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

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THE SPIRITS’' BOOK
local as the helping of the sick, the dying, the afflicted to watch over those of whom they become the
guides and protectors, and to guide them by their counsels or by the wholesome thoughts they suggest. It
may be said that there are as many sorts of spirit-missions as there are sorts of interests to watch over,
whether In the physical world or in the moral world. And each spirit advances in proportion to the
fidelity with which he accomplishes his task.
570. Do spirits always comprehend the designs they are charged to execute?
"No; some of them are mere blind instruments, but others fully understand the aim they are
working out."
571. Is it only elevated spirits 'who have missions to fulfil?
"The importance of a mission is always proportioned to the capacities and elevation of the
spirit who is charged with it; but the estafette who conveys a despatch fulfils a mission,
though one which is not that of the general."
572. Is a spirit's mission imposed upon him, or does it depend on his own will?
"He asks for it, and is rejoiced to obtain it."
- May the same mission be demanded by several spirits?
"Yes, there are often several candidates for the same mission, but they are not all accepted."
573. In what does the mission of incarnated spirits consists?
"In instructing men, and aiding their advancement; and in ameliorating their institutions by
direct, material means. These missions are more or less general and important; but he who
tills the ground accomplishes a mission as really as he who governs or instructs. Everything
in nature is linked together; and each spirit. while purifying himself by his incarnation,
concurs, under the human form, to the accomplishment of the Providential plans. Each of you
has a mission, because each of you can be useful in some way or other."
574. What can be the mission of those who, in this life, are wilfully idle?
"It is true that there are human beings who live only for them selves, and who do not make
themselves useful in any way. They are much to be pitied, for they will have to expiate their
voluntary inutility by severe sufferings, and their chastisement often begins even in their
present existence, through their weariness and disgust of life."
- Since they had the freedom of choice, why did they choose a life which could not be of any
use to them?