Encounters with the Truth

By Elisa Masselli and Alison Velita Carrillo

The book tells the story of Marina, who lives in the spiritual realm. She was dedicated to her activities and was used to the new situation; however, she does not understand why she passed away so young, at the height of marital happiness, leaving her two little children behind.
Invited to be part of a team of spiritual rescuers, she would have the chance to return to Earth and see her family again. However, she would have to face her fears.
Supported by true friends, she finds the necessary strength to accompany the group. She participates in special missions to help incarnated brothers, and her presence is very important for fate to follow its path.
On her return to her old home, she sees her family and understands why she left them so soon.
Reading this fascinating narrative reminds us that God is by our side and that He always desires our happiness, helping us to see solutions to situations that we ourselves create in order to be prepared for our Encounters with the Truth.
Elisa Masselli.

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Spiritist Institute
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215890486

Book preview

THE CALL

The day was dawning, and the first rays of sunlight were beginning to emerge. Marina woke up, she stretched and smiled happily. She was anxious because she had received a message the afternoon of the previous day so that today she would be at Humberto's office. That message had left her ecstatic. She knew that when Humberto called someone, it was to convey the good news. She would probably be invited to join a team and that was what she wanted the most since she learned of her situation. She lived in a house with other people who, like her, had no relatives there.

They lived well. Of course, there were some adaptation problems, but they always managed to solve them. When something got difficult, Ana, who always received everyone with great affection, was there to put things in their place. She said:

— Everyone is here for a short time, so you better do your best to adjust. Praying is the best counselor.

Marina had come there some time ago. It took her a lot of time to accept and understand the situation that, for her, was new. However, with the help of Ana and the other people, she gradually got used to it and was doing very well now. That is why she wanted so much to find Humberto. She wanted to know what the good news was and if he would invite her to travel with a rescue team alongside higher spirits. She had always heard about them but had not yet met one.

She had waited so long for that moment and, at times, she thought it would not come. But it finally did.

She looked at her watch, it was too early, but still, she got up. Standing, she stretched her arms and spine. It was a practice that she had acquired a long time ago. She went out into the backyard, looked at the sky that was turning red, and then at the garden – which showed flowers of all colors. The leaves on the trees were very green and bright. The scent of flowers invaded her. She took a deep breath and smiling, she thought:

This place is so beautiful! All this beauty could only come from a wonderful God who loves his children. He gave us everything to be happy, why do we get so complicated? Why do we insist on being unhappy? Well, from everything I've learned since I arrived, I always knew it would be like this, so I shouldn't be too angry. If He wanted us to be perfect, He would have made us that way, but no... He let each one of us choose our path, so we could learn by living. I think when He did that, He knew what the result would be.

She stood there looking at everything for a long time. The sky was now mostly clear and the clouds, very white, were dazzling figures. Marina had everything to be happy and she was. She had been living there for a very long time. She couldn’t even tell how long. She worked at a hospital providing assistance in the bureaucratic part. She did not deal with patients. She didn't feel ready for that.

She felt very sorry for the people who arrived, she didn't know how to talk to them, so she chose not to work with them directly. In the beginning, she felt bad for feeling that way, she knew that as soon as they arrived, they needed someone to receive them, care for them and talk to them. When she explained to Humberto her difficulty in dealing with sick people, he smiled and said:

— Don't worry about that, Marina. Your work, although it is bureaucratic is also important, because everything needs to run smoothly so that everyone is also well.

She remembered what Humberto told her and she thought smiling:

After I talked to him, I calmed down and continued with my work, but today I know that everything will change. I feel that I would be able to do what I've always dreamed of and what I've been waiting for all this time. See my family again and know how everyone is doing.

She went into the house and went to her room to get dressed.

As she dressed, she thought again:

I need to dress carefully. I need to look good to find Humberto. He needs to feel that I'm okay, that he can trust me and allow me to be absent.

She was just leaving when Ana opened the door to her room. They met in the hallway that led to the main living room. It was large, with well-appointed furniture. The decor was sober but pretty. Beautiful paintings by famous painters adorned the walls. It was all painted white to contrast with the dark furniture. The light green curtain gave the environment a lot of peace.

