The letters of a woman who was, by the woman

Foreword

This book, which has been written by a young woman who is not familiar with the subjects dealt with, contains truths which cannot fail to convince you of a life outside the physical existence. It is especially impressive since it bears the stamp of earnest appeal and sincerity.

The circumstances connected with its composition are compelling, and it is important that these facts should be made known that the readers of this book can draw their own conclusions regarding its authenticity. The manner in which the young woman discovered that she possessed psychic power was unusual. The first message which she received came on a Sunday evening early in October when a small party of persons were amusing themselves by receiving messages from discarnate spirits. The method used was the simple one of the drinking glass and the alphabet which was printed in large letters upon a square of bristol board. One of the ladies in the party was apparently the only one who could draw a control. No messages of weight or importance were received until after the guests had departed. The seance had taken place at the home of the young woman who has written this book. She was so thoroughly excited over the events of the evening that she decided to try to get a message alone. The glass immediately began to move and letters formed intelligent messages. That was the beginning of many interesting and unusual messages, which gradually led up to the writing of this book. On the eighteenth of October, in 1916, early in the forenoon when the young woman was alone busily engaged with her household duties, a voice so natural that it failed to startle her told her to get the glass. This she refused to do. The voice was insistent and the girl suddenly realized that it was not a natural occurrence and hastily got the alphabet and the glass. It moved rapidly, almost eagerly, and spelled out that the spirit controlling the glass was Mrs. Thomas and that she wanted to write a book. A few days later Mrs. Thomas commenced the writing of her book through this method. However, the strain was so great upon the young woman that after a few pages had been written she was ready to give up in despair of ever completing it. At this point Mrs. Thomas spelled out the following message: "Put away the glass and I will control your arm." This seemed almost impossible to the girl, but she took a pencil and a pad of paper and after an interval of a few minutes the pencil began to move with jerks but always very rapidly, and the writing of the book was resumed through the automatic control.

It took fifty-one hours to write the book, averaging about three hours a day. This book carries a direct appeal to those who have been seeking for knowledge of this character. It is written in a simple, straightforward manner, in the form of letters such as a mother would write to her children from a foreign land, giving advice and counsel, making many sage observations about life in the spirit world and on earth. The book expresses her various moods. She tells of her sorrows, her trials and regrets, relating also many unusual experiences of other entities with whom she has come in contact.

Those of you who read this book cannot but be convinced of its sincerity and truth and its effect will be that of giving you a new hope and of making all who read it better men and women.

With this explanation I submit to the readers the following chapters.

Editor

Preface

The object of this book is to place before the masses in clear, condensed form some initial truths pertaining to the spiritual existence which in the due course of time we are all called upon to assume. Many of these truths have before been extolled, although in such a ponderous form as to be accessible only to a student or scholar. My mission is to impart to the masses this information in clear concise form that they may fully comprehend and understand its full meaning. By accepting these facts you will find that you are gaining something which you have never before possessed. The essentials that are necessary to advance evolution consciously are, first, the keenest desire for the truth, then you must acquire devotion and finally a clear understanding. After you gain these qualities you will be ready to accept the truth and spiritual knowledge. I am not imparting these truths through my own understanding but through that of high entities who are taking upon themselves the great responsibility of enlightening the masses. Through previous incarnations I was drilled and coached that I might become the channel for this work. The young girl whom the adepts have chosen has also gone through rigid training and since early childhood of this life she has been under the constant observance of the adepts who were awaiting fuller development of that spiritual strength which even now is only in its bud. This young woman has been chosen as the channel through which these teachers will impart such truth as the world never before has possessed. There are to be five more books of greater length which will explain fully every phase of life in the spiritual existence and on earth. This book is merely the means for introducing the great works which are to follow. The next book is full of vital interest and a narrative runs throughout it and it will be known under the name of "The Diary of an Adept." It will contain astounding truths and experiences which even the advanced student has yet to learn. The time has come when the world must accept these truths. It has been so decreed and from this time on there will be revelations made which we hope will convince the people in the world of the absolute truth of a spiritual existence after death. This great work is taken up with the point in view of enlightening those people who desire to know the absolute truth about life.

