The Nature of Spiritualism

These days it seems to me there is much confusion surrounding the true nature of Spiritualism, particularly as its wonderful philosophy has become much overshadowed by two things. First a greater (in my view unjustified) emphasis on what is loosely called ‘clairvoyance” and the ‘messages’ that clairvoyants bring. Secondly the importation into our philosophy of the sometimes rather woolly ideas of the New Age movement, though it can hardly be described as ‘new’ anymore.

I believe it might therefore be helpful to look at what an earlier age felt was the Nature of Spiritualism, which I have copied from the British Spiritualist Lyceum Manual:

Spiritualism is the knowledge of everything pertaining to the spiritual nature of Man; it is a science, a philosophy and a religion, presenting a just view of Man’s duty, destiny and immortal relations. Also, as Spirit is the moving force of the Universe, so Spiritualism, in its widest scope, embraces the whole realm of Nature.

Spiritualism as Science:
Spiritualism is a science because it is based upon well-proven, world-wide facts, which can and have been scientifically classified. It promotes the search for truth in every department of being, and is therefore the science of life.

Spiritualism as a Philosophy:
Spiritualism comprehends Man and the Universe in all their varied relations, physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual.

Spiritualism as a Religion:
Spiritualism gives us a better conception of the Creator and His works, encourages us to act according to our highest sense of duty and stimulates spiritual growth and purity of life, thus preparing us for the immortality it proves.

Spiritualists:
In its broadest sense, Spiritualists are those who believe in a continued further existence and that departed spirits can and do communicate with us on Earth. However, it is only as they cultivate their noblest faculties, live true lives and forever strive to improve in goodness and wisdom that people are entitled to the name in its highest meaning.

The Nature of Man:

Man is a thinking, reasoning, self-conscious and morally responsible being; the highest type of being that has yet lived on Earth. He is also a threefold being, composed of a physical or earthly body, a spiritual body and an innermost spirit.

The physical body is the temple of the soul, it is the basis on which it rests; by the five bodily senses the soul is brought into contact with the physical world.

The spiritual body is an organised form, evolved by and out of the physical body, having corresponding organs and development, and it resembles the physical body. It outlives the change called death and becomes the external body of the spirit.

The innermost spirit is the intelligent, ethereal and immortal part of Man, his life itself, a spark from the Divine.

The Soul: The term soul is almost synonymous with the term spirit and is often so used. In the Lyceum Movement, and we would prefer if it were so in Spiritualism as a whole, the term soul is never used to refer to the spirit body.

It can thus be seen just how far Spiritualism today is removed from these early ideas about its nature and validity. The pioneers of Spiritualism placed a very high value upon the cultivation of the highest ideals by everyone, whilst it recognised the difficulties inherent in this self-appointed task. How many of us today can put our hand on our hearts and say with conviction that we are Spiritualists in its highest meaning as defined above? Certainly I cannot but until all of us become determined to try harder to live up to these high ideals and less in thrall to what I call phenomenal Spiritualism, so the Movement that bears its name will continue to languish amongst the worlds little known, ignored and largely ridiculed religions.