The philosophy of Spiritualism asserts that man has a continuous spiritual existence which extends beyond his physical life into eternity. Our special mission, as a progressive movement, is to propagate this conception to a world which has been bereft of a responsible spiritual leadership, and is overshadowed by the narrowness and selfishness of a materialist outlook.
All great modern religions teach the idea of some future spiritual state in heaven or hell but their teachings have failed to produce any fundamental or lasting influence in the lives of the majority of the people. This is largely because they have failed to satisfy the demands of the present day realists who require facts to support theories.
Spiritualism can prove to the individual the fact that life is continuous by demonstrating the return of those who have passed to the Spirit World. This great truth is of the greatest spiritual value, because it profoundly revolutionises our outlook on life and consequently our behaviour.
We realise that our strategy of life must be determined by the broader conception of an eternal destiny, and not by the narrow limits of material life. Spiritualism reveals that we are all part of the Supreme Cosmic Spirit, which is the life principle of the Universe and that we are indestructible parts of the eternal whole.
As spirits we incarnate into this material world, utilising a suitable vehicle – a physical body – which makes us aware of our physical environment and gives us expression. We incarnate in order to be of service to God and to gain self-experience. We give in service and receive in spiritual progress and by so doing bring ever greater powers and virtues within the orbit of our expanding influence. At physical death when the material vehicle which houses the soul decays and dies our dynamic spirit, an infinitesimal part of the Supreme Spirit, will automatically utilise another vehicle more suitable for its expression in the next level of existence.
As the spirit evolves, its vibrations become finer and it automatically ‘dies’ to live again on yet another level, another dimension. In each succeeding level of its existence it will be housed in a vehicle which is suitable for its needs at that level. The indwelling spirit becomes aware of its environment and can express itself only through the body which houses it. We progress then from one level to another in eternal duration, assuming ever-greater responsibilities in the supreme plan of evolution and progress.
