The Gateway Centre
founded in 1986 in Calgary, Alberta, is a Spiritualist society open to everyone interested in Spiritualism and willing to tap into their spiritual and psychic energies.
We are a registered not-for-profit society, administered by a Board of Directors.
We offer services every Sunday evening, development circles, private readings with mediums, as well as other activities and events.
Mission Statement
To provide services, workshops, social events, and access to materials and resources about Spiritualism to those who want to learn more about Spiritualism, incorporate the principles of Spiritualism into their life, grow personally, and develop their mediumship abilities.
Our Purpose
To educate people about Spiritualism, and promote Spiritualism as a science, philosophy, religion and important element of a way of life.
Our Vision
We want to be a well-managed and financially viable organization that continuously attracts new members thanks to an efficient administration, effective marketing, and the offer of quality services that always respect our values.
Our Mission
We are a not-for-profit society open to everyone, which provides services, workshops, social events, and access to materials and resources about Spiritualism to those who want to learn more about Spiritualism, incorporate the principles of Spiritualism into their life, grow personally, and develop their mediumship abilities.
Our Values
We believe in the Great Spirit of Life that is within everything, always has been and always will be, and that can be demonstrated through communication with those who live in the spiritual world by the way of mediumship. We abide by the following words of Maurice Barbanell's spirit guide Silver Birch: "Our allegiance is not to a creed, not to a book, not to a church but to the Great Spirit of Life and to His eternal natural laws."
FAQ’S - GATEWAY & SPIRITUALISM
The Seven Principles of Spiritualism
1. Infinite Spirit, Divine Creator of All That Is
2. Unity and Equality of All
3. Communication, Guidance, and Healing from Spirit and Angels
4. Continuous Existence of the Soul and its Personality
5. Personal Responsibility for the Creation of Our Reality Through Thought, Word and Deed
6. Actions Create Results According to Natural Law
7. Eternal Progress Open to Every Soul
what is spiritualism
What Spiritualism is (in a nutshell)
Spiritualism is the belief that human consciousness survives physical death and that the living can communicate with spirits, usually through trained individuals called mediums. Its core idea: death is a transition, not an end.
People are drawn to Spiritualism for many reasons: grief and loss, fear of death, desire for direct spiritual experience, disillusionment with rigid religion, a sense that consciousness is bigger than the brain. At its best, it’s about comfort, meaning, and accountability, not escapism.
Mediumship is central to Spiritualism. Mediums may receive information through:
Mental impressions (thoughts, images, emotions)
Clairvoyance / clairaudience / clairsentience
Trance speaking or writing
Important note: not all mediums are Spiritualists, and not all Spiritualists are mediums.
The most common form of Spiritualism is Mental Mediumship. This is what most modern Spiritualist churches emphasize. The medium stays conscious and interprets information mentally—very similar to how we process memories or intuition. The most common forms of Mental Mediumship are:
Clairvoyance – seeing images, symbols, scenes (in the “mind’s eye”)
Clairaudience – hearing words, names, or phrases internally
Clairsentience – feeling emotions, sensations, or personality traits
Claircognizance – “just knowing” information without a clear sensory pathway
Evidence before meaning is the gold standard. Reputable mediums aim to give verifiable facts before emotional messages. What counts as evidence:
Specific relationships (“your mother’s brother,” not “a male figure”)
Distinct personality traits (“she was blunt, swore a lot, hated clutter”)
Concrete memories (“the blue enamel mug by the sink”)
Names, initials, or unusual nicknames
Cause-of-death details (handled carefully) The rule is that If the sitter can’t recognize it, it doesn’t count.
Direct evidence matters because emotion is easy to project. Specifics are harder to fake convincingly.
Mediums provide public demonstrations through what is called Platform Work. The Medium provides messages to an audience, emphasizing evidence and clarity. There is less emotional processing during the message; it is about validation of the continuation of life, not therapy.
Spiritualism is also about Inspirational & Healing Mediumship.
Inspirational mediumship is common in Spiritualist services. Spirit influences lectures, sermons, or writing. This is often described as “blending” with a higher intelligence. Healing mediumship occurs through channeling healing intention or energy. It can be hands-on or distant; focused on balance, but it is not medical diagnosis. Spiritualists have an ethical rule: never replace medical care.
Natural Law
Natural Law is the expression of God’s Infinite Intelligence throughout the universe. It is the Divine Order that God decrees for optimum life. Immutable and unchangeable, it prevails over the spiritual and physical, the visible and invisible, animate and inanimate.
As we seek to understand Natural Law, we come to the realization that it operates in truth, love, justice and harmony. Our focus shifts from the material to the spiritual, from being self-serving to serving others. This is the first step in the evolution of the soul. We see the interconnection of all that lives and our part in the synergy of the universe. Living in tune with Natural Law opens our way to progress and fulfillment.
The first Spiritual Law is the Golden Rule:
Do unto others as you would wish them do unto you.
Natural Law is the implementation of universal truths in the material and spiritual worlds. God is Infinite Spirit, love, light and wisdom. These attributes of God are expressed as Natural Law. Thus, we know that:
The Law of One teaches us that there is one Spirit, Creator of All That Is in which all existing life unites, interconnects and interacts.
The Law of Love directs giving and receiving of all that is good and beneficial.
The Law of Truth assures us that truth will prevail over ignorance and falsehood.
The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like. Our state of mind brings to us that which is in our state of mind. This law empowers us to create our own reality, our own happiness or unhappiness. This law is closely linked to the Law of Thought and the Law of Vibration.
The Law of Abundance administers infinite supply and sufficiency.
The Law of Harmony controls the orderly rhythm and flow of the universe.
The Law of Desire drives us to expand our awareness and to seek truth.
The Law of Evolution or Continuity tells us that all life progresses and evolves from a lesser state to a superior one.
The Law of Vibration informs us that everything is in a constant state of vibration. The rate and level of vibration determines what we attract. In accordance with the Law of Attraction, the Law of Vibration demonstrates that in raising our vibration through right thoughts, actions and living we attract the highest and best to us.
The Law of Thought dictates the results of our thinking. As we think, so we are. Thoughts are living things. Positive thoughts result in health, prosperity and happiness. Negative thoughts result in lack, disease and discontent. Many other Laws interact with the Law of Thought. Prosperity, for example, is the result of the correct application of the Law of Thought and the Law of Abundance. Our state of mind determines what we draw to us, as stated in the Law of Attraction. Our thoughts in tune with the Law of Harmony bring about a perfect accord with the universe. This in turn impacts on the Law of Vibration and the quality of vibrations we attract to us.
The Law of Cause and Effect determines the results of our thoughts, words and deeds, in keeping with the Laws of Attraction, Vibration and Thought.
Available Services
Weekly sunday services
We are pleased to offer weekly Sunday services commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Gateway Centre. Please see our home page for further details.
weddings and renewal of vows
Ministers have provincial authorization to solemnize marriages. We can also provide Wedding Blessing services and Renewal of Vows Services. All services can be traditional or can be tailored to suit the wishes of the couple.
Funerals
A Spiritualist funeral is a tribute to the individual who has taken his/her transition to the Spirit World and is a grateful acknowledgment of that person's presence in the lives of others. On this poignant occasion, holding a service that recognises a person's individuality and importance to family, friends and other loved ones, is a final act of love and respect, and a celebration of that person's life. We are privileged to offer this service in our Sanctuary or another location of your choice.
For further information regarding weddings, vow renewals, or funerals please contact the Gateway Centre at 403-270-3341.