Dear Friends,

The GEAE search tools is already available at http://www.geae.inf.br/en/search.php. It allows us to make complete searches only on the GEAE page of all files with termination .txt, .php and .html.

This mechanism greatly facilitates the search for spiritist and other materials either on the entire GEAE domain or in its different directories:

•  Only in English;
•  Only in "The Spiritist Messenger"
•  Or in the Portuguese/Spanish domains.

GEAE Editors,
 
 

SPIRITIST GROUPS

Dear Friends,

Greetings. I have made a few attempts to inform that we now have a group in San Diego California. We are associated with the group in Los Angeles, and Divaldo Pereira Franco.  Divaldo has been the major inspiration behind our humble work.

We have healing, (passes), study of the Gospel, Spirit book, Book of mediums, in Portuguese. We have approximately between 15 to 20 people involved in our group with of course an flux of people that comes and goes as they please. Which is the normal. We are attempt at the present time to form and organize our work in order to start to attract our fellows Americans and Spanish in our community. We've been together for 2 years. It's been a learning experience of resilient dedication and love in order to keep our group united in charity and work. I am delighted to say that we are strong and willing to caring on our purpose. I want to ask if there is a possibility to add our group to your list of groups in the United States.

We meet Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.

San Diego Study Group
For Contact: Luiza Marques
4431 Paola Way
San Diego, California 92117
Tel: (858) 278-4839

Email: luizamar@hotmail.com
         Luizamar@worldnet.att.net

I also would like to inform that many of the contacts in the United States are outdated and no longer working.

Thank you for your wonderful work help develop the understanding throughout the world of the doctrine of truth.

Luiza Marques

Founded on  November 28 th, 1992,  it is an organization  resulting from the unification  , on a  world wide  scale, of Representative  Associations from each Spiritist Movement within the various countries.

 Objectives:

   * To promote solidarity and the fraternal union of Spiritist Institutions  in all countries, as well as the unification of The World Spiritist Movement;

   * To promote throughout the world the study and the dissemination of the Spiritist Doctrine in its three basic aspects: scientific, philosophical and religious;

   * To promote the practice of spiritual, moral and material charity,  according to the Spiritist Doctrine.

Doctrinal Basis:

The objectives  of the International Spiritist  Council are founded upon the Spiritist  Doctrine  as codified  by  Allan  Kardec and  other works  which, according to its directives, may be considered complementary and subsidiary.

Participating Institutions:

•  Argentina:                           Confederación Espiritista Argentina
•  Brazil:                              Federação Espírita Brasileira
•  Belgium:                             Union Spirite Belge
•  Colombia:                            Confederación Espiritista Colombiana – CONFECOL
•  France:                              Union Spirite Française et Francophone
•  Guatemala:                           Cadena Heliosóphica Guatemalteca
•  Italy:                               Centro Italiano Studi Spiritici Allan Kardec
•  Japan:                               Comunhão Espírita Cristã Francisco Cândido Xavier
•  Mexico:                              Central Espírita Mexicana
•  Norway:                              Gruppen for Spiritistiske Studier Allan Kardec
•  Paraguay:                            Centro de Filosofia Espiritista Paraguayo
•  Peru:                                Federación Espirita del Perú – FEPERU
•  Portugal:                            Federação Espírita Portuguesa
•  Spain:                               Federación Espirita Española
•  Sweden:                             Gruppen för Espiritiska Studier Allan Kardec
•  United Kingdom:                  Allan Kardec Study Group
•  United States of America:      United States Spiritist Council
•  Uruguai:                             Federación Espírita Uruguaya

Remember Allan Kardec (1804-1869) the Father of Spiritism in France ? Several of his books are available free online at

http://www.febrasil.org.br/ingles/lesp_in.htm

Books include "The Spirits Book" and "The Medium's Book", along with several others. It should be pointed out that Spiritism, the French equivalent of English Spiritualism, contains Kardec's doctrine of reincarnation which does not figure in Spiritualism. This web site was pointed out by a member of the American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena. "

 Founded in 1946 the English Spiritualist Newspaper PSYCHIC WORLD is monthly published in United Kingdom. In the 96º edition, in his AMERICAN NEWS column, Bob Egby points out the article about Allan Kardec's Books in English. These books can be downloaded free from the Internet at the brazilian web site (Brazilian Spiritist Federation - FEB). In the
article Mr. Egby claims that Allan Kardec is the "Father of Spiritism".

Originally published in RIE (Revista Internacional de Espiritismo).

