Fullness - Joanna de Angelis
Pessimistic philosophies and arbitrary religious doctrines have established that life is suffering and that every attempt to free oneself from it results in miserable failure.
Hasty thinkers of yesterday and today, faithful to the ignoble diagnosis , propose suicide as a solution, euthanasia and abortion as escape mechanisms to overcome distressing situations and the death penalty as a punitive resource, in a demonstration of rebellious and acidic materialistic behavior , in which cruelty assumes a preponderant role.
Utilitarianism (principle of maximum well-being) and hedonism (philosophy of pleasure), on which they build their aspirations, are responsible for the distorted view of reality from which they wish to free themselves.
Certainly, suffering is part of life , as it is a mechanism of nature, through which intellectual and moral progress is expressed and consolidated. The rough diamond awaits polishing to shine like a luminous star.
Metals need high temperatures in order to mold themselves into beauty and usefulness. Wood experiences cutting tools to play the important roles for which it is destined. The river digs its own bed through which it flows.
Likewise, the Spirit needs to polish the edges that cover its luminosity, and, for this, suffering presents itself as a normal occurrence, which knowledge and willpower can handle with balance, achieving the sublime purpose for which it is destined.
Suffering , on the other hand, is linked to each person's sensitivity , and therefore varies and acquires different dimensions. The pain of the brute is wild and disturbing, exploding into aggression and madness. The suffering of the aesthete and the saint is expressed as a longing for liberation and inner growth.
Going through the primary phases of life, in its automatic mechanism of evolution, the psyche expands its innate abilities and develops the seeds of perfection that lie within it, becoming the heir of previous experiences in the immediate stage.
Suffering, in the face of the injunctions of bitterness and pain that it involves, has deserved the broadest historical investment that has been recorded, with the aim of liberating it and achieving the fullness of the creature.
From Krishna to Buddha, to Jesus, to Allan Kardec, the religious and philosophical vision of suffering has received valuable contributions, which today, in the efforts of modern holistic health scientists, seem to reach a greater degree of understanding of man and his interrelationship with the living forces of nature, reflected in Ecology, leading to a greater understanding of life and its purpose.
Anticipating this modern-day conduct, Spiritism has been calling on man to respect God, himself, his neighbor , and all living and non-living expressions that make up the environment in which he is located, in order to learn and be happy, thus acquiring his fulfillment.
Considering the human problem, existing in the individual himself (the lack of self-knowledge) and taking into account the urgent factors that trigger suffering , dragging multitudes to madness, discouragement, hallucination, inglorious escapes through suicide and addictions.
We decided to delve deeper into the study of this subject, which is now gathered together in this book, which we bring to the attention of the esteemed reader, interested in the solution to this terrible scourge responsible for countless evils for some and blessings for others, enabling the latter to rise and achieve glory.
We analyze some of its aspects, according to the Buddhist and Christian vision, and propose the Spiritist solution, due to the current relevance of the postulates that constitute the Revelation of the Consoler , inviting man to self-discovery , to evangelical experience, to lucid behavior arising from study and enlightening action on the path of fraternal charity.
We trust that our efforts will contribute to the enlightenment of our readers, leading them to the acquisition of plenitude , in peace and health, entirely free from suffering, building love as a living source of intimate and general fulfillment.
Hoping to have achieved the objective we set for ourselves, we pray to the (Model and Guide of humanity) to bless and guide us.
Salvador, October 17, 1990. Joanna de Angelis