Circle of Love in Centro Paulus

It took all day for us to do the few chores in preparation for our drive to Centro Paulus, the retreat center hosting our Dances of Universal Peace Training. Patricia had to borrow her brother’s van to manage all of us, our luggage, the instruments and the odds and ends we would need for the week.

By the time we left it was late afternoon and the traffic was horrific. Sao Paulo, with seventeen million people, is the second largest city in the world and it seemed that Friday afternoon that all of them were trying to get to the outskirts of the city. Darkness was well settled in as we entered the forested area that surrounds the retreat center. The warmth of the welcome was magnificent. Tulio, the manager of the center, had a lovely dinner on the table, our rooms were spacious and comfortable, everything was clean and beautifully arranged. Devi had already arrived from Portland. She came to help Anahata give the training in accordance with the guidelines of the Mentor Teachers Guild.

That evening Tulio’s 18 year old son was holding a rock and roll concert in the dining room to try and raise money for the local favela (slum). The party started at 10 PM. The band sat down for a little pre party dinner as we headed off to bed. Fortunately our rooms were far away, the be-bopping went on until 5:30 AM.

Saturday morning the dancers began arriving from all over Brazil. It was so moving to greet each beloved. The organization for this training took a great amount of faith on all sides. The obstacles often seemed insurmountable. And yet, there we were, bathed in the beauty of this little tropical paradise and the love and commitment to bring spiritual nourishment to the world through dance and song. Everywhere we looked there were inviting spaces to sit and share. Tasteful folk art adorned each wall and convenient corner, a perfect frame for conversation or quiet introspection.

Centro Paulus is an Anthroposophic Retreat Center. We were fed biodynamic food, most of the vegetables fresh from the gardens. The bread was baked each day in a stone oven just up the hill from the hall where we danced. Tulio is a very unusual man. He came to the retreat center nine years ago and decided that instead of a manager who hired staff that he would invite the workers to own the “company“ with him. It made for a wonderful atmosphere. The cooks, the cleaning folk, gardeners, etc. everyone was responsible for the comfort of the guests and they really made an effort to fulfill all needs. Tulio was in the dining room for every meal, serving and cleaning up after.

The large meeting room was at the far end of the property. The smooth wooden floor had recently been replaced and polished, the acoustics were some of the best we have ever encountered. We set up our central altar using one of Lilliha’s patchwork altar cloths, gifts that she had made for the main organizers of our Brazilian events. Janete from Porto Alegre gave Anahata a “paper doll” felt cutout circle of dancers to place on top of it. Patricia put a large square red candle in the center representing a strong foundation, magnetic and powerful.

Jorge, Marge’s beautiful partner, was our translator. His training is in Zen and Aikido, the perfect blend of patience and flexibility. I kept the heartbeat of the drum rolling and led a few of my specialty dances. This year’s training focused on the Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Anahata and Devi are masters of this kind of training. Weaving the walks of Murshid Samuel Lewis with dances from the Foundation Manual each student was encouraged to develop the qualities of leadership and musicianship. Anahata had spent the year fundraising to acquire the right kind of instruments, guitars and drums, a harmonium and a viola, a 10 stringed guitar like instrument that Anahata was developing for use in the dances.

Most of the retreatants were already accomplished leaders of sacred circle dances of different traditions. Some of them had been working for ten years with the Dances of Universal Peace. In order to do this training they had to commit to attending a one week retreat each year for five years. If they followed the curriculum and assignments they would be eligible for certification.

A special treat for this first year retreat was the attendance of Margie and Joan from Brisbane, Australia. Mentees of Anahata for some years, they had completed their assignments and both presented the requisite “graduation” session. It was with great joy that first Joan and then Margie led exemplary sessions, receiving their certification status and providing the perfect model for the Brazilians.

Tom, Devi’s husband, attended as a dancer, an option given for anyone who was not interested in certification but wanted to attend the retreat and dance with the group. He is a painter and was often seen with his painting kit nestled in one of the lovely nooks about the grounds creating works of beauty.

Most of the dancers had managed the retreat fees and travel with the help of the Oneness foundation. The instruments came from a DUP Bursary grant and donations from members of Tara Dhatu. Tom helped create thank you cards signed and sealed with the eternal gratitude of the dancers.

The dining hall was in the center of the compound and several times a day we strolled past bushes of flowers and one Arara, a large blue parrot from the Amazon. He had been adopted from a woman who had kept him in a small cage for years. Tulio gave him his freedom but he was very unsure of himself. Climbing, hopping and even trying his wings he did manage to perch on the highest branch of the highest tree but he had to be helped down with a big pole. Arara loved the ladies and would often dance in front of us, knocking on our doors to be let in. Once he hid under Devi’s bed mystifying her with his muffled squawks. He was a bit of a hazard when he got excited with his big black beak snapping at our toes.

Five times a day, Tulio and staff provided the most amazing nourishment. Crisp salads, lovingly spiced soups, home made bread. The meals were simple and ravishing.

The week flew by. Although we had heavy rains throughout the week the sky cleared for our last few days. Patricia reported that there had not been one single organizational complaint. A long time organizer of events she was grateful and astonished.

The last evening of our stay Tulio invited us to eat dinner in the lovely home that he had designed and built for himself and his son. We presented him with a large roll of prayer flags and we gave Devi one of Lilliha’s altar cloths.

Tulio joined us in the meeting room for an evening of Brazilian Folk dances. Maria opened with a “Tore” a tribal purification dance. William led us in the Coco and the Ciranda, traditional, rhythmic circle dances. Laerte introduced us to a little Portuguese ditty about following the sea captain, finding the queen in her castle and a flowering branch that gave us hope to carry on. Maria and Janete introduced a dance based on a folk song offering to the Orisha, Oshun, Goddess of the Sweet Waters.

And then, the retreat was over, the circle dispersing, friends giving long goodbye hugs and kisses. Happy with the glow of accomplishment, held in the arms of commitment, we all felt we could part, assured that we would be meeting again next year.

The dates are set, same time of year, same Brazilian holiday. The place…..we can’t imagine anything more perfect than Centro Paulus. There will be room for a few friends to join the retreat as dancers.

Consider yourself invited.

From the land that dances and sings in the spirit of love, harmony and beauty, we send you much love,

Prema and Anahata

To view photos that illustrate this article go to:
http://homepage.mac.com/prematara/Brazil*2004/PhotoAlbum20.html
http://homepage.mac.com/prematara/Brazil*2004/PhotoAlbum21.html