Back from Heaven...

I just got back from Abadiania where the Casa Dom Inácio De Loyola is located and I have to say that I feel as though I have been to Heaven. The hour and a half cab ride from Brasilia Airport gives only a preview of the beauty of Abadiania. The clouds dip below the horizon giving one the impression that one is floating in the sky. There are pretty white Brahman Cows dotting the lovely green hills and people and towns are few and far between. The Taxi whizzes by the breathtaking countryside at a speed that is slightly less than comfortable but ya gotta just go with the Brazilian flow! As the towns do pass you catch glimpses of cool rustic wooden furniture and shiny copper pots laid out by the road in an attempt to draw in passers by. The copper pots come in many sizes from very small to massive, so big that it would take three men just to pick one up... empty!

I had an amazing and magical trip to Heaven and I will return as soon as I possibly can. If you are wondering why I went to this distant small town simply read the post before this one and all will be revealed. Okay well, some will be revealed anyway! And as for the details of my trip, well... That's a long involved story of spiritual healing a wee bit too private for this blog. Sorry gang! I will tell you that Abadiania is a magical place and if you choose to make the journey, prepare to leave a changed person.

I'm Going to Abadiania with a Journal on My Knee!

Photo from Rupert Drew

(Guided Tours to the Casa de Dom Inacio)

For seven years I've wanted to go to see John of God in Abadiania, Brazil and by this time next week I'll be there! John of God is an amazing healer... or rather a channel for healing entities. The entities have been healing people through John of God for many, many years now. I have known many people that he, or rather the entities, healed of numerous physical and emotional health issues. If you want to know more about him there is a wealth of information on the internet. The 'official' site is www.johnofgod.com. (If you already know who he is and are wanting to go, there is a fantastic website with all of the information that you'll need called Friends of the Casa. Whether you want to go with a guided group or on your own private adventure Friends of the Casa will get you there.)

I will be there for my 40th birthday which I find to be wonderfully auspicious! Sooooo have a fantastic couple of weeks while I am gone. I've decided to go old school... I'm leaving my Macbook at home and bring my travel journal instead!
Big Love to All Y'all!

I've Been Drinking from the Cup of Hafiz!

The Ceiling at the tomb of Hafiz
Photo from Roozbeh Taassob @ Wikimedia Commons

There is no sweeter nectar for the heart and soul than the poetry of the great Sufi master Hafiz. I have taken to opening up my copy of "The Gift" in the morning to begin my day with some pure unadulterated joy. I have fallen, and fallen hard, for Daniel Ladinsky's translations of my beloved Hafiz. Pick up a copy, you will most certainly will not regret it. Here is my favorite poem of all time:

If The Falling of a Hoof

If the falling of a hoof
Ever rings the temple bells,


If a lonely man's final scream
before he hangs himself


And the nightingale's perfect lyric
Of happiness
All become an equal cause to dance,

The Sun has at last parted
It's curtain before you-

God has stopped playing child's games
With your mind
And dragged you backstage
By the hair,

Shown to you the only possible
Reason

For this bizarre and spectacular
Existence.

Go running through the streets
Creating divine chaos,

Make everyone and yourself ecstatically mad
For the Friend's beautiful open arms.

Go running through this world
Giving love, giving love,

If the falling of a hoof upon this earth
Ever rings the
Temple
Bell.

Oh My God! I love that poem soooooooooo much. I feel such unimaginable bliss and awe every single time I read it. I can almost see Hafiz sitting on the steps of a temple, giggling away as a passing camel's footfall rings the temple bells... Oh what a beautiful and wondrous world it is that we live in!