Introduction to Fluidic Therapy / Magnetism

 

   Fluidic therapy, employed in Spiritist Centers through the application of hand passes and the usage of fluidified (energized) water,  is, in its most simple definition,  the transmission of vital and spiritual energies in benefit of others. You may also hear the technique of hand passes referred to, within the Spiritist arena, as spiritual or magnetic healing, bioenergetic therapy, etc.     

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As you will recall, man is composed of spirit, perispirit, and material body.  The Spiritist Doctrine teaches us that the physical condition of the material body is a reflection (actually a direct effect)  of the healthy or unhealthy state of the spiritual body (perispirit). The Doctrine also teaches us how the positive and negative qualities of an individual's thoughts and emotions, the morality of his behaviors, the moral qualities of the surrounding environment and the condition of other nearby entities (incarnate and discarnate) effect the state of the spiritual fluids that make up the individual's perispirit and consequently, his personal energy field.  

For more info on fluids,  please read our subsection "Basics for the Scientific Study of Spiritism" found in the Science section of the  Study Category, Triple Aspect of Spiritism.

For more on  the perispirit, or spirit body,  please read about its definition and functions in our subsection "The Perispirit " found in the Study Category, All About Spirits and Reincarnation.

Over time, as he struggles through the stresses and challenges of the material life, the health of the individual's perispirit is eventually compromised by the negative thoughts that he allows his mind to foster , the still imperfect tendencies in his behaviors, the influence of less elevated beings that he attracts through moral affinity, the disturbing qualities of the environmental fluids in the places that he visits, and any excessive physical exertion or  abuses.  As a natural result, the person's energies become imbalanced, leaving him susceptible to emotional, physical, and spiritual disturbances that become worse with time if no changes are made.

One way to protect one's self against this harmful process is through the regular exercise of mental and behavioral vigilance, the study of morally edifying teachings, and a strong connection with Spiritual benefactors through prayer and elevated thoughts. However, even in spite of our efforts to do all those things, most of us still find ourselves enduring physical ailments of varying degrees and emotional pains that draw on our strength.  

Another way, then, to combat the harmful effects of factors that are damaging to the perispirit, is through the application of fluidic therapy, which can not serve as a substitute for one's own efforts, but which, when used in combination with such, serves as a powerful tool for restoring and rebalancing one's vital and spiritual fluids.  In the Spiritist Center, the employment of fluidic therapy is done through the application of hand passes as well as the usage of magnetized/fluidified water.

The process of fluidic therapy is made possible by the mechanism referred to as magnetism, which is the effect of the movement of vital and spiritual energies when put into action.  Magnetism is not an invention or a discovery of Spiritism.  Likewise, there is no precise date or period marked with the commencement of magnetic practices. It has been employed, under different levels of conceptual understanding, since the most ancient of times,  as indicated by behaviors recorded in sociological and anthropological studies, and as evidenced by the teachings and practices of various religions of the world.  Scientific studies regarding the physical elements of the magnetic process can be found as far back as the 15th century, yet the modern study of magnetism often cites the work of the German physician and scientist, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) and recognizes him as being responsible for the codification and demonstration of the practice of magnetism, as described in his work entitled "Theory of Animal Magnetism."  Mesmer, in studying the pre-developed theory of a universal fluid that penetrated in everything and had an affect on the human body, discovered the ability of the human body to channel this fluid in benefit another person, with the end results of healing physical illnesses. (To read more about Mesmer and this discovery, see "More on Mesmer" on the menu bar at left ). Building on his discovery, others that followed him further developed the theory and refined the techniques involved.

While not having discovered the forces of magnetism, the Spiritist Doctrine studied its theory and applications, and continues to do so today.  By applying its revelations concerning spiritual matters to the initial discoveries of Mesmer and his followers,  the Doctrine has significantly developed the knowledge and utilization of magnetic capabilities. Today, the application of magnetism is an invaluable resource employed in the collaborative efforts of the incarnate and discarnate workers of Spiritist Centers.

Today we know that the universal fluid studied in theory by Mesmer does exist, and this cosmic/universal fluid is the fundamental principal of all matter-- including the condensed form in the state of matter as we know it, as well as the more etherealized form in spiritual fluids and the life-giving vital fluid, the latter of which is donated in the process of animal magnetism, discovered by Mesmer.   In addition to animal magnetism, Spiritism teaches us about two other forms of magnetism that involve the work of Spiritual benefactors.
The three ways in which magnetic action is produced, then, are (as described by Kardec in "Genesis"):

1. By the fluids of the magnetizer, himself.  This is the so-called magnetism, or human magnetism, the action of which which depends on the strength, and above all, the quality of the fluid. 

