Steiner states that the dead are amongst us, and that we need to learn to establish a relation with them. This is as beneficial for them, as it is for us. Also, by cultivating this relationship, we work at lifting the separation between the two worlds, namely the physical and the spiritual worlds. This represents then an aspect of spiritualisation of the world. So how can this relation come about, and how can they be perceived? If Steiner's exercises are practiced, leading to the perception of the inner world as a reality, this relation and perceptions is of course easier. But one thought should be kept in mind as a starting point: The dead see us, even if we don't see them. Another thought lifts this veil as well: The dead don't appear physically. This means we don't need to look at physical manifestations. There are other ways for finding them. So how do they "appear" and how can we see them? If for example you are busy at something in the course of the day, and all of a sudden you think of a diseased person. This seems as if you think of the person, who is now on the other side of the threshold. But in reality it is the person in question appearing in your "mind space." And now you know: this person is there. For this thought to become lived reality, you have of course to anchor the fact that the "mind space" or inner soul world, is indeed a real world, and one that doesn't just belong entirely to you. It requires thus to treat the inner world as a field, as a stage, onto which much appears and happens. It is in fact a holy and sacred space. It should be treated with deference. And the more it is treated according to its spiritual, sacred nature, the more the subtle nature of the inner world can become sensible, and perceptive. As the inner world is not a hard and physical world, but a soft and subtle one, treating it as such allows for higher, more subtle beings to manifest and enter the field of the inner world. And in fact, they are always present in this inner world. And the fact that we treat this inner world and what appears within it with devotion, brings a certain light in this inner world. And this becomes an invitation, to spiritual beings, and to the human beings who have passed into the afterlife. For the dead to be seen, and acknowledged, is as important as to be seen is for us, yet even much more so. While for them, if we believe they don't exist, or are far away, this works as an annihilating force onto them. The opposite is then true as well. And the less we are forceful and aware of the subtle nature of these worlds and these relations with the dead, the more these relationships can unfold. Our particular wishes can be a hindrance in living with the dead. Instead, we have to develop an ear for their wishes. They on the other hand can do much for us, and in fact they do all the time. And the more aware of this we can become, the more they can do so. The disbelieve in these things matter; and the more we can develop a silent and quite assurance in these matters, the more they light up, and manifest.