Desarrollo de facultad: The process of becoming a healer in Puerto Rican Spiritism

by Núñez-Molina, Mario , EdD

Espiritismo (Spiritism) is a community healing system that has been considered a very important mental health resource for Puerto Ricans. Research on Espiritismo hascentered on explaining and evaluating the success of Espiritismo, especially by comparing it with Western psychotherapy. As a result our knowledge of the individuals who are practitioners within this healing system is limited and based on impressions. In order to fill this gap this study examined the process of becoming a spiritist healer (medium) in Puerto Rico using a life-story approach. Becoming a medium was analyzed as an educational process which involves several learning experiences. Two major methods were used for collecting data about the process of becoming a medium: the qualitative interview and participant observation. Sixteen mediums were interviewed about how they became mediums, evolution of their healing practices and their conception of the ideal medium. In addition, through participant observation in several spiritist centers on the Island, data was gathered on how mediums are educated at the centers.