Dalva Aparecida Alves Ferreira (photo), a lawyer, became a Spiritist in 1994. She was born in the Brazilian town of Gália, in the state of São Paulo, where she does volunteer work at the Discípulos de Jesus (Disciples of Jesus) Spiritist Centre. She is a dedicated researcher of Spiritism and a public speaker. We talked to her about the core principles of Spiritism and how they can help us change our lives.

Why are you so interested in studying and talking about the core principles of Spiritism?

I believe that anyone who wishes to understand the Spiritist Teachings must first understand the core principles of Spiritism. That may sound obvious, to say that Spiritists must understand the principles of the Teachings. But I have seen within the Spiritist Movement many difficult situations created by the lack of understanding of what Spiritism is really about. And in many cases the people involved were experienced Spiritists.

What do you think is most remarkable about the core principles of Spiritism?

It is the capacity they give us to understand God, his perfect laws and life beyond the limits of this physical existence. Life never ends. The natural law of cause and effect explains why we are here and why we experience pain and as well as joy in this physical life. Our sole purpose is to become better Spirits in each existence, through the experiences we live and, especially, by understanding the teachings of Jesus.

And how do you motivate people attending your talks and those taking part in study groups?

As well as using simple, plain language accessible to all, taking into account the fact that not everyone is familiar with the Spiritist terms, I try to encourage people to consider what impact these teachings and principles will have on their daily lives.

How do people benefit from fully understanding the core principles of Spiritism?

The main positive outcome is the inner reform that is eventually carried out by individuals. People become more aware of themselves, of their limitations, potentials and responsibilities. There is no miracle in Spiritism. Change doesn’t come from the outside, but from inside instead. We may attend wonderful talks and lectures, read amazing books with all the philosophical, scientific and moral principles of Spiritism, but we will gain very little or nothing unless we fully understand the core values and principles that form the basis of these Teachings. Once we read and understand the principles of Spiritism, our lives will change. We get clarity in the way we see life and we begin to face it without fears or hesitations, as we get to understand the perfect divine laws that rule our lives. Science no longer brings us uncertainty. On the contrary, the greatness of God is confirmed by each new scientific discovery.

How will that understanding help us deal with our daily challenges from a practical perspective?

When we face the inevitable challenges that life produces in this world of trials and tribulations, like illnesses, the natural approach of those who have understood Spiritism and, therefore, God, is one of resilience and serenity, as their faith is unshakable and based on logic and reason.

From all your memories in Spiritism, which one means the most to you?

I have so many memories from this enlightening Teachings, but I will never forget the first day I entered the Spiritist Centre that I am still linked to. I had on that day my first lessons on reincarnation, the law of cause and effect and the communications with the Spirit World. I felt like a huge veil had been lifted from my eyes, allowing me to look at life in a completely different way. I began to understand God and to strengthen the faith I had. I was brought up in a blessed Catholic family, which provided me with valuable teachings on love and faith. But I always asked many questions that remained unanswered, until that day, when I had my first lessons on Spiritism and everything became clear and I began to truly understand God.

What is your assessment of the Spiritist Movement in Brazil now?

The Spiritist Movement has progressed a great deal in the last few years, thanks especially to the new possibilities provided by the media and the internet. But I believe there is room for improvement. The biggest mistake we can make, in my opinion, is to believe that we already know enough. We must bear in mind that we have a lot to learn and to reflect regarding the core principles of Spiritism, which are the basis of all Spiritist books.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Life is a great present from God. The experiences we go through, either of joy of pain, both in the physical and in the spiritual world, are great opportunities for spiritual growth and development which we must not waste. The more we understand what our life, which never ends, is about, the more aware we will be and the more secure we will be to face our challenges. If we do that, we will speed up our process of spiritual development, which will lead us towards perfection and full happiness. We must not give up or lose hope! Let us study, read, reflect and put into practice the principles of Spiritism.