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Spiritist page in Russian
An interview with William James Andre Luiz
A question about evil's eye Daphne Martinez (USA)
Spirit group in LA and rituals
Love and Peace Joanna de Angelis
The Astral City - A story of a doctor's odyssey in the
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Andrei Melnikov from Russia gladly announces the launching of the first (and probably) the only Russian Spiritist page in the world (up to now): "RASSVET" (DAWN) http://rassvet2000.narod.ru/
Due to the importance of this event, we reproduce Melnikov's message below which explains the content of the page. We believe Rassvet may turn into an important vehicle of Spiritist information in Russia.
GEAE Editors
ANDREI MELNIKOV'S MESSAGE ABOUT "RASSVET"
Hello! Welcome to "Rassvet" ("Dawn") - the first site in Russian dedicated to spiritism. At the present moment the site is under construction. You may enter your e-mail address for notifying you about the full version of the site started. "Now I can point you the links to 5 spiritist books translated to Russian and mostly zipped to ease their downloading:
Best regards
Andrei
AN INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM JAMES
Taking into account the specific cultural environments of the Spiritist movement in the USA and Brazil, we present below 20 questions that were directed to Dr William James, the eminent American physician, psychologist and philosopher departed in 1910. The interview was held in the night of his visit to our prayer and assistance group (*):
Q01. Dear friend.
Being in New York for a visit to some Brazilian friends, we would like
to know if the research of truth still count on your collaboration...
Ans. Yes, after my death I still
keep the same line of activity that I had on Earth in my last physical
experience. My activities reveal edifying aspects that are able to dissipate
the past mistakes I committed during my last reincarnations. Therefore,
I don't hesitate to broaden it as far as possible using every resources
at my disposal.
Q02. Concerning
your Spiritist studies, do you have the same enthusiasm as before?
Ans. Absolutely. The fundamentals
of the new revelation are a field of infinite possibilities...
Q03. What do
you think about the use of science in the Spiritist matters?
Ans. Today I understand the importance
of science to settle the question of survival after death. However, at
the same time, I realized that many investigators, with rare exceptions,
wasted time repeating experiments exhaustively, trying to find a way out
of the ethical aspects related to the subject.
Q04. Do you
believe that we should establish boundaries to the scientific cooperation
in the Spiritists study circles?
Ans. I don't want to say that the
scientific research isn't required. I would rather propose that the researcher
can hardly avoid the duty of listening to his own conscience. A wise person
isn't merely a recorder of technical parlance, but he is instead a spirit
endowed with advanced knowledge, who is called by the Superior Order for
the improvement of life.
Q05. What do
you think about Parapsychology?
Ans. Formally, parapsychology can
be traced back to the beginning of humankind. The Bible itself contains
several examples as in II Book of Kings, 6:12 when the prophet or medium
Elisha reads the mind of the king of Syria(**), just like the best "sujets"
of Rhine's experiments and others.
Q06. What do
you thing about the Spiritist collaboration in the parapsychological research?
Ans. Spiritists must cooperate with
parapsychology so that this discipline shouldn't fall on the hands of fanatic
minds no matter if they come from science or religion. However, Spiritists
should help with no loss to their normal lines of action.
Q07. How do
you define the position of the Spiritist knowledge on Earth?
Ans. The equilibrium of the moral
personality requires the purest Spiritist knowledge just like the best
organic state requires the healthiest nourishment possible.
Q08. Can you
detailed your definition of the Spiritist knowledge?
Ans. The Spiritist knowledge is
the orientation for the deep and essential life of the being. Obviously,
evolution is the law for every creature, but Spiritism operates on the
conscious level by dictating rules of behavior that successfully trace
a straight path for the soul. In this way, the mazes of illusion that correspond
to suffering are avoided.
Q09. Do you
believe that Spiritism can play a decisive role in the conduction of will?
