How can I tell of the many friends who came to visit me in this bright home, of the cities I saw in that fair land, the lovely scenes I visited? I cannot. It would take volumes, and already my narrative has reached its limits. I shall only tell of one more vision that I had, because in it I was shown a new path wherein I was to labor, one in which I could apply to the aid of others the lessons I had learned in my wanderings.
I can't possibly describe all the friends who visited me in this beautiful place, or the cities and sights I saw in that wonderful country. It would take too long, and I've already said so much. I'll just share one more vision I had, because it revealed a new direction for my work. In this path, I could use what I'd learned during my travels to help others.
I was lying on the couch in my room and had awakened from a long slumber. I was watching, as I often did, those two most beautiful figures of my guardian angels, and seeing fresh beauties, fresh meanings in their faces and their attitudes every time I looked at them, when I became conscious that my Eastern guide, Ahrinziman, in his far-off sphere was seeking to communicate with me. I therefore allowed myself to become perfectly passive and soon felt a great cloud of light of a dazzling white misty substance surrounding me. It seemed to shut out the walls of my room and everything from me. Then my soul seemed to arise from my spirit body and float away, leaving my spirit envelope lying upon the couch.
I lay on the couch in my room, having just woken from a deep sleep. As usual, I gazed at the two beautiful figures of my guardian angels, discovering new beauty and meaning in their faces and postures with each look. Suddenly, I sensed that Ahrinziman, my Eastern guide from a distant realm, was trying to contact me. I relaxed completely, allowing myself to become passive. Soon, a brilliant white mist enveloped me, obscuring my surroundings. Then, I felt my soul detach from my spirit body and drift away, leaving my spiritual form resting on the couch.
I appeared to pass upwards and still upwards, as though the will of my powerful guide was summoning me to him, and I floated on and on with a sense of lightness which even as a spirit I had never felt before.
I seemed to rise higher and higher, as if my strong guide's will was calling me to him. I drifted onward, feeling lighter than I ever had, even as a spirit.
At last I alighted upon the summit of a high mountain, from which I could behold the earth and its lower and higher spheres revolving below me. I also saw that sphere which was my home, but it appeared to lie far below the height upon which I stood.
Finally, I reached the peak of a tall mountain. From there, I could see the Earth and its various layers spinning beneath me. I also spotted the realm I called home, but it seemed to be far below my current vantage point.
Beside me was Ahrinziman, and as in a dream I heard his voice speaking to me and saying:
Next to me stood Ahrinziman, and as if in a dream, I heard his voice speaking to me, saying:
"Behold, son of my adoption, the new path in which I would have you labor. Behold earth and her attendant spheres, and see how important to her welfare is this work in which I would have you to take part. See now the value of the power you have gained in your journey to the Kingdoms of Hell, since it will enable you to become one of the great army who daily and hourly protect mortal men from the assaults of Hell's inhabitants. Behold this panorama of the spheres and learn how you can assist in a work as mighty as the spheres themselves."
"Look, my chosen one, at the new path I want you to follow. See Earth and the worlds around her, and understand how crucial this work is to her well-being—work I want you to join. Now you can see the value of the power you gained in your journey through Hell's Kingdoms. It will allow you to become part of the great force that constantly protects mortals from Hell's attacks. Observe this view of the spheres and learn how you can help with work as vast as the spheres themselves."
I looked to where he pointed, and I beheld the circling belt of the great earth plane, its magnetic currents like the ebb and flow of an ocean tide, bearing on their waves countless millions upon millions of spirits. I saw all those strange elemental astral forms, some grotesque, some hideous, some beautiful. I saw also the earth-bound spirits of men and women still tied by their gross pleasures or their sinful lives, many of them using the organisms of mortals to gratify their degraded cravings. I beheld these and kindred mysteries of the earth plane, and I likewise beheld sweeping up from the dark spheres below waves of dark and awful beings, ten times more deadly unto man in their influence over him than those dark spirits of the earth plane. I saw these darker beings crowd around man and cluster thickly near him, and where they gathered they shut out the brightness of the spiritual sun whose rays shine down upon the earth continually. They shut out this light, with the dark mass of their own cruel evil thoughts, and where this cloud rested there came murder and robbery; and cruelty and lust, and every kind of oppression were in their train, and death and sorrow followed them. Wherever man had cast aside from him the restraints of his conscience and had given way to greed and selfishness, and pride and ambition, there did these dark beings gather, shutting out the light of truth with their dark bodies.
