What Happens at a Spiritist Center?

Are you wondering where those who follow Spiritism go to meet, study, work, and pray together?

Spiritists do not have what is commonly referred to as a church, temple, shrine, etc.  Why not?  Because Spiritism is not a religion.  There is no hierarchical structure of authority or unyielding practices. Everything is open for discussion and understanding.  The place where Spiritists gather is usually referred to as a Spiritist Center. We collaborate with one another and with our spiritual benefactors and guides, to study, practice, and share our knowledge of Spiritism. 

Spiritist Centers operate independently, although some are affiliated with larger associations or federations that bring various Centers together for events and special initiatives related to Spiritism.  The centers might also be used for a study group, guest speaker, book fair or classes on varying subjects.  Some centers are named after a historical pioneer of Spiritism, a mentoring Spirit, or sometimes a charitable quality.  For example, Allan Kardec Spiritist Center, Andre Luiz Spiritist Center, Love and Fraternity Spiritist Center, etc.

Spiritist Centers determine how they will organize the members.  Some are run by a board of directors, others have a single director, and many are managed by an arrangement made between the members.  Any position, as well as anything involving the other work that goes on in managing the Center and organizing and running its activities are non-paid positions. The people who work in a Spiritist center and fulfill those roles do so as volunteers.

So what goes on at the Spiritist Center?  Every center is different.  A center may offer some or all of the experiences listed below:

Public Meetings: These are meetings in which someone speaks to an audience about a topic.  Similar to a lecture, there may be more than one speaker.  The topics are usually related to Spiritism.  These meetings are an excellent way for those who are new to Spiritism to learn more about what it teaches and what the Spiritist center is like.  For those who are not new, it is a great way to come together in friendship with others who share the same beliefs and common goals.  For all of the participants, it is a valuable resource for education and lessons that help us in our efforts toward inner reform and growth.  These sessions often include harmonizing energy offered through the fluidic therapy sessions.

Fluidic Therapy: This is a practice of magnetization.  It involves the transmission, or donation of positive, restorative energies/fluids that help to revitalize and re-balance a participant. There are two methods or restoring the energy level. "Passes" are given with the hands to remove negative energy and replace it with positive fluid energy.  The person giving the passes never touches the recipient.  "Magnetized water" is bioenergetic water that has been magnetized by the spirits. 

Children/Youth Studies: Many Spiritist centers offer a study time for children to attend while their parents are attending a public meeting. In this way, the center helps the parents to expose children to the basic precepts and teachings of Spiritism, in a manner that is accessible to them. They're given the seeds of a knowledge that will help them to interact in a positive way with the world around them.  At the same time, the family is at the center together, participating in an activity that will help them to be conscious of the way they treat one another at home, the way they interpret the situations and challenges they must face together, and the way they relate to others outside their home. Children may also participate in the fluidic therapy with the adults.

Class or Study Groups:  Many Spiritist centers offer weekly classes or study groups.  The duration of such studies can last a few weeks to a few years.   The studies are centered around a particular book or theme.  Some centers also offer a class that teach the basic principles of Spiritism to newcomers.

Mediumship Sessions:  These meetings, which may or may not be open to the general public, are held with a consistent group of disciplined mediums who are knowledgeable in Spiritism and who have been prepared to work together.  There is usually at least one spirit mentor who also works consistently with the group. Such meetings may be held for different objectives.  They are always of a serious nature, with the general goal of fraternal, spiritual assistance.  These sessions typically offer counseling, instruction, and friendly support to suffering spirits who have come to communicate, many of whom are brought to the meeting by higher spirits.  Help is also offered to spirits who are involved in a negative and harmful relationship with an incarnate or another disincarnate spirit who is seeking help at the Spiritist center.

Fraternal Assistance: This is a friendly counseling service offered to those who come to the Spiritist center looking for advice or help with a particular personal issue. The counselor will sit with the individual seeking help, listen to his or her problem, and attempt to help the individual analyze the situation from a Spiritist viewpoint.  These meetings are often referred to as "private sessions" as spiritual benefactors are also involved. 

Communtity Outreach:  Spiritist centers often organize different activities, sometimes as one-time events and other times on a regular schedule, that offer social assistance to their community.  Members can volunteer their time and abilities to help those less fortunate than themselves. 

What you will NOT find at a Spiritist Center:

- Special adornments, vestments or other clothing.  Some centers encourage the participants to wear white, but it's a tradition, not a requirement.

- Smoke or other substances that produce smoke are not welcome, although some centers use incense or candlelight.

- Alters, shines, or any other practices that answer to material or dissolute interests (charms, amulets, good luck objects, or other similar objects or things).

- Specific hymns or songs in exotic or antiquated languages.  Many centers choose to play relaxing music as a way to prepare and relax the participants. 

- Specific acts reserved for religions (such as the administering of sacraments; concession of indulgences, assigning of noble titles, etc.)  There are no dances, processions, horoscope or tarot card readings, fortune-telling, and other similar acts.

- Payment for any type of favor or assistance given to another individual or group.

Questions?  Leave them in the comments and we will be happy to answer them for you.  Thanks for reading!