Allan Kardec, precursor of Spiritism, compiled a set of laws and principles revealed by Higher Spirits into five books: The Spirits’ Book, The Book of Mediums, The Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell, and lastly, The Genesis. These books unfold the codification of Spiritist teachings. Spiritism is a doctrine or philosophy; a consoling dogma that introduces the Spirit of Truth as promised by Christ: “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it cannot see him or know him … the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” If the Spirit of Truth must come to teach more, it is because the time and evolution of incarnate spirits were not adequate at the time, and if it needs reminding, it is because the teachings of Christ would be forgotten or ignored.
This brings us to another question: Who is the Spirit of Truth? Is this spirit part of the trinity along with the Father and the Son? The Spirit of Truth is a Spiritual Guide in charge of a phalanx of Higher Spirits who have come to fulfill the promise of consolation:
“I am the great healer of souls, and I have come to bring the treatment that really cures…Don’t search for strength and consolation elsewhere; The world is incapable of offering them. In the principles of the Spiritist Doctrine, God delivers a powerful message to your heart… be humble and surrender yourself to the Supreme Love, and soon your life will be in harmony with the Law… Pray with all your faith, and God will send the beloved Son to guide you and to lift you with these goodly words: ‘You called me, here I am!’” (The Gospel According to Spiritism, Ch 6.7)
The complexity of spiritual evolution goes beyond what is summarized in this article; nonetheless, we will try to convey the meaning. One must read the “Book of Spirits” to better understand this; however, it is clear to many of us that we are a creation of God who is the Supreme Intelligence and first cause of all things. There are mysteries that remain unveiled, and that is His will that shall be endured, as can be noticed thousands of years ago with Moses, and later with Jesus. In question 80 of the aforementioned book, Kardec asks if the creation of spirits is continuous. The response is that God never ceases to create, but several times they reiterate that the “how” and “when” are ignored. This being said, imagine a group of kindergarten children with a teacher. She can be a PhD in Physics, yet, she cannot explain the theory to them, for their minds are not mature enough to grasp the meaning. These children need yet to grow and then study, and work hard in order to be able to comprehend what the teacher would have liked to explain. In time, some of them will learn, some of them will not, all depending on aptitude, will and effort. By the time they have reached the age of reasoning, other children will have taken their places in kindergarten, and will need to go through the same process. Let us keep the setting, but change the characters: The children are the people surrounding our Master, Jesus Christ. He could not have spoken of life beyond the grave differently from what was told in parables, for they were not ready to understand. Thousands of years later, some have matured, some have not, and others have come along. It is constant progress and personal endeavor that need to be met for one to become an evolved being. Since God’s creation never ends, we receive these less evolved spirits amongst us to give them support towards advance. Remember Christ’s words: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for such belongs the kingdom of God”. The children were a metaphor for less evolved spirits, who need cherishing and great care to follow the path of righteousness.
Spiritism is, therefore, the revelation of new concepts while explaining in-depth what is already known of God, the Universe, mankind, Spirits, and laws that rule life. It exposes who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going. It also explains the reason of pain and suffering in this world, and the purpose of earthly lives. It touches all areas of human knowledge and behavior. Spiritism also analyses all fundamental aspects of life such as science, philosophy, ethics, social studies, and education.
Reading all the books by Allan Kardec is the sine qua nom to understanding the doctrine in its entirety: “Spiritists, love one another. This is the first precept. Educate yourselves. That is the second. In true Christianity you will find the truth. You will find mistakes in today’s Christianity, but these are purely of human origin… Jesus is the victor over all wrong. You too can be the victors of your own frailties.” (Gospel According to Spiritism, Ch 3.5)
Spiritism is based on love, charity and education, that is, rational faith in lieu of blind faith. Discernment must be used daily, for instance, to love someone means to do unto others what you would like for yourself. To be rational is to know that one should avoid a path of snakes and take action by finding another exit rather than disregard a detour. Believing you are safeguarded from harm’s way in that case is not rational. There is an anecdote that reveals irrational faith: "Once there was a storm in a village, which caused it to flood. A man prayed to the Lord to be saved from drowning. Water was up to his knees when a man on boat comes along to his rescue, as to which he replied: 'No, thank you. The Lord will save me', and he went on praying. Water was up to his waist, another boat comes along, and the same reply: 'The Lord will save me.' He was ready to climb up to his roof when a third boat came along, and a new refusal. Once on top of the roof and the water almost reaching him, a helicopter appears, and yet again he rebuffs the offer: 'The Lord has promised and so He shall fulfil. He will save me', and he drowns within minutes. A while later in heaven, he complains to God: 'I believed You and Your promises. How could You have turned me down like that!? Why did You not save me?', and God retorted: 'I sent you three boats and a helicopter. What else did you want me to do?'"
