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Catastrophe or Opportunity?

Catastrophe or Opportunity?

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By Sergio Ciaschi, from Latina, Italy

I would like to share some important considerations to deepen into the intricate inner path, an undertaking that can be done in moments of calamity. I would like to start from the observation of the world panorama as we perceive it in these times, which raises a spontaneous and recurrent question: Is there a way out?

When Science does not find reasonable explanations for what happens, we must have recourse to Philosophy, therefore another question arises: where am I?

My reflection makes use of enigmatic symbols, which over the centuries were used in different ways and which evoke very different images: the Labyrinth and the Maze.

The term labyrinth evokes the Latin words labor intus, which means “inner work”, so it is the inner way that must be found and followed until the end. The Labyrinth presents a network of surprising twists, seemingly aimless, unless it is clearly understood that the path leads to a certain end and inevitably takes to the center.

The labyrinth symbolizes the way to the inner principle. Those who find the entrance can reach the center, as long as they do not turn back. There is no choosing between left and right, but only between moving forward and moving backwards. Whoever does not persevere will fall. Whoever manages to win will become human being.

The Labyrinth leads inside oneself on a tortuous and deceptive journey that leads to a merciless mirror where the outcome is decided. It is in the center of the labyrinth that the transformation of oneself takes place, it is at the end of the journey where the victory of the spiritual over the material, of intelligence over instinct, and of knowledge over knowing are affirmed. It is a path that offers anyone an entrance, but allows only few to exit.

Those who enter, along their journey, will pass by the center several times, without being able to see it. And while they approach the center and then removed from it, they undergo a process of evolution in the course of which their will and perseverance get tested.

There’s a big difference between the LABYRINTH and the MAZE: the maze is characterized by an intricate path of dead-end alleys; the labyrinth has one single path leading to the center and so to the exit; the maze is misleading, the labyrinth is safe; the maze is CHAOS, the labyrinth is ORDER. IN THE MAZE WE GET LOST. IN THE LABYRINTH WE FIND OURSELVES

In a maze there are many practical routes: the deceptive forks and dead-end paths do not allow a clear view of the path, and you lose yourself easily. The maze is, in fact, the closed space in which individuals who let themselves be guided by their own senses will err. It shows countless options and suggests obvious but often contradictory possibilities.

If we wanted to make a contemporary comparison, the maze is a network similar to the internet made of a virtual space in continuous expansion, without a center to reach. It can be accessed to follow an individual path based on instant gratification and external conditioning, which offer as a result complete disorientation and the inability to reach the finish line and define an objective. It is precisely the absence of limits – a concept necessary to find orientation – that makes the network of the maze insidious yet so fascinating. Man moves and redefines many of his limits and, finally, is unclear about his objectives. He justifies and relativizes differences and distinctions to make the many choices presented to him equally valid, regardless of any one individual’s value.

In this confusion, one then asks who they are and where they are: am I in a labyrinth, where once I enter through the narrow door, with no other distractions, I must follow the internal path; or in a maze, where my apparent emancipation reduces me to a state of permanent prostration and subordination; from which I can only leave with a courageous move, creating and redefining my destiny.

In conclusion, to answer the initial question:

A way out exists and has to be found from within. Once it is found, you will know if the road you have chosen in the horizontal trajectory will take you to the center of the labyrinth, where the exit is only vertical, towards absolute knowledge, beyond human limits, towards a dimension yet to be explored.

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Hello !

Welcome to the internal Home Page of the PRÓ-VIDA website. In this environment you will find information about our movement, such as the activities calendar, news and content that may be of interest to you.

Where to find the activities?

You will find the activities calendar right at the top of the home page and, to see all the available activities, just click on “See full calendar”.

The activities are organized by language, time zone, modality (in person, online, or remote in-center), and categories:

  • BAS, AV1 and INT weeks
  • Exercises and Training
  • Lectures and Talks
  • Advanced Levels
  • CGD (General Center for the Tithe)
  • Departments

What activities can I participate in?

You will be able to participate in all available activities, according to your level. They are identified in the calendar by a stripe with the color of the level, on the left side of the activity name.

Basic Level

Every Monday, online Basic Level activities are available. They are offered in four languages ​​(Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and English) and different time zones.

In addition, starting at the Basic Level, you will be able to participate in all the activities identified with the following colors:

Weeks, lectures and exercises aimed at participants from the Basic Level and up.

Here you can find activities such as Keeping in Touch, celebrations, and ceremonies.

Activities carried out by PRÓ-VIDA Departments, such as lectures, presentations and studies.

Check the calendar for upcoming activities and check their times.

Advanced 1​ Level

Activities for the Advanced 1 Level and up are also available for those who have completed that level

Weeks, lectures, exercises and talks for participants from Advanced 1 Level and up.

Introduction Level

For those at the Introduction Level, also the following activities are available:

Weeks, lectures, exercises, and talks for participants from the Introduction Level and up.

Activity for all PRÓ-VIDA participants, starting at the Introduction Level.

Advanced 2SC Level

From Advanced 2 Level and up, the following activities are also available:

Weeks, lectures, exercises and talks for participants from the Advanced 2SC Level and up.

How to browse the site?

Navigate through the pages and contents of the site by clicking the links on the top golden bar or the “hamburger button” (≡), located in the upper left corner.

In addition to content and articles on various topics, you will be able to access some important areas for your participation in the activities:

Online Activities: It’s the place where you will access the activities that will be transmitted in the online modality.

