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Word Gems 

exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity

Rose Carson, Two Years In Heaven

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With pleasure I share with you one of my very favorite first-hand accounts from Summerland. Rose speaks not only to impart detailed information of life over there - charitable service, recreation, travel, study, friends, and quiet time - but her warm and fervent enthusiasm reflects her happiness to be living in the “real world.”

In a few other writings, I've featured an inset-box highlighting Rose's enthusiasm for our home world. Allow me to reprint that for you now as prelude to the main:

We witness here that Rose's awareness concerning the errancy of reincarnation is a function of no external teacher but her own deeper self, her "consciousness," informing her of such. 

It’s important to make note that Rose has learned of the error of reincarnation. So many of the afterlife accounts are authored by confused individuals who still believe that one might learn lessons only on the Earth.

As I’ve come to see, and as many of the wiser teachers over there attest, if they believe that, then much of their testimony will be colored and degraded by this underlying misperception. But Rose is not deceived as are some others; as such, what she says is all the more valuable. See the “Reincarnation” page for 50 reasons why “R” is bad doctrine.

Further, Rose knows about eternal Twin Soul romantic love. In my investigation of afterlife-testimonies, it's been my experience that those who both deny reincarnation and affirm Twin love are among the most balanced psychologically, the wisest, and conform most closely to the natural law of "the real world." Rose earns full marks in this area.

And now, here are excerpts from Two Years In Heaven:

At the end, I invite you to read my assessment of Rose's experience. See it in the "Editor's Last Word" section.

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Chapter 1
The Great Change
 

PART I
IN THE SPIRITUAL AND CELESTIAL WORLDS
 

Two years among the angels! Beloved, I have been two years in
the blest country that knows not doubt or sin. Oh, strange and wonderful
life of the spirit that I have learned to know so well during a period of
over two years!
 

It seems to me, as I look back over my life, that, in an unconscious
way, perhaps, I was undergoing a preparation that in the course of time
would take me into a realm of wonderful possibilities, greater than I,
even in my period of exalted vision, could ever picture.
 

When the great change came to me, I was so weary and tired of
earthly conditions that it seemed good to relax, to loosen my hold upon
material things, and drift out into the new country where there was await-
ing me just the sort of a life and conditions that my imprisoned spirit had
been clamoring for in its house of clay. I had not been willing to go
before, however, as it seemed to me my work was incomplete in a mate-
rial sense; but the spirit, which said, “Take up your bed and walk,” was
stronger than the will, which said, “Tarry a little longer; there is an un-
finished work for you to complete.”
 

But the Great Power which rules and guides the universe said,
“Come up higher; there is a larger work for you to do; come up and join
the ranks of the immortal.” I yielded to the call, the great curtain of death
rolled upward, and I took my place upon the stage of eternity.
 

A strange and wonderful stage that is, extending so far out into
space that I shall never expect to join the players ahead of me, who must
go on, even as I go on, to the end of the play, which must always be the
prelude to another act in which each shall be given the opportunity to
display to a greater advantage his capabilities.
 

From the first I reveled in the glories and beauties of my new life,
but the main incentive which seemed to spur me on toward the greatest
effort of my life was this prayer: “O Mighty Powers, give me the strength
and the ability to impart to those who need it the good that I myself
derive from my pilgrimage to the SummerLand.”
 

No longer burdened with the weakness of the flesh, I was young
and vigorous and in the bloom of young womanhood. Those associated
with me said, “Never before was the name ‘Rose’ so appropriate to you
as it is now, for you are indeed like a rose in full bloom.” I was glad
indeed, for I wanted to be helpful to all with whom I came in contact,
whether they were of the flesh or of the spirit.
 

I found myself outlining in my mind a set of maxims or rules to
guide me in my new and wonderful life. I learned in the beginning that
one entering that life could choose his own way of living. He would not
be permitted, of course, to do wrong or degenerate in a spiritual sense,
but, if he cared simply for [only] the pleasures of higher life, he need not expect
to progress or pass up to the higher realms of being as time went on.
 

To one who found pleasure in the beautiful things of life, as I had
always done heretofore, I knew the temptation would be strong to linger
with the throng of beauty and pleasure-loving beings who were to be
found everywhere in that grand and wonderful life.
 

After studying the possibilities of my new life, I came to this con-
clusion: I would enter the different avenues open to me, and with my
experience I would gain something that I could make use of in my higher
development and unfoldment—something that I could impart to those
receptive to me, either in the spirit or the flesh.

Chapter 2
Arrival in the Next World
 

I liked the perfect system I found on that other side of life. I made
up my mind to study the conditions from the lowest to the highest.
 

At first it was delightful to visit with my friends and to go about to
the places of interest I found in that other world, but with every experi-
ence the thought was uppermost in my mind that I must be about the
work for which I had been called to the higher life. I must go daily to the
dear husband I had left with a double burden to carry. I must reach him
with my love and my encouragement, and, by the influence I was able to
exert over him, I must help him to overcome the lonely feeling occa-
sioned by the absence of my material presence.
 

Although the life was new and wonderful to me, I felt perfectly at
home, my mind was clearer than it had ever been before, and I found it
easy and interesting to plan out the details for my future.
 

I had been assigned to a beautiful home, with spiritual furnishings
rich and elaborate, but I realized from the beginning that only a small
part of my time would be spent in that home. My entire being vibrated
with activity. I was fond of my friends and the dear ones I found on that
other side, and it was delightful to be with them, but I was eager to take
up my work.
 

I felt so strong and well that it seemed to me I was filled with a new
and wonderful form of vitality. I was thankful for every past experience
of my life, but it seemed to me I had just begun to live. No time was
wasted in unnecessary work, no hours spent in sleep, and the days were
so long and delightful, with no darkness to intervene. When night had
settled upon the earth, it was bright and beautiful in the celestial spheres,
and both out of doors and within the homes the inhabitants of the higher
life were passing the time in the pursuit of instruction or of pleasure.
 

I was rarely alone, except in my journeyings to and from the earth,
and even then I was frequently accompanied by my husband’s first wed-
ded companion and her two dear children, or by some of the numerous
guides or helpers of my husband, far away upon the earth, in whom we
were all so interested, and from whose side I had so recently departed.
Only a few of my own immediate family were left upon the earth, and
each day as it passed found me spending some time in their presence,
but there were only two with whom I could come in touch: a husband
and a sister. And it was a wonderful privilege to me to be told that I
would be permitted to communicate with them and tell them that all was
well with me, and that the greatest change of my life had found me
prepared to accept what the higher powers had outlined for me.
 

The inspiring presence and the loving counsel of the One whom I
had learned to love and revere as the true Son of God was worth more to
me than ever before. Standing in His presence and looking into His
wonderful far-reaching eyes, I was conscious of an awakened strength
in my own being that I had never known before.
 

I do not know that others have experienced the same feeling that I
did when standing first in the spiritual presence of the beloved José. To
me it was not only wonderful, but peculiar—the vibrations emanating
from Him were so wonderful that they seemed to permeate every part of
my being, and I stood forth cleansed and purified, as though I had been
touched with immortal fire.