Ans. In a perfect way. Without freely
fulfilling the requirements of the evolution principles represented by
life's duties, the reincarnation of the spirit is merely a repetition process
in which the spirit profits poorly as millennia go by.
Q10. What do
you say about mediumship?
Ans. Mediumship is wrongly appreciated
today on Earth. I hope one day it will play an important role in the life
of men as an access gate of the imbodied personality to the superior spheres.
Q11. Do you
believe a medium should receive adequate instructions?
Ans. We protect mustard to maintain
its normal production. How to improve mediumship and keep it worthy without
the help of education?
Q12. Can advanced
spirits easily beat the deficiencies of mediumship ?
Ans. Disembodied benefactors can
carried out constructive works of the highest standard in the world, but
they require elements of interpretation. An orchestra could hardly make
music without the help of instruments.
Q13. Does a
spirit, even belonging to the highest hierarchy, depends on mediumship
to express itself on the physical plane?
Ans. Until science be able to find
a free and generalized channel between embodied and disembodied entities,
a spirit dwelling in the spiritual world depends on a medium to communicate
with men, just like the soul plunging into the physical sphere requires
a mother.
Q14. Would
it be correct to rely on well developed mediums to form outstanding centers
for the demonstration of the survival?
Ans. We shouldn't forget that mediumship
is a faculty of every creature which apply the resources according to the
environment they live in. Let us improve the medium and we will attract
improved spirits. To sustain the excellence in this matter is the same
as to feed disputes over the ownership of psychic domains.
Q15. We know
that the medium has the duty of improve himself. Besides that, what is
the fundamental requirement in the development of his faculties?
Ans. The development of the psychic
energies isn't difficult for the majority of mediums. However, since such
improvement broadens new horizons of human association, the hardest problem
of a medium is, to my view, to keep loyalty to the good companions of the
spirit world.
Q16. How do
you analyze the intellectual and physical mediumships?
Ans. Every mediumnistic faculty
is important, but I believe that, without correct discretion, physical
mediumship may hardly improve our inner world. On the contrary, I understand
that intellectual mediumship, by accessing superior knowledge, should be
widely cultivated so that physical mediumship should not morally confuse
the creatures provisionally attached to the physical world.
Q17. In your
opinion, what is the main task of mediumship in the Spiritist work?
Ans. Concerning present society,
I believe that mediumship is called to the enlighten of people, being specially
useful in obsession occurrences that amount to thousands in every part
of the world.
Q18. Is Spoken
language a decisive communication factor among discarnates living in a
certain country via mediums belonging to a different country?
Ans. We know that thought is an
universal language. However, this is only a plain reality under well trained
telepathy. One can calm down a sick person by the mental suggestion of
ideas of peace, optimism, hope and cure. However, it will be very difficult
to convince him about a treatment without using his own language. On the
other hand, xenoglossy may be obtained very easily as if by order. We must
understand that, in the present stages of human development, language barriers
are an inevitable limitation, since incarnates are tightly bound to their
home environment. In this way, spirit friends living in the United States
should learn Portuguese to communicate with their neighbours in Brazil
and vice-versa. This is an obvious need in the common system of linguistic
communication since progress doesn't know miracles.
Q19. When do
you believe Spiritism will be better known on the Earth?
Ans. That depends on time and goodwill
of people. Whatever creature can delay his access to the gate of truth,
but nobody will escape from it.
Q20. Do you
have a last word to the his Brazilian fellows both discarnate and incarnate
working in the Spiritist fields of action ?
Ans. I have learned that stable
buildings don't come up by improvisation. The Spiritist work requires plantation
of Spiritist principles. And there is no efficient plantation without dedicated
farmers. We should broaden our area of help and elevate the level of understanding
toward our responsibilities in the Spiritist work. If we do what we wish
only, we will own that which we do. The laws of the Universe are fair.
I believe we can summarize the main rules of work in the following program:
to feel with self-control, to think with elevation, to speak constructively,
to study always and to serve more.
