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How many people in this world truly enjoy inner peace?
Certainly not many. After all, a series of problems and
difficulties make our lives, on the whole, uneasy. And
it is not possible to disconnect from them, as they
permeate – whether we like it or not – our existence.
The most we can do is to adapt to circumstances and, as
far as possible, control our emotions so that they are
not harmful to ourselves. In addition, it is necessary
to recognize that we live in an era of extreme
disruptions - some freethinkers use, to better define
it, the English acronym VUCA, which when translated into
our language means volatility, uncertainty,
complexity and ambiguity - which make our
life increasingly restless. It is also worth remembering
that the pandemic generated by Covid-19 only increased
this state of uncertainty and collective malaise. That
said, we are living here for many reasons and one of
them is the need to raise our consciousness, since we
are immortal Spirits in a momentary journey through the
material dimension.
It should be emphasized that there are, finally,
millions of things that affect us – especially
negatively – at present and over which we have no
influence or control. Despite this, we need to move
forward, regardless of the storms that might reach us on
the cleansing path. More specifically, we need to build
strengths as well as develop new capabilities and skills
to reach the goals carefully outlined by spirituality on
our behalf. This is a fight that will last our entire
lives, let us be sure of that. Within this set reality,
we need to have inner peace equally – despite the ups
and downs. In this sense, let us remember Jesus who kept
peace – fruit of His pure and unshakable faith – in the
midst of the storm that threatened to overturn the boat.
Therefore, it is important to understand that keeping
inner peace is certainly one of the greatest spiritual
acquisitions an individual can garner. Perhaps it is for
no other reason that the Spirit Emmanuel said: “It is
natural. Our minds thirst for peace, as dry land needs
cold water”. [1] We cannot imagine, therefore,
that this need is limited to one or the other
exclusively. In fact, the “thirst for peace” reaches
everyone without distinction. It goes far beyond
eventual material needs when reaching the core of being.
As we know, there are creatures in this world living in
sumptuous palaces, surrounded by security guards,
servants and objects of high monetary value. Absolutely
nothing they lack from the point of view of material
well-being. However, they suffer from lack of peace,
because their souls live in a stormy state.
Extending the discussion even further, the Spirit Joanna
de Angelis considers that:
“The problem of peace, however, receives approaches,
almost always, with immediate results, confusing reality
as the opium of rest, the lethargy of idleness or the
sweet enchantment of circumstantial phenomena:
landscapes, postures, music, conversations.
“Without a doubt, these factors can lead to states of
well-being, renewal of forces, of aesthesia.
“Once past, however, its effects, conflicts and torments
erupt, unmet needs arise, disenchantment with people and
tasks, which now seem to no longer correspond to what
was desired, take hold in the mind”. [2]
Allan Kardec pondered, in turn, that, after the
development of intelligence, the human creature needs to
elevate their feelings, thus destroying all traces of
pride and selfishness that they still have within
themselves. In other words, given the material needs and
obtained the well-being in this dimension, a conquest,
in fact, normally accomplished by the development of the
intellect, necessary if it is to achieve moral progress.
For Kardec, “19. Only moral progress can ensure men
happiness on earth, curbing evil passions; only this
progress can make harmony, peace and brotherhood reign
among men”. [3]
Considering the human dramas, Kardec recommended that:
“27. In order for men to be happy on Earth, it is only
necessary that good Spirits populate it, incarnated and
disincarnated, that only dedicate themselves to the
good. When the time has come, there is a great
emigration of those who inhabit it: those who practice
evil for evil, not yet touched by the feeling of good,
who, no longer worthy of the transformed planet, will be
excluded, because otherwise they would again cause
disturbance and confusion and would be an obstacle to
progress. Some will expiate the hardening of their
hearts in worlds that are inferior. Others in
terrestrial races still backward, equivalent to worlds
of that order, to which they will take the knowledge
they have acquired, having as a mission to make them
advance. They will be replaced by better Spirits, who
will make justice, peace and brotherhood reign in their
bosom”. [4]
Unfortunately, there are still very disturbed
individuals on Earth who devote all their forces,
energies and intelligence to destroying the peace of
their fellow men. Many of them, by the way, are endowed
with enormous intellectual resources, but they use this
sacred capacity to spread despondency and unhappiness.
They show, in doing so, that they do not have moral
credentials that would enable them to continue living in
a regenerated world. As perverted souls, they need
bitter remedies in order to understand the purposes of
life, as well as to conquer their inner peace.
Furthermore, I wonder, in this sense, how much must
suffer those individuals who abuse their temporal power,
the authority of their positions, the misuse of their
intelligence, their distorted beauty, their material
wealth obtained at the expense of exploitation of
others, of their speech without due ethical
counterweights or of healthy attitudes, when the dormant
forces of conscience awaken them? It can be said that
the loss of inner peace resulting from the harm done to
others must hurt them bitterly. Many, unfortunately,
will need a long time to retrieve it. Perhaps even
countless incarnations are essential for this.
