thegoodfellas/blogset-br huggingface dataset:
of Spiritualism, is a neurological disease, like any other disease that can alters the human organism, which is why it should be treated with the experts of Earthly medicine. By the way, some students of the Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (PIM) have created a device that can diminish the epilepsy attacks, as informs the institute of Mexico City. "Aiming at contributing to improve the life quality of people who suffer from epilepsy, students have create the Saceryd, which reduces the frequency and density of the crises through electrical stimuli" (4) In the United States, there already is a similar device; There is no doubt that spiritual therapy may help in the recovery of the physical balance of the patient, if properly given, without ever exempting the medical assistance. However, several people mistake epileptic crises for obsessive symptoms or psychic powers to be developed, which is a serious error. Still today, in the 21st century - despite all achievements of medicine - several spiritualism centers and churches of others beliefs, all over Brazil, deal with epilepsy as if it arose from the "incorporation of the spirits of the dead", "demoniac possession", etc... Not long ago, in the whole world, epileptic attacks, brain convulsions, hysterics, illnesses in general, were dealt almost exclusively with "magnetic passes" or "exorcisms", many times violent and inhuman ones. Epilepsy is not an obsession, though it may, sometimes, present itself with the symptoms of epilepsy, and the epileptic may have an obsessive process. Hence the confusion that is often made between those things. The concept that exists in spiritualism is that epileptics are psychics who should develop their psychic powers are completely wrong. That pathology only rarely occurs by simple alternations in the encephalon (5), as those that usually result from hitting the head, it is a soul disease, independent of the physical body, which only records reflection actions, in this case. Thus epilepsy has connections with spiritual problems. The remembrance of this or that grave fault which has been rooted in the Spirit without having had the opportunity of relief or correction creates a pathologic state in mind that is ranked as a zone of remorse, causing several problems of syntony from one incarnation to another. The body proceeds from the body, however there is enormous influence of the conscience of the reincarnated, shaping his own body, influencing the genes of heredity with the disturb connected to the previous cause in the use of God's Law so that the Spirit does not escape from its painful, yet untransferable and necessary destiny. In the book called "Missionary of Light", in its chapter 12, Andre Luiz narrates to us several experiences in which the reincarnating Spirit asks for changes in some physical conditions so that it can overcome its redeeming tests. Epilepsy is a neurological illness and has brain matrices so that it occurs. Nevertheless, many factors can cause those brain alternations and, among them, there is the spiritual cause. The biggest contribution from Spiritualism in this area is to point to direct and indirect spiritual causes. In the book called
the prosencephalon and mesencephalon. The adjective cerebral is derived from it. Encephalon, on its turn, is from Greek origin (enkep-halos). Words like encephalitis - which means encephalon inflammation - are derived from it. 6- Kardec, Allan. The Genesis, Rio de Janeiro FEB Ed., 2004, Chap.XIV 7- Kardec, Allan. The Book of the Spirits, Rio de Janeiro: FEB Ed., 2000, 481-483, 8- Xavier, Francisco Candido. On Sundays of Psychics, Rio de Janeiro: FEB Ed., 1997, 9 - Ibid. Translation of Vania Borges Camargo vaniabc@brturbo.com.br
mathematician. His followers, the Pythagoreans, who, from the sixth to the fourth centuries B.C., organized in philosophic-religious communities, multiplied through Magnum Greece, constituted the so-called Italic School or Pythagorean School. Pythagorism is defined by two tendencies: The mystic-moralist one, linked to the Orphism and the Shamanism, and the philosophic-mathematic one, which resulted in a bright patrimony of arithmetic, geometric, astronomic and acoustic knowledge, integrated by the discovery of numeric correspondences between several orders of reality.(2) It is said of, or adept of, Gnosticism, a philosophic-religious movement which appeared in the first centuries of our age and diversified in several sects, which aimed at conciliating all religions and explain their most profound meaning through Gnosis (exoteric and perfect knowledge of the divinity, and that is transmitted through tradition and initiation rites). (3) He died in 254 A.C., in the city of Tyre, due to the persecution from Decius, more commonly known as Trajanus, who was an indefatigable Christianity oppositionist.