I gazed where he indicated and saw the great earth plane's encircling belt, its magnetic currents ebbing and flowing like ocean tides, carrying countless spirits. I observed strange elemental astral forms—some grotesque, some hideous, some beautiful. I also saw earth-bound spirits of men and women, still tethered by their base pleasures or sinful lives, many using mortals' bodies to satisfy their depraved urges. As I witnessed these and related mysteries of the earth plane, I also saw waves of dark, terrifying beings surging up from the lower spheres. These entities were far more dangerous to humans than the dark spirits of the earth plane. I watched as they swarmed around people, clustering thickly and blocking out the spiritual sun's rays that constantly shine upon the earth. Their cruel, evil thoughts formed a dark mass, and wherever this cloud settled, murder, robbery, cruelty, lust, and all forms of oppression followed, trailed by death and sorrow. These dark beings gathered wherever people had abandoned their conscience and given in to greed, selfishness, pride, and ambition. With their dark forms, they obscured the light of truth.
And again I saw many mortals who mourned for the dear ones they had loved and lost, weeping most bitter tears because they could see them no more. And all the time I saw those for whom they mourned standing beside them, seeking with all their power to show that they still lived, still hovered near, and that death had not robbed of one loving thought, one tender wish, those whom death had left behind to mourn. All in vain seemed their efforts. The living could not see or hear them, and the poor sorrowing spirits could not go away to their bright spheres because while those they had left so mourned for them they were tied to the earth plane by the chains of their love, and the light of their spirit lamps grew dim and faded as they thus hung about the atmosphere of earth in helpless sorrow.
Once more I witnessed countless grieving individuals, mourning loved ones they had lost. They shed bitter tears, unable to see their departed anymore. Yet, all the while, I saw these mourned souls standing right beside them, desperately trying to show they were still alive, still close by. Death hadn't stolen a single loving thought or tender wish from those left behind to grieve. Their efforts seemed futile. The living couldn't see or hear them, and these poor, sorrowful spirits couldn't move on to their bright realms. As long as their loved ones on Earth mourned for them so deeply, they remained tethered to the earthly plane by chains of love. The light of their spirit lamps dimmed and faded as they lingered in the Earth's atmosphere, helpless in their sorrow.
And Ahrinziman said to me: "Is there no need here for the means of communication between these two, the living and the so-called dead, that the sorrowful ones on both sides may be comforted? And, again, is there no need for communication that those other sinful selfish men may be told of the dark beings hovering around them who seek to drag their souls to hell?"
Ahrinziman asked me, "Don't we need a way for the living and the so-called dead to communicate? It would comfort those who grieve on both sides. Also, shouldn't we warn those selfish, sinful individuals about the dark entities surrounding them, trying to drag their souls to hell?"
Then I beheld a glorious dazzling light as of a sun in splendor, shining as no mortal eye ever saw the sun shine on earth. And its rays dispelled the clouds of darkness and sorrow, and I heard a glorious strain of music from the celestial spheres, and I thought surely now man will hear this music and see this light and be comforted. But they could not--their ears were closed by the false ideas they had gathered, and the dust and dross of earth clogged their spirits and made their eyes blind to the glorious light which shone for them in vain.
I witnessed a brilliant, dazzling light, brighter than any sun seen by human eyes. Its rays pierced through clouds of darkness and sorrow, accompanied by heavenly music. I believed this spectacle would surely comfort humanity. Yet, people remained oblivious—their minds clouded by misconceptions, their spirits weighed down by worldly concerns. Their eyes and ears were closed to this magnificent display, which shone and played in vain.
Then I beheld other mortals whose spiritual sight was partly unveiled and whose ears were not quite deaf, and they spoke of the spirit world and its wondrous beauties. They felt great thoughts and put them into the language of earth. They heard the wondrous music and tried to give it expression. They saw lovely visions and tried to paint them, as like to those of the spirit as the limits of their earthly environments would allow. And these mortals were termed geniuses, and their words and their music and their pictures all helped to raise men's souls nearer to the God who gave that soul--for all that is highest and purest and best comes from the inspiration of the spirit world.