Within the Presence
I stood within the presence
Of God’s immortal Son,
I felt the mighty power
Of that pure and holy One.
The eyes were deep and tender,
The brow was broad and fair,
Framed in a haloed glory
And a wealth of chestnut hair.
And the form was tall and stately,
With such a kingly air,
And the presence, pure and holy,
Filled the soul with thoughts of prayer.
And I thought of the ancient story
Of the people of Bible times,
Who came in throngs to the Savior’s side,
To be strengthened and purified.
How grand to stand in His presence,
Far up in the realms of light,
To behold in a circle about Him
That wonderful halo so bright!
To depart from His royal presence
All strengthened and purified,
And to feel, through that Mighty Power,
That the soul has been glorified!
 

Chapter 3
My First Great Plan
 

In reviewing my life and experiences during the two years I have
spent in the heavenly land, I find that I have unfolded more in a spiritual
sense than during my entire life upon the material plane.
 

In the first place, the true meaning and purpose of my existence
have been made clear to me. I realize that material life was for me a
preparation for a larger sphere of influence in spiritual realms. I know
that I shall go on and on, throughout all eternity, growing and expanding
in knowledge and attaining a more nearly perfect realization.
The consciousness that I have attained tells me this great truth: The
soul aspiring for progress never retrogrades; it goes on and on, through-
out all eternity, toward greater achievements and higher realizations.
 

I shall always recall with the greatest interest a gathering of gifted
beings who have been inhabitants of the higher regions for millions and
millions of years. They were magnificent in appearance, but they pos-
sessed the stature of men and women. They were wise beyond my pow-
ers of understanding, and the spiritual power that vibrated from them
was marvelous. From my observation of them I realized more than ever
before that man was the Creator’s masterpiece; for he retains the higher
part of his individuality and the same general appearance, though he
may pass through ages of time.
 

My first great plan, after I had settled into my new method of life,
was to systematize the line of work I had been given to carry out. I had
been given privilege to impart certain knowledge gained by me to those
of earth who knew and loved me and who wished to know of the life
beyond the grave. The knowledge I gained and the efforts I made to
apply it to a good and true purpose pertained to my progress, and as I
unfolded and developed in greater knowledge I would be given work
that would take me far up into higher realms of space. The knowledge I
would gain there could not help but prove invaluable to me and to those
with whom I would be associated, both on the earth and in heaven.
 

It was interesting to me, the thought of my great work; I was enthu-
siastic over the prospect before me, and determined to put the best en-
ergy of my being into the work. The indications pointed to a busy life for
me. In a comparatively short time I had learned to fit into my new life as
though I had always been a part of it.
 

The first meetings with friends and loved ones were delightful and
interesting, and conversation flowed as freely as when carried on be-
tween material beings. We talked of those left upon the earth, and com-
mented on the wonderful change for the better that spiritual life had
brought to each of us. There were new loved ones to meet, and friends I
had never known in earthly life with whom to be brought in contact.
 

There were wonderful lessons for me to learn, and the teachers
were glorious beings. I treasure highly the knowledge gained from the
hours spent with them and trust it will serve me a good purpose as I
progress in higher life. It seemed necessary that I should learn of many
things if I would be a teacher of others.
 

I remember I had been in spirit life but a few weeks when, in company
with several scientific teachers, I took a trip through space. Such a wonder-
ful panorama of light and color as greeted my vision! The magnitude of
creation almost appalled me. The power of my vision was wonderful in-
deed. I could see far away, many miles into space, and as far as I could see
the system of suns, stars, moons, and planets continued its movements. I
knew that beyond the picture presented to my vision there were other starry
systems moving through space. There was not one sun, but many, and from
each central sun the one nearest it derived its heat, light, and power.
It would take weeks to describe the wonderful solar system as I
saw it. The Earth seemed but a dot compared to the countless bodies
suspended in space. Floating far up through the starry ether I moved
until I was in the very heart of the starry systems.

Such a blaze of light and color had never before been flashed upon
my vision, but, being a spiritual person, I was able to endure it without
injury. The gases and the heat thrown off from celestial bodies would
annihilate a physical being, did he possess the power to attain that great
height in space.
 

No words that I could frame in my mind were sufficiently strong to
express the wonder of the creations that I saw about me. The thought
came to me that perhaps, as time went on and I grew in spiritual power,
that which seemed of such magnitude now would be superseded by vi-
sions of still greater magnitude, still higher in space.
 

The idea of the plan of creation, as it appealed to me then, was that
the Supreme Cause of all created things came from so many degrees
above that it would be impossible to trace it; but the one great cause that
produced visible formation must have been a nucleus of positive and
negative force united together, from which more force was generated,
until, by the law of cohesion and attraction, the universe continued to
expand and grow into multitudinous forms and creations.
 

A very learned teacher who accompanied me must have divined
my thoughts, for he said: “You have the correct idea on a small scale.
Some time, when you are ready for it, I will give you a lesson on the
science of creative law that it would be impossible for your understand-
ing to grasp at the present time. You are now taking your first lesson in
the higher science of the spirit.

"These expressions of creative law, which
seem now of such magnitude to you, will, after you have had a few
lessons, resolve themselves into something that fits into your under-
standing. They will not grow any larger or smaller in size, but your un-
derstanding and comprehension will grow; consequently the time will
come when you will not be satisfied with what you see about you now.
You will realize that all this great exhibition of mighty creative law is
simply an emanation from a still greater degree of power, and as you
continue to move higher in space you understanding will grow stronger.
 

“Even now you can ascend so high in space that it seems to you
that you can almost touch Creative Cause; but, with this great possibil-
ity, you are limited; for there are realms so high in space that if you could
enter them now, you would pass into a condition where, for a time, you
guard these realms, although they are all about you now and of greater
number than you can estimate. They are spiritual in their composition
and of the same form as you, but more powerful, as they never lived in
physical form.”

One may consider this very strange conversation for two spiritual
beings on a trip through space. Strange as it may seem, it was exceedingly
interesting to me, and I returned to my home in the heavenly realms more
enlightened than before on abstruse subjects. This was the first of many
trips through space that were always filled with absorbing interest to me.
 

Since that first trip I have gone up over one million degrees, and have
gained such knowledge that I can never expect to impart to material minds,
but I have a class in spiritual research, the members of which meet in my
home and are fitting themselves to explore the realms of space.
 

Some people will ask, “Of what value can it be to a spiritual being
to learn of the wonders of space?” I say, it is of inestimable value in
many ways, not only to the inhabitants of the eternal world, but to the
people of earth as well.
 

Progressive beings of the spiritual, heavenly, and celestial worlds
are always on the lookout for receptive minds, to whom they may be
able to impart the knowledge they have gained. Every great achieve-
ment worked out upon the Earth has been impressed on some material
mind that has been prepared to receive it by higher powers.
 

