The friend whom Ahrinziman sent to accompany and instruct me, appeared to my eyes as a youth of about five-and-twenty to thirty years of age, judging by earth's standard in such matters, but he told me he had lived to upwards of sixty years on earth. His present appearance was that of his spiritual development, which alone constitutes the age of a spirit. As a spirit grows more highly developed in his intellectual powers, the appearance becomes more matured, till at last he assumes that of a sage, without, however, the wrinkles and defects of age in earth life, only its dignity, its power, and its experience. Thus, when a spirit has attained to the highest possible development of the earth (or any other planet's) spheres he would possess the appearance of one of its patriarchs, and would then pass into the higher and more extended spheres of the solar system of that planet, beginning there as a youth again since his development compared to that of the advanced spirits of those higher spheres would be but that of a youth.
The friend Ahrinziman sent to accompany and instruct me looked to my eyes like a youth of about twenty-five to thirty, judging by earth's standards. But he told me he had lived to over sixty years on earth. His present appearance was that of his spiritual development, and that alone makes up the age of a spirit. As a spirit grows more highly developed in his intellectual powers, his appearance becomes more mature. At last he takes on the appearance of a sage. Yet he has none of the wrinkles and defects of old age in earth life, only its dignity, its power, and its experience. So when a spirit has reached the highest development possible in the spheres of the earth (or of any other planet), he would look like one of its patriarchs. He would then pass into the higher and wider spheres of that planet's solar system. There he would begin as a youth again, since his development, compared with that of the advanced spirits of those higher spheres, would be only that of a youth.
Hassein told me that he was at present studying the various powers and forms of nature in those stages which were below soul life, and would be able to make visible and explain to me many curious things we should see upon our journey.
Hassein told me that he was now studying the various powers and forms of nature in those stages that were below soul life. He would be able to make visible, and explain to me, many curious things we would see on our journey.
"Many spirits," he said, "pass through the sphere of the astral plane without being conscious of its spectral inhabitants, by reason of the fact that their senses are not developed in such a way as to enable them to become conscious of their surroundings in all their entirety, just as in earth life there are many persons quite unable to see the spirits around them, although to others again they are perfectly visible. There are upon earth persons who can see not alone the spirits of human beings but also these astral and elementary beings who are not truly 'spirits,' since that word should be used to denote only those which possess within them the soul germ. Now many of these beings which we shall see never possessed any soul, and others again are only the empty shells from which the soul germ has departed. To distinguish between the soul spirit and the soulless astral one must possess a double power of soul-sight or clairvoyance as it is termed, and many who possess only an imperfect degree of this double power will be able to see elementals and astrals, but without being able to distinguish them clearly from the soul-enveloping spirit forms. Hence much confusion and many mistakes have arisen amongst these imperfect clairvoyants as to the nature and attributes of these classes of beings. There are seven degrees of the soul-sight found in persons yet in the earth life; and in the next stage of life the spiritual part or soul being freed from the gross elements of material life, there will be found seven more expansions of this gift, and so on in progressive succession as the soul casts off one by one the envelopes of matter--first the most gross or earthly matter, then succeeding degrees of refined or sublimated matter, for we hold that there can be no such thing as entire severance between soul and matter--that is so long as it is conscious of existence in any of our solar systems. Beyond these limits we have no knowledge to guide us, and it is a matter of pure speculation. It is only a question of the degree and quality of the matter which is more or less refined and etherealized as the soul is in a higher or lower state of development. It is of the first stage of earthly conscious soul life that I shall now speak in speaking of the clairvoyant sight, leaving till another time the theories and beliefs involved in the study of what has passed before man's present conscious stage of existence and what may happen when he passes beyond the limits of our present knowledge.
