How do spirits cover immense distances?

The actual transition from one world to the other is imperceptible.

There are immense distances in the spirit world to cover, and sometimes spirits need to cover them instantly. 

Spirits do so by the power of thought.

Once they have determined to journey to a certain place, they set their thoughts in motion―they instantaneously set their spirit bodies in motion. 

One might almost say “it requires no thinking about!”

There is no observable interval of time between the moment they leave for, and the moment they arrive at their destination.

The spirit world is divided into spheres or realms.

The spheres of the spirit world are ranged in a series of bands, forming a number of concentric circles around the earth. These circles reach out into the infinity of space, and they are invisibly linked with the earth world in its lesser revolution upon its axis and in its greater revolution round the sun. The sun has no influence whatever upon the spirit world. 

Spirits have no consciousness of it at all since it is purely material.

The low realms of darkness are situated close to the earth plane and interpenetrate it at their lowest.

With the spirit world made up of a series of concentric circles, having the earth world approximately at the centre, you find that the spheres are subdivided laterally to correspond broadly with the various nations of the earth―each subdivision being situated immediately over its kindred nation.

When you consider the enormous variety of national temperament and characteristics distributed throughout the earth plane, it is not surprising that the people of each nation should wish to gravitate to those of their own kind in the spirit world, just as much as they wish to do when upon the earth plane.

Individual choice is free and open to every soul―you may live in whatsoever part of your own realm that you please.

There are no fixed territorial frontiers here to separate the nations. They make their own invisible frontiers of temperament and customs, but the members of all the nations of the earth are at liberty to intermingle in the spirit world and to enjoy unrestricted and happy social intercourse.

The language question presents no difficulty because they are not obliged to speak aloud. 

Spirits can transmit their thoughts to each other with the full assurance that they will be received by the person whom they are mentally addressing.

Language constitutes no barrier.

Each of the national subdivisions of the spirit world bears the characteristics of its earthly counterpart. 

That is but natural. 

This dividing of the nations extends only to a certain number of realms. 

Beyond that, nationality as such ceases to be. 

There you retain only your outward and visible distinctions, such as the colour of your skin―whether it be yellow, white or black.

You will cease to be nationally conscious such as you are when upon the earth plane and during your sojourn in the realms of less degree. 

Your home will no longer have a definite national appearance and will partake more of pure spirit.

Although each realm has its own resident ruler, all the rulers belong to a higher sphere than that over which they preside. 

The position is such that it calls for high attributes on the part of its holder, and the office is held only by those who have had long residence in the spirit world. 

Many of them have been here thousands of years. 

But a ruler must possess a great deal of knowledge and experience of humanity―he must always be able to exercise wise discretion in dealing with the various matters that come before him. All the ruler's experience and knowledge―all his sympathy and understanding are ever at the disposal of the inhabitants of his realm, while his kindness and infinite patience are always in evidence. 

This great soul is ever accessible to any who wish to consult him―or who bring him their problems for solution.

Spirits have their problems, just as we do upon the earth plane, although their problems are very different from ours. Theirs are never of the nature of those harassing worries and cares of the earth world.

In the spirit world, they have no physical brain to hamper them and their minds are fully and completely retentive of all knowledge that comes to them. 

They do not forget those things they have learnt in the spirit world―whether they be spiritual lessons or plain facts. 

For the rulers have to guide and direct them―help them in their work―unite with them in their recreation―be an inspiration to them―act towards them as a devoted father.

There is no such thing as unhappiness in this realm if for no other reason than that it would be impossible with such a grand soul to smooth away the troubles. 

Each sphere is completely invisible to the inhabitants of the spheres below it, and in this respect, it provides its own boundary.

In journeying to a lower realm you see the terrain gradually degenerating. As spirits draw towards a higher realm, just the opposite takes place―they see the land around them becoming more ethereal―more refined―this forms a natural barrier to those who have not yet progressed sufficiently to become inhabitants of that realm.

How then does one proceed from one to the next either above or below?

There must be some point―or points in each realm where there is a distinct upward inclination to the one and a distinct declivity to the other. 

Simple though it sounds, that is precisely the case. 

It is not difficult to imagine perhaps a gradual descent to regions that are less salubrious. 

The transition in the spirit world from one realm to another is literal—as literal as passing from the dark cavern to the sunlight above―as literal as walking from one room in your house to another whether upstairs or down.

And the reason is that each realm possesses a higher vibrational rate than that below it, and is, therefore, invisible and inaudible to those who live below it. Thus, spirits can see that another natural law operates for their own good.