THE PERISPIRIT

Definition | Formation | Nature |
Union w/ Physical Body | Functions


Nature

Part 2 of 2: Physical Form

The physical form taken by the perispirit of the discarnate spirit is that which the spirit wishes to give it, within that spirit's ability to change it.  This will normally be the human form, and most often the same form as the body it took in its last incarnation, or that of another incarnation if such is needed, for example, in order to be recognized.

In the case of the human being, the spirit, as always, is intimately tied to the perispirit, and the latter is in contact with all the cells of the human organism. The vital principle, or vital fluid¹, establishes a necessary tie between the fluidic material of the perispirit and the dense material of the physical body.

The perispirit of an incarnate spirit is not limited, however, to the form or outline of the human body.  Kardec writes², "Because of its fluidic nature, it is expansive, and it radiates outward, creating around the body, an atmosphere that is more or less extended by thought and will." 


Regarding this point, Barbosa, in the book, "Basic Spiritism" references a passage from the spirit, Andre Luiz, found in "Evolution in Two Worlds". Barbosa writes, "Andre Luiz teaches that all living beings are surrounded by an energetic halo that corresponds to their nature, and that, in human beings, this projection is modified and enriched by the factors of continuous thought, thereby constituting the human aura, the vital body, the ethereal double. Through [this projection], we exteriorize a reflection of ourselves, in accordance with what we think and do."

 

Are the aura and the
 perispirit the same?

Barbosa explains that "they are not the same thing, nor do they fulfill the same functions; the former disappears with the death of the physical body, while the second survives the disintegration of the matter and accompanies the spirit to the invisible world. The human aura would be the [outward] radiation of the perispiritual body, and its colors vary in intensity and shade, according to the state of health and the greater or lesser spiritualization of men." (Barbosa, "Basic Spiritism")

Even while undergoing an incarnation or material existence, the spirit, including its perispirit, can momentarily leave the material body while the latter is asleep or in a trance state, though the spirit still remains tied to the body through a fluidic chord.  In this case, the form represented is an exact copy of the material body, and can, if conditions permit, be seen by a medium, or even materialize.

Such characteristics regarding the form taken by the perispirit, of both the incarnate and discarnate spirit, make the perispirit one of the principle factors for the identification of the spirits.

¹ another modification of the cosmic fluid; the union of it and matter brings forth life
² "Posthumous Works"- Manifestations of Spirits, item 11

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