How are we
shaping our
spiritual
future?
The notion of
good should be a
guideline in our
daily lives and
the activities
towards the good
are our true
spiritual
capital
The fellow
Carlos Torres
Pastorino
(1910-1980), in
his opuscule Minutes
of Wisdom, which
content has a
right to the
title,
emphasized with
good reason,
that "We are
slaves of
yesterday, but
we are masters
of our
tomorrow."This
assertion
reminds us of
the need to
ascertain how we
are shaping our
future - the
central theme of
this article.
Accordingly, it
is initially
relevant to
recall the
sensible
explanation of
the Codifier on
the subject
present in the
book The
Gospel According
to Spiritism. Therefore,
to Allan Kardec,
Spiritism shows
that the
afterlife is no
longer a simple
matter of faith
or mere
hypothesis. It
is a reality
substantiated by
concrete facts.
After all, it is
the very
entities
(spirits) who
describe their
experiences in
the afterlife.
Moreover, the
descriptions of
the afterlife
are so
meticulous,
detailed and
rational that we
are led to agree
that it could
not be
otherwise. In
consequence, we
therefore begin
to know the
magnitude and
meaning of true
justice of God.
In fact,
Spiritualism
precisely
unravels the
underlying
mechanisms of
the divine
justice, which
is also in
itself one of
its major
contributions to
humanity. It is
also noteworthy
that the
phenomenon of
reincarnation -
without which
the idea of
future life
would be
meaningless -
has been
thoroughly
studied.
Scientists
Erlendur
Haraldson and
Ian Stevenson
(1918-2007),
among others,
have catalogued
hundreds of
suggestive cases
of this
phenomenon.
Thus, denying
the possibility
of reincarnation
on the grounds
of lack of
evidence is no
longer
justified, since
the evidence for
it abounds
everywhere.
Moreover, our
present life
follows - it is
always advisable
to remember - a
predetermined
course. Put
another way,
most of us have
even asked for
the "crosses" we
currently carry
... Nothing was
imposed upon us,
except in cases
of compulsory
reincarnation.
As a result,
according to the
law of action
and reaction, we
are reaping
today's
experiences in
conformity with
our evolving
needs. It is
clear that the
majority, fully
enjoying their
free will, may
aggravate or
mitigate their
own situation.
Therefore, if we
use such
capacity wisely,
we shall
probably return
more relieved to
the spiritual
world (since we
are all
indebted). But
if we use this
condition
inconsequentially,
we will worsen
our karmic
framework.
Accordingly, we
shall also
expunge the new
faults through
the sacred
mechanisms of
the law of cause
and effect,
which will be
added to
existing debts.
The dimension of
the family
deserves
profound
consideration.
How are we
relating to it?
However, if we
truly already
carry within us
the certitude of
immortality of
the soul and the
plurality of
lives, it is
recommended then
to reflect on
what we are
doing in
relation to our
spiritual
future. In this
sense, there are
several aspects
and dimensions
to examine as,
for instance,
health.
How are we
taking care of
our physical
body? Are we
treating the
carnal dress
properly? It is
worth noting
that whatever we
do in this area
it will somehow
impact our
future
incarnations.
Accordingly, in
recent decades
old myths and
perceptions have
been overthrown.
After all,
through the
scientific
progress much is
already known
about what suits
us or not in
terms of health.
Certain foods or
ingredients
before
ubiquitous in
our meals have
been gradually
banned.
Moreover, the
findings clearly
point to the
dangers of salt,
sugar, saturated
fat when eaten
in excess.
The cultivation
of addictions
deserves a
dedicated
chapter, given
the damage they
cause in our
bodies. Thus, we
already know the
harmful
combination of
smoking and the
onset of
cervical uterine
and breast
cancers, for
example. In such
case, neglecting
the warnings and
recommendations
from health
agencies can
bring us
unnecessary
troubles as our
future body will
tend to present
serious
limitations
making our
journey more
difficult.
