Juan Silva
May 3, 1916 – March 19, 1999
Juan Silva was highly instrumental in helping the Silva Method spread throughout the world. He almost single handedly carried the news of the Silva Method from the United States into Mexico, other countries in Central and South America, Europe and Asia.
When Juan returned from active duty in World War II, he had a health condition that caused his body to swell up frequently. Doctors had not been able to find a cause or cure, and Juan feared he might die from this.
Jose wanted to use the holistic faith healing techniques that he had been learning and researching to see if they could help Juan. Jose had only been conducting research for four years, and Juan was skeptical. Finally, in order to get Jose to stop bothering him, Juan agreed to try the new techniques and they worked! Juan became an immediate convert to the cause of holistic healing, and decided to help his brother Jose as a research associate and partner since 1949.
He was an experienced businessman in the import-export industry at the time, yet made a pledge that he would help Jose in his research and also pledged to personally help at least one person per week, without any compensation of any kind. This was his way of expressing his gratitude for the benefits he had received. He far exceeded his pledge, helping everyone who came to him.
Then in 1958, Jose came to Juan and asked him if he would like to become an inventor. That seemed unlikely to Juan, who had little mechanical aptitude, but to Jose it seemed a perfect research project to determine just how effective the Silva Method could be.
Over the next four years, Juan did become an inventor. He developed a vending machine, which he patented, and later manufactured.
Juan said, "Every step of the process involved the use of the Silva Method techniques." The first step was to determine what needed to be invented. Once using the Silva techniques he settled on inventing a vending machine that would take various denominations of coins, could be easily modified for different coins, and would operate without the use of electricity. The second step was to learn skills that would be necessary to create such a machine. He did just that, created the machine and patented it.
The company that purchased the patent rights wanted Juan to be in charge of production of the machine. In 1962 he accepted a job as manager of a factory in Mexico City, supervising 525 employees as they produced radios, phonographs, and Juan's vending machine.
During the day, Juan performed his duties as a corporate executive, but in the evenings, he spent a great deal of time in the homes of his employees, showing them how to use the Silva Method techniques to better their lives.
Juan resigned from his job and a few years later moved back to Laredo to continue his work with Silva International. Under his leadership, the Silva Method expanded to more than 100 countries and in over 29 languages.
That same attitude of helping people without any expectation of getting anything in return carried over to Juan Silva's philosophy as Director of Foreign Countries for Silva International, Inc., a position he accepted in 1973.
"We expect all of our instructors to make a pledge that they will spend at least four hours a week in service to humanity, without expecting any reward for this," he explained. "That's what we are here for, to help one another. As long as we do that, we will prosper."
In his capacity as Director of Foreign Countries, Juan traveled extensively all over the world to maintain the high quality of our Silva personnel and focused much of his time insuring that the Silva Method graduates continue to learn and grow after completing the Silva Course. He often did not spend two consecutive weekends at home for the entire year. During his trips he taught the Silva Graduate Seminar, and tens of thousands of graduates were fortunate to hear him in person.
In addition, Juan was responsible for training programs for instructors and marketing of Silva Method products.
In 1995, Juan retired yet remained active in the business. He offered advice and guidance to Directors and Instructors all over the world and developed new Silva products up until his death.
Juan Silva lived a full and varied life. As a youngster, he was interested in athletics, and liked to fight. Although his temper used to flare easily, he later became one of the most gentle of men, often showing his compassion to others in both big ways and small ways. He credits the Silva Method techniques with bringing about that change.
He was a classically trained singer, and in World War II he served as an officer and a flyer in the Army Air Corps.
Juan was an ambassador of goodwill for Silva International and everywhere he traveled he was loved.
Juan will be remembered for his great contributions to the Method.
In his honor and memory, Silva International dedicates The Silva Mind Power Center to our beloved Juan Silva.
We thank you Juan Silva for your service to humanity and to the world at large.