This great truth is not known by the majority of people, but it is
none the less a fact that if it were not for the information vibrated to
material minds by spiritual beings, the earth plane would be much slower
in its progress than it has been and is today.
 

Questions of vital interest to the people of the material and spiritual
planes interested me exceedingly. I wanted to live in such a way that I
could be helpful to others less fortunate than myself. Particularly was I
desirous of reaching one on the earth plane whom I had been selected to
assist in a certain great work. This thought was in my mind constantly in
the midst of my work and the many different experiences that meant so
much to me in many different ways.
 

My friends told me they never realized before that I was so ambi-
tious. I did not call it ambition; it was simply the desire in my soul to
make the best of the wonderful privileges that had been given to me in
my new and glorious life. I did not need to be told that great honors
awaited me if I would perform a certain great work. The pleasure that I
derived from gaining knowledge and in realizing that I could be helpful
to others was an incentive sufficient to make me continually desire to
accomplish more and more as time went on. How happy I was when the
way opened up for me to communicate with the one of Earth who had
journeyed by my side for many years and who felt keenly the absence of
my material presence day by day.
 

Every moment of the time I spent in spirit life was occupied with
something helpful and instructive. I cared not to spend the time in mere
pleasure, or even to enjoy something particularly beautiful, unless I knew
that the good I was to derive from it would aid me in my progress, or
furnish me with some helpful idea that I could impart to others to aid
them in their progress toward higher, grander, and better things. I did not
make undue mention of my plans in this direction, although I found
much satisfaction in the reflection of it in my deeper consciousness.
 

I enjoyed the companionship of my friends and loved ones very
much, and I came in contact with wonderfully interesting people—people
who had accomplished something in the heavenly life, and who would
accomplish still more as they moved onward toward higher progression.
It was interesting to me to meet the gifted men and women of the
heavenly life who had figured in the intellectual life of the material world.
Later on, in describing my experiences, I shall devote a chapter to inter-
views with distinguished people.
 

As I recall the experiences of two years, it seems as though I had
been an inhabitant of the better country at least fifteen years. Such won-
derful and varied experiences as I have had in the different realms of
space—from spiritual travels about the earth to realms above the earth,
the spiritual and angelic worlds surrounding the sphere of earth, and the
mighty realms above the celestial, known in spirit life as “God’s King-
dom,” “The Kingdom of the Blessed,” “The Realm of Peace and Bliss,”
and “The God Center of Creation.” Truly, I have been blessed in the
privileges given unto me.

Chapter 4
Recording My Thoughts
 

Two years in heaven! The memory and experience seem sweet to
me, and, even though I pass through new experiences daily, I like to
recall the joys and the surprises that have come to me from time to time
since I joined the angel band above.
 

When I first passed to the SummerLand the idea occurred to me
that it might be interesting to keep a record from time to time of the
experiences and events that took place in my life, and, to my surprise, I
learned that for every soul who passed the spiritual life there was one
appointed to keep a record of that life. It seemed to me that, if I carried
out all that I planned to do, it would keep someone pretty busy making a
record of it. I soon learned that I could transfer my thoughts to pages that
I could prepare myself from the leaves of spiritual plants. I was glad of
this, for I knew my experiences would certainly be very interesting.
Since that time I have spent many pleasant hours reading the
thoughts that first came to me as a spiritual being. On the cover of the
journal of my experiences I made this inscription:
 

“Rose Leaves. By a Rose that bloomed and faded on earth to be
regenerated and quickened to a fuller and more beautiful bloom in a
garden of the SummerLand.”
 

The following are some of my thoughts as I read them now:
“I have been told that it has been five days since I closed my eyes
upon earthly things to open them in heaven. I have not learned, as yet, to
distinguish the passage of time in this new and wonderful life, where the
darkness of night never falls and the atmosphere is always bathed in a
soft and beautiful glow—sometimes of delicate rose, then again of blue,
pale green, bright gold, or brilliant purple.
 

“My mind is filled with plans of what I hope to do. How glorious it
will be to enter into active work and to realize that whatever I set out to
do I shall be able to accomplish through the efforts I make! It seems
good to be alive; to feel so well and strong that one’s whole being vi-
brates with new and wonderful life.
 

“And how glad I feel to know that I can still be in touch with the
world I left so recently! not because I am so fond of the gray, shadowy
earth, but rather because it has been the scene of many life experiences,
and because it holds for me a few persons that I love very dearly. I think
they would rejoice if they could see me now, and I believe they would
not care to call me back. I know there is one who would not. I believe,
however, if he could join me here in this beautiful summer garden, he
too would wish to remain and never return to earthly work and duties.
 

“It was so wonderful, the journey from the Earth to the spirit world.
When I looked upon my new body, in the strength and bloom of young
womanhood, it seemed as though I must in some way have quaffed of
the fount of eternal youth. With my new powers of vision I could see
myself from head to foot, externally and internally. My hair was long
and abundant, my eyes were bright, my checks well rounded, with a
delicate flush upon them. The new skin of lily body was not flesh; it was
spiritual tissue and more wonderful and beautiful than anything I had
ever seen in the flesh or skin of the physical body. I thought of the words
of St. Paul, where he says, ‘There is a natural body and there is a spiri-
tual body.’ I think the people of earth speculate a great deal in relation to
whether the new spiritual body shall be formed of flesh, blood, bones,
and physical organs, or of some new and wonderful material which dif-
fers from the earthly bodies as the unfolded lily differs from the brown
bulb whence it sprung.
 

“I am glad that my new spiritual body resembles the old one, al-
though on an improved scale. If the change were so marked as St. Paul
seems to infer, how would we recognize each other? It would seem as
though we had lost our individuality if we bore no resemblance to our
former selves. It seems to me that all persons like to feel that they will
retain their former identity sufficiently to be recognized by those who
have known and loved them in material life.
 

“Although I have been but so short a time in spirit life, it seems a
long time to me; perhaps it is because so much had been crowded into
my five days in heaven. Here I am among friends and loved ones, who
are with me often and are so delighted to have me where they can be
with me. This home is grander than anything I ever knew before. I mar-
vel continually about the wonder of its furnishings and the wonderful
discoveries I am continually making in relation to the rooms. Every room
is furnished and decorated in a different color. Same are in colors I never
saw before. I particularly like the circular room, which is like a conser-
vatory with its flowering plants and vines and the fountain in the center
in the form of an angel, bearing aloft a basket of flowers, from which
sprays of rainbow-colored water are sent up.
 

“I am glad for the beauty of this life, but I am thankful that, for
those who desire it, it is a life of service and usefulness. I do not think
I could be satisfied to realize that throughout all eternity my time would
be simply spent in enjoying the life of the spirit, yet there are many
bright and beautiful beings in this life who spend the time in going
from place to place, meeting with friends, enjoying the music, the art,
and many other interesting and fascinating expressions of this won-
derful life.
 

