We walk towards the river again. I’m already becoming familiar with the jungle.
“See that plant up there?” she points to a vine growing in the treetop.
“That’s Ayahuasca, how it grows shows you what it knows” she explains.
“It grows high, so it makes you high?” I joke.
“No, it takes you to a higher state of awareness” she sighs.
“I think its hallucinogenic properties make you trip. It’s a drug” I affirm.
“So, you call its magic ‘hallucinogenic’ and that somehow makes it less magical?”
she laughs.
“Adam likes naming things” she mutters to herself.
I don’t know what to say to that.
“Was that in the water you gave me?” I ask concerned.
“Oh no, that was guarana, it stimulates the mind and increases energy levels
during dance. When we put energy into our bodies we direct it to fulfill a purpose
else it won’t know what to do inside of us and can cause us harm.”
“So, what do you do with the energy?” I ask.
“We channel guidance into creative release.”
“Which means?”
“We direct our energy inward to release any volatile emotions that are blocking
the free flow of energy from the Earth through us” she explains.
“Like clearing your channel from noise?” I rephrase.
“Yes, exactly, you catch on quickly!” she claps her hands.” “When we are working
within ourselves we need to face the energies that need to be released. When
you bring your feelings to light, by consciously feeling it, you can release it and
heal that part of your psyche.”
“So basically, you are breaking the negative feeling triggered by certain
memories?”
“Yes, and when you take Ayuascha it makes the energies visible, your feelings get
a face, but if you come from a world that believes that the universal energies are
in a cosmic battle of good against evil, you can imagine it’s not always a pretty
sight” she drops her head sadly.
“So, basically you face yourself?” I try to distract her.
“Exactly, some people have locked away tiny hurts that have grown into
monsters, that’s why Ayuascha must be taken consciously, so I would never give it
to you without your consent. It can be a very intense emotional experience and
when you can’t properly digest the new experience or resist healing, your body
will reject it and you will get sick instead. Some people use it during festivals for
path finding, but festivals are mainly for having fun and working together to draw
down cosmic energies.”
“So, the festival was a healing ceremony?”
“Depending on the intentions you set for the event, yes, it can be a time of
release and healing” she nods.
“Do you do drugs?”
“When our channels are clear we feel the cosmic energies very intensely, so it
gives you the same effect as some drugs.”
“That’s probably why people take drugs in the first place…to experience altered
states of awareness” I think aloud.
“People know that there is more to this world than meets the eye that’s why they
go in search of it or re-create it. But a clear channel with powerful intent can draw
down intense energies that you can’t compare to any drug. But you’ll understand
it better when you experience it yourself.”
We reach the river. It is flat and reflects the surrounding trees like a mirror. She
draws two luminescent rafts. A red one that reflects white light with flames that
reflect off the water surface, and another that looks like a black moon that
illuminates when the other raft is near.
“Wow, how did you just do that?” I ask amazed.
“If you need something you get it by focusing your mind on what you want. The
veil between worlds is thinner here because we live in flow with Her and can
manifest things much quicker and with less effort.”
“So, it’s like magic?”
“Life is magic” she smiles and gets into the moon.
“How do we steer these?” I ask nervously.
“Uh, lean forward to stop, lean back to accelerate, and lean into the direction you
want to turn” she practices as she explains. I think she is making it up as she goes.
I can’t help but laugh.
“Okay, so what do we do when we hit rapids?” I ask in between the laughter.
She thinks for a second “Ah, you counterbalance like you would with a paddle.
The raft is designed to stay upright” she laughs at herself too.
“Okay, let’s give this a go” I say and lean back. Nothing happens.
“You need to introduce yourself first!” she says seriously.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” I laugh in disbelief.
“Hi Moon, I’m Amphi” she says and looks at me expectantly.
“Hi Sun, it’s Jet” I lean back, and the raft moves forward. She is still laughing. I
think she’s fucking with me, but she’s fun, I like her. The river is flat and the
reflection of the jungle on the water surface looks like we’re cruising over an
underwater jungle. The birds are singing, and the monkeys discuss our
shenanigans from across the river.
“How did the manifesting ability appear?” I ask intrigued.
“Ah magic! Magic is connected to the Her. When you are in flow with nature you
won’t harm yourself and others with your creations, so you’ll manifest things with
ease. And when enough people experience the magic, it will become true for
everyone” she says with a big smile.
“Ah, that’s why you capture all the soldiers?” I get it now.
“Yes, when enough people shift their consciousness there will be a global shift.
