ESPIRITISMO Y POLÍTICA

Espiritismo y Socialismo

EL AMOR A DIOS En algún momento nos hemos preguntado: ¿si nuestra fe va más allá del sendero de la súplica o la esperanza de satisfacer nuestras necesidades? ¿Si en la raíz de nuestra fe existe un sentimiento especial alejado de la realidad de este mundo? ¿Si nuestro corazón es tan grande o capaz de albergar un amor tan noble y sublime? Entonces si no lo hemos hecho, es momento de hacerlo, de revisar nuestra alma, nuestra conciencia para escudriñar que evoca el nombre de Dios en nuestro corazón. Si al convocarlo lo entendemos como una parte del amor, o el amor mismo. Cualquiera que sea la respuesta a esta pregunta, debemos reflexionar primero sobre lo que es el amor. A alguien se le ama no por que resuelva tus problemas o cambie tu vida, sino porque nuestro corazón atesora su existencia y presencia en nuestra vida. Incluso el verdadero amor, se mantiene después de la muerte, aun para aquellos que no creen en el mañana. El amor es una llama que se enciende y nunca se apaga, el amor vence al tiempo y sustenta la eternidad, pues él es el motivo de que exista. El amor no se divide se vuelve parte de nosotros y se multiplica. Las leyes espirituales que definen la vida de espíritu se sustentan en una sola, el amor como causa, guía y destino, pues solo él mueve el progreso y a la creación. Ese amor que nace en nuestra alma, siempre encuentra a Dios, pues lo intuye, lo reconoce, como la gota encuentra el agua, a el pájaro la manada. Pero a veces no lo alcanza cuando abandonamos el vuelo de la virtud o cuando renunciamos a sentir como espíritus y probamos con el corazón humano ¡ingenuo intento!, es como el niño que juega a atrapar el aire con sus manos. De allí, que en un lugar hermoso de nuestra alma existe un amor que no demanda, pide o exige, sino que solo reconoce y da, a ese inmenso motivo que no exige adoración, ofrendas ni dadivas, que solo recibe tu amor. Cuando Dios creó el infinito no lo hizo para él, sino para todos los seres que habitarían sus confines, y pensando en ellos creo maravillas, innumerables hermanos para compartir la vida y otorgo la eternidad como la promesa fiel y segura del logro de la felicidad y del amor, otorgando un libre albedrío para darle a cada hombre la capacidad de forjar su historia y llegar a sus hermanos por sus propios caminos. Para amar a Dios, no es solo creer, sino reconocer su presencia en nosotros mismos, y cerrar los ojos al mundo, ya que Dios es muchos más que este simple planeta, es mucho más que nuestra humilde alma y aspiración de progreso. Por ello, para amarlo hay que amar primero al mundo, pues no puedo amar una obra sin reconocer a su autor, cómo sigo una huella sin valorar a quien la hizo. En definitiva, somos lo que amamos, lo que soñamos y por lo que luchamos, y si hacemos coincidir todo eso con Dios, entonces sentiremos su verdadero amor, pero no solo de nosotros hacia él, sino su presencia en nosotros, reirá en nuestros labios, llorará en nuestros ojos, se servirá de nuestras manos y nunca será ajenos a nosotros, pues somos uno, todos somos uno. Amar a Dios es renacer cada día para buscar un nuevo sentido de amar, es perdonar, ayudar, sacrificar, luchar, es sacar de nuestro interior la fuerza y el coraje para hacer posible la obra divina, pues amar es entender y concurrir al milagro de la creación. Miles de poetas han escrito sobre el amor, pero solo Jesús y los cristianos entendieron y enseñaron el verdadero significado del amor. Por ello preguntante, ¿se parece tu amor al de los cristianos, al de los mansos o caritativos?, ¿o es solo un amor que se refiere a ti mismo?, que más que amor, es tu manera de ser y concebir las cosas resultando insuficiente para albergar la presencia de Dios. Nunca olvides que cuando amamos a Dios no somos nosotros mismos, sino su reflejo, su sueño, su legado, su dicha, y solo entonces al elevarnos el amor se eleva, se muestra y alcanzamos el nivel para acercarnos a nuestro señor o mejor dicho para que el brote de nosotros pues somos uno solo. Si amaramos a Dios, no se sí el mundo sería perfecto, pero a diario viéramos más disculpas, más sacrificios, menos llanto, y más lucha, y ese reino divino, el mundo invisible se volvería palpable en el amor… veríamos menos guerras, menos suicidios, pues la fuerza sumaria la de todos y serian menos los errores, pues la lucha juntos nunca se pierde y la victoria juntos es inevitable, como ineludible es el amor en el corazón del espíritu, pero debemos construirlo ese es el camino del progreso. Sociedad Espirita Jesús de Nazaret, 09 julio de 2022. Caracas-Venezuela

JUNE NEWSLETTER 2022 40TH ANNIVERSARY of the SS of FL (1982-2022) EDITORIAL Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges I have heard words from so many people this month of which in my 67 years, I have never personally heard before, variations of, “I want to permanently live in another country,” due to how things are now. Of course, people are free to move anywhere they want, but the more I heard this, the sadder I felt. I love this country (despite its many terrible problems). Also, I am proud of its great accomplishments and the ideals to which it strives. I believe everyone generally cares about the country they have been born into and/or brought up in. They may not necessarily like what is going on in it, but I feel they have a certain national pride that is a natural thing for most people. And, like every country in the world, the US has its own unique problems, especially the continued polarization of our politics which seems to then affect all other aspects of our lives. Finding a middle ground on any topic appears to be almost impossible nowadays, and no wonder people then naturally become frustrated, disgusted and/or feel things cannot be resolved to anyone’s satisfaction. However, throughout our history there have always