and consciousness, his death, which must involve the decomposition of his

body and the dissolution of its elements, is powerless to destroy that

understanding and extinguish that consciousness? How can any one imagine

that man's consciousness and personality will be maintained, when the very

instruments necessary to their existence and function will have completely

disintegrated?



Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all

infirmities of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness

is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between his soul and

his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments.

Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external object may interfere

with its radiance, the light itself continueth to shine with undiminished

power. In like manner, every malady afflicting the body of man is an

impediment that preventeth the soul from manifesting its inherent might

and power. When it leaveth the body, however, it will evince such

ascendancy, and reveal such influence as no force on earth can equal.

Every pure, every refined and sanctified soul will be endowed with

tremendous power, and shall rejoice with exceeding gladness.



Consider the lamp which is hidden under a bushel. Though its light be

shining, yet its radiance is concealed from men. Likewise, consider the

sun which hath been obscured by the clouds. Observe how its splendor

appeareth to have diminished, when in reality the source of that light

hath remained unchanged. The soul of man should be likened unto this sun,

and all things on earth should be regarded as his body. So long as no

external impediment interveneth between them, the body will, in its

entirety, continue to reflect the light of the soul, and to be sustained

by its power. As soon as, however, a veil interposeth itself between them,

the brightness of that light seemeth to lessen.



Consider again the sun when it is completely hidden behind the clouds.

Though the earth is still illumined with its light, yet the measure of

light which it receiveth is considerably reduced. Not until the clouds

have dispersed, can the sun shine again in the plenitude of its glory.

Neither the presence of the cloud nor its absence can, in any way, affect

the inherent splendor of the sun. The soul of man is the sun by which his

body is illumined, and from which it draweth its sustenance, and should be

so regarded.



Consider, moreover, how the fruit, ere it is formed, lieth potentially

within the tree. Were the tree to be cut into pieces, no sign nor any part

of the fruit, however small, could be detected. When it appeareth,

however, it manifesteth itself, as thou hast observed, in its wondrous

beauty and glorious perfection. Certain fruits, indeed, attain their

fullest development only after being severed from the tree.