Soon everyone will live out their dreams and live as long as they wish!” she says
excitedly.
“Wow wait, so you decide when you die?” I ask amazed.
“Yes, we don’t need to endure disease and suffering. That would truly be a
terrifying experience” she gets shivers and shakes her shoulders.
“How is that even possible?” I ask jaw dropped shocked.
I can hear the water rush up ahead. The rapids are coming.
“Like I said, aging occurs when the personality is stagnant and repeats old
thoughts and resists change, so the personality or particular life experience has
become outdated” she says loudly as she prepares for the rapids.
“So, if you keep changing you won’t die?” I yell over the rushing rapids.
She leans back and accelerates ahead of me “We are here to expand our
consciousness” she yells as she counterbalances left and right “by creating and
experiencing our own creations” she laughs as the water splashes all over her. I
follow her path through the rapids. I get what they mean with ‘just go with the
flow.’ I counterbalance to keep my balance and slow down next to her soaking
wet “and in doing so we experience new parts of ourselves” she smiles. That was
awesome, she is awesome. She leans back and accelerates rapidly “Come on Jet!”
she laughs.
I lean back to get these flames a blazing. We race for a long flat expanse as I try to
catch up. She slows down and I pass her, arms in the air, victory! She yells
something, but I can’t hear her. It’s only when I see the waterfall up ahead that I
slow down to turn around, but it’s too late. The ledge comes closer. I hold my
breath as I fall over. Slow motion, heart in throat, then soaked. I gasp for air just
as Amphi pulls me out of the water.
“Looks like Isis saved Osiris’s ass yet again” she laughs relieved.
We sit next to the water for a while and she gathers some fruits.
I feel alive for the first time. This place is paradise.
Amphi sits next to me and passes me some bananas and we share a papaya.
I peal a banana, break it in half and share it with her. “It tastes so good” I say with
a full mouth.
“Gratitude taste good” she laughs.
Now I get what the lady that plaited my hair meant when she said gratitude. She
was explaining why the fruits tasted so good, not reminding me of my manners. I
smile.
“Together we are the plants and the animals and the people, but you are
experiencing it through your personality which has a unique way of interpreting
the world, so you can create a unique reality for yourself. We are all one so when
you expand your awareness, you expand the awareness of the Whole. Those who
limit themselves are those who stay stuck where they dropped their anchor” she
gets up and reaches out her hand “while the rest of us sail to new shores and into
new realities” I take her hand and she pulls me to my feet.
We go to the cliff next to the waterfall. “Now we need to get back up there” she
points to the top of the waterfall. “Any ideas?” she asks.
“You are the creator, don’t ask me” I step back.
“Your mind is still wired for slavery” she shakes her head in disappointment.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I ask irritably.
“You have been told what to do with your energy since you were born and you’re
good at following orders, but not so good at creating your own reality…yet. You
lack self-belief and doubt the wonder of creation which delays your manifesting
abilities. Taking up a new skill, whether mental or physical, requires practice and
patience but it will be your greatest teacher. When you love what you do it ignites
your fire and helps you hold onto your vision even though you are the only one
that sees it. If you jam on long enough it will manifest, but to become a pro you’ll
need to suck at it first. You need to allow yourself to fail so you can figure out
what works for you. Try different things and if nothing lights your fire, create
something new, I’m pretty sure it will work for a few other people too” she winks.
“Yeah, I’m not a fan of failing” I confess.
“If you don’t quit, you won’t fail. There is precious gift that grows within you as
you watch yourself grow into the person that can do it” she puts her hand on my
shoulder and looks up to the giant obstacle in front of us.
“And what’s that?” I look up too.
“Fiery self-belief…” she squeezes my shoulder sympathetically like she genuinely
wants me to believe in myself.
“Now let’s practicing your creating abilities” she takes my hand and pulls me
toward the cliff.
“Uh, it’s a steep climb” I say slightly intimidated.
“Okay, let’s climb it!” she says excitedly. She’s fucking crazy, ugh, I like her.
“Can’t you draw a balloon or something?” I ask but she is already climbing.
“It was your turn, and this is what you came up with” she pulls herself onto a
rocky outcrop.
“Ah fuck” I sigh and start climbing.
“So, let me get this straight. We are placing ourselves in infinite amounts of
situations to expand our consciousness” I ask while trying to keep up with her.
“Jip” she looks down and nods.
“But to what end?”
“To infinity and beyond” she says in a deep voice.
Did she just pull a Buzz Lightyear on me?
