Real Life Quests for Awakening, Transformation and Embodying Living Wisdom

TOUCHING THE ETERNAL

The Amazon is one of the largest and most bio-diverse areas on the planet. Untouched indigenous tribes occupy its interior, ancient cultures and unrelenting rivers stretch 4,000 miles from mountains to sea. The Brazilian rainforest is home to cultures of extraordinary depth and mysticism. Here, it is common knowledge to know which plant cures what ailment, how to live in harmony with nature and what it feels like to touch the eternal.

The Huni Kuin, the “True People” and Ninawa Pai da Mata (Father of the Forest), one of their spiritual leaders, live in the westernmost region of Amazonia. This ‘lost tribe’ was one of the last to make contact with the western world. And after decades of persecution and genocide suffered  during the rubber extraction era, the Huni Kuin have made a resurgence. Their culture, wisdom, healing practrices and holistic ways of life are again strong and vibrant.

This episode of REALITY CHECK takes our influencer deep into the heart of this ancient eco-spiritual tradition to explore life in harmony with mother nature and to experience the mystical healing tradition of the True People. The show takes viewers into the rarely seen realms of psychotropic medicine to experience what lies beyond the restrictions of the modern mind, to hear the beauty of medicine music as prayer and observe an ancient method for overcoming struggles and limitations of consciousness. This is a front row seat to sit around an ancient fire. An intimate view behind the veil and an opportunity to understand how to live free of mental and emotional burdens

LOCATION : Amazonian rainforest, Acre, Brazil.

STORY ARC : Our cameras reveal multi-faceted and often demanding life of our influencer. We travel into the depths of the Amazon jungle, a multiple day boat journey beyond the end of the road. One very much less travelled. We meet Ninawa and the people of his village. He is the high shaman, the medicine man—one extensively trained to guide the people spiritually and help them live a life with eyes and hearts wide open. A man of few words, his spirit speaks volumes.

ACT I : Our influencer begins a time of purification and healing called a dieta. It is specific time of focused intention, cleansing and concentrated ceremonies. Your world turns upside down with all-night ceremony driving the work and self-exploration dictating your days. It is a time of complete surrender and entering the deep unknown and ones sub-conscious in order to draw understanding from the murky depths.

We see our influencer undergoing preparations and working closely with Ninawa, exploring the forest and interacting with villagers, children and life far from the comforts of the western world. Music and song are a central part of Huni Kuin life. Our influencer engages the culture, people and landscape, dropping mental pretexts, opening to emotional vulnerability and the groundedness of Amazonia.

ACT II : We see and hear our influencer before the first ceremony, speaking to fears and aspirations, intentions and expectations; trying to find the balance of stepping out of known terrain and into the realm beyond the mind. Into a space of comprehension and mastery so few westerners can even comprehend. Ceremony starts and we watch the unfolding journeys of consciousness. Animated images and supernatural footage is used to convey the extraordinary experiences. Voice over is used to narrate the experience from our influencer’s first-hand perspective. Scenes shift from waves of ceremonial input to periods of rest and reflection, walks in nature. Conversations between our influencer and Ninawa as our influencer begins to understand the realities of their experience. Insight and wisdom teachings are offered. Realisation occurs. Intrigue if not horror at the depth of understanding, the entanglement of mind and western reality. How far we have veered from Nature. Rich, complex, inviting, other worldly and yet deeply grounded. These are the realms of the True People. The place we westerners have forgotten.

ACT III : We see the mental-emotional-spiritual transformation occurring. The rhythm of life and wellbeing apparent. We see the ease in the once foreign land and culture. The support and tapestry of tribal life. How it has taken root in our influencer. The joy of sharing music, the smiles and laughter that does not need translation.

Our influencer speaks of their journey and realisations, of their outlook and any concerns and/or inspirations they have for their life outside of the womb of the Forest. We hear Ninawa passing along life wisdom, singing medicine songs. Our influencer joining in day to day life, ceremonies and the freedom of autonomy. We hear them speak of what they wish to do with their life work, how the experience has affected their mind-body-spirit and what they intent to do with their artistry and reach. We feel and see a flower blossomed. We understand the power of engaging the shadow, how it transforms to becomes the source of growth itself. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, “No mud, No Lotus.”

EPILOGUE :  We see our influencer laying on the Earth. A Brazilian waiter brings a refreshment. There is moment of deep affection between the two. Eyes wide open. Camera reveals our influencer in the midst of the western world. Alive. Well. At One. Forever changed.