My experiences while out of my body

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”?