(4) Collegiate and permanent body of the ecclesiastic government of the Eastern Churches.(5) Virgil (537-555), born in Rome from a noble family. He was elected, due to simony, calumny, and complicity of Empress Theodora. He was victim, due to his weak nature, of blackmailing on the part of the Empress and Emperor Justinian. He died in Syracuse, when he was coming back after a long visit to the West.(6) It is said that it was through the influence of Justinian's wife Theodora, who wanted to be divinized; however, she was an ex-courtesan and she ordered the death of her old colleagues (500 women) because they were proud of her old "FRIEND" who had become empress. The dead prostitutes' customers cast Theodora a curse: Her next 500 reincarnations would always end tragically. (se non e vero, e bene trovato).(7) A condition of suspended animation and loss of voluntary motion in which the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed. [Catalepsy is mainly observed in dementia praecox and hypnotic sleep cases.] Pythagoras of Samos (VI century B.C.), Greek philosopher and mathematician. His followers, the Pythagoreans, who, from the sixth to the fourth centuries B.C., organized in philosophic-religious communities, multiplied through Magnum Greece, constituted the so-called Italic School or Pythagorean School. Pythagorism is defined by two tendencies: The mystic-moralist one, linked to the Orphism and the Shamanism, and the philosophic-mathematic one, which resulted in a bright patrimony of arithmetic, geometric, astronomic and acoustic knowledge, integrated by the discovery of numeric correspondences between several orders of reality.Translation of Vania Borges Camargovaniabc@brturbo.com.br
JORGE HESSEN jorgehessen@gmail.com Brasilia, Distrito Federal (Brasil) Translation Eleni Frangatos - eleni.moreira@uol.com.br Jorge Hessen The legacy of doctrinal tolerance must not express itself in the form of omission regarding conceptual amendments and abnormal ideas that some companions want to introduce in the doctrinal institutions on behalf of political activism. Mainly if it is just before elections, when discussions arise about whether the Spiritist should or not apply to any elective office. In fact, the Doctrine of Spirits does not encourage engagement in political functions. Moreover, it does not allow the use of its tribune for party propaganda of any candidate. The main mission and purpose of the Spiritist is to change his inner self, his behavior, struggling to be a good person on behalf of the Gospel. This does not mean that the Spiritists are unrelated to political issues. Whoever thinks this is wrong. The incorruptible Spiritists, loyal to family, to society and moral commitments are fully active citizens, who exercise their right and/or obligation (according to the point of view) to vote. However, they do it free from any involvement in the absurd ideological-party disputes. If a Spiritist belongs to any political party, and wishes to run as a candidate for elective office, obviously, he is completely free to do so. However, he must act away from the Spiritist environments, so that he does not disguise his intention and works within the Spiritist Institution with the masked purpose of winning votes among those who attend the meetings. Excessive caution is recommended in this case. It is not a matter of prejudice. It is even a matter of logic, since, if issues of human politics are discussed, it is not acceptable to bring into Spiritism, the party ideology (the "right", "left", "center", "both" and so on). Although, as a citizen, every Spiritist has the right and free will to service within the fragmented universe of the political and party ideologies, he also has no right to mix up things. Let us not forget that Spiritism is not a fragment of worldly policy, nor does it engage with sectarian political groups that use contradictory means to reach power. As we have seen, for obvious reasons, it is imperative to distinguish the interest of human politics, with no value whatsoever, and the sublime politics of Jesus - the "True light that enlightens every man (1). When we work to eradicate poverty and social exclusion, we are adopting the policy "of the One who is from the beginning (2). The true Spiritist policy favors the human being and his spiritual growth. A conscious Spiritist does not submit nor does he omit himself before the political power. Moreover, he is not "opposition" or "situation". "The sincere disciple of the Gospel has no need to breathe the atmosphere of the world's politics to fulfill the ministry that is committed to him. The Governor of Earth to meet the purpose of the politics of love, represented, above all, the interests of God in our hearts with no need for regulations and decrees, although they may be acceptable"(3). Bezerra
