Raimunda Gesteira (photo) is from the Brazilian­ city of Salvador, in the state of Bahia. She was born in 1968 and began studying Spiritism at the age of 18. She has worked as a volunteer at the Perseverança e Caridade Spiritist Group (GEPEC) and currently focuses on the studies of the works of Joanna de Ângelis, which were dictated to the medium, Divaldo Pereira Franco. Professionally, she works as an educator of autistic children, as she explains in the following interview:

How did you come into contact with Spiritism?

Like many people, I found Spiritism through pain. As a child, I had frequent nightmares, I felt the presence of someone around me and I often heard noises in the house. My family thought those were typical children’s tales. I often had high temperature, which the doctors failed to explain. That went on as I became a teenager and I had several unexplained medical conditions, which became more serious as I became an adult. I felt dizzy, queasy and suffered from an overwhelming sadness. I eventually came across a heart doctor who happened to be a Spiritist and advised me to look for help in a Spiritist Centre. I did that and attended several healing sessions, before beginning reading my first Spiritist books. That’s when it became clear to me that those invisible illnesses were a sign of mediumship, which needed to be controlled and put to a good use.

For more than 10 years you worked in the Fraternal Assistance, or Counselling, Department of a Spiritist Centre. What have you learned from that experience?

That was a watershed in my life. By helping others through counselling, I had access to the personal stories and dramas of many people. I came across amazing stories, which made me realise how important human relations and the exchange of experiences are for our process of education. I understood that complaining has a destructive power and that we can learn from the pain of other people when we empathise and understand that pain is universal. My experience in that area has made me a much stronger person. Maria José Vieira, the teacher who initiated me in that area of work at the Spiritist Centre, told me at the time: “With this job, you will have the opportunity to understand a lot more about life and the processes we go through.” And that is exactly what happened.

As an experienced Spiritist speaker, what is your assessment of the Spiritist Movement in the state of Bahia?

As a Spiritist speaker, I have the opportunity to learn a great deal from other people. I have the opportunity also to study and to meet new people and fresh ideas. I think one positive aspect of the Spiritist Movement in Bahia is the fact that it has become lighter, less strict in its traditions and practices. The importance of touching other people’s hearts is something I always emphasize in my talks and lectures. What is the point of using difficult words and then omitting important aspects of Allan Kardec’s personality, like his solidarity and generosity and his amazing work? Another positive aspect is the concern the Spiritist Movement has shown in engaging smaller Spiritist Centres in major events and debates organised by the State of Bahia Spiritist Federation.

How do you assess the contribution of the Spiritual Benefactor, Joanna de Ângelis, for Spiritism?

Joanna’s contribution is unique. Through the mediumship of Divaldo Franco, she provides us with an opportunity to study Psychology in depth. She helps the process of self-knowledge and inner reform. Her series of books on Psychology are immensely rich. I often send extracts of Joanna’s books to psychologist friends, who are not Spiritists, and many of them use them to help their patients. That is an example of Spiritism contributing with science, and that is thanks to Joanna.

You work as an educator with autistic children. Has the knowledge of Spiritism helped you in your professional activities?

Yes, absolutely. The Spiritist Teachings give me a fantastic understanding of the world and helps me a great deal in my profession. It is very challenging to understand that autism is something those children need to go through for their spiritual development. Very complex situations come up every day, which defy medicine and our understanding and that is very difficult for all of those involved. There are many studies and plenty of research going on about autism and its implications. I need to keep across them and to study constantly. But to have, on top of that, the Spiritist Teachings to help me is very useful, as it enables me to understand how complex our visible and invisible worlds are.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I thank you for this opportunity to share with the regular readers of this magazine a bit of what I have been learning. I feel very honoured. Spiritism liberates us. I wish that we can remain united working for the good of others during this period of transition towards the phase of spiritual Regeneration of the planet, as we go through so many challenges.