New York, NY, 27 July 1965 Part of
the book "Entre Irmãos de Outras Terras", by F C Xavier and W Vieira
(médiums).
Translated into English by A L Xavier
Jr. Ed. by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation.
(*) The reader should note that the interview was probably held using English. The Spirit author, Andre Luiz, translated into Portuguese to facilitate the communication with the medium. In our turn, we translated the text back into English. (Trans.. note)
(**) II Kings, 6:12 - "And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that [is] in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber."
A QUESTION
ABOUT EVIL'S EYE
Daphne
Martinez (USA)
Hi, I've heard about you through
a friend of mine from Brazil, but lives in America. I've been interested
in Spiritism for about 10 years. My father grew up with the philosophy.
I wanted to ask you what do you think about the evil's eye, when someone
envies what you have. Do you think that has some power over one person.
Can things turn out wrong because a person is negatively thinking about
you and wishing you evil. Can this happen? Please let me know what you
think.
Daphne
Dear Daphne
The feeling of possessiveness toward other's things or situations (sometimes called jealousy or enviousness) is hardly a good feeling. It is a strong signal of spiritual perturbation when the one who desires his neighbor things is unable to control his emotion. It can sometimes be good in the initial stages of a person life by making him awake and change his life, but we could never accept it in a general way. Often the envious person is obliged to decide wrongly on regard to certain aspects of his/her duties because he/she is propelled by enviousness. Very frequently you can see him/her adopting exquisite attitudes and getting involved in ridicule situations by trying to imitate others or to possess other's things. I however can't accept the somewhat generalized myth that enviousness may become physiologically bad for the target person upon whom the envious person would have some power. It might be possible that sensitive persons get deeply disturbed upon finding that perhaps one of his/her best friends is really envious of him/her, but any generalized psychic influence should be ruled out. Every person who feels the negative influence of an envious person should analyze his acts to see if there is something wrong with them instead of blaming the envious. Of course it is possible for the envious to assume a negative position towards his target and make him suffer. In this case, the target person should take the correct decisions as in any other common situation of present day life, but never get afraid of the evious by believing in whatever hidden non material influence (evil's eye etc).
Much peace,
Ademir
GEAE editor.
SPIRITIST
GROUP IN LOS ANGELES AND RITUALS
Daniela
Stiles (USA)
Hello, I am so glad to have found
this site. I would like to know if there is a group that gets together
in Torrance, Hermosa, PalosVerdes, RedondoBeach area? I see that you have
L.A.down with a phone number. I am also interested for a love ritual. I
am looking l for a dried humingbird,in spanish is called "ChuppaRosa".
Thanks!
Daniela
Dear Daniela Stiles
We thank you for your subscription to the "Spiritist Messenger". However, I would like to suggest you to get more information about the Spiritist Doctrine. Probably you haven't heard about it before, have you? We don't know about any kind of ritual within the spiritist works. Maybe you find people who use the name "Spiritism" with other meaning. But you can be sure that definitely this doesn't reflect the accepted and widespread meaning of the word. We are much opened to debate and respect all kinds of beliefs, but unfortunately, we can't provide you any help on regard to rituals or hummingbirds used in such occasions because such occasions aren't part of the Spiritist beliefs. We instead believe that rituals may mediate or better emphasize mind concentration on certain goals, but we also believe that , with sufficient knowledge and study, a person can get rid of all these material needs and tune to the divine (if this is the real intention) by his own power or faculty. We also believe that all human beings are able to attain such state of mind freedom.
Respectfully,
Ademir
GEAE editor
Hastiness becomes a fire to burn
without purpose, often damaging the good work.
Systematic fear forms a field where
weeds grow and destroy the seedlings of hope.
Slander breeds uncountable wrongdoing.
Laziness weaves the destruction of labour as much as ill will inspires foolishness.
Violence is discussed with the exaggerated co-operation of the modern vehicles of informatics, stimulating sick minds and psychopathic personalities to surrender to hallucinations.
