Metaphysical doctrines usually agree upon the existence of a spiritual realm peopled with heavenly entities and the souls of earthly creatures.

Among the firsts, are angels who act as intermediaries between Heaven and Earth. The angels of Buddhism are the Bodhisattvas, superior beings who relinquish nirvana to lead humans on the path of enlightenment. According to the Jewish Cabala, angels convey divine energy and their name ensures protection against calamities. The Bible speaks of innumerable angels serving as soldiers and envoys for the All Mighty. The Word of Allah was revealed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.

Among the seconds, are spirits of deceased beings who communicate with the manifest world. Spiritism, also called Spiritualism, claims that they do it in various ways: disrupting sounds and movements of objects, impression of films, spoken or written messages, and channeling through a medium.

A few humans believe that they have visited the world of spirits. During astral travel, they have left their body and visited remote locations before returning to materiality. In near death experiences, as victims of almost fatal injuries or illnesses, they have experienced indefinable peace and witnessed sublime light before returning to normality. Occasionally, they have met heavenly creatures and deceased relatives or friends.

Obviously, not all experiences are genuine. Impostors can counterfeit invisible and unpredictable spirits. Apparitions may be simple hallucinations. Channeling may be the sign of a repressed secondary personality. Near death imagery may happen when the brain on the verge of failing produces a soothing psychedelic chemical.

Nonetheless, the numerous testimonies of sincere and well-adjusted persons support the existence of a spiritual realm. Even when colored by personal beliefs, some spiritualistic experiences seem indisputable. Next, Eternism explains how this can be.