It was a fortunate day when I received a copy of Harvey Martin's, "The Secret Teachings of the Espiritistas." I had previously known about spiritualism and the works of many mediums and the book of Victor Hugo's detailing his spiritual experiences. However, I was completely ignorant of Spiritism and Christian Spiritism. Reading Martin's book, I was brought into the world of the Frenchman Allan Kardec and the Christian Spiritism of Brazil and the Philippines.

I learned how Allan Kardec's Spiritist Doctrine developed in Brazil and the Philippines independent of each other into a living philosophy that has produced paranormal healing phenomena in both countries. Martin details the emergence of the Christian Spiritism currently practiced in the Philippines.

 

The book reads like a detective story as we gradually learn how the ancient Filipino religion came face-to-face with Catholicism and emerged with a religion based on the reception of God's spirit through certain mediums - much in the same way as the ancient Jewish prophets received God's word and spirit. Although the Christian Spiritists were prosecuted - much as were the ancient Jewish prophets - their concepts have persisted, and it seems that they have a lot to say of great importance to mankind

And this excellent book is just the vehicle to inform each of us. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in fulfilling this life and being better prepared for the after life.