Anyone visiting a Spiritist centre for the first time often comes across the passe room and wonders: how does this moment work? What happens during the laying on of hands? Do you need any particular belief to receive it?
The Spiritist passe (a laying on of hands offered as spiritual support) is one of the most traditional and affectionate forms of welcome in Spiritist centres. Far from being a magical or mysterious ritual, it is a fraternal transmission of wholesome psychic and spiritual energies, working as a transfusion of peace and rebalancing for those who feel physically or emotionally tired.
On Mundo a Passeio trips along the paths of faith in Minas Gerais and Bahia, we visit historic institutions where the passe has been offered free of charge for decades, welcoming travellers of every background with care and respect.
What is the passe and how does it work?
In simple terms, the passe is prayer in action. Based on the example of Jesus in the Gospel, who stretched out his hands with love to ease the suffering of those who came to him, the passe combines the sincere will of the person giving it with the support of spiritual benefactors to renew the strength of the recipient.
The session rests on fundamental principles of sobriety and respect:
- Laying on of hands without physical contact: The passe giver places their hands at a respectful distance from the recipient's head, without touching the body, giving massages or staging anything dramatic. Breathing is calm and the posture is one of recollection.
- Completely free of charge: Following the principle of Jesus to "give freely what you have freely received", the Spiritist passe is never charged for, made conditional on donations or sold under any pretext.
- Open to everyone: You do not need to be a Spiritist to receive the passe. Anyone seeking relief, regardless of their faith or religion, is received with warmth and fraternity.
How should you prepare to receive the passe?
The inner attitude of the person receiving the passe is essential for the beneficial energies to be well absorbed by body and mind:
- Keep your mind calm: Before entering the passe room, take part in the public talk or the reading of the Gospel, slowing your thoughts and setting aside the worries of daily life.
- Receptive posture and sincere prayer: Sit comfortably, close your eyes in a relaxed way and say a silent prayer, opening your heart to God's peace. Trust and receptiveness make it easier to absorb the beneficial fluids.
- No demands or magic formulas: There is no need to cross or uncross your arms and legs in a tense way, or to look for extraordinary sensations. Relief usually comes as a gentle feeling of lightness, mild warmth and inner tranquillity.
Fluidified water
Usually next to the passe room, visitors find cups of fluidified (or magnetised) water. This is pure water that, during the prayers of the volunteers and the benevolent spirits, receives subtle elements of rebalancing, to be drunk after the session.
Welcome and serenity on the road
Visiting institutions that practise charity in its purest essence renews our faith in humanity. On Mundo a Passeio caravans, we guide our groups with attention, respect for silence and all the assistance needed so that each traveller can live their personal search fully.
Would you like to see the historic centres of faith in Brazil on an unforgettable, welcoming trip? Discover our spiritual itineraries and upcoming departures or speak to Ana Carla on WhatsApp to find out more about our caravans.
Sources and references
- O Livro dos Médiuns (The Mediums' Book), compiled by Allan Kardec (1861), chapters on fluids and healing mediumship.
- Federação Espírita Brasileira (FEB), practical manuals of Orientação ao Centro Espírita and the spiritual assistance service.
- Field records and memories from Mundo a Passeio's fraternal caravans through Minas Gerais and Bahia.
