Self-healing at the Casa

When I reflect back on my time in Abadiania, I find that I did not undergo any sort of spiritual encounter to the extent that many of my interlocutors claimed to have experienced. Despite playing the role of a participant-observer, it was difficult for me to engage in the Casa activities with a fully open mind, being the skeptic that I am. Over the course of the week, however, I did begin to see the potential for healing that is created by the tranquil and nurturing environment of the Casa. While I did not undergo a transformative encounter, per say, I did experience many episodes of “self-healing”.

Author, Adwight, center with tabla

Author, Adwight, center with tabla

The most memorable moment was the night of kirtan. When we were informed that a local woman was hosting a kirtan (a gathering for Hindu devotional music) at her home one evening, I became very curious to know what exactly would be happening. Given my own upbringing in the Hindu tradition as well as Indian classical music, I was accustomed to participating in kirtans at my local temple and home while growing up. It was thus both surprising and fascinating that I would have the chance to attend a kirtan in a place that was so far from home. What surprised me even more when I arrived at the lady’s home was the fact that her setup closely resembled the setting I was accustomed to seeing at kirtans at home: Indian musical instruments, incense sticks, idols of deities, and chanting books for everyone to follow along. When I saw an Indian drum sitting in the corner, I became even more excited because I had been longing to play it since I arrived in Brazil. Having been playing the drums (particularly the tabla) since a young age both at home and in India, I could not have imagined ever having the opportunity to play for my class in Abadiania, let alone in South America. I seized that opportunity without hesitation and it surely paid off: for the first time that week, I was finally able to fully engage in a meditative experience.  It was so different from the current room of the Casa, where I was forced to sit (rather uncomfortably) for hours with my eyes closed. The self-healing that came from the drumming and chanting was not the result of suspending my senses or stilling my emotions—in fact, it was quite the opposite. It came from being able to do the things I love in a place so far from home. This, I believe, is what allows many of the people (including myself) to experience healing at the Casa.

By Adwight Risbud

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