Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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ALLAN KARDEC
273. Might a man belonging to a civilised race be reincarnated, as an expiation, in a savage
race?
"Yes; but that would depend on the kind of expiation he bad incurred. A master who had been
cruel to his slaves might become a slave in his turn, and undergo the torments he had inflicted
on others. He who has wielded authority may, in a new existence, be obliged to obey those
who formerly bent to his will. Such an existence may be imposed upon him as an expiation if
he have abused his power. But a good spirit may also choose an influential existence among
the people of some lower race, in order to hasten their advancement; in that case, such a
reincarnation is a mission."
Relationships Beyond the Grave
274. Do the different degrees which exist in the advancement of spirits establish among the
latter a hierarchy of powers? Are there, among spirits, subordination and authority?
"Yes; the authority of spirits over one another, in virtue of their relative superiority, is very
great, and gives to the higher ones a moral ascendancy over the lower ones which is
absolutely irresistible."
- Can spirits of lower degree withdraw themselves from the authority of those who are higher
than themselves?
"I have said that the authority which comes of superiority is irresistible."
275. Do the power and consideration which a man may have enjoyed in the earthly life give
him supremacy in the spirit-world?
"No; for in that World the humble are exalted and the proud abased. Read the Psalms."
- In what sense should we understand exalting and abasing?
"Do you not know that spirits are of different orders, according to their degree of merit?
Therefore, he who has held the highest rank upon the earth may find himself in the lowest
rank in the world of spirits, while his servitor may be in the highest. Is not this clear to you ?
Has not Jesus said that ‘Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and whosoever
humbleth himself shall be exalted?"
276. When one who has been great upon the earth finds himself occupying an inferior place
in the spirit-world, does he feel humiliated by this change of position?