|
now doing the
Systematic Study
of the Spiritist
Doctrine (ESDE),
which is
coordinated by
the Spiritist
Federation of
Paraíba (FEPB)?
We have two
groups currently
with the
Systematic Study
of the Spiritist
Doctrine (ESDE).
We are expecting
to start another
group later on
this year.
O Consolador:
How many people
are registered
for these
studies?
Unfortunately,
our numbers are
out of date. In
2007, we saw
that out of 107
institutions in
our State, only
21 offered the
Systematic Study
of the Spiritist
Doctrine (ESDE).
There are now
127 spiritist
centres in
Paraíba. We will
be able to get
new figures in
April, but we
believe our
State has a
higher
percentage of
centres offering
these studies in
comparison with
the rest of the
country. One of
the biggest
challenges we
face is the
resistance we
see from leaders
and workers
within the
spiritist
movement.
O Consolador:
Can you see some
results from the
implementation
of the
Systematic Study
of the Spiritist
Doctrine (ESDE)?
Yes, we can.
There are many
benefits not
just to the
individual, but
also to the
spiritist centre
and to the
society. The
initial response
has been an
increase in the
interest for
research and
study of the
Doctrine. It
could be
compared to
someone who was
lost but has now
found the right
path and decides
to follow it.
O Consolador:
What are the
long term
benefits?
The long term
benefits are
clarity on the
Doctrine
principles,
commitment, and
increase in the
centres’
activities,
higher activity
and interaction
within the
spiritist
movement, better
relationship
between the
existing and new
members of the
centres, inner
reformation,
more inner
awareness,
rational faith,
and a better
view of life in
general, and so
on.
O Consolador:
Can you see
benefits in your
State, in
relation to this
new
implementation?
Yes, we can see
it. The
spiritist
movement here is
very mature,
strong and well
directed. There
are many
challenges, but
we are conscious
of the need to
study and
practice the
teachings we are
learning from
the Doctrine.
O Consolador:
Are there any
interesting
experiences you
would like to
share with us?
Yes, there are
several
interesting
ones. At the
spiritist centre
O Consolador,
a 50 year old
lady who could
barely read
completed the
Systematic Study
of the Spiritist
Doctrine (ESDE)
last year. She
gave us an
example of
persistence and
enthusiasm to
learn and work
for the
Spiritist
Doctrine. Last
August we had a
couple who after
years of study
and dedication
to the Spiritist
Doctrine decided
to start from
scratch and join
a group to study
the ESDE.
In December we
had a student on
our Thursday
evening classes
who was working
as a nurse. He
started live his
professional
life in a more
calm way, due to
the things he
learned at the
course. He is
now able to
understand what
goes on with his
incarnate and
disincarnate
brothers. There
are many
brothers who
start studying
the Spiritist
Doctrine and
change their way
of living. They
start to
understand the
real truth.
O Consolador:
What is the
biggest benefit
of ESDE, in your
opinion?
The Systematic
Study of the
Spiritist
Doctrine (ESDE)
waits for us
all. It will be
available for
everyone who
decides to wake
up for the real
life values.
O Consolador: Is
there anything
else you would
like to add to
this interview?
Yes, there is. I
would like to
thank the
opportunity to
talk a bit about
the work of the
Spiritist
Federation of
Paraíba (FEPB),
lead by Dr. José
Raimundo de
Lima. I would
also like to
thank Kalina,
who directs the
Spiritist
Education for
Children
Department
(DEC), for her
help with this
interview.
O Consolador:
Can you please
give us your
final words?
I would suggest
to all
spiritists to
implement these
studies at the
spiritist
centres. The
Systematic Study
of the Spiritist
Doctrine (ESDE),
the Study of the
Gospel According
to Spiritism
(ESE) and the
in-depth study
of the Spiritist
Doctrine (EADE)
should be
present at the
groups. |
