My Diary … Absent Healing Hymn … The Baton of Spiritualism … Changes to Our Religion … The Day the Nation comes Together … Names that do not appear on the Cenotaph … From Auschwitz-Birkenau to the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium … Flowers of Hope

                                                     My Diary…

October…

16^th – Perth Spiritualist Church (SNU)

23^rd – Largs Spiritualists Church.  Every night of the week there is a Spiritual Service somewhere in Scotland, but this is the only one of our churches that I know that has a service on a Sunday afternoon.

24^th – Pollockshaws and District Spiritualist Church.

27^th Arbroath Spiritualist Church (SNU)

30^th – 1^st November – Glasgow Central Spiritualist Church 64 Berkeley St, Glasgow G3 7DS

7^th – Saltcoats Spiritualist Church.  A church that has been running for many years and going against the trend at the moment with close to a full house at every service.

13^th – Ayr Spiritualist Church (SNU).  Probably my favourite hymn in the Spiritualist hymn book is sung at this church ever week and only at this church.  In almost quarter a century in Spiritualism this is the only church where I hear the;-

Absent Healing Hymn.

Enter in the Silence

Pause a while to Pray

Take the best that's in you

Give it all away

In our Healing Minute

Everyday we Blend

Loving thoughts We sent to

All our Absent Friends.

People tired and weary

Hurt by grief and pain

Sick in mind and body

All the World's the same

Father we would help them

Loving Thoughts, We send

Helping all Thy Children

With Thy Love to Blend

Father We are learning

How to live each day

Helping all Our Brothers

As We sit and Pray

There is much within us

We can always find

Willingly we give it

helping all Mankind.

Music:  In the Bleak Mid-Winter

Words Ron Bowers.

                                                        The Baton of Spiritualism

If only those in Spiritualism thought of their religion as President Obama though of his Presidency.  He considered himself as part of a team running in a relay race.  Being passed on a baton from the outgoing president, running a good race to make his team proud and then passing the baton of to the incoming president.  I urge spiritualists, mediums, healers, committee members and committed members of our churches to think in the same mode as President Obama.  For us to look on our time in our religion as being handed a baton from our pioneers and passing it on to future generations.  Not only passing our religion on, but passing it on stronger than it was when we are being handed the baton.  The thing about spiritualism today is that too many in the movement put themselves before our religion. Celebrity status and financial gain is their main aim.   Spiritualism must get back on track before it too late.  We owe it to the pioneers of Spiritualism.  

                                                               *****

 

                                            Changes to Our Religion.

I’ve had several emails concerning the drop in numbers of those attending our services and asking what I think the solution is.  I have contacted several Spiritualists for their views and they vary greatly.  To do nothing and ride out the storm - to massive changes to our religion.  Spiritualism is not about numbers – it is about being loyal to God and Spirit and the pioneers of our religion.  Yes, there can be changes, but for the good of the religion and not just to increase number.  I will give my views in my next blog and they might not go down well with many in our religion.

                                          

                                   

                                         The Day the Nation comes Together

Remembrance Sunday, a day that the nation comes together to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.  It is the only day of the year that the nation truly unites.  Then, the following day we are all back to normal in fighting our own corner and forgetting about the sacrifices made so we can live as we do. 

The effect of each war / armed conflict ripple outwards through several decades and for those that have been affected.    Those who have been injured the pain and disability can stay with them for the rest of their life, whether it be physical or mental.  Families have to carry on without a close loved-one.  There are those families who will mourn a loved one that gave up their life for their country, yet their names will never appear on a cenotaph.  They are the men and women who have not worn a uniform, but worked undercover behind enemy lines during war and in foreign lands during peace time giving their life for their country.  We must not forget them.