I observed people with partially awakened spiritual senses. They could glimpse the spirit world and its incredible beauty. These individuals felt profound thoughts and expressed them in earthly language. They heard amazing music and attempted to recreate it. They saw beautiful visions and tried to paint them as accurately as their worldly limitations allowed. These people were called geniuses, and their words, music, and art helped elevate humanity's souls closer to their divine source. After all, everything that is noble, pure, and excellent stems from the inspiration of the spirit realm.
Yet with all this beauty of art and music and literature--with all these aspirations--with all the fervor of religious feeling, there was still no way opened by which men on earth could hold communion with the loved ones who had gone before them into that land which dwellers upon earth have called the Land of Shades, and from whose bourn, they thought, no traveler could return--a land that was all vague and misty to their thought. And there was likewise no means by which those spirit ones who sought to help man to a higher, purer knowledge of Truth could communicate with him directly. The ideas and the fallacies of ancient theories formulated in the days of the world's infancy continually mixed with the newer, more perfect sight which the spirit world sought to give, and clouded its clearness and refracted its rays so that they reached the minds of mortals broken and imperfect.
Despite the beauty of art, music, and literature—despite human aspirations and religious fervor—there was no way for people on Earth to communicate with their departed loved ones. The afterlife remained a vague, misty realm, often called the Land of Shades, from which many believed no one could return. Similarly, there was no direct means for spirits seeking to elevate humanity's understanding of Truth to communicate with the living. Ancient theories and fallacies, born in humanity's infancy, continually mixed with the clearer insights the spirit world tried to offer. This interference clouded and distorted these spiritual messages, causing them to reach mortal minds in a fragmented and imperfect state.
Then I beheld that the walls of the material life were pierced with many doors, and at each door stood an angel to guard it, and from each door on earth even to the highest spheres I saw a great chain of spirits, each link being one stage higher than the one below it, and to mortals upon earth were given the keys of these doors that they might keep them open and that between mortals and the spirit world there might be communication.
I saw that the barriers of physical existence had many openings, each guarded by an angel. From each earthly entrance to the highest realms, I observed a vast network of spirits, each level slightly more advanced than the one below. Humans were entrusted with the keys to these portals, allowing them to maintain a connection between the mortal world and the spirit realm.
But, alas! as time passed on I saw that many of those who held these keys were not faithful. They were allured by the joys and the gifts of earth, and turned aside and suffered their doors to close. Others again kept their doors but partly open and where only light and truth should have shown they suffered errors and darkness to creep in, and again the light from the spirit world was sullied and broken as it passed through these darkened doorways. Sill more sad, as time passed on, the light ceased to shine at all and gave place to the thick impure rays from dark deceitful spirits from the lower sphere, and at last the angel would close that door to be opened no more on earth.
Unfortunately, as time went on, many of those entrusted with these keys proved unfaithful. They were tempted by worldly pleasures and possessions, turning away and allowing their doors to shut. Others only kept their doors partially open, and where only light and truth should have shone, they let errors and darkness seep in. Once again, the light from the spiritual realm was tainted and fractured as it passed through these shadowy entrances. Even more distressing, as time progressed, the light ceased to shine entirely, giving way to thick, impure rays from deceptive dark spirits from the lower realms. Eventually, the angel would close that door, never to be opened on Earth again.
Then I turned from this sad sight and beheld many new doors opened where mortals stood, whose hearts were pure and unselfish and unsullied by the desires of earth; and through these doors poured such a flood of light upon the earth that my eyes were dazzled, and I had to turn aside. When I looked again I saw these doorways thronged by spirits, beautiful, bright spirits, and others whose raiment was dark and their hearts sad because their lives had been sinful, but in whose souls there was a desire for good, and there were spirits who were fair and bright, but sorrowful, because they could speak no more with those whom they had left on earth; and I beheld the sorrowful and the sinful spirits alike comforted and helped by means of the communication with the earth, and in the hearts of many mortals there was joy, for death's dark curtain was drawn aside and there was news from those beyond the grave.
