JULY NEWSLETTER 2023 So much division, animosity, injustice, poverty, violence, murder and war on this planet. When will we all learn to get along peacefully and care for each other? WE NEED EACH OTHER Inspirationally received by Yvonne Crespo Limoges No matter what religion we were brought up in or what beliefs we have, all human beings have the same basic wants and needs in everyday life. For everyone to have these, positive and productive actions and working together are necessary. Therefore, we should strive towards goodness. We should try to be respectful, kind and compassionate to ourselves and others. We should strive together, in harmony, to deal with the many problems on this planet. We should care about our young people, future generations and the earth. For Spiritists, Jesus is our supreme moral example; all three of the major religions recognized and consider him a great messenger sent by God. His priority was caring for the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless and the needy. These should be humanity’s priorities. As Spiritists, we know we spiritually purify our souls when we are good, and when we sacrifice our own selfish ways to help others. We are all interconnected, if we work together, we help the common good. And, we are fulfilling our spirit’s destiny of moral and spiritual progress. The result is less suffering and more happiness, individually and collectively. That is a wonderful reward! Also, we should look at ourselves and see how fortunate we are if we have food in our bellies, clothes on our backs, and relatives and friends we can depend on, or at least have company with. Be grateful. Why are we not content so many times with what we have? Having solely material possessions will not make us inwardly happy, we would still feel an emptiness within because we are spiritual beings. Those who have more than others and are less materially preoccupied, can become more generous to those who have less. And, when we have done a good deed or performed an unselfish act, how our heart opens up letting in those higher spiritual vibrations, that brings a portion of genuine feelings of happiness to us; feelings we all (as evolving spirits) will have more full access to in our future. Superior spirit guardians are always waiting for those in their care to take steps in positive and good directions so they may help all of us along to progress with their beneficial influences. They want the spirits to progress on this planet, but the Creator gave us freewill so it is our choice how we act. Therefore, we reap what we sow. We need each other, and Divine help is always there, more so if you act with compassion, charity and love. THE ANIMALS 2 Spiritist Society of Florida, July Newsletter 2023 Written by EMMANUELL EPÊCHEUR Animals have always had a predominate place in human societies. Some of them are indispensable companions to help in daily life; other species are those that are hunted or bred to ensure the subsistence of human communities, and many others, are of a wild world that is admired that fascinates us and is equally feared. In this, our approach to the animal world never ceases to evolve over time, according to our interest, our knowledge and the evolution of our mental viewpoints. Today, they are the object of more attention and consideration and their protection becomes more important with a general awareness for ecological concerns. For Spiritists, the animal world occupies an important place like the other kingdoms in other places, in our understanding of the world that surrounds us and the spirits have instructed us in this area as in others… … However, there is no metempsychosis (a doctrine where the same soul can successively animate bodies, both humans or animals). Contrary to some Eastern beliefs, the animal does NOT reincarnate as a human, and neither does the human as an animal. Each animal reincarnates only in its own species and will experience [as time goes on and it progresses] a more evolved form. …Our full attention on the animal world must be delivered with respect and protection. (Excerpts from article in The Spiritist Revue, No. 132 of the Spiritist Journal of Allan Kardec Circle of Nancy in France, translated into Spanish by Jacques Peccatte & translated into English by Yvonne C. Limoges) TO OUR FAITHFUL FRIEND – THE DOG Written by Josep Martin Solis Because I love you, my faithful friend. Because in those moments when I felt absolutely incapable of telling other beings what I felt and what burned inside me, that tormented me and slowly consumed me, you already knew. Why? Because you were able to understand with your eyes. Because you were able to accompany me without judging. Because you were capable of comforting without advising. Thank you, for the love you emitted in your vibrations, whether they were barks or sighs. Thank you, you made it easy. Thank you, my little brother and friend. (Article dated 07/29/18 by a member of the Human Fraternity Spiritist Association of Terrassa of Spain from the Association of Spiritual Studies Villena Group, Alicante Spain; website www.amorapazycaridad.es) ANIMAL and HUMAN EVOLUTION 3 Spiritist Society of Florida, July Newsletter 2023 Undoubtedly, accepting the law of evolution, it is very likely that hominids were the [physical] bodies that served as “clothing” for the first spirits that came to reincarnate on Earth… Through procreation and evolution of the species, forms were improved and embellished, giving rise to a new, more advanced species characterized by the incorporation