The therapy for the terrible disease that dominates the world is love in all its forms.
Fraternal love that supports friendship and disseminates hope.
Spiritual love that spreads everyone's interests in communal well being.
Christian love in active service that develops good work and spreads solidarity.
Love that understands mistakes is a copy of the love that re-educates, in the same manner that forgiving love promotes the love that redeems.
Discouragement, hastiness, fear, slander and laziness are forms of cruel violence and the bastard sons of selfishness which is in itself the author of the evils which misrule the world.
Contribute to orderliness and peace, using the verb to be happy.
Speaking to help, spreading moral comfort and guidance for equilibrium.
Use thought, protecting yourself against pessimism, giving off mental waves of sympathy, praying in silence.
Carrying out good works, even with simple gifts such as shedding some light in the darkness, a glass of cold water for the scaring thirst, a piece of bread proffered to the famished, a grain full of life in a fertile trough looking at the future... Each person can offer his best part, giving the most important share, which in plain and simple words is love.
In all events, notwithstanding that He could change the structures of His time and solve the problems of those who sought Him, Jesus, for love's sake helped each creature that came to Him, aiding them to change their attitude to life and thrive in goodness, and to proceed in peace in the direction of God, Who is Total Love.
A story of a doctor's odyssey in the Spirit World By Andre Luiz, through Francisco C Xavier CHAPTER 9 & 10. PDF version (~800 Kb) available at http://www.geae.inf.br/htdocs/en/books/AstralCity.PDF and http://www.geocities.com/xavnet2/moral/Messa1.htm
(Translated from the 25th Portuguese edition entitled "Nosso Lar". First Portuguese edition published in 1944 by Federação Espírita Brasileira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.)
“Whoever observes this immense colony of work,” I said thoughtfully, “is led to inquire about all sorts of possible problems. For instance, the problem of supply. There in no Ministry of Economy here, is there?”
“That branch of ser ice,” answered Lysias, “used to assume much greater importance here. Then our Governor decided to reduce, as much as possible, the number of practices which might remind us of purely physical phenomena. Therefore the activities of the Department of Supply were reduced to mere distribution, under the direct control of the Central Administration. As a matter of fact, this was a very important decision. Our records show that a century ago the Colony underwent great trouble to adapt its inhabitants to the principle of simplicity. Many newcomers to the Astral City, still imbued with earthly vices, insisted on the most extravagant accommodations, including sumptuous meals and stimulating drinks. Only the Ministry of Divine Union, owing to its inherent characteristics, shunned such abuses; the others spent their time overburdened with problems of this sort. Our Governor, however, spared no efforts to put an end to the deplorable situation, introducing decisive measures against it the moment he assumed his administrative duties at the Astral City.
“Some of our older missionaries have told me about that time. They say that the Governor’s request two hundred instructors came to us from a very high sphere in order to propagate new theories about respiration and the absorption of life-giving elements from the atmosphere. Numerous lectures were given on the subject. Many of our own experts were against those innovations on the grounds that, because the Colony serves as a transition zone, it would be unjust and dangerous to submit newly-arrived spirits to such drastic changes. They believed that such changes could cause serious damage to our patients’ spirit-bodies. But the Governor did not give in.
“For thirty years the lectures, illustrative examples, and technical explanations proceeded without interruption. Various eminent spirits went so far as to formulate public protests against the Governor’s actions. They repeatedly crowded the Ministry of Assistance with patients who declared themselves victims of the deficient new diet. During such crises, those who were against the change intensified their attack. Yet the Governor never resorted to punishment. Instead, he would summon his critics to the Government House in a fatherly manner, expounding on the aims and benefits of the new program, emphasizing its superiority as an efficient means of spiritualization. For the most obstinate he would arrange instructive excursions to higher spheres, winning over a great number of them.”
After a long pause, I said:
“Please go on, Lysias. How did that edifying struggle end?”