I turned away from this grim scene and saw many new doors open, where people with pure, selfless hearts untainted by worldly desires stood. Through these doors, such a blinding flood of light poured onto Earth that I had to look away. When I looked back, I saw these doorways crowded with spirits. Some were beautiful and radiant, while others wore dark clothes and had sorrowful hearts due to their sinful lives, yet they still yearned for goodness. There were also bright but sad spirits who could no longer speak with their loved ones on Earth. I watched as both the sorrowful and sinful spirits found comfort and help through their communication with Earth. Many people felt joy as death's dark veil was lifted, revealing news from beyond the grave.
Then I saw pass before me great armies of spirits from all the higher spheres, their raiment of purest white and their helmets of silver and gold glittering in the glorious spiritual light. And some among them seemed to be the leaders who directed the others in their work. And I asked, "Who are these? Were they ever mortal men?"
I watched as vast groups of spirits from the higher realms passed before me. Their clothing was pristine white, and their helmets of silver and gold shimmered in the magnificent spiritual light. Some among them appeared to be leaders, guiding the others in their tasks. I wondered, "Who are these beings? Were they once human like us?"
And Ahrinziman answered me: "These were not only mortal men but they were many of them men of evil lives, who by reason thereof descended to those Kingdoms of Hell which you have seen, but who because of their great repentance and the many and great works of atonement which they have done, and the perfect conquest over their own lower natures which they have gained, are now the leaders in the armies of light, the strong warriors who protect men from the evils of those lower spheres."
Ahrinziman replied, "These individuals were not just ordinary people, but many had led wicked lives. As a result, they descended to the hellish realms you've witnessed. However, through their deep remorse, numerous acts of atonement, and complete mastery over their baser instincts, they have now become leaders in the forces of good. They are now powerful guardians, shielding humanity from the dangers lurking in those lower planes."
From time to time I saw dark masses of spirits, like waves washing on a shore and flowing over portions of the earth, drawn thither by man's own evil desires and greedy selfishness, and then I would see them driven back by the armies of light spirits, for between these two there was a constant conflict, and the prize for which they contended was man's soul; and yet these two contending forces had no weapons but their wills. They fought not save with the repelling powers of their magnetism which was so antagonistic that neither could long remain in close contact with the other.
Occasionally, I witnessed dark swarms of spirits, like waves crashing on a shore, sweeping over parts of the earth. These spirits were drawn by humanity's evil desires and selfish greed. However, I'd then see them pushed back by armies of light spirits. A constant struggle existed between these two forces, with the human soul as their prize. Their only weapons were their wills, and they battled using only the repelling powers of their magnetism. This magnetism was so opposed that neither side could remain in close contact with the other for long.
Ahrinziman pointed out to me one door at which stood a mortal woman, and said: "Behold the chain there is incomplete; it wants still one link between her and the spirit chain. Go down and form that link, and then will your strength protect her and make her strong; then will you guard her from those dark spirits who hover near, and help her to keep open her door. Your wanderings in those lower spheres have given you the power of repelling their inhabitants, and where stronger power is required it will be sent to protect her--and those who seek to communicate through her will do so only when you see fit, and when you desire to rest in the spirit world another guide will take your place. And now look again at the earth and the conflict that surrounds it."
Ahrinziman gestured to a door where a mortal woman stood. "Look," he said, "the chain is incomplete. It's missing a link between her and the spirit realm. Go and create that link. Your strength will protect and empower her, shielding her from the dark spirits lurking nearby. You'll help her keep the door open. Your experiences in the lower spheres have given you the ability to repel their inhabitants. When stronger protection is needed, it will be provided. Those who wish to communicate through her will only do so with your approval. When you need to rest in the spirit world, another guide will take your place. Now, look again at Earth and the conflict surrounding it."
I looked as he spoke, and saw black thunder clouds hovering over the earth and gathering dark as night, and a sound as of a rushing storm swept upwards from the dark spheres of hell, and like the waves of a storm-tossed ocean these dark clouds of spirits rolled up against the sea of bright spirits, sweeping them back and rolling over the earth as though to blot out from it the light of truth, and they assailed each door of light and sought to overwhelm it. Then did this war in the spirit world become a war amongst men--nation fighting against nation for supremacy. It seemed as though in the great thirst for wealth and greed for conquest, all nations and all peoples must be engulfed, so universal was this war. And I looked to see were there none to aid, none who would come forth from the realms of light and wrest from the dark spirits their power over the earth. The seething mass of dark spirits were attacking those doors of light and striving to sweep away those poor faithful mortals who stood within them, that man might be driven back to the days of his ignorance again.