Ana, as soon as she saw Marina in the hallway and before entering the room, said smiling:

— Good morning, Marina. I knew you would wake up early today. You're anxious, aren't you?

— Good morning, Ana. I'm really looking forward to it. You know how much I've waited for this day, and it finally arrived. I hope Humberto has good news.

— Most of the time the news that comes from him is good. Today they should be too.

— I'm hoping that. You know that since I arrived and was welcomed here at your home, I have always done my best to accept my situation and learn as much as possible. I think I'm ready.

— Yes, you tried very hard. Humberto distributes tasks, forms teams and, of course, he’s calling you to say that you will participate in one of them. You will then be able to return to Earth and see your family again. I know it's what you want the most.

— That’s true, Ana, it’s what I want the most since I had arrived.

— Now there's no point in speculating on this subject, it's time to meet Humberto and find out what it's all about. You are very pretty!

— I don’t know if I look pretty, but I tried hard. I want to look good, so he won't be reluctant to introduce me to a job or to allow me to come over to the house to see how everyone is doing. Before leaving, I want to thank you for all the patience you had with me when I arrived and for having received me in your home with such affection.

Ana, stroking Marina's hair with her hand, said smiling:

— What happens, Marina? You were always a good girl, and I understood your situation. I also arrived here at a very young age, and I also left my children and the husband that I loved. Like you, since I have no one of my family in this city, I was welcomed by Otília, who gave me a lot of affection and attention.

— Still, you were more than a mother to me. You know that, from my family, I was the first to arrive. I was only thirty-two when it all happened. I couldn't accept the disease that attacked me or leaving my children so young, besides my husband who I know how much he loved me. I didn't understand why, despite having everything to be happy, that disease appeared and took me away from them.

— I understood that you were right for thinking that, but today you know all of that had to happen and that both your husband and your children needed to walk without your presence.

— Yes, I know, but it was difficult to accept. My children were very young, and my husband and I loved each other. We were a happy family, and I didn't understand or accept it, and to be honest, I still don't accept that it was necessary to leave them.

For a very long time I wanted to go back to visit them, however I didn't know why I wasn't allowed to do it. Now it would be different, because being part of a teamwork I would be able to visit them and know how they are. My daughter Berenice is not a child anymore, she's almost 20 years old and Joel is 24 years old. They must have graduated. She wanted to be a teacher and him, an aviator. I wonder if they followed that or if they changed their minds. Norberto suffered a lot with my disease, he was by my side all the time. In addition to being a husband, he was a companion and even a nurse. How did he get over my absence?

— I don’t know but now you have your chance to have all those questions answered. Go now! If we keep talking, you’re going to be late. It's time to go now.

Marina said smiling:

— You're right! I don't know when I would learn to control my anxiety.

— That's the problem of everybody. But get going!

As soon as Marina left, Ana thought:

She has no idea what is about to happen. May God protect her and help her at this moment.

Marina left the house and walked through a square surrounded by several buildings. The trees were green and very bright. That day the flowers seemed more colorful and fragrant to her. She passed by a fountain where the water flowed crystal clear and in abundance. She stopped in front of the fountain, wet her hands, and ran them over her face. Feeling the coolness of the water, she smiled and continued walking. She had passed through that square many times before, but on that particular day she had the feeling that it was prettier. She continued walking but lengthened her steps. She entered one of the buildings that from the outside appeared to be very large. Once inside, she looked around her and was dazzled again. Everything was very clean and pretty. Beautiful pictures hung on the walls. She knew Humberto, as he had visited her several times at Ana's house, but she had never entered that building. She knew that the rescue teams were formed by him there. She walked down a huge hallway and stopped in front of a white door. She took a deep breath, knocked lightly and entered. She was greeted by a young man who smiled and stood up.

— Hello, Marina! Good morning. I was waiting for you. How are you?

— Good morning, Humberto. I’m fine but you can imagine my anxiety. I couldn't wait for the night to pass so I could come talk to you.

He smiled and pointed her to a chair. She sat there and stared at him.

