Vlamir Orlando
Berti Pereira:
“God doesn’t
want to please
us; He wants to
shed light on
us!”
The Spiritist
doctor and
psychiatrist
highlights in
this interview
the important
role our
thoughts play in
our lives,
guiding us on
how to control
them
|
Vlamir Orlando
Berti Pereira
(photo), a
Spiritist since
1982, is the
president of the
Spiritist Group
A Caminho da
Luz, in the
southern
Brazilian city
of Cascavel. He
is a doctor with
specialisation
in Anaesthetics
and Psychiatry,
which is the
main focus of
this interview:
|
Why should we
change our
thoughts? |
We are
surrounded by
habits, which,
positive or
negative, must
be known to us,
addressed and,
if necessary,
modified. For
something to
take place,
someone must
have previously
thought about
it. The same
applies to our
internal harmony
and peace. If we
work on
improving our
thoughts, we
will be
addressing the
causes and
having a very
positive impact
on the effects.
How do we do
that?
To win a gold
medal, an
athlete must
work very hard.
In order to
progress in the
scale of
spiritual
development, we
must do the
same. In other
words, we need
to look into
ourselves.
Self-knowledge
is the key. It
makes us get
thrilled by the
beauties of
life.
Self-knowledge
is delightful,
educating and it
brings about
peace and
light.
In practical
terms, how do we
do it?
Choose a new
goal. Be
realistic with
yourself. Listen
to yourself.
Identify
resentments,
jealousies,
pride and all
the primitive
emotions we
inherit (with
all their animal
aspects) and
carry with us.
Do not lie to
yourself. Do not
dwell on the
past!
Choose one
aspect at a time
to work on. Have
you picked one?
Now negotiate
with your mind.
Little by little
replace this
thought with
something good,
useful and
truthful. I
suggest the
image of a
beloved family
member: repeat
his or her name
many times,
filling this way
that toxic space
that was in your
mind.
Do our thoughts
have an impact
on our health
and our
emotional,
psychological
and spiritual
balance? In what
manner?
They have a much
bigger influence
than we imagine.
Neuropsycoendocrinoimunology
(this is a long
noun) is a
reality. Science
accepts it
without
reservations.
Internal harmony
puts our
hormones in
balance,
strengthening
our immunity
burying,
therefore, many
illnesses.
Psychiatry is
making important
progress in that
area. We need to
go deeper into
the causes
rather than
looking only at
the diseases.
Is there
anything from
your experience
that you would
like to share
with us?
I use myself as
a “guinea pig”.
I observe myself
every minute.
When I managed
to gain control
of my thoughts,
trying to forget
the problems and
resentments, my
life changed.
So, if I was
able to change,
anyone is able
to change. But
we must bear in
mind that this
demands
continuous
effort. Once we
reach a
particular goal,
we are
immediately
faced with
another one to
work on. Life
becomes very
pleasant! Sweet,
surrounded by
true peace. And
we learn to love
ourselves.
Is there any
particular case
from your
practice that
you would like
to highlight?
How little do we
know ourselves!
Almost nothing,
really. People
keep looking for
a miracle pill
that will make
us better
people. That is
not possible.
Medication will
help, that is a
fact, but the
great secret is
really
self-discovery.
“Know thyself.”
We need to go
through an
internal
journey. “I can
and I make it.”
Obviously the
help from
experts from
various areas is
important to
deal with people
who are
suffering. But
if they do not
adhere to the
treatment, the
result is
compromised.
Why we, as human
beings, become
so susceptible
to the
unfortunate
suggestions and
the negative
influences of
those around us,
including the
spirits?
I would say that
the main
influence comes
from the Spirit
World. It is a
natural law.
Look at the
question 459 of
The Spirits’
Book. I am
so vulnerable
that I choose my
company. It is
pure choice,
free will. We
cannot accept
our
vulnerability.
Enlightened
influences and
suggestions, of
pure and
profound love,
are also around
us. They are
equally intense.
All we need is
to change our
antennas so we
are able to
capture them.
What is the big
secret of the
balance we look
for so eagerly?
Practice,
vigilance and
change of
course. We need
to make better
choices, in the
same way we
choose carefully
what we buy. We
must aspire for
good quality. We
need to have a
strategic plan
of our lives, in
the same way a
company does.
How do we need
to be when we
get to the end
of the year?
Where do I need
to improve? But
we must be very
strict about one
thing: we must
not lie to
ourselves!
From all your
memories and
experience, what
comes up more
strongly?
The earlier we
make this
discovery, the
better we will
be. Children
blessed by true
love can change
radically. The
parents have a
key role to
play. The role
of educators
belongs to the
family, not to
the state, which
has the duty to
teach only.
Child Psychiatry
will still
experience great
progress.
Your final
thoughts,
please.
I will ask
permission to
use the words of
Dr Bezerra de
Menezes: “We
must behave
properly and
fight to the
very end.” We
were not chosen
to suffer for
others who are
enjoying life.
There is huge
harmony in our
beautiful
universe.
Everything is
planned. God
does not want to
please us; He
wants to shed
light on us!