                                                         ****                

                                     Names that do not appear on the Cenotaph

Then we have a group that seldom gets a mention, but gave up their lives for the war effort.  In 1943 this country faced a crisis in coal production as there was only three weeks of coal stock available. This put the country’s ability to win the Second World War in jeopardy. The then Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, charged Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour and National Service to increase coal production.  So, Mr Bevin decided that from all 18 to 24-year-old men conscripts drafted to serve in the armed forces one in ten were to be directed – on pain of imprisonment and irrespective of background or ability - to work underground in British coal mines.  Approximately 48,000 Bevin Boys (as they came to be known) undertook unskilled manual jobs to release more experienced miners to move on to coal production at the coal face.   There were many deaths and injuries in the mines, but there was little or no acknowledgement from the media (or officially) for their contribution to the war effort. Often, they received verbal abuse or were spat at in the street and asked, ‘Why are you not in uniform?  Coming from a mining family I always remember these men also on Remembrance Day.

                                                      ****

               From Auschwitz-Birkenau to the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.  

Still on the subject of war…  If I had to mention the two places that I have visited that overwhelmed me, it would be Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camp in Krakow in Poland and attending the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.  Although not planned I was pleased that I visited Kracow before Ypres.  The former showed how barbaric and dark the human race can be - and the latter how we can overcome all the evil and return to the light.

I will not go into detail about Auschwitz-Birkenau as the displays were heart rendering and the atmosphere is eerie and silent.  It is often said that no birds sing or fly over Auschwitz.  I paid special attention to this and not a bird did I hear or see.   Isabel – my wife – said that as she turned away from the gas chambers as we were about to leave the camp she heard for a second a bird sing and into her head came the words “There is always hope.

Then the following year what an upliftment when we visited Ypres in Belgium and to the Menin Gate for the Last Post Ceremony that has become part of the daily life in the town. The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial is dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the area during WWI.  Every night since the end of WWII roads are closed as the people of Ypres take part in a moving ceremony.  The local people are proud of this simple but moving tribute to the courage and self-sacrifice of those who fell in defence of their town.

                                                   Flowers of Hope.

While talking to people of different nationalities after the service one old gentlemen said that on Remembrance Day he always plants bulbs and when they bloom in the spring to him is a sign of hope. The spring flowers show that even after the most severe winter or horrific war - brightness will always shine through in the end.  Since that day, I have always planted bulbs on Remembrance Day.

 

My Diary … Fifty Years ... Can Spiritualism Survive by Walter Taylor ... I disagree with Mr Taylor ... Rami Adham - The Toy Smuggler of Aleppo ... Your Comments.

                                                        My Diary…

September…

13^th…  ASK – Cumbernauld.

28^th - Prestwick Spiritualist Church.  It is always that little bit special to attend this church as it is in Community Centre, Caerlaverock Road, Prestwick, KA9 1HR.   Formerly Prestwick Public School which I attended for a few years. Entering the building brings back a lot of memories.  Although I only moved 23 miles up the road to Beith I have always wondered what happened to my old classmates.  In all those years I have only met one of them.

This month was intentional kept quiet so I could catch up with some of the paranormal research work I have been asked to do and for some lectures and workshops. 

And most importantly we celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary.  Fifty-years how time flies.  It has just dawned on me that half of our married life we have been connected with Spiritualism.  More about this later in the blog.

                                                             Fifty Years.  

This month we celebrated our golden wedding anniversary – 50 years married. When someone made a comment married for half a century really made me think in-depth of the last half century.

If it had not been for Isabel I would not be where I am today as far as Spiritualism is concerned.  Isabel was the one who encouraged me to keep going to the development circle when I felt I was out of my depth.   Again, it was Isabel who gave me so much encouragement in the week leading up to my first time on the platform with four other fledglings.  For someone with zero confidence that short time linking with Spirit in public was a complete impossibility for me, or so I thought.  So, I owe a lot to Isobel as well as Spirit and many others in our churches who gave me the confidence and courage to continue along this path.

As I look back over the past fifty-years I feel a tinge of sadness for those couples who have not reached this milestone.  Those who have only had a short time to enjoy married life before one passed over.  And those who were so close to this anniversary or retirement, yet did not get to spend more time together.

