Basis of
Modern Spiritism
Biblical basis and
the Spirits of Truth
Authority of the
Spirits of Truth
Qualifications of
students
Impediments to
learning
Limitations of the
student
Limitations of
mediums
Limitations of the communicating
spirit
Methods of guidance
Other guidelines and
rules relevant to our studies
Our choice
Basis of Modern
Spiritism
In ancient times, there have always been prophets and mediums in communication
with the Divine. The Hebrews had Abraham, Moses and the Prophets. The Hindus
and Buddhists had their adepts. The Christians dreamed dreams and spoke in
tongues. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad and his revelations became
the underlying basis of Islam. There were the Oracle of Delphi and the State
Oracle of Tibet. However, in the past, people did not really know what they
were doing and even if they did know, they would not tell others, with good
reason; people then did not have the capacity to comprehend. Still, the very
same principles that applied then apply even now. And that body of divine
knowledge that has come down to the world during these modern times since the
1850s is what we now term as Spiritism.
We are at the threshold of a coming new age. And every new age brings new
knowledge, knowledge that will bring man a few more steps closer to his God.
Today, new explanations, new insights, new approaches, new teachings are being
made available. Man now is considered sufficiently evolved such that, today,
even the mysteries kept hidden since the foundation of the world are slowly
being unfolded and made plain.
Biblical basis and the
Spirits of Truth
When Jesus Christ was yet in the world, he promised he would send the Holy
Spirits to guide us and bring all things to our remembrance. Today, this
promise is being fulfilled.
The Holy Spirits are our highly evolved brothers-in-spirit of all faiths. They
are the residents of God’s Heaven. They have attained to union with God. They
know the whole Truth. Having attained to full knowledge and experience by
virtue of their own past incarnations, they are the most qualified to guide
forward those of us who are still on the Earth plane. They are our elder brothers,
our friends and guides. And these Spirits of Truth directly oversee the
operations of some six hundred Spiritist study centers in the Philippines,
alone.
Authority of the
Spirits of Truth
The Spirits of Truth are charged with the administration of God’s will and
divine instruction over all creation. As such, their services are not confined
to Spiritists alone, but extend to all other groups, as well. Nothing happens
on Earth without their knowledge and express permission. All that comes is what
is best, even pain and suffering. It is for each of us to seek out the answers
to the mysteries of life.
They are behind the renewed activities of the oriental gurus and the western
evangelists. They are directly involved in the miraculous healings effected through
charismatic groups and evangelical denominations. The people of the world must
all be prepared for the coming of the New Age. And the spiritual revival
movements will continue to escalate until this New Age is finally here.
Qualifications of
students
In order to avail of this Higher Spiritual Learning, prospective students must
have certain minimum qualifications:
1. The applicant must be
genuinely motivated for the right reasons
Many enter into these studies merely to satisfy their curiosity. They’ve
heard something about the teachings but don’t really know what they are about.
Some come for healing. The doctors have given up on them, or else, were not
able to heal them. Others are just too poor; they cannot afford to go to a
doctor. After hearing of miraculous healings taking place, they become
attracted to the healers. Others come for the powers and increased perceptions
that can be obtained. In the beginning, we all come for some selfish reasons.
However, if we really want to progress in these studies, our goals must ascend
to a higher order. We must be genuinely motivated to do some good, not just for
ourselves, but for others, as well.
2. The applicant must have an
earnest desire to learn and develop spiritually
Desire fuels our efforts. Unless we want something badly enough, we won’t
exert the necessary efforts and we can never attain. We also need to have a
clear objective. And it must be the right objective. The purpose of these
studies is not to be the pursuit of worldly goals. Worldly matters are of no
great concern to the Spirits of Truth. Instead, they are primarily and
exclusively focused on spiritual objectives and spiritual development. These
are the things that are far more important to God. We must also realize that
all things can be learned provided we apply ourselves to our studies.
3. The applicant must be serious, determined and willing to persevere
These studies require great sacrifices, much time and patient
efforts. No one can continue unless he is deeply committed. Each lesson carries
a high price in terms of sweat and tears, pain and suffering. All things of
value are worth paying their price.
These three are the most important qualifications. The rest come later. It
doesn’t matter that you are a sinner. We all are, anyway. And no matter how
grave your sin, provided you meet these three requirements, you can be accepted
as a student.
