The specific elements and rituals that take place at an Umbanda meeting will vary from one temple (often called "Terreiro" in Portuguese) to another, following the culture, history, and spiritual guidance that may be unique to a particular group; however, the basic principles listed below unite all Umbanda practices. 

​

• the belief in God - the Universal intelligence;

• the belief in the spirit - the concept that our personal spiritual journey precedes our current life and continues beyond our physical existence;

• the belief in reincarnation - the idea that part of our spiritual growth takes place through successive existences in the physical body;

• the belief in the communication with the spirit world - individual beings who are no longer expressing themselves in a physical body (discarnate spirits) can communicate with incarnate spirits (those with a physical body, like us) through mediums (persons who are sensitive to the influence of discarnate spirits);

• the belief that our spiritual growth takes place as we understand Love in its many forms - we take Jesus as the most profound example of this Love and, accordingly, believe that expressing unconditional Love through actions in benefit of all, particularly those in great need, is essential for enlightenment. To be at service to others is at the core of the Umbanda practice.

​

​