| Journey For Healing An interview with Barry Nelson on the healing of John of God in Brazil by Lygia Angel Millions of people have journeyed to the Casa de Dom Inacio de Loyola in Brazil for healing by powerful medium, Joao Teixara de Faria (known as "John of God"). This is one man's story of three such journeys to the Casa. As a child, Barry suffered a serious head injury that left him both paralyzed and blind. Today, Barry has regained his sight and mobility. He is a spiritual/intuitive healer who conducts energetic clearings for individuals throughout the world. Also an ordained minister, Barry assists with groups traveling to the Casa and has assisted with healings in the "current room" there. He is presently writing a book about his experiences. Why did you travel all the way to Brazil for healing? Barry Nelson: I heard of this incredible healer "John of God" (who is referred to as "the greatest healer since Christ") from some people who received healing at his center, the Casa de Dom Inacio. They told me that Abadiania, where the Casa is located, lies at a power point on a crystal bed that is thousands of miles long. This, they said, is one of the most special places on our planet for healing. Where is it in Brazil? Is this in a big city? Nelson: First, let me say that Abadiania is Portuguese for "abbey." It is located in the highlands of Central Brazil, in the state of Goias. It is a small spot in a large country. In fact, a few weeks ago, a friend of mine who knows I am going down there this summer called me to say she couldn't find it on a map of Brazil. If it is so small, how did you hear of it? Nelson: I was in need of healing, and my friends Alan Bolotin and Linaya Hahn of Buffalo Grove, Ill. (their group is "Travel for Enlightenment") introduced me to "John of God" and assisted me to get there. They told me that not only would my physical body heal, but also my whole life; and they described people who had experienced healing there as having a "light" and a sense of happiness about them afterward. This is not just some fantastic folklore in a make-believe land far away. I know that now. It is a real place, a beautiful, holy place. There is no advertisement for Abadiania, because "John of God," who has healed close to 20 million people, never charges a nickel for his healings. Tell us about "John of God" and his healings. Nelson: Joao is a man who, since the age of16, has accepted many specialized spirits into his body -- healing AIDS, MS, blindness, paraplegia, cancers, addictions, mental problems, countless diseases, birth defects and just weak bodies. The Casa is a "spiritual hospital" -- where visible and invisible surgery takes place through Joao -- "John of God." Could you tell us more about the Casa de Dom Inacio? For example, if I were to go there for healing, on my first visit, what would I experience? Nelson: A taxi can drive you straight from Brasilia Airport to Abadiania. You probably would check into a pousada, which is like an inn. All of them are comfortable and you have your private restroom and shower. Pousadas serve you great food three times a day. They are very close to the Casa, some even next door. Last summer, I stayed four weeks, and my pousada bill (total) was 800 reals. At that time, a Brazilian real was worth about 40 cents to our dollar; but recent visitors to the Casa tell me that it has gone up some. Many first-time visitors go with a group, so they need not concern themselves about anything, because their group facilitators charge a flat fee up front. Everyone dresses in white, out of respect for the spirituality of the Casa and Joao. On your first morning there, you go through the main gate, straight back to the bookstore, where you ask for a "first visit ticket." From the bookstore, you walk across the Casa grounds to the Assembly Room. There, you join with many other visitors to hear an "orientation" talk. This usually begins at 8 a.m. This is important, because you are told what rules to follow after surgery, about the crystal baths and the sacred waterfall, the free spiritual soup served daily, the blessed water, stories of healings, the do's and don'ts to follow so your healing is successful. You can view videos of past visible surgeries on a TV monitor in the Assembly Room also. What happens after the orientation? Nelson: After orientation you are asked to join one of four lines: first-time line, second-time line, surgery line, and revisit-review line. You walk through a "current room" where seated volunteers are in meditation. The next room is also full of seated people in meditation. (No one ever crosses arms or legs at the Casa, by the way.) In this room, you will have your consultation with "John of God." An interpreter stands near him, so that your request for healing is clearly understood. The lines move efficiently, and surprisingly fast. Some people have their healing or surgery as it is called (invisible or visible), right away. Others may be told to come back that afternoon; still others, the next day. Whichever happens to you, you are given specific instructions to follow after your healing. What are those instructions? Nelson: Even though you have had invisible or even visible surgery, you probably will not feel like you've been operated on. Some people have extra energy, while some feel very relaxed. No matter how you feel, the instructions are simple: get plenty of rest, stay out of sunlight the first day, and follow the prescribed diet -- eliminating stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are essential for optimum healing. Instructions regarding any specialized vibrational herbs prescribed for you are discussed when you pick up your prescriptions from the Casa dispensary. Many people are asked to return for a second session with "John of God" in the week following, for a review of the surgery. Internal stitches are removed by the spirits while you sleep in your pousada room. If you cannot stay for this additional week, stitches can be removed at a distance. These stitches have actually shown up on X-rays, by the way. This is real surgery. You say that stitches can be removed at a distance. Can healing also be performed at a distance? Nelson: Yes. When you go for your second visit with "John of God," you can request additional surgery for a family member or a friend in proxy through you. A basket is available for photos, names and requests for others to be healed, if you choose to submit these in lieu of proxy. In fact, I will be taking photos and requests for healing along with me on my next visit to the Casa. When do you plan to visit next? Nelson: I am leaving in early June. I plan to be there for nine weeks this summer to volunteer myself for work in the "current room." I also plan to take many new photographs during my visit, to capture some part of the untold spiritual beauty of Abadiania and, of course, the healing. My favorite photo, from the first of my three previous visits, shows a young woman walking down the red soil street, pushing the wheelchair she came in on just a few hours earlier. "Creation Is On-Going" is the title I gave that photo. I hope that the book I am working on will document, in words and pictures, the many miracles of healing at the Casa. There are very few books written on it so far, a few by medical doctors and holistic practitioners -- and none really tell the complete story about Joao and the Casa. For more information about Abadiania, the Casa and "John of God" (particularly from his perspective of providing true service to others), visit the website of the "Friends of the Casa" at www.friendsofthecasa.org Lygia Angel, M.S.O.M, Lac, has a Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She practices Chinese medicine in the Riverwest community in Milwaukee, Wisc. She is the process of opening a non-profit alternative healing center, "The Riverwest Complimentary Health and Community Consciousness Center." The center will provide alternative health care for people of all economic levels. Contact her at (414) 562-0874. Copyright © 2003 Lygia Angel |
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