Organization and functioning of a physical spiritist center (part 2)

A look from the perspective of spirituality

Emanoel de Castro Antunes Felício

On the work of passes

In chapter 17 of the book In the Realms of Mediumship, André Luiz describes that, as he crossed, together with Hilário, the doorway to the pass-giving service, he came upon a balmy and luminous environment. Hilário asked, “What about the radiance of the atmosphere?” Áulus kindly explained, “This room […] is filled with the sublimated mental emanations of the majority of those who seek magnetic assistance with love and trust. It is a sort of ‘inner altar’, created by the thoughts, prayers and aspirations of those who approach us with their best intentions.” The two mediums of the Spiritist center, Clara and Henrique, provide assistance under the guidance of spirit friends.

Continuing his search for clarification, Hilário respectfully asked Conrado, a worker of the spiritual world: “Do you come here often?” Conrado replied, “Yes, two nights a week we are responsible for the center’s work on behalf of the sick.”

Then, Hilário asked Conrado whether the assistance provided there was directed solely to the incarnate. Conrado replied, “Not at all. We take care of the needy of whatever nature.” From this answer, one may infer that assistance was extended both to incarnate and discarnate beings who sought help.

The inquiry continued, asking Conrado about the number of workers from the spiritual world: “Do you have a lot of helpers?” Conrado replied that he was part of “a team of helpers, according to the structure established by mentors in the Higher Realms.”

Then, persisting “Do you mean that in a Spiritist center, such as this one, there are spirit collaborators enrolled as doctors and nurses, just like in an ordinary hospital on earth?” Conrado answered: “Exactly. Amongst incarnates, as well as amongst those of us who are still a long ways from spiritual perfection, the success of our work demands experience, punctuality, security and responsibility from the faithful worker. The Law cannot disparage the lines of logic.”

Hilário then asked whether the mediums were always the same. The answer he received was: “Yes, but if they have an excusable absence they can be replaced, although in such situations the work inevitably suffers some small hindrances resulting from the natural lack of adjustment.”

André Luiz’ colleague “directed an uncertain glance at the two mediums in prayer and continued: “Do they always prepare themselves through prayer before the work starts?” the answer came immediately: “Of course. Prayer is a prodigious pouring out of energies due to the vigorous mental current it attracts. Through prayer, Clara and Henrique expel from their inner worlds the gloomy remnants from their daily circle of struggle and they absorb from our plane the renewing substances they replenish themselves with in order to work effectively on behalf of their neighbor. Thus, they offer help and end up being helped in turn.”

Continuing with his thought: “This means that you need not fear exhaustion…” To which the reply came: “Not at all. Like us, they do not come here [referring to the mediums] with the pretension of being the masters of the benefit, but rather as beneficiaries who receive in order to give. Prayer, with the recognition of our worthlessness, places us in the position of simple links in a chain of help, whose guidance lies above. Here we are, in this place consecrated to the evangelical mission, under the inspiration of Jesus, something similar to a simple electrical outlet, giving way to a force that does not belong to us and that will serve in the production of energy and light.”

Continuing his reflection: “That means they don’t have to worry about getting exhausted…” To which the reply was given: ““Indeed. Like us, they do not come here with the intension of being grantors of benefits, but as beneficiaries who receive in order to give. Prayer, along with the acknowledgement of our unworthiness, makes us humble links in a chain of assistance whose guidance resides in the Higher Spheres. Those of us in this room who are consecrated to the evangelical mission under Jesus’ inspiration are somewhat like an electric outlet, allowing the flow of a force that is not our own and which serves in the production of energy and light.”

This time, turning to the instructor Áulus, Hilário asked: “What will her healing entail?”

The loving benefactor replied:

“Passes are a transfusion of energies that alter the cellular field. You know that nowadays, even in human science, the atom is no longer the indivisible building block of matter; that behind it, there are lines of force agglutinating the subatomic principles; and that behind these principles lies the determining mental life … Everything derives from the mind in the sanctuary of nature. If we would renew our thoughts, everything would change for us. In magnetic assistance, emission and reception are entwined,helping needy patients so that they can help themselves. The re-energized mind revitalizes the microscopic lives that serve it in the temple of the body,erecting valuable reconstructions. As we can see, passes are an important contribution for those who know how to receive them with the respect and trust that they entail.”

The evangelization of children and young people

In The Gospel According to Spiritism, spirituality reminds us of the responsibility of parents in the educational process of their children. Motherhood and fatherhood are treated as a mission:

“O Spiritists! You must understand humankind’s grand role; you must understand that, when you produce a body, the soul who incarnates in it has come from the spirit world in order to progress; know your duties and put all your love in leading that soul to God. This is the mission that has been entrusted to you and for which you will receive recompense if you faithfully fulfill it. The care and education you give it will help in its self-improvement and future well-being. Remember that God will ask every father and every mother, “What did you do for the children whom I entrusted into your care?”