been problems and conflicts. Every generation has had their share of struggles and challenges to confront, but there are many determined and enlightened people who have worked hard to keep us out of the total darkness of ignorance and have pushed us always towards the light of moral progress. So, what is a Spiritist perspective? First, Spiritists know that prior to incarnating we chose and knew what planet, country, family and certain life circumstances we would be born into, in order for our souls to more swiftly and productively progress. This is a Divine plan implemented for just cause and our soul evolution. Secondly, it there that we all have important personal responsibilities to ourselves (our wellbeing to properly function in our lives), to family and friends, but also responsibilities and obligations to be a productive member of society at large (to our neighbors, the city where we live and as a citizens of our country). And, our manner of proceeding in all these areas should be the Golden Rule which is to treat others as we would wish to be treated; with fraternal love and charity. The above two important facts always involve conflict, struggle, challenges and pain (which help develops our character) because we are all imperfect humans with our own ways of thinking and doing. But, when things get tough, we must try if we can to make things better. It is only through confronting, discussing, evaluating, resolving and finally overcoming our problems…that all our spirits will eventually slowly learn, develop, grow, and, morally and intellectually progress. We must have faith in ourselves and in the Divine Laws. It is us, with a strong sense of purpose and resiliency, through conflict and struggle, that we change our world for good. Our spirits need to take full advantage of our time on earth, no matter where we live, in bettering ourselves which then helps our societies to collectively evolve, where solely peace, fraternity, equality, charity and love can reign upon the earth. BALANCE THE TEETER-TOTTER Written by Julie L. Harper Life can sometimes feel overwhelming when there are many changes and complexities. In our rapidly changing world, many people are faced with new challenges and have to cope and adapt to different and difficult circumstances. Those who do not have strong spiritual faith are often thrown off balance. We all experience ups and downs in life, and the extension of caring support helps one another. As we habitually lift each other up in mutual support, peace is promoted to a wider degree. Everyone ultimately fares better in a society of kindness. Those who feel unable to help much can still make a great difference by extending a sincere kind word and a smile to brighten someone's day. What may seem insignificant or trivial can have a hugely beneficial impact on another. What’s more, your seemingly small kindness may sway someone's emotional teeter-tottering back to balance. It is a loving act to be compassionate and of service to others, and such should be the norm. Remember that you've had difficulties, and that any ease in suffering makes a difference. A person in need does well to accept others' help because it not only benefits one, but a healthy and happier individual also affects the entire community through interconnections. Kindness encourages a collective balance and a more peaceful existence. >LOVE WILL PREVAIL – Spirit Communication “…Moral betterment of the human race and happiness during terrestrial life are the results which the law of love will bring. “The most rebellious and corrupt will reform themselves when they see the resulting benefits stemming from the practice of the precept: ‘Do not unto others that which you would not wish done unto you.’ On the contrary, ‘do unto others all the good that it is within your power to do.’ “Do not believe then in the sterility and hardening of the human heart, for even against its own will, it must give way to true love which is like a magnet that is impossible to resist. “Contact with true love revives and fertilizes the seeds latent in every heart…Then you will see practiced on earth…acts of charity, humility, patience, devotion, abnegation, resignation and sacrifice, all of these being the offspring of true love…” - Spirit of FÉNELON (Excerpt of spirit message received in Bordeaux, France in 1861, the Spiritist Society of Paris, from Kardec’s, The Gospel according to Spiritism Ch.11, item 9, translated from the French by Janet Duncan) Youth Speaks CELEBRATION OF FATHERS Written by S.P. Father’s Day is a day to recognize fathers, grandfathers and anyone else who is considered a father-like figure to others. Father and child relationships aren’t all the same, but they all have one thing in common: love. Love is a powerful feeling, especially when you have a strong bond with someone who loves you from the very beginning of your life. May God bless all the fathers around the world on Father’s Day and may we recognize how important they are to everyone. LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT Written by Yvonne Crespo Limoges So many personal incidents of sorrow occur to which we see no purpose or just cause for, however it is because we only see the effect and not the cause of such sufferings. Out of Allan Kardec’s book Heaven and Hell, or The Divine Justice Vindicated in the Plurality of Existences (translated by Anna Blackwell), I briefly summarize below (in no particular order) three true incidents of personal suffering these persons had in the material world. Later, the spirits themselves explain via mediumship (names and dates omitted due to lack of space) the cause of their suffering, which was due to their own actions in a past life. Each spirit agreed to undergo their material trials and found moral and spiritual relief afterwards. ONE (pg. 286) - A very good