“After twenty one years of persevering efforts on the Governor’s part, the Ministry of Elevation gave in and cut its supplies to the strictly necessary. The Ministry of Elucidation, however, took a long time to follow this good example, owing to the greater number of statistics-minded spirits working there. They were the most obstinate adversaries, still entrenched in their earthly ideas that the ingestion of protein and carbohydrates is indispensable to the human frame. They insisted on maintaining their ideas here, and every week they sent the Governor lengthy reports, full of warnings and observations, tests and numerical data, supporting their claims. Such impertinence even reached the point of arrogance, yet the Governor’s patience never failed.”
“Having decided not to act alone, he obtained the assistance of the highly evolved entities who guide us through the Ministry of Divine Union, and together they examined every one of those documents thoroughly. While the scientists multiplied their arguments and the government stalled for time, dangerous disturbances were brewing in the Department of Regeneration, now known as the Ministry of Regeneration. Some of the less developed spirits there were caught up in the spirit of rebellion of those in the Ministry of Elucidation and acted simply deplorably. The atmosphere of unrest divided the Colony, exposing the Astral City to dangerous attacks from inhabitants of the lower zones. Such entities endeavored to invade our city availing themselves of the breach of services of the Department of Regeneration, where many workers had been carrying on clandestine dealings in order to satisfy their undesirable addictions to food.
“The alarm was given, and though the crisis posed a serious threat to us all, the Governor maintained his usual serenity. He asked the Ministry of Divine Union for a meeting, and, after listening to our highest council, had the Ministry of Communication temporarily closed. He ordered the dungeons of the Department of Regeneration prepared for the isolation of the more stubborn rebels. He admonished the Ministry of Education, whose impertinence he had withstood for thirty years, and decreed that any further assistance whatsoever to the lower regions should be suspended until further notice. For the first time in his administration he had the electric weapons in the city walls turned on, so as to emit magnetic darts as a measure of defense. There were neither battles nor attacks on the Colony’s side only resolute defense. For over six months the diet of the Astral City was reduced to the life-supporting principles in the atmosphere and the electrical, magnetic and solar elements in the water. Thus for the first time the Colony felt the indignation of a kind and just spirit. “
The Crisis was finally over – the government had won. The Ministry of Elucidation itself admitted its error and lent a hand in it is said that during the festivities the Governor was moved to tears, declaring that the general, good understanding of his fellow citizens was the dearest reward to his heart. The Department of Regeneration was promoted to Ministry, and the city returned to its usual routine.
Since that time only the Ministries of Regeneration and Assistance are allowed greater supplies of nutritive substances, owing to the low spirituality of many of their patients. In all other Ministries the diet is limited to the essentials, according to the rules of the strictest sobriety. Nowadays everyone agrees that the Governor’s apparently arbitrary imposition was a most valuable measure towards our assent. Our contact with material things was reduced, giving rise to a greater spirituality.”
Lysias fell into silence, while I pondered deeply over the great lesson I’d just receive.
“Let’s go,” he suggested, “and see the Colony’s great reservoir. There you will have the opportunity to see some things that will interest you and to learn the importance of water in our transition settlement.”
My curiosity roused, I gladly accepted the invitation. When we arrived at the corner of the public square, my kind friend stopped.
“Here we wait for the airbus .” He said.
I had scarcely gotten over my surprise when a large vehicle approached, floating about fifteen feet above the ground, filled with passengers. It descended like an elevator. I looked at it closely – it was very long, like no vehicle I had ever seen on Earth. It seemed to be made of a very flexible material, and, judging from the number of antennae on its roof, I guessed that it was connected to invisible wires. Later, when visiting the large working plants of the Colony’s Department of Traffic and Transportation, I found that my suppositions had been right.
Lysias gave me no time for my customary questioning. We climbed in, settled into comfortable seats, and the air-bus started in silence. I felt uneasy in this unusual environment, among so many strangers. We traveled at such a speed that I found it impossible to discern the details of any of the constructions that we passed. We covered a good distance, stopping briefly every three kilometers, until forty minutes later Lysias informed me that we had arrived.