As I watched, dark storm clouds gathered over the earth, as black as night. A sound like a rushing tempest rose from the shadowy realms below, and these dark clouds of spirits surged like waves in a stormy sea against the bright spirits. They swept them back and rolled over the earth, seemingly intent on snuffing out the light of truth. They assaulted each beacon of light, trying to overwhelm it. This spiritual conflict soon manifested as war among nations, each fighting for supremacy. It appeared that in their insatiable thirst for wealth and conquest, all countries and peoples would be consumed by this global war. I searched for any sign of aid, wondering if beings from the realms of light would emerge to challenge the dark spirits' power over the earth. The roiling mass of dark spirits continued to assault the strongholds of light, attempting to overpower the loyal mortals who defended them. Their goal seemed to be driving humanity back into the darkness of ignorance.
Then it was that like a Star in the East I saw a light, glittering and dazzling all by its brightness, and it came down and down, and grew and grew till I saw it was a vast host of radiant angels from the heavenly spheres, and with their coming those other bright spirits whom I had seen driven back by the forces of evil gathered together again and joined those glorious warriors, and this great ocean of light, this mighty host of bright spirits swept down to earth and surrounded it with a great belt of glorious light. Everywhere I saw the rays of light, like spears, darting down and rending the dark mass in a thousand places. Like swords of fire flashed these dazzling rays and cut through the dark wall of spirits on all sides, scattering them to the four winds of heaven. Vainly did their leaders seek to gather their forces together again, vainly seek to drive them on. A stronger power was opposed to them, and they were hurled back by the brightness of these hosts of heaven till, like a dark and evil mist, they sank down, rolling back to those dark spheres from which they had come.
Then, as if a guiding star had appeared in the East, I saw a brilliant light that dazzled with its intensity. It descended, growing larger and brighter, revealing itself as a vast host of radiant angels from the celestial realms. As they arrived, the other bright spirits I had seen pushed back by evil forces regrouped and joined these glorious warriors. This immense ocean of light, this mighty host of luminous beings, swept down to Earth, encircling it with a magnificent belt of radiance. Everywhere, I witnessed beams of light like spears, piercing the dark mass in countless places. These brilliant rays flashed like fiery swords, slicing through the dark wall of spirits on all sides, scattering them to the four corners of the world. Their leaders futilely attempted to regroup their forces and drive them forward. But a greater power opposed them, and the brightness of these heavenly hosts forced them back until, like a sinister mist, they sank down, retreating to the dark spheres from whence they came.
"And who were these bright angels?" I asked again, "these warriors who never drew back yet never slew, who held in check these mighty forces of evil, not with the sword of destruction but by the force of their mighty wills, by the eternal power of good over evil?"
"Who were these radiant beings?" I asked once more. "These fighters who never retreated yet never killed, who restrained these powerful evil forces not with weapons of destruction, but through the strength of their resolve and the timeless power of good over evil?"
And the answer was: "They are those who are also the redeemed ones of the darkest spheres, who long, long ages ago have washed their sin-stained garments in the pools of repentance, and have, by their own labors, risen from the ashes of their dead selves to higher things, not through a belief in the sacrifice of an innocent life for their sins, but by many years of earnest labors--many acts of atonement--by sorrow and by bitter tears--by many weary hours of striving to conquer first the evil in themselves that they who have overcome may help others who sin to do so likewise. These are the angels of the heavenly spheres of earth, once men like themselves and able to sympathize with all the struggles of sinful men. A might host they are, ever strong to protect, powerful to save."
The answer was: "They are the redeemed souls from the darkest realms, who, ages ago, cleansed their guilt through genuine remorse. They've risen from their past selves to reach higher states, not by believing in sacrificial atonement, but through years of hard work, acts of redemption, sorrow, and tears. They've battled their inner demons, and having conquered them, now help others do the same. These are the angels of Earth's heavenly realms, once human like us, able to empathize with our struggles. They form a mighty force, always ready to protect and powerful enough to save."
