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Systematized Study of the Spiritist Doctrine Portuguese  Spanish
Program IV: Philosophical Aspect

Year 2 - N° 71 - August 31, 2008

THIAGO BERNARDES
thiago_imortal@yahoo.com.br

Curitiba, Paraná (Brasil)  
Translation
FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com


Occupations and missions
of Spirits

We present in this issue the topic #71 from the Systematized Study of the Spiritist Doctrine, that is being presented weekly, according to the programme elaborated by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB), structured in 6 modules and 147 topics.

If the reader uses this program for a study group, we suggest that questions proposed be discussed freely before the reading of the text that follows. If you would like to study alone, we ask you to try to answer the questions at first and only then read the text that follows. The answer key can be found at the end of the lesson. 

Questions

1. Is it correct to say that all Spirits have roles to perform?

2. Is there in erraticity Spirits that are idle?

3. Are the missions of Spirits always for a good cause?

4. Who is entrusted with the most important missions?

5. Does the incarnated Spirit have obligations in relation to the general aim, or this task belongs to the disincarnated ones? 

Text

The occupation of Spirits is continuous, but never a burden

1. Spirits have occupations and missions to fulfill. Besides work out their own personal amelioration, they co-operate in the production of the harmony of the universe by executing the volitions of God. Spirit-life is a continual occupation, hut one that has nothing in common with the painful labor of the earthly life, because there is in it neither bodily fatigue, nor the anguish of bodily wants. 

2. Inferior and imperfect spirits also subserve some useful end in the universe, though many times they are not aware of that. All have duties to fulfill. 

3. All spirits have to ascend all the steps of the ladder in order to attain to perfection. We all have to inhabit all regions, and to acquire knowledge of all things, by presiding successively over all the details of the universe. But, as is said in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything. Thus, one spirit is accomplishing his destiny, at the present day, in your world; another will accomplish his, or has already accomplished it, at another period, upon the earth, in the water, in the air, etc. 

4. There are, among spirits, some who are idle, and do not employ themselves in anything useful. But that idleness is only temporary, and, sooner or later, the desire to advance causes them to feel the need of activity, and they are glad to make themselves useful.

The types of missions are many and diverse 

5. The missions of spirits have always good for their object. Whether in the spirit-state, or as men, they are charged to help forward the progress of humanity, of peoples, or of individuals, within a range of ideas more or less extensive, more or less special, to pave the way for certain events, to superintend the accomplishment of certain things. The missions of some spirits are of narrower scope, and may be said to be personal, or even local as the helping of the sick, the dying, and the afflicted to watch over those of whom they become the guides and protectors, and to guide them by their counsels or by the wholesome thoughts they suggest. It may be said that there are as many sorts of spirit-missions as there are sorts of interests to watch over, whether in the physical world or in the moral world. And each spirit advances in proportion to the fidelity with which he accomplishes his task.

6. Spirits busy themselves with the things of this world in proportion to their elevation or their inferiority. The higher Spirits have, undoubtedly, the power of looking into the minutest details of earthly things but they only do so when it will be useful to progress. Spirits of lower rank attribute to such things a degree of importance proportioned to their remembrances of the earthly life, and to the earthly ideas which are not yet extinct in their memory.

7. Spirits of the highest order are never in a state of absolute repose, which would be eternal torture. The importance of a mission is always proportioned to the capacities and elevation of the spirit who is charged with it; but the estafette who conveys a dispatch fulfils a mission, though one which is not that of the general.

8. Each is rewarded according to his works, the good he has wished to, and the uprightness of his intentions. The most important missions are only entrusted to those who God judges able to fulfill them and unable to compromise. 

Everywhere, the activity of Spirits is constant

9. Besides the great missions entrusted to the High Spirits, there are others in every degree, conceded to Spirits of all levels, so that every incarnated has their own, that is, tasks to fulfill, from being a father, whose is responsible for their kids, to the men of genius, who helps society progress. 

10. It is in the secondary missions that we see failures, losses and resignations that harm the individual without affecting the big picture. 

11. Everywhere the activity is constant, from bottom to top, which provides them opportunity to develop, holding hands, reach the goal, that is perfection. 

12. We can, then, comfortably state – based on the information of the Spirits – that all intelligences work for the general aim, whatever is their development degree, and every one according to their forces, as incarnated or free Spirit. 

Answer Key

1. Is it correct to say that all Spirits have roles to perform? A.: Yes. Besides work out their own personal amelioration, they co-operate in the production of the harmony of the universe by executing the volitions of God. Inferior and imperfect spirits also subserve some useful end in the universe, though many times they are not aware of that. All have duties to fulfill. 

2. Is there in erraticity Spirits that are idle? A.: Yes. But that idleness is only temporary, and, sooner or later, the desire to advance causes them to feel the need of activity, and they are glad to make themselves useful. 

3. Are the missions of Spirits always for a good cause? A.: Yes. Whether in the spirit-state, or as men, they are charged to help forward the progress of humanity, of peoples, or of individuals, within a range of ideas more or less extensive, more or less special, to pave the way for certain events, to superintend the accomplishment of certain things.  

4. Who is entrusted with the most important missions? A.: The most important missions are only entrusted to those who God judges able to fulfill them and unable to compromise. 

5. Does the incarnated Spirit have obligations in relation to the general aim, or this task belongs to the disincarnated ones? A.: All intelligences work for the general aim, whatever are their development degree, and every one according to their forces, as incarnated or free Spirit. 
 

Bibliography: 

The Spirits’ Book, by Allan Kardec, items 558, 563, 569 and 584.  

Heaven and Hell, by Allan Kardec, First Part, items 12 - 15.  


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