Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds all of you well! A few years ago I wrote a series of letters from a trip to India that you can presently find on my website blog at JohnOrrMeditation.com. Presently I am writing from Brazil where I have been visiting the Casa de Dom Inacio (The House of Saint Ignatius of Loyola) for the past month. Saint Ignatius, along with six companions, founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). I first went to “the casa” as we refer to it, in 2006. I had been suffering from ulcerative colitis for a couple of years and the medications they gave me in the USA weren’t helping with either relieving the symptoms or moving it into remission. My dear friend and colleague, Barbara Brodsky, had gone to the casa a couple of times and I could see how the wonderful healing spiritual work here helped her in various regards. I figured what do I have to lose! Within a month of my first visit all the symptoms disappeared and the illness has gone into remission for these many years later. Since then I had come here annually for 12 years through 2018. During this time I have received healing for prostate issues and chronic kidney disease that has prevented me from having to go on dialysis. In addition, I have fostered an-ever deepening connection with my spirit guides that have provided meaningful guidance and support. For all of this I am deeply grateful.

As some of you who I have been in regular contact with may know, I have been suffering from migraine headaches for some time now. In the last couple years especially, it has gotten to the point where they happen every three weeks and last for a week at a time. Anyone who experiences migraines knows how painful and debilitating they can be. Many women, I’m sure, can relate to this. The fact that they happen with such regularity has affected my dharma teaching as it has become difficult to schedule classes, workshops and retreats not knowing how I will be feeling. Unfortunately the allopathic medical treatments I’ve been receiving haven’t been effective with the symptoms or regularity of occurrence. In addition, I have tried various alternative modalities and they too haven’t been effective. So again, healthwise, I’m back to where I was in 2006 when I first went to the casa. Can the loving spiritual energy of the casa help heal these migraines that have been so painful and disruptive for many years now?

This inquiry reminds me of the Buddha’s words when he told the people of his time “Ehipassiko” which means, “come and see”. “Come and see if this precious dharma can help you find freedom from suffering.” As a young person in 1973, I trusted those words and was ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk in Thailand. Indeed the dharma has helped me enormously in finding freedom from suffering. Not complete peace and freedom, but a whole lot more than if I had never met the dharma and practiced. As I write these words, I feel such love and gratitude welling up inside me in appreciation for all the spiritual guidance and support that has been offered to me over this lifetime. Guidance from Gautama Buddha and the lineage of masters I practiced with in Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. The loving and wise teachings that my primary teacher, Aaron, has given to myself and so many others. As well as the Casa Entities in Brazil that offer healing on many levels of our being. A deep bow to all of you.

Even though I have now returned to the United States, this will be the first of several letters related to my trip to Brazil that I will send out to my mailing list and include on my website blog. Stay tuned if you would like to read more about my journey.

With love,
John