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are characteristics of bodies, and the rational soul is exempt from this.
The spirit never entered this body, so in quitting it, it will not be in
need of an abiding-place: no, the spirit is connected with the body, as
this light is with this mirror. When the mirror is clear and perfect, the
light of the lamp will be apparent in it, and when the mirror becomes
covered with dust or breaks, the light will disappear.

The rational soul--that is to say, the human spirit--has neither entered
this body nor existed through it; so after the disintegration of the
composition of the body, how should it be in need of a substance through
which it may exist? On the contrary, the rational soul is the substance
through which the body exists. The personality of the rational soul is
from its beginning; it is not due to the instrumentality of the body, but
the state and the personality of the rational soul may be strengthened in
this world; it will make progress and will attain to the degrees of
perfection, or it will remain in the lowest abyss of ignorance, veiled and
deprived from beholding the signs of God.

Question.--Through what means will the spirit of man--that is to say, the
rational soul--after departing from this mortal world, make progress?

Answer.--The progress of man's spirit in the divine world, after the
severance of its connection with the body of dust, is through the bounty
and grace of the Lord alone, or through the intercession and the sincere
prayers of other human souls, or through the charities and important good
works which are performed in its name.

THE IMMORTALITY OF CHILDREN

Question.--What is the condition of children who die before attaining the
age of discretion or before the appointed time of birth?

Answer.--These infants are under the shadow of the favor of God; and as
they have not committed any sin and are not soiled with the impurities of
the world of nature, they are the centers of the manifestation of bounty,
and the Eye of Compassion will be turned upon them.

67: ETERNAL LIFE AND ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

You question about eternal life and the entrance into the Kingdom. The
outer expression used for the Kingdom is heaven; but this is a comparison
and similitude, not a reality or fact, for the Kingdom is not a material
place; it is sanctified from time and place. It is a spiritual world, a
divine world, and the center of the Sovereignty of God; it is freed from