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MEDIUMSHIP: NECESSARY VIRTUES OF THE GOOD MEDIUM

List of Virtues

Seriousness in purpose and use of mediumship: The serious mediums understand that their faculty has been given to them as a gift by which they can progress spiritually, through their assistance to those in need, both incarnate and discarnate, and in their cooperation in the dissemination of instructive and inspiring messages. Therefore, they only use their faculties for good and useful ends. They do not exploit their brethren of the spirit realm with requests for help in material matters or inferior spiritual desires, nor do they exercise their faculty to satisfy the curious and indifferent, or for any other futile purpose.

Modesty / Humility: The spirits teach us that pride is the most influential moral imperfection and continuously warn their students of its signs and consequences. In avoiding the downfalls caused by pride, the good medium remembers that he is only a simple instrument of others employed under God's will, and, therefore, does not assume any merit for the communications that he receives, or for the healing energies that he helps bring to another. He also recognizes that he is not infallible, and when duped by deceitful spirits, he understand that this happened as a result of a fault in his character and/or his conduct. The humble medium is willing to regularly practice self-criticism in order to recognize his own mistakes and avoid becoming unbalanced − through excessive enthusiasm, apathy toward results, or being at mercy of unenlightened spirits who may plan for his failure. In addition to practicing self-criticism, the good medium is also open to constructive criticism from trust-worthy friends and mentors, and even seeks out such advice and mentoring.

Continuous Vigilance: Like anyone on a path of spiritual growth, the Spiritist medium can be recognized by his efforts toward inner reform. The good medium takes care to be vigilant of his thoughts and actions, recognizing the power they have to determine what kind of invisible beings accompany and influence him, and in the medium's case, communicate through him. This medium seeks to develop the qualities that attract good spirits, such as kindness, good-will, love of neighbor, and detachment from earthly things, while working to overcome any tendencies or momentary weakness in characteristics that repel good spirits, such as pride, vanity, selfishness, jealousy, hatred, greed, and attachment to the material.

Perseverance: A perseverant medium, understanding that the development and exercise of his faculty requires time and patience, will not become discouraged by the obstacles that arise, or by the time that it takes him to develop his mediumship in a proper way. If, for some reason, a medium's faculty has been suspended, he will look inside himself for the cause and wait patiently until he is allowed, by the spiritual authority that he respects, to resume his work.

Devotion: A devoted medium is willing to sacrifice his time, energy, habits, pleasures, etc. for the benefit of others who suffer. He also recognizes that, as a worker of God, and without discrediting any opportunity to serve and fulfill his responsibilities, his ideal is to serve, aid, and heal.

Discipline: A disciplined medium will take his responsibilities seriously and can be counted on for his punctuality and preparation for meetings, his vigilance and concentration in cooperation with the maintenance of harmonious vibrations during a session, and in his devotion to prayer and study.

Good Will and Benevolence: A medium equipped with good will attends a meeting with happiness and satisfaction in the opportunity to work and puts forth full effort during the moments devoted to his development. Out of benevolence, this medium will serve everyone he is able to help with the same compassion and good will.

Discretion: A medium who practices with discretion will use his faculty to help those in need, without making them feel humiliated or ashamed, and by keeping their situations to himself, no matter how dramatic or interesting a story they would make.

Discernment: Discernment, acquired through study and attention to good spirits' advice, will help the medium to examine various situations and offer wise advice for a sound solution, and it will help in the critical analysis of spirit communications, which should be a regular practice of all mediums and participants of a mediumistic session.

Material Disinterestedness: Disinterestedness refers to a lack of material interest and is the virtue by which a medium gives for free what he receives for free. The disinterested medium exercises his faculty, voluntarily, for the sole purpose of helping others and seeks no material reward for his work. Likewise, he does not seek the praise or appreciation of men and humbly awaits his reward in the kingdom of Heaven.

Rigonatti, Eliseu. "O Desenvolvimento da Mediunidade" [Development of Mediumship]. A Mediunidade Sem Lagrimas [Mediumship Without Tears]. Sao Paulo: Editora Pensamento Ltda. 2000. 24-25.

Rigonatti, Eliseu. "Qualidades de Um Bom Medium" [Qualities of a Good Medium]. A Mediunidade Sem Lagrimas [Mediumship Without Tears]. Sao Paulo: Editora Pensamento Ltda. 2000. 39-40.

Rigonatti, Eliseu. "Self Criticism." A Mediunidade Sem Lagrimas [Mediumship Without Tears]. Sao Paulo: Editora Pensamento Ltda. 2000. 119-112.

Peralva, Martins. "Mandato Mediunico" [Mandate of Mediumship] Estudando A Mediunidade [Studying Mediumship]. Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil: Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation].1998 (20th ed). 131-137.

Kardec, Allan. "Mental And Moral Influence of the Medium" and "Special Mediums." The Mediums' Book. 2nd ed (1st edition FEB). Trans. Anna Blackwell (translated 1876). Ed. Livraria Espírita Allan Kardec. Brasilia-DF, Brazil: Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation}. 1986. 260-265 and 209-214 (sect. 196 & 197).