The document discusses different views on the soul and its fate after death according to Spiritism. It summarizes that some believe the soul is merely a product of matter and ceases to exist after death (materialism). Others believe there is a single universal soul that portions itself out to beings (pantheism). Spiritualism holds that the soul is a distinct, immortal entity that retains its individuality after death. The text then addresses questions about the soul's liberation from the body at death and the state of confusion spirits may experience initially before achieving clarity. It stresses preparing for death through moral living and detachment from material things.

1. Chapter III: The Return from the
Corporeal to the Spirit Life
By José Mussi and Sandra Mussi
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Originally published in
April 18, 1857

2. The Material Soul – Materialism
“According to some, the soul is the principle of
material organic life; it has no existence of its own
and at death it ceases to exist. This view is purely
materialistic. … According to this viewpoint, the soul
would be an effect rather than a cause.”
The Spirits’ Book, Introduction (II)
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3. The Universal Soul - Pantheism
“According to this group, there is only one soul in the
entire universe. This soul distributes a spark of itself to the
various intelligent beings throughout their lives. At death,
each spark returns to the common source, where it
merges once again into the whole, just as streams and
rivers return to the ocean that gave them origin…”
“According to this viewpoint, the universal soul would be
God, and each being would be a portion of God.”
The Spirits’ Book, Introduction (II)
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4. The Individual Soul - Spiritualism
“According to others, the soul is a moral
being distinct from and independent of
matter, and which retains its individuality
after death.”
• “The idea of this being that survives the
body is an instinctive belief that is
independent of any particular teaching and
can be found among all cultures to
whatever degree they may have become
civilized. This doctrine, in which the soul is a
cause not an effect, is that of spiritualism.”
The Spirits’ Book, Introduction (II)
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5. Chapter I: The Spirit
Q23. What is spirit?
“The intelligent principle in the universe.”
- What is spirit’s innermost nature?
“It is not easy to explain spirit in your language. For you, it is nothing because it is
not something palpable; nevertheless, for us it is something. You must realize that
nothing means nothing and nothing does not exist.”
Q26. Can we conceive spirit apart from matter, and matter apart from spirit?
“Absolutely, through thought.”
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6. Chapter III: The Soul After Death
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7. The Soul after Death
Q149. What does the soul become at death?
“It becomes a spirit again; i.e. it returns to the spirit world, which it had left for a
time.”
Q150. Does the soul preserve its individuality after death?
“Yes, it never loses it. What would the soul be if it no longer has a material body?”
- Doesn’t the soul take anything else from this world?
“Nothing more than its memories and the desire to go to a better world. These
memories are full of sweetness or bitterness, depending on how the soul has lived
its earthly life. The purer it is, the more it will comprehend the futility of what is left
behind on earth.”
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8. The Soul after Death
Q153. In what sense should we understand the eternal life?
“Only the life of the spirit is eternal; the life of the body is transitory and temporary.
When the body dies, the soul returns to the eternal life”
- Wouldn’t it be more correct to understand the eternal life as that of the pure
spirits, who no longer undergo trials because they have finally attained
perfection?
“That indeed represents eternal happiness, but it is all a matter of words. You may
call things whatever you want as long as you understand the words you use.”
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9. The Separation of the Soul from the Body
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10. The Separation of the Soul from the Body
Q155. How does the separation of the soul from the
body occur?
“Once the bonds that held the soul are ruptured,
it disengages itself.”
- Does this separation occur instantly and through
and abrupt transition? Is there a well- defined
dividing line between life and death?
“No, the soul liberates itself gradually. It does not escape like a captive bird that is
suddenly set free. These two states touch and blend with each other; this way the
spirit disengages itself little by little from its bonds; they unravel; they do not break.
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11. The Separation of the Soul from the Body
Q157. At the moment of death, does the soul sometimes experience a yearning or
an ecstasy entailing a fore-glimpse of the world it is about to reenter?
“The soul often feels that the bonds holding it to the body are loosening, and
consequently it employs all its efforts to sever them entirely. Already partially
released from matter, it beholds the future unfolding before it and it enjoys the
spirit state beforehand.”
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12. The Separation of the Soul from the Body
Q159. What sensation does the soul
experience at the moment it realizes that it
is in the spirit world?
“That depends. If it has done evil for the
love of it, the spirit is first ashamed of what
it has done. However, it experiences
something completely different if it has
been morally upright. If feels relieved of a
great weight because it does not fear the
most scrutinizing glance.”
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13. Preparing for the death of the body
All we do, our choices, our actions will influence the state in which we will find
ourselves once we reach the “other side”
• Be charitable – help others in need
• Practice goodness whenever possible
• Be morally correct in every aspect
• Accept the will of God – resignation, not submission
• Be less materialistic – detachment from excesses
• Understand the immortality of the spirit – study the Spiritist Doctrine
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14. The Spirit’s State of Confusion after Death
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15. The Spirit’s State of Confusion after Death
Q163. Upon leaving the body, is the soul immediately conscious of itself?
“Immediately is not the right word; it remains in a state of confusion for some
time.”
Q164. Do all spirits experience the confusion that follows the separation of the soul
and body to the same degree and for the same amount of time?
“No, it depends on how evolved they are. Those who are already purified are
almost immediately self-aware because of their detachment from matter during
corporeal life. However, carnal individuals with impure consciences retain the
impression of matter much longer.”
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16. Period of Confusion – Initial Phase
• Lack of clarity, in-out of conscience, uncertainty
of where you are
• Unsure if you’re alive or dead
• Is it real or just a dream?
• As spiritist, are we really ready for this transition?
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17. Preparing for the death of the body
Herculano Pires gives us a simple excercise that we can all do:
• If I knew that I only had 6 months to live:
• Find 3 things that I would like to start doing or do more of
• Find 3 things that I would like to stop doing or do less of
• Think deeply and analyze: are my priorities in life the correct ones?
• Create a plan on how you should change
• Put that plan in action, sooner than later
• Repeat this exercise often
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18. Period of Clarity – Next Phase
• Full conscience is restore
• You see old friends, protector spirits, feeling of happiness, good disposition,
improved strength
• Other spirits present themselves as they used to be ( e.g.- Mr. Sanson - Heaven
and Hell – Part II ) – arms, legs, hands, fingers, voice –You feel that you’re back
home
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