Guided study via WhatsApp

Daniel Salomão Silva

nvitations to study are plentiful in Spiritist foundational texts. Already in the introduction of The Spirits’ Book, Kardec proposes continuous, methodical study, urging us to “be most diligent and persevering in your studies; otherwise, the high order spirits will abandon you, as a professor would abandon negligent students.”¹ And in the closing line of The Mediums’ Book, in solemn tone, he warns: “that is why we constantly repeat: Study before practicing, for that is the only way you will not acquire experience at your own expense.”²

In this vein, Spiritist institutions have, for decades, been disseminating Spiritist works and organizing public lectures, evangelization schools for children and youth, training courses, and study groups. Also from a federative point of view, in its “Guidance for Spiritist Centers,” in the topic on the Area of Study of Spiritism, the FEB highlights the importance of “continuing education for workers.” Expanding this discussion in a specific document, it also notes the importance of “disseminating information about Spiritism and the Spiritist Movement in a format, structure, and channels appropriate to the audiences for which it is intended.”⁴ In line with these assumptions, we propose a simple guided study format in thetext.

Following this direction, Spiritist institutions have for decades disseminated Spiritist works and organized public lectures, children’s and youth evangelization programs, training courses, and study groups. From a federative standpoint, the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB), in its “Guidance to the Spiritist Center,” highlights in the section on the Study Area the importance of “continued training of workers”³. Expanding on this in a dedicated document, it also emphasizes the need to “disseminate information on Spiritism and the Spiritist Movement in formats, structures, and channels adequate to their intended audiences.” Aligned with these principles, this text proposes a simple format for guided study.

As a complement to study groups and public lectures, WhatsApp groups can become valuable tools for study, event dissemination, Spiritist works, etc. However, instead of enhancing dissemination, the overload of messages can actually reduce the likelihood that they will be read. Even if this is not your case, many people become discouraged by so many notifications, texts, and images; others get lost amidst competing demands for attention; others may even assume that nothing useful can come from these conversations.

This is not to downplay the recreational or bonding role of messaging apps. That has its own value. In fact, if the Spiritist groups you are part of have already taken on this role, it may be helpful to create additional groups specifically for doctrinal study. For example, if the workers of a certain center participate in a “Spiritist Center” group where they interact freely, it may be useful to create a second group with the same people but named “Spiritist Center – Guided Study.” In this new group, only study texts would be sent, and, by agreement, no one would send “good morning” messages or inspirational images. Those can remain in the original group.

Our suggestion, however, is even more specific and is based on two observations. First, we often find workers with limited doctrinal grounding and little reading, thus negligent toward important concepts and practices. If a worker does not have the habit of studying, they should naturally be encouraged, both in groups and individually. Yet since there is no way to “force” or “monitor” them, and nor should we, it is beneficial for the Spiritist center to find mechanisms that effectively reinforce doctrinal foundations.

Secondly, it is already known that long texts on WhatsApp or other social networks, whether typed or in files, are less likely to be read, which also applies to audio and video files. After all, studies show that “people are reading more and more online and at a faster pace” a fact well known to advertisers. However, even if we do not agree with this superficiality in these tools, we must adapt to it if we want to be read; in fact, we can use this feature to our advantage. This does not exclude the dissemination of long, more in-depth texts and videos, which find an extraordinary means of dissemination on the internet. On the contrary: short texts can even be an incentive for scholars to seek them out.

Second, it is well-known that long texts on WhatsApp or other social networks, whether typed or sent as files, are less likely to be read, and the same applies to audio and video messages. Studies show that “people increasingly read online and at a faster pace⁵,” something advertisers understand very well⁶. Even if we disagree with this superficiality, within these tools we must adapt to it if we want to be read; in fact, we can use this characteristic to our advantage. This does not exclude sharing longer texts and videos, which find extraordinary reach online. On the contrary: short texts can encourage seekers to pursue deeper study.

To be clear: this proposal does not replace individual or group doctrinal study, nor full reading of Spiritist works, nor is it sufficient for worker training. It simply recalls and highlights forgotten or unknown points, clarifies doubts, and reduces misunderstandings or ungrounded postures. Its character is complementary: its specificity lies in the brevity of the chosen text and the way members interact with it.

Here is the proposal. First, the selected short excerpt should be sent by the coordinator a few days before the weekly meeting. It is ideal that it follows the sequence of the chosen work, so prerequisites and conceptual flow are preserved. To increase the likelihood of reading, no videos, audios, or supporting texts should be sent afterwards. Even comments from group members should wait; only that brief passage should be read and reflected upon individually.

At the meeting in question, whether it is a mediumistic meeting or a study group on any topic, an experienced worker and scholar of Spiritism will make a brief comment on the text sent (between 3 and 5 minutes), without interruption, highlighting its main points. Then, depending on the time or the group’s wishes, the text may even be discussed and supplemented, but with its core already well exposed.

At the meeting, whether mediumistic or a doctrinal study of any theme, an experienced and knowledgeable worker should offer a short commentary on the passage (3 to 5 minutes), uninterrupted, highlighting its main points. Afterwards, depending on the group’s time and inclination, the passage may be discussed or supplemented, but with its core ideas already established.

For example, in a mediumistic-work context, the following passage from The Mediums’ Book could be sent:

That is why that in spite of several spirits communicating through the same medium, the data received from them always bears the personal stamp of the medium both in form and style, because although the thought is not exclusively the medium’s own, or the topic is not part of his or her customary concerns, and even though what we want to say does not derive from him or her in any way, the medium does not cease to exert a personal influence on the form by giving it individualized qualities and properties. It is precisely like when you look at several places through tinted lenses – green, white, or blue. Although the places and objects are entirely different and totally independent from one another, they nonetheless always appear with the coloration given to them by the various lenses.⁷

Ideally, this example would follow the preceding items of the chapter, rather than introducing the theme. In any case, during the meeting, the coordinator could emphasize the medium’s role as interpreter, their constant influence on communications, and the natural differences in each person’s mediumship. This fosters understanding toward each medium and encourages the care and humility we must cultivate regarding communications from the Spirits. The invitation to try this method remains open.

1. KARDEC, Allan. The Spirits’ Book. Rio de Janeiro: FEB, 2010, introduction, VIII.
2. KARDEC, Allan. The Mediums’ Book. Rio de Janeiro: FEB, 2008, 2. p., c. 31, i. XXXIV, note.
3. FEB. Guidance for Spiritist Centers. Brasília: FEB, 2021, p. 113.
4. FEB. Guidance for the Study of Spiritism. Brasília: FEB, 2019, p. 28.
5. BBC. Are digital habits “atrophying” our reading and comprehension skills? April 25, 2019. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/salasocial-47981858. Accessed on: October 3, 2025.
6. EXAME. The trend that is redefining social media marketing. August 15, 2025. Available at: https://exame.com/carreira/a-tendencia-que-esta-redefinindo-o-marketing-nas-redes-sociais/. Accessed on: October 3, 2025.
7. KARDEC, Allan. The Mediums’ Book. Rio de Janeiro: FEB, 2008, 2. p., c. 19, i. 225.