Joanna de Ângelis, in the book Family Constellation, guides us:

“As a fundamental element in education, religious guidance within the family becomes unavoidable. Increasingly, the beneficial results of an individual’s religious formation are being recognized, especially when free from imposing dogmas, puritanical repression, unreasonable demands, and the shades of fanaticism of any kind. An individual who has religious formation demonstrates far greater resilience in the face of moral, physical, and emotional challenges than one who does not.” (our translation)

Bezerra de Menezes tells us:

“The moment we are going through in the world is difficult and gloomy, while earthly societies increasingly need the torches of the Gospel, so that less experienced hearts and unwary souls may not be lost in the labyrinths of evil or slip over the cliffs of crime. The sublime ministry of Spiritist evangelization for children and youth calls upon us to progress and advance. Evangelizing our children and young people is the goal, because if instruction informs and education forms, the Gospel transforms human beings.”

Let us revisit the Spirit Vianna de Carvalho in the book “À Luz do Espiritismo” (In the Light of Spiritism), psychographed by Divaldo Franco. Vianna de Carvalho informs us that

“No doctrine, like Spiritism, constitutes a source of inspiration and a better path of improvement for youth. As Jesus did, Kardec invites young people, teaching them the effective roadmap to the Kingdom of God. Spiritism is a living message of enlightenment and happiness for youth.

By presenting effects, it prevents causes; by suggesting consequences, it supports achievements. Thus informed, the young Spiritist looks to the future confident in himself and, fearless, moves forward. He frees himself from intolerance, knowing it to be the generator of crime, while recognizing youth as a sun of tolerance, full of joy. He restores fraternity, sensing in youth the thirst for communion with others. He masters passion of any kind, identifying in its web the cause of all evils.

Spiritism is the revival of Christianity, and today’s youth, by evangelizing themselves, are the clear and pure sun of tomorrow. Let us turn to the young. Let us extend our hands to them and move forward without fear, remaining faithful to upright conscience, certain that the name of the Spiritist Doctrine, which now embraces youth, is in our hands, awaiting our action.” (our translation)

Spiritist dissemination

Chapter 56 of the book Sol nas Almas (Sun on the Souls) deals with Spiritist knowledge. The Spirit André Luiz, spiritual author of the message, begins his reflection: “Many observers ask what drives the fervor of spiritists in preservation and in disclosure of the teachings they embraced”

The spiritual mentor goes on to say that Spiritist knowledge, in essence, is as important in the realm of souls as literacy is in the realm of everyday life.

“Without education, human society would be nothing more than a jungle. Could we call the teachers who have devoted themselves to education over the centuries foolish? Thus, Spiritism. A doctrine that restores Christianity to its purity, it is the natural religion of conscience on Earth and in the Universe. Let us support it in its necessary expansion, beginning its propagation through individual example and extending it through books, printed matter, the spoken word, preference, and attitude.”

In message number 37 of the book Opinião Espírita (Spiritist Opinion), psychographed by Francisco Cândido Xavier, André Luiz reaffirms his previous position when he states that “Spiritism finds its greatest strength in the actions and example of its followers, in whose dedication to the common good its excellence is defined.” (our translation)

He further explains that “we cannot neglect Spiritist education by disregarding the means of dissemination at our disposal, if we wish to expand it and honor it.” The spiritual mentor emphasizes that “Allan Kardec began the doctrinal work by publishing the works of the Codification and by establishing a society to promote meetings and public lectures, a journal, and a bookstore for the initial diffusion of the New Revelation.” (our translation)

He also recalls that “Jesus valued publicity, not for Himself, but for the Gospel, an assertion that admits no doubt” (our translation). André Luiz highlights that Jesus gathered twelve disciples for the dissemination of His teachings and that Christianity was founded through public assemblies. He further notes that Jesus recruited Paul of Tarsus to spread Christianity among the Gentiles, observing that Jerusalem did not open itself to gentility.

André Luiz concludes the message on Spiritist outreach in the following terms:

“Thus, we do not know how to be within Spiritism without speaking about it; or, in other words, if we wish to preserve Spiritism and renew its energies for the benefit of the world, it is necessary to understand its role as a school, and every school, in order to fulfill its mission, must disseminate knowledge.” (our translation)

On the family area

In chapter 28 of The Gospel According to Spiritism, we find a prayer for a newborn child, containing the following supplication:

“Lord, cast a parental eye upon the family to whom you have entrusted this soul; may they understand the importance of their mission and enable good seeds to germinate in this child until the day in which, through its own aspirations, it can ascend by itself to you.”

This prayer asks for a paternal, loving regard upon the family.

From Joanna de Ângelis, in the book Family Constellation, we learn that the family is the result of the Spirit’s long evolutionary process, achieved throughout an extensive journey across successive reincarnations. How do I view the family? Joanna de Ângelis responds:

“Of divine inspiration, the family is a superior opportunity for understanding and true fraternity, from which a larger group will arise, balanced and rich in values, which is society. The family constellation is not an adventure into the deceptive realm of pleasure and fantasy, but a profound experience that enables a true understanding of the purpose of earthly existence, with one’s eyes set upon the future of Humanity.” (our translation)

How have we carried out family-related work within the Spiritist center? This is a challenge for all of us.

On Fraternal dialogue

According to Joanna de Ângelis, “fraternal assistance has as its primary objective to warmly receive and safely guide all those who seek the Spiritist center. It does not propose to solve challenges or difficulties, nor to eliminate illnesses or suffering, but rather to offer the individual the appropriate means for their own recovery.” (our translation)

The work discussed here is not the author’s personal perception. It represents a perspective from the spiritual realm regarding the activities carried out within the Spiritist center, offered for our reflection. May God illuminate our choices.