In Allan Kardec’s book, Genesis, Chapter XI, section 24, on page 223, there is a discussion of “Spiritual Genesis”. Allan Kardec lays out the map required to ascend in the spirit hierarchy in an easy to understand prose.

First he touches on the subject of why we must be reincarnated:

“24. The incarnate spirit’s obligation to provide for the sustenance of its body, its safety and well-being constraints it to apply it faculties in the search to exercise and develop such facilities. Thus, its union with matter is useful for its evolution and that is why incarnation is a necessity. Furthermore, by mean of the intelligent labor that it performs upon matter to its own advantage, it concurs in the physical transformation and progress of the globe that it inhabits. Its laboring for its own progress is how it contributes to the Creator’s work as an unsuspecting agent.”

What Allan Kardec is telling us, that a primitive spirit, must first learn how to feed and fend for itself. By doing so, the young spirit is taking society forward, as groups gather together to form tribal units to better supply the small community food and protection. At the same time, a basic division of labor appears. As we take toddlers to play with other young friends to begin the process of socialization, so does the spirit world set immature spirits on the ground to learn the basic rules.

Next, Allan Kardec reviews the process for advancement:

“25.  The spirit’s incarnation, however, is neither constant nor perpetual: it is only transitory. Upon leaving one body behind, it does not take another immediately. During a shorter or longer length of time, it lives the spirit life, which is its normal life. Hence, the amount of time spent during its different incarnations is very small compared with the time its spends in the state of a free spirit.

     During the interval between its incarnations, the spirit also progresses in the sense that it uses for its advancement the knowledge and experience it acquired during its corporeal life. It examines what it did during its earthy stay, reviews what it learned, recognizes its wrongs, draws up its plans and makes resolutions by which it hopes to be guided in a new existence as it tries to do better. It is in this way that each life is a step forward on the path of progress, a sort of a practical schooling.”

Now we are told that each life on a planet, in a physical body is meant to instruct us. That we, with our spirit mentors figure out our lesson plan. Each life is a series of events designed to impart specific areas of improvement in which we recognize deficiencies which must be corrected.

We are on earth to be taught and to teach others who cross our path. Our horrible and depressing times we experience are nothing more than an entry on a lesson plan. Allan Kardec explains that life isn’t there to torture us, but to uplift us.

“26. Incarnation is therefore not normally a punishment for the spirit, as some might think, but a condition inherent to the unevolved state of the spirit and a means of progressing.

As the spirit progresses morally, it dematerializes; that is, by freeing itself from the influence of matter, it purifies itself. Its life become more spiritualized and its abilities and perceptions broaden; its happiness is a result of the progress it has accomplished, However, since it acts in virtue of its free will, it can, through negligence or ill will, delay its advancement. Consequently, it prolongs the duration of its material incarnations, which then become a punishment, since due to its own fault it remains in the lower ranks and must start the same task all over again. It thus depends on the spirit itself to shorten – through its own efforts at the self-purification – the extent of the period of incarnations. [p. 224]”

Just as we tell our children, our ultimate success or failure is entirely up to us. Our dedication and attitude in life directly affects our progress in the spirit realm. Only by our free will decisions in predetermined episodes in our life can we accumulate the knowledge we desire to gain and demonstrate our newly found attributes.

Life is a series of classes, and we are shuttled from one room to another by the machinations of the spirit world. Discover for yourself how to live serenely with this knowledge and guidance that envelopes all of us, by reading my book, 7 Tenets of Spiritism – How They Impact Your Daily Life.