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Book
Title: The Spirits' Book
Author: Allan Kardec
First Published: Paris, 1857, with 2nd edition also by Kardec
in 1860.
Original Title: (in French): Le Livre des Espirits |
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Description:
This
book of questions and answers is the first book of the Spiritist Doctrine
that resulted from Allan Kardec's working in comparing and analyzing
numerous messages from various Spirits through various mediums,
finally compiling this collection of information received from Superior
Spirits and publishing it under their directive (see our History
section for more information).
This
book lays out the basic philosophic principles of the Spiritist Doctrine,
teaching us about the immortality of the soul, the nature of the spirit
and the incorporeal world, the relationship between the corporeal and
incorporeal worlds, the moral laws, the present life, and the future of
Humanity.
This
is not a personal work of Kardec, who says himself in the prologue,
"The Spirits tell us that the time appointed by Providence for a
universal recognition of their existence has now come. They have
stated that their mission, as messengers and instruments of God, is to
inaugurate a new era of regeneration for the human race. This book is a
compilation of their teachings. It has been written at the request and
under the dictation of advanced spirits for the purpose of establishing a rational
philosophy, free from prejudices and pre-conceived notions. It contains
nothing that is not the expression of the Spirits' thought and that has
not been submitted to their approval."- Allan Kardec
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"
'The Spirits' Book' contains the basic tenets of the Spiritist
Doctrine. But whether one is a Spiritist or not, this book is a
must-read for every spiritually-inclined person. The
"dialogues" between Kardec and the spirit-instructors reveal a
wisdom that challenges many of our preconceived notions about our
spiritual reality as well as about the causes and purposes of many things
and events that are seemingly inexplicable. On a more personal level, the
questions and answers featured in the book invite us to a better
understanding of the higher self within each of us; they show us, too, how
our past can be reflected in our present successes and struggles and how
we can unlock the gates to a brighter, better future. Throughout,
Kardec's flawless logic, coupled with the Spirits' superb discernment and
compassion, make 'The Spirits' Book' a source of inspiration and
resolution for the questioning soul, a guide for the living ethically in
our unsettled world.- Allan Kardec Educational Society (This
quote taken from the inside cover of the 1996 edition of this book,
translated and published by the Allan Kardec Educational Society) |
Obtain
Obtain a Copy of "The Spirits' Book"
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- You can
Purchase a copy of the latest translation of this book, done by the Allan Kardec
Educational Society.
Go to:
http://www.allan-kardec.org/bookstr.html
(We recommend this version for study, as the language of the translation
was written according to modern usage for an easier read and comprehension.)
- You can
download an earlier version (1987) (for reading or to peak at the books
contents), at the Spiritist Group of New York site: http://www.sgny.org/main/books.htm
Scroll down to the section called Basic Works of Allan Kardec.
(Right click on the book title to save to your computer)
INDEX
Table of
Contents of "The Spirits' Book"
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PREFACE TO THE NEW ENGLISH EDITION
PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION
PROLOGUE
PART II- THE FIRST CAUSE
CHAPTER I
GOD
God and infinity
Proofs of God's Existence
Attributes of God
Pantheism
CHAPTER II
GENERAL ELEMENTS OF THE UNIVERSE
The Beginning of Things
Spirit and matter
Properties of matter
Universal space
CHAPTER III
CREATION
The Formation of the Planets
The Creation of Living Beings
The Population of the Earth- Adam and Eve
The Diversity of the human races
The Multitude of Planets
The Biblical account of Creation
CHAPTER IV
THE VITAL PRINCIPLE
Organic and inorganic beings
Life and Death
Intelligence and instinct
PART II- THE SPIRIT WORLD
CHAPTER V
SPIRITS
