The Impersonal Life

by Joseph Sieber Benner

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from_beyond [2026/06/14 15:03] iamfrom_beyond [2026/08/04 17:51] (current) iam
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-=== FROM BEYOND ===+<WRAP centeralign> 
 +==== FROM BEYOND ====
 === By Nicholas Roerich === === By Nicholas Roerich ===
 +</WRAP>
  
 +<WRAP justify>
 +THERE is a particular kind of people who call themselves sceptics and who require “material proofs,” and yet in this for each proof they will find some disproof of their own. If a witness to something appears, they will say that it simply seemed so to him. If a great number of witnesses come forward, it will very likely be declared that mass psychosis took place. If they see the impression of something on a material film, they will probably suspect some cleverly fabricated falsification. In this they lose sight of the fact that a man who is too suspicious of others bears within himself the germs of that very thing which he is so ready to impute to others.
  
-THERE is a particular kind of people who call themselves +Among all the forms of evidencethe most striking ones for sceptics will be signs which have appeared on material objects. If something appears upon film which was not in front of the camera at the moment of exposure, then even sworn doubter will be shaken in his confirmed scepticism; that is to say, in his ignorance.
-sceptics and who require “material proofs,” and yet in this +
-for each proof they will find some disproof of their own. If +
-witness to something appears, they will say that it simply seemed +
-so to him. If great number of witnesses come forward, it will +
-very likely be declared that mass psychosis took place. If they +
-see the impression of something on material film, they will probably suspect some cleverly fabricated falsification. In this they +
-lose sight of the fact that a man who is too suspicious of others +
-bears within himself the germs of that very thing which he is so +
-ready to impute to others.+
  
-Among all the forms of evidence, the most striking ones for +So many times each one has had occasion to meet with people who have solemnly declared that if proofs should be manifested to them, they would proclaim far and wide that of which they had been convincedBut when these proofs which they were awaiting appeared before their very eyes, not only did none of them proclaim anything publiclybut they continued quite coolly to wear the same mantle of sceptical complacenceDoes one need to cite examples of this?
-sceptics will be signs which have appeared on material objects. +
-If something appears upon a film which was not in front of the +
-camera at the moment of exposurethen even a sworn doubter +
-will be shaken in his confirmed scepticism; that is to say, in his +
-ignorance.+
  
-So many times each one has had occasion to meet with people +Let us leave for awhile the matter of personal observations and for the time being disregard the great number of witnesseswhile we recall several episodes in the field of photography. A large amount of literature has grown up regarding the question of photographing forms “from beyond.” In the book “Photographing the Invisible” by James Coates,* can be found a whole series of prints which it is difficult to suspect of any falsification. Likewise it is just as impossible to regard as spurious those accidental prints which the photographers themselves consider due simply to defective films.
-who have solemnly declared that if proofs should be manifested to +
-them, they would proclaim far and wide that of which they had +
-been convinced. But when these proofs which they were awaiting appeared before their very eyesnot only did none of them +
-proclaim anything publicly, but they continued quite coolly to +
-wear the same mantle of sceptical complacenceDoes one need +
-to cite examples of this?+
  
-Let us leave for awhile the matter of personal observations and +recall how once in India a photograph was taken of a deceased person, and on the print beside the body appeared a whole row of figures, which those intimate with the deceased conclusively recognized as relatives of his, who had preceded him in death. Likewise we have had occasion to see simple passport photographs upon which in the most unusual places appeared faces which could not be accounted for. Photographers have been chagrined at deteriorated films, but of course such “deterioration” can take place far oftener than may be supposed.
-for the time being disregard the great number of witnesses, while +
-we recall several episodes in the field of photography. A large +
-amount of literature has grown up regarding the question of +
-photographing forms “from beyond.” In the book “Photographing the Invisible” by James Coates,* can be found a whole series +
-of prints which it is difficult to suspect of any falsification. Likewise it is just as impossible to regard as spurious those accidental prints which the photographers themselves consider due simply to +
-defective films.+
  
-I recall how once in India a photograph was taken of a deceased person, and on the print beside the body appeared a whole +Quite recently there was communicated to us the following “mysterious” episode, which took place during the filming of a motion picture.
-row of figures, which those intimate with the deceased conclusively +
-recognized as relatives of his, who had preceded him in death. +
-Likewise we have had occasion to see simple passport photographs upon which in the most unusual places appeared faces +
-which could not be accounted for. Photographers have been +
-chagrined at deteriorated films, but of course such “deterioration” +
-can take place far oftener than may be supposed.+
  
-Quite recently there was communicated to us the following +This amazing story which occurred on the set in one of the Hollywood studios was related by the distinguished American cinema artistWarner Baxter. During the making of the picture sequences, in the course of the action, he was to represent a man mourning over the death of his wife. The actor was in great form, and the director remarked that never before in his life had he played his role with such verisimilitude.
-“mysterious” episodewhich took place during the filming of +
-motion picture.+
  
