(Different covers from different publishings)

 
INDEX
  Table of Contents of "The Spirits' Book"   

PREFACE TO THE NEW ENGLISH EDITION
PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION
PROLOGUE  

 PART II- THE FIRST CAUSE 

CHAPTER I
GOD

God and infinity
Proofs of God's Existence
Attributes of God
Pantheism

CHAPTER II
GENERAL ELEMENTS OF THE UNIVERSE

The Beginning of Things
Spirit and matter
Properties of matter
Universal space

CHAPTER III
CREATION

The Formation of the Planets
The Creation of Living Beings
The Population of the Earth- Adam and Eve
The Diversity of the human races
The Multitude of Planets 
The Biblical account of Creation

CHAPTER IV
THE VITAL PRINCIPLE

Organic and inorganic beings
Life and Death
Intelligence and instinct

 PART II- THE SPIRIT WORLD 

CHAPTER V
SPIRITS 

The Origin and nature of spirits
Essential world
The Formation and Omnipresence of spirits
Perispirit (Spiritual Body)
The Different orders of spirits
The Spirit Hierarchy
Third Order- Imperfect Spirits
Second Order- Good Spirits
First Order- Pure Spirits
The Progression of spirits
Angels and demons

CHAPTER VI
THE INCARNATION OF SPIRITS

The Purpose of Incarnation
The Soul
Materialism

CHAPTER VII
THE RETURN TO THE SPIRIT LIFE

The soul after death
Separation of soul and body
The State of the soul after death

CHAPTER VIII
REINCARNATION

The Justice of reincarnation
Incarnation On Different Planets
Progressive transmigrations
children after death
Sex and Gender in spirits
Family Relationships
Physical and Psychological likeness
Innate ideas

CHAPTER IX
MANY LIVES: ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

CHAPTER X
SPIRIT LIFE

Free Spirits
Transitional worlds
Perceptions, sensations, and sufferings of spirits
Theoretic explanation of the nature of sensation in spirits
Choice of trials
Relationships In The Spirit Realm
Affinity of Spirits; Eternal halves
Memory of Incarnate Lives
Funeral Services, Memorials

CHAPTER XI
RETURN TO THE BODY

Preludes to return
Union of soul and body;  Abortion
Ethical and intellectual Qualities
Influence of The Body
Mental Handicaps
Infancy
Affinities and antipathies
Forgetfulness of the past

CHAPTER XII
LIBERATION OF THE SOUL

Sleep and dreams
Out of Body Visits between the living 
Telepathy
Apparent deaths, Catalepsy
Spontaneous and Induced Trance
Ecstatic Trance
Second sight
Trance, Ecstasy and Second Sight: A Summary

CHAPTER XIII
SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION IN THE INCARNATE WORLD

Probing Human Thoughts 
Influencing thoughts and actions
Controlling Influences
Hysteria
Affection for People
Guardian Angels, Mentors, and Guides
Presentiments
the events of human life
production of Natural phenomena
In Time of War
Pacts with spirits
Occult powers, Charms
Blessings and curses

CHAPTER XIV
OCCUPATIONS AND MISSIONS OF SPIRITS

CHAPTER XI
THE THREE KINGDOMS

The Mineral and Plant Kingdoms
Animals and Human Domain
Metempsychosis

 PART III- ETHICAL LAWS 

CHAPTER XVI
DIVINE OR NATURAL LAW

The Characteristics of natural law
The Knowledge of natural laws
Good and evil
The Division of natural law

CHAPTER XVII
THE LAW OF ADORATION

The Purpose of Worship
External acts of Worship
About contemplation
Prayer
Polytheism
Sacrifices

CHAPTER XVIII
THE LAW OF WORK

The Necessity of Work
The Limits of Work

CHAPTER XIX
THE LAW OF REPRODUCTION

The Population of the Earth
Obstacles to Reproduction
Marriage and Celibacy
Polygamy

CHAPTER XX
THE LAW OF PRESERVATION

The Instinct For self-preservation
The Means of self-preservation
Enjoying the fruits of the earth
Needs and Wants
Self-Imposed Suffering

CHAPTER XXI
THE LAW OF DESTRUCTION

Necessity of destruction
Natural calamities
War
Murder
Cruelty
Duels
Capital Punishment

CHAPTER XXII
SOCIAL LAW

Is Social Life Necessary?
The Ascetic Life
Family ties

CHAPTER XXIII
THE LAW OF PROGRESS

The Natural State
The March of Evolution
Nations in Decline
Civilization
The Progress of human laws
The Contributions of the Spiritist Doctrine

CHAPTER XXIV
THE LAW OF EQUALITY

Natural equality
Inequality of aptitudes
Social Differences
Economic Inequalities 
Wealth and Poverty as Trials
Equality of rights For men and women
Equality in death

CHAPTER XXV
THE LAW OF LIBERTY

Natural liberty
Slavery
Freedom of thought
Freedom of conscience
Free-will
Fate
Foreknowledge
Theoretic summary of the Motivations of human action

CHAPTER XXVI
THE LAW OF JUSTICE, LOVE, AND OF COMPASSION

Natural rights and justice
Property Rights
Love one's neighbor
Motherly Love

CHAPTER XXVII
MORAL PERFECTION

Virtues and Faults
passions
Selfishness
Characteristics of the Good Person
Self-knowledge

 PART IV - HOPES AND SOLACE 

CHAPTER XXVIII
EARTHLY JOYS AND SORROWS

Relative Happiness and unhappiness
The Loss of Loved Ones
Ungratefulness, Ruined Friendships
Incompatible Marriages
The Fear of death
Listlessness; Suicide

CHAPTER XXIX
FUTURE JOYS AND SORROWS

The after life
The Intuition of future joys and suffering
God's Intervention in Our Joys and Hardships
The Nature of future joys and Hardships
Earthly Sufferings
Rehabilitation and repentance
The Length of Corrections
The Resurrection of the body
Heaven, Hell, and  Purgatory

CONCLUSION

EXPLANATORY NOTES

APPENDIX

INDEX

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