                               Can Spiritualism Survive by Walter Taylor, F. S. N. U.

From The Glasgow Association’s  Beacon – May / June 1980

Part 1.

 The question as to whether man survives death is still scientifically, not yet proven.  I would like to state what I think is scientific evidence of human survival of death.  It will be scientifically proven when the evidence is of such a nature, as when for instance, we put the kettle on and know that the water will boil at a certain temperature.  This may seem realistically crude, but surely this is what we mean by scientific evidence?   This definition may seem philosophically disputable, but in what other way can we talk about scientific facts?

It would seem, looking at the Spiritualistic scene, that a scientific basis of the claims made by Spiritualists, will never be established.  Actually, it is far short of meeting any such claims!  There may be evidence coming through that satisfies an individual level, but it is consistently repeatable evidence that is required.   I may be asking far too much, but should we not be seeking a reliable system of communication which would lift the phenomena above the banal and the ludicrous?

I am going to make a suggestion that may not be welcomed by many, but I ask – Should we not seek a Dialogue with the Society for Psychical Research?  I anticipate cries of protest, but let me put the case to you.  First the S.P, R. does not exist to prove survival.  Its task is to experiment and explore physical phenomena. It has no fixed views nor creed nor dogma.  Its purpose is to “examine without prejudice or preposition, and in a scientific spirit those faculties of man, whether real or supposed which appear to be inexplicable on any generally recognised hypothesis”.  I am asking – is it too much to open us a discussion with the S.P.R. to discuss and experiment into psychic phenomena.   This is, or should be, OUR field.  Do we want to widen and deepen our field or are we content and happy with a comforting message from Auntie Mary who will assure us that all is well with everything and we have nothing to worry about?  Is that all there is to psychnomina I would wish to be counted out!       

                                                                 ****

I disagree with Mr. Taylor.  Within Spiritualism we not only believe that man survives death, we give proof.  Whether that proof is accepted by the scientific community is up to them.   We do not need to go cap in hand to other groups to get the scientific acceptance.   All groups have their own agenda and this changes from time to time depending who it at the top.  I can just see experiments going our way and then religions and other interested parties infiltrating the group to dumb down the results.

Hitler, the CIA and KGB have investigated all areas of the paranormal.  By the state of our planet today they have not managed to harness any of the power or knowledge to suit their own causes.  Why?  Why have they not harnessed or made a pact with those on the other side? Because it is not meant to be.  It is obvious that there will be those who will be negative in the Spirit World and they are being kept at bay by the positive realms of this dimension.  Thankfully the hierarchy of the spirit world are keeping any contact with subversive groups in our dimension at arm’s-length.

There are some who believe that Spiritualism is the sole agent for the Spirit World.  Although we may be the biggest player in getting Spirit’s message across I feel that in many ways our religion is losing favour with the Spirit World.  I believe that the powers that be are working more closely with individuals and small dedicated groups. 

Spirit has always worked closely with dedicated individuals, circles and groups.  Many an artist has claimed that their work has been influenced by an outside source. If only those seats of power took time listening to that little voice in their head.  Not telling them what to do, but giving them a little guidance as where to look to solve a problem.

Let me give one example Dag Hammarskjöld (Sweden) second secretary-general of the United Nations, from 1953-1961. He died in an air crash in Africa in 1961 where the details still remain unclear and many still believe foul play was involved. 

He is looked upon by many as the best Secretary general the UN has ever had.   He gained a reputation as a peacemaker, man of faith and a man of peace.  He treated all around him in the same way whether it is a junior member of his staff, a senior politician or royalty.   The more I read about Mr. Hammerskjold they more I believe he has a close link with Spirit.  If only today’s world leaders look of Dag Hammersjold as a role-model, there our planet would be a more peaceful place

 I do agree with Walter Taylor that Spiritualism should be more than a comforting message from Aunty Mary.    