Dear Spiritist Friends

We are pleased to inform that the 5th Bulletin of Coordination and Support for the Spiritist Movement in Europe - I.S.C. , has finally finished and it has been sent to you via internet.

The Bulletin is in PDF Acrobat Format and it can be read and printed by using the Acrobat Reader (usually comes with windows 95/98).

However, if you haven't got this program, you can get it free of charge, doing a download from some sites, such as www.febrasil.org.br  or www.buss.org.uk or even others.

You might wish to forward this Bulletin to others organizations in your country.

May Jesus bless and support your task,

Fraternally,

Elsa Rossi
Bulletin ISC Europe
 
 

SPIRIT WORD

Humans have penetrated the macrocosm with powerful probes; they solved the puzzle of the microcosm, and yet have not been able to understand themselves.

Humanity has found equations for the challenges that surprised it, modifying Earth’s structure and solving a number of mysteries.

Science and Technology offer comfort and pleasure, and yet, humans themselves remain the great unknowns, still waiting for an equation. (...) When face to face with their own immortality, humans have refused to examine themselves in depth even though they are capable of solving health problems of varied types.

Life is a divine patrimony that deserves consideration; it should not be disregarded with indifference. (...) Life does not begin in the cradle or is extinguished in the grave.

The manifestation of the Divine thought pulsates in the infinite, in the greatness of the galaxies, and in the kingdom of the electrons, urging mankind to examine the opportunity that it has on Earth, and that it will have to account for (...)

Bezerra de Menezes

Originally published in "Know Thyself, fraternal meeting". By Elza D’Agosto, J. Korngold and M. Levinson. From the original Portuguese version of Professor Rodriguez Ferreira, Centro Espírita Vicente de Paulo- Mirassol- SP
 

SPIRIT WORD THE ASTRAL CITY - "Nosso Lar"

A story of a doctor's odyssey in the Spirit World By Andre Luiz, through Francisco C. Xavier

CHAPTER 15 & 16.

(Translated from the 25th Portuguese edition entitled "Nosso Lar". First Portuguese edition published in 1944 by Federação Espírita Brasileira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.)

Chapter 15 MY MOTHER’S VISIT

Following Clarence’s advice, I tried hard to restore my strength in order to start my apprenticeship as soon as possible. In the old days, I might have taken offense at the Minister’s seemingly harsh remarks, but under the circumstances, recollecting my past errors, I could only feel comforted. As a prisoner of the flesh, the soul is almost always wrapped in thick mists of illusion. Only now did I realize that an earthly life cannot be lived thoughtlessly. The real importance of an incarnation loomed clearly before my eyes. Remembering all the opportunities I had wasted, I recognized that Clarence had plenty of reason to have spoken to me as he had.

I spent many days immersed in contemplation. Although I refrained from asking for any more concessions, deep in my heart I longed to visit my earthly home. The benefactors of the Ministry of Assistance had been extremely generous to me and seemed to follow all of my thoughts. Therefore if they did not spontaneously grant such a wish, it must be because the time had not yet come for it. Thus I held my peace, resigned, though somewhat wistful. Lysias did his best to cheer me up with his lively conversation and encouraging remarks, but I was going through that phase of spiritual retreat when a man retires within himself to face his innermost conscience.

One day, however, my attendant came into my room and exclaimed:

“Guess who has come to see you!”

Lysias, smiling face and sparkling eyes gave him away.

“My mother!” I exclaimed confidently. Stunned with joy, I saw my mother approaching with outstretched arms.

“My child, my child! Come into my arms, my dear one.”

I cannot describe what happened then. All of a sudden, I felt like the little boy who used to play in the rain, barefoot in the sandy soil of our garden. In that sacred and joyful moment I held her tenderly in my arms, until even our tears blended. I cannot say how long we remained that way, but at last she broke the enchantment:

“Now, now, my boy, don’t give free rein to your emotions. You know that even excessive happiness taxes the heart. You are still weak, do not waste your energy.”

Instead of carrying my dear old mother in my arms, as I had done in the last weeks of her passage on Earth, it was she who dried my tears and led me to the couch. I sat down beside her and laid my head tenderly on her knees. She stroked my hair gently, recounting precious memories. I felt at that moment that I was the happiest of men – I had the impression of being anchored in the safest of harbors after a hard struggle on the stormy seas.

