FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER 2021

 

“The strength of Spiritism lies in its philosophy, in its appeal to reason and good sense.”                                                     

                        - Allan Kardec

 

SPIRITISM is a word created by Allan Kardec to designate a spiritualist philosophy that, sharing with others of the idea of ​​a Creator, reincarnation, the existence of spirits, the immortality of the soul, [of which] particular in this knowledge is the possibility of evocation and dialogue with disincarnated spirits, and prioritizing moral transcendence in accordance with the Divine Laws that regulate evolution.

 

It is a Philosophy, a Morality with a Scientific basis, so it lacks dogmas…

 

Gaining knowledge of our personality is a learning that occupies our entire existence. There is always something to improve, strengthen, discover or forgive.

 

It is necessary to become aware of the responsibility and evolutionary commitment that we have towards this present existence, and to be grateful for this possibility of life and progress, despite the setbacks that we must go through.

Because it is there where we temper ourselves, where we, as spirits, become wiser, stronger, more humble, more caring, and we consciously enter to collaborate with the great harmonious plan of Creation.

 

(Excerpt from issue Sept/Dec. 2020 newsletter Progreso of the Association for the Progress of Spiritism, Spain and translated by Y. Limoges www.progressoespiritismo.com)

CAUSES OF SUFFERING                          

 

“It is not to be thought, however, that all suffering in this world denotes the existence of a determined shortcoming. Many times, it is simply an ordeal requested by the spirit, which will help it towards purification and active progress. So, atonement is always a test, but a test is not always an atonement.   

 

Nevertheless, it is possible that a spirit, having reached a certain degree of elevation and being desirous of further progress, may request a mission or task to perform by means of which he or she will be more or less compensated, depending on whether or not they are victorious, and according to the difficulty of the requested test…”

 

(Kardec’s Gospel according to Spiritism, Ch. 5, Item 9, page 59 and translated from the French by Janet Duncan)

 

 

LIFE’S ADVERSITY-

 

                          Written by Léon Denis

 

“It is our duty to battle against adversity...An intrepid spirit…by his intellect rises superior to them, and makes them a stepping stone to virtue.”      

 

 

(His book entitled, After Death, Ch.50, pg. 321, para. 2, translation by Jussara Korngold; published 2017 in the U.S. by United States Spiritist Council)

CARRY ON

 

    Inspirationally received by Julie L. Harper

 

Carry on as you will, yet know that in everything comes a purposeful lesson toward existence within a more elevated state of being.

 

Too often in taking the easy way within problem-solving - typically motivated by fear - comes a most difficult outcome.

 

How many times have we repeated unwanted lessons because of a lack of introspection into its root cause?

 

Whether you grow by hard-fought lessons eventually learned, or by the ease of discernment and better conduct is entirely by personal choice.

 

Carry on as you choose, but remember that though good conduct can sometimes hold the most challenging decision-making, it also results as the most beneficial.

 

 

OUR DUTY UPON THE EARTH

 

            Written by Yvonne C. Limoges   

 

All suffer in one way or another in this world! So much hunger, thirst, lack of shelter, untreated illnesses, so many kinds of injustice, inequality in so many areas of society, racism, people subjected to violence of all kinds, and, so much loneliness, depression, addiction, and suicides!  

 

It is so sad most people do not know the purpose of material life. Yet, we elected to pass through this crucible that is material life so our spirits can morally progress and be purified!

        

We are also here to help one another, which contributes to the common good and humanity on this planet, and, we do see many examples of many people doing charity and showing fraternal love. We have to keep the faith and stay hopeful!  

LEARNING & DISCERNING

 

         Spirit communications

                         received by Gina Dougherty

 

One:

 

Hello fellow students. Thank you for having me with you today. I love learning about all. Learning progresses the world and humankind. 

 

For all of human history we have sought knowledge to achieve in our lives. We must also use knowledge to seek progression of our souls.

Study and ponder the books, use your own mind to come to conclusions, do not follow with blind faith. 

 

Two:

 

Progress is about learning and growing through your mind and soul.

 

A man in ancient times wearing fur skin clothes looking at maps as if to travel the world, but he never leaves his cave, just stayed and studied. 

How can he truly learn about the world without having ever ventured out there?

 

Books are often written in the perspective of the author; go out and observe, make your own conclusions.

 

Three:

 

Let us grow and continue to learn, with each new bit of information and fact we learn, we will add to our knowledge.

 

No one person knows all the facts of existence, but let us follow in the footsteps of the scientist and study, learn and grow. 

 

Adapt new knowledge into your fold. Replace those thoughts that no longer fit the facts. Know you do not have all the answers and be open to changing your mind.

