We present in this issue
the topic #145 from the
Systematized Study of
the Spiritist Doctrine,
that is being presented
weekly, according to the
programme elaborated by
the Brazilian Spiritist
Federation (FEB),
structured in 6 modules
and 147 topics.
If the reader uses this
program for a study
group, we suggest that
questions proposed be
discussed freely before
the reading of the text
that follows. If you
would like to study
alone, we ask you to try
to answer the questions
at first and only then
read the text that
follows. The answer key
can be found at the end
of the lesson.
Questions
1. What is human
perfection, according to
the teachings of Jesus?
2. What is the virtue
most worthwhile?
3. What are the
characteristic signs of
imperfection, the more
serious?
4. There is a difference
between addiction and
passion?
5. Education can play an
important role in the
moral progress of the
individual?
Text
The attachment to
material things is
evident sign of
inferiority
1. When it comes to
human perfection, it is
thought of perfection is
relative and not
absolute, because only
God has the infinite
perfection in all
things. If it were given
to the human creature to
be as perfect as the
Creator, to make it
would be equal to this,
which is obviously
unacceptable.
2. Human perfection
consists, according to
the teachings of Jesus,
love our enemies, do
good to those who hate
us, pray for those who
persecute us, making it
clear that the essence
of perfection is charity
in its broadest sense
since it implies the
practice of all other
virtues.
3. Of course, according
to Spiritism, all virtue
has its own merits,
because it indicates the
individual's progress on
the path of good. There
is always a result of
the resistance
voluntarily to knock the
evil and the evil
inclinations, however,
the sublimity of virtue
is the sacrifice of
personal interest for
the benefit of others,
without any hidden
thought. The most
worthwhile is that based
on the most
disinterested charity.
4. We recognize the
imperfection spiritual
signs. The most serious
of these is the personal
interest. Moreover, the
lack real, true, is so
rare on Earth that, when
patents, all admire him
as if it were a
phenomenon.
5. The attachment to
material things is
evident sign of
inferiority. And the
longer he holds the
goods of this world, the
less the man understands
his fate. With the lack
of interest, on the
contrary, it
demonstrates that views
of a point higher the
future. It is, however,
essential not to confuse
lack of generosity. If
the indifference is a
virtue, thoughtless
prodigality is always
lack of understanding.
The passion is not in
its origin and in
essence, a bad
|
6. Becoming a good
person is the first step
for those who want to
reach perfection,
keeping in mind that a
good man is one who
practices the law of
justice, love and
charity in its purest
and always use the
understanding and mercy
to others.
7. Selfishness, which
gnawing worm, continues
to be an evil that is
spreading everywhere and
which each person is
more or less a victim.
We must therefore fight
it, as if fighting a
disease epidemic.
8. Besides fighting the
vices that may still
submit to the Spirit
also imperfect fight
against any subjugation
by the passions.
9. In this sense, a
distinction between
addiction and passion
becomes necessary here.
Addiction is anything
that is contrary to
virtue, and selfishness,
pride, vanity,
exhibitionism, anger,
gossip, hypocrisy,
greed, jealousy, envy,
sloth, and the habits
that cause dependency
physical and mental.
10. The passion is not
in its origin and in
essence, an evil,
because the principle
which gives rise came on
the man for good and can
take you to achieve
great things. The
passions are like a
racehorse, which is only
useful when it ruled and
that becomes dangerous
when it starts to
govern. The abuse of
them is therefore what
causes harm. |
Education is the key to
moral progress
11. Passions are levers
that greatly increase
the forces of man and
assist in implementing
the designs of
Providence, but the
unsuspecting man,
instead of driving, to
allow them to drive and
thus falls in the
excesses, which could
crush him, because then
there is, ultimately,
the exaggeration of a
need or a feeling.
12. Fighting vices and
not be overwhelmed by
the passions, the
individual will move
firmly towards
perfection, what
obviously does not take
place from time to
time.
13. Known causes and
identified to combat
evil, the remedy will be
presented by itself,
leaving him merely to
destroy it, if not
entirely, at least
partially.
14. May be long process,
since the causes are
many, but not infinite.
The cure, however, only
get if evil is attacked
at its root, i.e., by
education, not for this
kind of education that
is concerned merely to
make educated men, but
because it tends to make
them good men.
15. Education properly
understood is the key to
moral progress. When the
art of handling the
characters, as you know
the art of managing the
intelligence, achieve
will correct them, just
as straighten up the new
plants. This art
requires, however, very
much, a lot of
experience and profound
observation.
Answer Key
