What is the Origin of Spirits According to Allan Kardec?

Have you ever wondered where we come from before being born? What is the true origin of spirits that inhabit the universe? These fundamental questions about our existence find profound and enlightening answers in Allan Kardec’s The Spirits’ Book, the foundational work of Spiritist Doctrine published in 1857.

The origin of spirits represents one of the most fascinating and important themes in Spiritism, as it helps us understand our true nature, our relationship with the Creator, and the purpose of our evolutionary journey. Through the answers obtained from Superior Spirits, Allan Kardec presents us with a revolutionary vision of how we were created and what our place is in the universe.

In this article, we will explore questions 76, 77, and 78 from The Spirits’ Book, which directly address the question of the origin of spirits, offering a clear and accessible understanding of this fundamental theme for all who seek to better understand their own spiritual existence.

What Are Spirits in the Spiritist View?

Definition of Spirits (Question 76)

To understand the origin of spirits, we first need to understand what they are. Question 76 of The Spirits’ Book offers us a precise and enlightening definition:

Question 76: What definition can be given of Spirits?Answer: “It may be said that Spirits are the intelligent beings of creation. They populate the universe, outside the material world.” [1]

This definition reveals fundamental aspects about spiritual nature. Spirits are characterized as “intelligent beings of creation,” which indicates that they possess consciousness, reasoning capacity, and discernment. They are not blind forces or impersonal energies, but conscious individualities endowed with intelligence.

The expression “populate the universe, outside the material world” shows us that there exists a reality much broader than what we perceive through our physical senses. The spiritual universe is vast and full of intelligent life, constituting the true homeland of spirits.

Intelligent Beings of Creation

The characterization of spirits as “intelligent beings of creation” leads us to profound reflections about our own nature. We are thinking beings, capable of loving, choosing, and evolving morally and intellectually. This intelligence is not a product of chance or matter, but an inherent characteristic of our spiritual essence.

Allan Kardec clarifies in the explanatory note to question 76 that “the word Spirit is used here to designate the individualities of extracorporeal beings and no longer the universal intelligent element” [1]. This distinction is important because it differentiates individualized spirits from the universal intelligent principle that permeates all creation.

Each spirit is a unique individuality, with its own personality, experiences, and degree of evolution. We are not fragmented parts of a greater consciousness, but distinct and individual beings, although all originating from the same divine source.

The Difference Between Spirit and Matter

Understanding the origin of spirits also implies understanding the fundamental difference between the spiritual world and the material world. Spirits exist independently of matter, although they can interact with it through incarnation or other forms of manifestation.

The material world we know is just a small portion of universal reality. The spiritual world is the true reality, where spirits live their full existence between incarnations. This perspective enormously expands our worldview and helps us understand that physical life is just a temporary stage in our evolutionary journey.

Are Spirits Emanations of God or Distinct Creations?

The Answer from The Spirits’ Book (Question 77)

One of the most important questions about the origin of spirits concerns our relationship with Divinity. Are we direct emanations of God or distinct creations? Question 77 of The Spirits’ Book clarifies this fundamental question:

Question 77: Are Spirits beings distinct from the Divinity, or are they simple emanations or portions of it and, for this reason, called children of God?Answer: “My God! They are the work of God, exactly as the machine is of the man who manufactures it. The machine is the work of man, it is not man himself. You know that when he makes something beautiful, useful, man calls it his daughter, his creation. Well then, the same happens in relation to God: we are his children, since we are his work.” [1]

This answer is profoundly enlightening and dispels many misconceptions about our relationship with God. Spirits are not direct emanations of Divinity, as if we were pieces of God that broke away. We are distinct creations, works of the Creator, but not the Creator himself.

The Analogy of the Machine and its Creator

The analogy presented by the Superior Spirits is extremely didactic. Just as a machine is the work of the man who manufactures it, but is not the man himself, we are the work of God, but we are not God. This comparison helps us understand our position in the universe in a clear and humble way.

When an inventor creates a useful and beautiful machine, he considers it his creation, his “daughter” in the figurative sense. In the same way, God considers us his children because we are his creation. This divine paternity does not mean that we are of the same essence as God, but that we were created by Him with love and purpose.

This understanding is fundamental for developing an adequate relationship with the Creator. We are not miniature gods, but creatures who must evolve and perfect themselves. Our divine origin confers dignity and infinite potential upon us, but also responsibility and humility.

The Concept of “Children of God”

The concept of being “children of God” in Spiritism has a specific and profound meaning. It is not about biological filiation or direct emanation from the divine essence, but about a relationship of creation based on love.

