Spiritism has made me look at the world in a different way

Roque Roberto Pires de Carvalho (photo) is a university lecturer in the Brazilian city of Botucatu, in the state of São Paulo. He is also a volunteer worker at the Caminho da Verdade (Pathway of Truth) Spiritist Centre. In this interview he speaks about his experience as a Spiritist writer and comments on his book, Momentos Felizes (Happy Moments):

How did you become a Spiritist?

I’m in my eighties now and I was brought up as a Roman Catholic. I had cousins who became priests but I didn’t follow that path. My religious practice was limited to attending Sunday mass. After becoming a widower, I remarried. My new wife had been a Spiritist for many years and had profound knowledge of the Spiritist Teachings. She introduced me to her extensive library and I immediately focused my attention on the books of Léon Denis, followed by those by Allan Kardec, Chico Xavier and Divaldo Franco. I was particularly impressed by Eduardo Carvalho Monteiro’s book, A Vida Extraordinária de Jésus Gonçalves (The Extraordinary Life of Jésus Gonçalves). By then I had already transformed. 

What attracted you the most to the Spiritist Teachings?

What initially caught my attention was the extensive bibliography it contained, with books and information of the highest quality. They were there to enlighten those who still ignored the meaning of real life, and that included me. I began writing articles which were published by Spiritist newspapers and magazines across the state of São Paulo. In Spiritism, the Science of Sciences, I’ve found not only a fertile field for research but also real workshops to renew our consciences and seek a higher life. I learned that that could be achieved through our inner efforts, discipline and study. All that is in the work of André Luiz, Joanna de Ângelis, Emmanuel, Kardec and Bezerra de Menezes. 

Your book, Momentos Felizes (Happy Moments) is a collection of hundreds of chronicles. Where does that passion for literature come from?         

My books, Momentos Felizes (5 volumes in total), reflect something that began in my childhood, when I lived on farms, in the countryside. I was considered then my mother’s secretary, answering, on her behalf, the letters sent by our relatives. At the time, the mail was the only way of communicating with them. As an adult, I further developed my passion for reading and writing, but I focused on chronicles, rather than novels. And I began writing about life in the countryside without any academic ambitions. 

How do you translate into words what makes human beings act based on your observations of the most mundane events around you? 

In my observations it becomes clear the importance of our choices. Many people face tough challenges but eventually manage to succeed, thanks to their efforts, defying all the hurdles they come across in their lives. It’s important, also, to understand when the choices we make prove to be the wrong ones. It’s common for individuals to feel defeated when they realise that, giving up on their own goals and resorting to self-pity and idleness. They end up becoming dependent on the help of others. 

How has your knowledge of Spiritism influenced that process?

Even when I was an apprentice, Spiritism has made me look at the world in a different way. Initially my religiosity was built on blind faith and dogmas that could not be questioned. But my new life is based on reasoned faith. The Spirits’ Book has become a lighthouse for me in a world of trials and tribulations, shedding light on a pathway that leads to a world of Regeneration. 

Your book is not strictly speaking a Spiritist book, but the positivity expressed there, conveying feelings of hope and gratitude, are in perfect harmony with the principles of Spiritism. Do you believe that such efforts and virtues will be able to soothe and even free the unnecessary pain suffered by so many people? 

The fifth volume of Momentos Felizes is a collection of chronicles that focuses mainly on the gentle stories of small towns and their people. The aim was to provide a pleasant read and relaxation for the mind. Later, as I became a Spiritist, I realised there was a certain connection between what I had written and the Teachings. I felt that I could begin inserting in my chronicles a Spiritist view on certain matters. And for that I had the help and the incentive of my wife. This type of literature helps alleviate the stress of modern life. I believe, therefore, that it works as a balm for the heart and the soul. It’s a true encounter with peace! To read and to write chronicles is, for me, to have an encounter with my inner peace. It’s also a time for leisure. And I believe these chronicles can induce a process of renewal of our energies. 

From all your memories, what really stands out?

For someone who has lived so long, to talk about memories is to be nostalgic. I have many, many memories… all of them had an impact in different periods of my life. I’ve been through periods of challenges and progress, accepting the inevitable upsets of life. I always found in my family new motivation to overcome those situations. Spiritism was a true watershed in my life, as it led me to pursue my inner reform.