My mother’s presence was a great comfort to my heart, and those moments seemed like a blissful dream. Like a little boy looking for comfort in familiar objects, I attentively observed her clothes, a perfecto copy of those se used to wear at home. I recognized the dark dress, the blue shawl, the woolen stockings. I gazed at her small head crowned with snow-white hair, at the wrinkles on her face, at her invariably sweet and calm expression. Speechless and trembling with joy, I stroked her hands, while she, stronger that I, spoke serenely:

“The Lord never forgets us, my child. We shall never be able to thank Him for all of His kindness. How long our separation has been – but you mustn’t think that I had forgotten you. Sometimes Providence parts us temporarily so that we may learn Divine Love.”

Feeling that her affection was the same as ever, I began to recall again the sting of old grievances. Oh, how difficult it is to get rid of earthly residues. How heavy is the burden of centuries of imperfections! Clarence had often exhorted me to refrain from lamenting. Lysias, too, had spared me his warnings. Yet now, resting in my mother’s arms, all my old wounds seemed to bleed again. I started to bitterly recall my past sufferings, and my tears of joy gave away to those of self-pity. I did not realize then that her visit was not to be taken simply for the gratification of my whims, but as one more blessing from Divine Mercy. Relapsing into my old habit of making my mother the patient victim of my endless grievances, I now began to painfully recount all of my past tribulations. On Earth mothers are often merely slaves in their children’s eyes. Very rare are those who realize the value of their mother’s devotion before being deprived of it . I hade been no exception.
My mother listened in silence, her face clouded by an expression of indescribable sadness. Holding me tight to her heart, her eyes full of tears, she spoke tenderly:

“Oh, my son, don’t complain. Didn’t our generous Clarence give you sound advice on that subject? Let’s be thankful to our Father for this blessed meeting. Let’s never forget we are now in a different school, learning to become true children of God.

“As a mother on Earth, I didn’t always succeed in guiding you in the best way. Therefore I, too, am working to control my feelings by readjusting my heart. Bu your tears are stirring my old earthly feelings, drawing me back into a path I have already trodden. I should like to believe your complaints justified, to set you up as the most virtuous creature in the Universe, but it would be out of accordance with the new lessons we are learning. In the world one might make allowances for such behavior; here it is quite impossible. We must consider the Lord before everything else. You aren’t the only discarnate man redeeming his errors, nor am I the only mother parted from her loved ones. The merit of our suffering, my son, doesn’t lie in the tears it makes us shed, nor in the bleeding wounds it inflicts on us, but in the gateway of light it opens up to us. Tears and wounds are only a blessed means of helping us to purify our soul.”

After a prolonged pause, during which my conscience addressed me firmly, she resumed:

“Why not enjoy these fleeting moments in the sunshine of love, instead of wasting them in the shadows of unhappiness?

Let’s serve, my child, and serve cheerfully, while at the same time constantly rejoicing in the Lord. Change your mental attitude, I beg you. Your confidence in my love and your affection for me, bring me sublime happiness, but I can’t return to experiences which have passed. We must love each other now with the great and sacred Divine Love.”

Those inspiring words awakened me, and I had the impression that my mother’s love radiated invigorating fluids which lifted my heart. She gazed at me contentedly, transfigured by a radiant smile, and as I rose and respectfully kissed her forehead, it struck me that I had never before seen her so beautiful and so loving.
 

Chapter 16 A CONFIDENTIAL TALK

My mother’s words comforted and encouraged me considerably. She prescribed work as a lenitive to my suffering and tribulations, which she regarded as blessings and valuable lessons. An ineffable contentment unexpectedly filled my spirit. In a strange way, those maternal admonitions seemed to give me new strength. I felt a different man more cheerful, lively and happy.

“Oh, mother!” I said, “how wonderful the plane where you live must be! What sublime spiritual thoughts, what bliss!”
She smiled knowingly and explained:

“A higher sphere, my child, always requires more work and greater devotion. You mustn’t imagine that your mother spends her time in spiritual ecstasy, exempt from all meritorious tasks. I don’t mean to convey the least shadow of sadness or discontent about the situation in which I find myself, but rather to reveal my new responsibility to you. Since I returned from Earth, I have been working incessantly for our spiritual regeneration. Many entities, on leaving their physical bodies, remain bound to their earthly home, unable to break away from their loved ones. Here, however, I have learned that one who truly loves must work constantly in order to be able to serve. Therefore, since my arrival here, I have been trying hard to obtain the privilege of helping those we so dearly cherish.”

“And my father,” I asked, “Where is he? Why hasn’t he come with you?”

My mother’s face bore a strange expression as she replied.