“There is no sadness here, no regret. If inhabitants of this life have
such feelings when they visit their friends on the earth, they must lay
them aside when they pass through the heavenly gate. I have been to the
earth and have viewed the cold and silent form that formerly enclosed
my spiritual body. I will say that I had feelings akin to sadness—not for
myself, but for those who could not understand the perfect meaning of
that which the world calls ‘death.’To me a new meaning had come with
the mystic secret of death, and that is ‘life.’
 

“I never knew before the perfect fullness and abundance of life as
I know it now. I am a woman in years, but my spirit is young and joyous,
and the realization shines forth through my eyes in such an unmistak-
able way that my friends comment upon it and rejoice to think that mine
own has come to me. ‘Mine own’ refers to my lifework, which I am
eager to take up. I am not impatient; how could one be impatient or
restless in such a life as this? But a short time ago it was winter to me,
and I was passing through the great change which men term ‘death.’ It is
summer now. I am seated beneath the trees surrounding my home. I
catch the fragrance of flowers and the melody of angelic music floating
upon the breeze. Two dear sisters who passed to the higher life years ago
are with me, and one whom I never knew in earth-life, but who calls
herself my guardian angel. I like the idea of guardian angels. It is beau-
tiful to think that when we come into life we are given a beautiful being
to watch over us and guide us through life. How they must grieve for us
at times, when we are wicked and rebellious and hard to influence in the
right way!
 

“During the short time I have known her I have learned to love the
dear one who has watched over me. I know that she must have been
sorely tried many times during the years she has watched over me. I am
sure I shall try to repay her for her kindness to me throughout the years
by learning from her all she has to impart in the higher lessons of truth,
love, and wisdom.
 

“How strange it is that the words appear, as they take shape in my
mind, upon the page before me, without the use of my hands to tran-
scribe my thoughts!
 

“My spiritual vision is wonderful. It seems I can see for miles and
miles—buildings, trees, bodies of water, or mountains cut no figure, for
I can see right through them. One would naturally think, with such a
power as that; it would distract my thoughts and keep my mind from
becoming concentrated, but it does not. I can carry on a conversation
with the dear ones about me here with my mind and behold what is
happening, near and afar, without being confused.
 

“Now and then I see a message in the air transcribed to me by the
power of mind. Sometimes it is vibrated consciously by the sender, and
then again it comes without the sender’s being aware of the fact that I
have received a message. The unconscious ones usually come from those
I have known and loved on the earth, who have no idea that a thought
sent by them can reach me. As I revel in the beauty of my surroundings
I catch the flash of this message:

“‘Rose the Sunlight, we await your coming in the temple of su-
preme power. Prepare to receive the power of the spirit.
‘JOSÉ ILLUMINIA,
‘OLESON, Master of Power.’
 

“This message means that I must go at once to the place men-
tioned. I have never been there, but I have no fear but what I shall be able
to reach the place, even though I go without a guide. Immediately I
catch the flash of another message:
“ ‘Your friends may accompany you. Accept the vibration of Di-
vine Power as it is flashed to you.’
 

“In less than a minute I am conscious of a wonderful power, which
seems to pass through every part of my being until I am aglow with the
most wonderful life-force I have ever known. It seems to me I have
power enough to do almost anything I make up my mind to carry out. Of
course, I do not understand the perfect meaning of this new power. Prob-
ably I shall understand it better after I have passed though the wonderful
experiences now awaiting me. Everything is so wonderful and new to
me that I find myself using the expression ‘It seems,’ but I expect that
ere long ‘I know it is’ will take the place of ‘It seems.’
 

“I am happy in the anticipation of what awaits me. My previous
meetings with the beloved José and the kingly Oleson have been of such
nature that I know all future meetings with them will be glorious.”

Chapter 5

Bringing Heaven Down to Earth
 

Gradually the great aim and purpose of my life became apparent to
me and I was happy in the realization, for it furnished me with some-
thing good and helpful for every second of existence. How exceedingly
small and narrow seemed the condition of material life in comparison to
the works found in spiritual and celestial life!
With this thought in mind, how important it seemed that we of the
better life should reach down to humanity and help material life to grow
wiser, stronger, broader, and better! What a wonderful satisfaction to the
soul to know that it has helped even one child of humanity to find the
light that leads to immortality and truth!
 

I found pleasure and satisfaction in every detail of my new and
wonderful existence. The life seemed new and old to me at the same
time. I fitted into everything so well that came up before me that it was
as though I had in some peculiar way been always a part of the spiritual
life; and then it seemed new because there was always being brought up
before me something new, wonderful, and fascinating. The soul seemed
to be continually preparing itself to assimilate some great truth, some
new wonder that could not be comprehended unless the understanding
had been prepared to receive it.
 

I compared my soul knowledge to the growth, development, and
unfoldment of a rosebud, and when I had grown, unfolded, and devel-
oped and blossomed into some sublime and wonderful conception of
the higher life, there was a new rosebud forming that would reveal some
greater truth in its blossoming. It was wonderful to think of, and yet how 
God-powers had appointed me to carry out would be brought about,
sooner or later.
 

I belonged to no less than twenty-five classes for the study and
understanding of physical, spiritual, and celestial conditions. Each of
these classes was under the supervision of an artist in his particular line.
One class was devoted to the study and understanding of the human
body. One part of each day was devoted to hospital work and reviewing
the interior of the physical system in its many peculiar conditions. This
was necessary, since I would be at some time in the future a guardian
angel, and would be called upon to assist the spiritual form from the
body. I found that by exercising one faculty of my being I could look
within a physical body and behold the spiritual, mental, and physical
system. I could see a great deal which even the dissecting-knife could
not reveal to the eye of the physician or the student who viewed the
interior remains. I realized how inadequate was the physician’s art in
discovering many causes of disease or inharmony of the body. I was
dismayed when I realized to what extent the physician experiments upon
the human body. Had I been in touch with an earthly physician who
prescribes strong drugs and the frequent use of the surgeon’s knife, I
would have endeavored to point out the fallacy of such a form of treat-
ment in the cure of inharmony of the body.
 

Rose discovers the truth concerning eternal Twin Soul romantic love

One subject that interested me greatly was the law of union be-
tween the sexes and family life. I always believed there was no marrying
or giving in marriage on the other side of life. I found there was a higher
expression of the law of union. Every soul in that life found his soul-
companion and together they would go on throughout all eternity, pro-
gressing higher through ages of time. The soul-companionship was beau-
tiful and inspiring and intense in its spirituality. Sometimes ceremonies
were held when two soul-mates came together, or when two were united
that had been properly mated on the earth. A higher law than the mar-
riage law brought souls intended for each other together—the law which
made them one in the sight of God.

I have attended many grand soul- unions where the beloved José presided and the Divine Ruler of the Spheres. O my earthly friends, think of receiving the spiritual blessing of these grand beings in the presence of the one to whom you have been
united in the sight of God!

Such an experience would be of sufficient
power to inspire two souls with the realization that they had indeed been
blessed for all time. I could think of nothing grander than to have either
of these great personages present at some future day when the one of
earth from whose side I had departed joined me in the SummerLand.
 

