The foreigners of John of God

Abaidainia has a growing community of expats, people from the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Aftrica and more. Many live in Abadiania part of the year; some full time. I guess I am one of them myself, since I spend two months of the year in Abadiania. Some stay in pousadas, some rent houses and some build or buy houses. They tend to be a very interesting group of people,

Late December and early January are good times to be in Abadiania. The crowds are smaller than usual, the meditation times are shorter (around 2 hours each session), and since it is rainy season, everything is green and the clouds break up the heat. If you hate rain, go during the dry season.

Why do I say that? Because Abadiania is changing rapidly. Houses and shops are being built in areas that used to be open fields. Abadiania is still wonderful, but it is losing some of its charm. There are several reasons for the rapid growth and change in Abadiania.

· They have created an artificial lake beyond Abadiania. It is getting to be very popular, and people stop in Abadiania to eat, buy things etc

· People come to Abadiania from all over the world. The prices are going up because, especially to Europeans, everything is very, very inexpensive. Many people don’t think twice about paying prices that are high for rural Brazil. Since some foreigners stay for months in Abadiania, and since many of the people who come to see John of god have limited funds, this is becoming a problem.

· The local people are catching on and there are new shops, restaurants, posuados, houses and even a few condos going in. This is changing the character of the town and starting to eat away at the green open fields.

I don’t want to paint a bleak picture, some of the development is good, there are more services, and Abadiania is still charming. But it is changing rapidly, so don’t wait!

If you are a people (or dog) watcher, be sure to go the beach on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. Along all the beaches in Rio, there is a 4 lane road with an island in the middle. On Sundays, they close the 2 lanes from the island to the beach, and EVERYDODY walks up and down on the road by the beach. Yes you see many beautiful people, but everybody is there enjoying the beauty, and enjoying that they are physical beings in a body. It doesn’t matter what you look like, you strut. You see 85 year old women in tight pants, and low cut blouses. The thin, buffed, overweight, young, old, male, female, runners, people in wheel chairs, bike riders, skate boarders, and anyone else you can think of is out and enjoying the day and enjoying being alive. We take our beach chairs from the hotel, sit on the traffic island and enjoy the crowd. Vendors sell water, drinks of all kinds, and snacks. After a while we go to the beach, and then late afternoon go back and enjoy more of the people watching. Depending on the time of year, the street remains closed until 6 PM or 7 PM. Remember to use sunscreen!

This is my 7^th trip to Abadiania. I always spend a few days in Rio de Janeiro (or somewhere in Brazil) FIRST to have a bit of a vacation. While Rio de Janeiro has gotten considerably more expensive in the last 4 years (a combination of rising prices and a falling dollar), it is still less expensive than in the US and much less expensive than Western Europe or the UK. Go to the page for “Rio” for more information.

Ipanema and Leblon are two food areas to stay in Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana is fine, and that is where most tourists go. Ipanema and Leblon are nicer areas of Rio and more expensive, but with they are safer, have less prostitution, and have a more interesting group of tourists than Copacabana.

Rio de Janeiro has only a small number of historical and colonial buildings. You would go there more for the fun of experience Rio and its samba feel. There are beautiful sites such as going to the top of Sugar Loaf, or the top of Corcovado (where a huge statue of Jesus looks down on all rio). There are day trips to beautiful beaches and islands. You can take tours to the urban Atlantic rainforest around Corcovado; or tours to the favelas (the famous slums of Rio). People have a wonderful sensuality and comfort with their bodies. The beaches are good, and its just fun to walk around, eat, and experience the feel of Rio. With you want more of the historical aspects of Brazil, or secluded beaches, there are better places to go in Brazil. Yes Rio has crime (it’s avoidable if you follow the rules any guide book will tell you about), and traffic, and poverty. But for all its flaws, I just love being in Rio.

Absolutely! It is best to contact the wonderful folks at   http://www.heavenshelp.com/  for help and information.

To quote their website:

 Heaven’s Helpers gives disabled people a unique opportunity to experience the healing powers of John of God (at the Casa de Dom Inacio) by providing warm-hearted, competent, and affordable care in Abadiania, Brazil. Whether you are planning a trip here or have already arrived, our local caregivers can help make your stay comfortable and convenient.

I know these folks and they are great. They were founded by David Ames, an attorney from the US who suffers from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and uses a wheel chair himself. He has trained the helpers, and they are warm, caring, and very helpful. I’ve been very impressed!

There is a very special energy in Abadiania, and John of God works with very special energies. I completely recommend the experience; and personally I have benefited from using more than one approach.

There are a number of incredible healers in North America, Europe, and everywhere in the world. I work with a number of healers, and each one is has their special gifts and unique approaches. (I can recommend healers to you if you are interested).

Healers have different styles and energies that they work with. Personally, I think working with more than one is a very good idea.

If you plan to work with other healers, it would be good to see your healers before you come to see John of God. “Why?” you ask. For me to answer that fully will be a whole post in and of itself. The simplest answer is that John of God uses a very structured energetic framework (I don’t think that he would ever describe it that way, since he goes into a trance and doesn’t remember what has happened); but that is the way that I see the energy. So if you then go to another healer, that healer may inadvertently disrupt the treatment you are receiving from the medium Jao (John of God).

The event is sponsored and run by a wonderful Casa guide named Peter Waugh. Peter has given me very good advice and consul on several occasions. Peter is a wonderful man, and is very dedicated to making the healings available to more and more people.

For lots of information  (on the trip, and on John of God and the Casa de Dom Ignacio, go to

http://www.johnofgodnewzealandhealing.com/index.htm

There are translators who will help you if you speak don’t speak Portuguese-especially if you speak English (they are some translators who speak at least some German and French, but English is the most used language next to Portuguese). On Casa days (Wednesday-Friday) prior to the beginning of the morning and afternoon sessions, a line forms by the two counters opposite the coffee shop Write down your healing requests, and they will write it in Portuguese for you. When you actually go before the entity, a translator will take your paper and tell the entity your requests. He will tell them what you are to do and they will translate for you. It will all happen very fast!
Warning: sometimes he seems to have a dismissive look on his face, and often makes a hand gesture that seems dismissive. The first time I saw him do it I was confused, and felt a little rejected-but it isn’t personal, and everything is fine. It’s just a product of the particular energy he is working with at that moment.

John of God is usually, but NOT always there. While you would still get powerful healings at the Casa de Dom Inacio, even if he isn’t there, it wouldn’t be the same and it would be very disappointing if you had never been there before.

His schedule is available at http://www.friendsofthecasa.org/NewsAlert.htm. Please check this site before your plan your trip!