Ciro Gabriel Abruj might have given up on life when, at age 14, a serious car accident left him quadraplegic. But instead he found its deeper meaning. Today Gabriel, an active member of the Misiones Unides Cooperation Circle in Argentina, is an inspirational leader and self-described spiritual activist and social entrepreneur.
Through his work with Misiones Unides, as well as the Argentina branch of Humanity’s Team, a global spiritual organization whose mantra is “we are all one,” Gabriel is helping people find the thread of connection in a country that is often socially, politically and economically polarized.
“In facing my physical challenges, I have discovered that what is really important is invisible, that we are all one people, no matter what physical, religious or social diversity we carry,” he said.
Misiones Unides CC, a group of peace organizations, helped create the Peace Council of the Republic of Argentina with consultative status in government. The council organizes national public events around the International Day of Peace and the International Day of Non-violence.
Gabriel also provides leadership trainings for hundreds of youth and leads study groups to help people develop the personal and spiritual grounding to go out and work for world transformation. “There are no limits when there is spiritual strength,” he said.
He has travelled all over the world to share his story and collaborate with others, including to Mayapur, India in 2008 for a URI Global Assembly and young leaders gathering and has received numerous awards for his work. In 2011, as founder and coordinator of the Argentina branch of Humanity’s Team, he received the organization’s Spiritual Leadership Award, an award that has been given only once before, in 2005.
Gabriel’s inspiring story of perseverance, passion and service have been documented in a new film, Por sobre las nubes más oscuras siempre brilla el sol. Todo es cuestión de volar alto (Above the darkest clouds, the sun is always shining. It’s a matter of flying high), by filmmaker Jorge Venturini. Click here to view the trailer.
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