Made with Xara Spiritualism - Characteristic Beliefs The central tenet of Spiritualism is the belief in and practice of mediumship which is considered to provide evidence of the continued existence of an individual's spirit or soul after death. A secondary belief is that spirits are in some way closer to God (Gods) than living humans, and that spirits themselves are capable of growth and perfection. The afterlife is therefore not a static place, but one in which spirits continue to evolve. The two beliefs: that contact with spirits is possible, and that spirits are more advanced than humans, leads to a third belief: that spirits enjoy timeless wisdom, and are consequently capable of providing profound enlightenment about moral and ethical issues, as well as about the nature of God (Gods) and the afterlife. Thus many Spiritualists will speak of their spirit guides - specific spirits, often contacted, who are relied upon for spiritual guidance. Spiritualism, although pre-dating it by several millenniums was absorbed into the Christian environment and has many features in common with Christianity: an essentially Christian moral system, a perceived belief in the Judeo/Christian God, mystical pantheism, and liturgical practices such as Christianity’s Sunday services and the singing of hymns. Nevertheless, on significant points the two faiths are quite different. Spiritualists do not believe that the acts of this life lead to the assignment of each soul into an eternity of either Heaven or Hell — rather, they view the afterlife as containing many hierarchically arrayed "spheres," through which each spirit can successfully progress. Spiritualists also differ from Christians in that the Judeo-Christian Bible is not the primary source from which they derive knowledge of God and the afterlife — their own personal contacts with spheres of experience beyond what is generally understood as "material" and their own contacts with "spirits" provides that source. Many Christians and Spiritualists alike appear to hold a duality of belief, considering both ‘camps’ to have much, but not total credibility.  This appears to be a foundation for the contemporary practice of exchanging  alternative  wedding vows, and receiving alternative wedding blessings. Spiritualists generally speak only of the spirits of dead humans, and do not espouse a belief in spirits of trees, springs, or other natural features. Buddhism and Hinduism share a belief with Spiritualism in the separation of the soul from the body at death, and its continued existence. Unlike traditional Spiritualism, these faiths often believe in reincarnation. Spiritualism also differs from occult movements, such as contemporary Wiccan covens, in that spirits are not contacted in order to obtain magical powers (with the single exception of obtaining power for healing). Many individual Spiritualists draw heavily from the spiritual sects of Islam (Sufi), Judaism (Kabbalah) and Buddhism. Some Spiritualists follow one distinct religion's practices while others pull elements from any or all of the three religions to formulate their beliefs. Some Spiritualists believe in the idea of the universe as the creator, and don't necessarily follow any specific religion.  Spiritualism is not readily distinguishable from the New Age movement, and like the New Age movement draws heavily from shamanism and embraces the idea of reincarnation. wedding blessings on ibiza Site Map Beautiful Ibiza weddings, blessings and other ceremonies blessings-on-ibiza.com