CHAPTER IV - SPACE
No matter how much man can expand his knowledge, no matter how much he will analyse and research, he will not be able to penetrate the whole infinite extension of Space from the limited position he occupies of Earth.
The human mind, although able to reach a certain point, never attains the extreme goal, which is controlled by absolute values.
Those who are overly concerned about a clear definition of the concept of Space, trying to comprehend it totally, are wasting their time because only Universal Intelligence holds such complete knowledge.
Before being able to conceive the maximum issues of the Universe, man just needs to acquire the knowledge which is necessary for his evolution. He should make an effort to learn the numberless lessons he has not yet absorbed and which of long precede those involving the transcendental conceptions of the Spirit.
The knowledge that human intelligence can grasp about Space is already being disclosed by space science.
This planet - which serves at the same time as a school and a purifying crucible to billions of incarnate spirits - is, like myriads of other planets, just a speck of dust in relation to Infinite Space.
Earth is part of a modest solar system belonging to a larger star family called GALAXY.
The solar system of which Earth is a part comprises a small number of planets revolving around the sun.
None of these planets has its own light. Light comes from the sun rays which are reflected on them. The same happens to the moon, whose brilliance results from the solar light reflected upon its illuminated half.
Apart from the planets, the other stars seen in the sky are suns and, therefore, centres of solar systems. There are solar systems both smaller and larger than the one which contains the Earth.
There are also other solar systems which are very complex, with various suns of different colours, producing changing lights of several shades which vary with the sunrise and sunset of each sun.
The light given off by solar bodies - identical to that of earthly matter - should not be confused with Astral Light, which represents Intelligent Force and fills Infinite Space. Astral Light has an entirely different composition.
The darkness of night is no obstacle to the spirit. It can see through Astral Light which penetrates all bodies, down to the smallest spot in space. Day and night express periods related only to earthly life.
There are various moments of the Earth is space. The most outstanding are: rotation around its axis; revolution around the sun; the movement around the axis of the galaxy, made in conjunction with the whole solar system; and another, resulting from the movement of the galaxy itself.
All these movements are perfectly co-ordinated at uniform, precisely adjusted speeds.
The measure used to evaluate astronomical distances is the distance travelled by light in Space during one year, using as a basis its speed, which is about 300,000 kilometres per second.
At this extremely high speed light travels between the two poles of Earth in a mere fraction of a second.
The distance between the sun and the Earth is travelled by light in about 8 minutes. However, it takes thousands of years for it to cross the galaxy of our solar system from one extreme to another.
We should not lose sight of the fact that there are incomparably larger galaxies - just as there are suns - in the galaxy where our small planet belongs, which are dozens of millions of times larger than ours, although our sun is so large in comparison to Earth that it contains much more than a million times Earth's volume.
A UNIVERSE OF GALAXIES
A galaxy is an extensive family of solar systems which number in the millions. The galaxy to which our planet belongs has the approximate shape of a bi-convex lens or fried egg and is located at about one third the radial distance from its axis to its extreme periphery.
Everything man can see with a naked eye in the sky is an integral part of our galaxy of which the Milky Way represents the outside rim.
The distance from one galaxy to the next is of such magnitude that it surpasses the understanding of the incarnate spirit of average perception.
Nevertheless one galaxy, with its thousands or millions of solar systems, represents no more - in comparison with the infinite extension of space - than a meaningless isle in the ocean or, even less, a tiny speck in the Universe.
This relativity of magnitudes invites meditation on the grandeur of the Universe and the very humble role of our planet in the composition of the whole.
And if the composition of our planet is humble, so are its inhabitants; humble in intelligence, in spirituality, in evolution.
If everybody were inwardly aware of this reality, there would be no place for self-conceit and foolish pride which reflect merely a state pertaining to Earth, and demonstrate the ignorance and spiritual inferiority of its inhabitants.
To give an idea, although imprecise, of how many billions times billions of spirits in evolution there are in each galaxy, it is enough to take into account the millions of solar systems contained in each galaxy and to consider that a countless number of planets revolves around each solar system.
If in this planet, which is one of the smallest, about 5 billion spirits are undergoing the process of evolution, consequently in proportion this number cannot be smaller in other planets.
Universal Intelligence, from which thought comes forth - in its utmost expression - has unlimited power. Nothing exists in the Universe without a cause. Nothing was created by chance because everything followed a pre-established determination, even in the smallest details.
