The thought above is by Joana Luiza da Silva (foto), who was born in Presidente Epitácio and lives in Promissão, both cities in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. A psychotherapist, she became a Spiritist in 1989 and has for many years worked as a volunteer at the Casa do Caminho Dr Bezerra de Menezes. She is the coordinator of study groups at the Spiritist Centre and helps other organisation in the area. In this interview she explains the origins and aims of  IEPE, the Educational Institute for Spirituality, and ENEPAZ, the Educational Meeting for Peace, which had its first edition this year.

Tell us first about IEPE.

IEPE was founded on April 25th, 2017, with the aim of promoting education and developing the full potential of human beings. The emphasis is on the moral, spiritual and psychological aspects of human beings. We strive to awaken the divine potentials that rest inside each of us through self-knowledge. The project is aimed at those who feel the need to look out for more and are not happy with the current values around them. We believe that by promoting a culture based on a more wholesome form of education we will be helping create a better future for our planet.

When did you first have the idea of organising an Educational Meeting for Peace?

I realised some time ago that very few people in our city were interested in travelling to other areas to take part in Spiritist meetings. So in 2004 we began organising here monthly or yearly meetings to discuss issues of interest to all. We invited to those events some of the most qualified Spiritist speakers. I observed that eventually we began building a good reputation and fellow Spiritists from other cities got interested in our events. I decided then, in 2018, to organise a new event for people who might not necessarily be interested in Spiritist events, but have an interest in spirituality and are looking for ways of contributing towards the greater good. That is how ENEPAZ came into being. It is an educational project not only for Spiritist Centres, but also for schools, private companies and other organisations. It encourages a new culture, a culture of education for peace.

What is your assessment of the first edition of ENEPAZ, which took place recently?

It was extremely gratifying to be in an atmosphere of hope and deep reflections, with brilliant talks and lectures. It became very clear to me that we must persevere in order to prepare and promote the inner reform that we all must go through. I believe that only through this pacifist and pacifying revolution the planet will be able to reach the next level of evolution, moving up from a world of trials and tribulations to a world of regeneration. I firmly believe that the changes our planet must go through won’t be possible unless we, human beings, change. So, yes, this event is for everyone who is interested in embracing a more altruistic and pacifying way of life.

Can we say that education will bring us peace?

I am positive that a wholesome approach to education will lead us into the transformation we need and the replacement of the aggression that is still inside each one of us with peaceful acts. We need to understand that we are immortal spirits and that we must truly embrace the teachings of Jesus in order to carry out our inner reform.  

Is this an event for all religions?

Yes, we try not to give a religious aspect to the event so we can encourage the participation of people from all denominations and religious backgrounds.

What are the event’s core principles?

First and foremost, the belief and conviction that it is possible for a simple seed to become a big forest, provided it is planted on the soil and well looked after. So we must understand that every good deed, as small as it may be, has the power to encourage other hearts to join in and take part in projects that will benefit others too.

What are the contact details for those interested in getting more information?

I am willing to help those who want to organise similar projects in their areas. My contacts are: Nice Silva: + 55 14 991754345  and IEPE: + 55 14 996057312.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us, based on your experience?

When you are moved by an ideal, you feel that any effort and even personal sacrifices are well worth it. We must have trust, hope, perseverance, hard work and gratitude, always. In sum, anything is possible for those who believe and who love. I am immensely grateful to those who came before and paved the way for us. Our work today is much easier than that of the pioneers of Spiritism, who faced unimaginable challenges. I am grateful to all of those who have, directly or indirectly, inspired me, encouraged me and given me support in all these efforts and projects.