Casa Happenings 12-20-14

Hello all!  So, I think it’s been a little too serious around here… How about some jumps!!!  

 Ok, I feel better now…  Here are some other pics for you 🙂

Only one problem with the outdoor bathroom…  Big spider!!!

My favorite bench 🙂 Miss you J.M.

Here are some pics from Pousada Austria.  This is from my balcony.

I’m pretty sure my pousada was the best one in Abadiania.  When you decide to visit, check in with Franz at Pousada Austria and see if they have a room for you.

My room was up those stairs in the distance and looks out over the valley.    

The mandala finally goes from paper to the wall.  If you stay in room 13 you can see it 🙂

Everyone wears white on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s.  It seemed a tad creepy at first, but it wasn’t really once I got used to it.

Yep, horse and buggy for deliveries…  Seriously old school around here.

  Spent lots of time in the hammock on my balcony… Ahhh, yes.

Hmmmm, where should I go next???

This adorable goat would greet me every day on the way to the Casa.  He had the spunkiest little personality and he’d prop himself up on the wall and stick his head through for a little pat on the head.  And then one day he was gone.  Did you know that goat is the number 1 consumed meat around the world?  I heard he got pardoned a few extra days because he was so funny, but in the end, he had to feed a family.  

It’s rainy season and all these flying bugs come out of the ground when it rains.  Then at night they fly to the lights and die – all their wings land in piles below… 

Reminded me of Key West

I got to meet some beautiful people while in Abadiania.  I am fortunate and seem to be able to do that wherever I go.   These ladies are from Norway and England.

My other friend Torsten wrote a book about Abadiania…  It’s written in German though, so only a few of you would be able to read this one.

http://www.amazon.de/Crazy-Days-Abadiania-Burn-wieder/dp/3981535200

I met a new soul sister, Gry, while waiting in line for soup.  Ya’ never know where you’ll find new soul connections in the world.  Miss you Gry!

Gry left me with some inspirational tea bag tags… Awwwww 🙂

So, I’ve gotten some feedback that my posts about my time here in Abadiania have been a little vague and some of you have specific questions.  Check out this short documentary when you get some time – It pretty accurately shows what’s happening here.  http://youtu.be/6sbWpka43hI

And then here’s some more info from me 🙂

The healing days themselves are a bit hectic. I’ve estimated about 1200 people each day show up, and there are different lines you get in for different purposes. I would guess it’s half Brazilians and half foreigners. The foreigners are usually here for weeks or months, but the Brazilians bus in from all over the country – I’ve heard as far as 32-hour bus rides! While here, I’ve befriended people from Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, England, Australia, Switzerland and America to give you an idea of who’s here. But I haven’t been very social this trip and haven’t branched out as much as usual – I’m sure they come from all over!

On healing days, the main hall where everyone gathers is full to the brim. Once the seats are taken, some sit on the floor and others stand – every nook and cranny is filled with a human and then they spill outside into the courtyard.

The primary language spoken here is Brazilian Portuguese, so often you don’t know what’s being said. That can put you in a bit of a panicky state, but you just have to relax and let it all happen around you and know that at some point English will be spoken for the important information and you’ll know where to go, and what to do.

There is a first time line when you’ve just arrived. Then there’s a second time line if you want to go before John of God with a specific request for yourself or if you’ve brought pictures of loved ones that need healing. Then there are “spiritual interventions” they call them, a psychic surgery of sorts. There’s something called “current” where you sit in meditation for 3 to 4 hours. All have different purposes, but focus attention on emotional, physical and spiritual development.

I’ve participated in just about everything that goes on here, with the exception of a physical surgery, which is completely voluntary. Seriously? Physical surgery? Yep! I have witnessed them, and actually, in person they’re not quite as scary or creepy as they are on the youtube video’s I watched before I came here. It’s amazing to see these people be cut open or have long scissors shoved up their nose and they don’t even flinch and are given no anesthesia! Incredible! I do still find it difficult to watch the eye scraping and the scissors up the nose though…

It is emotional just being here. Like I mentioned in my last post, I am fortunate to be here in an overall state of good health. The reality is, most here are not. There are dozens and dozens in wheel chairs, parents carrying their sick children, cancer patients with shaved heads, people with walkers, people with deep seeded emotional and mental problems. Sometimes there are people uncontrollably crying around you or you’ll hear an outburst from someone with Tourette’s Syndrome. Then there are those that have no evidence of illness or are here for their loved ones. There are so many people here – and everyone wants help. It’s a harsh reality that many here suffering may not be cured and their time is limited.

