Text originally published as the Editorial of The Spiritist Messenger
number 52, July 2004 and reproduced with permission from the author
We
can read, study, and discuss
the books of Kardec and books by other Spiritist authors until we have
every word memorized, but are we applying this knowledge to change our
inner selves?
If
we are learning and using what
we are reading, then each of us must do no wrong and, do as much good
as we are able, each according to our capabilities. The aim of learning
about the Spiritist Doctrine is moral self-improvement: in thought,
word, and deed. This means we must act and change; we must apply what
we learn. We may be able to fool those around us but we cannot fool God
or our spirit guides regarding our intentions in these areas. As
Spiritists, we cannot plead ignorance of spiritual laws upon our return
to the spirit world.
Over
145 years ago, when Kardec
was observing the phenomena of mediumship, and so-called psychic
phenomena, it was very new and many people in the world had no idea
regarding its most basic of spiritual concepts. Superstition abounded!
Now, most people logically believe: that we each have a soul; in the
existence of a spirit world; in the faculty of mediumship; and that the
inhabitants in the material world can make contact with the inhabitants
in the spirit world. What they DO NOT
necessarily know about is the complex philosophical, psychological,
moral, scientific, and religious ramifications behind these phenomena.
And, they may not know about them unless we do our part to teach them;
but not only through reading and study of the Doctrine, it will be more
importantly taught through the application of its principles. We must
not only instruct people’s minds but we must also touch their
hearts!
Kardec
came to earth for the
mission of scientifically studying and codifying what can be called the
basic knowledge of these natural spiritual laws. It is our mission now to apply them as best
we can and instruct others in this application. We are all
imperfect but, if our intentions are sincere and serious, we will be
rewarded. Will we make mistakes? Of course, because we are mere
mortals! But, to wait until the relative perfection of the human race
to apply spiritual laws we already know about is ludicrous. We must
have confidence in ourselves and in our spirit guides and above all,
faith in the Creator.
How
do we apply spirit science?
We,
on an individual level, try to
improve in our own conduct and de-materialize ourselves as much as
possible because this helps to transform and evolve our souls.
If
we are mediums: we study,
properly orientate ourselves, and use our faculty to help ourselves
first, then others.
If
we feel capable, we open
Spiritist Centers to conduct study groups, healing sessions, and spirit
communication sessions. We need to apply that knowledge we have, to
assist and instruct all those in need of learning about “the whys
and wherefores of Life.” We do not have to have college degrees
or study Spiritism for many, many years in order to accomplish these
activities; having basic Spiritist knowledge with sincere and serious
intentions is a start… and through practical experience, and
with the assistance of one’s spirit guides, one learns much by
doing.
The
spirit session itself is the most dynamic tool in which Spiritists can
apply spirit science. The spiritual dynamics between director,
mediums, and attendees working in total harmony (with their
counterparts in the spirit world) can touch the hearts and souls of all
involved. One short moment, wherein a person can speak to a dear loved
who has disincarnated (through a medium’s faculties) who they
thought lost, can provide more spiritual sustenance, inner solace, and
proof of the afterlife than that person reading ten chapters from The Spirits Book. Forever, that
person’s life has been changed, for their very soul has been
touched! Through the spirit session, spirits communicating through
mediums bring: spiritual consolation, magnetic healing, spiritual
guidance, tremendous inspiration, and provide to those who need it,
proof of the afterlife and proof that death is only a change of
residence. There can also be assistance given to those disorientated in
the spirit world from us here in the material world. The spirit session
provides to all of us a small view in a window into the spirit world
where each of us have come from and (by studying the various types of
spirit communications received) we learn of the different possible
types of conditions which may await us upon our eventual return to that
world. How intriguing, interesting, and beautiful! I have been a medium
for over 22 years and have co-run a Spiritist Center for over 23 years
and I learn something new at each spirit session. I have experienced
and seen such wonderful reactions and experiences by persons in
attendance, myself in my own Center, as well as in others I have
visited.
It
is so sad to be contacted by so
many people who have the faculty of mediumship but have no where to
practice it; by those with spiritual problems with no where to go; and
by those who need consolation in knowing that their loved ones still
exist and cannot relieve their grief; and by those who are terrified of
death.
I
can only speak about what is
happening in the United States and I see many groups emerging wherein
people seek communication with the spirit world. People watch
popular mediums on TV, go to their seminars, and make arrangements for
private sittings with them at exorbitant fees; there are The Conversation with God groups
(based on the popular books); there are many “development
circles” being established through the avenues of Buddhism,
American Indian lore, Wicca and pagan rites and rituals; there are the
Spiritualist churches; The Science of
the Mind groups; The Course in
Miracles groups; and many, many other groups, some with quite a
mixture of different beliefs. All are searching for spiritual truths by
applying the laws of spirit science the only way they know, for the
physical sciences have not answered their questions about the purpose
of life and have left their soul feeling cold.
The
time is here and now, more
than ever before, as it was said in the Bible:
“And it shall come to pass in
the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall
see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants
and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and
they shall prophesy.” (Acts, 2: 17 & 18)