-This amazing story which occurred on the set in one of the +That evening the film taken was run off in the projection room at the studio in the presence of the director. After several minutes he rushed to the telephone and called Baxter.
-Hollywood studios was related by the distinguished American +
-cinema artist, Warner Baxter. During the making of the picture +
-sequences, in the course of the action, he was to represent a man +
-mourning over the death of his wife. The actor was in great +
-form, and the director remarked that never before in his life had +
-he played his role with such verisimilitude.+
  
-That evening the film taken was run off in the projection room +“Come immediately,” he said in a trembling voice, “something absolutely unbelievable has happened.
-at the studio in the presence of the director. After several minutes +
-he rushed to the telephone and called Baxter.+
  
-“Come immediately,” he said in a trembling voice, “something +Baxter hastened to the studio in an automobile. The director led him into the projection room and told the operator to rerun the film taken that morning.
-absolutely unbelievable has happened.+
  
-Baxter hastened to the studio in an automobileThe director +That which Baxter saw on the screen stunned him also. He saw himself seated in an armchair in an attitude of despairSuddenly, behind his back appeared quite perceptible lineaments of a woman’s figure. Neither Baxter nor the director could find any explanation for this astonishing manifestation. The possibility of the unobserved appearance of an outsider before the camera during the filming was absolutely excluded. Likewise there could be no question of a technical trick. The camera man affirmed on oath that he had used an absolutely immaculate roll of film.
-led him into the projection room and told the operator to rerun +
-the film taken that morning.+
  
-That which Baxter saw on the screen stunned him also. He +The next day the taking of this same scene was repeatedwith all measures of precaution being takenWhen this second film was run off, the amazed spectators again saw this mysterious apparition behind the actor’s back.
-saw himself seated in an armchair in an attitude of despair. +
-Suddenlybehind his back appeared quite perceptible lineaments of +
-a woman’s figureNeither Baxter nor the director could find any +
-explanation for this astonishing manifestation. The possibility +
-of the unobserved appearance of an outsider before the camera +
-during the filming was absolutely excluded. Likewise there could +
-be no question of a technical trick. The camera man affirmed on +
-oath that he had used an absolutely immaculate roll of film.+
  
-The next day the taking of this same scene was repeatedwith +In the words of Warner Baxterto this day he has not succeeded in accounting for this astonishing manifestation. Some of the cinema artists who believe in the occult sciences affirm that in the case cited there took place a manifestation of some particular spiritOthers affirm that the thoughts of the actorattaining a high degree of tension, took on a material form. The fact that the mysterious spectre appeared in both the successive exposures excludes any possibility of fraud or trick.
-all measures of precaution being takenWhen this second film +
-was run off, the amazed spectators again saw this mysterious apparition behind the actor’s back.+
  
-In the words of Warner Baxter, to this day he has not succeeded +Let us set aside for awhile carrying out to conclusion arguments as to precisely how to explain the unexpected appearance of the figure on the film. On these themes it is possible to discourse at great length, and for sceptics such conjectures will still be unconvincingBut the very appearance of the figure on the film, which was testified to by the many who saw this registration, remains indisputable. It is especially characteristic that this episode occurred twice. It is entirely impossible to form conjectures and conclusions about precisely what attendant circumstances could contribute to such a manifestation. Obviously there exist such conditionscomplicated as viewed by human thinkingwhich do not as yet yield to formulation.
-in accounting for this astonishing manifestationSome of the +
-cinema artists who believe in the occult sciences affirm that in the +
-case cited there took place a manifestation of some particular spirit. +
-Others affirm that the thoughts of the actorattaining a high degree of tensiontook on a material form. The fact that the mysterious spectre appeared in both the successive exposures excludes +
-any possibility of fraud or trick.+
  
-Let us set aside for awhile carrying out to conclusion arguments as to precisely how to explain the unexpected appearance +We have had occasion to hear in what unexpected conditions the most remarkable prints have resultedYet at the same timewhenaccording to human reasoning, the “best” conditions were arrangedno results were obtainedPrecisely the unexpectedness of manifestations especially arrests the attention. In this very unexpectedness vanishes any suggestion of fraudAnd again, what falsification could be looked for in those caseswhen people not only do not rejoice at the manifestations, but on the contrary consider them simply deterioration of films?
-of the figure on the filmOn these themes it is possible to discourse at great lengthand for sceptics such conjectures will still +
-be unconvincing. But the very appearance of the figure on the +
-filmwhich was testified to by the many who saw this registration, +
-remains indisputableIt is especially characteristic that this episode +
-occurred twiceIt is entirely impossible to form conjectures and +
-conclusions about precisely what attendant circumstances could +
-contribute to such a manifestation. Obviously there exist such +
-conditionscomplicated as viewed by human thinking, which do +
-not as yet yield to formulation.+
  
