Australian Spiritualist Association
Updated August 14, 2007
May I introduce you to the Australian Spiritualist Association (ASA).
The Australian Spiritualist Association was formerly known as the Australian Spiritual Association and changed its name in 2007 after cancelling, by choice, its Incorporation under New South Wales State Law and updating its Rules to reflect the many changes that have occurred in our community and society in general since its inception in 1900. Other than these changes the purpose and functions of the ASA have stayed the same.
The ASA came about after invitations were sent and passed on to all spiritualist churches and related spiritual centres in and around Sydney and met in the St. Mary's Girl Guides Hall, in western Sydney in 1989. The motion to proceed with the formation of the ASA was - proposed by Rev Patricia Cleary, of Enmore Spiritualist Church, and seconded by Rev Norman Ivory, of the then Blacktown Spiritualist Church, and overwhelmingly supported by the other attending guests.
It was formed to bring together in a network, everyone and anyone who in any way deals with matters considered Spiritualist and Spiritual that benefits the Mind, Body and/or Spirit.
The Spiritualist Movement and Philosophy is world-wide and does not have a Particular Book that is considered or accepted as the one and only Holy Book. It respects all religious and inspired literature for its value, message and direction and gains benefit from them all without discrimination. It does not and cannot have a National or International Authoritative Body that dictates any dogmas, doctrines or creeds.
Spiritualism in latter years has accepted a set of Principles or Guidelines that are totally open to your own interpretation as well as how they apply in your own way of life. The ASA accepts the 7 Principles developed by the Spiritualists' Nation Union (SNU) of the United Kingdom. More information about these principles can be found on our webpage titled Spiritualism. Spiritualists in other countries have a different version or set of principles for their own use and by their own choice.
We are a Non-Profit, Religious and Charitable Organisation that aims to advance the Spiritualist and related Spiritual Movement and Philosophy as a whole, in Australia.
We include all the aspects of life as they apply to the Mind, Body and Spirit. We therefore include and use all the wholistic natural and spiritual views, therapies and processes that each assist in their own way to bring about a wholesome balanced life in full harmony at the three levels of our existence.
We are not given any special or different, or any more or any less legal recognition, than what is given or available to any other Religion.
The Spiritualist Movement has all the expected components of Faith, Worship and Service. It provides all the usual Church ceremonies, including the Legal and Religious ceremonies of Marriage.
Our belief system is based on the acceptance that every human being of any race, colour or creed is in fact a spiritual being that makes use of a physical body to experience a mortal existence and all its mortal lessons.
Because the Movement approaches life as a whole, and with everyone's life being so comparatively different in some way or other, it follows that the diversity of the whole Philosophy must be enormous to be effective to as many people as possible.
Around Australia are hundreds of Spiritualist Churches and Spiritual Centres, Groups and Circles that have regular weekly services and meetings in Churches, Halls and Private homes. Most are open to the public. Refer to our Church and Centre Listing.
What is considered the awakening of Modern Spiritualism began in America on March 31st, 1848. It spread quickly to England, Europe and was brought to Australia in the 1860's by colonists to the many Goldfields of the time, Melbourne and Sydney.
Our association has two main categories of Membership.
1. Group Membership, where a number of people have combined to form a Church, Circle, Centre, Lodge, Group, Shop, Business, what-ever. Within group membership we have two types - associate and affiliate. a) An associate group maintains their independence, decisions and responsibilities. b) An affiliate group is a part or branch of the ASA.
2. The Individual Member. Within this category we have a number of options. More details about this membership can be found on our membership webpage.
Our purpose is to link people together in a supportive format, free of any compulsive rules of uniformity, which in most cases restrict individuality. The Rules that apply to the Management of the Association maintains the freedom of all Members to their own Choices and Responsibilities. It is this very feature that makes this Association special, unique and refreshingly different because it accepts you as you are, special, unique and very important. Simply because you exist, you fulfil a role that is needed at this time. Public support will come if your particular service is required. Time not us, will always tell if you are right. Once you become a member, the ASA does not require from you any extra payments other than the published annual fees for membership and if applicable insurance .
One of the main objectives of the ASA is to act as a cohesive administration network to inform members, the fraternity and public around the whole of Australia, of your abilities, services, functions, activities, seminars, workshops, circles, groups, bookshops, centres, churches, publicity outlets, etc, - this list is endless.
We bring together people that seek a deeper and more meaningful purpose to what we are told life is all about. It is designed so that you may have an exchange of experiences and learning and help others at the same time.
The Association provides you with the means by which we can all work together in an inter-active support framework for the benefit of one and all, whether it be in the field of the Ministry of the Philosophy or in the Spiritual way of life that comes from that belief.
The ASA is only as effective as the support provided by its members. Please feel free to assist where you can. All activities and the administration is manned by volunteers. Thank you for spending some time to find out about us.
The ASA has an annually elected Management Committee which meets on the third Saturday every month except December. 10.00am start and usually 3.30pm finish at the Henry Lawson Club, Henry Lawson St, Werrington County, near Penrith, west of Sydney, NSW, Australia. All members and Guests are welcome. Please contact the Secretary by Email or Phone on 1300.880.675 to confirm numbers for catering. Admission is free and a light lunch is provided. Club facilities are available if required.
The ASA holds an Annual General Meeting of Members and Guests on the first Saturday of March each year. Registration from 10.00am, start at 11.00am to 4.00pm. Admission is free. A light lunch is provided so please confirm numbers. For information about Location, and any other details please contact the Secretary by Email or Phone on 1300.880.675
The ASA also holds an annual Forum/Fun Day for members and guests and all members of the fraternity on the first Saturday of June each year. This is an Information Day and not a membership drive. Admission is free. For information about Location, and any other details please contact the Secretary by Email or Phone on 1300.880.675.
The ASA has a College to administer all matters Spiritualist, such as Church Services and Ministership, Ordinations, Marriage, Funerals, Naming, etc. For more information visit the College
The ASA has an Academy to administer all the related Spiritual matters such as Centres, Circles, Meditation, Development, Healers and Readers and training and accreditation for all such activities. For more information visit the Academy.
The ASA has a regular quarterly Magazine called the "Heartbeat" for providing information to members and the public that do not have internet access. For more information visit the Magazine
The ASA has commenced discussions with other Spiritualist and related Spiritual Organisations in the spirit of co-operation. A formalised agreement to recognise the arrangement has been prepared as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). There are numerous benefits in such an arrangement for all the partaking organisations and therefore the fraternity as a whole. For more information visit MOU.
Members of the ASA annually elect their Management Committee, and the Management Committee annually reviews all appointed positions.
Please visit our Contacts for positions and contact details
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments - the Secretary by Email or Phone on 1300.880.675
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