The meaning of 'creation' as used in this book indicates transformation of matter through the action of Intelligent Force. The idealisation of the planets conforms to the requirements of evolution.
Thus, from incarnation to incarnation, the spirit promotes its evolution on this planet up to a certain limit. Afterwards evolution proceeds in another environment where psychic and physical conditions follow a different pattern.
At a speed of about 30 kilometres per second, Earth follows its path around the sun with mathematical precision in an absolutely exact length of time.
Similarly, the sun completes its trajectory in a precisely accurate length of time. In turn, it drags along the components of its own system, in an orbit having its focus at a point in the axis of the galaxy, at a similarly high speed.
By the same token, the galaxy carries, in perfect uniformity, all the solar systems of which it is composed at a similarly high speed, and closes its orbit in a no less regular length of time.
All this revolving disposition of precise, unchangeable movements is the work of Universal Intelligence, for a single purpose: to provide the particles of the Whole with means to evolve and climb, one by one, the lengthy steps of evolution.
It is no overstatement to assert that a single one of those particles is just as important as the Whole itself because one could not exist without the other.
The work of nature contains neither errors nor flaws. Its laws are unchangeable, its movements mathematically precise. Even the least common events which may occur at variable times are no more than logical consequences of the unfolding of life itself, which is full of actions and reactions, causes and effects, but always on the way to final balance.
The spirits act and progress in co-ordination with each other, fully in accordance with a guiding rule of all functions. By the same token, the satellites' movements are co-ordinated with those of the planets. In turn the movements of the planets are combined with those of the suns of each system, and the movements of the solar systems with all those of the other systems of each galaxy.
Space is filled with Force and Matter. Nothing is lost or gained. There are no surpluses or losses. The equilibrium of laws can be seen in both the macrocosm and the microcosm, in both the immeasurably large and the immeasurably small.
Beyond the visual reach of man, in the infinite as well as the infinitesimal, Life goes on continuously, integrally, harmonically, manifesting the most varied vibration.
SPACE AND TIME
For a spirit, all dimensions are one because the spirit is everywhere at all times.
Incidentally, Space and Time with lower-case letters, are relativities which only have meaning for the physical environment. Nevertheless, when capitalised, they represent absolute concepts which can only be poorly defined by human language in view of the dimensions of the Infinite.
For Universal Intelligence there is - with respect to Space and Time - just a sort of Eternal Present, an idea that cannot be well understood in this world of so many limitations.
Thus, no matter how high speeds may be, they are merely relative expressions confined to the physical environment because on the spiritual level life is ruled by other principles, other laws.
The spirit, in its original essence, only as a Force, can make itself present instantly, on one planet as well as another, within its scope, using merely the related magnetised field of the Infinite Force which is a component of the Whole.
This Force, pervading and encircling all bodies in the Universe, literally fills Space.
When not overwhelmed by earthly emotions, if man will only contemplate the Universe and meditate about the immeasurability of the Infinite, exploring the creative sense of life and the unlimited power of Universal Intelligence, he will realise that he is but a being of negligible proportions compared to the dimensions of the Universe. He will then become aware of the long, long way he will have to tread on the endless road to evolution.
NEITHER PARENTS NOR CHILDREN
The great spirits who incarnated on Earth to help human progress did so impelled by their sense of duty, not to please anybody's will, much less the will of an imaginary heavenly father.
On the spiritual level, there are neither parents nor children. What really exists is an enormous community of spirits in an infinite evolutionary scale, in which all beings - all without exception - have a common origin: Creative Force or Universal Intelligence.
On the planets scattered over space there are - using small numbers to facilitate human comprehension - millions and millions of spirits at each level of evolution.
Even here on Earth, although rarely, there have been spirits of above-average evolution which have incarnated to help the evolution of mankind. Many others of the same evolutionary level are spiritually active in other regions of the Universe.
The more advanced the spirit is, the greater its desire to help its fellow spirits to advance.
Hence its decision to submit, of its own free will, to the sacrifice on incarnating on planets like ours, whereas at levels corresponding with its degree of evolution, life, although laborious, would elapse in an environment of incomparably common well-being.
It is a serious error, and also a sign of regrettable ignorance about spiritual life, to deny Jesus the merit of having achieved his spiritual evolution at the cost of great struggles, work, suffering, disincarnations and reincarnations, and to ascribe his qualities, magnanimity and character to a supposedly divine affiliation.