God(4). Each situation has its proper dimension. Party politics belongs to politicians, while the Spiritist practice belongs to the Christian Spiritists. The argument that the Congressman uses that being in politics he can more easily "defend" the principles of the Doctrine, or entice social prestige to Spiritism, or even being a "light" among lawmakers, is an artful and dishonest argument. "WE HAVE NO NEED OF OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES OF SPIRITISM IN NO SECTOR OF HUMAN POLICY""(5). The genuine Spiritist scholars understand that life is to be lived based on common sense and humbleness. They understand that "the mission of the doctrine is to comfort and instruct, in Jesus, so that all mobilize their divine possibilities into the way they live. To change this for a place at the banquet of the States is to reverse the value of the teachings, because all human organizations are transient due to the need for renewal of all formulas of man in the law of universal progress"(6). Again, we guarantee that that there is no basis for the useless arguments that only by participating in political processes, we can help to "improve" Brazil. Let us not forget that the "King of the Ages(7) thought much to improve creature itself. It is not reported that the "Son of God(8) opened any political party proceedings against or in favor of the established power at the time. So our nonpolitical conduct (nonpartisan) should not be seen as conformism; on the contrary, this attitude is synonym of industrious patience, always working to improve the situation and cooperate with those who are given the responsibility of managing our public interests. It is right to remember that through imperceptible consents, we mischaracterize the program of the Third Revelation. Under the title of tolerance, many times we become blind to the politicization in Spiritist centers. However, experience shows that, sometimes, we can even close an eye, but never both of them. Considering that our world is the home of opinion, it is natural that we disagree with our fellow political activists regarding this specific subject. However, what is inadmissible, in view of the proper orientation of the Spiritist Doctrine, is the imposition that arises involving those who mistake intensity with aggressiveness, or defense of truth with inflexibility. We are invested of an immediate commitment, rather than delve into the world of politics saturated by deplorable misconceptions. Therefore, we should not seek a prominent position for ourselves in the transitional government of the Earth. If we are called upon by circumstances, we must accept it, not for the honor of the doctrine we profess, but as a complex experience, where every success is always very difficult. "The sincere Spiritist must understand that enlightenment of a consciousness is as if it were the enlightenment of a world. We emphasize that the task of the Gospel, regarding the embodied souls on Earth, is the most important of all, since it constitutes a definite and real realization. The purpose of the Doctrine is to comfort and teach Jesus, so that all mobilize their divine possibilities in the way
of life. To change it for a place at the banquet of States is to reverse the value of the teachings, because all human organizations are transient due to the need for renewal of all formulas of the man in the law of universal progress."(9) Conclusion If we lived in a society educated for mutual tolerance, respect for authority, for the persistent work without conflicts between servers and government, employers and employees, where people came together to understand the need of individual or social group spiritual values, then we would live in a blissful and peaceful country. Many can admire politics as a science, as a principle, as a philosophy, but, certainly, we do not need to engage in political parties. We think in being fair to fight for our voluntary action in society, whether in our professional action, whether acting as a citizen, without changing our dignity by politics or personal convenience. References: 1 John 1:9 2 1 John 2:13 3 Xavier, Francisco Candido. Vineyard Light (Vinha da Luz), dictated by the Spirit Emmanuel, Rio de Janeiro: Ed BSF (FEB) 1999, Chapter 59 4 Luke 1:32 5 VIEIRA, Waldo. Spiritist Conduct (Conduta Espirita), dictated by the Spirit Andre Luiz, Rio de Janeiro: BSF (FEB), 2001 Chapter 10 6 Xavier, Francisco Candido. The Comforter (O Consolador), dictated by the Spirit Emmanuel, Rio de Janeiro: Ed BSF (FEB) 1984, Question 60 7 1 Timothy 1:17 8 Mt 2:15 9 Xavier, Francisco Candido. The Comforter (O Consolador), dictated by the Spirit Emmanuel, Rio de Janeiro: Ed BSF (FEB) 1984, Question 60.
