The thought above is by Ruy Barbosa Meireles (photo), from the Brazilian city of Luziânia, in the state of Goiás, where he lives as a retired lawyer. Since becoming a Spiritist, in May 1990, he has been an active volunteer worker in the Spiritist Movement. He is currently a director at the Spiritist Federation of the State of Goiás and a vice-president at the Paz, Amor e Caridade (Peace, Love and Charity) Spiritist Centre in Luziânia, after serving as its president for many years. He has talked to us about many issues involving his experience and his early days in Spiritism. 

Tell us first about your life in Luziânia, your hometown.

I was born in 1950 in Luziânia, then a small town far away from Brazil’s biggest cities until the construction of the new capital, Brasília, in 1960. I moved to the state capital, Goiânia, to finish secondary school, and did my Law degree at CEUB University in Brasília, before returning home. Luziânia, which was founded 274 years ago, is a traditionally Catholic city and my family was all Catholic. The town remains overwhelmingly Catholic, but it now also has Spiritist centres and Evangelical churches.

How did you first come into contact with Spiritism?

I found Spiritism through a friend, at a time when I had already distanced myself from the Catholic Church, having coordinated its youth movement in Luziânia for 10 years. I left Catholicism because I disagreed with its dogmas. In the Spiritist Teachings, I found explanations for how things really are -- issues like heaven and hell, reincarnation and the fact that God and Jesus are not the same people. 

Which aspect of Spiritism had the biggest impact on you?

Some aspects of Spiritism were essential to me: reincarnation, which explained all the differences between human beings; the fact that I am responsible for my happiness; that God is our good, fair and truly merciful Father; the fact that we have previous spiritual links, which explain many issues in my life, especially concerning my family members; and the clarity of its principles and evangelical practices.

What have you learned from your experience as president of Paz Amor e Caridade Spiritist Centre, or CEPAC?

It was an enriching experience, which has made me learn so much. To deal with people in situations that are often so crucial and transcendental is a high responsibility matter. After all, a Spiritist Centre is not just another organisation. It demands a certain attitude and coherence between what you preach and what you do in your life. Not to mention the fact that you are dealing with the spiritual side of people and the Spiritist Centre. On several occasions, I had to deal with disagreements inside our Spiritist Centre to prevent them from becoming serious divisions. I have learned a great deal in my spiritual and interpersonal relations through Spiritism. 

When and how did you become volunteering as a Spiritist speaker?

It began in October 1992, two years after I became a Spiritist. I was invited by the then president of CEPAC. I have so far given 995 talks in 61 Spiritist Centres across Brazil, not to mention my participation in workshops and Spiritist meetings and events. 

What is your advice for those who want to become good Spiritist speakers?

Firstly, you need to continuously study the Gospel and the Spiritist books. Also, you need to love the work you do, to be dedicated, willing and available. If possible, attend a course for public speaking; record and listen to your own talks; listen to the talks of other Spiritist speakers; and be humble, bearing in mind that in this process we learn more than we teach. We are, after all, apprentices, not masters. 

How do you see the role of mediumship in public talks?  

Public talks are, to a certain extent, a mediumistic activity, as the speaker is always inspired by the spiritual benefactors. Improving and developing mediumship helps a public speaker, therefore, achieve a better exchange with the Spiritual World during the talk. On many occasions, people have come to me at the end of one of my talks to discuss something I had mentioned. I often think to myself: but I don’t remember discussing that issue… It was, of course, an inspiration from the Spiritual Benefactors or from the spirit who protects that person in order to help them. 

Leave us with your final thoughts for our readers, at a difficult time for humankind as we suffer the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. 

I would like to thank you for this opportunity and to say that now, like in many other difficult times, we need to act in peace, harmony, understanding, solidarity, fraternity and commitment to the wellbeing and health of everyone else. We are not going through a period of punishment from God against his children. This is the result of our actions through thousands of years, which have infested the planet’s aura with negative vibrations. That imbalance has led to the current situation. Let’s contribute to the health of our planet by sharing thoughts and acts of love. May peace be in our hearts!