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How did Spiritism emerge?

Spiritism is a scientific-philosophical doctrine with moral and religious implications, codified by Allan Kardec in 19th-century France. Hyppolite Leon Denizard Rivail, a French educator and writer, took on the pseudonym Allan Kardec after investigating spirit manifestations and beginning to codify the Spiritist Doctrine. In 1857, Kardec published The Spirits' Book, a compilation of teachings dictated by higher spirits using a scientific method of structuring questions and analyzing answers. The work presents the fundamentals such as the existence of God and creation, the immortality of the soul, moral laws, and present and future life.

In this way, Spiritism revives faith in the future, strengthens spirits, and helps build an unshakeable faith anchored in reason.

More about the Spiritism

What is Spiritism?

In the book What is Spiritism (1859), Kardec explains that Spiritism is a science of observation and, at the same time, a philosophical doctrine.

As a science, it consists of the relationships that can be established between us and the Spirits, dealing with the origin and destiny of Spirits, as well as their relationship with the physical world. It reveals a new law, according to which communication with the spiritual plane occurs naturally. Its objective is to demonstrate and study the manifestation of spirits, their abilities, their situation of happiness or unhappiness, and their future, thus providing a deeper understanding of the spiritual world. In this way, it broadens the domain of science, and therefore Spiritism itself becomes a science.

By understanding and recognizing this new law, significant moral consequences emerge, causing Spiritism to also establish itself as a philosophical doctrine. It meets human expectations regarding the future, based on positive and rational foundations. Therefore, it covers all moral implications derived from interactions between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Spiritism is fundamentally a doctrine based on rational faith, which is enlightened by reason. Preconceived and erroneous ideas are often used to raise objections; therefore, the Spirits and Kardec understand that in the absence of facts, it is essential to question. The Spiritist Doctrine rejects any effect considered miraculous or supernatural, that is, anything that is outside the laws of nature. Thus, Spiritism does not perform miracles or wonders, but rather explains certain phenomena through natural laws, demonstrating their plausibility.

The truths revealed by Spiritism are consequences rather than discoveries. This doctrine was not the pioneer in the discovery or invention of Spirits, nor did it unveil the spiritual world, a concept present in various beliefs throughout humanity. However, Spiritism offers tangible evidence of these phenomena, clarifying them and demystifying superstitions and misconceptions, often arising from doubt, ignorance, and disbelief.

Spiritism requires continuous study of the precepts of the doctrine in order to improve the spirit. The connection to various branches of knowledge, such as Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Psychology, requires Spiritism followers to be dedicated to understanding and practicing the teachings of the codification. Kardec described how he himself needed more than a year of investigation when adopting a researcher's approach. For this reason, Allan Kardec, in his work The Gospel According to Spiritism (1864), recommends: “Spiritists! Love one another, this is the first teaching; educate yourselves, this is the second.”

Books

Allan Kardec published five fundamental works recognized by Spiritism. They are:

The Spirits' Book (1857): Kardec's first work marks the beginning of the Spiritist movement, presenting the principles of Spiritism in a book in question and answer format. The work is the result of a scientific method developed by Kardec in the process of inquiring into and compiling the teachings of the spirits. The book addresses topics such as the immortality of the soul, the nature of spirits, the relationship between the spiritual and material worlds, moral laws, life after death, and the future of humanity.

The Mediums' Book (1861): This work clarifies the nature of mediumistic manifestations and serves as a practical guide both for those who wish to explore their own mediumistic abilities and for those who want to understand spiritual phenomena. It explains different types of mediumship, offers guidance for developing these abilities, and addresses phenomena associated with spirit communication, including issues of fraud and obsession.

The Gospel According to Spiritism (1864): Focusing on the moral teachings of Jesus Christ, this work interprets the Gospels in light of Spiritist Doctrine. Composed of 28 chapters, each begins with an excerpt from the New Testament, followed by explanatory comments. It deals with themes such as love, forgiveness, humility, charity, and the pursuit of moral perfection, integrating them with Spiritist principles. Spiritists are encouraged to study this work, especially during the Gospel at Home.

Heaven and Hell (1865): In this work, Kardec examines the concepts of heaven, hell, and purgatory from a Spiritist perspective. He discusses the fate of souls after death and the conditions of spiritual happiness or suffering, always focusing on divine justice according to Spiritism.