Who is worthier, the leader who rose to a dignified position by his own efforts and merit, after having climbed all the steps leading to full experience and wisdom, or the one who somehow stepped into a high position on the basis of his ancestors' hierarchy?
The worshippers of Jesus, under the influence of their deistic concept, stubbornly classify him in the latter category. For them, the merit of such a wonderful and advanced spirit lies more in its affiliation to an imaginary father-god than in its own merits. Nevertheless, Jesus owes to himself all that he achieved and is still achieving in order to enlarge his valuable spiritual assets.
SEVENTEEN CLASSES
The spirits that are undergoing evolution on Earth belong to the first 17 classes of a total of 33.
These classes are mentioned in this book merely to facilitate the reader's understanding, in view of the importance of this matter.
above class 17, only exceptionally does a spirit incarnate on Earth, not because its own evolution so requires, but to help mankind rise spiritually, in a fine and voluntary gesture of self-denial and unselfishness.
Millions of others, of the same category, although they do not incarnate, devote themselves (especially through Christian Rationalism) to help the spiritual growth of less developed spirits incarnated on Earth.
Distributed over a series of 33 classes, according to the degree of development of each spirit, they make their evolution beginning with the following order of planets:
(a) Materialised planets - spirits from the 1st to the 5th class.
(b) Opaque planets - spirits from the 6th to the 11th class.
(c) White planets - spirits from the 12th to the 17th class.
(d) Diaphanous planets - spirits from the 18th to the 25th class.
(e) Very pure light planets - spirits from the 26th to the 33rd class.
Planets may also be classified in two large categories: intership-planets and school-planets.
To the former go those spirits which disincarnate, leave Earth's atmosphere and rise to a planet corresponding to their own class where no spirits of different classes stay together.
SCHOOL-PLANETS
School-planets are identical in nature to ours. For this reason, spirits of various classes reach them in order to promote an interchange of intellectual, moral and spiritual knowledge among themselves.
Earth is a school-planet where the first 17 classes, of a total of 33, promote their own evolution, starting with the first and ending with the 17th, along periods of time which vary widely from one spirit to another but always in the range of thousands and thousands of years.
There are no privileges or paternalism for ascending from one class to the next. The principles of justice is based on the law of equality. Every spirit must overcome identical difficulties and succeed through its own efforts.
Not making good use of an incarnation inescapably results in the need to repeat it and the spirit will have to undergo the same tribulations until it is able to overcome its vices and weaknesses and recover the time lost.
As explained in Chapter VI, the spirit, when on the planet corresponding to its own degree of spirituality, has full knowledge of what takes place on the planets corresponding to classes inferior to its own, but is unaware of what occurs in the classes above its own.
Realising, however, the enormous advantages of ascending to higher classes, the spirit lives under the unrestrained desire to move ahead in order to gain new knowledge and further its spiritual qualities.
On the planet corresponding to its own class, the spirit makes plans for a new incarnation from which it eagerly wants to take the maximum advantage. Its greatest hope is not to waste time on Earth, not to fail, not to render useless the sacrifice of incarnation.
The spirits of inferior classes, especially the first, incarnate under the guidance of more advanced ones. They are like children who need to be escorted to kindergarten.
In the school-planets, emotions are a part of daily life. They are shared indiscriminately by all its inhabitants. When man rises above the feelings of poverty and wealth which are at the end of the list of those emotions, then he is in fact awakened to spiritual life.
As it advances, the spirit becomes acquainted with the things of Space. If there is much to be learned on Earth, so much more there is in the Universe. Space leaves ground for the Universe. The Universe, however, represents the process of evolution.
Like the links of a chain, the three expression Space, Universe, and Evolution are bound together. To know Space, therefore, is to study the Universe and to acknowledge Evolution.
There is one duty which should be common to all: to work towards evolution. Everyone must take his place and strive to fulfil his duty with the conviction that he holds a definite, irreplaceable position in Space.
Millions of spirits incarnated on Earth feel apprehensive due to the lack of a guiding light.
If the guiding light that was Jesus about 20 centuries ago had not been partially extinguished by man's greed, many millions of spirits still incarnated today would have long ago finished their passage through this planet and would already be active in other regions of Space.
Time lost cannot be recovered. It is like water under the bridge. It is up to Christian Rationalism to fulfil a great and noble mission, a mission that is arduous and still not understood by many: to restore Truth and to reimplant the magnificent teachings of Jesus on Earth.