God created us with characteristics that reflect some of his attributes: intelligence, capacity to love, free will, potential for good. We are his children in the sense that we carry in our spiritual essence the mark of the Creator, although on an infinitely smaller scale.

This divine filiation confers rights and duties upon us. We have the right to evolution, progress, and happiness. But we also have the duty to use our free will responsibly, to seek good, and to contribute to universal harmony.

Do Spirits Exist from Eternity?

The Question of the Beginning of Spirits (Question 78)

A natural question that arises when studying the origin of spirits is whether we exist from always, like God, or if we had a beginning. Question 78 of The Spirits’ Book directly addresses this question:

Question 78: Did Spirits have a beginning, or do they exist, like God, from all eternity?Answer: “If they had not had a beginning, they would be equal to God, when, on the contrary, they are his creation and are subject to his will. God exists from all eternity, this is incontestable. As for the manner by which he created us and at what moment he did it, we know nothing. You can say that we had no beginning, if you want to signify by this that, being eternal, God must have always created uninterruptedly. But when and how each one of us was made, I repeat to you, no one knows: there lies the mystery.” [1]

This answer offers us profound insights about our origin and nature. Spirits had a beginning, they do not exist from eternity like God. If we existed from always, we would be equal to the Creator, which is not the case.

The Difference Between Creator and Creation

The answer from the Superior Spirits establishes a clear distinction between the Creator and his creation. God is eternal, without beginning or end. We, spirits, are his creation and, therefore, had a beginning. This fundamental difference places us in our adequate position in the universe.

Being subject to God’s will does not mean servitude, but recognition of our condition as creatures. Just as physical laws govern the material universe, moral and spiritual laws govern the spiritual universe. Our freedom exists within these divine parameters.

This understanding frees us from excessive pretensions and guides us toward harmonious evolution. We don’t need to “become God,” but rather develop to the maximum the potential He granted us.

The Mystery of the Moment of Creation

A fascinating aspect of the answer to question 78 is the recognition of the limitation of spiritual knowledge about the exact moment of our creation. The Superior Spirits themselves admit that “when and how each one of us was made, no one knows: there lies the mystery” [1].

This intellectual humility is characteristic of Spiritist Doctrine. It doesn’t pretend to explain everything, but recognizes the limits of current knowledge. The mystery of the individual creation of each spirit remains in God’s hands.

However, the answer suggests that, being God eternal, He “must have always created uninterruptedly.” This indicates to us that creation was not a unique event in the past, but a continuous process. God continues creating spirits, constantly expanding the spiritual universe.

How to Understand the Continuous Creation of Spirits?

God as Eternal Creator

The concept of God as eternal creator offers us a grandiose perspective on the origin of spirits. If God is eternal and perfect, his creative activity must also be eternal. It wouldn’t make sense for an infinitely active being to remain inactive for eternal periods.

This vision helps us understand that the spiritual universe is in constant expansion. New spirits are continuously created, beginning their evolutionary journey. This means that spirits exist at all stages of development, from the most primitive to the most elevated.

Continuous creation also shows us that we are part of a grandiose cosmic process. We are not products of an isolated event, but participants in a divine work in constant development.

Uninterrupted Creation

The idea of uninterrupted creation leads us to profound reflections about the nature of time and eternity. For God, who exists outside time as we know it, creation is an eternal act. Each spirit is created at the appropriate moment according to divine wisdom.

This perspective helps us understand why spirits exist at different degrees of evolution. Some were created longer ago (in relative terms) and had more opportunities for progress. Others are more recent in creation and are beginning their journey.

Uninterrupted creation also gives us hope and purpose. We are part of a divine plan in development. Our evolution contributes to the growing harmony and perfection of the universe.

Individuality and Specific Origin

Although the general process of creation is continuous, each spirit has its specific and unique origin. We are distinct individualities, not mass-produced items. Each one of us was created with our own characteristics and a particular evolutionary destiny.

This individuality is precious and must be respected. We are not called to become copies of each other, but to develop our unique personality within the universal principles of good, truth, and justice.

The specific origin of each spirit also explains the natural differences we observe among people. Some have more facility for certain activities, others for different areas. These differences reflect not only past experiences, but also the original characteristics of each spirit.

Practical Implications of the Origin of Spirits

Our Relationship with the Creator

Understanding our origin as God’s creation profoundly transforms our relationship with the Creator. We are not cosmic orphans nor products of chance. We are beloved children of an infinitely wise and good Father.

This understanding brings us security and confidence. We can trust that God has a plan for our evolution and that all experiences, even the most difficult ones, contribute to our spiritual growth.

