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

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ALLAN KARDEC
developed between the parties by a better and more complete acquaintance with each other's
good qualities? You must not forget that it is the spirit which loves, and not the body, and
that, when the illusion of corporeal attractions is dissipated, the spirit perceives the real
quality of the union into which it has entered.
"There are two kinds of affection-that of the body, and that of the soul, and these are often
mistaken for one another. The affection of the soul, when pure and sympathetic, is lasting;
that of the body is perishable this is why those who fancied that they loved each with an
eternal affection often detest one another when their illusion has vanished."
940. Is not the lack of sympathy between persons destined to live together also a source of
sorrow, and one that is all the more bitter because it poisons an entire existence?
"Very bitter it is, undoubtedly; but it is usually a misfortune of your own causing. In the first
place, your laws are in fault; for how can you suppose that those who dislike one another can
be intended by God to live together ? In the next place, you yourselves are to blame, for you
often seek, in those unions, the satisfaction of your pride and ambition rather than the
happiness of a mutual affection; and, in such cases, you undergo the natural consequences of
your prejudices."
- But, in such cases, is there not generally an innocent victim?
"Yes, one for whom it is a heavy expiation; but the responsibility of such unhappiness will,
nevertheless, be brought home to those who caused it. If the light of truth have reached the
soul of the victim, faith in the future will give consolation under present suffering. But the
causes of these private misfortunes will disappear in proportion as your prejudices are
dissipated."
Fear of Death.
941. The fear of death causes perplexity to many persons; whence comes this fear in the case
of those who believe in a future life?
"Such fear is altogether misplaced; but when people have been, in their youth, thoroughly
indoctrinated into the belief that there is a hell as well as a heaven, and that they will most
likely go to the former, because whatever belongs to human life is a mortal sin for the soul,
they are naturally afraid, if they have retained their religious belief, of the fire that is to burn
them for ever