Spirit and matter

This article examines the relationship between spirit and matter, a key topic in philosophy and spirituality. Drawing on the thought of Allan Kardec, the authors raise questions about the origin of matter and its connection to intelligence, considering whether matter exists eternally or was created by God. The discussion also raises the question of the existence of "fluctuations" as an intermediary between these two elements. The text prompts reflection on how we understand these two elements of the universe and their role in the context of divinity.

Has matter existed from eternity, or was it created by God and when?

"This is known only to God! However, there is something that reason shows us, namely, that God – infinite Love and Mercy – has never been idle. However distant you might imagine the beginning of God's creativity, can you conceive of Him as inactive even for a second? God is eternally creative."

We usually define matter as that which has dimensions, which affects our senses, which is impenetrable. Is this a good definition?

"Yes, from your point of view you are right, although you only talk about what you know, but matter still exists in states of aggregation unknown to you - it can be so ethereal that it does not affect your senses at all, and yet it is matter."

We ask for your definition of the essence of matter.

"Matter is the yarn that binds the spirit; it is the instrument which it uses and upon which it simultaneously exerts its action."

From this point of view, it can be said that matter is a factor, a means by which and upon which spirit acts.What is a ghost?

"The intelligent basis of the universe. In your language it is difficult to define the essence of spirit at all. For you it is nothing, because it is not something tangible. But for us it is something. Think carefully: 'nothing' is nothingness, and nothingness does not exist."

Is spirit the same as intelligence?

"Intelligence is the essential attribute of spirit, but one merges with the other in a common origin, so that for you they are the same."

Is spirit independent of matter, or is it only a property of it, just as colors are a property of light, or sound is a property of melody?

"Spirit and matter are two separate concepts; but it takes a union of spirit and matter to give matter intelligence."

Is this connection also necessary for the manifestation of spirit?

(By the word "spirit" we mean here the intelligent principle, without taking into account the individualities designated by this name.)

"It is necessary for you because you do not possess such senses as to be able to perceive Spirit without matter."

Can we conceive of spirit without matter, and matter without spirit? "Yes, they think."

So there are two main elements of the universe: spirit and matter?

"Yes—and above all is God, the Creator, the Father of all. This Trinity is the principle of all that exists. But to matter must be added the universal fluid, which plays the role of intermediary between spirit and matter in your sense of the word, for matter is too condensed for spirit to act upon it directly. Although fluid can be included in a certain respect among the material elements, it is distinguished from them by its special properties. If it were matter in the essential sense of the word, there would be no reason why spirit should not also be. This fluid is something between spirit and matter. It is a fluid, just as matter is matter. This fluid, through innumerable connections with matter, can, under the influence of spirit, create an infinite variety of things, of which we know only a small fraction. This universal, primordial, elementary fluid, which is the factor and connecting link used by spirit, is the element without which matter would be in a state of constant expansion and would never attain the properties that give it weight."

Is this fluid perhaps what we call electricity?

"We have said that an infinite number of varieties are possible. What you call the electric or magnetic fluid is only a variety of the universal fluid, which is, properly speaking, only a more subtle, more perfect matter."

Shouldn't we, in order to avoid confusion, use separate words to designate these two elements, e.g. inert matter and intelligent matter?

"We care little for words; it is up to you to adapt your language so that you can understand each other. Your disputes and misunderstandings almost always stem from your failure to agree on the meaning and use of words. Your language is still insufficient to express supersensible things."

One fact prevails over all hypotheses: we see that matter is not intelligent; we see an intelligent principle, independent of matter. The origin and association of these two are unknown to us. We do not know whether they share a common source and some necessary points of contact; whether intelligence has its own distinct existence, or is merely a property, a result; or whether it is, as some claim, an emanation of the Divine. They appear separate to us, and therefore we assume they constitute two distinct elements of the universe. Beyond all this, we see an intelligence that dominates all others, that governs all, that is distinguished from them by fundamental attributes – this supreme intelligence, which we call God.