7 Principles of Spiritualism
1.The Fatherhood of God
The universe is extremely complex, both in physical and
spiritual terms. Not only is there the known universe that
scientists can prove, but there are the astral planes and all
other worlds. This could not have come about by chance. A
supreme plan is in existence of which we know so little, a
plan must have been orchestra ted by some supreme being.
Perhaps not an old man with white hair sitting on a throne or
a 6 headed monster, but maybe a vibrant intelligence and
energy that we cannot possibly comprehend.
2.The Brotherhood of Man
We are all equal because we are all children of the one
supreme God and therefore brothers and sisters. Though equal
we are also unequal. There is a great inequality of wealth
and prosperity, a great inequality of physical abilities and
strengths and also a great inequality of spiritual awareness
and advancement. However, it is the soul that is equal to
every other soul - albeit at different stages of development.
In the ultimate stage all will be level because perfection is
a definitive thing, and perfection is God Supreme.
3.The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of
Angels
The 'communion of spirits' with humans occurs not only in
the public performance of a medium on the platform, but also
in everyday life. By the intuition we receive, the presence
we feel, our thoughts are interlinked between the two worlds
and also by astral travelling in both the physical and the
spirit world during dream or trance states. The 'ministry of
angels' is from our helpers in the spirit world who we might
regard as 'guardian angels', or guides. They provide the
powers of healing, inspirational writing, trance, etc.
4.The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul
Our existence is eternal. We always have been, we are
now, and always will be, in whatever form or plane our spirit
or soul is in. Most religions believe this but the
Spiritualist religion explains it more simply and more
correctly. For example, the soul does not lie with the body
until the trumpet call on judgement day, it moves instantly
at the moment of physical death into another world, to
another plane, to another challenge.
5.Personal Responsibility
Every action we take, every thought we think, every word
we speak is our responsibility. We can never blame anybody
else for our errors or give credit to others for our
successes. The mind is responsible for its own actions. To
illustrate, two persons could be in exactly the same
situation but react differently - one may be highly stressed,
the other may calmly handle the situation. Since each
responds in a different way to the same situation, then it is
their state of mind which is different, and therefore they
are personally responsible for their own thoughts and
actions.
6.Compensation and Retribution hereafter for all Good and
Evil deeds done on Earth
In the infinite and unending existence of the soul, the
law of karma has to be worked out. Every evil deed, thought
and word has to be paid for; but we are our own judge, and on
our return to the spirit world we shall see for ourselves
what recompense must be made.
7.Eternal Progress open to every Human Soul
We can progress to higher and higher planes of
development when we have learnt our lessons and repaid our
dues. We can climb to unbelievable heights. To understand
this progress and what life and spiritual eternity is all
about, imagine the whole complex as a giant pyramid of
infinite size. The pyramid is God. The pinnacle is the
Godhead, the supreme being. The pyramid has no base but
extends downwards from the Godhead forever. The stones are
not solid but fluid, and each stone is a soul, all part of
God and all important to the whole, therefore the lower
layers are as important as the top. There are countless
positions within the pyramid, again each is as important as
the other. The base is larger than the top because there are
far more of us humble beings trying to achieve a higher
position in the pyramid, working to achieve perfection - the
Godhead the pinnacle.