Our relationship with God should be based on love, not fear. We are his children, created for happiness and perfection. He desires our good and offers us all the necessary opportunities to evolve.

Responsibility and Free Will

Being God’s creation does not exempt us from responsibility. On the contrary, it confers even greater responsibility upon us. We receive from God free will, the capacity to choose between good and evil. How we use this freedom determines our progress or regression.

Free will is a divine gift that allows us to actively participate in our own evolution. We are not puppets in God’s hands, but conscious collaborators in our journey of perfection.

This responsibility also extends to our relationships with other spirits. All are our brothers in creation, children of the same Father. We must treat them with love, respect, and solidarity.

The Purpose of Spiritual Existence

Knowing our origin helps us understand the purpose of our existence. We were created to evolve, to become increasingly more perfect, wiser, more loving. This is the meaning of our journey through multiple existences.

Each incarnation is an opportunity for progress. Each experience, each relationship, each challenge contributes to our spiritual development. Nothing is in vain in the divine economy.

The final purpose is to become pure spirits, capable of consciously collaborating in God’s work. Not to become gods, but to be perfect instruments of divine love and wisdom.

Comparison with Other Religious and Philosophical Views

Traditional Christianity

Spiritism offers a unique view on the origin of spirits that differs from traditional Christianity in several aspects. While many Christian denominations teach that the soul is created at the moment of physical conception, Spiritism affirms that spirits preexist the body and incarnate to evolve.

This difference has profound implications for questions like divine justice and the meaning of suffering. The preexistence of spirits explains differences in birth conditions and offers a broader perspective on God’s justice.

However, both views agree that we are God’s creation and that we have an elevated spiritual destiny. The difference lies mainly in understanding the evolutionary process and the relationship between soul and body.

Eastern Philosophies

Some Eastern philosophies, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, also teach the preexistence of the soul and reincarnation. However, they often present concepts like final fusion with the absolute or dissolution of individuality.

Spiritism maintains the individuality of the spirit even in the most elevated stages of evolution. We don’t seek to dissolve into the infinite, but to become conscious and individual collaborators in the divine work.

This preservation of individuality is important because it values the unique personality of each being and maintains the sense of personal responsibility throughout the entire evolutionary journey.

Scientific Materialism

Scientific materialism denies the existence of any reality beyond matter and considers consciousness a product of the brain. This view offers no satisfactory explanation for the origin of consciousness or the meaning of existence.

Spiritism, based on the observation of mediumistic phenomena and communication with spirits, offers evidence of consciousness survival after physical death. The origin of spirits as God’s creation provides a coherent explanation for the existence of intelligence in the universe.

This perspective doesn’t deny science, but complements it, offering a broader view of reality that includes both the material and spiritual worlds.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Origin of Spirits

Are all spirits created equal?

Yes, all spirits are created simple and ignorant, with the same potential for evolution. The differences we observe result from experiences and choices made throughout the evolutionary journey. Each spirit progresses according to its own efforts and merits.

Does God still create new spirits today?

According to The Spirits’ Book, being God eternal, He creates uninterruptedly. This means that new spirits continue to be created, beginning their evolutionary journey. The spiritual universe is in constant expansion.

Why did God create spirits?

God created spirits out of love, to share happiness and allow other beings to participate in the universal work. Creation is an act of divine generosity that expands good and harmony in the universe.

Can spirits cease to exist?

No, spirits are immortal. Once created, they exist forever. They can evolve or stagnate temporarily, but they never cease to exist. Immortality is a fundamental characteristic of spiritual nature.

What is the final destiny of spirits?

The final destiny of spirits is relative perfection, becoming pure spirits capable of consciously collaborating in God’s work. This is a gradual process that may take countless existences, but it is the natural objective of all spiritual creation.

Conclusion

The origin of spirits, as revealed in Allan Kardec’s The Spirits’ Book, offers us a profound and consoling understanding of our true nature and destiny. We are God’s creation, his children in the highest sense, endowed with intelligence, free will, and infinite potential for good.

This understanding transforms our vision of life and death, suffering and joy, human relationships and the purpose of existence. We are not lost beings in a meaningless universe, but conscious participants in a grandiose divine plan.

May this reflection on our spiritual origin inspire us to live with more love, wisdom, and responsibility, honoring our condition as children of God and collaborating in the construction of a better world.

References:

[1] KARDEC, Allan. The Spirits’ Book. Available at: https://kardecpedia.com/roteiro-de-estudos/2/o-livrodos-espiritos/333/parte-segunda-do-mundo-espirita-ou-mundo-dos-espiritos/capitulo-i-dos-espiritos/origem-e-natureza-dos-espiritos/76