LISTENING TO OTHERS WITH A SPIRITIST MIND

This last Sunday (June 12th), I had the opportunity to listen to a keynote speaker who was addressing graduate students in their commencement event. This speaker was a woman with a long list of academic titles, plus a solid field experience, including scientific research. Her voice, energy, and message hit us all very strongly, and must have caught everybody's attention. I want to comment on two great elements of her speech, which I believe could well be translated into lessons spiritists could take home and think through them as we work on our own spiritual and moral transformation. 

We, as a group, can lit the way

Each of the graduate student sitting in the room was compared to new "light" that, when close together, may have the power to illuminate the way for an entire generation. This immediately led me to think of our work at the Spiritist Center, and to think of all the others at work in so many other Centers. The outcome could be wonderful if more and more "new spiritists" are "formed" every year, and if the number of spiritists keeps multiplying indefinitely. Then, think about using the logic of that keynote speaker: each new Spiritist is a new light, and, if they march together on the spiritualization of people, their power would light up the world, eventually. I will let you figure out how we (spiritists) have been doing in terms of lighting up the road, but we can't argue against the power of group work.

The way to achieve goals in this life

The speaker talked about a few steps that it might take to get things accomplished, and to meet our goals, or the goals of society: connection; determination; purpose; and action. In her example, she mentioned the need to connect with nature, because nature is a fundamental part of and plays a fundamental role in this world. And nature is also a creation of God, therefore it comes from the same source we come from. The speaker then reminded everyone that "we do have the power", as she elaborated on "determination"; we just need to leverage that power we have inside us. Under “purpose”, the idea was that we need to understand the process and have a plan that will support our way to goals. Finally, she moved on to “action” --- and this seems to be self-explanatory.

Now, let's think about "spiritual assistance", the service we offer on Wednesdays in our Spiritist Center. Here is how I would briefly translate the four steps the speaker talked about:

1. Connection: We need to empathize with the persons looking for assistance. That is, establish that heart-to-heart connection, which, per se, will help the needy quite substantially, as they feel heard, understood, and not alone.

2. Determination: Let's try and help with one clear mindset: Yes, we can help, and more so when we think of ourselves as a group of "lights", as discussed in the prior topic.

3. Purpose: yes, we can have a meaningful purpose. In other words, we can keep studying and improving our understanding on how Spirituality provides assistance to the needy, and how we can constantly improve the way we might serve as instruments of their blessings.

4. Action: nothing can stop us, the workers of Bezerra de Menezes, when we work along the lines of what Saint Exuperry (Overnight Flight/Voo Noturno) taught us: "Love is not looking at each other's eyes, but all looking ahead in the same direction".

Thanks for your attention. I thought I should share with you these enlightening moments at the commencement.

God bless you all

Gilberto

June 13, 2011

      

BEM AVENTURADOS OS.....

Caros amigos,
No nosso estudo do evangelho de ontem revisamos o item #4, Capitulo XX, que é uma mensagem do Espírito Erasto, intitulada "Missão dos espiritas". Tal mensagem incentiva e fornece sólidas razões para os espiritas não pouparem esforços na disseminação da Verdade de Deus, que Jesus nos ensinou e exemplificou, e os Espíritos nos ajudaram a melhor entende-la. Em um determinado parágrafo, Erasto diz o seguinte: "Ide, pois, e levai a palavra divina: aos poderosos, que a desdenharão; aos sábios, que dela pedirão prova; aos pequenos e simples que a aceitarão, porque é principalmente entre os mártires do trabalho, esta expiação terrena, que encontrareis o fervor e a fé".  E, proseguindo, Erasto esclarece: ". . . pois estes receberão, com cânticos de agradecimento e louvores a Deus, a consolação divina que lhes oferecerdes; e, baixando a fronte, agradecerão pelo quinhão de aflições que a Terra lhes reservou". 

Tal como quando Jesus falou "Bem aventuados os pobres de espírito....", aqui Erasto se refere aos "pequenos e simples". E nesse caso, o Espírito faz um contraste com aqueles que pensam deter o poder, ou pensam "saber tudo".  Lembremos aqui dos momentos finais de Jesus, que numa dor inimaginável, nos demonstrou a verdadeira submissão aos designios de Deus. Juntando os pontos, felizes aqueles que têm a humildade de aprender, aceitar, e carregar a suas cruzes até o fim, com resignação e fé. 

Gilberto
Junho 1, 2011

Wanna be happy?

Hi fellows,
The Time magazine of this week brings in an interesting article about optimism. On the positive side, optimists are bound to be bigger achievers than pessimists, as they might be willing to take those extra-miles that it takes to go places the pessismist won't ever go. It is all about "positive psychology", a recent theory that has been gaining some momentun in the psychology world. Below the surface, though, there might lie some risks. As the article says, optimists are, in general, not always realistic. That means that the over-optimists may distance themselves far enough from reality to fall in to major disappointments and its possible consequences. Not a major risk, just needs to be watched! Especially, those with kids need to stay put and prevent future problems. 

As I was digging into the links suggested by the article, though, I came accross another article that talkes about "20 ways to stay happy". They are all good, and you can retrieve them from  http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1631176_1630611,00.html?artId=1631176?contType=article?chn=specials. One of these 20 ways has to do with spirituality level. In this regard, the article says: "Survey after survey shows that people with strong religious faith — of any religion or denomination — are happier than those who are irreligious. David Myers, a social psychologist at Michigan's Hope College, says that faith provides social support, a sense of purpose and a reason to focus beyond the self, all of which help root people in their communities."

Gilberto
June 01, 2011