Many of you would before have accepted these teachings had they been presented in more readable form, which would appeal to the best that is in you. In the perusal of this book I would suggest that you study completely each thought and try to get the spiritual meaning as I have tried to convey it. There are many books that can be obtained that expound these spiritual truths to a certain measure, but human mind, no matter how highly developed it may be, cannot grasp fully the significance of these facts and in writing of these truths they are not always accurate in stating them. It is indeed my sincere wish that this work and those which will follow it will be accepted by the public and that some good may be gained through our combined efforts. Since we know that we cannot progress through ignorance, why not take up the candle' of spiritual illumination and hold it before us that we may be guided through our existence without getting so sorely bruised and weary, and since you know that by gaining full consciousness of the spiritual existence you will have gained something which is immortal and cannot but help to serve you and to lighten the burdens that all human beings are called upon to bear. And so I say unto all

Ages and Races, Strive for the finest, noblest things in life. Keep your ideals lofty and do your utmost to live up to them. We all fall at times beneath the level we have set out to gain and there is no disgrace in that. The disgrace is staying down when you might well arise and even gain the great heights that appear so far away; and my purpose is to help you to gain that knowledge of the first essential truths that will help you to climb up without falling or even stumbling on the way. My great hope is that these facts will be accepted in the spirit they have been given. With this thought in view I offer without apology the following chapters.

The Woman

The Letters of a Woman Who Was

I have undergone the experience of death and I feel completely at a loss; I seek constantly to find some means through which I can communicate with my children. I can see them as plainly as I could in life, but the vastness of the barrier between us is tremendous.

I can feel that there are heights before me which I must climb very soon, but I shall linger near my old associations as long as possible. During the few hours previous to death I had lain in a seemingly unconscious state, although in reality my mind had never been more active. I reviewed every experience through which I had passed until the events of my whole life had been placed before me. And when they were finished I passed out of the door of a physical existence and in at the door of a spiritual life.

April 1st, 1914.

Although there is no time or space here, I will set it down that these letters may be comprehensible to you. I am existing in the mental sphere which is the state of existence nearest the earth. The first sensation that I experienced after the so-called death occurred was that of being in a profound space. There was only that maddening and external space surrounding me on every side. I felt the motion of objects and I heard a medley of sound without being able to distinguish anything and I fought that unseen presence with all my mental strength; I was like a person battling for life in mid ocean. Then behold! For as suddenly as I had become conscious of that invisible something I became aware of a strange illumination and it was possible for me to discern the objects that before had been veiled from my presence. There was life all around me and of various forms. A helper came to help me to grasp the surroundings and under his guidance I learned to know the different forms of life on the mental plane.

April 2nd, 1914.

The inhabitants of this plane suffer intensely; they all cling to the physical and mourn because they have lost that physical vehicle which prevents them from functioning in the material sense. We are all drawn to some phase of an earthly existence. Many of the entities here hover over their earthly grave in perfect agony. It is gruesome to look at the inanimate cold body which once was the instrument through which the true ego found expression. Had it been possible for most of us here to have realized that there was a spiritual existence ahead, we could have saved much of this utter misery which we are now enduring. During my last life on earth I was exceedingly material; however, I was not gross. It was the comfort and pleasure of life which I loved and which still attracts me greatly. Had I been less domineering, I might also have escaped this phase of life which is my punishment for erring as I did. My earthly nature was one of impulse, storm and sunshine and it will take a long period of time for me to outgrow these faults. I took a keen interest in current events and what this or that person was doing and I do the same here. I am curious about all my surroundings and watch the attitudes of the entities with keenest interest and sympathy. Many entities arrived here at the same time I came, most of whom had died from tuberculosis and thought it necessary to go on coughing and suffering, and, when they discovered that they had cast off that physical shell, their surprise was unbelievable. One ego, a very young girl, came about a week before I came, and she seems in great misery; she had left a little crippled brother behind her and she tries to talk to him. At present she is leaning over his bed imploring him to speak to her, but, of course, she is not manifest to him and his perfect unconsciousness of her presence is causing her new sorrow. This same entity died as the result of an automobile accident and she seeijis to live over those dreadful experiences. She is completely earthbound and will not listen to that voice which is calling us to higher and better existences.

I have been unable to write until now, as I have been very unhappy; the grief of my children has caused me much discomfort and I have been trying to reach them, but they could not see me. I wish they could know that I am all right and that I would rather they would not grieve for me. How dreadful that rigid Christian demonstration is! Why go through the gruesome ceremony of looking at the castoff shell as it lies in its casket? It means nothing. How much better it would be if they would realize the consciousness of my present existence and help me through their strong desire to rise above this earthbound condition, which is so distressing.