“Alas, your father. For twelve years he has been caught in a dense section of the shadows of the Lower Zone. On Earth he always gave us the impression of being faithful to family traditions and meticulous in the observance of the ethical code of the upper business circles he belonged to until the end of his days. Outwardly he seemed to possess a strong religious faith, but in reality he was weak, and maintained clandestine liaisons outside our home. Two of his connections were women who were mentally tied with a vast band of evil entities.

When Laertes passed over, his stay in the Lower Zones became extremely painful. The unfortunate creatures to whom he had made vain promises were waiting eagerly to involve him in dark shrouds of illusion. At first he tried to resist, to find me. He couldn’t understand that the soul, after parting from its bodily form, will live the life of its essential nature, without false appearances. Laertes, therefore, was unable to sense my spiritual presence or perceive the devoted assistance of some of our friends. Having spent so many years pretending, he had damaged his psychic vision and restricted his vibratory range. Consequently, he found himself alone with those to whom he had thoughtlessly attuned his heart and mind.

“For some time the family principles and the pride of our name stirred in the depths of his spirit and he tried to fight against temptation, but finally gave in and was once again attracted into the shadows through his lack of perseverance and of a righteous and proper mental attitude.”

“But is there no means of snatching him away from such degradation?” I inquired, painfully impressed.

“Alas, my child,” my mother continued, “I visit him frequently, but he doesn’t even notice my presence his vibratory potential is still too low. I do my best to attract him to the right path through inspiration, but the only result I have obtained so far is make him shed a few contrite tears from time to time, without any serious resolutions. The wretched creatures who keep him prisoner intercept all my suggestions. I have been working intensely for many years, and have enlisted the assistance of friends in five different colonies of spiritual activities, including the Astral City. Once, Clarence almost succeeded in attracting him to the Ministry of Regeneration, but failed in the end. One cannot light a lamp that has neither wick nor oil. To raise Laertes and strengthen his spiritual vision, we must count on his mental willingness. Meanwhile the poor thing remains inactive within himself, divided between indifference and rebellion.”

After a long pause, she sighed and went on:

“Perhaps you don’t know yet that your sisters Clara and Priscilla are still bound to the Earth, living in the Lower Zones. You see, I am compelled to attend to everyone’s needs. My only direct help has been the affectionate cooperation of your sister Louisa, who passed over when you were still a baby. She waited for me here for many years, and was my right hand in the strenuous tasks of assistance to our earthly family. She fought bravely by my side on behalf of your father, your sisters, and yourself. Lately, however, the spiritual perturbation of our family members still on Earth has been so great that she went back to Earth in a sublime gesture of abnegation, to reincarnate among them. I hope that you will soon be well, so that we may cooperate efficiently in the work of our Lord.”

I was staggered by the information about my father. What sort of struggles could he be facing? He had seemed to be a faithful observer of his religious obligations, he went to communion every Sunday… Lost in admiration at my mother’s devotion, I inquired:

“But you are doing everything in your power to help father, in spite of his connections with those disreputable women?”

“No, son, you mustn’t call them that. They are also children of our Almighty Father. Say they are our sisters who are unsound, ignorant and unhappy. I am not interceding on Laertes’ behalf alone, but also for them, and I think I have found the means of attracting them all to my heart.”

I was filled with awe and surprise at such a great manifestation of self- denial. Then I remembered my own family and felt again the old yearning for my dear wife and children. In Clarence’s and Lysias’ presence I had always managed to restrain my feelings and silence all of my questions, but my mother’s kind glance gave me courage to speak. Her visit might not last much, so I availed myself of the opportunity, asking:

“Couldn’t you, who have been assisting father so devoutly, give me some news of Zelia and the children? I long fro the moment I can return home to help them, and I’m certain they must miss me as much as I miss them. How my poor wife must be suffering from this separation!”

“I go and see my grandchildren from time to time, and they are well,” she said, smiling sadly. After a few moments’ reflection, she said:

“Don’t worry over the assistance to your family. Prepare yourself instead to successfully carry out your mission. There are questions that we must entrust to the Lord by raising our thoughts confidently to Him. Then and only then can we start working to solve them.”

Anxious as I was to gather any possible information, I tried to keep my mother on the subject, but she gently changed it. We talked for quite a long time, and her voice seemed to involve me in an atmosphere of sublime comfort. I was curious to know how she lived, so when she took her leave I asked permission to accompany her.

“You mustn’t come, my son. I am urgently expected at the transformation chambers in the Ministry of Communication, where I shall be provided with the fluidical means for the return journey. Besides, I must go and thank Minister Celius for the opportunity of paying you this visit.”

She kissed me and departed, leaving a lasting sensation of happiness in my heart.