About Spiritism

What is Spiritism?

Spiritism is the set of laws and principles, as revealed by the Superior Spirits, contained in the works of Allan Kardec, which constitute the Spiritist Codification: The Spirits' Book, The Mediums' Book, The Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell, and The Genesis, What is Spiritism?"Spiritism is a science which deals with the nature, origin and destiny of Spirits, as well as their relationship with the corporeal world." Allan Kardec. (What is Spiritism? - Introduction)"This doctrine realizes what Jesus said of the promised Consoler, by bringing knowledge of those things which allow Man to know where he came from, where he is going and why he is on Earth; so attracting mankind towards the true principles of God's Laws and offering consolation through faith and hope." Allan Kardec. (Taken from “The Gospel According to Spiritism” - Chap. 6 - Item 4 )

What it reveals?

It teaches a new and deeper view of God, the world, humanity, the Spirits, and the laws of life.

It also explains who we are, where we came from, where we are going, the purposes of earthly life, and the causes of pain and suffering.

What's the importance of Spiritism?

By providing new knowledge about man and his surroundings, Spiritism encompasses all areas of cognition, human behaviour, and activity, opening to a new era of human resurgence.

It can and should be studied, analysed and applied in all the main aspects of life: scientific, philosophical, spiritual, religious, ethical, moral, didactic, social.

The main teachings of Spiritism

God is the Supreme Intelligence, First Cause of all things. God is eternal, immutable, immaterial, unique, omnipotent, supremely just and good.

The Universe is God's creation. It encompasses all rational and non-rational beings, both animate and inanimate, material and immaterial.

In addition to the corporeal world inhabited by incarnate Spirits, which are human beings, there exists the spiritual world, inhabited by discarnate Spirits.

Within the Universe there are other inhabited worlds, with Beings at different degrees of evolution: some equal and others more or less evolved than earthly Man.

All the Laws of Nature are Divine Laws because God is their author. They are superior to both the physical and moral laws created by Man.

A Human Being is a Spirit temporarily incarnated in a material body. The perispirit is the semi-material body which unites the Spirit to the physical body.

Spirits are the intelligent beings of creation. They constitute the world of the Spirits, which pre-exists and outlives everything.

Spirits are created simple and ignorant. They gradually evolve intellectually and morally, passing slowly from a lower order to a higher one, until they attain perfection, where they will enjoy unalterable bliss.

Before incarnation, living in the body, or separating from it, the Spirits do not lose their originality.

Each Spirit reincarnates as many times as is necessary for its spiritual advancement.

Spirits are always progressing. In their multiple material existences, they may sometimes become stationary, but they never regress. The speed of their intellectual and moral progress depends on the efforts they make to attain perfection.

Spirits belong to different orders according to the degree of perfection they have attained: Pure Spirits, who have attained maximum perfection; Good Spirits, whose predominant desire is towards goodness; and Imperfect Spirits, characterized by their ignorance, their tendency towards evil, and by their inferior passions.

Spirits' (Spiritist/Spiritual) interactions with Human Beings are constant and have always existed. The Good Spirits attract us towards goodness, sustain us in life's trials and help us bear them with courage and resignation. The Imperfect Spirits induce us towards error.

Jesus is the Guide and Model for all Humankind here on Earth. The Teachings He brought and exemplified are the purest expression of God's Law.

The morality of Christ, as contained in the Gospels, is guidance for the secure progress of all Human Beings. Its practice is the solution for all human problems and the objective to be attained by Humankind.

Human Beings are given free-will to act, but they must answer for the consequences of their actions.

Future life reserves penalties and pleasures according to the respect that has been shown for God's laws.

Prayer is an act of adoration for God. It is found in Natural Law and is the result of an innate sentiment in every Human Being, just as the idea of the existence of the Creator is innate.

Prayer helps to make Humans better. Whoever prays with fervor and confidence grows stronger against evil temptations and God sends the Good Spirits to assist them. This assistance will never be denied when requested with sincerity.