Sweet was the companionship that I enjoyed with the first wedded
companion of the one to whom I had also been a wife. From her and the
two dear children, the fruits of the union, I gained many sweet and in-
spiring lessons, and some of the time we dwelt in a home together. This
dear one, whom angels called “ Emma the Starbeam,” had been in the
higher life for many years. She had watched her two spiritual blossoms
develop and unfold before her very eyes. It was interesting to me to
learn of the experiences of her life.
 

Chapter 6
Work in the Spheres
 

I was impressed from the beginning with the social conditions and
forms of employment in the spiritual and heavenly worlds. The drudg-
ery and manual labor of the material world were done away with there,
although all people passing into that life clung for awhile to the form of
employment they had liked while in the physical body. If the form of
employment in which they had engaged did not exist in the spiritual
world, they sought someone of the earth engaged in their line of work
and endeavored to work through them, in some cases by way of impres-
sion and in others by taking possession of the physical form. Some work
carried on in this way was exceedingly important and greatly benefited
the material world and its inhabitants. Those who had been physicians,
lawyers, financiers in material life took up the study of their work from
a higher viewpoint, in order that they might help those engaged in a
similar work upon the physical plane.
 

I was delighted with the systematic order and harmony of spiritual
existence. From the first sphere up everyone occupied the place for which
he was fitted. Many who had been unrecognized upon the earth plane
were bright and shining lights in the higher life, and many who had been
millionaires or kings on earth were spiritual paupers in the world of
higher law and justice.
 

It would seem as though there were great problems to be solved in
the lower spheres, where wicked and undeveloped spiritual beings were
daily received. Rebellious and wicked these spirits were at first and ex-
ceedingly hard to manage, frequently returning to the earth to torment or
torture some weak physical body. What a labor of love for God and His
unfortunate children was being rendered daily by large-souled men and
women who worked and taught in the lower spheres, endeavoring to
show the sinful spirits the way of the truth and the light that would lead
them up to a higher realization of the duty they owed themselves and
their fellow-men.
 

Some spiritual beings were slow in their progress and some moved
forward rapidly. Some were thousands of years passing through one
sphere, while others progressed through several spheres in ten or twelve
months.
 

In endeavoring to reform the criminal in spirit, particular attention
is given to the cause that made him a criminal before he passed from his
physical body. If he has been born a criminal, it is harder to do anything
with him at the start than with the one who has brought criminality upon
himself, as it were. In the first place he has committed crime because he
could not help it, but in the second place he has sinned to satisfy some
demand of his physical or mental nature. In the first place the desire to
do wrong has been born in the soul, but in the second place the soul
takes no part in the wrongdoing and frequently grieves to realize that its
power is unrecognized and unheeded by the prevailing nature of the one
who sins for his ambitions or for possessions. There are no helpless
cases, however, in spirit life; not even those who must be confined in the
dark sphere and surrounded by a circle of fire to keep them from doing
wrong are hopeless. All may be led to higher consciousness and realiza-
tion by the light of Divine Love.
 

The lower spheres are interesting because of the great work that is
going on in their midst. They are, perhaps, of greater interest to those
who are interested in reform movements and the improvement of the
race in a spiritual, moral, and intellectual sense. The lower spheres I
found very much like the earth. The inhabitants were not yet spiritual-
ized, consequently their tendencies were still somewhat physical. Some
of them were peaceable, others were rebellious at the sudden change
that had brought them into a life where every act and the motive that
prompted it were known to those who dwelt there. It was poor satisfac-
tion to go to the earth to deceive, steal, or take life, and in the majority of
cases those who had spent their lives in committing sin began to realize
ere long that there was more comfort and happiness in living good and
noble lives. Every encouragement was given them by those who sought
to bring about their reformation. At first they did not care to mingle with
the angelic beings who came from the higher spheres to help them. The
contrast between spirit and angel was so marked that it created inharmony
in the mind of the undeveloped one. But gradually he came to realize
that only good was intended, and at last the spirit of kindliness prevailed
and the worked one was made tractable to the kindly ministrations of the
child of God who had attained a state of angelhood.
 

Angelic beings and spirits could not dwell together in the same
sphere as it would cause inharmony; but the former could come from
their beautiful homes in the heavenly land to the spheres where dwelt
the wicked and undeveloped of God’s children. They could tell the latter
of the possibilities they might attain if they would repent and be good,
and they could even invite them to their beautiful homes above and
thereby give them an incentive to make something out of their lives that
would help them to be stronger, wiser, purer, and better.
 

When I first passed to the higher life and learned of the wonderful
possibilities, I felt the desire to know what manner of work those who
had figured in the world’s progress were performing from time to time.
It has been my pleasure many times since to visit famous people in their
homes and to mingle freely with them until I have learned to know them
very well. I have found them interesting and charming. I have heard
them express themselves in relation to all movements affecting the
progress of humanity as well as those that retard it. Although they have
passed beyond the pale of physical life, they are as much interested as
though they were still of the earth. Many of them, in one sense, are still
of the earth, for they go daily to the earth plane to seek out those who are
endeavoring to take up the work where they themselves left it off.
 

I had a most delightful interview with Frances A. Willard at her
beautiful home in the Seventh Sphere. I found her to be a powerful spirit
in reform movements of earth and the spirit world. She was just as ear-
nest and positive in her work as she had ever been when an inhabitant of
the earth plane. Still determined to wipe out the curse of the liquor ques-
tion, she informed me that she visited the earth plane daily, influencing
and impressing those were carrying on the work of Prohibition. At night,
upon the astral plane, she lectured to leaders of the temperance move-
ment, whose bodies were in a condition of sleep. The impressions pro-
duced on the mind of the spirit by this powerful woman here in many
cases worked out for good in the reform movements of the world.
Two mighty movements for the world’s good that Frances A. Willard
has been endeavoring to bring about since she passed to the higher life
are the temperance cause and the higher progress of women. “The time
will come,” she declared emphatically, “when the people of the world
will be forced to acknowledge that liquor possesses no food value and
that its use as a medicine has done more harm than good, and that thou-
sands of helpless beings, who have been cursed from creation and birth,
owe the inheritance they possess to a state of intoxication in one or both
parents.”
 

To those who pass to spirit life with the curse of liquor upon them,
Frances A. Willard acts as a ministering angel. She watches over them
and endeavors to help them overcome the taste which a lifetime in an
intemperate body has brought about. She has helped to raise in the first
three spheres of the spiritual world institutions where intemperate spirits
may be helped to overcome their undeveloped condition, due in many
cases to the curse of intemperance. Honors that have been bestowed
upon this noble woman by the God-powers of the higher world have
only served to make stronger her character, and in the present day she is
instrumental in bringing about much that is good and helpful to the world.

Chapter 7
Public Receptions
 

I think this thought always comes to those who have been inter-
ested in the world’s noted people who have passed on to higher life: “ I
wonder what manner of work they are carrying on in the new sphere of
experience?”
 