                                    Rami Adham - The Toy Smuggler of Aleppo.

After five years of civil war, Syrian children living in war zones have little to look forward to. But one man is attempting to bring gifts to Syrian children, along with essential food and medicines.  That man is Rami Adham. 

Few will have heard of Rami Adham a 44-year-old father of six, is a Finnish-Syrian originally from Aleppo who has lived in Finland since 1989.  Few ever get to know the real heroes of our time we are too busy worshiping celebrities of stage and screen.  For the past five years he has dedicated his life to helping children in Syria and has now visited the war-torn country on 28 occasions, bringing over 80kg of donated toys across the border from Turkey on each trip.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-war-aleppo-toy-smuggler-man-who-brings-gifts-presents-to-children-in-war-zones-rami-adham-a7333231.htm

                                                        Your Comments.

Tom, a spiritual service is not like Royal Ascot it does not need a strict dress-code.  On saying that a suit and tie to be worn is not too much to ask a male medium who has been given the honour of taking such a service.

LL

Spiritualism has already surrendered to the entertainment industry so why not let the tie drop? 

B L

Bennie.  The story about the son going to the races in memory of his dead father, did he back a winner this year?

Sorry Bennie.  No fairy tale ending to the Peter’s story.   Of the horses Peter selected with names related to his father’s life the only one declared to run was Perfect Pasture.  

The horse started at the odds of 50/1 and finished 10^th in a twenty-three runner field.  Peter’s final comment – “I hope my father enjoyed the day as much as I did”.

BV – Tom – I don’t accept your comment that Spirit Guides may be on strike, from what I have witnessed at my church recently, they are on a go-slow”.

“Tom, spot on with North Korea.  Leaving this country out in the cold at our peril.  Neutral countries must start to build bridges with NK. How about you be one of the negotiators?”   LN….    

My Diary … Dress Code for Our Platforms ... Father and Son’s Day Out ... Keeping Communications Open ... Glasgow Association fills a void ...

                                                        

                                                                     My Diary…

August…

28^th – Falkirk Spiritualist Church (SNU)

September

5^th – The Glasgow Association of Spiritualists.

                                                        Dress Code for Our Platforms.

There are still many in society who don’t look upon Spiritualism as a religion.  Our clairvoyance during a service is the main reason why they think this way.  There are others who feel a paltry Seven Principles with only 47 words is not enough to guide us through this life and make us closer to God.  Or Seven Principles they feel pales in comparison with mainstream religion’s 750,000 plus words in their ancient books of guidance and laws. There will be some who think that the lack of fancy attire of those taking our services don’t give off a churchy, religious feel.  I feel that we don’t need all that is mentioned above apart from the latter, I feel that dress sense – a simple dress sense - is important on our platforms.

In recent years I have heard many older Spiritualists complain that dress-sense on the platform is dropping below an acceptable standard as far as male mediums are concerned.  I have never heard off or seen any female medium drop below a sensible dress sense for the platform, apart from some photos on Facebook showing ridiculous dressing up for Halloween which the churches should not have allowed.  What I am on at here is the dress sense on our platforms at a Divine Service.

I contacted a senior member of the SNU asking about this and here is the reply;

 ‘The SNU has a code of conduct for its exponents which states that 'for men it should be a suit, shirt and tie with shoes suitable for a formal occasion.  However, as an alternative, a semi-formal dress code could be adopted such as jacket, trousers, shirt and tie with smart shoes.'

Several emails to this site over the past year or so have mentioned pullovers and open necked shirts are the order of the day as far as many male mediums are concerned.  Every year a small group of Spiritualists meet for a weekend discussion on Spiritual matters.  This year saw our most heated debate by far and the subject being discussed was ‘proper attire for the platform’.  I was really surprised at some of the comments advocating that almost anything goes dress sense on our platforms these days as far as male mediums are concerned.

