There is an all-too-common trend within the Spiritualist churches of the UK to dismiss or downplay the importance of philosophy as part of the congregations’ experience. Worst still, evidence suggests the tutors involved with new spiritualist students aren’t teaching it. And if they are, they’re missing the mark.
In this article, I’ll share my interpretation of philosophy and suggest ways to address this essential facet of spiritualism in a more people-friendly manner.
PHILOSOPHY
Many mediums and students declare they don’t do philosophy and omit it from their work. This may be because nobody talked about it with them during their training, circles, and workshops. Philosophy is often believed not to carry any importance, focusing instead on the medium’s connection with the spirit world. I believe this is entirely a short-sighted approach and displays a lack of power in the potential of a philosophical address.
There is nothing mysterious or hard to comprehend about delivering something philosophical to a congregation. Let’s start by looking at the meaning of the word.
Let me define that definition is layman’s terms and how it relates to us for spiritualism:
“To share an understanding of a topic, an opinion and a perspective.”
That’s my opinion. You may have your view that differs. That is the philosophy at work! Philosophy is a broad church and encapsulates everyone’s own understanding.
Every day, in many conversations we have, we share a view or talk about a topic philosophically. Whether we talk about our political leaders, the weather, the cost of living, what’s on television, or what we had to eat, we do so unaware that each topic of conversation has its philosophy. If you can get your head around it, I’m talking to you now about philosophy in a philosophical manner! It’s not rocket science.
PHILOSOPHY WITHIN SPIRITUALISM
Studying and understanding life after earthy death occurs is a rich and vast topic. There are endless aspects of spiritualism to appreciate, learn and be informed about. The Spiritualist National Union considers the foundations of this religion as being built on four philosophical pillars. These encapsulate the purpose and intent.
- Healing
- Peace
- Respect
- Evolution
YOUR PHILOSOPHY
Back in the 1970s, when I was a squaddie in the territorial army, I recall being on a training exercise. During some downtime, the Sergeant-Major suggested we fill it with a game. Each of us was invited to stand up in front of everyone and talk about a random object given to us by someone else. The rules were simple—talk about the item for five minutes without stopping or hesitating while displaying enthusiasm and knowledge.
I recall how nervous I was. I was a tall, gangly, ginger-haired teenage target for bullying! I became extremely nervous about this challenge and worried about making a fool of myself in front of thirty other, more competent and intimidating soldiers.
My turn came all too quickly and as I nervously stood at the front of the frightening bunch, one of them handed me a Polo mint. That was my topic. I had to talk about this humble little sweet for what appeared like a lifetime. I mean, how much was there to say?
That was my first experience of philosophy at work. I winged it, as they say, and passed the SM’s test. If you’re now thinking that this story is barely based on philosophy, you’d be wrong. In those five minutes of my immature life, I had to produce anything I could about the stupid sweet. Part of my address was about how much comfort that mint brought when received from someone as a gift. By the way, I finished the short address by eating it!
Every one of us has a story to share. We know so much and have so many different points of view that the rest of us can learn from. Not a single person who reads my words cannot offer something philosophical. Everyone can, so there is no excuse not to.
CHOOSING THE SUBJECT
We’re fortunate to live in a multidimensional world where there is so much to experience through our senses and all around us. No matter where you are, there is always something to experience that is worthy of a few words. Churches and centres are rich with philosophical subjects. The paintings on the walls, the books, the decor, the ambience, the posters, the peace and tranquillity experienced, and that’s just the start. Consider why you like being there, what it brings to you, and how it enrichens your life. Anyone could connect a few words together about any or all of the above for a few minutes at least.
Narrowing down the topic for your philosophy address is just as easy. How about choosing something from the following ten topics to talk about:
- The 7 principles – one or all of them. How you interpret them. What they mean to you. How important you feel they are. Why they are meaningful with your interpretation attached.
- The 4 pillars – mentioned about. What they mean to you. How do you interpret one or all of them? How you feel being aware of them. Your interpretation and what you might add.
- How you became to follow this path, and why. What it means to you. How your life has changed. How others benefit from your beliefs.