"Many spirits," he said, "pass through the sphere of the astral plane without being aware of its spectral inhabitants. This is because their senses are not developed in a way that lets them perceive their surroundings in their entirety. In the same way, in earth life many people are quite unable to see the spirits around them, although to others those spirits are perfectly visible. There are people on earth who can see not only the spirits of human beings but also these astral and elementary beings. These are not truly 'spirits,' since that word should be used only for beings that have the soul germ within them. Now, many of the beings we shall see never had any soul. Others are only the empty shells the soul germ has left. To tell the soul spirit from the soulless astral, one must have a double power of soul-sight, or clairvoyance, as it is called. Many who have only an imperfect degree of this double power will be able to see elementals and astrals. But they will not be able to distinguish them clearly from the spirit forms that enclose a soul. So these imperfect clairvoyants have fallen into much confusion and many mistakes about the nature and qualities of these classes of beings. Seven degrees of soul-sight are found in people still in the earth life. In the next stage of life, where the spiritual part, or soul, is freed from the gross elements of material life, seven more expansions of this gift will be found. And so it goes on, in progressive succession, as the soul casts off the envelopes of matter one by one. First it casts off the grossest, earthly matter, then successive degrees of refined or sublimated matter. For we hold that there can be no complete separation between soul and matter, at least so long as the soul is conscious of existence in any of our solar systems. Beyond these limits we have no knowledge to guide us, and it is a matter of pure speculation. It is only a question of the degree and quality of the matter. That matter is more or less refined and etherealized as the soul is in a higher or lower state of development. In speaking of clairvoyant sight, I shall now speak of the first stage of earthly conscious soul life. I leave for another time the theories and beliefs involved in studying what came before man's present conscious stage of existence, and what may happen when he passes beyond the limits of our present knowledge.
"We find, then, in the earthly stage of life persons--most often women or very young boys--who are endowed with some or all of these seven degrees of soul-sight. The first three degrees are very often found, the fourth and fifth more rarely, while the sixth and seventh are hardly ever met with except in persons endowed with certain peculiarities of organization, due to those astrological influences under which they are born--particularly to those prevailing at the exact moment the child sees the light of earth life. So rare are these perfect sixth and seventh degrees that very few possess them, though some are found with an imperfect sixth and none of the seventh, in which case they can never attain to the perfection of soul-sight, and as with imperfect glasses, the defect in their sight will cause them to have an imperfect vision of celestial things, and although they will see into the sixth sphere in a sense, yet their defective power will greatly impair the value of what they see.
We find that some people—typically women or young boys—possess varying degrees of psychic ability, ranging from one to seven. The first three levels are common, while the fourth and fifth are less frequent. The sixth and seventh degrees are extremely rare, usually occurring in individuals born under specific astrological conditions, particularly those present at the moment of birth. These highest degrees are so uncommon that very few people have them in their complete form. Some may have an incomplete sixth degree but lack the seventh entirely. In such cases, they cannot achieve perfect psychic vision, and like imperfect glasses, their limited ability will result in a flawed perception of spiritual matters. Although they may glimpse the sixth sphere to some extent, their impaired power significantly reduces the value of their insights.
"Those, however, who have the perfect sixth and seventh degrees can be taken in spirit into the seventh sphere itself, which is the highest, or heaven of the earth spheres, and like St. John of old they shall see unspeakable things. To do this the soul requires to be freed from all ties to the material body, save only the slender thread without which connecting link, body and soul would part forever. Thus they may be said to be out of the body at such times, and so difficult and dangerous is it to thus take the soul into the seventh sphere, that only with exceptional persons and under very exceptional circumstances can it be done even where the power exists. Of the clairvoyants of the lower degrees of power the same may be said, except that the less celestial their powers, the more safely and easily may they be used, each clairvoyant being able to see into that sphere which corresponds to the degree of power which they possess. It is, however, a curious fact that many clairvoyants possess one or more perfect degrees of soul-sight with at the same time an imperfect form of a degree still higher, and when this is so it will be found that the medium mixes the visions seen and is not reliable, since the defective degree (if used) will act like a defective eye and cause that which is beheld by both eyes at the same time to partake of its imperfections. It is, therefore, far better to have the entire absence of a degree than to possess an imperfect form of it, since the imperfect one only causes confusion in using the perfect ones, unless indeed you do with these powers as you might do with the defective eye, and close it altogether in order that the vision, though limited, may be correct. Thus the ancients when they found the highest amount of perfect vision of one or more degrees in their pupils, arrested their further development at that degree before the imperfect sight of a higher one could in any way impair the value of those they possessed. In this way they were able to train as reliable clairvoyants of moderate powers many who by a further effort at development would have lost far more than they could gain. In olden days seers were divided into classes even as they still are amongst certain schools of prophets in the East, though now the art is not studied to the perfection it once was when the Eastern nations were a power upon earth.