The Origin and nature of spirits
Essential world
The Formation and Omnipresence of spirits
Perispirit (Spiritual Body)
The Different orders of spirits
The Spirit Hierarchy
Third Order- Imperfect Spirits
Second Order- Good Spirits
First Order- Pure Spirits
The Progression of spirits
Angels and demons
CHAPTER VI
THE INCARNATION OF SPIRITS
The Purpose of Incarnation
The Soul
Materialism
CHAPTER VII
THE RETURN TO THE SPIRIT LIFE
The soul after death
Separation of soul and body
The State of the soul after death
CHAPTER VIII
REINCARNATION
The Justice of reincarnation
Incarnation On Different Planets
Progressive transmigrations
children after death
Sex and Gender in spirits
Family Relationships
Physical and Psychological likeness
Innate ideas
CHAPTER IX
MANY LIVES: ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
CHAPTER X
SPIRIT LIFE
Free Spirits
Transitional worlds
Perceptions, sensations, and sufferings of spirits
Theoretic explanation of the nature of sensation in spirits
Choice of trials
Relationships In The Spirit Realm
Affinity of Spirits; Eternal halves
Memory of Incarnate Lives
Funeral Services, Memorials
CHAPTER XI
RETURN TO THE BODY
Preludes to return
Union of soul and body; Abortion
Ethical and intellectual Qualities
Influence of The Body
Mental Handicaps
Infancy
Affinities and antipathies
Forgetfulness of the past
CHAPTER XII
LIBERATION OF THE SOUL
Sleep and dreams
Out of Body Visits between the living
Telepathy
Apparent deaths, Catalepsy
Spontaneous and Induced Trance
Ecstatic Trance
Second sight
Trance, Ecstasy and Second Sight: A Summary
CHAPTER XIII
SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION IN THE INCARNATE WORLD
Probing Human Thoughts
Influencing thoughts and actions
Controlling Influences
Hysteria
Affection for People
Guardian Angels, Mentors, and Guides
Presentiments
the events of human life
production of Natural phenomena
In Time of War
Pacts with spirits
Occult powers, Charms
Blessings and curses
CHAPTER XIV
OCCUPATIONS AND MISSIONS OF SPIRITS
CHAPTER XI
THE THREE KINGDOMS
The Mineral and Plant Kingdoms
Animals and Human Domain
Metempsychosis
PART III- ETHICAL LAWS
CHAPTER XVI
DIVINE OR NATURAL LAW
The Characteristics of natural law
The Knowledge of natural laws
Good and evil
The Division of natural law
CHAPTER XVII
THE LAW OF ADORATION
The Purpose of Worship
External acts of Worship
About contemplation
Prayer
Polytheism
Sacrifices
CHAPTER XVIII
THE LAW OF WORK
The Necessity of Work
The Limits of Work
CHAPTER XIX
THE LAW OF REPRODUCTION
The Population of the Earth
Obstacles to Reproduction
Marriage and Celibacy
Polygamy
CHAPTER XX
THE LAW OF PRESERVATION
The Instinct For self-preservation
The Means of self-preservation
Enjoying the fruits of the earth
Needs and Wants
Self-Imposed Suffering
CHAPTER XXI
THE LAW OF DESTRUCTION
Necessity of destruction
Natural calamities
War
Murder
Cruelty
Duels
Capital Punishment
CHAPTER XXII
SOCIAL LAW
Is Social Life Necessary?
The Ascetic Life
Family ties
CHAPTER XXIII
THE LAW OF PROGRESS
The Natural State
The March of Evolution
Nations in Decline
Civilization
The Progress of human laws
The Contributions of the Spiritist Doctrine
CHAPTER XXIV
THE LAW OF EQUALITY
Natural equality
Inequality of aptitudes
Social Differences
Economic Inequalities
Wealth and Poverty as Trials
Equality of rights For men and women
Equality in death
CHAPTER XXV
THE LAW OF LIBERTY
Natural liberty
Slavery
Freedom of thought
Freedom of conscience
Free-will
Fate
Foreknowledge
Theoretic summary of the Motivations of human action
CHAPTER XXVI
THE LAW OF JUSTICE, LOVE, AND OF COMPASSION
Natural rights and justice
Property Rights
Love one's neighbor
Motherly Love
CHAPTER XXVII
MORAL PERFECTION
Virtues and Faults
passions
Selfishness
Characteristics of the Good Person
Self-knowledge
PART IV - HOPES AND SOLACE
CHAPTER XXVIII
EARTHLY JOYS AND SORROWS
Relative Happiness and unhappiness
The Loss of Loved Ones
Ungratefulness, Ruined Friendships
Incompatible Marriages
The Fear of death
Listlessness; Suicide
CHAPTER XXIX
FUTURE JOYS AND SORROWS
The after life
The Intuition of future joys and suffering
God's Intervention in Our Joys and Hardships
The Nature of future joys and Hardships
Earthly Sufferings
Rehabilitation and repentance
The Length of Corrections
The Resurrection of the body
Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
CONCLUSION
EXPLANATORY NOTES
APPENDIX
INDEX
