A Spiritist since 1957, Clovis Isberto Biscegli (photo) lives in his hometown of São Carlos, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. He is a retired researcher from Embrapa, Brazil’s agricultural agency, and has a PhD degree in Physics from the prestigious USP university in São Paulo. In São Carlos, he is a volunteer worker at the Obreiros do Bem Spiritist Centre and the coordinator of its mediunimic groups since 1992. In this interview, he speaks about the short term mentality of our times and says that we must embrace the Spiritist cause and do our best to help our brothers and sisters in need.

What do you attribute the short term mentality that we live in our days to?

There isn’t a particular reason or a predominant factor we may single out. What we have is a range of factors, especially the digital media and social media, which prompt people to seek immediate answers and solutions to their daily problems.

What do you think of the scepticism that prevails now?

You can attribute that to the detachment people have developed from all forms of religion or even the lack of interest many people have concerning the different aspects of religiosity. If feels like that is not important for how they manage their lives or their daily activities.

Why do people struggle so much to accept the immortality of the soul?

The activities that may lead people to reflect about the immortality of the soul take place in general inside Spiritist Centres. And very rarely the Spiritist Teachings come up in other media (films, television, soaps etc.) Spiritism is not widely disseminated where people would be able to find the answers they need for matters concerning their future life, or the spiritual dimension they will find when they leave the Earth.

Do you think there isn’t enough information being spread about the messages from the Spirit World and communications between the two worlds? What can be done about that?

Yes, we face the same challenges when it comes to the acceptance of the fact that the Spirits are in constant communication with our physical world. We can only see and hear serious conversations with discarnate Spirits during mediunimic meetings, in Spiritist Centres. We are going through important changes now, but it seems like we will need each to make an individual effort to find the answers to our doubts about what happens after the death of the body. This is not a widespread, mass movement. It’s an individual effort for each one of us.  

There is wide misunderstanding about the true nature of reincarnation. Are we, Spiritists, to blame for that?

Indeed, we often meet people who want to know more about reincarnation. Even though reincarnation was mentioned by Jesus in his gospels and was explained in the work of Allan Kardec, we usually have a hard time making it clear to people that life goes on and that they will reincarnate in a different body. Doing that is definitely one of the greatest challenges faced by all Spiritist Centres, and something we must succeed on.

We observe in Brazil temples and prayer centres, including Spiritist Centres, filled up with people every week. And yet violence is everywhere in modern society and people seem to have no faith or faltering faith at best? What could be done about that across the world?

This is certainly a major challenge and there isn’t a simple or straightforward recipe to deal with that in a global scale. All the signs are that this is the price modern, materialistic societies are paying in order to achieve dignified spiritual progress based on the principles of love, forgiveness, charity and fraternity. The latest Spiritist books show that we are going through a transition on the planet and that we are yet to face very unpleasant situations in our societies.  

There are so many Spiritist books available to everyone. But many Spiritists still reject, disregard or simply don’t know them. Is that because of intellectual complacency or simply moral indifference?

I think it’s a bit of both. Why should we worry about what will happen in the future if everything seems to be going fine now? The much talked about inner reform, or moral reform, demand continuous efforts from all of us. That is the only way we will achieve spiritual peace and trust in Jesus. Extreme situations involving pain, illnesses or the loss of our loved ones prompt many people to reflect on the true meaning of life. When that happens, Spiritism emerges as a balsam, a treatment for all the diseases.

On the other hand, the moral comfort provided by Spiritism has drawn in more and more people. Are Spiritist organisations truly committed to disseminate those ideas that bring comfort and enlightenment to so many people?

Most Spiritist organisations have been making a huge effort in order to help disseminate the Teachings of Our Master Jesus, which can be summed up in the maxim: “There is no salvation outside charity.” There are meetings, lectures, talks and a vast range of books available to all of those who are truly seeking peace and enlightening.

From all your reflections on those issues, what would like to highlight?

I am amazed by the general lack of interest in future life, which is what is awaiting us after all! To understand what we will meet on the other side of life, we need to think deep and make a huge mental effort. To use a fashionable expression, we must leave our comfort zone.

Is there anything you would like to add?

It is essential that we carry on with this job of love and fraternity, helping to console those who are facing despair in their daily lives as they seek happiness and a better life. We must embrace the Spiritist cause and be available to work and help at Spiritist Centres. We need to do our best to help our brothers and sisters in need. I leave you with this final call, this final message.