Gustavo Leopoldo Rodrigues Daré:

“The cultural value of Spiritism in our region is
quite a new concept
to be worked on”

Gustavo  explains in this interview how the end Caminhos para o Espiritismo (Pathways to Spiritism) was born in Ribeirão Preto, but found acceptance throughout the São Paulo region

Gustavo Leopoldo Rodrigues Daré (picture) is our week’s interviewee. He is an endocrinologist and spiritist since birth. He was born in Regente Feijó (São Paulo , Brazil), but now lives in Ribeirão Preto. He was part of the foundation of the Medical Spiritist Association in his town. Here he talks about the event called Caminhos para o Espiritismo, which became known in the estate of São Paulo.   O Consolador: How did the idea of an event called Caminhos para o Espiritismo came up?

In 2006 we started organizing lectures for USE-Ribeirão Preto (Union of Spiritist Societies-Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil) which were going to be realised in 2007. The theme chosen for these lectures was “150 years of Spiritism: revolutionary ideas and attitudes”.

We also had 17 other themes on the board to be chosen, why was when I proposed to the team of lectures to organise an event where we could get all these lectures in one day and publish a book from it. On the 19th July 2007, I wrote my first draft. From this moment in time, idea of the event became stronger, and more people joined our proposal. We wanted a meeting where we could all share ideas and practices from humble spiritists who wanted to learn together.

O Consolador: Is this event linked to any institution? What is its main goal?

On the 15th February 2009 we founded the Association Caminhos para o Espiritismo in order to respond to the legal responsibilities that any public event demands. The main goal of the institution is to publicize the spiritist knowledge. We want to identify and explore the cultural power Spiritism has. This cultural view of Spiritism should provide: respect to differences, valuing conscious freedom and openness to frank and constructive debate.

We want to provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and practices, which will be open for respectful dialog among different spiritist opinions.

O Consolador: Is it going to happen every two years? Is it always going to be in Ribeirão Preto or is there any plan to do it in other cities or regions?

We have just started with this project. One step should be given at a time. Within the Association meeting, we have compromised to work together whilst there is pleasure with the work. Our association wants to make the most of the opportunities offered each day. At the moment this event is happening every two years. During this year, our group has expanded. Our members are not just in Ribeirão Preto, but also in Araraquara, Matão, São Carlos, Pirassununga, Batatais, Bebedouro and Ipuã. The group is growing stronger and getting to know each other. Some members of our group have thought about having the event in different cities within the region in order to expand it even more.

O Consolador: How do you define the speakers and lectures?

Our members in our internet debate list have the chance to suggest themes and names of speakers.

O Consolador: When will be the next event?

We want brand each edition with Greek algorisms I, II, III, etc. On the 29th May 2010 we will have the II Meeting Caminhos para o Espiritismo, in the same place where the first event happened in Ribeirão Preto. We are planning three small events in 2009, as a way to prepare for 2010. These smaller meetings will have around 400-500 people, and we will call them Forums Caminhos para o Espiritismo. The first will be happening on the 30th May at the Faculty COC in Ribeirão Preto. The second Forum will be on the 30th August in Araraquara, and the third on the 14th November, in Matão.

O Consolador: How many people are involved in this project? Where do you get funds for it?

Funds come from promotional events, sponsorships, donations and charged fees from our meetings. We have sold food such as ice cream and lasagne. We are now negotiating other types of promotions. We look for partnerships with companies in order to strengthen the social image of our events. We have a debate list with 64 members on the internet where we exchange ideas and make decisions. The Executive Committee is formed with 8 Work Commissions in which we have 33 people working. We also have other colleagues who collaborate constantly.

O Consolador: Is there a website with information about this project?

Yes, there is. The site is www.caminhosparaoespiritismo.org.br. All our events require subscription and the places are limited. If there are places available on the day of the event, inscriptions can be made locally. We are organising ticket offices in Araraquara, Batatais, Matão, Ribeirão Preto and São Carlos. This way, members will be able to buy tickets for the events in person. Payments can also be made via bank transfer and fax confirmation, or email confirmation.  On the day of the event, this participant only needs to present the receipt of inscription and the proof of payment. Anyone who is interested can contact us via the website or via e-mail –  gustavoleopoldodare@gmail.com. You can contact the Marketing Commission at: enalini@esquinas.com.br.

O Consolador: Is the program established by the organising committee or through participants’ suggestions?

The 2009-2010 project started by a valuation meeting for event that happened in 2008, on the 30th September 2008. In 2009 we intensified the exchange of ideas within the Programme Committee. We also expanded the debate with those who were inscribed within our internet list. For the 2nd Meeting in May 2010, the Programme Committee will create different sessions based on this exchange.

O Consolador: Have you defined the themes and speakers for the next edition?

The 2009-2010 project is entitled “from Today to Tomorrow” and will look into the three aspects of Spiritism. The first Forum will be “Spiritist Philosophy and Society”, the second “Ethic-Moral and Religious Instruments in Spiritism”, and the third “The Scientific Spiritist Aspect”. Each Forum will have 4 parts: Problem Definition, Practice Analysis, Contemporary Challenges’ Analysis and Future Practices. Each block will have 2 lectures of 35 minutes each followed by 20minutes of debates. The themes for the 3 Forums in 2009, and the speakers for the 1st Forum have been defined. For the II Meeting in 2010, our program is open and will be the recap of the three forums.

O Consolador: Has a book been launched with the content of the last edition?

We have given at the 2008 event the book “Symposium of the Meeting Caminhos para o Espiritismo: 150 years of Spiritism: revolutionary ideas and attitudes”. We had 840 inscriptions for the 2008 event. We had printed 1.500 copies of that book, and still have some for sale. We were able to introduce this book in several University Libraries in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Araraquara and Florianopolis. We plan to transfer this book to an independent editor, but we were not able to do that yet. 

O Consolador: What are the major challenges faced with an event of this size?

Everything is quite new for us, and required continuous dedication. Getting sponsorships could be challenging since potential sponsors might not want to support due to the religious aspect of it. We need to convince them of the cultural value of Spiritism, which trespass religion. It’s is hard for us to reach non-spiritist media but each positive result is a great achievement. Being able to organise and maintain an active group is not easy, but the email exchange through internet list has been a great motivational instrument. The organisation of the event, which seemed to be challenging for us, happened smoothly due to decentralization of decisions.

O Consolador: What were the most marking events that happened on the last edition?

Some colleagues have rejected our idea to share a diversity of existing ideas about Spiritism in one place. The concept of our association is quite new and has been misinterpreted by others. We aim to promote spiritist events and want to transform Spiritism on an object of cultural debate in our society. We also got positive feedback. Some results achieved were the strengthening of our group of friends which lead to the foundation of this Association and the increased number of spiritist joining our group in the region. Some spiritist have told us, after the 2008 meeting, more freedom and dedication to the study of Kardec has been put in place on their centres.  We have received great support from the spiritist media throughout Brazil as well.

O Consolador: Can you please give us your final words?

We are starting to construct an environment where different ways of thinking and practice can live together freely. We have a lot to learn but we are sure it is possible to be achieved. We want to leave a message from Caminhos to everyone: fraternity towards the differences and trust the ability each spiritist has to think free. We would like to invite everyone to join our work, criticizing and giving suggestions.