2. By the fluids of the Spirits, acting directly and without an  intermediary upon an incarnate being, whether it be to cure or to calm a suffering, to provoke a somnambulic sleep, or to exercise some kind of physical or moral influence over the individual.  This is the spiritual magnetism, the quality of which is is directly related to the qualities of the Spirit(s)

3. By the fluids that Spirits "pour over" the magnetizer, who serves as a vehicle to channel the fluids.  This is the known as the mixed, semi-spiritual, or human-spiritual magnetism.  Combined with the human (animal) fluids, the spiritual fluids give the former what it is lacking.  In these circumstances, the cooperation of the Spirits is frequently spontaneous; however, most of the time, it is provoked by the appeal of the magnetizer.


The healing or curing process operates, as Kardec says, , "via the substitution of an unhealthy molecule  for one that is healthy." and the "curative power," he adds, "is related to "the purity of the substance injected, but it also depends on the energy of will [and faith of the pass giver and the patient], whereby, the greater the will is, the more abundant will be the emission of fluids and the greater will be their power of penetration.  Furthermore, it depends, as well, on the intentions of he who desires to produce the healing, be he man or Spirit."

When employed in the Spiritist Center, the application of this magnetic action is done through the varying techniques of hand passes, by which the "magnetizer", known today as "pass giver" makes an appeal to the higher Spirits to come to his aid in the donation of fluids to the recipient, known as the "patient."  In most cases, the type of pass that occurs involves the mixed, or semi-spiritual magnetism. 

As the spiritual fluids are transmitted to the patient via passes, they are absorbed by the patient through the vital centers of his perispirit, known as chakras, whereby they are transformed into vital fluids and distributed throughout the body through the blood and nervous systems.

        Passes
 
Photo credits: Picture
from book, "Estudando
a Mediunidade"

   Chakras   
  
Photo credits: Picture
from book, "Manual do
Passista"

You may wonder if one has to be an ostensive medium to give passes.  The answer is no. Jacob Melo (a Spiritist researcher of magnetism) writes, "The pass givers- in general- would be those who do not possess an ostensive mediumship, but who still can serve as a channel for the Spirits in the transit of spiritual fluids to the material realm, our they could even be the so-called [human] magnetizers who find, in themselves, the necessary fluid generating forcers.  The pass-giving mediums are those who do possess a more ostensive mediumistic sensitivity and as such, perceive, register, and act jointly and knowingly with the Spirits."  

There is still yet another distinction to be made, which are the, albeit rare, "curing mediums" *, which Kardec ("The Mediums' Book") refers to as those who have the power of curing disease or relieving pain, by the imposition of hands or by prayer.  While they also employ the action of magnetic fluids, the methods are different from the direct donation operated by the pass-givers.  Spiritist author, Eliseu Rigonatti, explains that these mediums "radiate an abundant amount of fluids of a highly magnetic power, which are used by the healing/curing Spirits for the production of cures and the creation of fluidic medicines and treatments", used in benefit of incarnate patients.   Kardec writes (in "Genesis"), "The ability to heal through fluidic interaction is very common and can be developed through exercise, but the instant cure via imposition of the hands is much more rare and its appearance in the maximum degree should be considered exceptional.  Even so, in diverse periods throughout history, and amidst almost all peoples, there have been individuals who have had the faculty in an eminent degree." 

Kardec later writes (in "Genesis"), "The effects of fluidic action on the patients are extremely varied.  Sometimes, it is slow and requires prolonged treatment, as in the regular magnetism; other times, it is fast, like an electric current.  There are even people who have such an ability, that they can operate instant cures in some patients, via the imposition of the hands, or even exclusively through the act of will.  Between these two extremes of this faculty, there are infinite shades.  All the cures of this type, however, are varieties of magnetism and differ only in the intensity and speed of action.  The basic, underlying principle is the same: the fluid, acting in its role as a therapeutic agent and the affects of which depend on the quality of the fluid and other special circumstances."

* To avoid confusion in the case of deeper study on this topic, we wish to make two clarifications:

The first is something pointed out by  J. Melo, where he writes, "During Kardec's time, curing mediums were classified as both those with the faculty described at left, as well as what we, today, call pass-givers." It is useful to observe this difference when we turn to the texts of the Doctrine's codifier." (ref: "Cure-se E Cure Pelos Passes" transl.: "Cure Yourself and Others Through Passes" ) .

