When we undergo inner challenges—that is, when our
inner self undergoes challenges—the earthly level acts
as a midwife. Unless the earthly level helps, no birth of
inner truth ever takes place. The earthly level is what
takes inner truth into its arms upon birth, since it gives
truth the opportunity to make its way out. That is how
the case stands with the offspring of spiritual birth; the
earthly plane absolutely must be there to catch them. This
is the reason that the first step in a person’s regeneration
is preparation of the earthly plane for reception; and the
more receptive it grows, the greater the possibility for in-
ner truth and goodness to be brought forth and multiply.
—Secrets of Heaven 4588
