INTRODUCTION – VIII

We would add that the study of a doctrine like Spiritism, which suddenly unveils such new and grand revelations, can only be profitably pursued by serious, persevering and open-minded individuals animated by a firm and sincere desire to arrive at a result.
This qualification does not include those who lightly make a priori judgments without having observed everything, and who neglect pursuing their examination of the Doctrine with the necessary continuity, regularity and concentration of thought; nor does it include those who, in order not to diminish their reputation as individuals of genius, endeavor to find something to ridicule in the most serious matters that are studied by individuals whose knowledge, character and convictions deserve the respect of all who pride themselves on their social graces. Let those who do not deem the facts worthy of their attention abstain. No one intends to violate their beliefs; for their part, however, they should respect the beliefs of others.
Continuity is what characterizes serious study. Thus, should we wonder at not receiving proper responses to questions that are serious in nature but asked at random and abruptly in the midst of a bundle of other nonsensical ones? A complex question requires preliminary and supplementary ones in order to be answered clearly.
Whoever wishes to acquire knowledge about a particular science must study it methodically, starting at the very beginning and following the chain and development of its ideas. Could someone who does not know the basics of a particular science pose questions at random to a scholar and profit from it? Could a well-intentioned scholar even give satisfactory responses to such a person? Such out of context responses would necessarily be incomplete and might therefore be nearly unintelligible, or they might even seem absurd and contradictory. The same applies regarding our relationships with spirits. If we desire to learn from them, we must take their course of study; however, just as we do in our own schools, we must choose our teachers and then work diligently.
We have stated that high order spirits only take part in serious meetings, especially those characterized by perfect communion of thought and moral sentiment. Frivolousness and idle curiosity repel them just as they would repel any reasonable individual.
These two traits open the field to the mass of deceitful and frivolous spirits who are always eagerly watching for opportunities to mock us and amuse themselves at our expense. What would happen to any serious question posed in such a meeting? Who is it that is actually providing the response – if one is received at all? It would be like being in the company of boisterous revelers and throwing out questions such as: What is the soul? What is death? and others just as entertaining. If you want serious answers, you yourself must be serious in every sense of the word and place yourself within all the required conditions. Only then will you obtain worthwhile responses. Be most diligent and persevering in your studies; otherwise, the high order spirits will abandon you, as a professor would abandon negligent students.

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