SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2024 SPIRITISM by Léon Denis Spiritism [the spirit teachings compiled by Kardec] is not only a science, it is also a revelation, a work of truth and light. It is directed at the same time to the intellect and to the heart… In this sense, Spiritism is called to carry out a regenerative role. Because its doctrine answers all the necessities of the mind and fills the gaps in knowledge. It solves the enigmas of life, the problems of evil and of pain. [the how and why] In these times of trials and anarchy, it gives us confidence in the future to observe that the universe is governed by laws of harmony and that the last word, in all things, always belongs to [the Divine] justice and law. It gives existence a reason for being and an objective: the conquest of truth, wisdom and virtue. It consoles our disillusionments and for the fact that if good is often unknown on earth, at least it reigns supreme in the higher spheres, where each one of us must one day ascend. By pointing out the noble purpose of life, it aparts from us, the spirits of selfish and material concerns and from unproductive agitations. The essential task is therefore to remake the inner person: without it, any social reform would be in vain or would prove precarious… (Excerpt from his book The Invisible World and War, Ch.11, pp. 96-97; translated from the Spanish version by Y. Limoges) NEW BOOK: Spirit Teachings in 2024 Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges AN URGENT MESSAGE FOR HUMANITY is the title of a 2024 book produced by the Institute for the Scientific Study of Consciousness www.isscusa.org and funded by the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies www.bigelowinstitute.org. The authors are neuroscientist Melvin Morse, M.D. near-death experience researcher, Raymond Moody, M.D. also an NDE researcher who initially coined the term “near-death experience,” as well as a paranormal investigator, a forensic psychiatrist, a paranormal (mediumship) researcher and author, and also, an author and journalist on spirituality and the paranormal. This book cites the “revolutionary research work” and “scientific methodology with spiritual inquiry” Kardec used to compile The Spirits’ Book, and how it relates to the current experiment using 19 mediums selected to question spirits about the world’s problems and humanity’s future. Their spirit responses were compared to those received in Kardec’s book. Overall, both share an emphasis on moral personal/collective responsibility and we learn and progress by reaping the consequences of our own actions. See very interesting book synopsis on-line at: https://www.amazon.com/Urgent-Message- Humanity-Groundbreaking-Scientific- ebook/dp/B0DFMTPM7K 2 Spiritist Society of Florida, September Newsletter 2024 SPIRITUAL IMPORTANCE OF FAMILIES Spirit Communication received by Yvonne Crespo Limoges The family unit is the most important and primary learning ground for spirits who reincarnate into the material plane from the spirit world. Each spirit born into a particular family is the ideal place where the spirit (based on their actions or inactions from previous lives) is provided a greatly beneficial circumstance for its own personal spiritual growth. Once spirits have reached a certain level of moral and intellectual development, they know what spirits will become their parents, their children and relatives. The Divine laws are perfect, and therefore all suffering has its just cause and serves a sacred purpose. Specific spirits reincarnating together in the closest of relationships in a particular family have a just and good cause to be together and that is - PROGRESS. Each spirit has freewill, so hopefully, it will take full advantage of its unique situation, so as to reap maximum development. Soul evolution involves learning, and little by little, putting the virtues of charity and love more into practice. Most times, this involves trial and error, which results in life’s struggles. This process involves much expiation, making amends and various missions chosen by the spirit. Anything left unfinished or unaccomplished in a particular lifetime, will need to be attempted again in future lives. Parents/caretakers have the responsibility to love, nurture (in all aspects), and educate their children (or others in their care) to the best of their abilities. The children in turn, are to learn from them…to be kind, to be respectful of them and help them as they are able in their old age. Both children and caregivers have responsibilities. All are born together, to learn valuable lessons from each other; many times, very hurtful and painful. However, the Creator does not punish, for we are the architects of our own destiny. Our many past lives are full of violence and terrible decisions. The Divine laws are perfectly just and provide for each soul’s progression. In the continuation of this process of reincarnating into families, groups of spirits reincarnate as family groups. Groups of families are at different levels of moral growth and development. If a spirit advances more than the group as a whole, it may move into a more advanced group of souls, better to further its evolution. As we all reincarnate, it is the expansion and exercise of our mutual love for each other individually as a family unit and in family groups which will help us to develop, evolve, and expand our love (in all aspects) from specific individuals, to society and finally all of humanity. Love for single individuals or small groups are restrictive, selective and conditional; many times, possessive, sensual, superficial and material. This is a very important first step, but it is a limited imperfect love. Our goal - fostered by humility, forgiveness, compassion, self-sacrifice and charity - is to practice unconditional love towards all. Each should strive hard to fulfill their duties of practicing loving kindness as best they can, even if experiencing indifference, ungratefulness or hostility. Upon our return to the spirit world, we as spirits, will remember why we reincarnated with the family members we have. Remember, each spirit is responsible for its own conduct and of reaping the consequences of them. Each spirit progresses by freewill at its own pace on its path towards moral, intellectual and spiritual enlightenment. 