We continue today the methodical study of “Heaven and Hell, or Divine Justice According to Spiritism” by Allan Kardec. The first edition was published in August 1, 1865. This work is part of the Kardecian Pentateuch. The answers to the questions suggested for discussion are at the end of the text below.
Questions for discussion
A. If a Spirit has already been in the spiritual world and is aware of that, how can he come back and still be materialistic?
B. How can the Spirits avoid each other in the Spiritual world, if there are no material obstacles or shelters there?
C. Is a suicidal subject to fatality? Does suicide separate or bring close those who love each other?
D. Can obsession lead to suicide?
Reading Text
210. Kardec explains that the best proof of their identity is the one provided by the Spirits spontaneously. He recalled that there are people that nothing can convince them. "They could see one of their parents, with their own eyes, and still would continue to assume that they are victims of a hallucination," added the Encoder. (Second Part, Chapter V, an Atheist.)
211. Complementing the case of the suicidal atheist, Kardec said that evocations do not happen suddenly, since the Spirits are not always available to answer our requests. Therefore, their wish to communicate is one of the requirements, and not only that, but also that they can do it by finding a medium that suits them, with the special skills needed, and which is available at any given time. It is also necessary that the environment please them. (Second Part, Chapter V, An Atheist, Kardec's final note.)
212. Feliciano was a rich man, educated, witty, gentle, and an honorable character. He hanged himself in December 1864, due to economic problems, which marred his fortune. Evoked four months after the suicide, Feliciano said, "I cry for the Earth where I had disappointments, however, smaller than those experienced here. I, who dreamed in wonderland, am below the reality of my ideal." (Second Part, Chapter V, Feliciano.)
213. Following Feliciano said he needed prayers to get rid of those fellows who obsessed him with cries, smiles, and hellish taunts. "They call me a coward, said Feliciano, and they are right because I renounced to life. It is the fourth time I give in to this trial despite the promise of not failing..." (Second Part, Chapter V, Feliciano).
214. Analyzing Feliciano's case, Kardec says that there is no benefit in suffering when we fail to achieve the purpose of incarnation: it is necessary, in this case, to start it all over until we come out successful from this battle. Rejecting the argument that a fatality led Feliciano to suicide, the Encoder says, "Only man's pride can make him impute his earthly misfortunes to destiny. The truth is that these misfortunes are caused by his negligence." Feliciano had everything that was necessary to be happy on Earth, talent, wealth, deserved consideration, absence of ruinous vices, and qualities. Only due to his shortsightedness was his position compromised. (Second Part, Chapter V, Feliciano.)
215. Referring to the case, Kardec is of the opinion that if Feliciano had acted cautiously, contenting himself with what he already had, instead of wanting to increase it, his fall down would not have occurred. There would have been no fatality. Feliciano's ordeal consisted of being submitted to a chain of circumstances that were to give him, not the need, but the temptation of suicide. Kardec said to Feliciano, "This trial, as you already know and feel it, shall be renewed. In your next life you will have to face events that will suggest suicide again and so it will be until you finally succeed." (Second Part, Chapter V, Feliciano.)
216. Antonio Bell was driven to suicide by the action of a vengeful Spirit, which produced in him terrible hallucinations. This shows that the obsession can actually lead a person to suicide. However, man always has his free will and therefore he has the ability to resist or give in to suggestions that affect him. (Second Part, Chapter V, Antonio Bell.)
217. In Antonio Bell's case, it turns out that he committed a crime in a previous life and that this was the reason for the Spirit's revenge, which contributed to interrupt his earthly existence. He regretted his act, but repentance is only the main requisite for rehabilitation. "God is not contented with promises, says the psychic's Guide and rehabilitation requires proof, by acts, by returning to the good path. That is why the Spirit is subject to further trials that strengthen it, adding a greater value when the end is crowned with triumph." (Second Part, Chapter V, Antonio Bell.)
218. When commenting on the obsessive process that killed Antonio Bell, the psychic's Guide states: "The Spirit only is pursued by evil and obsessive Spirits, if they find him not strong enough to resist them. If they find resistance, they leave convinced of the futility of their efforts." (Second Part, Chapter V, Antonio Bell.)
Answers to the proposed questions
A. If a Spirit has already been in the spiritual world and is aware of that, how can he come back and still be materialistic?
According to Allan Kardec, it is precisely this insight that is denied to some Spirits who, holding on to their pride, do not regret their sins. For these, the trial is the acceptance, during their bodily life and based on their own reasoning, that God and afterlife exist and accept what is constantly under their eyes. Often, however, they assume that nothing exists besides them, and nothing excites and occupies them. Thus, they suffer until the moment they master their pride and surrender to evidence. (Heaven and Hell - Part Two, Chapter V, an Atheist, and question 8, Kardec's comment.)
B. How can the Spirits avoid each other in the Spiritual world, if there are no material obstacles or shelters there?
In the spiritual world, everything is according to the fluidic nature of the beings, which inhabit it. Only the superior Spirits have unlimited insights. In the lower Spirits, they are limited. For these, the fluidic obstacles are equivalent to the material obstacles. The Spirits cannot be seen due to their volitional feature, which acts on the perispiritual mantle and environmental fluids. Considering their moral character, the Divine Providence grants or denies them this possibility, and this is a punishment or a reward according to the circumstances. (Ibid, Part Two, Chapter V, an Atheist, and question 19 and Kardec's comments.)
C. Is a suicidal subject to fatality? Does suicide separate or bring close those who love each other?
No, there is no fatality in suicide. The person may be subject to a succession of circumstances and suicide will not appear as a need, but as a temptation. In the case of Feliciano, reported by Kardec, the situation was repeated, meaning he would face events that would suggest the idea of suicide, and this would go on and on until he mastered this trial. As demonstrated by the case of a mother who killed herself to find her son, suicide does not unite but separates the suicidal from his target, and this separation can last for a long time. (Ibid, Part Two, Chapter V, and Feliciano and Mother and son.)
D. Can obsession lead to suicide?
Yes, when it is not treated properly, obsession can lead the obsessed to suicide, as in the case of Antonio Bell. The Spirit only is pursued by evil and obsessive Spirits, if they find him not strong enough to resist them. If they find resistance, they leave convinced of the futility of their efforts. (Ibid, Part Two, Chapter V, Antonio Bell, question 5 and answer of the psychics' Guide.)
