When I first sat down in Croydon Spiritualist Church, a little over 5 years ago, I looked up at the wooden board that listed the seven principles of spiritualism. It was the first time I had seen them. I knew that I could accept nearly everything. I say nearly because the third principle I didn’t properly understand. Of course “Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels,” speaks to the idea that communication with spirits is possible and that angels play a role in our lives. At that time I found the concept of angels quite dubious. But 6.5 out of 7 ain’t bad and I became (or realised that I was already) a spiritualist. During that service I got an awesomely accurate and incredibly poignant reading from the medium serving the church that day, Iain Mason. It reinforced my belief that I needed to get involved.
The concept of angels is not unique to Spiritualism, and can be found in many religious traditions. In Christianity, for example, angels are seen as messengers of God who guide and protect believers. In Islam, angels are believed to be created from light and to carry out God’s will on Earth.
The principles of Spiritualism are not dogmatic, and beliefs about angels and other spiritual beings can vary among us. Some may view angels as literal beings, while others (like me) see them as symbols of spiritual forces.
Of course, since that time, along with my experience, my understanding has grown. But more I learn, the less I know. There is a lot more to the spirit world than the human mind can conceive. With our limited understanding most of us try and make things fit. God, The Universe, Source, or as I prefer, The Great Spirit, is not a person, but in most of our minds, we create an anthropomorphic personification. God/The Great Spirit becomes a living (roughly humanoid) embodiment of a fundamental abstraction. I believe we do the same with angels. They are aspects of the great spirit, but it makes it easier for our brains to make them separate entities. There is nothing wrong with that. It still works. When we communicate with angels we are communicating with spirit in some way, so it does not really matter how we perceive it. Equally, I could be wrong about angels being an aspect of The Great Spirit. When I talk to angels I could be talking to a discreet spiritual beings. But again that does not matter.
In Spiritualism, angels are generally seen as part of a larger spiritual hierarchy that includes spirits of deceased loved ones, guides, and teachers. These beings are available to assist humans in their spiritual development and to help them navigate life’s challenges. Spiritualists believe that angels can communicate with us in various ways, such as through dreams, visions, and intuition. They may also use signs and symbols to communicate messages to us.
The ministry of angels is not limited to communication and guidance, however. Spiritualists also believe that angels can intervene in our lives to provide protection and healing. They may help us overcome obstacles or provide comfort during difficult times. The idea of the ministry of angels is closely related to the concept of divine providence, which is the belief that God or a higher power is actively involved in the world and in our lives. Spiritualists see angels as one manifestation of divine providence, working behind the scenes to help us fulfill our life’s purpose.
The ministry of angels is also tied to the idea of karma, or the idea that our actions have consequences that extend beyond this life. Spiritualists believe that angels can help us to understand and balance our karma, providing us with opportunities for growth and transformation. Many believe that angels can assist with physical healing. They may work in conjunction with medical professionals or spiritual healers to help restore balance and harmony to the body and mind.
For my part I have seen angels whilst meditating. And yes, I was in a legal state of mind! My concept of angels is different today than it was six months ago. It may be different again in the next six months. When you open yourself up to spirit it does not do to be dogmatic. Just be open minded and learn the lessons as they come your way, and pity the atheists and ‘scientists’ who believe that all you can see is all there is!
The featured image has been reproduced by kind permission of the artist Glenyss Bourne. This and many more similar works can be viewed at anaheart.com