The dimension of
the family
deserves
profound
consideration.
How are we
relating to
those who
received us as
parents? And our
brothers and
sisters? It is
in the family
that, as a rule,
the first
experiences of
karmic
realignment are
performed. From
this premise,
are we striving
to promote the
proper
adjustments
before the law
of love? Often,
we are affronted
by scabrous
stories
involving
parents who
abuse their
offspring, even
making them sex
slaves. Such
abuses are
logically
explicable by
the law of
action and
reaction cited
above. However,
they will
certainly
produce very
serious and
painful
consequences to
their
perpetrators for
not repressing
their
perversions.
The neighbour is
a highly
relevant aspect.
What are we
doing in this
field? There's
no way of
progressing
spiritually
without having
the other in
mind. The other
is the
opportunity we
have to
annihilate the
virus of
selfishness and
indifference in
us.
Due to the
growing public
outcry, the
trend is that
the ethical
deviations are
no longer
tolerated
By looking to
the journey
companion (and
his/her needs)
we're broadening
our vision.
Sympathizing
with his/her
misfortune,
sickness,
suffering and
need is to grow in
sensitivity. At
the same
time, it enables
us to develop
our spiritual
intelligence.
Moreover, it is
inconceivable to
aspire to
a better
spiritual future
without concrete
actions for the
neighbour.
Our talents must
be carefully
scrutinized. So,
how are we using
our skills and
talents that God
gave us? Because
of the goodness
we are all
individuals with
certain skills.
When properly
harnessed, they give
us the
conditions of
subsistence and
beneficial
contribution to
those who depend
upon our effort.
Unfortunately,
many are lost in
the entanglement
of their own
ambitions,
yielding
themselves to
malignant
suggestions or
inspirations.
Consequently,
they use their
intelligence and
potential to
hurt, cheat and
even destroy
those who have
placed full
confidence in
them.
And how about
ethics? Are we
acting within
strict moral
principles? Due
to the growing
public outcry,
the trend is
that the
deviations in
this scope are
no longer
tolerated. In
general, corrupt
staff, venal
legislators,
unscrupulous
businessmen and
companies that
disrespect
consumers tend
to be demonized
by the society.
Having
misconduct on
this variable
may cause
enormous
suffering to its
protagonists not
only in this
life, but also in
future ones.
Moreover, the
virtual
communication
tools have
contributed to
the
dissemination of
facts,
especially those
related to the
flagrant
disregard for
the laws, making
it impractical
for the
possibility of
oblivion of
slippage.
As to the resignation
variable, do we
support humbly
the trials that
we set for
ourselves?
Suffering for
the sake of
suffering is
meaningless.
Since there are
concrete reasons
for living such
an experience,
we thus must
accept it with a
constructive
look. So do not
just suffer; one
has to face
suffering with
dignity and
stoicism.
Otherwise, there
is no merit to
rebel or to
offend the Deity.
Moreover, are we
able to express
gratitude? Do we
acknowledge and
thank those who
support us and
help us in the
redemptive path?
It is
practically
unfeasible for
an individual to
move forward in
life without
help - that is,
without
benevolence,
kindness and
blessing -
of others.
Compassion is in
the range of
capacities that
only the souls
identified with
the ideal of
spiritual
progress
possess
Generally, we
are supported
and assisted by
the ones from
this side and
even more the
ones from the
other side, the
spiritual
dimension! Who
has not ever
needed a little
help here, a
nudge there? So,
failing to
express
gratitude is
failing a vital
virtue. How can
we therefore
look forward to
a brighter
spiritual future
if we do not
even master the
simple ability
to thank?
Forgiveness
equally has a
crucial role in
our spiritual
development.
After all, Jesus
advised us to
forgive
endlessly. It is
evident that
forgetting the
insults, the
harmful actions
and discomfort
caused to us
by others is
somewhat
difficult.
However, this
is not something
impossible, like
the Master so
well
demonstrated. So
if He stands as
a model to us,
it is best to
strive to
emulate Him.