The scenery before my eyes was of exquisite beauty. The woods were in bloom and the fresh air was filled with a gentle aroma. It was all a miracle of colors and lights. A great river wound its way leisurely between green banks sprinkled with blue flowers. The slow-moving waters, shimmering in the sun, reflected, like a crystal mirror, the many shades of blue in the sky. Wide paths cut through the woods in different directions, and at regular intervals large trees spread their friendly branches offering areas of shade in the sun-bathed landscape. Here and there, fancifully shaped benches invited one to rest. I was simply charmed, and Lysias noticed by enthusiasm.
“This place is called the Water Park. It is one of the finest regions of the Astral City, and a favorite meeting place for lovers. They come here to exchange sweet vows of love and fidelity for their future experiences on Earth.”
These remarks brought a series of interesting questions to my mind, but Lysias gave me no chance to vent my eager curiosity. Pointing to a large and imposing building, he explained:
“That is the Colony’s water works. The waters of the Blue River that you see over there are drawn into huge compartments from which they are distributed to every district in the Colony. Beyond the grounds of the Ministry of Regeneration, the waters converge again. The river then flows along its ordinary course towards the great ocean of substances, invisible to the Earth. “As a matter of fact, water here has quite a different density than that on Earth. It is much lighter and purer here, almost fluidical.”
Noticing the magnificent building in front of us, I asked:
“Which Ministry controls the distribution of water?”
“It is one of the rare material activities under the Ministry of Divine Union.”
“Really!” I exclaimed, at a loss for how to reconcile the two. Lysias smiled and continued with his explanation:
“On Earth, very few people recognize the importance of water. Here in the Astral City our attitude is different and our knowledge of the subject is far greater. It is obvious that all services that are created need energy and attention to remain in good order. In this spiritual city we learn to be grateful to the Father and His divine laborers for such a gift. Being more deeply acquainted with the properties of water, we know that it is one of the most powerful vehicles for all fluids, whatever their nature. Here, water is used especially for nutritive and medicinal purposes. In the Ministry of Assistance, you will find several departments entirely devoted to mixing pure water with certain elements drawn from solar rays and from spiritual magnetism. In most districts of our extensive Colony, the water thus prepared is the basis of our diet. It happens, though, that, of all of us, the Ministers of Divine Union have reached the highest degree of spiritualization. Consequently they were allotted the task of the general magnetization of the water of the Blue River, to purify it enough so that it might be used by all of the inhabitants of the Astral City. After the Ministers of Divine Union cleanse the water, various institutions carry out the specialized work of endowing it with nutritive and medicinal substances. When the different ducts join again at a distant point opposite these woods, the river flows away from our area, bearing some of our spiritual qualities.”
I was completely astonished in the face of these explanations.
“On Earth,” I remarked, “I never heard of anything like this.”
“Man is inattentive.” Lysias continued. “For many centuries the sea has kept his environment in balance, rain has supplied him with food, and the rivers have been vital in the formation of his cities. Water is a blessing in his home and work, and is the principal and most important element in his physical body. Yet man goes on thinking himself the absolute master of his world, forgetting that he is, before any other consideration, a child of the Most High.”
“The time will come, though, when he will follow our example and recognize the value of this divine and precious gift. He will understand that the water in every home absorbs the mental characteristics of its inhabitants.”
“In the physical world, my friend, not only does water carry away the residues of material bodies, but it also becomes impregnated with our mental vibrations. It can be harmful in wicked hands, useful in generous ones. When in motion, it current spreads the blessing of life and acts as a vehicle of Divine Providence, absorbing man’s bitterness, hatred and worries, cleansing his physical home and purifying his inner atmosphere.”
Lysias fell into reverent silence, while I gazed at the tranquil waters that had aroused in my mind so many sublime thoughts.
In the next issue of "The Spiritist Messenger" - Chapter 11 and 12.
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