I focus on the climb and before I know it she pulls me up and I catch my breath. I
look down and I can’t believe I just fell down and now I’m back up again.
“Turn obstacles into opportunities for growth and the sun will always rise again”
she smiles.
“Okay, let me show you some of our fire balancing activities. It is part of the
Vanavasi way to respect and cherish our bodies as it is our connection to Her and
how we experience this magical realm through our senses. Therefore, we
condition our muscles and channel our strength into objects and crafts that
become an extension of us.”
“So, you work out?” I ask excited.
“Yes, that is one of the ways” she nods. Finally, something I can relate to!
“Exercise and dance helps release excess fire and calms the mind and the blood.
Fire flows through our veins and we choose how we use it. Just like anything in
excess, too much fire can destroy or lead to self-destructive behavior if it isn’t
channeled into something life enhancing.”
“Like the sun?” I ask after all this talk about rising sun’s and riding in a sun raft.
“Yes, like the masculine” she agrees. Whatever she meant by that.
“Being in the body keeps you level headed” she taps my head “and your temper
in check” she winks and continues walking.
“The environment created in Her Body allows for balance and stability because
like I said, excess red energy can lead to restlessness, sensuality and aggression if
it isn’t channeled in a constructive way.”
“Sensuality...” I mutter to myself.
“Excuse me?” she gives me attitude.
“You are excused” I laugh.
“We believe in the goodness within humankind and that a balanced individual in
the appropriate environment will be guided by their soul to reach their highest
expression without the implementation of rules. Every morning we are born a
new. Every month we release what no longer benefits our growth to experience a
new state of being” she explains, and I follow her through the jungle.
“Balance is maintained between creating and sustaining, but everybody is free to
feel, express and do whatever they feel like doing” she continues.
“What do you get out of all this doing?”
“You get freedom of self-expression. A feeling of worth will no longer be found in
ownership, but in creating and experiencing the new. As your survival instincts
return you will know how to take care of yourself and grow deep roots. Your fear
about survival will vanish and you will feel safe and empowered with less. Our
roots are embedded into the Earth which connects us to the eternal flame and
sustains us constantly. It is the source of our soul fire and our sense of self” she
jumps up and grabs a giant root bed protruding from the Earth and swings to and
fro.
I pass underneath her and turn and look up. “How do I “grow deep roots?” I ask
and play with her toes.
“You need to find your spiritual purpose. If you know who you are and which way
your heart wants to grow, your mind will know which way to go. When your mind
is given a clear objective, it is the most efficient servant in the universe. It will
shuffle through billions of bits of information and pick up on the things that will
bring you closer to your goals by drawing your attention to what you need or
attracting you to certain situations.”
“So, re-rooting pulled up all the old neural roots?”
“Yes, the roots held together the fabric of your old beliefs that made up your
personality just like these roots hold together the soil. During re-root you
released all your limiting belief and fears and we are currently planting new seeds
for your future growth. Obviously, there is nothing solid to hold on to at the
moment, so it is normal to feel a bit spacey” she jumps down. “But once your
spirit animal finds you, it will create a direct link to Her and it will guide you to
your highest good” she slaps my ass and continues walking.
“Fuck, that’s awesome” I have to give it to her.
“So, if we don’t have to do anything and don’t need anything, what’s the purpose
of life?”
“You are trying to divert back to your old way of thinking” she laughs. “I’ve told
you already! You can experience creation in all its different forms and create your
own reality to discover new undiscovered parts of ourselves! Just imagine rocking
up in this forest and being the first being on Earth. What would your first thought
be?”
“Uh? Holy shit” I laugh.
“Something like that” she laughs and turns and looks at me compassionately “I
have come into being.”
Fuck. I am quiet for a long time and she leaves me to contemplate.
“Doesn’t it get boring?” I ask honestly.
“It will to those who never have enough, who doubt the beauty of the present
and forget the suffering involved in creating need and disease. But there is no
right or wrong. Ultimately you can choose your beliefs and it is reflected back to
you into your reality” she says nonchalantly.
“Tension between the opposites creates friction that ignites the eternal fire” she
mumbles to herself again.
“So, you believe that everything is consciousness and that the Earth is a physical
manifestation of everything that happens in the dark mind?”
“Yes, and we create our realities in the dark from where we came, and it is
reflected back to us when we open our eyes. It comes to light.”
“And when you experience your own creation you expand the collective
consciousness?” I add.
“Jip” she nods.
“So, at what point do we meet our maker?”
She tilts her head slightly and gives me that compassionate look again.
“When you are enough…”