— I know that you’re anxious but now you can be calm. Finally, the day has come for you. You will be part of a very important team that is leaving for Earth, and you will be able to visit your family.

— I’m happy to know that I would be part of a rescue team and even happier to finally see my relatives. It had always been what I wanted the most since I arrived here.

— You would be able to do so, but not for a long time. You will have a lot of work to do alongside the others.

— I will do my best to do well. I promise that I will obey any orders given to me.

— I know it. You had shown during all this time, a lot of dedication. So, you will have the opportunity to do a great job. But you’re not accompanying the team to follow or accept orders. You’re going to learn and so, in the future, you would be able to participate in other teams, perhaps as a leader to help others to also be part of one.

— I don’t know how to thank you for what you’re doing for me. I really want to participate in a rescue team. I still feel guilty for not being able to work with sick people. I cannot stand seeing their pain and I don't know how to help them.

— That is part of learning, Marina. It's a good thing that many people, both here and on Earth, don't think that way. If so, who would take care of the sick people?

— You're right. But it's beyond my strength. You know I tried Humberto.

He smiled, got up and walked towards her. He took her arm and made her follow him. As they walked, he said:

— Come with me, I'll introduce you to the rest of the team. They are waiting for us to make the final preparations and to receive instructions.

She went with him without saying anything. They walked down the same hallway she had passed. A few doors ahead he knocked and entered. Inside were an elderly couple and a young man who smiled at the sight of them. The old man said:

— I'm glad you arrived, Humberto. We are finishing preparations for the journey.

Marina was startled:

— Am I going with you?

— Of course, but why the amazement?

— You are a doctor.

— Yes, but what about it?

— Am I going to have to live with sick people?

— Of course! Someone must take care of them.

She looked at Humberto and with a desperate look, said:

— You know that I won't be able to stand it, Humberto. I told you I can’t.

He kissed her forehead and said:

— You will, Marina. You are prepared and you will see that it is not that difficult. If you can't, you can come back any time, but you need to try. If you succeed, you will see how much you can learn from this team that will not only treat patients, but other things as well.

— I don’t know, I think you should let me be part of another team. Here, I know that I won’t be able…

— You know you need to get over it. You were so brave when you were sick.

— That's why I can't stand to see anyone sick. During all the time I was sick, I was coming and going from the hospital, I underwent thousands of tests, some of them were painful, and they often made me wish to die. Now that everything is over, I'm fine, but I still can't live with sick people and their suffering. It’s a lot to me. I feel like I can't help, I'll be feeling pity and pain all the time and I know it won't be productive. If I participate in a team like this, I'll only get in the way. I can’t! I can’t!

— You can, Marina. You will be able to get over yourself. You’re stronger than you think and when you come back I know you'll be and think differently, but even so, if you realize you're not going to make it, you can come back and everything will be fine. You have to try; it will be for your own good.

She looked at everyone and although she wasn't convinced, she said almost crying:

— Okay, if you think I'll make it Humberto, I'll try, but as soon as I realize I'm getting in the way, I'll be right back.

— Well said, Marina.

Humberto, looking at Ademir, the man who was the team leader, said:

— Ademir, as soon as everybody is ready, stop by my room, and I'll tell you the itinerary you should follow.

— All right, Humberto. Don’t worry, everything will work out and this beautiful girl will be of great help.

Humberto left the room. Ademir turned to the woman and said, smiling:

— Marina, let me introduce you to Jaime and my longtime companion. He is a doctor and will accompany us to learn how the spiritual realm works in assisting the spirits when they return.

Marina looked and smiled at them who were also smiling. Ademir continued:

— Well, people, it's time to get ready. Let's join our hands and ask for help so that we can do our job well and so that we can make this journey without any setbacks. Many of our brothers and sisters need our help, just as we did one day.

They held hands and accompanied Ademir in his prayer. He was focused and with his eyes closed, said:

— Lord, our Father, may your divine light accompany us in this task. We know that we will encounter obstacles, some of which are difficult to overcome. We know that we will have times when we will need to make difficult decisions, but we also know that we are under your divine protection.

When he finished, he was moved. He opened his eyes and asked, smiling:

— Are we ready?