woman who helped others and never complained about her struggles, suffered a prolonged illness and died a painful death. Her spirit communicated to say that the cause of her suffering was due to the fact that she did not take seriously, and used to even laugh at, the illness of her mother in a past life. TWO (pg. 417-420) - A highly talented, esteemed writer and good man was mistaken for dead and buried alive. His body was disinterred to recover a pocket watch that was accidentally buried with him. When they found the man, he had turned his body around and eaten part of his hand. The result, he suffered suffocation, torture and hunger. The spirit communicated and stated that no one was to blame for his death, which he said was decided on to be in that way, before his birth, because in a past life, he had walled up his wife. Afterwards, another spirit communicated which stated, “After passing through a time of trouble and moral suffering, for further expiation of his crime, he will be forgiven and will be able to enter a higher world, in which he will meet his former victim who is awaiting him there, and who has, long ago forgiven him…” THREE (pg.421-423) - A manufacturer, a gentle honorable man was in a horrible accident, when a cauldron of varnish caught on fire, its contents spilled and covered the man, who suffered alive for 2 hours before he finally died. When his spirit communicated, he stated that the cause of his suffering was due to his actions hundred years ago when he was an Italian judge of the Inquisition and caused an innocent child of about 12 years old to be burned at the stake. His next step was to then seek her forgiveness. FAILURE TO COMPLETE A TRIAL “Spirits who have succumbed under a trial are very apt to say that it was beyond their strength; but this is a way of excusing their failure and is generally prompted by pride, which makes them unwilling to confess that they failed through their own fault. The Divine Providence [the Creator and the Divine Laws] imposes on no one more than he can bear; but spirits have their freewill; and, if they bring their will to the task, there is no evil tendency that cannot vanquish. Unfortunately, it too often happens that, the more strongly a spirit is naturally drawn to any given vice, the less does he, when incarnated as a man, exert himself to combat that tendency; consequently, if he fails to surmount it, he has only his own want of will to thank for his failure.” Allan Kardec (This is a comment made in Part Second, Ch. IV, on pg. 303 of the same book) STORMS AND THEIR TRACES When Nature unfolds intense storms, these deposit traces that cannot be eliminated in a short time, despite the human work oriented and applied to that objective. Other storms, sometimes mild and others very striking, even violent, arise in the soul and lash it, causing imbalances of lesser or greater severity; sadness, anguish, pain, anger, and dark, negative, violent ideas and feelings... Where do they come from? From the current existence, or from previous lives due to situations or conflicts wrongfully resolved, or from both? Due to our condition as human beings, we have the necessary instruments to face them, and without having requested them, they are there deposited in our consciousness, to be recognized and cultivated in the face of the possibility of contingencies of various kinds, and they are: love, forgiveness, understanding, serenity, reflection, patience... However, in some cases they are ignored, and before the dark forces that are unleashed, the proper channel is not found so that they can be neutralized. The internal difficulties exist because of human imperfection, but the means to control or slightly diminish them, are also within our reach. Spiritism [knowledge of the spiritual realities of life] is the Supreme Knowledge that, by showing us that the spirit has infinite life, allows us to enter a state of tranquility and understanding, which is already an important first step, to later continue the path with greater confidence (and to be able to reach higher levels of evolution) as obstacles are successfully overcome. We also learn that difficulties arise in order to remind us that the cultivation of self-knowledge must be present, sustained, in order to achieve the resulting internal, spiritual reform. The storms and their traces then become the experiences in the lessons, which from that moment on, constitutes valuable capital that recognized, in time, allows us to master the following imbalances, convulsions that dangerously disturb the soul… That is how the completion of the cycle of human evolution towards perfection, provided by the Divine Laws, will be completed. (Article by the Editors of the magazine Constancia, Issue Jan. – Jun. 2022 issue by the Spiritist Association Constancia est. in 1877 in Buenos Aires, Argentina; translation by Yvonne. Limoges) PRAYER FOR THOSE WE LOVE (in spirit) You who were dear to us in this world, please listen to my voice who calls to offer anew our pledge of affection. God provided that you be liberated before us and the Divine Laws are perfect, and you are now in the spirit world. Please wait with resignation for the moment of our reunion in that happier world, where you have arrived before us, for we know that this separation is only temporary. How sweet and consoling is the certainty that there is nothing between us but a material veil which hides you from our sight! And, to know that you do not forget us, as we do not forget you. Our love and our prayers are with you, and may the peace of the Lord be with you! AMEN ****************************************** Edited by Yvonne Crespo Limoges, Director E-mail: ylimoges@aol.com Spiritist Society of Florida (est. 1982) 5042 22 Avenue North St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 Website: www.spiritistsocietyfl.com