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The
lessons
brought
by
the
book
The
Astral
City
Few
people
understand
the
objective
that
led
to
the
preparation
and
subsequent
publication
of
"The
Astral
City".
The
movie
“The
Astral
City”
has
been
based
on
the
novel
by
Chico
Xavier
and
has
been
achieving,
since
the
beginning
of
the
month,
a
great
success
in
the
Brazilian
cinema
screens.
It
is
important
to
mention
that
the
book
came
out
in
early
1944,
when
Chico
Xavier
had
not
yet
completed
34
years
and
was
not
that
famous
in
Brazil,
what
would
only
happen
in
the
1970’s,
due
to
the
success
of
the
famous
program
Pinga-Fogo
on
TV.
The
years
have
passed
and
new
books
came
to
complement
the
information
contained
in
The
Astral
city.
As
the
Spiritists
know,
"The
Astral
City"
ended
up
being
chosen
in
a
survey
conducted
by
organizations
Candeia
as
the
most
important
spiritist
book
of
the
20th
century
(1).
The
main
reason
for
this
choice,
according
to
the
institution
that
conducted
the
survey,
is
due
to
the
fact
that
"The
Astral
City”
has
presented
the
first
major
description
of
the
spiritual
plane;
which
would
be
crucial
for
the
spiritist
studies
and
research
conducted
in
Brazil
and
abroad,
especially
regarding
to
mediumnship
and
obsessive
processes.
However,
its
lessons
are
not
limited
to
these
aspects,
as
pointed
out
by
Emmanuel
and
Andre
Luiz
in
the
introduction
of
the
book.
Emmanuel
has
written
in
the
book’s
preface:
"We
realize
that
this
book
is
not
the
only
one
of
its
kind.
Others
have
already
described
the
conditions
of
life
beyond
the
grave
...
Nevertheless,
we
are
glad
to
have
drawn
to
our
spiritual
circles
one
who
might
transmit
an
account
of
his
own
experiences.
He
gives
us
as
much
details
as
possible
to
clarify
the
laws
that
preside
over
the
efforts
of
diligent
spirits
of
good
will
in
spheres
which
are
invisible
to
human
eyes,
although
intimately
connected
with
this
planet."
Later
on,
Emmanuel
warns:
"The
Spiritist
Doctrine
is
rapidly
increasing
the
number
of
its
adepts.
Thousands
of
people
are
taken
interest
in
its
work,
methods
and
experiments.
Yet,
faced
with
a
world
of
novelties,
man
must
not
neglect
his
most
important
goal
–
his
own
spiritual
growth.
It
is
not
sufficient
to
investigate
phenomena,
adhere
verbally
to
any
doctrine,
collect
and
improve
statistics,
exhort
the
conscious
of
others,
gain
converts
or
win
public
approval,
however
commendable
all
this
may
be
in
the
physical
plane.
It
is
essential
to
acquire
the
knowledge
about
our
infinite
potential,
and
to
use
it
in
the
service
of
good.”
According
to
the
words
of
Emmanuel,
who
coordinated
the
mediumistic
work
of
Chico
Xavier,
Andre
Luiz
came
to
tell
us
that
the
greatest
surprise
of
bodily
death
is
that
it
places
us
face
to
face
with
our
own
conscience,
where
we
build
our
heaven,
remain
in
the
purgatory
or
plunge
ourselves
into
the
inferno
abysses.
Man
should
not
cling
to
his
human
existence.
It
is
necessary
to
know
how
to
use
that
existence
worthily.
The
steps
of
a
Christian,
whatever
his
religion
affiliation,
should
move
truly
towards
Christ.
To
this
end
we
have
great
need
of
Spiritism
and
Spiritualism,
but
most
of
all,
Spirituality."
From
the
introduction
signed
by
Andre,
we
can
highlight
the
following
wise
words,
which
we
should
always
bear
in
mind
when
conducting
our
steps
throughout
or
existence:
"One
life
is
but
a
single
act.
One
body
a
garment.
One
century
-
a
day.
One
task
-
an
experience.
One
triumph
-
an
acquisition.
One
death
-
a
breath
of
renovation.
How
many
lives,
how
many
bodies,
how
many
centuries,
how
many
tasks,
how
many
triumphs,
how
many
deaths
are
still
allotted
to
us”.
(1)
Go
to
http://www.oconsolador.com.br/ano4/171/especial2.html
and
access
the
article
about
the
best
spirit
books
of
the
20
century,
which
was
published
in
the
edition
171.
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