You can hire a guide when you’re here, which is highly recommended. I’ve met many of them and could refer you to one if you think you’ll visit. Doubtful they’ll visit Eryn… Since I was staying for 5 weeks and had plenty of time to immerse myself into the environment, I decided I’d go it alone. And it’s easy enough to make friends and talk to people and everyone is really helpful. But if I had only been here 2 weeks or so like a lot of the groups I met, I would suggest hiring a guide to maximize your time here.

Despite the chaotic environment of different cultures, languages, states of health, etc. everyone moves in a sort of rhythm amongst and around one another. People help those around them or give up their seats for those more fragile. But it’s fairly calm and organized considering the masses of people and their varying states of health.

I’ve met some really beautiful people since I’ve been here and made some lasting friendships. I am lucky and seem to be able to do that wherever I go. Almost everyone I’ve met has been here multiple times – it’s their third, fifth, or ninth visit! They seem to always come back. I’ve met at least 6 people who have had such dramatic results they decided to move here full time. The man that owns the pousada I’m staying at moved here from Austria.  After having such profound results, he bought property and built this guesthouse! I’ve met a few that were here about a month ago, then left to go home to their countries in Europe but then decided to return after 3 weeks! And I was set to share a taxi with a woman to the airport, but she told me she’s changed her ticket and is now staying until April. This is also common. (By the way, in case you haven’t noticed, the rest of the world travels a lot differently than we do as Americans – they laugh at our 2 weeks a year concept.)

You know, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they behave. Not what they say, but how they act. And most everyone here is in this state of peace, love and happiness. We actually do sit around on Sunday mornings and sing Kum-ba-ya (among other songs). Despite the fact that most everyone here is dealing with some major suffering, they seem in this state of contentment (most of the time). There is something about this place that brings on a state of contentment and peace within that is hard to explain.

I watched the Wayne Dyer video’s online before I came here – he was talking about his experience. You guys know Wayne Dyer, don’t you? An American spiritual guru popular over the last decade. He talked about having this profound feeling of love and he just went on and on about it. Although I admire and respect Wayne Dyer, I was thinking, this guy sounds like a fruit loop! And here I am now, telling you – something about this place does leave you with an innate sense of peace and love.  Fruit loop, fruit loop!!!

I know there’s a big question as to how much it costs and if it’s a big money making scam.  I know, I know, I was wondering the same thing… There’s no cost for healing or participating in any of the Casa happenings. They don’t even pass a donation plate like they would in church. AND they feed everyone lunch for free! Soup for the Soul, as it’s commonly referred to here. (Miss you Gry!) He does often prescribe herbs and those cost about $10 US dollars each. And it is common to drink the blessed bottled water from the Casa gift shop and I do buy 2 bottles a day for $1 each, but let’s face it, I’m in nowhere Brazil, I’d be buying bottled water anyway for the same price. Oh snap, she drank the Koolaid…

I’m paying $20 a night to stay at my pousada and less than $10 a day to eat, and that’s basically it. There are of course cafés and shops you can buy things – it’s like any town, if you want to spend money, you can, but overall it’s pretty cheap to be here. Granted the herbs alone with that many people equates to a substantial profit, and there’s the gift shop. Is he maybe getting kickbacks from the pousadas, cafés and shops?  I don’t know.  I wouldn’t doubt it if some of that happens, but shouldn’t he get something?  I mean, he is the driving force behind this little bustling town and he’s been performing healing every week for something like 40 years! I mean, the man’s gotta eat!   So, as for a scam, I’d be willing to bet you’ve spent more money with your latest visit to the Estée Lauder counter for the newest anti wrinkle cream. (Aside from the flight and accommodations, I mean)

No doubt this is all still crazy sounding to you – which is partly why I was being vague I think. You just won’t get it, I’m afraid… As it was explained to me by my new friend, Christian. “We’re talking about things happening beyond our comprehension and on a whole other dimension than what we can fathom.” How could you possibly understand without being here?

I know this is a controversial subject for many of you. Some are curious; others don’t even understand why I am exploring something so ‘out there’ and some of you don’t even want to have conversations about it, it makes you that uncomfortable.  I do find that strange. I mean, we’re all adults, surely we can have a conversation about a controversial topic.

The reality is, although I can’t properly explain the what’s, why’s and how’s of the Casa happenings, people do experience substantial transformations as a result of this man’s abilities (as given to him by God). And when you’re sick enough, or in pain enough, or you finally experience relief from some debilitating ailment, I have to imagine you don’t really care how it happens, you’re just thankful that something changed.

“For those who believe, no proof is necessary.  For those who disbelieve, no amount of proof is sufficient.” ~ St. Ignatius De Loyola