving, we free ourselves.

It is also for the same reason that the always constant recommendation is for us to promote good, even if it is not spontaneous to us (we are learning to incorporate it in ourselves), because all good generates good. Evil will always have unpleasant consequences.

It is easy to see, therefore, that many sufferings existing today in individual, social and collective life, including considering the planet, could be avoided if there was knowledge of this reality of the consequences generated by our acts. How many misunderstandings due to ignorance of this law that simply uses justice and equality as parameters...

We also do not have the right to kill, to steal (goods, dignity, opportunities, peace, etc.), to interfere in the lives of others, to impose ideas or standards that we think are correct. Let us understand that creatures are free, they want to be respected, just as we want to be...

This is the detail: attempts to dominate, impose, restrict individual freedom, will always cause suffering, because we are all thinking beings, with our own will, responsible for our own path. We can, of course, suggest, advise (if we are asked or listened to), help in whatever we can, but never violate consciences. All deserve respect.

The topic raises many debates, opens up immense perspectives for study. It is observed that human laws themselves, reflecting the imperfections of the evolutionary stage of the planet, are often mistaken, also generating consequences for the future. What is currently observed is the result of all this collective unconsciousness of the mechanisms that guide our lives.

We have to think about what we are doing. We are no longer beings so naive that they are ignorant of the Moral Laws. We are all on an evolutionary path, where rights are equal. Such comprehensive rights must be respected by equality and justice.

And it is precisely because of the disrespect for such principles of equality and justice that the effects on material and spiritual life can be observed, with the testimonies that the spirits themselves bring from the state in which they find themselves, due to the moral standard that some have adopted in the relationship. with others or with themselves.

Heaven and Hell (O Ceu e o Inferno) itself brings testimonies, in its second part, of different Spirits that describe the situation in which they found themselves after death. But the issue is not just after death. It is necessary to consider the physical existence itself, current or future (s), where the same reflexes are felt.

It will be very useful if we can study and debate the items of the Penal Code of the Future Life, contained in the book in reference, to spread such clarifications. Even the testimonies contained in the same work are very useful for studies and reflections.

These are principles unknown to most incarnated spirits on the planet, although the conscience, where the Law of God is written (1), warns them of their mistakes. Suffocated by the moral imperfections of pride, selfishness, vanity, we still allow ourselves to suffocate our conscience and act to the detriment of each other. Hence the inevitable consequences and the sufferings...

In everything, however, it is always necessary to consider the mercy of God, who never abandons his children and constantly opens up to them new opportunities for progress. The theme is extensive, as we can enter the domains of repentance, atonement and reparation, but we really want to suggest to the reader a careful reading of the Code contained in Heaven and Hell. The items listed, all of them, open immense perspectives of understanding and clarification, which would be impossible in an article with a few lines. Even better is to seek the lucidity and clarity of the Doctrine itself in the original source.

To conclude, we would like to offer the reader's reflection a phrase by Joanna de Ângelis, in the psychography of Divaldo Pereira Franco, in chapter 38 – The glory of work – in the book Lampadário Espírita (2): In the place where you find yourself, you can always sow the light of hope and love. Here is an action schedule to change the landscapes of human life. It is enough to situate ourselves in the effort of good, to generate healthy effects of happiness and health.

If we use this script in the attitudes of each day, that's it! We will be in tune with the good, generating effects of love and joy. Simple consequence of the law of action and reaction.

*We used the 32nd edition of FEB, from 09/84, translated by Manuel Quintao.

(1) Question 621 of The Book of Spirits, FEB edition.

(2) 3rd edition of the Brazilian Spiritist Federation, May 1978.