Spiritualism

In general, spiritualism may be said to cover any belief in the existence of a reality not perceived by the senses and may include belief in: God; the immortality of the soul; cosmic forces; universal mind; the immateriality of will and intelligence. Many philosophical and all religious teachings are compatible with this definition in that they assume an independent reality superior to the material.

A less wide but no less popular definition of spiritualism involves a belief in life after death and the possibility of communicating with departed spirits. Such a definition includes the manifesting of phenomena such as clairvoyance and miracle cures. Several systems exist within this more narrow concept, generally including: belief in God; belief that human beings are spirit and are or can be united with God; belief that God should be worshipped; belief that in so doing one should seek to understand his laws (at all levels) and to comply with them; belief in life after death (sometimes in reincarnation), and the possibility of communication with this world after death; belief in the need for living a life of love and service; belief in responsibility for one's actions and retribution for evil deeds; and belief in the assistance on the path of perfection by spirit guides.

Spiritualism may be practised on several levels, its merit depends on the level of approach. It includes all efforts to determine the true nature of death and what the hereafter will bring and thus requires the services of a psychic medium able to contact subjective worlds. These contacts are usually at the astral level though they may be raised to mental levels and (rarely) intuitive or buddhic planes.