Introduction to Spiritualism
Kenneth Meynell DSNU, 1998
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At some time in their lives all people ask themselves, "what happens when I die?" Spiritualism gives a definite answer to this question and attempts to give proof of that answer. Spiritualists know that the human spirit survives physical death and enters a spirit-world. Spiritualists have learned that this can be proved, and demonstrated under the right conditions, when communication takes place between the physical world and the spirit-world. Usually this spirit communication is made possible through individuals who have what are known as 'mediumistic abilities' and who are called 'mediums'. Spiritualists have learned that the right conditions are necessary for communication to take place and that there must be is a spirit person there willing to communicate. Spiritualists do not 'call up' the dead, they cannot summon spirits to come and communicate, it is the other way round, spirits come first and make their presence known. There are many examples throughout history where spirit people have 'called on' the living first in order to make communication. Spiritualists have learned that there are different 'types' of mediumship and have categorised two main types of spiritual phenomena as either 'physical' or 'mental'. Physical phenomena, usually demonstrated only at private séances, is where any person present can hear or see what is happening. By means of knocking sounds, voices, or materialised spirit-bodies and objects, the spirit people give information about themselves, memories of their earthly lives and details of their lives in the spirit-world. Mental phenomena is demonstrated through the mind of a medium and can be by clairvoyance (the medium sees the spirit in their mind); Clairaudience (the medium hears the spirit) or Clairsentience (the medium senses the presence and the thoughts of the spirit). Mental phenomena is the type most often demonstrated in public. Teaching and philosophy have been given to us by advanced spirit beings, they explain the purpose of life and our eternal destiny in the spirit-worlds. Knowing that we live 'beyond the grave' profoundly changes our conception of this life and gives us an entirely new religious outlook, which often is opposite to many of the old ideas of traditional religion. Today the largest Spiritualist organisation in the world is the Spiritualists' National Union, (SNU). In the United Kingdom the SNU is a legally established religious body for Spiritualism able to hold property and appoint its own ministers of religion. Historically, the SNU has united individual Spiritualists and Spiritualist groups within the UK, but it plans to promote it's mission more widely overseas and become more international in its approach. The SNU has an extensive education and training programme. |
Spiritualism is a rational religion based on the proven knowledge that man's spirit survives physical death. Modern Spiritualism began in 1848 when sensational happenings in Hydesville, USA were reported widely and resulted in the rapid spread of spirit communication throughout America and Europe. SNU Spiritualism has a philosophy based on the Seven Principles, which do not lay down rules but encourage people to discuss and think about their attitude to life. Spiritualist philosophy is discussed rather than preached. Influenced by the Seven Principles of Spiritualism as well as its scientific and philosophical implications, for many people, Spiritualism has become more than just a religion; it has become a way of life. The description of Spiritualism on this page is based upon words originally written by Kenneth Meynell DSNU, 1998 |