It has been my pleasure and privilege, during the two years I have
been in higher life, to interview many of the world’s noted people of
both sexes. I will speak of a few who have impressed me with more than
an ordinary interest.
 

The homes of these people I have always found open to the inter-
ested. The public receptions held frequently are open to all inhabitants
of the Fifth Sphere and up. Those below the Fifth can only come by
special invitation and they must always be accompanied by the one who
invites them. They must return to their own sphere after the reception,
and not be permitted to linger in the realm of the angels, since they are
spiritual beings and have not attained the developed state of those dwell-
ing in the higher spheres.
 

Grand receptions and public affairs are not confined solely to those
who have figured in the world’s higher work, for there are wonderfully
gifted souls who have been reared in heavenly life. Among them are
poets, artists, sculptors, musicians, inventors, scientists, public speak-
ers, lecturers, singers, and those endowed with peculiar gifts that the
world knows not of.
 

One reception that impressed me particularly with its wonderful
charm was held at White Villa, the beautiful home of an operatic singer—
a star performer in Wagner’s cast of players in the celestial sphere. “This
grand being and his charming companion had developed and unfolded
from infancy in the celestial life. They had never been to the earth plane,
so they knew nothing that was unpleasant or inharmonious. The name
of the singer was Carmello and that of his companion Florentina. They
both wore the long, flowing, white spiritual robes of the celestialist, and
they were both beautiful beyond expression. He was tall and fair, with a
wealth of tawny gold hair. She was small, with nut-brown hair and eyes,
and had a most engaging personality. White Villa was a magnificent
estate, several miles in extent, which seemed of transparent crystal. There
were hanging gardens of rare flowers, beautiful fountains tossing up
rainbow spray, and birds of brilliant plumage, making the air melodious
with song.
 

All attending the receptions at White Villa were invariably clothed
in white—the white sparkling raiment of the celestialist. If they had not
yet attained a state of angelhood, they were celestialists for the time, and
as such they wore white raiment, in accordance with the higher law of
the spirit.
 

The two charming beings, Carmello and Florentina, received the
guests, giving each and every one a personal welcome. There were no
formal introductions, but each one made himself acquainted with the
others, and, as a result, the time passed very pleasantly indeed.
There we met such artists as Munkaczy, Rosa Bonheur, Rubens,
Da Vinci, Titian, Murillo, Van Dyke, and others. Famous writers were
there: Shakespeare, Dickens, Longfellow, Tennyson, Emerson,
Thackeray, Holmes, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Kate Field, and others too
numerous to mention. The great scientists, Zollner, Faraday, and Thales,
were there; and master musicians: Wagner, Beethoven, Mozart,
Mendelssohn, Schubert, Liszt, Chopin, and Handel; also magnificent
singers: Jenny Lind, Emma Abbott, Parepa-Rosa, and Carreno.
 

Each of these great people gave freely of their powers. They knew
what the people wanted, and, as their time was not limited, they sang,
played, recited, and talked again and again.
While the entertainment was going on in one part of the great build-
ing, in other parts the guests were passing the time in a social way. No

small talk or gossip was indulged in; there was no place for it and no
desire for it among these gifted people and their friends. What would the
people of earth think, I wonder, to know that they could stand face to
face, with the gentle Longfellow and hear him recite his latest poem, or
listen to Emma Abbott sing some of the old-time favorites as well as the
new operatic selections of heaven?
 

I had the pleasure of listening to Wagner upon this occasion. He
talked of his latest achievement in grand opera, and wanted all those
present to attend the first performance in his grand opera hall. His latest
work was founded upon a recent order of the higher kingdom and was
known as “Glenardo, the Knight of the Golden Key.” Carmello and
Florentina, our host and hostess, were to sing the leading parts.
 

With what an absorbing interest the hours went by! After the gifted
people had entertained the vast audience, the host and hostess invited
their guests to pass through the many beautiful rooms and the buildings
connected with their villa, which were dedicated to a number of the
higher arts and sciences. There was a magnificent gallery of art, contain-
ing wonderful treasures in the way of sculpture and pictures. There was
a fine laboratory, where we were invited to witness some electrical tests
by Thales and Faraday.
 

Upon this occasion I met many distinguished people, who invited
me to their beautiful homes. Before the time came for the guests to de-
part, the gifted Carmello presented each one with a beautiful little gift as
a souvenir of the occasion. These gifts were miniature reproductions of
White Villa, set with splendid jewels.

Chapter 8
The Temple Society
 

It is pleasant to recall the experiences that have come to me during
my two years in the land of the angels. There has been no confusion so
far in my life in heaven—no disappointed hopes or ambitions. I have
had plans for those of earth who were dear to me that have not material-
ized as I would like to have had them. I know this, however: that all that
has been planned for those dear to me by the higher powers must be
brought out to the complete satisfaction of all parties concerned.
And so, as the days go by, I am hopeful and happy, for I know that the
near future contains much concerning plans that are of interest to me.
 

I had been but a short time in spirit life when an organization of
influential people of the other life was perfected and called “The Temple
Society.” Many of the most gifted and powerful beings from the differ-
ent spheres of immortal life were at the head of this organization. I learned
that the Society extended far up into kingdoms beyond the celestial sphere,
and, while visiting God’s Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Blessed, I
had the pleasure of attending the conventions of this Society. Each time
that I was called to these higher realms of being I was made the honored
guest of The Temple Society.
 

The object of the organization was the building of The Temple of
Light on the earth. Every branch of the Society appointed angelic and
spiritual beings to organize Temple Societies on the earth in different com-
munities. The work carried on would be entirely spiritual in its nature until
its influence had grown to the extent that material minds were conscious
of some great plan at work concerning the building of a mighty temple.

It was not so much the question of the world’s knowing the plan—
the acceptance of the plan by the people of certain communities was the
desired point to be gained. And so the development of the idea was
noted with interest by the leaders of the organization. The spiritual Temple
Societies sent to work in different parts of the world made their annual
reports to the organization in the higher world. Progress in a material
sense was not rapid, but those appointed to carry out such a work under-
stood the law, and they knew that they would, no doubt, be obliged to
exercise much patience and persistence before the minds of the people
could be made receptive to the building of a Temple of Light on the earth.
 

The progress of the work of Temple representatives on the earth
was carefully noted by the organizers above, and it was shown just what
parts of the country would be favorable to the idea of erecting a Temple
of Light. It was shown that, with the proper material leaders, certain
towns and cities of the United States would accept the idea and plan the
work of erecting such a structure when the idea was made known in a
material sense. Other communities, it was shown, would be very slow in
taking up the idea and would never lend their aid in the carrying out of
such an enterprise until the others had taken the initiative and had proved
it to be a practicable idea.
 

The idea was that, in the beginning, there should be one organizer
or leader upon the earth; then, as the work grew and unfolded, there
would be material representatives to carry on the work in the United
States and in foreign countries. The plan was perfected in every detail in
a spiritual sense. It was expected, however, that it would require time to
perfect it in a material sense; but never once did those chosen to repre-
sent the spiritual Temple Society abandon the idea of the ultimate suc-
cess of their work upon the earth plane.
 

