Grow Here

The philosophy of spiritualism is based on seven fundamental principles. Which are guidelines that were offered by spirit teachers as a basis for life.

• The Fatherhood of God.
  

  By a study of nature, that is, by trying to understand the laws of cause and effect, which govern all that is happening around us, we recognize that there is a creative force in the universe. This force, or energy, not only created the whole universe but life itself in its many forms and is continuing to create today, creating, not from nothing, but of itself, and the effects of this eternal creation can be seen around us today, even in the farthest reaches of outer space, as has been shown in its astounding grandeur by the remarkable photographs taken through the medium of the Hubble telescope. This leads us to acknowledge that God, the Creative Force, manifests directly or indirectly in all things. We know this power as God and, as we are a part of the life created by God, we acknowledge God as our Father.

• The Brotherhood of Man.
  Because we all come from the same universal Life source we are, in effect, one large family. This means that all mankind is part of a brother- hood. A brotherhood is a community for mutual support and comfort; we are all members of the same divine family. We have to understand the needs of other individuals in order to assist them as part of our service to each other. As we learn to give, so must we also learn to receive, thereby achieving the necessary balance for our lives.
  
• The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels.
  Many Spiritualists consider this as the key Principle. All religions believe in life after death but only Spiritualism shows it is true by demonstrating that communication with departed spirits can, and does, take place. Spiritualist churches and centres provide many of the venues where communication, through mediumship, is possible and many loved relatives and friends take advantage of this opportunity to continue to show an interest in our welfare and us. There are spirit people who are dedicated to the welfare and service of mankind, like Silver Birch, channeled through the mediumship of Maurice Barbanell, who brought inspiration and teachings, whilst others work in the healing ministry. 
  
• The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul.
  

  Matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed. This is an old scientific axiom which research continues to confirm. If we accept this, and there is no reason why we should not, we need to know what happens when the present form of energy reaches the end of its viability. The answer is, simply, that it changes its manifestation. Spirit is energy and is therefore indestructible. On the death of the physical body the spirit continues as an integral part of a world which interpenetrates our world in

  different dimensions: this other world is referred to as the spirit world. In spirit life we have a spirit body that is a replica of our earthly body but it is a much finer form. We are the same individuals in every way, with the same personalities and characteristics, and we change only by progression, or otherwise, as a result of our own efforts. 

• Personal Responsibility.

  This Principle is the one which places responsibility for wrongful thoughts and deeds where it belongs, with the individual. It is the acceptance of responsibility for every aspect of our lives, and the use to which we put our lives depends entirely upon ourselves. It is not possible for any other person or outside influence to interfere with our spiritual development, unless we are willing to allow this.

  As we are given freedom of choice (freewill), so also are we given the ability to recognize what is right and wrong for our own spirituality. We are personally responsible for all our words, deeds and thoughts.

• Compensation and Retribution Hereafter for all the Good or Evil Deeds done on Earth.
  As with all other Principles, natural laws apply; this one echoes the Law of Cause and Effect (‘what goes around, comes around’). One cannot be cruel and vindictive towards others and expect love and popularity in return. It should be understood that the compensatory or retributive effects of this law operate now, on earth: they do not wait until we begin to live our lives in the spirit world. With this understanding we can try to put right wrongs that we know we have done before we pass from this life.  

• Eternal Progress Open to every Human Soul.
  

  In most humans there exists the desire for progress and to every human soul belongs the power to advance in wisdom and love. All who desire to tread the path that leads to spiritual wisdom and understanding are able to do so. The rate of progress is directly proportional to the desire for mental and spiritual understanding. It is the realisation that our soul is a part of eternity and the road to progress is open any time we choose to walk it that can help us come to terms with the challenges of this world. 

  Spiritualism, through an intelligent and thorough investigation of its Seven Principles, can reveal the deepest significance of service to others and transform lives from selfishness to unselfishness, from individualism to social cooperation.

Science
– Spiritualism is based upon communicated knowledge from those in the spirit world. Spiritualism except no theories which cannot be sustained by proven facts and corroborative testimony. 

Philosophy
– Within the philosophy of spiritualism lies the key to an understanding of everything pertaining to the spiritual nature of man. It is a rational and progressive way of thought, an application to life it is based upon proven fact and an understanding of the intelligent universal creative energy known as God.

Religion
– Within this religion proof can be found of man’s immortality and the existence of that which is spirit within the universe. The knowledge that the essence of man the soul cannot die or be destroyed removes the fear of death.