We already know God is Almighty, true essence of all that is Good, creator of the Universe and all its beings, animate and inanimate, material and immaterial. Now we will add a small number of principles to better understand what aspects of Spiritism:
- There is a corporeal world, which means a world inhabited by incarnate spirits (mankind); there is also a spiritual world inhabited by discarnate spirits.
- “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places”, which translates into the existence of several inhabited worlds with beings of different levels of evolution. Some are of the same level as mankind, others are more evolved, or even less.
- All laws of Nature are Divine laws, for God has proclaimed them. They include laws of physics and morals.
- Man is an incarnate spirit (a spirit enclosed in a body of flesh). The perispirit is the semi-matter that links the spirit to the material body.
- Spirits are created simple and ignorant to evolve intellectually and morally, from the lowest to the highest order until they achieve perfection. Then is when they will enjoy unalterable happiness.
- The individuality of spirits is preserved before, during, and after each incarnation.
- Spirits will reincarnate as many times necessary for their betterment.
- Spirits are in constant evolution. Multiple corporeal existences may stagnate, but the Highest Power will never permit regression. Progress depends on effort.
- Spirits belong to different orders: Pure spirits, who have achieved perfection, many times known to others as saints or angels; good spirits, whose works and wishes are predominantly good; and imperfect spirits who still retain vices and ill-wishing. There are different orders under these.
- The relation between incarnate and discarnate (spirit completely freed from a body of flesh) is constant. The good ones influence us towards righteousness, while the imperfect ones induce us to error.
- Jesus is the guide, Master and Governor of our planet, the most perfect spirit of all. His teachings are the purest expression of God’s laws.
- Christ’s moral standards, as found in the Gospel, are the reference for evolution, the answer and purpose for Humanity.
- Humanity is entitled to free will, but we sow the seeds of our actions. Law of Action and Reaction.
- Prayer is an act of adoration offered to God.
- Prayers empower mankind bringing comfort and strength to keep temptation at bay. It must be done with fervor, and words must come from the heart rather than recited. God sends his spirits to guide and protect you, and this is an aid never denied.
It is crucial to reinforce that workers involved in the Spiritist community do not receive any kind of financial reward. God must be worshipped in Spirit and Truth, thus, there are no rituals or Priests. Spiritist practices do not include images or statues, animal sacrifices or sacrifices of any order, special garments, alcoholic beverages, incense, hallucinogens, candles, sacraments, smoking, talismans or amulets, horoscopes, card reading, crystals, buzios, or any other objects for rituals or cults. Spiritism does not impose their beliefs, but anyone is welcome to learn its rationale. Mediumship is a faculty inherent to all human beings, but not necessarily recognized, accepted or developed. It is the communication with spirits, and it may occur regardless of the faith you profess. Also, the practice of mediumship only takes place based on the principles of the doctrine and Christian morals.
In conclusion, Spiritism is not the same as Voodoo, Candomble, Quimbanda, or any other religion. These are spiritualist groups, and their ideology differs greatly. Spiritism respects all religions and doctrines that speak of fraternity and peace throughout the world, regardless of sex or gender, race, creed, social and intellectual levels. Above all, it regards those who believe that a true good person is the one who abides by the laws of justice, love and charity.
Here is a link to Kardec's "Gospel According to Spiritism", English Edition, since the original is in French:
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