- How you understand life after this one. How you believe you’ll transition. How others should understand the process involved. How you have come to believe in life after death.
- How you understand the healing. What it means to you and how you express healing. How you embrace the energy and what your expectations are.
- How you interpret evidence of life after death. What you expect from the spirit connect. Why you believe its important.
- How you connect with the spirit world. How frequently and what rituals do you use. How you prepare and why. How can others learn from you.
- How you interpret the power of prayer. How you address the Divine and in what words. What are your expectations. How frequent you pray/talk to this God of yours.
- Your philosophy and how you live by it. How it’s connected with your work with spirit. How you seek inspiration, comfort and support from the work you do.
- The education you’ve acquired doing this work. What sources you use, books, mentors etc. Who inspired you and why.
- Where you see your life going. How others could benefit from this chosen path of life. How you work with your limitations and remain expressive.
Just in this section alone there are hundreds of suggestions for a philosophical address, no matter who you are, or what your experience. Imagine how others will benefit from your words. Imagine how good you’ll feel about having taken this approach to philosophy.
SUGGESTIONS & AVOIDANCES
Fluency will come with time and experience. Embrace the opportunity to talk about this subject within mediumship that you’re passionate about. Express that passion with your words and your voice. Show others why you live this new life and are happy to share your thoughts with them.
Always try to keep your topic under the umbrella of Spiritualism. Keep it positive and don’t be afraid to admit your weaknesses apart from your strengths.
Just talk to the congregation with your own words. If it helps, find one or two people in the crowd to focus your eye attention on. People that you trust and are positively supportive to you.
Don’t worry about being word-perfect or flowering fancy words that aren’t natural to you. Don’t allow your nerves to control you. Mediumship is harder than talking about it (trust me!)
Don’t prepare scripts or prompt cards, you don’t need them and leaning on them will block your natural flow. Just choose a topic, at the last moment, and talk about it with passion.
Avoid choosing to read a passage or poem from a book as your main address. Instead, talk from the heart and express yourself through your words. Anyone can read from a book. Doing so proves nothing and usually contains little of value, compared with your own words and expressions.
Never read a pre-prepared prayer. How can that be a prayer from your heart, if your eyes are open and you’re focused on reading it perfectly! A prayer is nothing more than a conversation with your God. It doesn’t need to be fancy, embroidered with phrases to impress the God. He’s not! Impress your own words from your heart and soul onto others.
Learn to enjoy philosophy – it’s a rich and powerful use of your voice. Expressed with passion, you’ll come to appreciate how philosophy will help you with your mediumship. Yes, it will. Some mediums use philosophy as an opportunity to establish their connection with the spirit world. Sadly, the order of events at some churches might not allow you to flow from philosophy straight into mediumship. That is the fault of some well-meaning organisers who wanted to break the philosophy away from the mediumship, when they should be integral to each other.
In a circle I once sat in, the evening consisted of a period of time in meditation followed by the learning hour. This was usually mediumship demonstrations from the students. But occasionally, that gave way to an evening of philosophy instead. Every student present, including me, found those evenings as beneficial and educational as any other evening. Of course, that circle was led by a tutor who strongly believed in the power of philosophy.
That has to be one of the first places to start. If you teach students mediumship, you should also be teaching the power of philosophy, laced with practise, tips, guidance and support. Reading an address from a book should be discouraged. A short poem within a philosophical address might be acceptable so long as the primary address is where the listener’s focus is directed.
If we want to see and hear more philosophy within spiritualism, and the work we do with spirit, we must be actively including it, raising the standards through education, and appreciating it with love.
A good philosophical address will touch every member of a congregation, while a reading will only touch the few involved. Through the words in this article, you can experience my passion for philosophy. Philosophy is an opportunity to talk about something I’m passionate about with excitement, love and devotion. Please embrace the occasion the next time you are invited to demonstrate. Go unprepared for the philosophical address and live in the moment. You’ll be surprised how good it will make you feel in the end.
Any church that doesn’t encourage philosophy is not one I want to attend.
