by Emma Ruder Drollinger

This Marvelous Revelation has not been gathered from any source on this earth realm. This knowledge and wisdom has been handed down to me from a Divine Source embracing the actual experiences of my life since a child of twelve. The Divine Intelligences who have imparted this knowledge and wisdom to me are now dwellers of the Seventh Heavenly Zone and the Celestial Divine Kingdoms, and from one of the Masters who is serving in the capacity as a guardian angel. A guardian angel is one who has overcome worlds. Every soul, no matter in what scale of life he may be, is accompanied through this expression of life and through the Ethereal World by a guardian angel. This divine being never makes himself known until YOU are ready for his wisdom or on some special occasion when you are in desperate need or distress and cry out for guidance and help. It is this Divine Being whose presence you will feel or whose voice you will hear. I know many who have had these experiences. There are those on the earth realm today who are so calloused – so dense or materially minded that they could not perceive these facts – and there are thousands who have had sufficient revelations to realize that they are never alone and that some unknown divine force is ever guiding or leading the way when we lift our minds above the material vibrations and desire divine guidance. No one can read these pages and not feel and realize the great purpose of this life – and that activity is a natural law displayed throughout the universe. If we fail to see the purpose of this expression of life, we must fulfill the requirements in the lower zones of the ethereal world.

To leave the physical body and journey out into space is a natural event. Every individual while asleep leaves his physical body. You, the Ego or spirit, during sleep or rest of the physical body are attracted out into vibrations of your own creation and you wander to these conditions and places. Many times the experiences which you encounter at that time are so strongly impressed upon your consciousness that when you return to your physical body to again arouse it into activity, it is clearly revealed to your mind and impressed upon your brain and you say: “I was dreaming.”

The majority of individuals do not journey far away from their physical body – because they are so intensely interested in material things and material conditions – in their immediate relatives and friends or business and social associates – or in their environments of the home and their business that they are attracted to these vibrations which enmeshes the soul and prevents it from traveling out any great distance. Many have never traveled out beyond the earth’s atmosphere. All could travel out into spheres beyond this earth realm if their thoughts and vibrations extended out to those realms, and if they were sufficiently unfolded to understand the law. Many individuals never think of anything beyond the common everyday events. Then how could they travel out beyond such vibrations?

Many times before starting out on these soul journeys I would stand before my bed looking down upon my physical body lying on the bed, realizing that the physical body is only a counterpart of the soul body. Touching the soul body with my hands it felt as natural and tangible to my soul senses as does the physical body to my physical senses. Testing my memory and consciousness, I realized that the past, present and the future plans were just as real in my soul body – in fact my perceptions were keener. Many times while I was looking upon my physical body, I could hear the city clock strike the hour and I could hear the conversation of those passing by on the street below – in fact my environments and all conditions were just as natural and just as tangible while functioning in the soul body. In going out into other realms I was cognizant of floating through the atmosphere and conscious of the scenery and conditions as I encountered them; I could hear the howling wind and could see the downpour of rain, see the clouds below me, but somehow always passed through the lower Stratas unconsciously and arriving in some one of the zones consciously.