Life here seems endless and I am beginning to wonder if I shall ever be able to sever the bonds that connect me still with that earthly life. Even my favorite chair attracts me and I long to sit in it as I used to do. I combat these desires, because I know that if I seek to satisfy them I will remain in this present state of life. That physical body which I cast off is slowly disintegrating and it is indeed painful to look upon it as it is very difficult to make myself realize that it is as the shell a little new born chicken casts off and amounts to nothing more. One becomes greatly attached to that vehicle and I hope my experiences will help you living beings to know the futility of letting the material absorb your entire attention. The entities here are all working out of their own individual earthly attachments and desires and they do not greatly concern themselves with the suffering of those around them. This is especially true if they have remained here any length of time. Entities just arriving are far more susceptible to the vibrations and are curious to know about every phase of existence here. The novelty soon wears off and they set themselves to work out of this state of existence.

December 10th, 1914.

I have gone through many experiences since my last letter and am about to ascend to the fourth astral plane, where I will take up my spiritual or astral evolution. That physical shell which I cast off nine months ago has disintegrated and I have lost all desire to function on the physical plane. My family has ceased to grieve. My unhappiness is over, and now I will ascend to better things. Now that I am able to look back over previous events, the one incident that impresses me most is that of my existence here in the spiritual world before. When I was called upon to assume a physical existence the last time I did so very unwillingly and had to be forced to accept it as the only way that could be, as it was necessary for me to live in the physical state many more times; but the spiritual life was so satisfying that I dreaded to leave it for the sharp discomfort of the physical body. I remember now of looking into my future existences and seeing plainly the experiences through which I was to pass, but when the time for physical rebirth came I lost the consciousness of all things spiritual and I completely forgot that unwillingness to descend to a material life until physical death again loosened the bonds and I was permitted to review and digest those occurrences again.

January 1st, 1916.

I am now existing on the fourth plane and it is vastly different from that state of existence I have left. This plane is the intermediate one and is where the masses coming from the earth begin their astral evolution. In looking at the physical existence from here it looks cold and uncomfortable and I have no wish to retrace the ground between us. It is the beginning of a new year and there is much boisterous gaiety on the physical plane. The garish lights and music are attracting the human lot; even my own children are participating in this mawkish pleasure and every one is seemingly enjoying it. How very near it all is and yet how far removed from this existence!

It has been two years since I passed from the physical existence and I am only now beginning to learn the knowledge that is essential to promote spiritual growth. Some entities are, of course, much more evolved than others and it is the same with the vegetable and animal in a lesser sense. Each state of existence is transferred to the planes most suited to its own individual state of maturity. Man must carve out his own evolution and through only intense suffering or spiritual illumination can he gain exalted heights. Misery, grief and despair all teach their lesson and it is necessary to spiritual growth that they be learned at some period of one's evolution.

The object of these letters is to give a helping hand to humanity and to teach you the glory of going on with banners flying. The great blessings you will receive through progressing in all consciousness of the truth is greater than I can impart to you. The fine points of evolution that have been so cunningly worked out are almost more than the human mind is capable of conceiving. We are all conscious of the fact that there is absolute justice in every phase of life and on every plane. These powerful scales must balance; every account has to be paid in the fullest measure. There is only one way and one goal; some reach it sooner through seeking constantly for that spiritual awakening, while others, the masses, in fact are forced forward in the steady march of evolution as I have been through misery. It should be a source of comfort to every human being to learn and progress spiritually. However, this is usually not the case and misery becomes the whip lash that drives humanity forward.

April 9th, 1916.

It has been a constant source of pleasure to me of late to review my former experiences and to compare them all and find out just how much I have progressed. I seem to have gained constantly and the adepts have kept me under close surveillance for many hundreds of years that one day I might become the channel for their great work. The entities here are all reviewing and digesting their former experiences just as I am. In being able to look back upon these former lives it becomes a teacher to us and we learn not to do the things that retard our growth.

What wonderful things do happen. A great and splendid Being has come among us to-day, imparting courage and strength to all. I never knew that there could be an entity of such grandeur. He reflects the glory of the Master. His countenance is more beautiful than light. He is on his way to help the sufferers of Europe. I shall live in the radiance he has left behind him and shall strive to gain that state of perfection more than I have ever before striven for anything.

