Indication by a RIE reader who, studying the book Spiritist Vision of a Bandeirante (in the 2nd Volume), suggested an approach regarding a phrase by Cairbar Schutel. As we know, the work in question - in two volumes - brings together the editorials of the founder of the aforementioned magazine during the years that he was in charge of the publication. Launched in the centenary year of the newspaper O Clarim, in 2005, the precious texts offer substantial research and reflection material.

Cairbar's phrase is: "Ignorance of Spiritual things is the cause of all the evils that afflict men".

Indeed, the damage resulting from this ignorance, that of not knowing or not understanding, not assimilating, not studying, is the greatest cause of endless afflictions in human society.

The absence of this understanding of a patent reality, not yet perceived by the majority of the population that struggles with doubts, allowing itself to be dominated by selfish postures or seduced by varied, illusory passions, has generated environments of aggression, violence of all kinds, misery , corruption, despair, wars and even illnesses, behind-the-scenes manipulations, foolish attachments - including jobs and positions -, illusions of ephemeral possessions, endless disputes over power, inheritances and dominions.

Revenge, betrayal, criminal planning, retention of resources that could be used in favor of so many causes and even the interruption or postponement of projects that could benefit so many in all segments of society are due to the lack of a renewed mentality and the notion of immortality.

What is more serious is that even those who consider themselves Christians, and here we include Spiritists too, how many times are we led by varied illusions into power struggles - even without involving monetary resources - or seduced by self-promotion, pride and vanity, destroying or preventing actions that would result in several benefits, inside and outside the environment of the various religious denominations, including Spiritism.

The phrase in reference, by Schutel, is in the chapter “Recapitulating facts and principles”, dated from the January 1933 RIE, included in the book in question. The text has been written for almost 90 years and ignorance continues to prevail.

After all, observe:

a)  What are the "Spiritual things" that Cairbar Schutel referred to? Regarding ignorance, as we said, it comes from not really being aware, from not thinking about the subject, from not reflecting or looking for reality itself. But what are “Spiritual things” really?

It is not difficult to arrive to the conclusion, even by the term itself, that it is reality beyond the tangible matter. That it transcends and can be achieved by thinking, reflecting on the reality of life itself, which is not limited to what we only see. There is more to reality than the senses. And despite scientific research, serious and established in this direction, we don't even need it on a preliminary examination. Just think that there would be no logic in life and its challenges if it all came down to the fleeting reality of an existence, which, however long it may be, ends materially after a certain time, even due to the depletion of the organs that make up the physical body.

But that is not all. The perspective that opens up to this is equally immense, in the face of the influences that nourish each other, between material and Spiritual life. Since immortals (it seems that we have even forgotten about this detail), there is an intense dynamic beyond the grave, composed of the same human beings, only devoid of the material envelope.

“Spiritual things” also include: the value of feelings, vibrations, desires, memories, character, effects and specific unfolding that are not lost because the being that fed these predicates left the planet due to the biological phenomenon of death. And in the original dimension, he exchanges impressions with those still imprisoned in the flesh.

The goal here is not to convince the beginner on the subject. In fact, I recommend expanding research with Allan Kardec's books. What is sought, in the modest comment, is to highlight the real existence of something more than the appearances and the fragility of material life, which will constitute values ​​or, as the author wrote, Spiritual “things”.

And here comes the reason for the approach and even the meaning of the statement that generated this reflection:

b) "(...) cause of all evils."

It is an immediate cause of the misery that plagues entire populations, precisely because of the selfishness generated in those who could move forces and resources in favor of those in need, eliminating misuse of resources that are used for self-satisfaction. It is also the cause of abortions, suicides, homicides and other aggressions, since ignoring the immortal nature, the notion of the amplitude of life itself is lost, which will unfold incessantly in time and space. Ignorance of such a reality will still feed sadness, illnesses caused by the accumulation of vicious vibrations or the lack of perspectives, either by unemployment, by difficulties of all kinds or even by the violence that one faces due to other attitudes fueled equally by indifference regarding the value of life. Enumerate human ills and the cause will be found in disbelief, in selfishness fueled and encouraged - which aggravates the situation - hence endless disputes and attachments arise. Or, in short, in ignorance of those "Spiritual things", which, in turn, are saturated with resources in favor of human well-being, healthy, supportive and shared life - encouraging connection with the high purposes of life.

Those used to these reflections, even with accumulated knowledge about the old question of immortality, there are real difficulties in inner assimilation, due to the moral imperfections that still dominate us. Even so, it is a permanent theme that invites us to change.

As for those who are now in contact with such perspectives, we want to strongly suggest that they seek (which will also be of great use to those used to studies):

1 - Chapter 1 of The Book of Mediums, with the suggestive title “Are there Spirits?”

2 – “The Introduction and Conclusion of The Book of Spirits”, without prejudice to consultations in every work.

3 - Item II of the Introduction to “The Gospel According to Spiritism - Authority of the Spiritist Doctrine - Universal Control of the Teaching of the Spirits”.

Careful reading of these precious texts will open up a huge universe for the reader to understand “Spiritual things”, inspiring the reader to further research that broadens the sense of something beyond appearances, whose ignorance is the cause of human afflictions, since without those values, which constitute our very essence, we lose reference in the confrontations and in the improvement of ourselves, which will be decisive for altering the suffering human panorama.

Gratitude to the RIE subscriber, Antonio Andrade, from Taubate-SP, who suggested an approach based on the mentioned statement by Schutel. It is these pearls harvested in the immense granary that open up gigantic perspectives for reflection.