Waldehir Bezerra de Almeida:

“Mediumship groups often suffer the consequence of the lack of theoretical knowledge by its members”

The well-known author talks about his most recent book, which deals with the practice of mediumship in all its aspects

	Waldehir Bezerra de Almeida (photo), our guest this week, has been a Spiritist for 52 years. He was born in the Brazilian city of Recife and has settled in the capital, Brasilia. Waldehir is a History Professor and also President of the Spiritist Group Casa do Caminho. He is the author of many books and a Spiritist speaker. In this interview he talks about his
latest book, which focuses on the many complex issues linked to mediumship. It is the result of years of practice and serious research:

Your book talks about the complexity of mediumship practice. What advice would you give to Spiritist researchers working on that theme? 

That they must carry on the study and the research, as the wider public really needs theory books to raise their interest in studying. We know that mediumship is not a straightforward process. André Luiz, the Spirit, compared the misconception that mediumship is an easy process to the belief, among most children from well to do backgrounds, that life is easy and that their parents do not need to work hard for what they have. In normal, human conversation we need to follow some principles to achieve successful communication. The same applies to communications between the material world and the Spirit world. But the parameters for communications in the two different worlds are so different that the understanding between them is still very limited. 

Which particular aspect of mediumship strikes you the most? 

The lack of knowledge most people who deal with it have. In 2012, a poll done by the Brazilian Spiritist Federation showed that most people had not read Allan Kardec’s The Mediums’ Book. Many people in mediumship sessions end up carrying out odd practices that contradict all the principles laid out in Spiritist books. 

What is the main aim of the book, considering it deals with such a vast theme? 

It was to give a contribution to those who already study mediumship, focusing on the details. Many books have been published on the issue, but there is always room for new insights.  

How did you do to organise a book on such complex issue? 

I gathered material for three years focusing on the problems both the material and Spirit world faced to deliver the message from the Spirits to us. I began by doing a historic assessment of mediumship, giving Allan Kardec his fair share of credit. He was the one who identified mediumship as a natural gift that can be used for the development of humankind and the world. The second part of the book deals with the basic principles we need to know to understand mediumship. And finally I have case studies, examples showing how subtle and complex it can be. Especially as mediums are normal people, like you an me, fighting to overcome their lower instincts. 

What would advise to veterans and beginners? 

To veterans, I would ask them to carry on researching and passing on their knowledge in a clear and firm manner to the beginners, or newcomers, as Allan Kardec did. To the beginners, that they begin from the beginning and that never neglect the core works of Spiritism and the Spiritist Revue, edited by Kardec. The Revue Spirite gives a 3D vision of the history of Spiritism: the moment when codification happened, the reaction by Parisian society and other cosmopolitan centres at the time and finally the challenges and problems faced by the medium of the Third Revelation with the psychographers, or mediums, who helped him. 

What is your assessment of the practice of mediumship in Brazil, where we know there are many misconceptions and diversions to the norm? 

After the book Desobsessão by André Luiz was published half a century ago, we feel that the different approaches on mediumship came together in Brazil. However, mediumship groups often suffer the consequence of the lack of theoretical knowledge by its members, especially among those who direct the groups that focus on helping discarnates who are in a poor state, suffering. 

What is the main advice you give to those who take part in a mediumship group? 

That they read and study the works of Allan Kardec, the medium, Yvonne do Amaral Pereira and the Spirits Bezerra de Menezes, André Luiz and Manoel Philomeno de Miranda. All the knowledge they need is there. In The Mediums’ Book Allan Kardec tells us that we need to ban any form of pride and narcissism in order to have a proper serious meeting. People must be nice to each other. But they also need to know the core principles of the Teachings and the mechanisms of mediumship so they can effectively assist the Spirits who are brought to the group meetings. 

Is there any particular aspect of your experience that you would like to share with us? 

In more than half a century of contact with the Spirit World, I have learned a great deal. I just regret not having been able to multiply what I have received to give it back. I believe I have, in way, hidden my talents, like in the parable of Jesus. However, as André Luiz teaches us, what always gives us hope is the fact that we can always start again.