On the Way to the Light – The Spiritist Story of Earth as told by Emmanuel

Book Review By: Brian Foster

Abstract

On the Way to the Light, by the spirit Emmanuel, psychographed by Francisco C. Xavier, was written in 1938, but first published in English in 2011. Emmanuel details how the Spirit world has managed and channeled the human race, from the conception of our planet to the present, on the road to a higher plateau. This book upends all we know about world history.

The article surveys the book and provides commentary on key events described by Emmanuel. It is intended to introduce the reader to a different aspect of Spiritism. Whereas most literature concentrates on our personal relationship to our own spiritual progress, On the Way to the Light exposes the larger manipulation of the human race. Emmanuel also provides hints as why the Spirit world follows certain strategies.

Introduction

Many books and articles have been written on the personal effects of the Spiritist philosophy. How our lives are assisted by our guiding spirits. How we select our lives to learn and better ourselves, to achieve advanced levels of purity, so we are able to help others and contribute to society. On the Way to the Light is a different type of book and this is a different type of article.

On the Way to the Light, by the spirit Emmanuel, psychographed by Francisco C. Xavier, was written in 1938, but first published in English in 2011. Emmanuel vividly details how the Spirit world has managed and channeled the human race, from the conception of our planet to the present, on the road to a higher plateau. This book upends all we know about world history.

Adam and Eve never existed. Now many of us either believe in the words of the bible or believe the story of Adam and Eve to be an allegory about the first taste of sin, but both of these interpretations are incorrect. Emmanuel states:

Adam and Eve are a remembrance of spirits exiled on the dark landscape of Earth (Xavier, 2011, p. 29).

Exiled from where? Exiled from another planet, which resides in the Capella system. Several million spirits who had not attained the full level of compassion and virtue were transferred to the planet Earth. England performed a similar transfer of undesirable people to Australia over two hundred years ago. We now know where they got the idea.

Spirits Brought to Earth

The cast-off spirits were brought to Earth to help the native human population improve. This shows how primitive we must have been to have the flotsam from another planet be an improvement. The spirits transferred from a planet in the Capella system were brought over and settled into four distinct groups. The first were put into Egypt, second into Israel, third along the Ganges River in India, and lastly the Aryan race in northern India. Concerning the Arians, Emmanuel reports:

From the Arians descended most of the white peoples of the Indo-European family; in this lineage, one must include the Latins, Celts, and Greeks, in addition to the Germans and Slavs (Xavier, 2011, p. 37).

These were the collections of spirits that were going to be the main drivers of progress in the ancient world. Emmanuel explains the absence of the Chinese as:

When the coming of the proscribed souls from the Capella system occurred in the distant past, China already had a regular organization, offering the most homogenous and highly eclectic types on the planet regarding the remaining early humans (Xavier, 2011, p. 73).

The group of souls from Capella who were reincarnated into ancient Egypt are cited by Emmanuel as:

The ones who stood out the most in the practice of the Good and the worship of the Truth (Xavier, 2011, p. 41).

The Egyptians

A strong statement. It is generally accepted that in ancient Egypt there was a system of autocratic rule and an organized priesthood which controlled the life of the people. The Egyptian priesthood was extremely advanced for its time. Emmanuel tells us:

The fate of the dead and the communicating with them, in addition to the plurality of existences and worlds, were for them problems that had been solved and understood (Xavier, 2011, p. 44).

Ancient Egypt was far ahead of us on understanding the spiritual plane.

Egypt was a land of start contrasts between the ruling classes, the priesthood, and continuing on to the bottom of society. How does this equate to the practice of the “Good” and the “Truth”? Two central reasons, first the Egyptian priesthood recognized successive lives and the role of karma. Some people were at the lowest strata of society because of past wrongs; penance of evil doings had to be paid. Secondly, the Spirit kingdom acquiesced in this practice because, as stated in other areas of the book, the status of mankind was such that the institution of a distinct ruling class was part of the ingrained culture. We can only be moved gradually away from inherited practices.

Of all the spirits exiled on the Earth, the Hebrews were the strongest and most homogenous race, keeping their characteristics unaltered through every change (Xavier, 2011, p. 65).

