MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY AND My Return After Many Days BY REV. CORA L. V. RICHMOND [Illustration] _Copyright, 1915_ BY REV. CORA L. V. RICHMOND Christopher Press Boston DEDICATION PRIMARILY TO MY HEAVENLY GUIDES: Those Teachers and Inspirers who, in early childhood, awakened and have unfolded the Spiritual gifts that were mine, and have borne forward to the present hour the work appointed me to do; and TO THOSE BELOVED FRIENDS who, having received the ministration through my humble instrumentality have constantly given from hearts and hands the sympathy and aid needed to perform that work--and during the feebleness of the body have sent strength and succor; and _especially_ to the beloved and loving friends: DR. CHAS. H. BUSHNELL, whose skill, healing power and faithful attendance were given without stint or measure and _most lovingly_, SARAH J. ASHTON, co-worker for more than a quarter of a century, Assistant Pastor of my Congregation and, above all else, _faithful, devoted friend_, without whose unfailing care and constant helpfulness for long months my spirit could not have returned to its human habitation to take up its assigned work, This imperfect record of experiences is most _lovingly_ and _gratefully_ inscribed. CORA L. V. RICHMOND. MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY AND MY RETURN--AFTER MANY DAYS _by_ REV. CORA L. V. RICHMOND THE RELEASE It was true then: I was suddenly and finally released from my body; “this time,” I said, or thought: “I will not have to return.” Many times, almost numberless, I had experienced the wonderful consciousness of being absent from my human form, of mingling with arisen friends in their higher state of existence, but, until this time I had always known that it was only for a brief season and that there was a tie--a vital and psychic tie--binding me to return to my earth form. But _now; now_; could it be true? Was I set free to live and work with the Beloved--the dear ones--in this their higher, more perfect state? The Best Beloved, those who had preceded me into this wondrous life, came thronging around, by degrees, to welcome me: not all at once, but first those who were by tenderest ties the nearest and the dearest. They did not answer my question: “Have I really come to stay”? The Guide--the Guardian, took me gently in charge that I might not even think of the form I had so lately left. A great sense of relief; of being set free from the limitations of the body, filled me, far greater than I had ever experienced before. A feeling pervaded me that _all of me_ was released. It surely _seemed_ that my work in the human body was done: that the last word was spoken, the last pen-stroke made.