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The Spiritualist’s SNU Service
(Spiritualist National Union)
Two kinds of service are the weekday
and the Sunday Service.
The weekday is a shorter version with mostly no 'readings' or 'philosophy'.
The object of the Spiritualist
Church Service is to give proof that there is no death, and the existence of the
'after life', meaning that when our physical bodies are left behind in the
materiel world, our spirit goes to another existence or place; it is
possible for some people to communicate with these people and they are called mediums.
Philosophy
~ the 'Address' ~ is a talk about aspects of Spiritualism. To see articles on
philosophy go to that section on the main menu 'Spiritualism' then
'Philosophy'. This talk is not a sermon but a spiritual spontaneous form of
mediumship, sometimes call ed 'overshaddowing 'and it might be about reflections of spiritualism on daily life, or quite
often it's the speaker’s own experiences and opinions, which are varied and
often can be controversial.
This talk would also be based around the
seven principles, which are accepted by all Spiritualists as a ‘guiding light’
for our way of life. We believe in One God, for all men and women, therefore
all mankind are equal in the sight of God.
The religion of Spiritualism stands
firmly on the three pillars; Evidence (Proof), Philosophy and Healing, all
are needed to make the whole complete.
If you attend a meeting in a Spiritualist Union Church, you will see that hymns are sung, and prayers are
just like any other Church, healing is offered, usually after the main service,
and you would find that a part of the service is given to personal contacts -
or messages as they are often called - between those who have passed through
the veil into spirit, and their family or friends in the congregation.
This message part of the service is to
prove that the spirit survives what is called death, meaning that 'death' is only physical, and this other part of us is able to
communicate with those that are left behind on the material plane, through the
Clairvoyant ability of a medium.This is not psychism at all, and there can be some confusion between the two.
The medium may relay names and
personal details, memories of shared past experiences, and often characteristics of the communicator; depending on the ability of the medium, names and other details are forthcoming too. It is this factual evidence that proves the continuation of the spirit or soul self.
We have found that those who have
'died' do in fact continue to exist in a ‘spirit world’ which is interrelated
with our own physical world. Communication between the two dimensions is not
only possible but natural.
WE DO NOT RAISE THE DEAD. We open the channel and the spirit helpers eagerly respond, although it is not easy for them and we do know it takes a lot of energy. I have often heard it said that the laws of physics are the same in all worlds, we just don't know them all as yet!
For many years Scientists have been
investigating the factual evidence provided by our mediums, and have found that
it by stands up to rigorous testing within the concept of natural laws.
Therefore those who have an aptitude for the scientific aspects
of Spiritualism will find an endless supply of research material. [See the book list]
The philosophy provides as
excellent basis for living. When considered fully, it opens up a vast area for
expansion of thoughts, on the whole concept of life. We worship one God. We
are Spirit, here and now, within a physical ‘overcoat’. Unlike the Greater
World Spiritualists we of the Spiritualist National Union cannot adopt the
Biblical idea of a vengeful God with human failings, or the principle of a
Saviour.
Spiritualism is not just another 'religion’.
Its principles offer a completely new way of life, turning material values into
eternal values, National Union Spiritualists accept Personal Responsibility for
all their actions. Our years here on earth are just a small part of our full
life span. What we are doing today is must building the foundations for a far
greater tomorrow, The way forward is open to everyone who is willing to
overcome the obstacles of inherited tradition.
There comes a time
when we must ask ourselves does our religion provide us with any factual
answers about the purpose of life and death. Spiritualism does! Our world is
suffering because of the selfish desires of materialism and scepticism, yet
there is so much apathy when we offer an opportunity for personal progression.
Explanation of the seven Principles:
The Parenthood 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 orchestrated 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.
The Family of humankind
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.
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.
The Continuous Existence of every 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.
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.
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.
Eternal Progress Open To Every Soul
To follow on from principle 6, nothing is
lost or irredeemable. 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.
There are many more churches that are
Independent - to find one near you look in the local paper or if you are on
holiday in a new town ask at the citizen’s advice office, that’s what we do
......
Before you read the next article that takes
your interest, why not ask for Spirit guidance?
How? Just say a few words to yourself [
inside your head ] for example, "Spirit friends guide me please. "
That's all folks ... it's as easy as that, and then watch to see where they
take you. It might be something for a question you have already asked, or it
might be for a question that is going to come up soon, ya never know!
End.
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