The Age
of Science
The limits of science
Spiritualism —
Perceivings of a different world
Spiritism — Guidance
by the Spirits of Truth
Biblical bases
Basic teachings
The existence of God
The existence of the spirit
The reality of the Spirit World
Oneness and brotherhood of all
Reincarnation
The Law of Karma
Infinite progression of the spirit entity
Personal responsibility and salvation through
individual effort
Mediumship as a means of communication with the Spirit
World
Love and service as the Way
The Path to
enlightenment
The Age of Science
Today, science is regarded almost as a god. Everything now must be in
conformity with the discovered laws of science. This is understandable because
of the great advances in scientific technology during these last 200 years.
These days, we take many things for granted. But many things which are common
place today and which are known to everyone today were not common nor were they
known just two centuries ago.
Then, the electric light was not yet in existence, nor was electricity as we
know it easily available. Today, this is unthinkable. There were no such things
as gas-fueled motor vehicles. We had to walk long distances for hours to get
where we wanted to go. Radio and TV were unheard of. So were newspapers and
magazines. The news would take days to get around.
There were no airplanes, submarines and air pollution. The telephone and the
telegraph were not yet in use. To deliver a message, they sent out pigeons. And
if anyone living during those days of ignorance even hinted at such
preposterous concepts and novelties, he would very definitely have been
regarded as a fool and a dreamer. But now we know better. We now know that the
fools — Galileo, Magellan, Edison and the Wright brothers — were right all
along, and that all the rest were the ones who were really foolish.
Still, much the same situation prevails today. Because of these most recent
and, admittedly, great scientific findings and influences, the materialists,
also called scientists, now tend to think that the material and physical laws
are all there is to know, and they are inclined to dismiss the spiritual
aspects of life as unimportant and without basis in fact.
The limits of science
However, science is, itself, very limited and thoroughly deficient. The
whole of the physical sciences account for only a small portion of the whole of
creation. Material science accepts only what the five physical senses can
perceive and those that can be perceived by its puny scientific instruments.
But there is far more to life than what we can see and touch. Since material
science rejects these non-physical realities, therefore, its findings leave
much to be desired.
We should never deny the existence and the reality of something simply because
we cannot as yet understand it. Instead, we should always be open to all
possible explanations. We should never close our eyes to the more spiritual
aspects of life, because they are the things that, precisely, lie at the root
of everything that is. And, if we are to move forward in our development, they
are what we must strive to become more aware of.
Spiritualism —
Perceivings of a different world
At about 1850, many events took place that jolted many materialistic minds from
their self-imposed ignorance. Truly, as Christ told us long ago, “Unless you
see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” At that time in most of Europe
and America, there came an awakening of sorts and people begun to question
their limited and confused, although, supposedly scientific conception of life
and death, and their preferential regard for the material side of life to the
exclusion of the spiritual.
The sensation of the day were the phenomena of Spiritualism. Where before, a
lot of people thought that life ends at death, now, all of a sudden, some
“foolish” mediums and quacks were claiming that they were in communication with
the spirits of the departed — Uneducated simpletons, no doubt.
There were a lot of shaking and quaking going on even when there was no
earthquake. Tables were rapping their Morse code-like messages. One for yes and
two for no. Trumpets were flying all over every place and heralding messages
from beyond the grave. Glasses and other UFOs were jumping all over Ouija
boards at the touch of your fingertips. Spirits, images and things were
appearing and disappearing. It was, at the very least, very entertaining after
you get over your initial fright. But at the time, very few were able to
appreciate the deeper implications. And of course, a lot of this nonsense were
subsequently proven to be false. However, despite all the fakery and the
sustained ghost busting activities of non-believers, the phenomena, as well as
their advocates, have persisted and, in fact, the movement has grown.
Much later, in the Philippines, as in Brazil, the phenomena of faith healing
and psychic surgery became famous or notorious, depending on who is speaking.
And it is mostly for this reason that many have become interested in these
studies. However, all these phenomena are only the tip of the iceberg, because
there is so very much more that is simply waiting for you to discover.
Spiritism —
Guidance by the Spirits of Truth
A short time after Modern Spiritualism became widespread, Spiritism came to
prominence. The more intelligent among the people had gotten over the initial
shock or curiosity brought about by the increasing incidence of Spiritualist
phenomena and were more inclined to their study with a view to their proper
harnessing. In answer to this need, a special team of highly evolved Spirit
teachers composed of John the Evangelist and others, who were apparently still
very much alive, undertook the work of introducing the unknown operative
spiritual principles and concepts that were to precede the new and advanced
divine teachings.