The people of Israel were the first in ancient times to understand the existence of God. Given their unalterable belief in one deity, the Hebrews lived in all social and political environments, yet still retained their culture and faith. According to Emmanuel, Moses was:

A medium extraordinaire, he performed great feats before his amazed brethren and compatriots. This is when he received the ten sacred commandments for Christ’s emissaries on Mt. Sinai, and which to this day represents the basis for all the justice of the world (Xavier, 2011, p. 66).

The Spirit world sent Moses on a mission to publicize the word of God and his lessons for humanity. While, at that time, other religions kept the inner workings of their faith secret and only accessible to the professional priesthood class.

The leaders of Israel were constantly reminded that another great Savior of the world would arrive. Israel’s constant faith in God throughout the centuries after Moses made this great people the logical choice of the Spirit world to send our Savior. Unfortunately, when Christ came, at the time of subjugation under Rome, the Israelis were hoping for a great power, that would sweep away the Romans. Not a humble carpenter who defended prostitutes and lived with the poor.

India

The third group was the Indians, who settled around the Ganges River, who would create the Hindu civilization. A civilization that predated the Egyptian and arrived well before the founding of Israel. Emmanuel reports:

Of all the spirits exiled on the Earth, those that gathered on the banks of the Ganges were the first to form the basis of an organized society, whose centers would represent the largest percentage of ancestors for the collectivities of the future (Xavier, 2011, p. 49).

The Hindu people were originally exiled from Capella for the crime of excessive pride. This pride was carried over in their creation of a rigid caste system. Again, like the Egyptian priesthood, the sacred knowledge of religion was hidden from most people and kept within the power of a religious elite.

Aryans

The fourth group, the Aryan race, an offshoot of the Indians who created the great Hindu religion, were exiles who determined that they should aggressively explore the planet in search of a better homeland, in order to forget their past life on another planet. The Arians set out from the plains of India into the Middle East, Europe, and western Asia. Emmanuel describes their progress;

Each wave of the Aryan race assimilated the elements it encountered, constructing the origins of the European civilization; each was based on the principle of might for its establishment, and the conflicts amongst its families and tribes began in the Old World very early on (Xavier, 2011, p. 51).

Here lies the difference between the Aryan race and the other groups. The Egyptians, Hebrews, and the Indians, were all spiritually superior to the Aryan people, but they all were a closed society. The Spirit World wanted a force that gathered all people that were encountered. Hence, it is from the seed of Aryan exploration that Western Civilization was founded, backed by the Spirit World to be the leading force of our planet.

Birth of Western Civilization

Western Civilization, that which so many current academics daily deplore and futilely attempt to diminish its abundant achievements and lasting power. “On the Way to the Light” demonstrates, step by step, how this overwhelming force came to be, from a group of warring tribes to the leader of the world. Tribes which only recently plunged the entire planet into the devastation of World War II.

One of the first societies created by the Arians was ancient Greece, composed of city-states, who began the long trial of democracy for our world. A concept not discovered, or if it had been, was stamped down without mercy by other rulers at that time in history. Emmanuel praises Athens over Sparta (who he equates with Nazi Germany) by stating;

Athens, on the other hand, was the birthplace of true democracy. A nation that loved freedom deeply (Xavier, 2011, p. 91).

The desire by the Spirit world to encourage a form of government formed by responsible individuals is a recurring theme in the book. The Spirit world does not condone a violent and repressive government that restricts freedom and the ability for expanding our scientific horizons. They desire an environment where each person can succeed or fail based on their choices, not a nanny state that channels people to be wholly dependent on the government. Emmanuel describes Athens further;

They took care of the poor and disfavored areas of society; they welcomed foreigners, oversaw labor, and encouraged trade, industry, and agriculture” (Xavier, 2011, p. 91).

Romans

Unfortunately, Athens failed to maintain its desire for freedom and justice by condemning Socrates to death. According to Emmanuel, Socrates was an advanced messenger for the teaching of Jesus. Due to the failure of Greece to blossom into a beacon of democracy and hope, the Spirit world turned its attention to Rome. Emmanuel complements Rome by;

Compared with its forerunners and successors, the glorious tradition of the Roman family entailed the most sublime respect for the heroic virtues of the wife and a full understanding of the duties of the husband (Xavier, 2011, p. 101).

