THE PERISPIRIT

Definition | Formation | Nature |
Union w/ Physical Body | Functions

Functions of the Perispirit

Part 4 of 5: Instrument of Cause and Effect

This function of the perispirit stems from its role as the spirit's memory archive. As mentioned above, the perispirit registers everything undergone and done by the spirit from the moment of its creation. At the initiation of a new reincarnation, as the perispirit unites with the physical embryo, it makes an impression of its memory upon the physical organism.

Spiritism teaches us that every action we take, be it in favor of or contrary to our moral and intellectual advancement, will have an effect, a consequence that we will experience.  Spiritism also teaches us that often times, the suffering that we are experiencing in the present life has its cause in a previous existence.  It is through the mechanism described above that all of our negative thoughts, our immoral acts, our abuses of the physical body, our actions that violate the rights of another, etc. are registered in the spiritual body and manifest their repercussions in the physical body, either in the same existence or in a future incarnation. The severity of the repercussion depends on the spirit's intention behind its actions and its degree of awareness of the laws that govern its actions, as well as the severity of the immediate or direct effect that such acts had on itself or others.  In the same manner, our positive thoughts and virtuous actions bring forth positive repercussions that work in our favor, weakening the effects of our mistakes and carrying us upward on the scale of evolution.