Spiritualism is surely the most lax of all religions – we have our Seven Principles, our dress code and very little else.  We rely on our members / mediums to respect Spirit, our religion and the pioneers of our religion.  So, surely it is not too much to ask that a suit/jacket, shirt and tie are worn at our Divine Services and also evenings of clairvoyance within the church?

I decided to do a small poll and contacted Spiritualists old and new.  In favour of the suit, shirt and tie -  54% against 46%.

here are some of their comments and comments from the debate I attended.

Here are some of the comments; -

Tom, life has changed since you came into spiritualism and wearing ties is a thing of the past.  Once old fogies like you pass over a tie will be a rarity…..

Yes, trends are changing, but look at how many men turn up at funerals wearing a tie as a mark of respect.  All I am asking is the same respect in our churches.

“I am with you all the way. I am an old fashioned girl who likes formality, but at the end of the day it is the Church Committee who decides what their dress code will be”.

Being a committee member of a Spiritualist Church is an important position and it is church committees that should enforce the ‘tie being worn’ on their platforms.  They must decide is this a church they run or a psychic Centre.

“I really think it depends on the weather Tom. Our church is really warm so some people have to remove their jackets. I personally think that as long as the medium is neat and tidy it does not really matter, but that is a personal opinion”.  I agree common sense can come into play if weather or church is too warm.  On saying that no matter the temperature I stay with the full dress code during the service – but I have already been called an ‘old fogie’.

“I think as long as they are smart, it doesn't matter. It's more important in my view what comes out of their mouth. I've seen the smartest of mediums talk a lot of rubbish, that does our movement a disservice, and heard casual mediums do a wonderful job. I personally don't mind”.

“I think that as long as the chair has been asked then no not in warm weather”.

“Traditionally men always wore ties and jackets. But now even in high level meetings in the corporate world, they do not wear ties”.

“I absolutely agree that male mediums should wear shirt, tie and jacket and when it is warm in platform, then check in with chairperson to remove jacket”.

“I would say that presenting themselves at church smart no jeans no jumpers personally I was told shirt tie and then you ask the chair if you can take your jacket off if the room is warm and the weather so in answer yes”.

I feel they should be appropriately dressed. If it was scorching hot I would perhaps forgo the jacket. I personally would then like a shirt and tie. If not hot then definitely jacket too, and smart trousers if they have no suit”.

“I’ve been told I have to so I do it think it looks better, but when it's summer in our church it's really hot what do you think should be done when church is like that I not sure”.

“Tom, as you know I have been taking services at some of the small churches over the past two years.  I have never worn a tie while on the platform, never been told to do so or chastised for not doing so.  I can take you point about respect and in future will start to dress as you recommend.  Maybe the absence of the tie is why I have not been asked to any of the larger churches”.

“Tom get on the committee of a church and see how difficult it is to balance the books.  Then you will realise that it is not how a medium dress, but how popular he is to draw in a reasonable congregation.  We need money in our collection plates to keep the doors open”.

For the past three months I have been on a church committee and realise the financial issues.  The financial strain on some of our churches is why I have offered to give lectures and workshops free of charge to give churches a boost financially.  Maybe others should start doing the same but that is another topic for debate.

“I think that the dress code for mediums of both sexes is very important. Therefore, in my opinion, a man should wear either a suit or trousers and jacket with a shirt and tie and polished shoes.”

“Personally speaking it is only respectful to the spirit and the religion we are representing to be suitably attired. There is a tendency for men to now wear open necks because fashion dictates that this is ok. Many television presenters have open necks but the news readers always wear ties. There are some shirts that you cannot wear a tie with eg the Gandhi or oriental style. I have seen these kind worn with suits and a waistcoat and they look extremely smart. Smartness is very important; Sunday services especially is a formal service in my eyes.  Demonstrations of mediumship can be more relaxed but I would still expect a shirt to be worn.”

“As I have no interest anymore in Spiritualism I don’t have an opinion about ties or any other aspect of the movement.  The movement we knew has died and gone and the thing that has replaced it has going to hell in a handcart and I want nothing more to do with it?”

