Questions that may be
asked to the Spirits

We present in this issue the topic #102 from the Systematized Study of the Spiritist Doctrine, that is being presented weekly, according to the programme elaborated by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation (FEB), structured in 6 modules and 147 topics.

If the reader uses this program for a study group, we suggest that questions proposed be discussed freely before the reading of the text that follows. If you would like to study alone, we ask you to try to answer the questions at first and only then read the text that follows. The answer key can be found at the end of the lesson. 

Questions

1. What are the precautions we must have when formulating questions to the Spirits? 

2. Are there questions whose answer is banned to Spirits? 

3. Which benefits can we obtain from addressing questions to the Spirits? 

4. Can the Superior Spirits answer questions related to our past? 

5. Do the Spirits have permission to answer questions about moral and material interests? 

Text

Questions proposed to the Spirits must be clear and precise

1. To maintain a fruitful dialogue with the Spirits is important to know how to phrase the questions, a subject that should concern us in two aspects: the form and the substance. For what concerns the form, it is important to formulate them with clarity and precision, avoiding complex or dubious questions. Accordingly, the order that should govern the provision of the questions is very important. When a subject calls for a series of them, it is essential to link them with method, so they can naturally succeed from one to another. 

2. Spirits will respond in this case, with much greater ease and clarity to the questions asked than when they come at random, passing without transition from one subject to another. We must therefore organize them in advance and be prepared to add, remove or edit questions during the conversation with the Spirit communicant. This preparatory work is a kind of evocation in advance, which the Spirit could have assisted and agreed on responding.  

3. The substance of the question requires an even more serious attention because very often, it is the nature of the question that leads to an inaccurate or false answer. Evidently, there are questions that the Spirits can not or should not respond, for reasons only they know. It is therefore, useless to insist on. But what it must be avoided, above all, is questions that are formulated with the aim of testing their acumen. 

4. Do not think that we can not obtain from the Spirits useful information and good advice. They, however, will respond more or less well, according to the knowledge they hold, the interest that they have for us, the affection they dedicate to us and, finally, the purpose for which we propose and the utility that they see in our requests.  

There is no problem in formulating questions to the Spirits 

5. If it is true that we should not ask the Spirits all the time about problems common to the existence and that is only for us to solve them, it is also correct to say that certain issues are only addressed by the Spirits if we ask for their opinion. They certainly give us spontaneous instructions of a high range and it would be a mistake to overlook, but there are explanations that we would have to wait for a long time, if not requested. 

6. Proposing questions to the Spirits, far from having any problems, is therefore of great benefit in terms of instruction, when those who propose them know how to close them in appropriate limits. If Allan Kardec had not proposed questions to the Spirits, it is likely that "The Spirits` Book" and "The Book of Mediums" would not exist. 

7. There is also another benefit when formulating questions to communicating Spirits, which is to contribute to the unmasking of the mystifiers, who, more pretentious than wise, rarely support the test of questions asked with closed logic. 

8. Frivolous Spirits answer to any question without any scruple. But serious Spirits pleasedly answer to those that have as a goal the good and the means to take men to progress. Useless questions, asked only to satisfy simple curiosity or to try the Spirits, have the power to drive away the good Spirits. 

Detailed predictions should be put under suspicion 

9. There are certain questions that only exceptionally Higher Spirits respond. The main are:  

a) Questions about the future - usually the announcement of events that will occur in the future is made by imperfect Spirits who, in most cases, have fun in making such predictions. It can occur, however, that a superior Spirit reveals future events, but in that case, the predictions are aimed at a general utility. Any prediction must be put under detailed suspicion. 

b) Questions about predicting death - Spirits who predict someone’s death, are often, Spirits of bad taste, who have no other purpose than to enjoy the fear they cause. The Spirit can, however, detach oneself from the physical body and predict one’s own disincarnation. The intuition that many people have regarding this subject, results from this. 

c) Questions about past and future existences – Regarding past existences, God sometimes allows them to be disclosed according to the objective that is in view. If it is for the instruction and edification of the human creature, such revelations will be true, and in such cases, they are almost always spontaneous and given in an entirely unexpected way. But He will never allow if it is for satisfaction and fruitless curiosity. Regarding the future, nothing is given us to know, because the future depends on our present actions while incarnated, and on the resolutions we take when disincarnated. 

d) Questions about moral and material interests - Good Spirits always advise us for the good. Familiar Spirits, in general, can even advise us on private matters or favour our material interests, in accordance with the purpose or circumstances. Spiritual protectors can in many cases, point out to us the best way, without, however, lead us by the hands. 

10. There is a large number of questions that are both sympathetic to advance or late Spirits, as there are those that dislike to one or another. One thing, however, is absolutely right: Higher Spirits always respond to questions concerning the improvement, spiritual well-being, peace and progress of the creatures. They are always willing to assist us and support us. They only advise for the good and are always worried and busy in works that provide the progress of mankind.

Answer Key

1. What are the precautions we must have when formulating questions to the spirits?

A.: When we ask questions to the Spirits, it is important to formulate them with clarity and precision, avoiding complex or dubious questions. Accordingly, the order that should govern the provision of the questions is very important. When a subject calls for a series of them, it is essential to link them with method, so they can naturally succeed from one to another. This regards the form. Regarding the substance, it is necessary that the dialogue is made about serious and relevant subjects.

Bibliography:

The Book of Mediums; by Allan Kardec, FEB, 46^a ed., items 286 to 291.