Conduct of Spiritists
“The true Spiritist can be recognized by their moral transformation and by the efforts they employ in order to overcome their bad instincts.” Allan Kardec, The Gospel According to Spiritism - Ch. 17, Item 4
- The Spiritist Practice
- The Spiritist Conscience
- The Spiritist Worker
- The Good Spiritists
- The Mission of Spiritists
- Guide for a New Posture
THE SPIRITIST PRACTICE
All Spiritist practices are gratuitous, following the orientation of the moral principle found in the Gospel: “Give for free what you receive for free.”
Spiritism is practiced with simplicity, without any external forms of worship, within the Christian principle that God should be worshipped 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, paraments, 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. It invites those interested in knowing it to submit its teachings to the test of reason before accepting them.
Mediumship, which allows the Spirits to communicate with Human Beings, is a faculty which many individuals bring with them at birth, independent of whatever religion or beliefs they may come to adopt.
Spiritist mediumship practice is solely that which is exercised based on the principles of the Spiritist Doctrine and within the Christian morality.
Spiritism respects all religions and doctrines; values all efforts towards the practice of goodness; works towards peace and fellowship between all nations and all peoples, regardless of race, color, nationality, creed, cultural or social standing. It also recognizes that the truly good person is one who complies with the laws of justice, love, and charity in their highest degree of purity.
INTERNATIONAL SPIRITIST COUNCIL, Preparation of Workers for Spiritist Activities Oct. 99
THE SPIRITIST CONSCIENCE
You declare that you do not understand the purpose for so much self-reproach in the messages given by discarnate spiritists. So-and-so, who had an excellent service report on earth, states in a communication that he did not act as well as he should have while living there. Another, known by great virtues, communicates through several mediums that he deplores the precious time wasted…. And you, on your turn, after taking in these interesting statements, declare: “The impression is that our fellow spiritists speaking from the Great Beyond are tormented by terrible feelings of guilt. How to explain this phenomenon?”
It is said that Allan Kardec, while gathering the texts from which The Spirits’ Book would originate, on a certain night went to bed greatly impressed by an account of a dream Martin Luther once had. The great Reformer, in his days, had the conviction of having been in paradise garnering information regarding celestial bliss.
Greatly moved, Kardec, the codifier of the Spiritist Doctrine, went to sleep and also saw himself out of his body, in a singular out-of-body experience. There, next to him, he identified an envoy of the Sublime Planes who transported him, unexpectedly, to a place submerged in fog, where thousands of beings groaned in horrible suffering. Sobs of affliction were heard mixed with shoutings of wrath, and blasphemies followed shrieks of crazy laughter.
Amazed, and recalling the tyrants of History, Kardec inquired:
“Are these the ones who crucified Jesus? “
“No, not one of them,” replied the solicitous guide. “Although carrying the burden of their responsibility, they were in essence ignorant of the evil they were committing. The Master himself helped them get rid of their remorse, extending to them blessed reincarnations wherein they paid their transgressions to the Law. “
“Are they then the Roman emperors? For they certainly must suffer in this place the very same pain they inflicted upon Humanity.”
“No, nothing of the sort. Men like Tiberius or Caligula did not possess the minimum notion of spirituality. Some of them, after several regenerative periods on Earth, have already risen to more advanced planes, while others are still interned in the physical realm, at the brink of redemption.“
“By any chance, are the imprisoned in these gloomy gorges the torturers of the Christians of the first centuries of the Gospel?” asked the visitor.
“Indeed not,” answered the lucid companion. “The torturers of the followers of Jesus in the apostolic days were men and women who were almost savages in spite of the outer coats of civilization they displayed. They have been all guided towards reincarnation to acquire instruction and understanding.”
The codifier of Spiritism thought of the conquerors of Antiquity such as Attila, Alaric, Hannibal, and Genghis Khan. However, before being able to utter a new question, the envoy, following Kardec’s thought, replied:
“The warriors you remember are not wandering around here. They knew nothing about the realities of the spirit and, for that reason, received pious assistance. They were directed to other reincarnations to atone for their transgressions according to the faults they had committed.”
“Then tell me,” pleaded Kardec, extremely moved, “who are these sufferers whose howling and curses are crushing my soul?”
Unperturbed, the guide clarified:
“We have here with us the ones who were on Earth fully educated and aware of the significance of Goodness and Truth, but who deliberately turned away from Truth and Goodness, especially the unfaithful Christians from every epoch, perfectly knowledgeable of the lessons and examples of Christ, but who nonetheless gave in to evil on their own free will. For them, a new beginning on Earth is always more difficult.”