Everyone nodded, except Marina, who remained quiet and with her head down. Ademir, seeing the expression on her face, said:

— Marina, don't be like that. You know you can come back whenever you want. So don’t worry.

— Okay, since you all trust me, I'll try to do my best. I just hope I don't get in the way.

— You won't do that. Before we leave, we need to go to Humberto's office. He will tell us where to start and what we need to do. I know this mission is very important.

— Both of you, who are going for the first time will have the opportunity to learn how to help someone who is in pain. Donata and I will be able to see old friends and despite the long experience, we will learn more, since we never stop learning new things. Let’s go.

They walked into Humberto's office and found him sited on his chair, looking at a sheet of paper spread out on the table. When he saw them, he said smiling:

— Come in. I'm here looking at this map to pinpoint the places you need to go.

Everyone approached and looked at the paper. With one hand and one finger Humberto pointed out the places and said:

— Ademir, you already know these places, you know what you'll find. I believe it will only take you a few days and you can return.

Then Humberto turned to a tall, strong young man with black hair and light eyes who was there all the time, quiet, but paying attention to the conversation, and said:

— Jaime, you will have the opportunity to learn a lot and how to help those in need. You will learn a different perspective about medicine from the one you already know.

Marina, you just watch and try to learn. If you like this job, you can continue on this team or join others and even become the head of future teams.

The boy remained quiet but smiled.

Marina looked at Humberto and said, with a pleading look:

— Humberto, are you sure I should go?

— Of course, you do, and when you come back we'll talk, but remember you can come back at any time.

She was quiet and forced a smile.

— Are you all ready? – Humberto asked.

Everyone nodded, but Marina, as she had done before, remained silent and with her head down. Ademir said:

— Marina, don't be like that. As I said before, you can come back whenever you want, that should make you feel calm.

— Okay, I'll try. I will do as much as I can. I just hope I don't get in the way.

— You won't do that. Let's go now? – Ademir said.

They held hands and disappeared.

As soon as they left, Humberto looked up and thought:

Lord, my Father, may your protection accompany them on this journey. May they have all the help they need, especially Marina, so that she understands the reason for her leaving. May she learn, understand, and help with whatever it is necessary.

THE JOURNEY

The team was still hugging each other and after some time they arrived at a square that, to Marina's astonishment, was known to her. She was born in that city, and it was there that she met Norberto, got married and had her children. Ecstatic and happy to return to the place where she lived so many happy moments, she said smiling:

— How nice to be back! I always loved this city and especially this square. Here I played a lot as a child and later, in my youth, I also lived unforgettable moments. But everything is very different. I'm not seeing the cinema and the ice cream parlor where every Sunday afternoon we ate ice cream. Where are the stores that were on this side of the square?

Ademir smiled and answered:

— It's been a long time since you've been gone, and a lot has changed. Get ready. There will be many surprises. This city is no longer the one you knew. Not only this city has changed, but the world too. This place has progressed, and that cinema and ice cream parlor no longer exist. On that side of the square, a big building was built and inside; there are many shops, cinemas and a place called the food court, where not only ice cream parlors are located, but different types of food. It's a place where people meet to eat and chat. I can tell you it's very nice. When you get in there, you'll really like what you see.

— I never thought there could be such a place! It really looks nice. I would like to know the inside.

— Before we go back, we'll do that and you'll see how human beings can build wonderful things like that when they want.

Marina kept looking.

— From the square I knew, only a few houses and the church with its tower remain. The rest has really changed. Not even Mr. Jacob's fabric store is there, and in its place is now a beauty salon. How could it have changed so much, Ademir?

— It was the progress. You know that humanity is always looking for a way to improve their lives. God wants everyone to have a perfect and happy life, so he sends from time-to-time spirits who, in addition to learning, rescuing, loving their friends and, above all, forgiving their enemies, bring with them the mission to invent and build things that are good for humanity. Therefore, ideas arise, and things change.

— Are you saying that God is the one sending inventors and scientists?

— Everything that happens is always by God's will. We often don't understand, but that's how it is. You look amazed, why?

— I always thought inventions were inventors' dreams.