Because “Only the pure in heart will be able to see God,” they chose a morally
upright Frenchman with strong scientific leanings to help them in this work.
Through various mediums, the Spirit teachers proceeded to transmit to this man
their messages and teachings. Subsequently, the messages were compiled and the
principles contained therein were incorporated into a book aptly titled ‘The
Spirits’ Book.’
In order to further demonstrate the distinct character of the New Teachings,
the Frenchman was instructed to write under the penname of Allan Kardec. ‘The
Spirits’ Book’ later became the basic reference and guidebook of all Spiritists
or simply put, those persons who choose to pursue further spiritual studies
under the guidance of these higher Spirit entities. However, ‘The Spirits’
Book’ is just the beginning, only the ABC as it were, and, subsequently, other
and more advanced teachings continue to be provided through various mediums and
Spiritualist or Spiritist study centers in many parts of the world.
Biblical bases
Since ages past, many predictions have foretold of a coming Age of
Enlightenment. Christ, himself, referred to this Age when he told us, “Today,
I speak to you in parable, but the time is coming when I will be speaking to
you plainly.” And again he said 2,000 years ago, “Oh, there is so much more
I want to tell you, but you cannot understand it now. Albeit, when the Spirits
of Truth and Holiness come, they will guide you to all the Truth.”
True to his word, the Spirits of Truth are here with us, today. Today, the
mysteries of the Universe are slowly being unfolded in our midst. Now all
things are being made plain. For this is the beginning of a New Era in the life
of our planet. And, today, the answer to every question is being made
available.
The Spirits of Truth or what the Christians have come to know as the Holy
Spirit are literally what their name suggests. They are spirit beings that are
already holy. They are just like you and me, but, unlike us, they are already
very highly evolved and enlightened beings. They have gone far ahead of any of
us still here on the Earth plane of existence. They had lived just like any
human in times past. They had experienced all that we have yet to experience.
They have completed their own Earthly education. Thus, they are the best
qualified to guide us towards all that we seek to learn.
It is only a matter of increasing one’s sensitivity in order to perceive
vibrations beyond the range of normal human perception. And as we become more
open to such higher influences, the more we can become aware of these greater
realities.
Spiritism is premised on the reality of life after death. To those who can
believe in the separate existence of the spirit entity apart from the physical
body, it should not be too difficult to consider that communication with such a
spirit-consciousness must be possible. But the Spiritists have gone further
than mere theorizing. On the basis of their own personal experiences, they are
able to attest very definitely that such a possibility is a reality and that
such an experience, being equally available to everyone, is not as rare as many
would suppose.
These are the bases of Spiritism in the Philippines. While the object of
Spiritualism and Channeling in the West, which form Phase 1, so to speak, of
the New Age Movement, is merely to provide proofs of survival, it is given to
Spiritism, the next forward step, to provide for the introduction and the
dissemination of the explanations and New Teachings of the New Age.
Basic teachings
Through the guidance of these Spirits of Truth, the old truths are made plain
and the New Teachings are advanced for our consideration. The most important
principles are the following:
1. The existence of God
God may be defined as Infinite Intelligence. Imperfect as we are and still
greatly influenced by matter, we are unable to completely understand the true
exact nature of God. Finite minds cannot comprehend the infinite. In addition,
our vocabulary is so limited that we are unable to more satisfactorily define
God. While we may attribute to God certain very desirable and positive
characteristics, we should never feel that God is confined to such attributes.
To do so would be to limit God, Who is unlimited. However, we will be able to
know and comprehend God more fully just as soon as we become totally freed from
Earthly influences and approach the righteousness that is God according to His
ethical teachings.
2. The
existence of the spirit
God created us spirit beings in His image. However, at our creation, we
were created perfect seeds, innocent and ignorant, but endowed with every
potentiality to grow and develop to full maturity or perfection through our own
exertions.
3. The
reality of the Spirit World
There are other dimensions of being, other worlds apart from the physical
worlds and the Earth in which we live at the moment. There are “many mansions”
in the Kingdom of God. We leave these more spiritual worlds temporarily when we
are born to Earth, and we return to them at physical death. And there, we will
live for all eternity as soon as we prove ourselves worthy.
4. Oneness
and brotherhood of all
At this Earthly stage of our development, most humans are just beginning to
curb their selfishness and selfish interests in favor of the common good. We
are only now considering our planet as a single spaceship or boat in the vast
sea of space. We are only now learning not to rock the boat lest we sink the
ship and drown all of us, together. But, eventually, gradually, we will come to
learn that all are one. Nothing exists outside of God; but everyone and everything
is in God, the All in All.