Rome was founded at the urging of the Spirit world. Emmanuel describes the founding of Rome;

Tormented and vexed by repeated battles with the Gauls, the Etruscans decided to take up a new life, and guided indirectly by messengers from the Invisible World, a large portion of them settled in the future Rome, which at that time was nothing but a village of simple unprotected hovels (Xavier, 2011, p. 98).

During the republican era of Rome’s history it became a great power. The dominating authority of the entire Mediterranean Sea. The Spirit world envisioned Rome growing by spreading its good practices and bringing a civilized aspect to their nearby nations. Regrettably, Rome’s leaders tasted power, as Emmanuel describes;

Instead of extending its ties through education and harmony, it allowed itself to become captive to a host of aggressive and ambitious spirits, widening its influence in the world with the ballistas and catapults of its warriors” (Xavier, 2011, p. 102).

The Romans had brought much advancement, the concept of the family, active citizen participation, the importance of education, honor in business dealing, and organizational structure of institutions and in building infrastructure, to the ancient world. The Spirit world wished to save these gifts; therefore they attempted to rectify the errors of Rome with the coming of Christ, during Augustus’s reign. The advent of Christ and his followers could not right the ship, Emmanuel comments about the fall of Rome;

The weakness and impenitence of human beings did not allow them to understand that Christianity had been called to the role of governance solely to educate the sentiments of those who governed, preparing them to take enlightenment and fraternity to the other peoples of the earth, who, at the time were regarded as barbarians by the culture of the Empire (Xavier, 2011, p. 138).

What follows the fall of Rome truly demonstrates the power of the Spirit Kingdom, Emmanuel reports;

The spiritual authorities, under Christ’s aegis, renewed the educational processes of the European world – at the time just starting today’s civilization – by calling all human beings to life in the field so that, by tilling the soil and being in contact with nature, they could learn more effectively (Xavier, 2011, p. 149).

How many historians marvel at the fall of a great civilization into utter darkness, the loss of learning, medicine, and political system; how could this have happened? It was the mass re-education of an entire population, required to bring Western Civilization up to the next level.

Renaissance

The re-education process started to end during the Renaissance, in the 15th century. Emmanuel describes how the Spirit world engineered the transformation;

Former masters of Athens reincarnated in Italy to spread the most beautiful jewels of genius and sentiment in the areas of painting and sculpture. England and France prepared for the great democratic mission that Christ would entrust to them (Xavier, 2011, p. 168).

The Spirit world also sent reformers to try to bring the Catholic Church back to the humble teachings of Jesus. Starting in the 12th century, the Spirit world, preparing for the great re-education process of the Renaissance, determined the Church needed to relearn humility and charity. According to Emmanuel;

To that end, one of Jesus’ greatest apostles reincarnated as Francis of Assisi” (2011, p. 155). The Franciscan Order differentiated themselves by not living in monasteries. Emmanuel stresses that, “These selfless spirits realized that the best way to pray to God was through constructive work aimed at making the world and hearts better (Xavier, 2011, p. 155).

Emmanuel states the outcome of that wonderful experiment very succinctly;

Even so, the Church failed to grasp the fact that his lesson was meant for it, and once more refused a gift from Jesus (Xavier, 2011, p. 155).

Finally, at the start of the Renaissance, the Spirit world decided to be more direct. In response to the push, by Pope Leo X, to sell Indulgencies, for reconstruction of St. Peter’s Basilica, Martin Luther wrote to his Bishop what was to be known as “The Ninety-Five Thesis”, stressing that only God could forgive sins (Wikipedia – Martin Luther) (Wikipedia – Leo X). From this occurrence the Protestant reformation began.

Europe

The revolt from the corrupt Catholic Church also spread to England, where King Henry VIII, removed the Church from power. Emmanuel gives his opinion on Henry and England at that time;

Even though Henry VIII had erred as a man, the English people were being prepared to fulfill a great mission, and it behooved the Spirit world to labor in order to preserve their heritage of political freedom (Xavier, 2011, p. 177).

After a string of despotic kings and a civil war, England brought William of Orange to lead the country. During this time the English Parliament created the Bill of Rights, which gave certain rights to the people and limited the power of the Monarchy (Wikipedia – William). Emmanuel cites this as a significant triumph;

England had accomplished one of its noblest duties by consolidating the formulas of parliamentarianism because under this structure all social classes are called on to cooperate and oversee the government (Xavier, 2011, p. 179).

