First Sentence

"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?"