Throughout recorded history most human beings have believed that there
are spirits, both good and evil, dwelling among us, although for the most
part they remain unseen - for the most part.
As a child, I was convinced that evils spirits lived in my cellar even
though I had never seen one. The testimony of otherwise trustworthy adults
did not allay those fears. When it was necessary to descend the steps into
their realm of darkness, I would do so with utmost caution, drawing upon
every deposit of courage available. I also carried a torch. Even as a child
I knew that the light cast out the darkness. Somehow I hoped that they
feared my torch as much as I feared them, that the light constrained them
to remain under the stairs or or behind boxes. But would it keep me safe
from their works? I looked over my shoulder regularly to be sure that none
were about to jump me from behind. Having grown older I smile at the foolishness
of my youthful beliefs. Demons had very little fear of my torch. It had
no power over them. The only power it had was over me. It reduced my fear.
Correspondingly, I believed that angels inhabited my church. Often
I would be left alone in the church after the service was over. I was intuitively
aware that I was not alone, but that I was in the presence of many - many
who were good. I felt I was somehow safe due to their presence, and being
in their presence mysteriously seemed to strengthen my courage for the
next time I needed to descend into the cellar.
A child is easily convinced that unusual beings inhabit the earth.
Angels and demons, leprechauns and ghosts were as real to me as elephants
and rabbits. My imagination was alive. My fantasy world of fairies and
dragons was just as real as my ordinary world of school and neighbourhood.
They seemed to operate on two different sets of principles, but neither
seemed less plausible than the other. My understanding, as with all children,
was woefully inadequate.
As I grew older I made an all too common error. Instead of throwing
out just what was inadequate in my understanding of the world of spirits,
I went too far and threw out the spirits altogether - not an uncommon error
- I didn't know what the baby was when throwing out the bath water. I threw
out the demon along with the pitchfork. (The pitchfork will likely not
return to bother you, but the demon might.)
Over time I have recovered the world of fantasy and gained a better
understanding of the world of spirits. I trust this is reflected in the
following work. It is based on events that really happened. The way they
are recounted is a product of fact and fantasy. It is not easy to distinguish
where one ends and the other begins. The correct understanding will only
be available in the next world. It, I am sure, will be far more interesting
than the best of what follows.