Many helpers are rushing to the battlefields to help the wounded and dying soldiers and I will relate some of their experiences a little later. The effect of the hideous death dealing instruments is terrible and the earth seems in an upheaval of devilishness and hate. The mercilessness and callousness with which the soldiers kill each other is revolting in the extreme. However these conditions, the dying and suffering are all essential in that the world will be made to realize the futility of wrong living and wrong thinking. These men who are dying and those who have died will return to be born again cleansed of some of the foulness of human nature. Every phase of this terrible war is working good for the coming generations, for the world was becoming sluggish and people were bent on their round of pleasure. The loathsome vices of the present day are appalling and it is only through this very suffering that the world can be brought to change its perspective. The little children who are being left fatherless and the mothers who have had to endure the agony of parting with their husbands never to meet again during this life, are simply working out karma which they generated in previous incarnations. When these debts are all paid evolution will have taken a mighty stride ahead and one of the darkest hours will have passed. There is a source of great comfort in knowing that while to-day we are paying debts, to-morrow and the days in the future are clear and it is entirely in our own hands to what use we will put them. We can generate good karma or evil and it behooves us to keep to the illuminated path of righteousness if we wish to escape working out of more karma.

The gross and material things cannot endure; they are only temporal and the only advancement that really counts is that which will enable one to comprehend the true existence. Perfection is in the far distance to be sure, but one can gain it much sooner through working intelligently and in harmony with the law.

The helpers have been extremely busy to-day; many hundreds of soldiers have been killed and wounded. It is very difficult for these soldiers to become quiet and it sometimes takes much time to convince them that they have left their physical body behind them. Andre, a young Frenchman of twenty years, has been especially troublesome. He was shot down by a German major and his hatred toward that particular soldier made itself manifest when he looked down on the battlefield and saw the Germans breaking through the French lines; he plunged among them and struck in all his ugly fury at them. However, it did not help him and did not affect the fighting men, because he had been unable to materialize. His fury was especially directed at the German major at whom he repeatedly struck. It is indeed beautiful and noble, the work of these helpers and it would be impossible to keep order without them; they lighten the suffering of soldiers who are dying. A young English soldier, David Mallowe by name, was terribly mutilated and left in an unconscious condition among the other unfortunates to die, during a recent battle. One of the helpers who had been waiting to assist stepped forward in the form of a human being and knelt beside him. He stroked the feverish head and when the soldier regained consciousness he was there to lessen his suffering. Presently he attempted to sit up but fell back moaning and gasping in the utter agony that the effort caused. The helper threw a veil over his mind and caused that physical shell to be cast off.

This same helper assisted David when he became conscious that he was no longer existing on the physical plane, to grasp his surroundings and then lulled him into a state of semiconsciousness that he might rest after the ordeal through which he had passed. A recent experience of a French lieutenant is also worth relating that it may prove the power of these invisible helpers. There is no such thing as luck; every occurrence has to be guided through help, and help is always given to those who deserve it. This lieutenant was riding towards headquarters and had to cut in at the rear of the German camp. He was seen and several of the German soldiers immediately pursued him mounted on fresh horses. In the possession of the French lieutenant were valuable dispatches and it meant disgrace if he allowed himself to be captured. He urged his mount on, he gave no thought to his personal danger; his one idea was to get the papers to his commander. Finally he reached a river; he stopped, hesitated and sent the horse lunging in. The Germans aimed and fired; bullets rained around the Frenchman without once finding their mark. One German soldier, Hans Swartz, by name, pursued him way out into the river and was killed when his horse stumbled and threw him and then trampled him to death in his fright. The lieutenant reached the shore safely although his mount was completely exhausted and died on reaching the shore. He, however, staggered for hours through the forest and was finally rescued by a brother soldier who was out scouting. He reached headquarters and delivered his dispatches and was decorated for bravery by his general. Had he been less brave and less deserving of help he would have been killed many times over. An invisible hand guided him out of his danger and turned the rain of bullets from him. These incidents are constantly occurring and will continue to occur to the end of the great world conflict. Help is given to every nation equally and wherever it is deserved. God is not on the side of the Allies more than he is on the side of the Germans. He knoweth all and seeth all, and judgeth wisely.