Ademir started to laugh and asked:

— Where do these dreams come from?

Marina just stared at him, showing on her face that only at that moment she realized what Ademir was saying.

— Yeah, it must be God himself, otherwise everyone would be able to invent things.

— That's right, Marina. Many spirits come with a mission when they are born. Many invent technological devices that make life on Earth easier, others discover the cure for an existing disease, and thus humanity progresses.

— So those who create and manufacture weapons of destruction were also sent by God as a mission?

— No, Marina. The spirit is always sent to do good, and its mission must always be for the good, but since God has given us free will, the spirit can decide what to do. Often, in the illusion of having money and power, humans go astray and do things that were not planned, but they will have to answer for that.

— Like what happened in Japan, at the end of World War II?

— Exactly. As with everyone, the moment of truth always comes and each one of us must face our truth. Some of those who got involved by the illusion of money and power and invented, built and ordered that massacre, have already returned, faced their truth, and understood what they did. They know that to redeem all that evil, they will have to reincarnate under very difficult conditions, they also know that even so, a single reincarnation will not be enough to redeem everything. This is called Divine justice, and no one escapes from it.

Marina listened to everything Ademir said and when he was quiet, she sighed and said:

— How wonderful God is.

Ademir looked at Donata and smiled.

Marina, amazed, was still watching them, when she was startled; she jumped back and hugged Jaime who was beside her.

She screamed:

— Ademir! What monsters are those coming our way?

Ademir looked back to where she was pointing and smiled:

— Don't be scared, Marina, they are incarnated people walking around the square. That hasn't changed yet, it continues as usual. People like to walk.

— Why do they have those shiny threads all over their bodies? I never saw that! I'm so scared my body is all in goose bumps!

— You never saw that because since you disembodied, you had not returned to Earth and, therefore, you had never seen an incarnate in his spiritual appearance.

— What are those threads, and why am I not seeing them in you or in myself?

— I'll explain it to you in a very simple way. Those threads connect the spirit to the body. We no longer have them, as our spirit is no longer connected to our body. Don't you remember how many times during the night and while you were sleeping, you woke up taking a little jump in bed?

She thought for a moment and then replied:

— Yes, I remember. It happened many times, which always scared me. I usually woke up with my heart racing.

— This happens because when the body sleeps, the spirit leaves it and goes to many places. The spirit will meet loved ones who have departed before, it will discover new places, attend classes, and often, work.

— Work? How?

— On this journey, you will have the opportunity to see how the incarnates, even without imagining it, work while they sleep. I can guarantee that they work hard. Often, when they dream, they are so happy for the freedom that they feel they don't want to go back into their bodies. Only when they are frightened by something, they are forced to return quickly. Therefore, the incarnate makes that little jump and wakes up. But you will see this a lot. This will be one of our jobs, cutting the threads of some people who are ready to return home, you will also see that sometimes it’s not easy.

Upon hearing that, she asked even more scared:

— Are we going to deal with dying people, Ademir?

— Yes, Marina. Our presence at this moment is very important and necessary. Without it, the suffering would be great. The spirit could not break free even though it was in a dead body. God makes everything right, that’s why there are rescue teams. They were and are created to help the incarnate in every moment of their life.

Upon hearing that, Marina said, almost crying:

— I know God always does everything right, but with each passing minute I'm more convinced that I shouldn't be on this team. I feel that I'm not going to be of any help and that on the contrary, I'm just going to get in the way.

— Why are you saying this, Marina?

— I can't stand seeing ill people, imagine if I watch them die! I can't stand it! I'm afraid, Ademir.

— I don't understand how you still keep that feeling. Of all feelings, fear is one of the worst. Because of fear, both the incarnate and the disembodied are left without action, not knowing what to do or which path to take.

Many, out of fear, fail to make the right decisions and do things they will regret for a long time. Others, when the time comes, are slow to surrender only because of the fear of death that they were taught and cultivated throughout their earthly life. Death is not a lake from which you can escape. It’s part of life and sooner or later it comes for everyone. It is a precious asset; it is a gift from God to human beings. You've been through this many times. I know you don't remember your previous incarnations, but the last one you have a very present memory, and you know it's not as painful as you think. You know, after death, the spirit is freed and has a sensation the incarnate would have never imagined. Hence, death does not have to be feared. I don't understand why you still think that way, Marina.