Participant’s Area: It gathers information about your registration and your level in PRÓ-VIDA.

Need help?

If you need help, or to clarify any questions, contact our support by e-mail: foundation.secretary@provida.net.

Modalities of PRÓ-VIDA activities

In-person

Presenter in-center

Participants in-center

This is a live activity carried out in one of the PRÓ-VIDA Centers with both the presenter and the enrolled participants attending in-person.

Remote in-center

Remote presenter

Participants in-center

The activity is transmitted live from one of the PRÓ-VIDA studios to several Centers where the participants are attending in-person. It allows the presenter and the participants to interact despite the fact that the presenter is in a remote location. 

Online

Online presenter

Online participants

The activity is transmitted live from one of the PRÓ-VIDA studios and enables interaction between participants and the presenter in a virtual environment.

To learn more about the modalities, talk to a PRÓ-VIDA representative by chat or email secretaria@provida.net (for Brazil residents) or foundation.secretary@provida.net (for residents in other countries).

SEG    SEX

22-26

NOV    NOV

Online

Semana de Avançado 1

PT

Será transmitido nos idiomas e horários locais:

PORTUGUÊS - COM INTERAÇÃO

Segunda a sexta-feira

às 20h30*

Hora de São Paulo

*A atividade tem duração aproximada de 3 horas.

Para saber como participar, clique abaixo.

MON    FRI

06-10

DEC    DEC

Online

Semana de Introdução

PT

It will be transmitted in the following language ​​and times:

PORTUGUESE - WITH INTERACTION

Monday to Friday

at 8:30 p.m.*

Time Zone: (UTC-03:00) Brasilia

*The activity lasts approximately 3 hours.

To find out how to participate, click below.

No registrations will be made on the weekend before the activity, or in the week it takes place.

SEG    SEX

25-29

OUT    OUT

Online

Semana de Avançado 1

PT

Será transmitido nos idiomas e horários locais:

PORTUGUÊS - COM INTERAÇÃO

Segunda a sexta-feira

às 20h30*

Hora de São Paulo

*A atividade tem duração aproximada de 3 horas.

Para saber como participar, clique abaixo.

SEG    DOM

08-14

NOV    NOV

Online

Semana de Básico

PT

Será transmitido nos idiomas e horários locais:

PORTUGUÊS - COM INTERAÇÃO

Segunda a sexta-feira

às 20h30*

Sábado

às 14h30*

Domingo

às 10h00*

Hora de São Paulo

*A atividade tem duração aproximada de 3 horas.

Para saber como participar, clique abaixo.

*Para repetição oficial, participantes que estão retornando ou em R.A., em breve mais informações.

Requisitos técnicos indispensáveis

Gostaríamos de informar que, para a participação no Básico on-line, são indispensáveis os seguintes requisitos mínimos:

Computador (Windows/Mac)

Computador com câmera integrada ou conectada por entrada USB.

As atividades não poderão ser assistidas por nenhum outro dispositivo, tais como celulares, smartphones e tablets ou computadores com outros sistemas operacionais.

Especificações e Sistema Operacional

• Processador: Intel Core i3, i5 e i7 – 3100 Series , ou superior.

• Memória RAM: 4GB, ou superior.

• Sistema Operacional:

• Windows 7 com todas as atualizações, ou versão superior (somente 64 bits).

• MacOS 10.15 Catalina, ou versão superior.

Verifique as configurações de seu computador Windows clicando aqui.

Como verificar suas especificações no Mac? Clique aqui.

Fones de ouvido com microfone (headset)

Modelos homologados para uso com nossa plataforma.

Consulte a lista de headsets homologados:

Internet

Banda larga com conexão estável, com no mínimo 10MB de download e 4MB de upload.

Como verificar sua banda de internet? Clique aqui para testa-la.

* Os requisitos técnicos poderão ser atualizados. Acompanhe aqui eventuais alterações.

Fones de ouvido homologados

Marca

Modelo

Tipo

Bose

Quiet Comfort 35 Stereo

USB e Bluetooth

Dell

Pro Stereo Headset UC150

USB

Jabra

BLZ 2400 II

USB

Jabra

Evolve 20 MS

USB

Jabra

Evolve 75

USB e Bluetooth

Jabra

UC Voice 550a MS Mono

USB

JBL

Everest Elite 750NC Stereo

Bluetooth

Logitech

Headset H390

USB

Logitech

Stereo H650e

USB

Microsoft

LifeChat LX-3000

USB

Microsoft

LifeChat LX-6000

USB

Plantronics

Blackwire 320

USB

Plantronics

Blackwire 3220 Series

USB

Plantronics

Blackwire C220

USB

Plantronics

Audio 628 USB

USB

Samsung

USBC Headset

USB

Sony

WH-CH700N

USB

Sony

Headset Pulse 7.1

USB

Sony

WH-XB900N

Bluetooth

Atualização: 11.06.2021

Regras de conduta para prevenção da COVID-19

Uso de Máscaras

Cobrindo a boca e o nariz. Usar o tempo todo.
Evitar tocar a boca, o nariz e os olhos.

Distanciamento

Mínimo de 2 metros

Mãos

Lavar frequentemente ou higienizar com álcool em gel.

Etiqueta Respiratória

Ao espirrar ou tossir, proteger a boca e o nariz com o cotovelo, ou usar lenço descartável.

Sintomas

Se apresentar sintomas, ficar em casa e buscar atendimento médico.