Unfortunately, that is the view of many old-timers.  I know many who have just upped up and left never wanting to talk about what they once cherished.

                                                        

                                                           Father and Son’s Day Out

One of my earlier blogs I commented on an email from Peter.  Peter explained how there was no grieving when his father died or on the anniversary of his death.   His dad had suffered so much in the past two years of his life and could do nothing for himself. “His passing was a blessing” he said.  But, Peter had to admit that there was a tear in his eye each year on the day of the AYR Gold Cup.  The day that was so special to his father.  The only day he went off on his own leaving the family behind and headed to Ayr Racecourse.

Last week I met Peter for the first time and he added to the story…

He said that his retirement coincided with the richest horseracing handicap in Europe changing its day of running from a Friday to a Saturday.  Peter decided in memory of his father to go to Ayr Racecourse each year on the running of this race.  Like his father it would be the only day he would leave the family behind and venture out on his own.  On the track he would keep to his father’s ritual of having a meal, a double malt whiskey and have an each-way bet on only the one race, the main race of the afternoon the Ayr Gold Cup. 

“The amazing thing was “said Peter “it was as if my father is with me on these occasions.  I can smell his Old Spice aftershave; I can feel his love all around me on this day.  I am certain my dad is with me on this day each year”.  The only thing is” Peter went on to say “I must not be listening to dad when picking my selection each year.  Dad was successful with the winnings always being given to the children.  My plan was always to give to the grandchildren and now the great grandchildren my winnings, but my only successes since 1992 have been.

1992 – Lochshore  1^st - 10/1.  Dad took us camping one year and we set up our tent on the side of a loch.

1997 – Wild Wood Flowers – 1^st 14/1.  My father liked walking in the country and loved gardening.

2013 – I could not decide between two Highland Colori  - dad’s love of the highlands - and Heaven’s Guest which needs no explanation.  I halved my bet and backed both of them ew.  Dad must have been smiling that day as Highland Colori won and 25/1 and Heaven’s Guest was 3^rd 25/1.  So with my each-way betting I got returns on both of them.

I asked peter what his money would be going on this year and he said “It will have to be once again Heaven’s Guest and if a non-runner I will decide between Piper’s Note, Perfect Pasture or Snap Shots the other three horses in the race where their names have a connection to by Dad.

Let’s hope the sun is shining on the 17^th at Ayr and Peter’s father guides him to the winner.

                                                            

                                                   Keeping Communications Open.

The other evening, I found myself writing; -

Many joke about North Korea’s President Kim Jong-un - but he is by far the most dangerous individual on this planet.

Mr. Putin will only go so far - he will not risk what he already has.

China - although having a vast army and nuclear weapons, yet it has found its more powerful mode of attack is in in the financial sector.

ISIS - has FEAR as its main weapon.  Although this fear has the rest of the world running around in circles it does not have anywhere near the destructive power of NK.

North Korea is an entirely different kettle of fish as decisions made in Pyonyang could cause so much upheaval -  life as we know it could be turned on its head.  Any nuclear release could contaminate the whole region for many years to come.  Nuclear contamination respects no borders and as well as North and South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and other countries could be affected.

Kim Jong-un being replaced is not necessary the answer as that would see millions of North Koreans flood over the borders to China and South Korea.  The Syrian refugee crisis would pale in comparison.

 We Spiritualists should pray and campaign for negotiations never to stop no matter how futile the situation may seem.  North Korea is never going to trust the US or the UK, so let other countries take the lead.   The Scandinavian countries, Holland, Belgium, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand etc. should keep the lines of communications open – keep talking to make the world a safer place.

And we Spiritualists can keep this volatile situation in our prayers – we need more than help from this planet to sort it out.

A few hours after I typed this out North Korea carried out its biggest nuclear test.

The Glasgow Association  fills a great void in Spiritualist in Scotland with ten evenings of Philosophy.