— I know all this, but even so, I feel sorry for the pain that suffers the body and, above all, the family. Even today, although I have understood, I cannot accept leaving my husband, my children, my parents, and siblings in the suffering they felt with my death. It’s very sad to see a loved one suffering in a bed, without being able to help or do something to alleviate that suffering.

— You're right, but even so, you know that the human being is mortal and at any moment they will have to face that imminent destiny. But you also know that they will never be alone. They will always have friendly spirits by their side who will be there to give them all the necessary assistance and that they will pass by without realizing it. They will sleep and wake up in another dimension and as soon as they know and accept what happened to them, they will be happy to have returned.

You know that's how it is; you've witnessed the arrival of many, and you've already lived your own. The past is left behind; you need to learn to live in the present. From now on that’s all that matters. That should be the same with the incarnate. Leave the past behind and live the present as best you can, if you can, don't make the same mistakes. I know it's difficult, but not impossible.

— I know all this, but I can't control myself.

Marina looked at Jaime who, like her, heard everything and paid close attention. Ademir looked at Donata and smiled in return. Donata said:

— I don't think you two need to worry. We understand what you are feeling. We've been doing this work for a long time, but let's not forget, Ademir, that just like them, we were scared the first time we participated in a team like this. Do you remember how difficult and complicated it was for us to understand everything that happened?

Ademir smiled and replied:

— Of course, I do, Donata, but after that we never wanted to stop participating and we still doing it today.

Donata smiled and continued talking:

— Marina don't despair like that. We are here by your side. This mission will end soon, and you will come back and decide whether you want to stay on our team or not.

She looked at Jaime who was also looking at her very intrigued. Donata continued talking:

— What I said to Marina is also for you, Jaime. When we return, if you want, you can continue by my side and Ademir's, if you don't want to, you can join another team. You know there are many, but for now, you need to do your best so that our journey ends well. One needs to give strength to the other and in moments of indecision, we will have to choose the best path to follow, but at the time of indecision there is only one path: prayer. It always comforts and enlightens us.

Marina and Jaime lowered their eyes and then their heads, in a sign of understanding. Now, Ademir, showing great affection in his voice, was the one who said:

— You don't need to stay like this, we understand very well what you're feeling. It’s not about Marina's fear, but the fear of the unknown, of not knowing how our work will be, but don’t worry, soon you will see that it’s very different from what you are thinking and you will feel the importance of it.

Upon hearing that, Marina asked:

— Have you been on a team like this Donata for a long time?

— Yes, Ademir and I have been together for a long time. We are old friends and in the last incarnation we worked in a hospital as doctors. We worried about the so-called terminally ill patients.

We often got upset because we couldn’t save people. When we died, after some time, we were invited to join a team like this. We were happy because now, as disembodied spirits, we thought we could save all people, we thought we had that power. That's what we had learned. Although we were doctors, since childhood we heard people ask things for those who had died, as if, by dying, they had become saints and know-it-alls. But we soon realized that this was not the case, that everything has its time, including death, and that it is necessary. After the first team and having learned how much it helped, we decided to continue.

Over time, we gained more experience and became a kind of teachers. Many, like you, followed us. Some continued and are now doing this work in various places around the world. Others didn't like it and followed a different path; they went with other teams that do another type of work but that are also important. The same is being offered to you. In the end, if you don't want to continue, you will be free to decide what kind of work you prefer. Remember that the spirit is free to decide what it wants, and no one is forced to do what it does not want. Everyone on Earth has always had the freedom to choose and in the spiritual realm, they have much more.

— I don't understand how anyone can like and want to continue in a job like this.

— There are people who like it, Marina. What would happen if they didn't exist?

Marina didn’t know what to say. Then, Ademir said:

— Well, we still have time before our work today. On second thought, we could enter the building and you, Marina, can quench your curiosity and see what it's like inside.

— Can we really, Ademir?