"Those, however, who have the perfect sixth and seventh degrees can be taken in spirit into the seventh sphere itself. This is the highest sphere, the heaven of the earth spheres. Like St. John of old, they shall see unspeakable things. To do this, the soul must be freed from all ties to the material body except the slender thread that connects them. Without that connecting link, body and soul would part forever. So at such times they may be said to be out of the body. Taking the soul into the seventh sphere in this way is so difficult and dangerous that it can be done only with exceptional people, under very exceptional circumstances, even where the power exists. The same may be said of clairvoyants with lower degrees of power, except that the less celestial their powers are, the more safely and easily they may be used. Each clairvoyant can see into the sphere that corresponds to the degree of power they have. It is a curious fact, however, that many clairvoyants have one or more perfect degrees of soul-sight and, at the same time, an imperfect form of a still higher degree. When this is so, you will find that the medium mixes up the visions seen and is not reliable. The defective degree, if used, acts like a defective eye. What both eyes see at once takes on its imperfections. So it is far better to lack a degree entirely than to have an imperfect form of it. The imperfect one only causes confusion in using the perfect ones. That is, unless you treat these powers as you might a defective eye, and close it altogether so that the vision, though limited, may be correct. So when the ancients found the highest amount of perfect vision of one or more degrees in their pupils, they stopped their further development at that degree. They did this before the imperfect sight of a higher degree could in any way spoil the value of the degrees they had. In this way they were able to train many as reliable clairvoyants of moderate powers. Through further efforts at development, these people would have lost far more than they could gain. In olden days seers were divided into classes, as they still are among certain schools of prophets in the East. But now the art is not studied to the perfection it once was, when the Eastern nations were a power on earth.
"Each class underwent a special training adapted to their special degrees of power and class of gifts, and there was not the present curious mixture of great gifts and entire ignorance of how to use them wisely, which in many instances results in so many inaccuracies and so much harm both to mediums and to those who go to them for spiritual knowledge. As well might a trainer of young gymnasts think that he could overtax and strain the growing muscles without lasting harm to them, as those who make an ignorant, unlimited, and indiscriminate use and development of the mediumistic powers. A young fledgling cast from the nest too soon flutters and falls to the ground, while if left till the wings are strong enough to bear its flight it will soar to heaven itself. With more extended knowledge upon earth there will be given to certain sensitives endowed with the needful mediumistic powers the knowledge by which under the guidance of those higher intelligences who are directing the great spiritual movement, they can judge between the spirits of low and degraded states and those of a higher degree of advancement, and thus much of the confusion and danger which still hampers the movement will be gradually eliminated from it.
Each group underwent specialized training tailored to their unique abilities and gifts. This approach avoided the current problematic mix of great talents and complete ignorance about using them wisely, which often leads to inaccuracies and harm to both mediums and those seeking spiritual guidance. Overusing and carelessly developing mediumistic powers is as harmful as a trainer overworking young gymnasts' growing muscles. Just as a fledgling pushed from the nest too early will fall, while one with fully developed wings can soar, so too must mediumistic abilities be nurtured properly. As knowledge expands on Earth, certain sensitive individuals with the necessary mediumistic abilities will receive guidance from higher intelligences directing the spiritual movement. This will enable them to distinguish between spirits of low, degraded states and those of higher advancement. Consequently, much of the confusion and danger currently hampering the movement will gradually be eliminated.
"On the spirit side of life are many teachers who for centuries have made a study of these subjects--of all forms of life--and of the mediumistic powers of those who are incarnated upon earth, and they are even now seeking on all sides for open doors through which to impart such knowledge as may be of use to man. Much which they know could not yet be imparted, but there are things which could, and with this subject as with all others the minds upon earth will expand and develop as knowledge is given."
In the spiritual realm, countless teachers have devoted centuries to studying all forms of life and the psychic abilities of those living on Earth. These spiritual guides are constantly searching for receptive individuals through whom they can share useful knowledge with humanity. While much of their wisdom remains beyond our current understanding, some insights can be shared. As with all subjects, human minds will grow and evolve as they receive this information.
I thanked my new friend for his information and promised help, and as the expedition was soon to start I went to earth to bid adieu for a time to my beloved. Upon our parting I shall not dwell, nor say how much we both felt we should miss our constant little intercourse; for even restricted as it was by the barrier between us, it had been been a great joy to both.
I thanked my new friend for his information and his promise of help. As the expedition was soon to start, I went to earth to say goodbye for a time to my beloved. I will not dwell on our parting, nor say how much we both felt we would miss our constant little exchanges. Even restricted as they were by the barrier between us, they had been a great joy to us both.
I found on my return that the preparations for our journey were now complete, and I was summoned to bid my father and others adieu, and to join my companions in the great hall where they were now assembled to receive the farewell benediction of our Grand Master.
When I returned, I discovered that everything was ready for our trip. I was called to say goodbye to my father and others, then join my fellow travelers in the great hall. There, we were to receive our Grand Master's final blessing before departure.
After this our band started amidst the cheers and good wishes of all the assembled Brotherhood.
Our group set off, encouraged by the applause and support of all the gathered members.