Compassion, in
turn, is one of
those
capabilities
that only the
souls already
identified with
the ideal of
spiritual
progress
possess. In the
modern world, as
noted, many have
fallen under the
weight of their
inferiority.
Nevertheless,
free from sin
none of us are,
so we must not
throw stones at
anyone else...
Being charity
the
manifestation of
our concern
with the
neighbour, it
has on its most
prominent side
the possibility
of benefaction.
Recently, the
prestigious
magazine Sao
Paulo featured
one of its
stories
entitled: "The
Warm Clothes
Campaign:
Donation Basket
or Rubbish?"
Basically, the
text enrolled
the precarious
state of many
clothes and
shoes donated by
the citizens, a
fact that
significantly
hindered the
work of the
volunteers.
It is curious
how many have
difficulty in
discerning what
may be usable
from what is
pure rubbish. In
fact, strictly
speaking, we
should not be
afraid to put in
the bin what
belongs there,
that is, torn,
filthy clothes
impregnated with
stench, as well
as shoes worn by
the continual
use or with a
hole on the
soles. I even
believe that a
donation should
be seen as an
opportunity to
give a gift.
Thus, the ideal
is that the
"gift" is
delivered
properly
cleaned,
sanitized and
preferably,
fragrant, be
your future
beneficiary a
homeless or
not.
Attached to the
charity variable
we must add to
our 'inner
audit' the
virtue of
generosity.
After all,
without
generosity in
the heart it is
unlikely that
acts of charity
occur. Save and
accumulate are
verbs that ought
to be
interpreted
carefully in the
spiritual field.
By knowing
Spiritism, we
assume major
responsibilities
that no other
doctrine
attaches to its
followers
Jesus once said,
very properly,
that "It is
easier for a
camel to go
through the eye
of a needle than
for a rich man
to enter the
kingdom of God"
(Luke
18:25).Discarding
or sharing
something is
much too painful
for many people
with material
wealth in this
world. In
this sense, the
online magazine
Epoca Negocios,
based on the
annual Global
Wealth report by
the Boston
Consulting
Group, recently
published an
increase in the
number of
millionaires,
that is, those
with assets over
US$ 1 million.
There was,
according to the
publication, an
increase of 14%,
reaching 11.2
million families
in the world.
This result
indicates that
the increased
wealth led to
greater
concentration of
income. In other
words: in
2009, less than
1% of all
households in
the world were
millionaires,
but the
percentage of
the world's
wealth they held
was 38%, higher
than the 36% in
2008.On the
other hand, the
families with
fortunes
exceeding US$ 5
million stood
for only 0.1% of
the total, but
held 21% or US$
23 trillion of
the global
wealth. However,
the possession
of such enormous
material
resources and -
most importantly
- the wisdom of
how they will be
used will be
crucial for the
spiritual future
of that small
group.
The spirit
Brother Jose in
the book Lord
and Master gives
us some valuable
advice
concerning the
topic under
review. Thus,
the benefactor
recommends us to
be steady in our
attitudes for
the good as well
as determined in
our dispositions
to benefit the
neighbour. The
notion of good
should be a
guideline in our
daily lives.
Actions directed
to the good
represent our
true spiritual
capital. If in
dealing with the
fellow-creature
we are imbued
with this way of
thinking, a
happier future
will await us.
Brother Jose
notes the
importance of
being faithful
to the noble
principles we
embrace and
consistent in
our faith.
By knowing
Spiritism, we
assume major
responsibilities
that no other
doctrine
attaches to its
followers.
Indeed,
considering that
we have been
systematically
enlightened by
the chiefs of
spiritual world,
we can no longer
claim ignorance
of basic things.
Of course, we
have not
exhausted all
the aspects that
can help us
build a better
spiritual
future. But we
have the
impression that
the dimensions
discussed herein
may serve to
initiate this
process. Anyway,
the question is
always timely:
what are we
casting for
ourselves?
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