You may feel incapable of a total commitment. That is alright, too. Your
instruction can be gradual and suited to your own particular needs. You can
study part-time if you cannot do it full-time. No one can study all the time,
either. Everyone still needs to attend to some worldly concerns.
Impediments to Learning
Those who decide to pursue these studies have many obstacles they will need to
overcome:
1. Pride
We should have confidence in ourselves and take pride in our
accomplishments. However, we should not delude ourselves. No matter what our
present status in life, how powerful we may be, how successful or how rich, we
still have much to learn. Even though we may have attended the best schools and
are teachers in our own right, still, we don’t know enough. “The knowledge of
the world is foolishness to God.” We should always be open to instruction from
all quarters. Those who are behind us can remind us of the lessons we have
already learned. Those who are ahead can provide valuable insights to guide us.
There is Light in the greatest and in the least.
2. Impatience
Truth must be built from the ground up. It takes time to build solid
foundations. All knowledge based on false premises cannot endure. Every
proposition must be thoroughly scrutinized and understood before they are
accepted or retained. Many want the truth now, not tomorrow, not next week, but
today, now. But this is like asking a doctor of medicine who completed his
education only after many years of study to impart all he knows to a student in
just a couple of days or weeks and expect that student to be able to heal
outright. This cannot be, nor is this reasonable. Learning necessarily requires
much time and patient efforts.
3. Close-mindedness
We need to be open to new concepts and teachings. Otherwise, we
won’t be able to progress. It is understandable for us to be attached to our
present beliefs. However, if life does not conform to these beliefs, then our
understanding must be wrong. We should seek out new answers where our own are
proven inadequate. It is especially difficult to let go of long-held beliefs
and false notions, but this must be done before we can move forward. Life is a
continuous breaking down and building anew, but each time, better than before.
4. Inability to be true to self
Let us not pretend to be good when we are not. We must be honest
enough to admit our faults and weaknesses. We should see ourselves as we really
are without the frills and the trimmings. We can effect necessary improvements
only after we recognize our character deficiencies. God is righteous and we
need to be like Him before we can really know Him and live with Him in His
kingdom.
5. Worldly involvements
Certain Earthly preoccupations are still necessary and, in fact,
should take precedence over our spiritual pursuits. However, we should not
overemphasize their importance. Instead, we should keep our spiritual goals
always in sight and give them the priority they deserve.
6. Lust for the things of the world
For as long as we are thirsty, we need to drink. Similarly, we need
to fully satisfy our worldly cravings. However, Earthly things are not to be
desired. We should gradually turn from them and prefer, instead, the things of
the spirit. The more we remain fascinated by worldly pleasures, the longer it will
take us to attain to the real treasures in Heaven.
7. Wrong attitudes
Some are far too demanding. They think God owes them an explanation.
They never think to mend their ways, instead. But God only answers those who
wait patiently with an open and repentant heart. Others want every benefit
without working for them. They argue that Jesus already paid for their sins and
that God is like a genie, just waiting at their pleasure to grant their every
wish. But this is not what God has decreed. Instead, we should never expect
something for nothing. More, we must be willing to give before we can receive.
Limitations of the
student
Contrary to what most people believe, our life did not begin when we were born.
In fact, we were already existing before this world was created. We have come a
long way but we have only just begun. The road stretches farther still.
We are presently, each of us, at a particular stage in the order of evolution.
We have already learned much and experienced much which have shaped our
character and conditioned our attitudes and predispositions. We have enabled
ourselves to easily comprehend many things by intuitively remembering the
essence of related lessons already learned in our past lives. We have also
developed many of our faculties and abilities, which can just as easily be made
available to us in this life.
From here, we move on to new lessons, but this time, progress proceeds more
slowly. This explains why each of us understands differently, why we have
different inborn abilities, talents, likes and dislikes and why each has
different needs that require special attention.
Some of us are more ready to turn spiritual than others, owing to their having
had more incarnations and more experiences. Those who are more advanced will be
more open and ready for these teachings, they having satisfied much of their
worldly cravings in lives past. Similarly, they will be entitled to receive
much higher-level instruction than the others who are still at the lower stages
of development.
Limitations of mediums
Likewise, mediums, including the prophets of old, although supposed to be
servants of the Lord are not necessarily already very highly evolved,
spiritually. Every one of them is still a student undergoing specialized
instruction and training. They have attained to varying levels of spiritual
attainment and spiritual understanding. Their mediumistic abilities are
proficient to the degree to which they have developed them in their past lives.