Therefore, obtaining peace, by the way, is a beneficial,
serene and powerful achievement, since it gives the
individual full control over himself. In this sense, it
is a vital achievement for the creatures that head
towards achieving a perfect harmony with the highest.
Not by chance, the apostle Peter recommended us to seek
and follow it (1 Peter, 3: 11). Advancing on the
subject, the Spirit Emmanuel clarifies that “Without
peace, within us, we will never reach the circles of
true peace”. [5] It is, then, a sine qua non condition
for reaching the summits of spirituality.
For Emmanuel, “Peace is not indolence of the body. It is
the health and joy of the Spirit” [6]. In his view, the
act of living is something ordinary considering that it
encompasses everyone, but being able to live in peace is
the glory of a few. That said, there is no other way to
be able to live in peace without having a clear
conscience resulting from the constant practice of fair
and honest actions and behaviors. Therefore, inner peace
is sustained by the correctness of our deliberations and
initiatives. Thus, whoever uses the word to hurt others
or to spread untruths, whoever deliberately disrespects
his brothers on the journey, whoever turns his back on
brotherhood and solidarity, whoever engages in the
practice of evil, in short, is certainly conspiring
against his own spiritual well-being.
Finally, whoever does not pursue the compass of good, as
highlighted above, does not obtain peace. As much as the
individual comes to anesthetize on his mental screen the
unfortunate consequences of his mistakes in life,
justifying them as “normal”, such an intention will not
last forever. We will all give an account of our works
to spirituality sooner or later.
If we act motivated by right and fair, nothing bad will
reach our inner temple. Otherwise, if we are motivated
by obscure reasons, the gall of remorse will likely eat
away at us, destroying our inner peace. Therefore, let
us keep in mind that:
“Our life does not consist of numerical wealth of things
and graces, nominal acquisitions and outward titles. Our
peace and happiness depend on the use we make, where we
are today, here and now, of opportunities and gifts,
situations and favors, received from the Highest” [7].
Therefore, it becomes imperative to study our
personality, meticulously search our thoughts and listen
to our behavior in order to discover what they, in fact,
express of our being. There are people who carry an
authentic volcano in their intimacy, ready to erupt at
the slightest sign of annoyance. Not infrequently, they
distil venom and belligerence against their fellow men
for nothing. On the other hand, Spiritist literature
provides secure means for self-knowledge and self-help.
The abundant and blessed published material can help all
those who really want to know themselves, to identify
their shadows and the causes of their malignancies.
Furthermore, this source of knowledge bequeathed by
superior spirituality can help individuals to recover
their inner peace, providing them with tools that allow
them to see their weaknesses clearly, and what to do to
overcome them.
Following this line of thought, the Spirit Joanna de
Angelis proposes that we study the Spiritist lessons, in
order to free ourselves from our spiritual ignorance. In
fact, our need for spiritual literacy has not yet become
a priority issue for human hearts. Indeed, it is for no
other reason that so many overlook such significant
opportunities for inner enrichment. Unfortunately, many
roam this world without realizing their real origin and
what awaits them beyond the grave. Their minds do not
see the probability of the continuation of life after
death. For them, spiritual reality is a chimera. Death
thus sounds to them simply as the end of everything.
However, as researcher and writer Dr. Steve Taylor
observes, spiritual force is a concrete phenomenon, of
tangible quality, and thus capable of being perceived by
people [8]. Perceiving it, therefore, only requires the
activation of our sensitivity and sense of observation,
not to mention the use of logic in our reflections.
Understanding the spiritual question and its unfolding
is something that is within the reach of any minimally
inquiring mind.
In any case, as Joanna de Angelis rightly observes,
“Each Spirit is what it learned, what it accomplished,
what it conquered. It will not be able to offer
resources that it does not have nor free itself from the
pains and tests that it cannot get rid of [...]”. [9]
This being the implacable reality, then, it is up to
each one of us to ensure the acquisition of liberating
knowledge. Following this reasoning, Emmanuel wisely
recommends:
“When we know how to keep the connection with the Divine
Peace, despite all human disturbances, forgiving as many
times as necessary to the partner who hurts us;
forgetting evil to build good; sincerely supporting
those who annoy us; cooperating spiritually, through
action and prayer, for the benefit of those who
persecute and slander us; forgetting our private desires
to serve on behalf of all; guarding faith in the Supreme
Power as an inerasable light in the heart; persevering
in constructive goodness, though a thousand strokes of
wickedness beset us; denying ourselves that divine
blessing may shine around our steps; carrying our
difficulties like heavenly gifts; receiving opponents by
instructors; blessing the struggles that perfect our
soul, at the head of the Greater Sphere; converting the
earthly experience into barns of joy for Eternity;
uncovering opportunities to serve everywhere;
understanding and always helping, without the concern of
being understood, and helped; loving our fellow men whom
we have been loved by the Lord, without expectation of
reward; then we will know the spirit of truth in us, and
the road to divine redemption will light up.”[10]
For all these reasons, reaching peace is a highly
significant achievement. This peace, as Joanna de
Angelis elaborates, generates great happiness for its
bearer, because “...it has the dynamic of overcoming
obstacles and promoting good, in a conscious battle of
light against darkness and love against evil”. [11] Indeed,
happiness cannot be obtained without the foundation of
peace. Therefore, without inner peace, we are left with
suffering. Furthermore, it also has the power, as the
noble benefactress asserts, to generate balance and
health, since it provides the essential elements for the
individual to enrich on the inner plane, as well as
develop the ability to see life in a positive light. [12]
In general, peace brings luminous states to the
individual, but also many challenges, as observed in the
mediumistic messages below:
"So, in any circumstance of time or place, in a clear
sky or a gloomy firmament, in health or illness, in
achievement or in fall, in power or dependence, among
friends or foes, for your fullness and perfect peace,
love much more and it always extends more love because
only love has the essential substance to translate the
reality of the Father in our lives”. (Joanna de
Angelis) [13]
“It is therefore indispensable to renew the concept of
peace in the mind of man, in order to adjust him to the
mission he was called to carry out in the divine work,
in favor of himself.