Special Portuguese Spanish Year 5 - N 214 - June 19, 2011 JORGE HESSEN jorgehessen@gmail.com Brasilia, Distrito Federal (Brasil) Translation Leonardo Azzalin leonardoazzalin@btinternet.com Kardec, racism and Spiritism - a reflection Do not speak nor write Something that degrades or causes iniquity; Racism is an open wound In the body of Humanity. (Cornelio Pires) (1) Racism (2) is a topic seldom addressed in the hosts of the doctrine. The literature is scarce. The Brazilian spiritist writers and scholars have not yet offered more profound insights into the subject. For some, the few analyses on the issue of segregation and slavery of black people in Spiritism betray the influence of the Arian theory (3), the idealistic and positivistic view of history, ignoring the facts in their relativism and contradictions. For the Kardecian research regarding the black, one should take into consideration the historical context in which the subject was discussed. It would be a mistake, under the historical point of view, to consider Allan Kardec tainted with prejudice or a racist. This word has a very strong semantic load and would be unsuitable to define the ideals of the master from Lyon. There is no indication that he has discriminated against any individual or group of black origin or any individuals, whether in or outside the Spiritist movement. The journalist Dora Incontri, master and doctor in Education from USP, in her book Understanding Kardec brings us an interesting fact that will shed some light on who was Mr Rivail. Consider this: "It's good to remember that at the Society of Spiritist Studies of Paris there was a Camille Flammarion, an astronomer, and a paver (a labourer who made the pavements of Paris, whose death is reported by Kardec) and both were members of the Society. (4) Kardec's opponents rely on texts published in the Spiritist Magazine and especially in the Posthumous Works, Part 1, Chapter IX, on the "Theory of Beauty." Strictly speaking, we do not consider this theory a doctrinal point and it is not part of the Basic Works. This is just a piece of research which Kardec did not publish. It became public after his disembodiment when some notes he left were gathered in the aforementioned book, whence it is inferred that that thought was not yet fully consolidated. Phrenology, for instance, advocated a relationship between intelligence and strength of the instincts For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that Kardec did not claim ownership of Spiritism. He introduced it to us as the Doctrine of the Spirits. So, the distinction must be done between what the Spiritual Benefactors revealed under the principle of universal consensus of the Spirits and what Kardec wrote and thought in private, including what was published in the Spiritist Magazine. Amid the basic literature of the Third Revelation, the Codifier notes that "with belief in reincarnation, the prejudices of race and caste fall dead, since the same spirit can be re-born rich or poor, lord or beggar, master or subordinate, free or enslaved, man or woman. If, then, reincarnation is founded upon a law
of nature which is the source of universal brotherhood, it is based upon the same law as that of equality of social rights and of freedom." (5) Faced with the dictates of the plurality of existences, still according to Kardec, "the prejudices of race become weak, people begin to consider themselves as members of one big family." (6) As noted, these ideas radically mischaracterize a biased Kardec. However, despite the attitude (for some biased) imputed to Kardec regarding the black, as a result of the context in which he lived (we repeat) on discrimination and prejudice of a certain ethnicity, his work remains untainted by all the criticism in the ethical sense. In order to approach the issue, it is essential to contextualize it by considering the theories of racial superiority in vogue at the time. Phrenology, for instance, advocated a relationship between intelligence and strength of the instincts in an individual with his skull proportions, in a kind of pseudoscientific "unfolding" of physiognomy. If not the difference of spiritual evolution, then what makes men unequal? In an article in the Spiritist Magazine of April 1862, "Spiritualist and Spiritist Phrenology - Perfectibility of the black race," Kardec does a kind of replay of this "science" with a spiritualist focus, demonstrating that the "backward" of the blacks should not be due to biological causes, but because their incarnate spirits were still relatively young. (7) We wonder: are there people more advanced than others? Is it possible to ignore the gap between townsmen