Shocked with the unexpected response, Kardec returned to his body, and immediately thereafter stood up and wrote down the question he would present the following night to the mentors of the work in progress, and which would become Question number 642 of The Spirits’ Book: “In order to be acceptable in the sight of God, and to insure our future happiness, is it sufficient not to have done evil?” To which the instructors replied: “No; it is necessary for each to have done good also, to the utmost limit of his ability; each of you will have to answer, not only for all the evil he has done, but also for all the good which he has failed to do.”
As is easy to perceive, my dear friend, it seems natural that the spiritist conscience, based on such clear and logical principles, turns out to be quite different when compared to the ideas dominating the religions of the majority.
IRMÃO X – Medium: F. C. Xavier
From Letters and Chronicles - Item 7, Ed. FEB
THE SPIRITIST WORKER
Having the basic principles of the Spiritist Doctrine as the guideline outlining its practice, and the direction set by its moral teachings, the spiritist worker:
a) Understands the importance of the Spiritist Doctrine, and the benefits it brings to Humanity in general and to human beings in particular.
b) Determines to serve in the task of promoting the study, dissemination, and practice of Spiritism, in a spontaneous, voluntary, conscientious, and free of charge manner.
c) Seeks to know and to study in depth the fundamental teachings of the Spiritist Doctrine, as contained in Kardec’s Codification, and which will serve as guideline and basis for his/her work.
d) Comprehends and respects the differences in understanding that can exist among fellow spiritists and institutions; highlights and values the similar points which appear in the work done jointly; and strengthens the overall union by the practice of true fraternity in order for the work of dissemination of the Doctrine to be carried out without delay.
e) Recognizes that the workers’ fraternal union is crucial for the preservation of the Spiritist institution where they work; and that the union of the Spiritist institutions is fundamental for the work that seeks to place the Spiritist Doctrine at the reach and service of all Humanity.
f) Recognizes that, in the execution of the spiritist activities, the spiritist follower will always be at the service of Christ, and under the guide of the Superior Spirits.
g) Understands that the basic task of the spiritist worker is to promote the Spiritist Doctrine with humility, disinterestedness, and without any other purpose but the practice of Charity.
h) Recognizes that his/her participation in the study, dissemination, and practice of the Spiritist Doctrine for the benefit of all Humanity adds to the efforts of his/her own betterment.
i) Participates in the Spiritist activities with the sole purpose of serving, accepting with good will and responsibility the tasks that are entrusted to him/her without any demands, and without awaiting or conditioning his/her participation to any specific titles, positions, or functions of personal prominence.
j) Evaluates constantly his/her own work, noting specifically:
- If he/she is being faithful to the principles of the Spiritist Doctrine as contained in Allan Kardec’s basic works; and
- If he/she is up to the to the investments, spiritual as well as material, that the Divine Providence is making in his/her favor.
k) Tries to put into practice the motto by which Allan Kardec lived:
“WORK, SOLIDARITY, and TOLERANCE.”
INTERNATIONAL SPIRITIST COUNCIL, Preparation of Workers for Spiritist Activities Oct. 99
THE GOOD SPIRITISTS
Spiritism, when thoroughly understood and above all when deeply and sincerely felt, leads to the results already expounded, which characterize the true Spiritist just as much as the true Christian, for they are one and the same. Spiritism does not institute any new morals; it only makes it easier for mankind to understand and practise Christ’s morals by given unshakable and enlightened faith to those who are in doubt or who waver.
Meanwhile, many of those who believe in the fact of mediumistic manifestations do not comprehend the consequences nor the far reaching moral effects, or if they do, then they do not apply them to themselves. To what is this attributed? Is it due to some failing in the clarity of the doctrine? No, because it does not contain any allegories or forms which could lead to false interpretations. Clarity is the very essence from which it gets its strength, because it touches Man’s intelligence directly. There is no mystery, and those who are initiated are not in possession of any secrets hidden from the people.
It is indispensable then to possess an outstanding intelligence in order to understand? No, in as much as there are people of notable capacities who do not understand, whereas there are many of the ordinary intelligence, even young people, who grasp the meaning of even the most delicate points with remarkable precision. This proves that the so called physical part of science only requires eyes to be able to observe, while the essential part demands a certain degree of sensitivity, which can be called maturity in the moral sense and which is quite independent of age or level of education, because it is peculiar to the spiritual advancement of the incarnate soul.
