In this issue, we continue the study of the book, What is Spiritism, launched in Paris in July 1859. This study will be divided into 19 parts. The pages cited in the text and suggested for reading refer to the 20th edition published by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (Federação Espírita Brasileira). The answers to the questions suggested for discussion can be found at the end of this text.
Questions for discussion
A. Is there any difference between metempsychosis and reincarnation?
B. Man is made of how many essential elements?
C. What is the purpose of Spiritism?
Reading Text
113. Spirits are not a class apart from Creation, as many people think. They are the souls of those who lived on Earth and on other worlds and they do not have a carnal body. Those, who believe that the soul survives, will also believe that the Spirits exist. To deny the Spirits would be to deny the soul. (Chapter II, item 7, page 153).
114. When the soul has a body, while it is living here on Earth, it has a double wrap: a heavy one, coarse and capable of being destroyed – the body; and the other part is fluidic, light and indestructible - the perispirit. (Chapter II, item 9, page 154).
115. The Spirits are specific beings with restrictions that are just not visible in the same way as humans. They have all the perceptions they had on Earth, but in the highest degree, because their faculties do not suffer the influence of matter. They see and hear things that our limited senses do not allow us to see or hear. For them there is no darkness, except for those who, as a punishment, find themselves temporarily in darkness. (Chapter II, items 16 and 17, page 155).
116. Our thoughts are disclosed to the Spirits that surround us and they read them as an open book. So, if you could hide them during your earthly life, you will no longer be able to do this after you have disembodied. (Chapter II, item 17, page 156).
117. Spirits are everywhere, on our side, jostling us and watching us constantly. They maintain their serious affections they had on Earth and are happy to join those whom they loved. (Chapter II, items 18 and 19, page 156).
118. Since the Spirits are the souls of men, they do not achieve perfection as soon as they leave their body on this Earth. Their improvement is gradual and takes its time and only then do they start getting rid of their imperfections and acquire the knowledge they still lack. (Chapter II, paragraph 21, page 157).
119 Communications between the Spirits and those incarnate are possible and this was demonstrated by experience. The question about if we can or cannot establish communication with those that have died, is due to the false idea we have of the state of the soul after death. (Chapter II, Items 22 and 23, pages 157 and 158).
120. Spiritual manifestations took place in all ages and among all peoples. However, lately spiritual manifestations developed greatly and are considered authentic, because Providence had the purpose to put an end to unbelief and materialism, by clear evidence, allowing those who left the Earth to come back to prove their existence and let us know how happy or unhappy their situation is. (Chapter II, paragraph 24, page 158).
121. Relations between the visible and invisible worlds can be hidden or patent, spontaneous or provoked. (Chapter II, item 25, page 158).
122. The Spirits act on men secretly, suggesting to them thoughts and influencing them through an appreciable effect on their senses. Sometimes the Spirits spontaneously manifest by strokes and noises. It is often a means they use to prove their presence. (Chapter II, items 25 and 27 pages. 158 and 159).
Answers to the proposed questions
A. Is there any difference between metempsychosis and reincarnation?
Yes. Metempsychosis consists in the transmigration of the soul of a man back to the body of an animal, implying in going backwards. Reincarnation differs essentially from metempsychosis, because it does not believe that the soul of a man can reincarnate in a body of an animal, even as punishment. The soul never goes back, it always progresses, and its different physical existences always take place as a man, in humanity (What is Spiritism, Chapter I, Third Dialogue, pages 142 and 143).
B. Man is made of how many essential elements?
There are three essential elements that make up the man, the soul or Spirit, the material body and the perispirit. The perispirit is the fluidic housing, light, imponderable, which acts as an intermediary between Spirit and body. (Ibid, Chapter II, items 10 to 14, pages 154 and 155).
C. What is the purpose of Spiritism?
To demonstrate and study the manifestation of Spirits, their faculties, their happy or unhappy situation, their future; in short, the knowledge of the Spiritual world. (Ibid, Chapter II, paragraph 20, page 156).
