Barcelona TV producer and screenwriter Oriol Jara has publicly stated that admiring wealth and professional prestige was a mistake, advocating instead for helping strangers. Jara, known for his work in Catalan media, shares his spiritual journey and new perspective in his eleventh book, 'Why I Believe in God' (Per què crec en Déu), published by Grup 62 and Destino. He now believes the true path lies in assisting those in greatest need.
Jara's spiritual exploration began early in life. "From a young age I have always felt the existence of something supernatural that could not be explained by matter alone," he told El Periódico Barcelona. His journey was extensive. He spent two years practising Islam, which involved daily prayers in Arabic and specific abstinences. He also looked at Judaism, with its 613 commandments, before finding his current faith.
A Personal Spiritual Journey
For Jara, the Gospel provided a new understanding of religion. He believes it dismantles traditional religious structures. "All religions propose that God is there, that we wish to have eternal life with him," Jara explained. "And I believe that Jesus is a very unreligious religion, because God tells us that however much we try, we are unable to reach him, but we only need to believe him." This perspective shifted his focus from personal achievement to community service.
His godmother, Gloria, significantly influenced this change in outlook. She regularly visited El Raval, a central Barcelona neighbourhood known for its social challenges and diverse community. There, she would seek out the most desperate people, those with nothing, and bring them home to care for them. Jara views such actions as a direct example of divine guidance.
Inspired by Community Service
Jara believes that people often view the world through a mistaken lens. He sees individuals like his godmother as divine messengers. "God puts people like that in your life to make us realise that this is the way," he said. This conviction has shaped his personal philosophy. It moves him away from the pursuit of material success or public recognition.
Professionally, Oriol Jara is a partner with Joan Rufas in Atomic Beat, an audiovisual production company. Atomic Beat creates content for various platforms. These include radio programmes like 'La solució' for Catalunya Ràdio. They also produce television shows such as 'La selva' and 'Fan Zone' for TV3, alongside podcasts and documentaries. His work in media continues alongside his spiritual writing.
New Ventures and Public Engagement
Jara's book, 'Why I Believe in God', represents a significant personal statement. It details his path to faith and his evolving understanding of its practical application in daily life. Additionally, he hosts the videopodcast 'Mas Barcelona'. This programme is available on major platforms. These include Spotify, YouTube, iVoox, Apple Podcast, Amazon Podcast, and Podimo. Through these platforms, Jara shares his insights and engages with a broader audience on topics of faith and community. His message encourages a focus on compassion and direct aid within the Barcelona community and beyond.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
