WSD:15:7 If, during life, the spirit has beautified and ennobled itself, it will slowly realise its unfolding glory and rejoice. It will rise gladly to its welcome and advance fearlessly into the light of its compatible place. Some, which do not have full affinity with either the light or the darkness depart for the Shadowland, towards which they are impelled by its attraction for one in
their state.
WSD:15:8 Within the Spiritual Realm there are places to suit the condition of every spirit entering it, and that is why the ancient books state,
'The mansions of the spirit are without number'.
Chapter Sixteen - The Meaning of Marriage
WSD:16:1 In the eyes of men and according to their laws, marriage is a covenant made between a man and a woman, under which they can enjoy bodily union with the sanction of their religion. This is not the view which can be supported by the Good Religion, for true marriage is not something formed through the words spoken by a priest or through sanction by the laws of men. Marriage is an open declaration, which marks the taking of an irrevocable step by two souls towards a definite end. It signifies their complete surrender and dedication to each other. It is meant to be far more than union of the bodies, it should also be a union of spirits, though this is rarely achieved. True marriage is a union of two realms, it is a twofold union. WSD:16:2 The marriage ceremony is an announcement made before all persons that a man and woman are setting out on the rocky road of matrimony in search of true love. This is not something which can be picked up like a jewel, it cannot be bartered, bought or sold. The thing which must never be overlooked is that true marriage is not just the union of two bodies, but the first step towards the blending of two spirits. WSD:16:3 The marriages of humble people, unsanctified by priest, are no less worthy than those of wealthy people of quality whose religion sanctifies bonds of straw. 'Living in sin' means living together without responsibility and for bodily satisfaction alone. Unholy wedlock means being bound fast in the bonds of matrimony without any prospect of advancement to the glory of true love. Wedlock and marriage are not alike, for a true marriage may exist without sanction by the laws of men or blessing of priest, providing a love exists, which can mature into true love.
WSD:16:4 The chain that binds two souls together is forged in the spiritual realm, and no earthly power can ever break it. It is worn on Earth like a gloriously wrought chain of weightless gold, but not one marriage in a
thousand is ever blessed with it. WSD:16:5 Adultery is the defilement of a marriage, but there is a mild form of it when the thoughts of one partner go out towards someone else. Religions now existing do not understand the true nature of marriage and regard it as an end in itself and not as a beginning, a fulfilment rather than a search for fulfilment. The Good Religion will regard marriage as one of the
great challenges of life and one of the supreme tests along the road to spirituality. Love is not the end, for love aspires to reach out beyond itself and ascend to the heights of true love, sometimes called 'pure love'. WSD:16:6 Outside of the Good Religion, union between man and woman has become so tainted with imperfection, so clouded in lewdness, so subordinate to lust and bodily satisfaction, that anyone can readily be forgiven for believing the falsehood that no spiritual benefit can derive from the act; that it has no sanctity, no higher objective and purpose than to meet
the demands of the flesh. WSD:16:7 Man soars on spiritual wings and rises high above the realm of the dumb brutes. Therefore, he can conceive something greater in bodily union than mere satisfaction of the flesh, and indeed it is not meant to be a concession to the flesh but a sublime sacrifice to love. The feelings arising in the body are not, of themselves, servants of evil, this is a wrong teaching. The body is not naturally antagonistic to the spirit, and its needs are by no means incompatible with spiritual needs. As the harp to the harpist, so is the body to the spirit, the instrument and means of expression. WSD:16:8 Marriage is the fortress of the family, so its safeguarding and integrity is a sacred obligation. The unity and purity of the family is one of the great concerns of men, but though the laws of men may build a wall about it they cannot prevent corruption and decay from within. Only higher laws, moral laws, can deal with this, and these the world sadly lacks. WSD:16:9 The three earthly institutions a man is entitled to defend, even to the extent of taking the life of another, are: His marriage, his home and his
family.
Chapter Seventeen - The Upbringing of Children
WSD:17:1 To teach a child a readymade code of morality may not be the ideal, but ideals are rarely approachable on Earth and while mankind is so far-retarded spiritually, it is impossible to do otherwise. Yet if a child is also told why there is a necessity for such a code, perhaps in the child's maturity, it will add something of goodness to the code. WSD:17:2 Children brought up with the very best instruction often become wayward and later disregard all they have been taught. Parents wonder why, for the ancient wisdom states that if a child is properly instructed and good habits ingrained, this will not desert the child when it grows up. Such parents must honestly search their own hearts, because the
reason is that they have failed to practise their own teachings, and the growing child resents such hypocrisy. Therefore, as it grows up, it will tend to imitate the parents rather than follow the teachings. Parents should bear in mind that example is the best instruction.
WSD:17:3 A healthier and better upbringing is if parents do not over- indulge their children or play with them too much. A parent is not a playmate, and his or her first duty is to be a parent. A mother should act like a mother, and a father like a father. Read the Sacred Books and learn your
proper role in life.
WSD:17:4 Parents get the children they deserve, and the failings of a child mirror the failings of its parents. The children of a considerate and just father are successful. Good children cannot be raised in a house of discord. When the father is hot-tempered and the mother a gossip, the sons are fools
and the daughters slovenly.
WSD:17:5 Those who spare themselves the pain of chastising their children display their lack of love for them. Proper and just chastisement is part of a child's upbringing and the duty of every parent. Chastise a child during its childhood, for later is too late. When you were advised against over-familiarity with children, it did not mean that you should be too stern
and austere with them.
WSD:17:6 The highest expressions of Justice and Truth and a perfect code of laws are not attainable on Earth. Therefore, the best thing anyone can do for a child is to teach it self-mastery and bring it up in the knowledge of its true nature. The wisdom of the Sacred Books should be impressed upon the minds of children and taught according to their understanding. It is the duty and obligation of every parent to see that their children are properly
instructed.
WSD:17:7 Children are not to be brought into the world irresponsibly and parents have an obligation for their welfare. They must see that a child is not left without a craft or calling whereby a livelihood can be earned, There is an obligation upon those who bring a child into the world to see that it does not grow up without learning a skilful and useful occupation, and that it is