OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 2023 SPIRIT INFLUENCES AND PEACE Inspirationally received by Julie L. Harper The spirit world is vast and energetic. Some spirits align with a human condition or a human sentiment of shared attraction. They may then attempt to influence individuals, groups, or organizations toward a desired outcome. Influential vitality toward a wanted outcome can be extended by good and/or by erroneous spirits. Mistaken energetic influences seem particularly apparent in current times. Disharmony and devastation are rampant. Many people are suffering and need our prayers to influence calm, fortitude, and faith, seconded by good spirits. Acts of kindness may also ease suffering and contribute to upending a wrongful momentum. More than ever, humanity depends upon your peace-filled heart and good moral acts to create an uplifting existence and a sense of hope. HUMAN’S BEST   Inspirationally received by Julie L. Harper God designed love and goodness as inherent characteristics within human beings. Internal peace may be reached when you align with your intrinsic nature and live from a love-filled heart. Such is our moral duty as taught by Jesus. Love can further peace within the home, community, and beyond. We are equipped by God in wondrous ways. May we all choose to live by our best selves. GOD NEVER ABANDONS US Spirit communication received by Yvonne Crespo Limoges War, violence, natural disasters, illnesses of body and soul…afflict so many in your world. Yet, in the midst of heartbreak, sorrow, fear and pain – no one is EVER abandoned. Spiritual beings full of unconditional LOVE, invisible to your eyes, surround to help all of you! Superior spirits are always present to instill their beneficial vibrations of calmness, goodness, inspiration and courage; and, to direct that unique Love coming from the Divine Source to help ease the sorrows of all God’s children. At supreme moments of pure desperation, some may feel these loving influences! The Creator is All Love and Compassion, and all are provided with spiritual assistance in order to fulfill the difficult journey of the soul on earth! 2 Spiritist Society of Florida, October Newsletter 2023 THE SPIRITUAL MARKETPLACE Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges The SPIRIT needs nourishment; it is an innate yearning; for we are spirits, first and foremost! The spirit seeks sustenance especially during times of uncertainty, fear, struggle, doubt and/or crisis. Where to seek this in this day and age? Church attendance still declining, the number of unaffiliateds (“Nones”) keep rising. Traditional religions in turmoil; recent scandals and divisions about exclusion of marginalized people (though Jesus said love everyone). People have doubts. The three major religions teach one lifetime only, to do and be what we want, but injustice, violence and sorrow is everywhere. They say only God knows why we suffer; and after death, we go to heaven or hell (for some purgatory). Seems unfair and is confusing to many. Science alone is too cold; it does not touch the soul. Materiality is all that exists, and physical death ends in oblivion. This knowledge provides no comfort to dry tears, ease breaking hearts, give consolation and hope or explains our painful ordeals or hardships. Academics (in psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, neurobiology, etc.) continue to search for who we are, our ‘consciousness’… in the brain, where it is NOT. They do NOT realize their search is for - the SOUL. There is the general public’s more open-minded comfort level with various levels of belief in spirits, the afterlife, mediumship, reincarnation, OBEs, NDEs, etc. Now even, serious discussions on UFOs (now called Unidentifiable Anomalous Phenomena) and the possibility of extraterrestrials. Nevertheless, many people have trouble making sense of all of this, and how they all may interrelate. The Internet has spread and shared all kinds of spiritual beliefs and practices around the world. For several decades now, much has been written about the state of affairs, the so-called “Spiritual Marketplace,” where individuals explore and choose beliefs and practices that may suit them to find some inner peace, some comfort and some strength to support all of life’s struggles. New trends come and go, now there’s been an increase in a contemporary Paganism (pre-Christian/Judeo beliefs and practices) with its worship of Nature, caring for the Earth, with some feminist influences. Before, most practiced in groups, now practitioners are mostly solitary. Commercialization is extensive, kits to practice are made and sold by large companies. 1 I have noticed, more and more, in stores and online, boxed kits with instructions on how to clean the energy or vibrations in one’s home and for other purposes. There are also many objects for sale (cards, crystals, incense, herbs, etc.) taken from a variety of spiritual/religious traditions (ex. American Indian, Asian, African, Caribbean, etc.). 2 Still popular are psychic fairs and open markets, held in many towns selling the same items. In addition, fortune tellers, psychics (some authentic, some not) attend and charge for their services. Practices such as meditation and yoga have continued and are popular, especially for mind-body health, and these practices are generally detached from the religions they originally came from. All the above, may be practiced secularly or with religious/spiritual intent. Each person finds their own spiritual/religious pathway. **** Spiritism respects all beliefs and values all efforts towards goodness, and all good intentions are very beneficial. Spiritists know the good spirits help all no matter what beliefs a person has or does not have, and that goodness is always rewarded. It saddens me a little because what I find mostly is a lack of belief in the Creator, and people not fully understanding the power of prayer. So many spiritually struggle due to lack of faith as they have not yet found a rational belief system which would help sustain them in their struggles. However, Spiritism explains the whys and wherefores of life and death, and each spirit will, at its own pace, morally and spiritually progress and find what they need. HATE – Spirit Communication 1 https://theconversation.com/as-witchcraft-becomes-a- multibillion-dollar-business-practitioners-connection-to-the- natural-world-is-changing-209677 2 Recently, I read articles stating some of these groups are upset over appropriation of their sacred rituals/objects without people seriously undergoing the necessary spiritual/religious education. 