3 Spiritist Society of Florida, September Newsletter 2024 MATERIAL LIFE – Why pick a hard life? Spirit communications; choice of earthly trials: “He [the spirit] chooses for himself the kind of trials which he will undergo, and it is in this freedom of choice that his freewill consists.” “A spirit knows that, in choosing such and such a road, he will have such and such a kind of struggle to undergo; he knows, therefore, the nature of the vicissitudes which he will encounter, but he does not know whether these will present themselves under one form or under another. The details of events spring from circumstances and the force of things.” “He chooses those which may serve to expiate faults, and at the same time help him to advance more quickly.” “In view of these ends, some may impose upon themselves a life of poverty and privations, in order to exercise themselves in bearing them with courage; others may wish to test their powers of resistance by the temptations of fortune and of power, much more dangerous, because of the wrongful use that may be made of them, and the evil passions that may be developed by them; others, again, may desire to strengthen their good resolutions by having to struggle against the influence of vicious surroundings.” “A spirit may therefore choose the hardest trial and the most painful existence in hopes of reaching a happier state quicker, just as a sick person often chooses the most unpleasant medicine or course of treatment in hopes of obtaining a rapid cure.” “…It takes the road that most likely will help it reach its goal, and the dangers that may lie ahead do not deter it…” “The fact that we are free to choose our successive lives and the trials that we have to undergo, ceases to appear strange when we consider that spirits, being free from matter [in the spirit world], judge things differently. They perceive the ends that these trials are intended to meet, which are far more important than the fleeting gratifications found on Earth.” “After each existence, they see the steps they have already accomplished and understand what they still need to do to reach purity, and this clarity of vision helps them reach their goals.” “That is the reason why they willingly submit to the tribulations of physical life, requesting to be allowed to experience those that will aid them in advancing the farthest and the fastest.” “Considering all this, there is nothing surprising in a spirit choosing a hard or painful life. It knows that it cannot enjoy the supreme happiness it craves, in its present state of imperfection.” “It catches glimpses of that happiness, and it tries to earn its own improvement as the sole means of reaching that happiness.” (Excerpts of the spirit responses to questions on the struggles of material life in Kardec’s, The Spirits’ Book, Ch. VI) LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT spirit communication: Those who know their conduct is morally wrong yet believe it may be beneficial towards some future end, may be afraid of unknown outcomes and are deceiving themselves. This is lack of faith. One whose actions are moral are always rewarded and decrease future sufferings, whereas wrongful actions always reap future penance, in accord with the Divine laws of cause and effect. “Ramon” 4 Spiritist Society of Florida, September Newsletter 2024 JUSTIFYING OUR ACTIONS Written by F.M.B. Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects when evaluating our behavior is determining exactly whether we are justifying some of our actions. We find excuses for any of our actions, and not only do we settle for that, but the more mistakes we make, the more blind we can become to ourselves and the more demanding we are regarding the mistakes of others. The above is the most evident symptom that we can observe when we suffer from this ignorance of our inner selves… It is not easy to view ourselves as we are, but we can begin to be honest and see what intentions move us in each of our actions, instead of going through life without even thinking about what we do and why we act that way. Pride is a powerful enemy that plays tricks on us, especially when others warn us about incorrect behavior because, at that moment, the self-defense mechanism that we usually use is to flatly reject their advice, get angry, accuse them of acting badly on many occasions, etc., anything but stopping to evaluate whether what they tell us may be true. Let us be vigilant…we are not exempt from making mistakes. And as we are sure that, at a greater or lesser level, we make them, it is more logical that due to our spiritual knowledge [as Spiritists] let us be the first to make amends… We can never justify erroneous actions by arguing that it was necessary to act that way. Gandhi said, “The purity of the means must be equal to the purity of the ends.” We can never excuse deception, lying, falsehood, slander, theft... even if we think that this is how we are going to achieve our objectives, no matter how good they may be. Not knowing our moral limitations means that we let ourselves be carried away by them without even realizing the situation… it is necessary that we resort to the assessment of any situation based on ethical and moral principles that we can defend… Recognizing an error is already an important step in our evolutionary process, although it is even more important to rectify it in time, and work to correct the damage caused. Let us keep in mind that many of our actions can cause incredible harm to other people and if instead of recognizing our mistake, if we continue to act in the same way, our actions can reach such limits of negativity that it will cause serious harm to others. We must have courage and recognize our errors, because the more we postpone this unavoidable daily work we should all do, the greater the personal difficulties we will encounter in life and the colder our relationships with those around us will become. (Excerpt of 9/10/24 article, Association of Spiritual Studies Villena Group, Alicante, Spain, translated by Y. Limoges) See interesting article, Why the end doesn’t justify the means… at Courier & Press, Evansville, IN- written by James Schroeder at: https://www.courierpress.com/story/life/wellness/2018/03 /18/schroeder-why-end-doesnt-justify-means-but-means- can-always-justify-end/383735002/ ************************************ Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges, Director Email: ylimoges@aol.com Society of Florida (est. 1982) 5042 22 Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com