My vision of the earth and its surroundings faded away, and in its stead I beheld one lone star shining above me with a pure silver light. And its ray fell like a thin thread of silver upon the earth and upon the spot where my beloved dwelt. Ahrinziman said to me:
The world around me disappeared, replaced by a single star shining overhead with brilliant silver light. Its beam descended like a delicate silver thread, touching the earth where my beloved lived. Ahrinziman then spoke to me:
"Behold the star of her earthly destiny, how clear and pure it shines, and know, oh! beloved pupil, that for each soul born upon earth there shines in the spiritual heavens such a star whose path is marked out when the soul is born; a path it must follow to the end, unless by an act of suicide it sever the thread of the earthly life and by thus transgressing a law of nature plunge itself into great sorrow and suffering."
Look at the star of her earthly destiny, how bright and clear it shines. Understand, dear student, that for every person born on Earth, such a star shines in the spiritual realm. This star's path is set when the soul is born, a path it must follow to its conclusion. Only by taking one's own life can this thread of earthly existence be cut short. Such an act, violating nature's law, would plunge the soul into immense sorrow and suffering.
"Do you mean that the fate of every soul is fixed, and that we are but straws floating on the stream of our destiny?"
"Are you saying our futures are set in stone, and we're just helpless to change the course of our lives?"
"Not quite. The great events of the earth life are fixed, they will inevitably be encountered at certain periods of the earthly existence, and they are such events as those wise guardians of the angelic spheres deem to be calculated to develop and educate that soul; how these events will affect the life of each soul--whether they shall be the turning point for good or ill, for happiness or for sorrow--rests with the soul itself, and this is the prerogative of our free will, without which we would be but puppets, irresponsible for our acts and worthy of neither reward nor punishment for them. But to return to that star--note that while the mortal follows the destined path with earnest endeavor to do right in all things, while the soul is pure and the thoughts unselfish, then does that star shine out with a clear unsullied ray, and light the pathway of the soul. The light of this star comes from the soul and is the reflection of its purity. If, then, the soul cease to be pure, if it develp its lower instead of its higher attributes, the star of that soul's destiny will grow pale and faint, the light flickering like some will-o'-the-wisp hovering over a dark morass; no longer will it shine as a clear beacon of the soul; and at last, if the soul become very evil, the light of the star will die out and expire, to shine no more upon its earthly path.
Not quite. The major events in a person's life are predetermined. These events, which the wise angelic guardians believe will help develop and educate the soul, will inevitably occur at specific times during one's earthly existence. However, how these events impact each soul—whether they become turning points for good or ill, happiness or sorrow—depends on the individual. This is the essence of our free will, without which we would be mere puppets, not responsible for our actions and undeserving of reward or punishment. Returning to the concept of the star: when a person follows their destined path, earnestly trying to do what's right, keeping their soul pure and thoughts selfless, their star shines brightly, illuminating their life's journey. The star's light comes from within the soul, reflecting its purity. If the soul loses its purity and develops its baser qualities instead of its higher ones, the star of that soul's destiny will dim. Its light will flicker like a will-o'-the-wisp over a dark swamp, no longer serving as a clear beacon. Eventually, if the soul becomes truly evil, the star's light will fade completely, never to shine again on its earthly path.
"It is by watching these spiritual stars and tracing the path marked out for them in the spiritual heavens, that spirit seers are able to foretell the fate of each soul, and from the light given by the star to say whether the life of the soul is good or evil. Adieu, and may the new field of your labors yield you the fairest fruits."
By observing these spiritual beacons and tracking their predestined paths in the celestial realm, spiritual guides can predict each soul's destiny. From the light emitted by these stars, they can discern whether a soul's life is virtuous or sinful. Farewell, and may your new endeavors bring you abundant success.
He ceased speaking and my soul seemed to sink down and down till I reached the spirit body I had left lying on my couch, and for a brief moment as I re-entered it I lost consciousness; then I awoke to find myself in my own room, with those beautiful white angels hovering over me, symbols, as my father had said, of eternal protection and love.
He stopped talking, and I felt my soul descend, returning to the physical body I had left on the couch. For a brief moment as I re-entered it, I lost consciousness. Then I awoke in my own room, with those beautiful white angels hovering above me. As my father had said, they were symbols of eternal protection and love.