With what body do Spirits come?

Having given an account of her transition, the question—With what body do Spirits come?arises, and the unknown Spirit proceeds to share her experience—

But I was to tell you about my body.

It was some time after I came here.

I had no pain, no feeling of heaviness, but was only not quite strong. 

When I could move about, I did not think about myself especially.

One day, I went into another room that I had not noticed going through the house.

It was a smaller one than the others, and the light came from one window, opening to the east. 

It was a grave, subdued-looking place, and the walls and furnishings were an intense, but quiet shade of blue.

One side was covered from floor to ceiling with a crystal mirror.

As I looked into it, there was a person that I did not know, but I was alone.

As I looked more closely at the figure, the knowledge came to me that it was myself.

I cannot describe the vision to you.

It was my earthly self, as I was at eighteen, but with a difference, as if the once familiar features were spiritualised and purified, not glorified, though that will come when it is possible.

But there I was, slender, round, light and easy of motion, such a contrast to the load of adipose I carried so many years.

My face was young and fair.

In every way, much nicer-looking than ever before. 

My hair was in a wavy mass, bound by a band of silver filigree, as beautiful as it can be, and my clothing, a robe of the loveliest blue, soft, clinging and falling in loose folds, only confined at the waist by a girdle of the same design of leaves and tendrils.

A clasp of brilliant blue stones held my robe together at the throat. 

I saw all the principal events of my life pass in succession across the glass. 

While I stood gazing, other figures—or rather shapes, for they were very delicate, began to form in the mirror, and I saw all the principal events of my life pass in succession across the glass.

My face—or form did not alter—or move, but as each scene died away, I would see what, for want of a better name, I must call a change, very slight and subtle in myself.

Perhaps it would be nearer the fact if I stated that there was no change of age, but of state.

For instance, when there was a temptation to which I yielded, there was a shadow about me, which was darker—or lighter, according to my abiding in it—or overcoming it.

So when I overcame, at once, the light was more brilliant. 

Also, I seemed to grow stronger—or weaker, as I was overcome—or victorious.

Though I could always see that the increase of strength came through—or as I should have said, from a most lovely creature always near me. 

It came to me that this was showing me the change and discipline of my whole life! 

In every scene, she removed—or added something—I cannot tell you what—or how.

Gradually, it came to me that this was showing me the change and discipline of my whole life!

It was awful, but it was beautiful too to see how a thoughtless, careless child was changed and fitted for a higher sphere of being. 

Sometimes, there were two bright forms about me, and sometimes more, but they were always busy cheering, sustaining, disciplining my earthly self. 

While I stood spellbound, Father came in.

He always knows when I need him, and he stood beside me and held me in his arm.

If there was a need, he explained a change—or scene and what effect that experience had upon me.

There were often dark, ugly forms, too. 

Father said these were evil spirits, for we are in the midst, and are subject to both good and evil influences.

In this series of visions, they were not real existences, but representations.

The hereditary evils, more difficult to remove than all others, were presented in form so that I understood them more fully. 

We can always be sure that the way one is led is the very most merciful way to overcome evil and produce the best results. 

I told him that as yet I could remember enough of my evil thoughts and bad tempers not to need to see them personified.

He answered that this is the way that such lessons are taught.

I cannot go through all my life and tell all that was shown me, but I must say that if I had known how literally true it is that He giveth his angels charge, concerning me, I should have gone on my way with less misgiving.

My mistakes were not mistakes at all, but the working out of my nature, the manifesting of evils, which had to be known to be overcome.

All the discipline was needful, every bit, and as Father said, we can always be sure that the way one is led is the very most merciful way to overcome evil and produce the best results. 

I asked why my life story did not commence with my childhood. 

The reason he gave was that it is only the spiritual experience that was presented, and as there is no real spiritual experience until one is an adult, all until then is merely preparation, so I was an adult in the minor. 

It was a strange and solemn experience.

Fighting the battle of life over again, and seeing both sides of the veil at once. 

It was over at last, and I stood alone in the depths of the mirror.

But when it was done, my darling drew me nearer to his great loving heart, and with his hand in blessing on my head said, It was worth all the pain and trial, my child, to have you here, so purified at last. 

And so I came away from that judgment place, all strengthened and enfolded in the purest love that ever is known to mortals, the parent love, which is an emblem and symbol of the Divine.

—Letters from an Unknown Spirit