5. Reincarnation
In order to further develop spiritually, we spirit beings repeatedly come
to Earth and other physical worlds by motivating physical bodies which will
enable us to undergo all the necessary experiences that afford learning until
such time that we are able to arrive at a certain prescribed standard of
spiritual perfection.
6. The Law
of Karma
This is the Law of Harmony that provides for the restoration of balance to
all things. This is also the law of cause and effect, and sowing and reaping.
Relative to ethical matters, the law was not intended to punish offenders as
much as to teach us right from wrong, and good and evil.
7. Infinite
progression of the spirit entity
No one will be committed to suffer forever in hell. All who are not yet
fully developed or perfected will continue to be given every opportunity to
improve himself in the Lower Worlds. This process continues until we are able
to attain to the perfection that God intended. We are destined to come live
with Him in His Kingdom after we have completed our Earthly studies.
8. Personal
responsibility and salvation through individual effort
Having been given free will, we alone have the right to decide regarding
personal matters. “We are the captain of our soul, the master of our fate.” We
only need to learn the divine laws and their consequences and abide by them in
order to ensure for ourselves the kind of life we desire. It follows that God
won’t and Jesus cannot save us because this is in direct contravention of His
divine will. Instead, Jesus having shown us the Way, we now need to save
ourselves through our own personal efforts.
9. Mediumship
as a means of communication with the Spirit World
By developing our higher faculties, we are able to break through the
barriers between this world and the Higher Worlds thereby obtaining undeniable
proofs and further divine instruction.
10. Love
and service as the Way
Emphasis is given to righteousness, which is love in action, and active
service to our fellowmen as the Way to obtain release from the necessity of
further incarnations and the attainment of eternal life in the Spirit World,
the World of Reality.
From the foregoing, there can be no other conclusion but that life after
death is certain. In fact, this world is just an illusion. It is fantasy
and make believe. It is transient and impermanent. But the invisible world
is the real world. And when we die and vacate our bodies, we will enter
into the Reality and our life on Earth will to us become as a mere dream. Earth
life is but a dream.
The
path to enlightenment
To many people, it is becoming more and more evident that there is so very much
more that we need to learn. And many people are now beginning to realize that
these truths can now be found and understanding can be had. We should no longer
be content with only the little that we now know. Instead, we should strive and
seek for greater understanding in all things. God does not desire that we
remain in ignorance. Because He loves us, He wants us to learn more of Him and
more about ourselves, as well. And now, today, is the time to do this with the
help of His Spirits of Truth.
In any field of knowledge, we learn only as we study. A student desiring to
become a medical doctor must have qualified himself first before he may even be
allowed to enter medical school. In the Philippines, he must have gone through
six or seven years of grade schooling, four years of intermediate (high) school
and he must have graduated from a 4-year preparatory collegiate course. After
having been accepted to medical school, he continues to study at least four
more years, undergoes a 2-year internship training program and finally, he must
pass the Medical Board Examinations. Twenty years of preparatory study all in
all. All these requirements must be complied with before he may be allowed to
practice medicine. Then, before he can become really proficient, he must
undergo apprenticeship training for quite a number of years more in his
particular field of specialization. In short, the really good doctor didn’t
acquire his skills in a day nor was he able to gain his knowledge and expertise
so easily.
But the whole field of medical science is, actually, a very limited field of
knowledge compared to the “all truth”
that the Spirits of Truth teach. And yet some people expect to learn everything
in just a few weeks or months of study. But we must be realistic, because this
simply cannot be. Learning, if it is to be effective and lasting, can come only
gradually.
Many of you will be demanding for all sorts of proofs. And you should — because
if you do not, then we would consider you to be foolish and gullible. Know now
that we, too, questioned all these propositions and we are enjoined even now to
continue to do the same with all new ideas and concepts. We are to accept
only those teachings that are reasonable and can be proven in the light of our
own personal experiences, and to reject all that are not and cannot.
Nevertheless, all that anyone really needs can be made available to him,
provided he is willing to work persistently and hard until those needs are met.
However, for so long as anyone insists, much like the materialist scientist, in
confining his investigations only to physical considerations, he will never be
able to find the proofs he seeks.
Besides, there is a prerequisite to the receipt of this knowledge. Christ
exhorted us, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and
His righteousness and then all things
will simply be added on to you.” And again he also told us, “If you adhere to my teachings, you will be my disciples,
indeed, and you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free.”
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