However, depending on their level in the order of evolution, they still do many
foolish things and are themselves full of superstitions. In addition, they
commit a lot of mistakes, besides. Therefore, concerning any message relayed
through them, there will always be some amount of distortion.
Where complex concepts are involved, these must first be understood and
interpreted by the medium before he may effectively relay the information. But there
are many higher principles that are beyond the ordinary medium’s
capacity to comprehend. Such principles will filter out like coded
messages and the student will then have to read between the lines.
Where thoughts and not the actual words are transmitted by the Spirits, the
mediums have to translate them into their own words drawing from their limited
vocabulary. In fact, our own English and all other languages combined are so
thoroughly deficient in describing higher spiritual principles and deeper
truths. Therefore, in the translation into words, so much is lost.
Where the medium disagrees with any message or if such message runs counter
to his strongly held beliefs, he is bound to resist and even issue a contrary
message which is more in accord with his own understanding and belief.
Sometimes, the medium may have a vested interest in matters relating to the
communication. It takes a very highly evolved and ethical person not to take
advantage by editing the message to suit his own objectives. Many mediums fall
short of this criterion.
Mediums also have a tendency to affect the quality and tone of the message
depending on whether they like or dislike the students under instruction.
Similarly, any serious character flaw or deficiency on the part of the
medium will taint the messages.
Further, each medium has his own field of specialization. Some are especially
knowledgeable as far as the principles and teachings are concerned. Others
focus more on the development of mediumship, while others are particularly
competent only in the healing aspects of the teachings.
In all these, it is important to remember that no matter how pure the water you
pour into the glass, the water gets contaminated if the glass is dirty. And
no medium is perfectly clean or thoroughly competent.
Limitations of the
Communicating Spirit
There is always a Spirit-in-charge of the proceedings. We also have our own
guardian angels to assist us. However, owing to the need for specialized
knowledge depending on the lesson at hand, all classes of spirits are allowed
to communicate with us. Just like us, they, too, have different degrees of
knowledge, different abilities, styles and viewpoints. We shall know them
by their language and the thoughts that they impart.
We should continue to allow them to communicate with us for as long as the
messages and guidance they provide bring good. However, once the opposite
becomes true, then we should be wary and act accordingly, even to the extent of
terminating the communication.
Methods of Guidance
In the various Spiritist study centers, guidance is provided in many different
ways. The messages given through trance or telepathic mediums clarify the old
truths. New insights are given. Daily, the old superstitions and misconceptions
are gradually being dispelled by the Light of Truth.
There are available for reference, in the centers, themselves, or over the
Internet and elsewhere, all the various sacred books, religious writings and
other inspired works, old and more recent, of every religion covering all the
theoretical aspects of the teachings. Sometimes our attention will be called to
a certain book or item of information which specifically addresses some
particular need of the moment. Sometimes our Guides will inspire someone to
personally insert their important message in our ordinary conversations. At
other times while we sleep, we are allowed to visit places in the Astral World
where we can confer with our Guides. When we awaken, we will be able to retain
some subconscious memory of the important highlights of the meeting although,
in general, our conscious mind will just vaguely remember that we had a very
pleasant dream.
In order to prove the theoretical teachings, we need the necessary practical
experiences. Many such experiences can be provided through the facility of
mediumship. Remember that we have developed some of these faculties in our past
lives. None of these developed abilities are ever lost. There are enough child
prodigies and people with inborn talents who are living proofs of this truth.
We just need to undergo a process of remembering in order to recover those
forgotten abilities and powers. Once our faculties have been restored to their
previous level of utility, then we can proceed to develop them further with the
help of the Spirits of Truth. In addition to providing proofs, we are also
given the opportunity to help others through the use of these spiritual powers.
All of our experiences are guided to a certain degree. Conditions and
circumstances are specially simulated to afford us the best opportunity to
learn our required lessons. We believe ourselves to be flesh and blood but we
are not. We are spirit beings. We think the Earth is our home but Heaven is
where we really belong. We feel harmed when our body suffers when instead, our
spirit consciousness learns and develops. We are afraid to die when “it is in
dying that we are born to eternal life.” This world is, after all, the World of
Illusion. Things are not really what they seem to be. The World of Reality lies
just beyond Earth. We are able to learn much from our guided Earthly
experiences. However, learning not tested is not proved, hence we are also
required to undergo continuous and rigorous testing to prove that we really
have learned our lessons.