and savages? If not the difference of spiritual evolution, then what makes them unequal? Clearly, the terms to "complex or simple" cultures can be tailored so as to replace "advanced or backward," which in essence does not change the situation of either one. It is also known - and it is indisputable - that anthropology and sociology are born Eurocentric. And anthropology was a kind of sociology created to study the primitive people. (8)Nevertheless, the Spiritist Doctrine is broader than this whole issue. For us "there are not many species of men, there are merely people whose spirits are more or less backward, but all subject to progressing through reincarnation. Is this principle not more in conformity to the righteousness of God?" (9) In the book Renuncia (Resignation), a magnificent work of the mediumistic literature, we have identified a passage that caught our attention and made us reflect upon the subject. Robbie, the son of slaves and adopted brother of Alcione, after disembodying he told her: "provided that I sent the gendarmes (10) to free the coachman for realising that I was the one to blame (...) I feel that I no longer have the black skin, that my hand and leg are healed (...) (...) look Alcione and she explains: These are the redeeming proof, my dear Robbie! God has restored you the health of the soul for considering you worthy again."(11) Can one imagine the Spirit Alcione a racist? And why would the blacks have suffered so much from slavery? Jesus, before the eyes of man, is the greatest
archetype of perfection that a spirit can attain According to Humberto de Campos, the slaves were the "former fighters of the crusades, feudal lords of the Middle Ages, priests and inquisitors, rebellious and angry spirits, lost in the paths filled with darkness of their impure consciences." (12) The idea that a man can be re-born as a white, black, mulatto or indigenous substantiates a rupture with racial prejudice and discrimination. Do not forget, however, that even today in Great Britain many supporters of neo-spiritualism reject the theory of reincarnation for not admitting the possibility of having had incarnations in lower positions on race and social status. With this vision, a spirit reincarnated in a body of black origin, will be subject to discrimination and that will be for him a condition, an evolutionary contingency to be overcome. For some it may be an atonement, for others a mission. With the Spiritist principles "all distinction between men is extinguished according to the bodily and worldly advantages, on which pride founded caste and the stupid prejudices of color."13). As noted, a libertarian doctrine such as Spiritism does not condone under any pretexts with any ideology that seeks to ethnic discrimination among social groups. The truth is that in the great debates of sociological, anthropological, philosophical, psychological nature, Spiritism will cause the greatest historical revolution in the human thought, as it is registered in the questions 798 and 799 of The Spirits' Book, especially when it takes the place it deserves in the human culture and knowledge, for its moral precepts will warn men of the compelling solidarity that will unite them as brothers, pointing, in turn, that the intellectual and moral progress in the life of all spirits is a universal law and having Jesus as a model, who, in the eyes of man is the greatest archetype of perfection that a spirit can attain.14. Sources: 1. Xavier, Francisco Candido. Caminhos da Vida (Paths of Life), dictated by the Spirit Cornelio Pires, Sao Paulo: Ed CEU, 1996. 2. Racism, according to the meaning of "Novo Dicionario Aurelio" is "the doctrine that supports the superiority of certain races." The Count de Gobineau was the main theorist of the racist theories. His work, "Essay on the Inequality of Human Races" (1855), laid the foundations of the Arian theory, which regards the white race as the only pure and superior, taken as the philosophical foundation by the Nazis, supporters of pan-Germanism. 3 Among the theorists of German racism, it was said of the Europeans supposedly pure-bred descendants of the Aryans. 4. Incontri, Dora. Para Entender Kardec (Understanding Kardec), Grandes Questoes, Sao Paulo: Lachatre Publications, 2001 5. Kardec, Allan. Genesis, Rio de Janeiro: Editora FEB, 2002, p. 31. 6. Ibid pp. 415-416 7. Kardec, Allan. Spiritist Magazine April 1862. 8. Primitive was all those people who had not reached the level of culture and technology as Europe's. It was certainly a point of view of the European in that time, which saw blacks and Latinos as savages. 9. Kardec, Allan. The Spirits's Book, text written by Allan Kardec