Since I was connected with the leader of this great plan, I was
given the appointment of spiritual recorder of the work carried on by the
spiritual and angelic representatives.
 

This was but one of the many duties of my life. I found the work
pleasant and interesting and not at all conflicting with the other lines of
duty that, by special appointment, were mine. It seemed that every duty
and pleasure of my life had its own particular place and was carried out
by a more perfect system than I had ever known in material life. I felt so
well, so strong and happy that it was a pleasure to live and partake of the
wonderful privileges that the Creator had given to me.
 

I had evidently been created for a busy life, for I wanted to be busy
in the midst of pleasure, and found my greatest happiness in helping
others to be happy, and in planning out something that would be helpful
to the companion by whose side I had journeyed for many years. I liked
to feel that for his sake I had gone on to the higher life that I might be
able to help him in his great work, so that many, seeking for higher truth,
might be led to the light.

Chapter 9
The Christ: The Divine José
 

Great minds of the higher life have paid tribute to the sublime char-
acter whom the world knows as “The Christ.” They have found no sub-
ject more beautiful and inspiring for their characters in music, art, song,
or story. One may spend weeks in exploring the galleries of art in the
heavenly world and he finds the subject of “The Christ” the favorite of
painters and sculptors. Michael Angelo has delighted to picture Him in
over a thousand attitudes; every great artist, in fact, has created his most
sublime works with “The Christ” as the leading character.
 

A female artist, bearing the name of Celeste Vincenta, has pro-
duced some of the most marvelous conceptions in sculpture and paint-
ing of Christ, known in heaven as “The Divine José.” There are galleries
of art containing the conceptions of this gifted artist, and every picture
or statue occupying the place as central figure of a group is that of the
sublime Son of God.
 

We see this beloved One in the grand review of angels, conferring
blessings upon the people, clothed in His robes of purple, gold, and
white. Again we see Him giving into the arms of a mother the child she
thought she had destroyed, never believing that it would live to confront
her on the other side of life. We see this gentle One ascending through
the ether to the higher kingdoms, bathed in a wonderful glowing light.
We see Him blessing the little children and standing before those who
were blind in material life. No words can depict the wonder that beams
upon their faces as they look upon the Divine One in all the glory of His
mighty power.Again we see Him depicted counseling with one who has
passed into the spirit world doubting the existence of spiritual life after
death. We see Him raising His hands toward the multitude, while vibra-
tions of divine power emanate from Him and find expression in the
forms of those present.
 

One sublime conception by Da Vinci is entitled “When the Com-
forter Comes.” It shows the beloved One moving through the dark sphere,
and wherever He moves the darkness and the shadows flee away and in
their place shines a wondrous light. The expressions upon the counte-
nances of those who behold Him can hardly be described. There is some-
thing wonderful about it.

Chapter 10
Progressing by Degrees
 

In the sacred verse of the spiritual and heavenly worlds the charac-
ter of the Divine José stands out in bold relief.
 

The poet Tennyson has taken the life of the inspired One from
mortality to immortality and formed from it a sacred and sublime work.
It is considered a masterpiece by higher critics.
 

The great music master Wagner has given to heaven a grand con-
ception also portraying the character of the Divine José. It is entitled “A
Master of Power.”
 

During my two years of life in the heavenly world it had been my
pleasure and privilege to look upon the masterpieces of sacred art of which
I have made mention. I have also listened to and witnessed the musical
and dramatic compositions that have for their theme the immortal José.
More inspiring to me, however, have been my personal experi-
ences with this glorious character. I have gained from Him knowledge
of higher spiritual laws that have been helpful to me in my progress to
higher consciousness. This Divine Teacher has opened up the way for
me to attainments that I have longed for during many, years of my life. I
may say that I have sat at the feet of the Master and gathered the jewels
of thought and wisdom that have flowed from His divinely inspired soul.
That He is the true son of the reigning God of the earth, the spiritual,
celestial, and higher worlds, I know to be a fact; that He is a reigning
God himself is another great truth of which I have knowledge.
My experience has taught me many things that no longer require
faith to substantiate them. I know that there are many believers in spiri-
tual truth dwelling in physical bodies who would do away with the be-
lief of the existence of the One the earth calls “The Christ.” From my
point of view, to do this would be to take away the foundation upon
which religion rests.
 

Many inspired teachers, whose work and mission have been to
help humanity to attain a higher standard, have been given to the world.
They have passed on to higher fields of action, and by their example
many have learned to look heavenward. None other, however, has given
to the world such a sublime and wonderful example of inspired life as
that of the One who is the subject of my present writing.
Tall, stately, and majestic, His glorious figure emitting a halo of
light, he moves among the people of the higher life, speaking a helpful
word to one, blessing another, and proving in more ways than can be
mentioned that He is a master of mighty power in the great world of the
spirit. How often have I looked upon Him, floating upward through the
celestial ether toward higher realms of being, His majestic figure aglow
with brilliant light. I have watched Him after He has attained a height of
many thousands of miles and He was as plainly visible as He had been
when moving among the people in the celestial world.
 

An artist of the celestial world has depicted this Divine One far up
in the celestial atmosphere, descending toward the people with arms
outstretched, as in the attitude of blessing. This masterly conception of
the Divine in art is entitled “The King of Heaven.”
 

I make mention of this character because He seems to belong so
essentially to all people of the mortal and immortal worlds. His Father,
who, at the time of my passing, was the Supreme Divine Ruler of the
Spheres, was a being of such magnitude and power that but few could
comprehend Him. They could hear Him speak and now and then could
sec Him, but only those who were very enlightened could put them-
selves in sufficient touch with Him to overcome the feeling of awe that
His personal presence brought forth.
 

Experience has taught me that in higher life we must grow toward
higher things before we can grasp their meaning or learn to assimilate
the lessons they teach. We may be brought before some wonderful char-
acter or divine manifestation and be unable to see it and yet have the

Chapter 11
Religion in Higher Life
 

What constitutes true religion in spiritual life is a question that comes
up continually in the minds of a thinking people who are broad enough
in their ideas to realize that not any one religion held by the people of
earth can be sufficient to hold the multitude of spiritual beings who are
passing to higher life day by day.
 

This question of religious belief was another subject of absorbing
interest to me, and so I made it a point to interview people of all spheres,
from the lower to the higher. I found some of the most devoutly religious
people I have ever known inhabitants of the lower spheres. I found that
what the world terms “religion” was not always goodness or purity—
that it was sometimes a cloak for traits of character not at all desirable. I
found that many who believed themselves to be God’s chosen people,
because they had been religious, were spiritual paupers in the life be-
yond the grave. They were spiritual paupers for two reasons: In the first
place, they had lived a life of mere form, and had not cultivated the
broader spirit of progress which must always have a higher motive than
that of negative goodness, a motive which builds for character and for
helpfulness to humanity. In the second place, they were bigoted and
refused to accept the true religion as it was imparted to them by refined
and educated spiritual teachers.
 

