Mestre Gabriel

Mestre Gabriel (1922-1971), born as José Gabriel da Costa, was a Brazilian spiritual leader and founder of the religious tradition União do Vegetal (UDV). He is revered as a significant figure in the history of Ayahuasca religions.

Early Life

Mestre Gabriel was born on February 10, 1922, in Coração de Maria, Bahia, Brazil. He was the son of a small farmer and grew up in a humble environment. His family was of African descent and had a strong Catholic background.

Spiritual Journey

In the 1950s, Mestre Gabriel moved to the Amazon region in search of work. It was there that he first came into contact with Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew used for spiritual and healing purposes. He had his first experience with Ayahuasca in 1959, in the company of a rubber tapper.

Following this experience, Mestre Gabriel began to develop his spiritual teachings, which led to the foundation of the União do Vegetal in 1961. The UDV is a Christian Spiritist religion that uses Ayahuasca as a sacrament in its rituals. Mestre Gabriel is considered the spiritual guide of the UDV, and his teachings form the basis of the religion's doctrine.

Teachings

Mestre Gabriel's teachings emphasize the importance of moral conduct, respect for others, and the pursuit of knowledge. He taught that Ayahuasca can help individuals to understand themselves better and to develop a closer relationship with God. His teachings also include elements of Christianity, Spiritism, and indigenous Amazonian beliefs.

Legacy

Mestre Gabriel passed away on September 24, 1971. His legacy continues through the União do Vegetal, which has grown to become one of the largest Ayahuasca religions in the world. The UDV has branches in several countries, including the United States, and its members continue to follow the teachings of Mestre Gabriel.

See Also

• Ayahuasca
• União do Vegetal
• Spiritism
• Christianity

References

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