FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITIST PHILOSOPHY

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4

Page 4

• Spirits constantly exert an influence on both the physical and ethical environment of the Earth.  They constitute one of the powers of nature, since they may act equally upon matter and thought.  They are the cause of many sorts of previously unexplained or misinterpreted phenomena, which may now find a compelling rationale in the Spiritist Doctrine.

Spirits constantly interrelate with human beings.  The good ones inspire people to take the high road, sustain them through trials, and instill in them courage and resignation.  On the other hand, the less advanced ones inculcate sordid ideas and depressive thoughts.  They take pleasure in our troubles and strive to make us like themselves. Spirit interactions with human beings can be either subtle or direct.  The subtle communications happen without our awareness, generally in the form of inspiration.  We need to exercise discernment, however, in distinguishing between the uplifting and the malevolent kinds.  Direct exchanges occur through writing, speech, and other physical manifestations, usually with the intervention of a medium who acts as a link between the two worlds.

• Spirits may communicate spontaneously or in response to human evocations.  Generally speaking, all free intelligences may be evoked  ̶  from the most obscure to the most illustrious, from loved ones to enemies ̶  regardless of the epoch in which they lived.  If permitted, they may share information about their new situation, their thoughts regarding us, and any insights they feel like imparting.

• Spirits move by laws of affinity.  Advanced spirits take pleasure in assemblies with a serious purpose, wherein members are animated by love and a sincere desire to learn and progress.  Their presence repels less advanced spirits.  The latter, in turn, find themselves at ease among frivolous and simple minds who come together solely out of curiosity or other harmful motives.  In such assemblies, nothing useful is produced.  To make matters worse, they often borrow venerated names to impose their ideas more effectively.

• It is easy to distinguish between advanced and less advanced spirits.   The language of higher spirits is dignified, high-minded, and free from every trace of human passion.  Their counsels breathe wisdom.  Their aim is always the advancement of humanity.  On the other hand, remarks by less advanced spirits make use of commonplace, sometimes coarse, language and often contain substantial inconsistencies.  Although they sometimes make true and worthwhile statements, their observations are usually ethically flawed and full of false arguments.  They ply upon the naiveté of their audience by feeding false hopes and swelling their listeners' egos.  Obviously, enlightening communications can only be obtained in assemblies of a serious character where participants are united in thought and desire by the pursuit of love and truth.

The ethical teachings of the higher spirits may be summed up by the words of Christ: "Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you."  In brief, do good to all and wrong no one.  This principle of action furnishes humanity with a rule of conduct with universal application, from the most trivial to the most critical matters. Enlightened intelligences teach that self-centeredness, pride and sensuality keep human beings engrossed in their animal nature. Accordingly, the person who detaches him or herself from worldly things and who follows "love they neighbor" grows more spiritual.  The spirits advise that we always serve others, as our means allow us, and that the strong and powerful owe assistance and protection to the weak.  They caution that the person who misuses power to oppress his or her fellow beings violates the laws of God.  They also teach that in the spirit-world nothing can be hidden; that the unavoidable presence of those we have wronged on Earth is one of the trials we must face in the spirit world; and that the ethical state of spirits, depending on how advanced or un-advanced they are, gives rise, in that world, to enjoyments or to suffering and regrets.

• Further, they teach that there are no unpardonable faults and that there is no misdeed that cannot be redressed.  Men and women find the means of redemption and progress through reincarnation.  Their desire and efforts set the pace of their advancement toward the ultimate aim of all perfection.

The preceding summary, written by Kardec, relates the essence of the Spiritist philosophy, as contained in the teachings of spirits of a higher order.  For those interested in reading it, Kardec follows this summary with a discussion of, and responses to, some of the most common objections to these philosophical points.

Kardec, Allan. "Explanatory Notes." The Spirits' Book.  Trans. Allan Kardec Educational Society (translated from 2nd edition in French). Philadelphia, PA. Allan Kardec Educational Society. 1996. 376-380.