Donizete Aparecido Pinheiro da Silveira (photo), is a retired district judge in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. He lives in the city of Marília, where he works as a volunteer at the Jesus of Nazareth Spiritist Group. He has published several Spiritist books and is a well-known Spiritist speaker. In this interview, he speaks about his work in the Spiritist Movement and tells us more about one of his books, Para uma Vida Saudável (For a Healthy Life) – a study of 45 human virtues.

Your book focuses on 45 human virtues. How did you have the idea of producing such a comprehensive assessment in 200 pages?

The history behind writing this book is quite interesting. I was once invited by the owner of the local newspaper in the city of Adamantina to write a weekly column. I accepted the invitation and gave the column the title VIDA SAUDÁVEL (Healthy Life). I had published two pieces focusing on two different virtues when I went to a Spiritist event in the city of Bauru. The medium, Divaldo Pereira Franco, was there and said his spiritual mentor, Joanna de Ângelis, was in the room advising us to always say and write positive things. That is, she said, the best way of pushing evil away from us. I linked that to the newspaper column I’d begun writing and asked myself: would I be able to write only about positive matters, focusing for example on human virtues. I researched, studied and eventually, after writing about 35 virtues, decided to self-publish a book, which received very good reviews. Recently my current publishing house, EME, agreed to publish another edition and I then added another 10 virtues to the book.

Do virtues really lead us into a healthy life, as the title of the book suggests? How does that happen?

As I explain in the book, love is an amalgamation of all virtues. Only the practice of full, boundless love will promote our mental, emotional, psychological and, as a result, physical health. Virtues are an expression of good. It amounts to putting into practice the natural laws of the universe, or the divine laws. And we will only be able to be healthy and happy if we put into practice the law of God. It is important, therefore, that we understand the particular aspects of each virtue so we are able to develop them in the best manner possible.

Is developing virtues a matter of exercise and discipline?

That’s right. Virtues are an essential part of the soul and can only be developed through discipline (which is also a virtue) and training, repetition. Every day, every hour, every moment offers an opportunity for us to practice. When you’re queuing up at your bank branch or stuck in traffic you have the ideal situation to practice patience. Any setbacks or insults are an invitation for exercising tolerance and forgiveness.

Is there a particular aspect of your studies that you would like to highlight?

When you study something like that in depth, you understand you need to look into yourself. Without self-knowledge there is no spiritual progress or, ultimately, no happiness. The Gospel According to Spiritism deals with many virtues, but we all need to identify which of those virtues we have already developed and which ones we need to work on. When I read about forgiveness I must ask myself: Am I really capable of forgiving other people? Do I forgive people who insult me in any situation? That is what Jesus meant when he told us to be vigilant. We must watch closely our thoughts and emotions, because that will determine if the outcome will be a negative or positive action.

Do you have practical advice for those seeking to develop one or more virtues?

Once you study the virtues and carry out a process of self-analysis, you must make a concerted effort to improve. I really like the book by Ney Prieto Peres, Manual Prático do Espírita (Practical Guide for Spiritists), which gives practical guidance on how to work on our virtues. We must pick one particular virtue and then we must be prepared, every day, for any situation where it will be relevant. Let’s say for example that I am about to pick up my car to drive to work. Before I set off, I must prepare my mind so I have full attention while I drive. I must also focus on tranquillity and tolerance. I pray and ask for guidance from the spiritual benefactors. So when I start my journey I will be better prepared for dealing with any possible accidents or aggression from other drivers. We may fail on our first attempts, but if we persevere we will become more and more aware of what we need to do and that will turn into a positive habit.

Is there anything else you would like to highlight from your studies and research?

I think it is important to mention that the more I studied and thought about those issues, the more I realised how far I still am from the goal of becoming a virtuous man. As Paul, the apostle of the gentiles, said: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” Darkness still exists inside us and confronts the light we seek. We want to improve, but the old man inside us keeps coming forward. The law of progress, however, applies to everyone. The only way to reach true happiness is to carry on forward, always, even when we falter and make mistakes. Our faith may be small now, but one day it will move mountains. We may be too demanding and aggressive today, but one day we will be more tolerant and meek. And one day we will eventually be with our Father, like Jesus.