Consciousness and memory do not belong to the physical body, but are of the soul. Consciousness is the light of the spirit and memory is the register of events in the soul. We function through the soul body with much greater ease – with less effort than we do in the physical body. We take with us all our likes and dislikes – all our affections and fears. In traveling out from the physical body we must come into a conscious realization that we have nothing to fear. I passed into the first zone and took cognizance of its conditions and dwellers – I have passed through every zone of our planet as well as through the intervening spaces, have partaken of their social affairs, have been the guest of friends partaking of their repast on their beautiful lawn, have enjoyed the magnificent scenery, the beautiful flowers, mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and waterfalls; have been in their libraries and temples of worship and temples of learning and also in their healing temples and homes of rest, have seen the masters, adepts, artists, angels, our Christ and His apostles; but when I saw Christ and His apostles seated around Him, a screen that looks like a plain thin net was placed between us, and when I questioned why this was done, the reply was – It was placed there to protect you from the intense illumination and His intense power. They were just as visible in back of this veil and just as clear to me – this divine, wonderful power penetrated every atom of my being – it was like the currents of an electric battery flowing through my soul. I will relate a few of the many journeys through the world of soul that you may have some idea of the nature of these experiences. After viewing my physical body lying on the bed, I floated out into the atmosphere, over trees, clouds and all conditions and landed in the third zone; sat on a very large rock that stood about four feet from the ground contentedly taking cognizance of my environments. On one side of me was a beautiful field of flowers and the magnificent view of lovely scenery. Sensing the invigorating refreshing atmosphere and thinking I was alone, I said to myself: This just suits me. I shall remain right here and not return to my physical body. Immediately I heard a voice saying: Let us continue our journey and go up higher. This surprised me, but I was perfectly willing to go further, so we started. I felt his force in back of me as we floated along. Finally we were out in space, surrounded by many luminous bodies hanging in space – (nearly every one has looked through some telescope at the different planets hanging in space). As I was gazing at this wonderful sight, wondering which was our planet, the earth, the voice said: Which is the earth? I looked at one and then another and then replied: I hardly know except I feel so attracted to this one over here at my left. He said: We will draw nearer and see. As we floated near, watching the planets revolve on their axes and in their given path, I was so delighted with this wonderful opportunity which words are inadequate to express. Finally we were close to this planet which I presumed was our earth. Again I heard the voice say: Are you sure this is the earth? I replied: No, I’m not certain, and yet I feel this is it. I can’t tell, because I can’t see the people plain enough to distinguish any of them. (The sight was like that which you witness when looking down upon pedestrians from a fifteen story building.) He said: We will draw nearer. And, as we did so, I replied: Now I can see many familiar faces. But, oh, I sense their terrible heartaches. In watching them, I could see the path that was intended for them, and see the path into which they were drifting. I saw the conditions and obstacles they would encounter and knew the suffering it would create, and all this so overwhelmed me that I turned to the one at my side – the voice that had been directing me – and said to him: It seems as if these people ought to be directed into the right path and as You see the conditions and know so well, why don’t you tell them what to do and which way to turn? His answer was: Did you ever try to tell anyone what to do and what not to do or direct their affairs? Have you not observed that they immediately resent it and immediately let you know that it is their privilege and their affair to do just as they please? Can you not see that these individuals need just the lessons that they will get through these bitter experiences confronting them? Can you not see that it is through trials and sorrows that the soul wakes up and turns its face towards higher ideals? We do not come to live your life or to dictate to you, but we come to assist all who desire us and are ready for our help.

Again we floated on and I found myself back on the same rock. Thinking again I was alone and meditating over the sights I had witnessed, especially the aching hearts which I sensed – again I determined I would not return to my physical body.

Again the same voice replied to my thoughts – calmly, slowly and in a most emphatic manner – Come; it is time we return. I said: Oh, I’m not going back – you may go if you like, but I shall remain here. Again he said: Yes, you must return.

Immediately I lost consciousness and did not awaken until I took possession of my physical body. Then I realized that if I desired to participate in these beautiful beneficial journeys, I must be willing to return to my physical body in due time. After this experience, I was always ready and anxious to go and willing to return. This was a most wonderful lesson and all who read these pages will grasp the lesson in the degree of their unfoldment.

In the second zone, I had the privilege of traveling through space in one of their aeroplanes, which was constructed differently from any that I have seen on this earth realm. Its top resembled our canvas – open on the sides. While sitting there contentedly enjoying the ride, we came in contact with sheets of rain pouring into the side of the machine. I heard the howling wind and watched the storm; all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A few years ago, while suffering from extreme exhaustion after preparing breakfast and all the household had departed for business, I tried to dress to go downtown, but found it was utterly impossible. I laid down on the bed to rest, but it seemed as though I could not exist. I sent out a prayer for help and as I was doing this, I saw a woman many miles away suspended in the atmosphere, holding out both hands, beckoning me to come on. I told her I was too weak to come. I watched her descend, holding out her hands all the way as she floated down towards me. Soon I found myself going and landed in the beautiful “Temple of Hope,” from which I saw her come forth. It is on top of a high elevation or mountain with its beautiful surroundings. I was immediately placed in a Rose Room where the walls, the floor, the couch, every particle was covered with pink roses; and as I lay down on the couch of roses, I said, Oh, how kind! What a relief! I just want to stay here forever and ever; and then I sank into a state where I had no thought, I had no desire, I only realized that I was peaceful and happy. The aroma of the roses was such a soothing balm to my weakened condition. By and by, I felt myself being quickened into a different state of Consciousness and immediately returned to my bed. After taking possession of my body, I found I was gone several hours, but was fully recuperated and ready to assume my duties. This “Temple of Hope” is in the Third zone.

The flowers in that room are vibrant with life; they never wilt – they never decay – they are always fresh – perfect; in fact are life – life – life.

In the soul world beneficent angels gather together by the thousands. They decide what kind of a structure they desire to erect – its purpose and arrangements and surroundings. They take into consideration the minutest details and when all is planned satisfactorily in their consciousness – then in unison they concentrate their thoughts and the building is erected and perfect. This is thought made manifest or objectified, and this is the way the beautiful structures throughout the world of soul have been erected and thus the magnificent Temples are constructed. Not with hands, but with spiritual substance through the power of thought. Man does not create nature in the world of the soul. The mountains, the flowers, the animals, birds, the oceans, lakes and rivers are God’s creation. Always remember that such angels are Divine Beings of Wisdom.