Genesis (1868): In this last book, Kardec addresses questions about the creation of the universe, the origin of the Earth, living beings, and human beings, as well as the natural laws that govern the world. He also discusses the topics of miracles and prophecies in light of Spiritist concepts.

In addition, Kardec also published a series of Spiritist magazines from 1858 until his death in 1869. The Revue Spirite was a monthly publication that included topics related to Spiritism, with articles, essays, reports of mediumistic experiences, and philosophical discussions. Kardec used this magazine as a means of communication and discussion with the Spiritist community, as well as a vehicle for disseminating his ideas and discoveries. Kardec's works and these magazines can be accessed at Kardecpedia.

Allan Kardec

Hippolyte-Léon-Denizard Rivail was born on October 3, 1804, in Lyon, France. He completed his studies in Yverdun, Switzerland, under the mentorship of the renowned professor Pestalozzi, a leading figure in the field of education. Rivail held a bachelor's degree in arts and sciences, a doctorate in medicine, and was a polyglot, fluent in German, English, Italian, and Spanish.

He married Amélie Boudet, a kind and gracious teacher, heiress and only daughter of her parents, notable for her intelligence and vivacity. Amélie played a key role in Rivail's mission, who would later be recognized as the driving force behind the Spiritist movement.

In 1854, he had his first contact with the phenomenon of table turning, associated with studies on magnetism. At that time, Rivail was skeptical about spiritual phenomena, believing that a table could not have a brain to think or nerves to feel. However, between 1854 and 1856, he encountered inexplicable events that seemed to defy the laws of nature and challenged his reason. In 1855, he began to witness episodes of somnambulism and mediumistic writing at these meetings. Rivail saw the turning tables move in a way that left no doubt about the reality of the phenomenon.

Based on these experiences, he made systematic observations, applying experimental and analytical methods. He was rigorous in his investigations, seeking to understand the causes behind the observed effects, and emphasized the importance of a positivist rather than idealistic approach, not allowing himself to be taken in by illusions.

At these meetings, meticulously prepared questions were answered accurately and logically. This work was carried out by serious people who took a keen interest in the work, which formed the basis of “The Spirits' Book.” During this period, Rivail adopted the name Allan Kardec, as his name was widely known in scientific circles. He believed that by using a pseudonym, he would avoid confusion and possible damage to the Spiritist movement. According to what was revealed to him by a spiritual guide, this had been his name in a past incarnation among the Druids.

The book “The Spirits' Book” was so successful that its first edition quickly sold out. Kardec reissued it in 1856 in its current form. He later became involved with the Parisian Society for Spiritist Studies, founded magazines and journals, traveled to spread Spiritism, and continued to write other works. He faced resistance from society, exemplified by the historical episode of the burning of Spiritist books in 1861.

Kardec was renowned for his methodical approach, philosophical wisdom, clairvoyance, and depth. His tireless work had a major impact in France and around the world, laying the foundations for the evolution and renewal of society. He passed away in Paris on March 31, 1869, at the age of 65, due to a ruptured aneurysm.

This text is a compiled summary of the biography written by Henri Sausse, published as the first part of the book “What is Spiritism” (Kardec, 2009).

References

KARDEC, Allan. Le Livre des Esprits. 1a ed. bilíngue, tradução e edição de Canuto Abreu. Reprodução fotomecânica da 1a ed. francesa. São Paulo: Companhia Editora Ismael, 1957. Revue Spirite. Coleção da Federação Espírita do Paraná.

KARDEC, Allan. O evangelho segundo o espiritismo. Tradução de Guillon Ribeiro da 3. ed. francesa, revista, corrigida e modificada pelo autor em 1866. – 131. ed. 1. imp. (Edição Histórica) Brasília: FEB, 2013. 410 p. ISBN 978-85-7328-730-1.

KARDEC, Allan. O que é o espiritismo. Tradução de Evandro Noleto Bezerra. Brasília: FEB, 2009. 264 p.

SAUSSE, Henri. Biografia de Allan Kardec. Brasília: FEB, 2013. Disponível em: https://www.febnet.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/o-que-e-o-espiritismo.pdf. Acesso em: 21 Mar. 2024.