Unmasking

The Reflection-sphere

[QUOTING]

In "The Shadow of the Coming Events" we informed you of the action, which is in preparation by the hierarchy of the brotherhoods in the reflection-sphere; an action which, here and there, has already become apparent.

A subject of utmost importance has, however, been left out of consideration in the said treatise, because we wanted to postpone the discussion about that element until the very last moment. This moment has now come; further silence could probably be fatal. In order that you may gain a clear picture of the subject under discussion, it will be necessary to more or less introduce this.

First of all, we should like to draw your attention to that part of our field of life which we call the reflection-sphere.

When a man dies, it is his material body which dies; but the personality, besides the material body, consists of still other parts - namely, the ether-body (the etheric double), the astral vehicle, and finally, the light-shaped synthesis, a body which has no form as yet and which is indicated as the mental faculty.

When the material body dies, a small part of the etheric body also dies with it (one can behold an ether-vehicle in four aspects, four conditions of ether-density - chemical, life, light and reflecting ethers. Two of the most dense aspects die and immediately decay, together with the material body).

The other parts of the ether-vehicle, as well as the astral body and the mental faculty, continue their existence on the other side of the veil for some time.

Naturally, the personality is heavily damaged by the outfall of the material body, but also the more subtle parts of the personality are doomed to death. They dissolve more slowly or rapidly varying between two and thirty years. Finally, only the microcosm is left which, after this total emptying of the personality, again seeks re-vivification.

Now, after the death of the material body, the whole of this process takes place in the reflection-sphere, in those more subtle territories of our planet to which the more subtle vehicles of our personality belong. Many people think (and they have thought so time after time through all periods of mankind's course) that this reflection-sphere, this land beyond the veil, is the one great purpose of human existence, the great goal God puts before humanity. Moreover, people thought that life in the material-sphere was only 'one-time'; that in the land beyond the veil are heaven and hell, and that life on earth (in the material sphere) is decisive for an eternal abode in the hereafter.

For this reason the greater part of humanity, all through their material existence, is busy preparing for that land beyond the veil in order that they may gain the heaven-spheres  instead of hell, and that they may eternally remain in that summerland in a life of glory.

In this way, the entire natural religious part of humanity keep their minds fixed on the reflection-sphere. But many people wanted certainty with regard to that hereafter, that future eternal life. They wished to ascertain its truth, its reality or its possible mystification. They would not wait till they possibly might arrive there after death; they wanted exact knowledge already in this life.

They, therefore, tried to acquire that certainty and they did it in the following manner: they tried to make themselves completely conscious during their nightly sleep; they wished to transfer the consciousness they had during the day to the condition of nightly sleep, in order that they might be able to observe with absolutenss -- so that they might positively know on the basis of their own consciousness.

[END QUOTING]

End Part I

From "Armageddon" - Part II of Unmasking - J van Rjickenborgh
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