In the Fourth Zone are many beautiful waterfalls streaming down some mountain – many cataracts, streams, lakes, and oceans. Here I have on various occasions found an oarsman with a boat awaiting my coming – gently assist me in the boat and row through some beautiful stream with its mountains, trees, ferns and wild flowers along the shore where the echo of the murmuring water reverberates through the mountains while the squirrels and other animals are playing “hide and seek.”

Knowing of the many libraries in the Fifth Zone, it created within me an intense desire to get hold of some of these books and open their pages, so on various occasions when I entered the different libraries, I noticed and felt that I was carefully being watched, as no mortal would be permitted to touch these books. On one occasion, I entered the library that contained the history of our lives, and as I entered, I saw a young man behind the table reaching for a volume on the lower shelf. I was rather startled to see him as I thought now was my opportunity to look at the title of these books. I immediately was repelled. I felt the power prohibiting me from going any farther, so I looked at the many volumes from a distance. Presently, he went to the entrance of the opposite opening (there were two large rooms connected through a large archway) and said: You may come near and look at the many volumes in this room. I did so, thanking him and apologizing for trying to overstep my privileges, saying: I did not realize that it was not permissible.

In this same zone is that, wonderful, beautiful “Temple of Love,” as I went up the winding road that leads to this Temple, I noticed the door being closed and I felt disappointed as I wanted to look in. But as I drew nearer I saw the doors open and a Master, in his beautiful white robe, stood in the doorway and bid me come and look. The Divine Holiness of such an atmosphere could never be forgotten by one who experiences its power.

In the space between the Fifth and Sixth zones is called a sphere of lakes. Here are so many kinds of bodies of water – some have wonderful medicinal properties. In strolling through this sphere in company with one of my Teachers, I noticed one lake was particularly clear – so much so that you could see the pebbles, the sand at the bottom. At first glance you would assume that it is very shallow, but after viewing this wonderful body of water you felt its depth is enormous and that it is its peculiar properties that make it so transparent. Other bodies of water were of different colors and of various sizes – some had at one time embraced much larger space, but were changing and some were almost dried up, leaving only traces where once was a lake. As I remarked about this one being almost closed, my Teacher replied: Yes, this is the lake in which Jesus of Nazareth bathed when he was dwelling on earth in a physical body. He would often ascend to this sphere and bathe in its water, which at that time formed a lake. But on account of the many convulsions of this planet, this body which was once a lake has almost entirely closed up. Then we strolled on, viewing the mountains – I noticed the sand and earth looked like ours on this earth realm. Not far distant, on the other side of the mountain, where the bare rock, with its rose-colored hue, towers in a majestic attitude for many feet – at its base is another beautiful lake surrounded by many spruce trees and on its banks sat many individuals in their bathing costumes, awaiting my coming, and as I joined them, they ducked into the water above their knees and out again, saying: Come, you do the same. I hesitated, assuring them I would rather enjoy watching them as I was sure I could not do it. Come right on, you can do it, they said in unison, and then I felt their power over me, which made me feel I could, and so I ventured and did duck in and out, never going in any further than over my knees – all of which was great fun.

In the Sixth Zone I was shown the views of the first and second Celestial Kingdoms by a process similar to our moving picture apparatus except it is a more improved process. The scenery shifts so gradual and evenly and continuously that it is as though you were right on the ground approaching the various objects or buildings, passing from view just as they would if you were walking by.

In the Seventh I have come face to face with our beloved Master, Jesus of Nazareth – “Our Christ.” The radiation around his head extends out a great distance and is more brilliant and looks much larger than our sun. He does not come to this earth realm. He never descends below the Fourth zone and goes to the Fourth zone only on special occasions. His power can be felt from there very perceptibly and we can be lifted to behold Him at this distance if we are fitted and eligible to ascend. These are only a few of the many experiences that I have had, which I have related, that you may realize that the soul can and does gravitate to unseen realms and gather knowledge not dreamed of by the finite mind.

For many years I have realized that these wonderful privileges and experiences did not come into my life for any personal or selfish gratification – notwithstanding the unspeakable benefits and uplift and the peace of mind derived from the contact with these Highly Evolved and Illumined Intelligences. I realized they have a deeper, and decidedly universal significance. That all individuals, no matter what their degree of consciousness in the scale of life may be, may realize such a Divine Uplift and the Benefits derived from this knowledge of the Soul world will manifest so abundantly while they are still functioning in this physical body here on this earth realm – that it will be so apparent that none could doubt God’s ways of manifesting His Divine Love and Power for the children of earth.

Sincerely,
MRS. EMMA R. DROLLINGER

Excerpt from The Journey Of The Soul And The Ethereal World

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