Healing Journeys with Suzie Daggett
Suzie interviewed Haines Ely, MD and Catalina O’Brien Ely, who have been active in leading trips to see Brazilian healer, João de Deus (John of God). João is considered by many to be the most powerful healer alive today. He serves as a channel for spirit entities -deceased doctors, surgeons, or saints, who have performed healings through him for an estimated 15 million people during the past 40 years. Haines, a local Dermatologist and Catalina, an intuitive astrologer and trip leader, have taken many people to Brazil to be with João at the Casa de Dom Inacio. They are considered to be healing mediums of the Casa where João lives and works.
How did you get interested in going to Brazil to be with João?
Haines: Five years ago, a local friend took us the first time. We did not have urgent need of physical healing but went mainly for spiritual interest and medical curiosity. While there, João cured the ruptured disk in my neck. We became friends with him and he asked us to bring groups.
Catalina: Years ago, my mother gave me a book called The Surgeon of the Rusty Knife by John Fuller, a biography of a simple Brazilian man named Z. Arigo who incorporated the spirit of a deceased doctor named Dr. Fritz. When Dr. Fritz worked through Z. Arigo many miraculous cures occurred. When we visited João de Deus, he was doing the same work. I had a life transforming spiritual opening there which inspired me to want to return.
Catalina, as an intuitive, can you explain the work you see João do?
I sense that João has been graced with spiritual powers which work through him to help others. He has the ability to awaken one's kundalini, which in turn helps to restore, balance and heal the body as well as quicken one's spiritual development. (Kundalini is the spiritual energy that in most people lies dormant at the base of the spine). Some of the over 30 spirits that work with him receive healing energy from God/Christ who in turn channel it through João 's body. João always states that God is doing the healing, not him. Sometimes the healing energy that flows through João is not a specific personality but the "spirit of love".
Haines as a physician, can you explain what João does and how it is possible?
There are three types of healing at the Casa. The first, “invisible surgery” is what most people receive. João directs them to sit in a room where the spiritual entities do the healing. The second, “visible surgery” is where João actually cuts out things like cysts or small tumors. He does surgeries similar to regular medical procedures and also what I call “symbolic surgery”. This is where he makes an incision and closes it with sutures. I think the visible surgeries are designed to show the power of Spirit to onlookers. The subjects of these surgeries feel little or no pain, bleed very little, and heal rapidly without infection. The third type of healing occurs in the “current room” where people sit and meditate in João’s presence. Some of the most amazing cures happen here and are the result of inner work done by the patient with the help of the local energies. Bottom line: I can not explain what he does, but anything is possible with strong belief. I think he engenders this belief by his demonstrations, and by the testimonials of those who have received cures.
Catalina, you take people to João for healings – does everyone get healed?
Not everyone gets healed, at least not in the way they expected. Everyone does receive a blessing, which for some can be subtle and others dramatic and life changing. This blessing can bring about incredible healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. About 90% of the people we take want to return because they have felt some shift within. Most of the people we take go for "spiritual tune-ups", though there are some that want physical or emotional healing. I know of several people who have had experiences there with deceased loved ones where unfinished business was resolved and peace and love were restored. Just to sit in the "current room" is a great blessing, and many healings and spiritual experiences happen there.
What do you both get out of this journey?
Haines: We leave our hearts in Brazil, where we experience people who are so intensely alive …even if they are seeking healing. Catalina: I have lived in Nevada County for over 30 years and it is such a wonderful place to live and return to after all of my travels. I am most grateful for the peace and natural beauty here in Nevada County as it is an easier transition when returning from Brazil. It is wonderful to be a guide for others on such a sacred journey.
Haines Ely, MD and Catalina O’Brien Ely can be reached at 530-272-8122 or www.Touch-Star.com
Healing Journeys is a column written by Suzie Daggett for the Grass Valley Union newspaper. Suzie interviews a variety of health practitioners most Fridays in the Wellness section. Click here to read past articles prior to 2005. Enter "Suzie Daggett" in the search box to get listing of all articles. |
