Nature and propoerties
of fluids

 
 
We present in this issue the topic #87 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. What is the role of the universal fluid?

2. Is the state of imponderability the primitive or normal of the universal fluid?

3. What is the importance of the spiritual fluids in the particular dwellings in the Spirit-world?

4. What makes up the spiritual atmosphere on Earth?

5. Do the fluids have intrinsic qualities or not? 

Text

The universal fluid is the intermediate between the Spirit and matter 

1. The universal cosmic fluid is the primitive element indispensable to the intermediation between the Spirit and the matter. To make such thing happen, it has properties common to both, for which cannot be said it is either matter or, since these are the general elements, distinct, of the Universe. 

2. From the answer given by the Superior Spirits to the question 27 of The Spirits’ Book, we extract the following:  

“And above them both is God, the Creator, and Parent of all things. These three elements are the principle of all that exists-the universal trinity. But to the material element must be added the universal fluid which plays the part of intermediary between spirit and matter, the nature of the latter being too gross for spirit to be able to act directly upon it.”

(...) 

 “This universal, primitive, or elementary fluid, being the agent employed by spirit in acting upon matter is the principle without which matter would remain forever in a state of division, and would never acquire the properties given to it by the state of ponderability.” 

3. For its countless combinations with matter, under the action of the Spirit, the universal fluid is able to produce the huge array of bodies in Nature. In its condition as the primitive element of the Universe, the cosmic fluid assumes the states of etherealization and materialization or, in other words, of imponderability and ponderability.  

4. The first can be considered the primitive normal state and the latter is the result of the transformations of the first as to become tangible matter in its multiple aspects. The second state is consecutive to the first one and the tangibility of the matter assigns the passage of one state to another. However, there still is no sudden transition, for one can consider our imponderable fluids as a boundary between the two states. 

5. Each one of these states gives place necessarily to special phenomena. To the second belongs those of the visible world, and to the first those of the invisible one. Those called material phenomena are, properly speaking, in the domain of science. The solution of the others designated spiritual or psychical phenomena, because they are allied more especially to the existence of Spirits. 

For the Spirits, the fluids have a material aspect 

6. In an etherealized state the cosmic fluid is not uniform. Without ceasing to be ethereal, it is submitted to modifications as varied in their kind and more numerous than in a state of tangible matter. These modifications constitute distinct fluids, which, although proceeding from the same principle, are endowed with special properties, and give rise to particular phenomena of the invisible world.  

7. The fluidic elements of the spiritual world elude our instruments of analysis, and the perception of our senses. They are things suited to tangible and not ethereal matter. Spiritual substances belong to a midst so different from ours that we can judge of them only by comparisons as imperfect as those by which a man born blind seeks to form an idea of the theory of the color. 

8. The starting-point of the universal fluid is the degree of absolute ethereality, of which nothing can give us an idea. Its opposite point is its transformation into material substance. Between these two extremes there exist innumerable transformations, which are allied more or less to one another.   

9. The fluids which are the nearest materiality – consequently the least pure – are composed of that which might be called the spiritual terrestrial atmosphere. In this midst are found the widely different degrees of ethereality whence the incarnated and disincarnated inhabitants of the Earth draw the necessary elements for the economy of their existence. These fluids, however subtle and impalpable they may be to us, are nevertheless of comparatively gross nature to the ethereal fluids of the superior regions. 

The denomination “spiritual fluids” is not that correct 

10. The spiritual fluids, which constitute one of the states of the universal cosmic fluid, are then the atmosphere of spiritual beings. This expression is not very correct though, because truly spiritual only the soul is. Such fluids constitute, in fact, the matter of the Spirit-world.  

11. Spirits act upon spiritual fluids, not by manipulating them as man manipulates gas, but by the aid of thought and will. Thoughts and will are to the spirit that which the hand is to man. By thoughts they impress these fluids into such and such directions.  

12. We can state that thoughts, whether being pure or not, can pollute or purify the spiritual fluid. The fluids which involve the evil Spirits, or those which they cast upon, are, therefore, addicted, as well as those by the good Spirits are as pure as themselves. 

13. It would be impossible to itemize or classify the good and bad fluids. Neither could we specify their respective qualities, considering that their diversity is as great as that of the thought. 

14. Fluids do not have “sui generis” qualities, except those they acquire whereat they are elaborated; they are modified by the effluviums of the ambient, just as the air is modified by exhalations, and the water by the layers of salt it crosses. Depending on the circumstances, their qualities are, like those of the air and the water, either temporary or permanent, which makes them more suitable for the production of certain specific effects. 

Answer Key

1. What is the role of the universal fluid?

A.: The universal cosmic fluid is the primitive element indispensable to the intermediation between the Spirit and the matter.  

2. Is the state of imponderability the normal of the universal fluid?

A.: Yes.  

3. What is the importance of the spiritual fluids in the particular dwellings in the Spirit-world? A.: Each one of these states gives place necessarily to special phenomena. To the second belongs those of the visible world, and to the first those of the invisible one. Those called material phenomena are, properly speaking, in the domain of science. The solution of the others designated spiritual or psychical phenomena, because they are allied more especially to the existence of Spirits.  

4. What makes up the spiritual atmosphere on Earth?

A.: The fluids which are the nearest materiality – consequently the least pure – are composed of that which might be called the spiritual terrestrial atmosphere. 

5. Do the fluids have intrinsic qualities or not?

R.: No. They are modified by the effluviums of the ambient.

Bibliography: 

The Spirits’ Book, by Allan Kardec, items 21 - 27.
Genesis, by Allan Kardec, items 2, 5, 16 - 17, pp. 274 - 284.