Some will say that it is perfectly natural that a devout, religious
person, imbued with his own ideas, as to what constitutes true faith,
should refuse to accept ideas that are new to him in relation to religious
belief. When I state, however, that the spiritual beings sent to teach the
truth to these religious bigots were persons of superior power and inspir-
ing personality, it would seem that those who were to receive the in-
struction ought to be amenable to such high influence. Some do accept
the truth, but the majority hold to their own belief and refuse to be influ-
enced by any other ideas. This is very bad for them, of course, and holds
them back from the path of progress until such a time when they decide
to learn the way of the truth and the light from those sent to instruct them.
 

I found Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopa-
lians, and those holding to other forms of belief in the first to the fourth
spheres. After the fourth sphere there was but one religious belief held
by all beings of the higher life. They had attained the stage of develop-
ment that gave them knowledge of the truth, and it was not necessary
that it be imparted to them by teachers appointed for that especial pur-
pose. They had the knowledge of eternal progression and the mighty
truth that every being called to the other life must work out his own
salvation. By this time they had learned that church form, as it is carried
out in the churches of earth, counts for nothing as far as the salvation of
the soul is concerned. Religious belief in the higher life is founded upon
knowledge and, does not require faith, although faith does figure in rela-
tion to the great truths carried out in God’s Kingdom and realms beyond.

Chapter 12
Preparing for a Great Step
 

The family life was beautiful in the heavenly world. Some of the
most pleasant hours of my life have been spent in the loving companion-
ship of friends and loved ones of that life. Had I not been ambitious to
perform much good work for the cause of humanity, it would have been
almost a temptation to spend the larger part of my time in my own beau-
tiful home and in enjoying the affairs of interest that were taking place
continually in different parts of the heavenly kingdom.
 

It seemed that the knowledge I gained in relation to higher things
was to be modified and applied to those of my earthly friends who were
prepared to receive it. Gradually, as I unfolded and progressed in higher
knowledge and understanding, I was brought into a deeper line of study
and work. I prepared myself for each step ahead of me in such a way that
the knowledge I gained was well grounded in my understanding and I
was capable of imparting it to those ready to receive it.
 

My life was divided into three parts: the gaining of spiritual and
heavenly knowledge during the hours spent away from the earth; the
hours of pleasure spent with those I cared for during what is termed the
“astral travel”; and the hours I spent writing my views and experiences
through a scribe selected for such work.
 

It was a pleasant thought to me to realize that I could make my
spiritual experience practicable in a material way. The other dear
ones, with whom I was associated in a spiritual way, were as inter-
ested as myself to tell of the wonderful life and revelations of the
great beyond.

In a sense, I learned to live in two worlds at the same time. The plan
of life, as I beheld it from my new viewpoint, seemed marvelous indeed.
The knowledge of eternal progression, the great ocean of space, where
worlds existed beyond worlds, and worlds surmounted worlds, until it
was impossible to find a beginning or an ending, interested me greatly. I
wondered if I would ever progress sufficiently or perform enough good
work to enter realms of power existing beyond the celestial world.
 

From those higher realms, it seemed, emanated creative power that
gave life and action to the spheres below. What went on in those higher
realms was a sealed book to those in the realms below, unless it was
especially ordained that certain information would be given.
 

Those who really desired to progress to a point of understanding
where they would be able to enter the higher kingdom and gain a knowl-
edge of a higher expression of creative power were given the opportu-
nity to prepare themselves, but they must be passed upon by the powers
up to the Three Hundred and Fiftieth Degree. One desiring such attain-
ment must make no mention of it, but the desire in the mind would be
known by the god of the Three Hundred and Fiftieth Degree. He would
consult with the god of the Three Hundred and Forty-ninth Degree, and
each ruling god of the degree below must manifest his approval until it
was known and desired by the mighty ones of the higher regions that a
certain one was qualified to pass up into those sublime realms where
God-power was so intense in its manifestation.
 

I must confess that I was surprised when it was revealed to me that
I had been selected as one to enter God’s Kingdom and be brought into
communion with the higher powers there. Through a newly awakened
power in my own soul, I was asked to set apart a certain time every
forty-eight hours, during which I would be brought into spiritual contact
with some of the mighty powers far away in infinite space. In order to do
this, I must enter the sacred shrine of my celestial home and there bring
myself en rapport with those who were to sanctify and prepare me to
enter a region where only the grand, the elevated in thought and the pure
and unselfish in action were permitted to enter. I must learn some pow-
erful lessons before I would be qualified, and even then I would be obliged
to pass through some great ordeals after I had passed up into the higher

realms, of which I had no conception. I was told to reflect well upon the
great step I proposed to take. Some had taken the step, but had not acted
exactly as they had been instructed after returning to the celestial world
and they had been recalled to the higher regions to remain there for all
time; never again would they be permitted to mingle with their former
friends and loved ones of the celestial world. It would have been a mighty
trial to have had anything like that happen to me, so I was quite deter-
mined to accept the honor and at the same time carry out without falter-
ing the obligations and responsibilities I was supposed to assume.
 

The hours of preparation I spent in my own sacred shrine, with the
light of great God-powers illumining and flooding my spirit and quick-
ening it for a larger work, filled me with a new realization that I had not
known before. A new sense was unfolding within me, which perhaps
would not have been quickened under any other condition.
These were my most sacred moments, and, for the time being, I
was so uplifted in my realizations that I seemed to enter into a new
sphere of being. How vain and unsatisfying seemed the life and condi-
tions of the material world in comparison, and yet I could go from this
sublime state of exaltation to my friends of earth and participate in their
interests and pleasures with a great deal of enthusiasm.
 

When mingling in the life of the spirit, life was all harmonious and
beautiful; but when commingling with my friends of earth, I could expe-
rience many of the feelings and emotions that I had while an inmate of
the physical body.
 

In this way I was enabled to enjoy all conditions that came into my
life, and I was happy, very happy indeed; but at times I experienced
feelings of indignation at the actions or different people of earth, whose
movements hindered the carrying out of plans that would have been
helpful to a good cause.
 

After I had undergone for a period the special preparation, the time
came for me to pass up into God’s Kingdom. I was not permitted to
know beforehand what awaited me there. With great anticipation, how-
ever, I awaited the summons that would take me up into those mighty realms.

PART II

IN GOD’S KINGDOM

Chapter 13
Traveling to God’s Kingdom
 

One day, in company with the Beloved José, I was summoned to
God’s Kingdom.
 

My mind, of course, was filled with the anticipations of what awaited
me. The spiritual mind knows not fear, and so I feared not, although I
had reason to believe that I would be obliged to pass through an experi-
ence—an experience similar to the one we call “death”—before I could
enter those higher realms of being. I trusted and placed my spirit in care
of the divine Son of God. One could not fear with such a being for a
guide.
 

In passing through the First Degree of spiritual regeneration...