REINCARNATION

 

             Written by Yvonne C. Limoges

 

In the U.S, 33% of people say they believe in reincarnation according to the Pew Research report dated 10/1/2018. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/10/01/new-age-beliefs-common-among-both-religious-and-nonreligious-americans/  

 

Generally, information indicating reincarnation derives from the following:

 

-       Spirit communications (including spirit influence and/or obsession by spirit enemies seeking vengeance saying they were wronged in a past life)

 

-       Spiritual Experiences (OBE’s, NDE’s, déjà vu, dreams, and revelations and/or spiritual affirming experiences)

 

-       Children’s remembrances of past lifetimes (it happens spontaneously and many convinced they were someone else and have specific details of that other person)

 

-       Past life regressions – through hypnosis, memories of past lives are revealed, and, also remembrances of life in the spirit world

 

-       Biological/physical (birthmarks, scars, and the like, correlating with a past life remembrance)

 

-       Cultural/Religious/Historical (many people/cultures have believed in reincarnation over thousands of years and still do)

 

 

There are many books on the above, and research and investigations continue in all categories.  

Over the last 40 years, based on my own personal experiences and observations of our culture (people, books, TV shows, movies, etc.)  spread of the basic concepts of psychic phenomena, mediumship and reincarnation have steadily increased; as people feel they know about one thing, they become ready for more details.  

As a short summary, just starting with the TV show The Ghost Whisperer that ran from 2005 to 2010 helped a lot. When Ghost (1990) the movie (with Demi Moore/Patrick Swayze) came out, people were provided with modern visual context for spirits, a spirit world and their interaction with the material world, and of mediumship; which made it easier for me to explain my own belief system to others.

More and more mediums went on TV Talk shows, toured, met with audiences, wrote books; people became more comfortable with mediums, especially Sylvia Brown, James van Praagh, Jon Edwards. People even went through a phase when many wanted to become mediums!  

Then in succession came movies like, What Dreams May Come (1998) with Robin Williams, that portrayed living in the afterlife, dealing with grief, suicide, troubled spirits and reincarnation; The Sixth Sense (1999) - mediumship and spirits; and, the movie The Others (2001) - illustrating mediumship and differing spirit perspectives.

In recent years, neurologist Eben Alexander, M.D. and his near-death-experience, plus others who have had similar experiences, have caused renewed interest in the afterlife and given hope. Survivors say we have a soul, there’s an afterlife, our lives have a purpose even with our struggles, and, some like Dr. Alexander speak of reincarnation and spreading that concept.

Currently, new books have come out on reincarnation. Scholars are trying to gather empirical evidence (child remembrances). Prof. Ian Stevenson, M.D. (1918-2007), with his 14 books and thousands of cases, began this type of research. Others are Prof. Erlendur Haraldsson (1931-2020), Prof. Jim B. Tucker psychiatrist, and Prof. James G. Matlock. Time will tell how many cases are enough and what will be determined.

CARE OF THE BODY & OF THE SOUL

     

           Inspirationally received

                                   by Alysia Mikesell

 

Motivation to fix simple things like being hungry or thirsty, seems to be easy.

 

Where motivation to stop something, like eating and drinking too much or to exercise seems far more difficult for some.

 

Is it that there are far more why’s to continue something, than to not do something? Or, is it a matter of perception, motivation and/or will power?

 

There are numerous appetites, desires, passions, habits and cravings. Yet, there are numerous self-help, partner help, family help, professional help and products to assist with all these things.

 

There are so many opportunities to give in, in varying ways; it seems to be too much, unless there is self-control by thought, with our emotions and finally action due to using will power and discipline. The lack of these things can lead to procrastination, unhealthy habits, at times, serious addictions.        

 

As the saying generally goes, ‘Moderation in all things’ seems to be the wisest path.     

 

Also, there are big rewards in accomplishing worthwhile goals, for good feelings of satisfaction definitely come forth when attaining them.

 

The soul learns in the process and there is spiritual growth in taking care of the material body we have on loan. Let’s remember, that our mind and our body affect each other.  

 

No one is perfect, and God only asks that we do our very best to care for ourselves in all ways possible, so we can be good examples to others and healthily fulfill what we came here to do!    

 

CHILDREN DURING THESE TIMES

 

      Spirit communication

                      received by Yvonne C. Limoges

 

Parents, please be aware and do not despair, your child’s spirit knew full well that it would incarnate upon the earth during these times.

 

Each spirit came prepared to pay its share of debt, endure its portion of trials and tests, and missions it promised to fulfill. Do your best for them, but be strong and have faith!

 

Each spirit has their own path in life to follow.

 

 

LOVE IS ETERNAL

 

               Inspirationally received by S.P.

 

Many of us on Earth have lost someone we knew or was very close to us, during this pandemic and even other troubling times.

 

But no matter what happens that separates us from being together, our love from them can never die because so long as their memories and their spirits are in our thoughts, hopes and prayers, they will always be with us, even when they join the spirit world in relief and in peace.

 

So, God Our Father, please send our love and prayers to all those who have joined the spirit world that may wish to see their loved ones to not worry, and that know they will meet again when the time is right. May they all be at peace. AMEN

 

**************************************

Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges, Director

E-mail: ylimoges@aol.com

 

Spiritist Society of Florida (est. 1982)             5042 22 Avenue North  

St. Petersburg, Florida 33710

 

Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com