of the spirit and its attributes of intelligence, willpower and freewill. [modern man] …the new species began its trajectory with an animalized body, but with a different more advanced spirit … The uniting of the advanced spirit provided man with intelligence which, together with instinct, provided him with the necessary tools for a more rapid evolution of the species, and with this, man increasingly differentiated himself from the animal kingdom. The appearance of intelligence brought with it the development of the MORAL SENSE, which means the ability to distinguish good from evil, and with it the new inhabitant of the Earth began to travel a path that no longer has a parallel in the evolutionary history of this planet. Animals…have their place in nature and divine creation. The animal state is characterized because they are beings with a “soul” different from that of man, but which allows them to feel, experience and have an early intelligence that is governed by the instinct of survival and conservation.… Animals and man follow parallel evolutions that had intersected at a certain point, the former providing the envelope of a material nature that the human spirit needed to begin its evolution in the physical and material worlds. This was in order to face experiences, intellectual and moral growth that over the ages and centuries, through reincarnation, would bring man closer to the Creator, and reaching states of fullness, happiness and relative perfection to which he is destined, just as the Supreme Intelligence and First Cause of all things, has ordained through Love. “…man is an exceptional species that God chose to incarnate in it, the beings that can know Him.” (The Spirits’ Book, Item. 610) (Excerpts of article dated 01/21/21 by the Editorial Board of the Association of Spiritual Studies Villena Group, Alicante Spain; website www.amorapazycaridad.es) FROM THE SPIRITS’ BOOK - ANIMALS Does an animal have a soul? In The Spirits’ Book, Item 597, the superior spirits replied: “It is a soul, if you like to call it so; that depends on the meaning you attach to this word. But it is inferior to that of man. There is, between the soul of the animals and that of man, as great a difference as there is between the soul of man and God.” Note: Animals are on an evolutionary pathway. They evolve materially and spiritually via evolution and reincarnation. Various human interactions with animals can assist in their evolutionary trajectory (ex. domestication, as pets, and the like, etc.) From The Spirits’ Book, from items 598, 599, 600, 601: In general, when it returns to the spirit world, the animal “soul” preserves its individuality, any intelligence acquired remains latent within them. There are spirits whose duty is to care for them in the spirit world. They are classed, tended to and are caused to reincarnate when and where it progresses through the force of things. On more advanced worlds, animals are more advanced. ANIMALS – COMMENTARY 4 Spiritist Society of Florida, July Newsletter 2023 Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges Animals in this world are a marvel of variety, diversity, manifesting in a myriad of ways and with amazing intelligence, abilities and adaptations much of which still is so much unknown in animals all around the world. Yet, humans have caused much suffering to these living creatures and much destruction to their natural habitat on this planet! Little by little, we are learning more about the living creatures in our world, fauna and flora, and many are trying to save and protect them as much as they can, and the natural world around us. Some people were ahead of their time, in the 15 th century Leonardo Da Vinci wrote, “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals, as they now look upon the murder of men.” Each person acts according to their conscience. However, in more morally advanced worlds, there will be a natural harmony and peace between all living creatures. To conclude, here is a spirit communication from The Spirits’ Book, item 604: “Have we not said that everything in nature is linked together and tends to unity? …. “Recognize the greatness of God in this admirable harmony that establishes solidarity between everything in nature. To think that God could have made anything without a purpose, and have created intelligent beings without a future, would be to blaspheme His goodness, which extends over all His creatures.” YOUTH SPEAKS: A LITERARY WRITING Nature of the Wolf Written by S.P. When you look into the eyes of a wolf, you can find your wild instincts. Unlike facing a raging storm on the Gulf, we have more in common than what everyone thinks. Pure white as snow and ice, with eyes blue as a sapphire; they may not always look nice, but they really do have the power to inspire. In the depths of the Forest, the pack rules their territory with all their might. And once the burning Sun descends below to rest, the wolves reign supreme in the dark of Night. The true nature of the wolf is not quite mysterious, their existence is no different from us. Note: As we can see from the above writing, humans are inspired and amazed as expressed in writings, photos, paintings, etc. by the fantastic, majestic creatures of the animal kingdom and all of nature. ***** May God bless us and watch over us! ************************************** Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges, Director E-mail: ylimoges@aol.com Spiritist Society of Florida (est. 1982) 5042 22 Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com