M. K. Čiurlionio paveikslas „Rojus” iš čiurlionis.eu

Spiritism in practice

Bet kokia spiritistų veikla yra nemokama, nes vadovaujasi moraliniu Evangelijos principu: „už dyką gavai, už dyką ir atiduok”.

Spiritism is practiced with simplicity, without any external forms of worship, within the Christian principle that God should be worshiped in spirit and in truth.

Spiritism has no clergy, nor does it adopt or use at any of its meetings or during its practices the following: altars, images, candles, processions, sacraments, concession of indulgences, religious vestments, alcoholic or hallucinogenic beverages, incense, tobacco, talismans, amulets, horoscopes, cartomancy, pyramids, crystals, or any other objects, rituals or external forms of worship.

Spiritism does not impose its principles. Rather it invites those interested in knowing it to submit its Teachings to the test of reason and logic before accepting them.

Mediumship, which allows Spirits to communicate with incarnate people, is a faculty which many individuals bring with them at birth, independent of whatever religion or beliefs they may hold or come to adopt.

Spiritist mediumship practice is solely that which is exercised based on the principles of the Spiritist Teachings and within Christian moral concepts.

Spiritizmas gerbia visas religijas ir doktrinas, vertina bet kokias tobulėjimo pastangas bei tarnauja brolybei ir taikai tarp visų tautų ir žmonių, nepriklausomai nuo jų rasės, spalvos, tautybės, įsitikinimų, kultūros lygio ar socialinės padėties. Spiritizmas taip pat pripažįsta, kad „tikrai geras žmogus yra tas, kuris vadovaujasi tyriausiais teisingumo, meilės, gailestingumo Įstatymais” (Evangelija pagal Spiritizmą – 17 skyrius – 3 pastraipa)

The works of Allan Kardec will help understanding rightfully the Spiritism doctrine.

Mediums' Book - chapter III

Methodology

We have stated that Spiritism is an complete science, an entire philosophy in and of itself. Those who would desire to become thoroughly familiar with it must first of all submit to a serious study of the subject and become persuaded that, more than any other science, it cannot be learned without commitment. (Medium's book - First Part - Chapter III - Methodology)

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In the Spirits' book the Spirits explain that the matter of spirits is secondary and successive; it is not the starting point, and this is precisely the error into which one falls and often the reason for one’s failure with certain people. Since spirits are simply human souls, the correct starting point is therefore the existence of the soul.

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In a word, before trying to make them Spiritists, try to make them SPIRITUALISTS.

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True Spiritists never lack an opportunity to do good: afflicted hearts to relieve, consolation to offer, desperate emotions to calm, moral reforms to instill. This is their mission, wherein they will find true satisfaction. Spiritism pervades the atmosphere; it is expanding because of the very force of circumstances and because it enables those who profess it to be happy.

Hearing this echo around you, among your friends, those who fight against it will understand the isolation they find themselves in and will be forced to remain silent or give up.

What Is Spiritism?: This booklet of only a hundred pages or so presents a summary of the principles of the Spiritist Doctrine, a general overview that enables one to see the whole in a condensed picture. In only a few words, one can ascertain its objective and judge its scope. Furthermore, it presents the principal questions or objections that newcomers are usually inclined to raise. Such an initial reading, which requires but little time, is an introduction that will facilitate a more in-depth study.
The Spirits’ Book: This book contains the complete Doctrine as dictated by the Spirits themselves, and contains their entire philosophy and all its moral implications. It reveals humankind’s destiny and provides an initiation into the understanding of the nature of spirits and the mysteries of life beyond the grave. By reading it, one comprehends that Spiritism has a serious objective and that it is not a frivolous pastime.
The Mediums’ Book: This book is intended to guide those who wish to become involved with the manifestations, and provides an understanding of the most appropriate means for communicating with spirits. It is a guide for both mediums and evokers, and supplements The Spirits’ Book.
Revue Spirite: This journal is an assorted collection of phenomenological incidents, theoretical explanations and separate excerpts, which supplement what is found in the other previously mentioned works, somewhat comprising their practical application.
It may be read simultaneously with the others, although it will be more profitable, and especially more intelligible if one reads it after having read The Spirits’ Book.