In some people, material ties are still too strong for them to be able to release themselves from earthly things. A kind of mist with which they are surrounded, does not allow them to see into the infinite future. This results in the fact of them not being able to break away from old tendencies or habits because they cannot see that there exists something better than what they already have. They believe in Spirits as a simple fact. But this modifies none or very few of their instinctive tendencies. In a word, they perceive nothing more than a small ray of light insufficient to guide them or offer profound aspirations which would make it possible for them to overcome their inclinations. The phenomenon touches them more than the morality, which seems to them to be hackneyed and monotonous.
They ask only that the Spirits unceasingly initiate new mysteries, without asking themselves if they have become worthy of penetrating the hidden secrets of the Creator as yet. These then are the imperfect Spiritists, some of whom have remained stationary in time or have turned away from their brother’s and sister’s faith, due to their having drawn back before the necessity of self-reform, or perhaps they have kept sympathy with those who share the same weaknesses or prejudices. Nevertheless, the acceptance of the fundamental principles of the Doctrine is the first step, from which it will be easier for them to take a second step in a future life.
The person who can be justifiably classified as a true and sincere Spiritist is to be found on a superior level of moral progress. The spirit of this person almost completely dominates their physical body, so giving them a clearer perception of the future. The principles of the doctrine, which leave many untouched, cause them to feel deep inner vibrations. In short, their heart is moved and this is what makes their faith unshakable. It is like a musician who is touched by only a few chords, whereas another person hears only sounds. The true Spiritist can be recognized by their moral transformation and by the efforts they employ in order to dominate their bad instincts. While one is content with a limited horizon, the other, who understands that better things exist, makes every effort to liberate himself and always manages to do this when their desire is strong and true.
The Gospel According to Spiritism – Ch. 17, Item 4
THE MISSION OF SPIRITISTS
Do you not already hear the noise of the tempest which will sweep away the old world and destroy all the iniquities of this planet? Ah, praise the Lord all those who have put their faith in His sovereign justice and who, as new apostles of the belief revealed by the superior prophetical voices, go forth to preach the new doctrine of reincarnation and the elevation of Spirits according to whether they have fulfilled their missions and supported their terrestrial trials well or badly.
Do not be afraid! The tongues of fire are above your heads. Oh, true adepts of Spiritism!… you are God’s chosen ones! Go forth and preach the Divine World. The time has come when you should sacrifice your habits, your work, and your futile occupations to its dissemination. Go forth and preach! The Elevated spirits are with you. You will most certainly speak to those who do not wish to hear the Voice of God, because this Voice calls them unceasingly to abnegation. You will preach disinterestedness to those who are avaricious, abstinence to the dissolute, gentleness to domestic tyrants and despots! Lost words, I know, but it does not matter. It is necessary that you irrigate the land to be sown with the sweat of your labour, seeing that it will not come to fruit nor produce except under the repeated blows of the evangelical hoe and plough. Go forth and preach!
To all of you, men and women of good faith who are conscious of your inferiority before the many worlds scattered in infinite space!… Launch yourselves into the crusade against injustice and iniquity. Go forth and ostracize the worship of the golden calf, which spreads more and more each day. Go forth; God guides you! Simple and ignorant humanity, your tongues will be freed and you will speak as no orator speaks. Go forth then and preach, for those of the population who are heedful will happily take in your words of consolation, fraternity, hope and peace.
What matter the ambushes rigged against you along the pathway! Only wolves fall into wolf traps, since the Shepherd will know how to defend His sheep from the sacrificial butchers.
Go forth those who, great before God and more blessed than Saint Thomas, believe without demanding to see and accept the fact of mediumship even when they have not managed to obtain it for themselves. Go then, for the Spirit of God is guiding you.
March forward, magnificent phalanx of faith! Before you the great battalions of unbelievers will dissipate, as does the morning dew at the first rays of sun.
Jesus said that faith is the virtue which moves mountains. However, heavier than the greatest mountains are the impurities and all the vices which are derived from them, which lie deposited in the hearts of men. So then, depart full of courage to remove this mountain of iniquities which future generations should only known as legend, in the same way that you know only very imperfectly of the times which preceded pagan civilization.
Moral and philosophical upheavals will be produced at all points of the globe; the hour approaches when the Divine Light will spread itself over both worlds.
Erastus, Guardian Angel of the medium - Paris, 1863
The Gospel According to Spiritism – Ch. 20 – Item 4