Europe continued to advance its society and scientific areas, but as the 1900’s approached, the continent was caught in competition to see who could build a bigger colonial empire. The Franco-Prussian war of 1870 was a precursor to the terrible devastation of World War I. During this time the old colonial powers saw their reach severely diminished. World War II finished off any further thoughts of building empires by the nations of Europe. From these events we can determine that the Spirit world has continually strived for a society where all people partake in their governance and when those democratic or republican forms of government turned to despotism or aggressive and violent empire building, then these countries are slowly sapped of power by the machinations of the Spirit world.

The Americas

The Spirit world’s vision could see the demise of Europe, therefore from the beginning of the discovery of the New World they started to plan for the future of the Americas. Emmanuel describes the plan to bring a fresh beginning to the new land;

All the spirits called together to organize future progress flocked to the hemisphere of the New World. Many of them had acquired the sense of fraternity and peace after many struggles on their former continent (Xavier, 2011, p. 180).

The Americas were being set-up for a greater good and primed to be ready for the next defining advancement. In parallel with sympathetic souls reincarnating in the Americas, a group of distinguished philosophers in Europe, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu would lead the new American society into the future. The writings of these wise men were welcomed and adapted by the British Colonies in North America. When England refused the concept of equal representation, the American colonies rebelled and gained independence. The United States Constitution became the model for many countries.

In South America, the former colonies of Spain declared their independence in 1816. Later in 1822, Brazil proclaimed their emancipation from Portugal. Emmanuel makes the interesting observation;

Attentive to the mission of the Brazilian people in the civilization to come, it is worth noting the efforts of the invisible plane in maintaining Brazil’s territorial integrity while the rest of the continent was being split into smaller republics” (Xavier, 2011, p. 192).

The Spirit world has a definite plan for the Americas; Emmanuel describes the mission of the New World;

On that field of new and regenerative struggles, all spirits of good will could work for the advent of peace and fraternity for humanity’s future, and for that reason, having in mind the forthcoming centuries, they defined the role of each region on the new continents, placing the brain of the new civilization where today’s United States is located in North America, and its heart in the abundant and welcoming lands of Brazil in South America. The former was to hold the material powers; the latter, the first fruits of the spiritual powers destined for the planetary civilization of the future (Xavier, 2011, p. 169).

Conclusion

Who and what is the Spirit world that is guiding us? Emmanuel tells us;

The traditions of the spirit world say that, in the governance of all of the phenomena of our system, there is a Community of Pure spirits, chosen by the Supreme Lord of the Universe, whose hands hold the guiding reins of the life of all planetary collectivities. From what we have been told, this Community – made up of perfected, angelic beings, of which Jesus is one of the divine members – has met in the vicinity of the earth only twice in the course of the know millennia to decide urgent issues pertaining to the organization and direction of our planet (Xavier, 2011, p. 19).

The first time was the formation of the earth and the second when it was decide to send Jesus to our planet to bring his message. With the advent of the Spiritist teachings of Allen Kardec, we are being prepared for the next advancement, to a world with more good spirits than evil. Emmanuel hints at the end of the book, that a third meeting will be taking place in the atmosphere of the earth. The last two meetings of the Community of Pure spirits had tremendous consequences, what will be the result of the next meeting?

There you have it. We have been created, like Australia, from a class of convicts. We have and are being guided to reform ourselves. Those that have chosen wisely in their course of lifetimes on earth may stay and reside in our reformed prison. For the others, like the original forced migration of millions of spirits from Capella, the transports are being readied to a primitive planet. To journey to another land where again the least advanced spirits can attempt to learn to love and to obey the golden rule of “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. Hopefully, in time all spirits will reach perfection.

If you wish to learn more about Spiritism, please read Spiritism 101 – The 3rd Revelation.

Works Cited

Wikipedia – Leo X. (n.d.). Leo X. Retrieved November 30, 2013, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_X

Wikipedia – Martin Luther. (n.d.). Martin Luther. Retrieved November 30, 2013, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther

Wikipedia – William. (n.d.). William III of England. Retrieved December 1, 2013, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_III_of_England

Xavier, F. C. (2011). On the Way to the Light. Brasilia, DF, Brazil: International Spiritist Council.