The year was 1987. José Augusto Fonseca commuted daily from Itaúna, where he still resides, to Belo Horizonte, his workplace. During his routine, a friend told him about a teacher who conducted social and spiritual work in Betim.

Intrigued, he wanted to speak with this man. José immediately fell in love with that place, which has been a part of his life ever since. This is, in essence, José Augusto’s story with the Ramacrisna Institute.

Since 1993, he has been a member of the Institution’s Fiscal Council. This body is responsible for overseeing Ramacrisna’s finances. With great emotion, he recounts this story:

Immediate Connection

It was a friend from Itaúna who mentioned Ramacrisna’s work to José Augusto, carried out by Professor Arlindo Corrêa da Silva. Curious, he decided to seek out the Master to learn more. That encounter was a true meeting of souls. “When I arrived there and saw him, I felt as if it wasn’t a first meeting, although it was, but that we had known each other for some time,” he recalls.

Thus, they quickly became friends, and José began attending Ramacrisna regularly, participating in Saturday night yoga classes. Each meeting brought a valuable lesson. “In our conversations, we managed to deepen our relationship and better understand his philosophy of life and his goals focused on social welfare and education,” he shares.

José Augusto became increasingly impressed with Arlindo’s work. Witnessing such dedication to helping others made him understand the purpose behind it all. “I was able to understand the reasons that led him to found and manage, with such solidity and strength, an institution like this, facing all the difficulties that a project of this magnitude demands from our will. Only an unwavering faith like that of this humble and sincere man, an tireless worker and studious scholar, in his master and wise Indian, Sri Ramakrishna, who inspired and guided him in his work, could provide support for such a strong will and dedication that led him to ‘carry’ an extraordinary endeavor like this for years, which remains alive to this day,” he describes.

Commitment to Ramacrisna

For José Augusto, many people didn’t understand what Ramacrisna’s work represented due to the materialistic reality we live in. But he witnessed Arlindo’s struggle to maintain the project. “Professor Arlindo’s work cannot be carried out without a strong focus on unconditional love for one’s fellow human beings and the common good. It would be needless to say that his struggle would not be easy. When he realized he was close to ‘departing’ from our midst, he himself ‘chose’ those workers who could continue his immense work,” he recounts.

Thus, in 1993, a Statute was approved in a General Assembly for the then Ramacrisna Mission, which would henceforth serve as a tool for its future leaders and administrators. From then on, José Augusto became a member of the Council, a position he holds to this day.

But shortly after the Statute was approved, Professor Arlindo passed away. It was a time of hard work for those who were chosen. “This is how his magnificent work could continue, guided by this group of dedicated workers who saw in the Master’s action a perception much beyond the scope that this ‘work’ would reach. Master Arlindo left a well-founded basis in the Institution he administered for many years and became a kind of ‘safe haven’ for those in need of support,” he highlights.

José recounts that belief in ideals allowed Ramacrisna to progress and gain strength. “Today, we can say that the seed planted and nurtured by Master Arlindo has borne fruit in a beautiful tree of sweet fruits, overcoming many storms during its growth and existence. And it is here with its strength, remaining firm and active in its over 65 years of existence, showing significant results and multiple services rendered, always carried out with great professionalism and joy,” he praises.

Therefore, according to José Augusto, Ramacrisna represents an unforgettable learning experience in his life. This is because he witnessed many important moments of the Institute up close, being able to take part in various activities since officially becoming part of Ramacrisna’s history.

He is proud of all the positive achievements made by the Institute and believes that the work is far from over. “In addition to its inevitable progress, efficiency, modernity, and multitude of services provided, the Institute has received numerous awards confirming its professionalism and integrity, showing with undeniable reality that good can overcome all evil and that human consciousness focused on brotherhood, knowledge, and progress is a guarantee that this good can be in every heart and that limitless cooperation can be inevitable and naturally accepted by all humanity,” he describes.

That’s why Ramacrisna continues to commit to welcoming those in need and transforming lives. In total, we have already helped more than 2 million people. But to continue this work, we need resources. You can help us. See how to become part of this chain of goodness.