In addition, and as a result of the above mentioned, you may sometimes find pass-givers and pass-giving mediums referred to as "curing mediums". When the term "curing mediums" is used in this general sense, it is to be understood as referring to the faculty  employed in giving passes (which anyone in healthy, physical and spiritual condition can develop)  and not the very rare faculty of operating spiritual cures via the method described at left.


Lastly, as was mentioned above, another application of magnetism used by Spiritist Centers is with magnetized or fluidified water.  The water is used for it's strong capabilities of energy capture and transmission. Through the processes of spiritual or semi-spiritual magnetism, water that has been designated for such use is magnetized, whereby it is impregnated with healthy, restorative fluids that benefit those who drink it.  This treatment is normally used in combination with the hand passes.

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Though we've present here only a brief introduction to this topic, the Spiritist Doctrine, today, offers a considerable amount of information regarding the mechanisms at work in the processes of pass-giving and pass-receiving.  And just like with the faculties of intellectual and physical mediumship,  the Doctrine does not stop at explaining how the magnetic forces work and how to apply them; it also teaches us about the serious responsibilities of those who chose to cooperate with the higher Spirits and offer themselves as instruments in the physical and spiritual healing of others.  In addition, it educates those who are receiving the benefits of passes on what they must do to facilitate the reception of the donated fluids and the activation their healing potential.

Unfortunately, these resources have not yet been translated in to English.  However, we are pleased to announce a recent publication, entitled "Practical Guide for Magnetic and Spiritual Healing", a compilation of texts from various, reputable Spiritist sources, which have been translated and put together in a comprehensive and  instructive guidebook. In this book, you will find the fundamentals of magnetism and the application of passes as taught by the Spiritist Doctrine.  Topics include:
- the basic concepts of fluids, spiritual fluids and the vital fluid
- the perispirit and the vital forces or chakras /  the reception and distribution of energies throughout the spiritual and physical body
- who is involved in the work: the pass-giver, the patient, and Spiritual benefactors
- the appropriate time, places, and circumstances for the giving of passes
- the responsibilities of the pass-giver and the patient to ensure the successful, magnetic action.		     

For a free download of "Practical Guide for Magnetic and Spiritual Healing", go to sgny.org and find it under their "E-Books" section.  

Kardec, Allan. The Mediums' Book. 2nd ed (1st edition FEB). Trans. Anna Blackwell (translated 1876). Ed. Livraria Espírita Allan Kardec. Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil: Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation].1986. 200 (ChXVI).

Kardec, Allan. "Os Fluidos" [Fluids]. A Genese [Genesis]. 37th ed. Trans. Guillon Ribeiro (translated from 5th edition in French). Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil: Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation].1987. 294-296.

Melo, Jacob. "Definições Equivocadas" [Mistaken Definitions]. O Passe [Passes]. Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil: Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation].1987. 29-35. 

Melo, Jacob. "Magnetismo" [Magnetism]. Cure-se E Cure Pelos Passes [Heal Yourself And Others With Passes]. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Editora Martin Claret. 2002. 33-40.

Melo, Jacob. "Consideracoes Sobre Os Fluidos" [Considerations Regarding The Fluids]. Cure-se E Cure Pelos Passes [Heal Yourself And Others With Passes]. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Editora Martin Claret. 2002. 41-52.

Melo, Jacob. "O Passista E Mediunidade" [The Pass Giver and Mediumship]. Cure-se E Cure Pelos Passes [Heal Yourself And Others With Passes]. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Editora Martin Claret. 2002. 195-200.

Jacintho Roque. "Passe" [Passes]. Passe E Passista [Passes and The Pass Giver]. Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. Edicel Ltda. 1965. 11-13

Jacintho Roque. "Passe e Fluido" [Passes and Fluids]. Passe E Passista [Passes and The Pass Giver]. Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. Edicel Ltda. 1965. 30-34.

Jacintho Roque. "Passe e Agua" [Passes and Water]. Passe E Passista [Passes and The Pass Giver]. Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil. Edicel Ltda. 1965. 117-120.

Rigonatti, Eliseu. "Mediuns Curadores" [Curing Mediums]. A Mediunidade Sem Lagrimas [Mediumship Without Tears]. Sao Paulo: Editora Pensamento Ltda. 2000. 54.