fact that the outer self strayed from the path and did not go straight up the stairway, proves that such experience was necessary to impress the truths taught upon the consciousness.

Now let us see if we can show you the inner meaning of this. The only purpose of life on earth, after the rebirth of the Soul, is to free the Soul of all things, all beliefs, inclinations, habits, tastes and desires of the physical, animal nature, the heritage of former lives and of the lower kingdoms up through which its consciousness unfolded. With the presence of the Spiritual Self now within the Soul, that Self ever seeks to teach it through outer experience what is not Its way—not Its life; also to fit and prepare first the Soul and then its outer extension, the human mind, to be pure and perfect channels through which the Spirit can express Itself.

The awakened Soul, therefore, through the influence of the Spirit within is ever seeking to teach, lead and guide the human self in the ways it can best learn the lessons needed and to unfold and develop the qualities of character that will permit the Spiritual nature to shine through.

The next outstanding truth in the experience is that when the consciousness leaves the human brain and body, as so realistically described, it need not enter at once that of the Soul, but retains its own identity and remains on the etheric plane of the earth—in this case in that of the reflecting ether, the plane of memory, indicated in the May Soul article. In this plane the Soul, and undoubtedly other teachers as well, can teach truths it needs to know, as shown.

The fact that our friend met Death in the presence of her Soul and that he did not accept her but challenged her and then put into her hands the basket containing the scissors that gave her the power and choice when to finish her life, proves that she need not die by an accident unless she so wishes.

There is a hidden meaning in this, and that is that if she only knows it, she is greater even than her own Soul. For in her true identity she is that Spiritual Self dwelling deep within her Soul, is a Divine Being, and nothing that even Death itself ordains can shorten, affect or influence her life—if she does not so will it. One who truly knows this is always master over death.