-We have had occasion to hear in what unexpected conditions +It has been related to us, how a friend of ours obtained from a photographer’s studio a so-called unsuccessful photograph, upon which in different positions there had come out some strange unaccounted for facesThe photographer was extremely apologetic for such strangely spoiled filmand did not even want to give away a negativein his opinion so unsuccessfulIn this case it is characteristic that the apartment itself of the photographer was quite the usual type, in which there were made numerous exposures every day.
-the most remarkable prints have resultedYet at the same time, +
-when, according to human reasoningthe “best” conditions were +
-arranged, no results were obtainedPrecisely the unexpectedness +
-of manifestations especially arrests the attention. In this very +
-unexpectedness vanishes any suggestion of fraud. And again, +
-what falsification could be looked for in those cases, when people +
-not only do not rejoice at the manifestations, but on the contrary +
-consider them simply deterioration of films?+
  
-It has been related to ushow a friend of ours obtained from a +Many times we have happened to hear that surprising manifestations occur not when they are expected by the human reasonbut precisely in the most unexpected circumstances. We have happened to see the rooms where remarkable prints had been made, and it was amazing that in such a drab atmosphere anything unusual could take place. Evidently there exist especially subtle conditions which for the present elude human understanding.
-photographer’s studio a so-called unsuccessful photograph, upon +
-which in different positions there had come out some strange unaccounted for faces. The photographer was extremely apologetic +
-for such strangely spoiled film, and did not even want to give +
-away a negative, in his opinion so unsuccessful. In this case it is characteristic that the apartment itself of the photographer was +
-quite the usual type, in which there were made numerous exposures every day.+
  
-Many times we have happened to hear that surprising manifestations occur not when they are expected by the human reason, +If a noteworthy fact comes out not in a specially constructed laboratory but amidst the most worldly surroundings, then certainly this detail in no wise belittles its true significance. It is possible to call to mind so many most useful discoveries made not by specialists in the particular field, but sometimes as it were by casual workersFrom the domain of metallurgy we have had occasion to hear how specialists have paid attention to the particular methods employed by certain experienced workmenPrecisely these “casual” methods subsequently proved especially useful in the hands of specialists, forming them into an integral and significant improvement.
-but precisely in the most unexpected circumstancesWe have +
-happened to see the rooms where remarkable prints had been +
-made, and it was amazing that in such a drab atmosphere anything unusual could take placeEvidently there exist especially +
-subtle conditions which for the present elude human understanding.+
  
-If a noteworthy fact comes out not in a specially constructed +Specialists divide themselves into two camps. Some, even those who are serious scholars, arrogantly pass by the most interesting facts if they are not arrayed in scientific garb. Whereas others, amid the most ordinary surroundings, know how to observe and to work out most important improvements. Of course it is well known that there has been inspected only the most insignificant portion of brain activity. Not without reason has attention frequently been turned to the fact that human mutual relationships have been least of all studiedCall these domains psychology or circumstantiallyreflexology; give them any names which can assist your experiments, but guard these most precious fields against light-minded outrage.
-laboratory but amidst the most worldly surroundings, then certainly this detail in no wise belittles its true significance. It is +
-possible to call to mind so many most useful discoveries made not +
-by specialists in the particular field, but sometimes as it were by +
-casual workers. From the domain of metallurgy we have had +
-occasion to hear how specialists have paid attention to the particular +
-methods employed by certain experienced workmenPrecisely +
-these “casual” methods subsequently proved especially useful in the +
-hands of specialistsforming them into an integral and significant +
-improvement.+
  
-Specialists divide themselves into two camps. Someeven those +It is highly indicative that such books as Alexis Carrel’s “Manthe Unknown,” have reached ten editions and are considered the most widely circulated in the international marketMan is still striving for cognitionApart from epidemics of dances and newly devised games, people in all countries are striving for enlightenment.—From Diary Leaves
-who are serious scholars, arrogantly pass by the most interesting +</WRAP> 
-facts if they are not arrayed in scientific garb. Whereas others, +----
-amid the most ordinary surroundings, know how to observe and +
-to work out most important improvementsOf course it is well +
-known that there has been inspected only the most insignificant +
-portion of brain activityNot without reason has attention frequently been turned to the fact that human mutual relationships +
-have been least of all studiedCall these domains psychology or +
-circumstantially, reflexology; give them any names which can assist +
-your experiments, but guard these most precious fields against +
-light-minded outrage.+
  
-It is highly indicative that such books as Alexis Carrel’s “Man, 
-the Unknown,” have reached ten editions and are considered the 
-most widely circulated in the international market. Man is still 
-striving for cognition. Apart from epidemics of dances and newly 
-devised games, people in all countries are striving for enlightenment. 
-—From Diary Leaves. 
- 
- 
----- 
  
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