3 Spiritist Society of Florida, October Newsletter 2023 “Love one another and you will be happy. Above all else, take to heart the need to love all those who inspire indifference, hate and scorn. “Jesus Christ, who should be considered as your model, gave an example of this kind of devotion… “It is a painful sacrifice to love those who insult and torment us, but it is exactly this sacrifice which makes us superior to them. If you were to hate them, as they hate you, then you would be worth no more than they. “If the law of Love demands that each one love all their brothers and sisters without distinction, it does not mean that the heart will be protected as if by a breastplate against evil conduct. On the contrary, it is the most anguishing of trials… “My dear children, do not forget that love draws us near to God… THE GOOD PERSON “A good person is one who complies with the Divine laws of justice, love and charity. They examine their conscience concerning their own actions and ask themselves if they have violated those laws; if they have practiced any evil, if they have done all the good that was possible, if they have done to others everything that they would wish done to themselves. “They deposit their faith in the Creator and the Divine Laws for its goodness, justice and wisdom. “Therefore, they submit themselves in all things to them. They know that all the struggles of life, all pain and all deceptions are what they have sown by their own thoughts, words, and acts; and, all trials and tests are the circumstances they have reaped and have also have chosen to undergo within each lifetime, and accept them without complaining. “Men and women who possess the sentiments of charity and love do good for the sake of goodness, without waiting for payment of any kind. They repay evil with goodness, take up the defense of the weak against the strong and always sacrifice their own interests in the name of justice. On the other hand, the selfish person always calculates the benefits and losses arising from any generous action. “The good person is always good, humane, and benevolent with everyone, without distinction as to race or creed [etc., etc.], because they see all of humanity, as siblings. Charity guides them in every circumstance. They do not harbor hate, nor desire vengeance. Instead, they follow the example of Jesus by forgiving and forgetting all offences. These kinds of people are indulgent with the weaknesses of others because, Jesus said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” “Good people study their own imperfections and work unceasingly to combat them, using all their strength, so that tomorrow they will be able to say that they are just a little better than they were the day before. “They are not conceited about their riches, nor of any personal advantage, knowing that everything that has been given to them can be taken away. They use, but do not abuse, the possessions which have been conceded to them because they are only a deposit, for which they will be required to give full account of. “They use, but do not abuse, the possessions which have been conceded to them because they are only a deposit, for which they will be required to give full account of. “If then, by social order, a good person has been placed in a position of command over their fellow creatures, they treat them with kindness and benevolence, because before God all men are equal. They use their authority to raise up the morale of these people and never to crush them with their own pride. “Finally, a good person is always one who respects the rights of their fellow beings, as assured by the Divine laws of nature, in the same way that they would wish their own to be respected. “They are honest, trustworthy and fair in all dealings with others. These are not all the qualities which distinguish a good person, but anyone who tries hard to possess those which have been mentioned will find themselves on the right pathway which leads to all the rest and great progress for their soul.” (Excerpts from The Gospel according to Spiritism, Ch. 12 &17.) 4 Spiritist Society of Florida, October Newsletter 2023 SPIRITISM and GUILT Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges Spiritist teachings put strong emphasis on moral conduct; we clearly understand the repercussions of wrongdoing, from spirits telling us their regrets from the spirit world and teachings from our spirit guides. It makes a person very sensitive when making decisions, or upset if one makes a mistake more than the average person. We may feel guilty or a little melancholy. Yet, it is good we are sensitive, it keeps us on our guard, but God knows our limitations. If we do our best to be a good person as much as possible, correct any mistakes, make amends and do good when we can, that is all that is expected. All intent and circumstances are taken into consideration. Knowing the truth about the consequences of our conduct provides clearer guidelines to make more progress which is the purpose of material life. MONTH OF THE SPIRITS - Written by S.P. October is a month people thinking of ghosts (spirits). Places like Mexico (as well as many other countries), they celebrate the Day of the Dead: a holiday where people remember and honor the spirits of deceased loved ones with flower petals, building home altars filled with favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and going to the gravesites. 3 Halloween has become a quite a commercial holiday with candy treats, decorations, tricks and so on, but in the ancient past in many forms, this was a pagan celebration after the harvest and when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off the spirits of the dead. Spiritist mediums and sessions, communicate with spirits to receive moral teachings and to provide a charity by giving guidance to those spirits who may need it. Also, when we pray for and remember people that have passed into the spirit world, it is comforting and helpful to them, and loved ones are especially happy to be remembered by us. PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL ASSISTANCE Beloved superior spirit messengers and good spirit protectors, that God’s infinite mercy has permitted to assist mankind, be our protectors in this world so full of sorrow and during all life’s tests! Give us the necessary strength, courage and resignation; inspire in us towards all that is good. May your sweet influences of love and charity fill our souls. Also, never abandon us, for we need all of your protection to be able to support with faith and love, all the tests and trials of life. Amen PRAYER FOR THE TIMES We ask for spiritual assistance for all those in violent conflicts. We pray for all those who have returned to the spirit world through violence. May all these find relief from their suffering and traumas. The effects on populations due to natural catastrophes, violence and war leave so many in terrible circumstances, we pray they will receive alleviation in whatever form to address their many needs. May the warmth of the Divine Light help ease the plight of the suffering upon the earth. Help us all to be able to lift ourselves up to meet the level of our trials and tests. May humankind seek out peace and love in their actions on earth, sooner rather than later. AMEN ****************************************** Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges, Director E-mail: ylimoges@aol.com Society of Florida (est. 1982) 5042 22 Avenue North St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com