“To keep peace in Christ is not to stop the peace of the
world. It is finding the eternal treasure of blessings
in the obligations of each day. It's not running away
from service; it is to accept it where, how and when it
determines the will of the one who continues in
redemptive action, with us, throughout the Earth”.
(Emmanuel) [14]
“May our activity, within life, bear much fruit of peace
and wisdom, love and hope, faith and joy, justice and
mercy, in decent and constant personal work, because
only in this way will the Father be glorified by us and
only in this condition we will be disciples of the
Crucified and Revived Master”. (Emmanuel) [15]
"In any process [concerning the search for
self-fulfillment and peace], however, the being will
always play a fundamental role for his own recovery,
such as self-awareness, the conquest of the Self,
so that real health and legitimate peace install
themselves on the existential panels, providing him with
the full joy of living”. (Joanna de Angelis) [16].
In any case, when Jesus – just after the sad events of
Golgotha – appeared in the midst of his apostles and
followers, fraternally greeting them with the peace of
His heart, He fulfilled not only the promise that he
would not leave them helpless. He also showed that inner
peace provides its bearer with an immovable tranquility
in consciousness. If Christian ideas have already
penetrated our soul, let us work to preserve our inner
peace by acting and doing good today and always. I don't
know any better way to obtain happiness.
Bibliographic Notes
1. Xavier, F.C. Path, Truth and Life.
7th edition. (By the Spirit Emmanuel). FEB:
Rio de Janeiro, 1978, p. 351.
2. Franco, D.P. (By the Spirit Joanna de
Angelis). Light of Hope. 4th edition.
Rio de Janeiro: F.V. Spiritist Publishing Association
Lorenz, 2012, p. 137.
3. Kardec, A. Genesis, miracles and
predictions according to Spiritism. 53rd edition
(digital). [Translation by Guillon Ribeiro]. Brasilia:
FEB, 2013, p. 366.
4. Ibid. for. 359.
5. Xavier, F.C. (By the Spirit
Emmanuel). Our Bread. 15th edition.
FEB: Brasilia-DF, 1992, p. 142.
6. Xavier, F.C. (By the Spirit
Emmanuel). Living Source. 18th edition.
FEB: Brasilia-DF, 1992, p. 186.
7. Xavier, F.C. Path, Truth and Life. 7th edition.
(By the Spirit Emmanuel). FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1978, p.
346.
8. Taylor, S. Spiritual Science: Why
Science Needs Spirituality to Make Sense of the World. London:
Watkins Media, 2018, p. 42.
9. Franco, D.P. (By the Spirit Joanna de
Angelis). Evangelical Flowerings. Belo Horizonte:
Editora G. Holman, 1972, p. 30.
10. Xavier, F.C. (By the Spirit
Emmanuel). Living Source. 18th edition.
FEB: Brasilia-DF, 1992, p. 231-232.
11. Franco, D.P. (By the Spirit Joanna de
Angelis). Optimism. Salvador: Leal, 1988, p. 86.
12. Ibid. for. 133.
13. Franco, D.P. (By the Spirit Joanna de
Angelis). Evangelical Flowerings. Belo Horizonte:
Publisher: G. Holman, 1972, p. 140.
14. Xavier, F.C. (By the Spirit
Emmanuel). It came from light. 4th edition
FEB: Rio de Janeiro, 1977, p. 326.
15. Xavier, F.C. (By the Spirit
Emmanuel). Living Source. 18th edition.
FEB: Brasilia-DF, 1992, p. 106.
16. Franco D.P. (By the Spirit Joanna de
Angelis). The Awakening of the Spirit. 4th edition.
Salvador: Leal, 2000, p. 206.
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