I have been directed to correct a view point that has become general and one which is decidedly wrong and unfair. Of late race hatred has become very pronounced and it is being directed at Germany who is fighting against such great odds. It is so human to judge from one's narrow and cramped point of view. I am in possession through the highest sources of the truth regarding this matter. The great world war is responsible for much of the hatred between the nations involved. All nations are equally to blame no matter what any human being says regarding the subject, that fact remains fixed and settled. But when an entity who is supposed to be evolving spiritually lets material motives and earthly hatred enter into his writing he is retarding his own evolution. There is no nationality in the spiritual existence. The cause of this conflict began centuries ago and the discord became more apparent with each succeeding generation. In the near future there will be peace and little will have been gained materially by any country. However, from a spiritual standpoint much has been gained, since long standing karmic debts have been paid; the trumpet has sounded and evolution will have taken a long step in advance. Nietzsche is not responsible for the conditions that exist at present. His philosophy was indeed a material one and he met a sad fate, but the present condition of affairs would have been, had Nietzsche never existed. There is a pronounced belief in paganism among certain sections of Germans and they openly flaunt their belief; but this very same condition exists also in England and in France although it is to be sure covered over partially with the gloss of religion. I merely make these statements that things may be properly balanced. I wish to correct the wrong ideas and impressions that the masses have formed. There should be no race hatred. You are all human and each one is doing his share to advance the evolution of soul. You are each and all a spark of the great infinite mind, God, that created every living creature.

To-day I am going to tell you something about life on the astral planes. There are eight planes, not including the mental sphere which is the lowest of all spiritual planes. The first and second planes are passed over by most persons. Only the very lowest types of the human races require to spend any time on these. The savage races and the least evolved of the white races evolve in these low spheres. The third plane is where drunkards, sensualists and criminals begin their astral evolution and they go through intense agony, often seeking to gratify their earthly desires. If such an entity succeeds in getting possession of a human being he can satisfy his cravings to a certain extent and it is that invariably which causes men to drink intoxicating liquors to excess or to overeat. However, these low egos do not seek to control highly developed or sensitive persons. They are only attracted to those of their own caliber. A sensualist can gratify his loathsome desires through gaining possession of a low type of human being and it is that which causes many of the terribly depraved and utterly horrible incidents which take place in the world. Persons of great strength of character and strong will are never tempted into the possession of these vile entities and for this reason every person should begin to acquire a knowledge of life as it really exists. When you allow yourselves to go on in a maze of materialism and worldly pleasure you are only existing in the unreal things and still have the greatest truth to learn.

I wish also to explain something about the greatness of the thought force. Every thought that leaves one's consciousness generates new matter according to the character of that thought, either for good or for evil, and rebounds back at the sender with double its strength. A greater part of the human race chooses the path of least resistance, but if you could only realize what it leads to you would willingly climb the steep cliffs to avoid the greater suffering that it is the lot of those to work out of who choose to glide through life, never thinking of that existence in the future, knowing little about it and caring less, for when once the wheels of evil actions and dissipation are set in motion it is difficult to stop them. They move slowly at first and the transgressor continues blindly on his way, never dreaming of the consequences. The forces begin to move more rapidly and still the erring human mind believes itself capable of controlling the situation until these forces become as pounding demons and it is beyond the power of human will to control them. When men are influenced by these evil forces and driven before the storm they become weakened creatures and abhorrent wrecks which the creatorintended to be human beings full of vitality and strength and possessing a purpose in life. This truth should be a solemn teacher of which is the way to pursue and indeed I hope that it will impart its lesson. After an entity reaches the higher planes evolution becomes much more pronounced and the desire for the material pleasures exists no more. On the fourth and fifth planes the masses of humanity begin their evolution after the so-called death occurs. Entities existing on these planes have no morbid desires and their influence is always good if exerted over human beings at all. The sixth, seventh and eighth planes consist of more highly evolved egos and that existence is still farther removed from the physical plane. On the seventh and eighth planes entities are conscious of the human race only when the entity has recently passed through the experience of death and wishes to console his dear ones whom he has left behind him. The entities on the eighth plane are of the highest astral types and are superior in wisdom and knowledge. In speaking of planes I do not mean to give the impression of an existence such as the physical; each spiritual plane is a state of consciousness and it is according to the development of the ego into which state of consciousness he will be sent when the physical shell is cast off.