spiritist

Spiritist refers to a practitioner or adherent of Spiritism, a spiritual and philosophical movement codified in the 19th century by the French educator Allan Kardec. Spiritism focuses on understanding the nature, origin, and destiny of spirits, their interactions with the living, and the ethical implications of these phenomena. In many communities, spiritists gather in study groups and centers dedicated to learning, discussion, and charitable activity.

Core beliefs include the immortality of the soul, the existence of spiritual realms, and the idea that spirits progress morally and intellectually through reincarnation and learning from earthly experiences. Adherents hold that spirits can communicate with the living under proper ethical and methodological conditions, mainly through trained mediums. Such communications are seen as sources of guidance, education, or healing, and as a means to demonstrate the law of cause and effect that governs lives across multiple existences. Emphasis is placed on personal responsibility, compassionate behavior, and the improvement of society through charity and moral development.

Practices commonly involve study of Kardec’s writings, participation in lectures and research at spiritist centers, and engagement in charitable work for the sick, the poor, and the marginalized. Centers may organize mediumship demonstrations, courses on philosophy and science, and social outreach. Spiritism is usually non-doctrinal and community-based, aiming for rational inquiry, ethical living, and progressive human improvement.

Historically, Spiritism arose from reported spirit communications and was systematized by Kardec in works such as The Spirits’ Book, What Is Spiritism?, The Book on Mediums, The Gospel According to Spiritism, and Genesis. It remains most prominent in Brazil but has organized groups and federations worldwide, including the Brazilian Spiritist Federation and the International Spiritist Council.