Spiritualist mediums are highly sensitive people who have developed their psychic awareness. They are able to communicate with those in the spirit world who may still wish to communicate with us just as they would if they had moved to another part of this world.

There are three main types of mediumship: mental, physical, and healing. The reason for so many forms of mediumship is because our friends in the spirit world will use whatever means they can to get through and help us to understand the truth of everlasting life.

Physical mediumship is now quite rare, possibly because it takes many years to develop. This is a more direct form of mediumship as everyone present will witness the same phenomena. Spirits can speak directly with their own voice or even materialize for all to see, objects can also be levitated and moved around the room with no visible means of support.

Physical mediumship includes materialization or direct voice when spirit presents themselves in visual form or speak directly to those they wish to contact.

Spiritual healing is practiced in our churches it can assist treatment given by doctors. Spiritual healing is administered by laying on of hands contact healing.

Absent healing through thought and prayer can be offered to those who are unable to attend a healing session.

Spiritual mediumship in no way involves fortune-telling. The work of the medium is to prove the reality of survival after so-called death and to pass on practical help and understanding when needed. Spiritualism is concerned with the way we live here and now and the advice given should add meaning and a deeper sense of purpose to life.

Mental mediumship is the type normally witnessed in the spiritualist church or public demonstration. The spirit-person works through the medium’s mind and he or she is able to see spirit forms which are clairvoyance or hear Spirit sounds which are Clairaudience.

Mental mediumship is by far the most common and falls into two categories: perception and control. The first perception, in this the spirit communicator works through the medium’s mind and he or she is able to see, hear, or sense pictures, sounds, or feelings. They will perceive them either subjectively or objectively.

In the controlled state, the medium will go into trance, this will enable the spirit control to speak through the medium or to do automatic writing.

Some mediums occasionally work in a trance or controlled state. This ranges from a simple passive condition to a deep unconscious one. The entranced medium is used by a spirit to deliver an address or pass on certain ideas which are often far in advance of the medium’s own knowledge.

A spiritualist is one who knows that there is no death and life will continue in a place we call the spirit world.

A spiritualist also knows that those in spirit not only can but do communicate when they wish to do so and then only under the right conditions.

This form of mediumship is offered free of charge in most SNU churches and centers; the spiritual healing medium takes on a ‘passive’ role, making the initial connection between patient and spirit healer, then directing their awareness to the single task of attuning to the healing energies flowing through them, directing their entire effort to make their connection the most effective for channeling healing energies and in no part allowing their ego to get in the way of the flow of spiritual healing to the patient.

The SNU Healing Medium is probably one of the best-trained healing mediums in the world, thanks to the development of a rigorous training program involving not only hands-on healing experience in the form of 100 healing training sessions but also regular assessments to make sure the techniques of the healer meet the highest standards; this is reinforced by an academic curriculum which makes sure the trainee healer understands healing, anatomy, physiology and the religion of Spiritualism. Even after this prolonged training, the SNU Spiritual Healing Medium is expected to continually develop and refine its skills. Many decide to continue their academic studies through the SNU healing courses available, becoming Certificate-holders, Diploma-holders, and even a Fellow of the SNU in Healing.

Like philosophy in our churches and centers, healing provides the reason to return to Spiritualism on a regular basis. Though no claim to miracle cures or any kind of cure is ever made by any SNU Healing Medium, our patients return again and again, finding comfort and relief from the experience. All forms of mediumship are developed in the SNU through the churches and centers, which hold development classes and workshops, and through the educational courses provided by the SNU Education Committee and residential and weekend courses held at the Arthur Findlay College, Stansted Hall, and the Barbanell Conference Centre, in Stafford. Through these study opportunities, the general public can be reassured that the SNU-qualified medium will be of the highest standard as a platform medium or a healing medium. The SNU trains the trainers as well, with many of the world’s leading mediums working as tutors at the College and Centre.

The Spiritualists’ National Union is recognized by the government as a UK religion, with its own Ministers performing all the duties one would expect of religion alongside the Spiritualist services in our many churches and Pioneer Centres every week.

The Lyceum has its origins in the teachings of Andrew Jackson Davis, an American medium of great quality.  He described, at a meeting held in New York in 1863, the system of teaching used in the spirit realms, which he called Summerland. Arising from his lectures the first Lyceum was established, gaining support in America and eventually finding its way to England in 1866, where Nottingham became the host city for the very first English Lyceum.

Andrew Jackson Davies wrote of the belief in the complete and harmonious development of body, spirit, and soul under the very best teachers.

The body, mind, and spirit of the child should be drawn forth progressively by pleasant and natural methods.  This theory is also relevant to the development of adults.