Every new lesson and every test of our learning bring the pain and the
suffering that cannot be avoided. How can we learn unless we experience both
the beautiful and the ugly, the good and the bad, the pleasurable and the
painful? How can we be tested to see if we will return love for hate unless
someone hates us, and good for evil unless we are harmed? How can we practice
passive non-retaliation unless we fall victim to some crime? How can we learn
patience unless we experience hassles and delays? Tolerance, unless we become
victims of prejudice and domination?
Further, our mistakes all have to be rectified. Our debts must be paid.
Therefore, sufficient opportunities will be provided to enable us to even the
score, clean our slate. Where needed, we will be compelled to experience the
harm we inflicted upon another to the same degree. These are the consequences
of the Law of Karma.
And in order for us to get ahead and store up treasure in Heaven, we are
provided the excellent opportunities to render some valuable services to our
fellowmen.
Other guidelines and
rules relevant to our studies
Before we can make any real headway in these studies, there are certain guide
rules we should also consider. We have discussed how the student must have to
overcome some major obstacles that impede his progress. We enumerated the
limitations of all those involved and all these must be taken into account.
Every student must learn to discern before he can earn the right to know the
truth. He must also make allowances for all such limitations.
These studies are not for everyone. In fact, it is not enough that we ask to be
guided. We also need to be deserving of the guidance. Many complain that they
are unable to understand: they have not gotten healed; or that they have seen
no miraculous signs or manifestations. From the point of view of the Spirits of
Truth, these are advanced studies to be administered only to those who have
prepared themselves for this specialized kind of instruction. “Don’t give that which is holy to dogs neither cast your
pearls before swine.” According to our auric lights, the Spirits of
Truth know who are ready and who are not. Like the fisherman who throws small
fish back into the sea for harvesting at a later date, those who are ready are
encouraged and guided but those who are not are turned away.
All those under instruction will have to imbibe the principles they have
learned in their daily life. As we hold to the teachings and apply them, we
will be able to understand more and more. It is the practice that brings
unfoldment. Enlightenment cannot just be given. It needs to be earned by doing.
Many come seeking for healing or solutions to their problems. They ask for
money, a new house, a good job or a faithful husband or wife. And to many, even
these are given. However, the genuine student knows that all we really need are
already provided to us, even without our asking for them. Instead, he wisely
strives to understand the hidden lessons and spiritual blessings behind his
every experience, even those that bring pain and sorrow, and then, endeavors to
act in a manner that will afford him every benefit possible from the
opportunity provided him. He realizes that this is the only way he can prevent
the recurrence of such unwanted miseries in his life.
In attaining to our goal of righteousness, we should not be overly demanding or
too lenient. We must be practical and understanding concerning our efforts.
There is only so much that we can do. Embattled as we are by powerful forces of
evil in the world, we are bound to falter, even succumb, at times. “The flesh
is weak.” However, we just need to realize our mistakes and strive to do
better, next time. In all these, self-realization self-corrects automatically.
Once we realize our faults and weaknesses, then we can be patient with
ourselves and we can continue to pursue our spiritual goals at our own pace and
in our own time.
All the different Spiritist study centers represent different levels of
instruction and aspects of the divine teachings. There are different approaches
and teaching styles. There are also different fields of specialization. Every
student is enjoined to go on missions to various centers and get exposed to
different mediums and Spirit teachers. This will enable him to better evaluate
the differences and wisely choose which center to attend and which particular
group, Spirit teacher or medium can best help him to progress.
In the world, people place too much trust on conferred names and titles. They
also want to know: Is he rich, Is he powerful, Whom does he know. But, the way
of the world is not the way of God. With reference to Spirit communications, it
is the thought, the message, that is important. The source of the message is
not so important, because truth speaks for itself. Therefore, every message
should be subjected to the test of reason in the light of our own individual
experiences. The basic rule is to accept only those that we find to be
reasonable and to reject all that we do not.
Our Choice
This then is what Spiritism (Guidance by the Spirits of Truth) is all about.
Spiritism is the Path that some have chosen who seek to know their God. And if
you so choose, you could make this Path your own.
But begin your journey today. Turn from wickedness and hold to the good. Heaven
waits for all who wish to enter therein. But only the most determined can ever
find the way. It is for each of us to make our own decision. We, alone, have
the right to make the choice between darkness and light, between Earthly
sorrows and the peace, happiness and eternal life that can only be found in
Heaven.
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