Preface

The forests, sacred ether of the great spirits, call to us with whispers that echo deep within the chambers of our souls: to love unconditionally—each other, the Earth, and all the boundless beauty the Creator has bestowed upon us. These forests, our origins and the cradle of life itself, are far more than resources to be consumed or exploited; they are divine gifts, and sanctuaries meant to nurture and nourish our great spirits and guide us back to our essence into a divine light of consciousness. Yet, so many wander through life asleep, blind to the profound wisdom etched into the fabric of the natural world. Truly heart-wrenching.

Here, in the continent—a land of immense wealth and vast potential—the pursuit of materialism reigns supreme. Isn’t it?  A gilded idol, “the American Dream,” lures the ‘sleepwalkers,’ promising happiness and fulfillment yet delivering, more often than not, an endless cycle of suffering, emptiness, and profound spiritual disconnection. This illusion—what we may call Maya, the veil of material perception—shrouds the soul, severing humanity from its true essence and potential. But this dissonance need not persist.

Amid the dense fog of disillusionment, a quiet yet momentous revolution stirs. Through the millennia, waves of awakening have rippled across the human story, and now, in this age, those currents grow stronger and more urgent. Many people have awakened. The illusion begins to crack, and many are awakening to see it for what it is—a hollow distraction from the infinite truth that dwells within and all around us. Away from ego and the mind’s distorted patterns, the pursuit of true happiness leads one to become a devoted student of the human experience. So become the master of your experience and use your godly nature to do good, think good, and act good.

We are being called, not to amass wealth or power, but to enrich our spirits with wisdom and our minds with knowledge, transcending the limitations of the physical world. We are summoned to step into harmony with the natural world, raise our collective consciousness, and walk the spiritual path toward liberation. The time is now—to study and to listen, to awaken, and to return to the sacred truths we have always known but often forgotten. Let our childlike purity radiate with divine energy as we embrace the wisdom and tools of Indigenous peoples to heal, transcend limitations, and master both the human and spiritual experience.

Introduction: Mission of Shaman Hape 

Modern civilization finds itself in desperate need of spiritual practices that uplift and transform the spirit within the body. As for the transformation to take root in our lives, we must walk the path holistically, embody the sacred virtues, heal, and strive for impeccability in thought, word, and deed. It is through surrendering to the infinite mystery, peeling back the layers of illusion and impurity, that we allow healing to flow freely. This process strengthens the sacred bond between ourselves and the Creator, restoring harmony. As we align with this higher calling, we transform into vessels of light, instruments of love, and guardians of truth—dedicated not only to our own liberation but to the awakening of all creation. Inspired by this sacred purpose, Shaman Hape was founded to illuminate the spiritual path and offer profound guidance to those who seek deeper understanding.

Sacred Medicine: Awakening and Healing

Blending ancient spiritual wisdom with holistic practices and limited scientific knowledge, Shaman Hapé utilizes ritualistic tools and plant medicine to aid in awakening and healing. From Hapé and Sananga to ayahuasca, mushrooms, and other sacred ‘teachers’ of the Earth, we honor these medicines as pathways to deeper understanding. Combined with the great practices of meditation and holistic health, we strive to help seekers reconnect with the divine, heal from within, and embrace the boundless mysteries of existence.

Bridging Modern Civilization and Ancient Wisdom

Here at Shaman Hape, we serve as a bridge between the modern world and the ancient wisdom of the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon. Our mission is to awaken consciousness about our true existence and to nurture the creation of a harmonious ecosystem where all beings—human and non-human—can live in peace, joy, and freedom. We seek to restore the balance between humanity and nature, remembering that our collective well-being is intricately woven into the sacred fabric of the Earth. Through this journey, we honor the sacred teachings of our ancestors and the profound connection to the natural world that sustains us all. Thus, our goal is to provide the highest quality goods from the indigenous people but also to bring them spiritual wisdom and knowledge.

Journey to the Heart of the Huni Kuin People

In December 2023, the Shaman Hapé team embarked on a journey from JFK to Rio Branco, a small city in the Acre region of Brazil, with the mission of bridging traditional plant medicine with modern civilization. Although our expedition was brief—lasting just 14 days—we quickly immersed ourselves in the city’s rich spiritual landscape. The trip was nothing short of groundbreaking, healing, and transformative, not only on a personal level but also in our mission to support and heal others who seek spiritual growth, happiness, and a joyful life.

We faced many personal, financial, and physical challenges, especially since our knowledge of this unfamiliar territory was limited. However, with the guidance of the Creator, we overcame these obstacles and solidified our mission to help ourselves and others on this profound journey. What we experienced exceeded our expectations in every way.

Purposeful Journey: Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Modern Awareness

Our purpose in visiting the indigenous peoples of Brazil was to help facilitate a shift—bringing the wisdom of their medicine men and women into modern awareness. We arrived without expectations of being welcomed or forming business relationships, fully aware that entering their protected lands required pure intentions, humility, and deliberate action. These sacred territories are safeguarded by laws and traditions, and stepping into them felt like entering an entirely different world—one rich with spirituality, culture, heritage, and deep-rooted politics.

There happen to be already many online stores that offer Hapé, sananga, ceremonial cacaos, tinctures, and other spiritual tools. Some of these companies are very well-known and established now. However, the products they sell either aren’t ethically sourced or are the imitation of the listed examples of products. For instance, the traditional Hapé has a mix of herbs, ashes, and mapacho. Many online stores offer hapHapée products that involve smoking tobacco, which indicates inauthenticity. Moreover, Sananga products are diluted in water or are expired. Ceremonial cacao powders are very beneficial but these companies don’t emphasize cleanliness as Cacao powders are known for heavy metal exposure. While a few companies do sell products from the tribes that are not laboratory-made, often the energy is compromised since the power of the medicine not only comes from the herbs but also the enchanted energy. Therefore, our goal was to establish an online store that focuses on energy, authenticity, and contribution to Indigenous people.

The Sacred Journey: Connecting with the Huni Kuin Tribe

In Rio Branco, we met Teresa, an English-speaking spiritualist who had been hosting private retreats in collaboration with the indigenous Yawanawa, Huni Kuin, and Shanenawa peoples for over ten years. With her guidance, we were able to establish communication with the villages and extend our invitation. However, we chose not to reveal our business intentions to most of the communities, understanding that Indigenous people are often wary of outside influences.

Their tradition is to first get to know someone on a deeper, more personal level, which often involves participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies—an important opportunity for spiritual connection and mutual understanding. While financial challenges, like anywhere else in the world, are a part of their lives, the Indigenous peoples of the region prioritize spiritual work over material wealth. Their commitment to spiritual practices is central to their existence, and they would never compromise their happiness for financial gain.

With this in mind, we prepared ourselves for the journey to the village with an open heart, understanding that we might not establish a business relationship. Above all, we were open to partaking in the spiritual rituals, which would include Hapé, Sananga, and, of course, Ayahuasca.

Arrival at Pinyua Village: A Journey to the Heart of the Huni Kuin

Shortly after finalizing our plans with Teresa, we returned to our stay, packed our belongings, and set off for Pinyua Village, the home of the Huni Kuin Tribe. Though the journey was only two hours, the road conditions were challenging. Notably, the bumpy and dirty roads were a result of widespread corruption, which hindered the development of the region’s infrastructure. However, as soon as we arrived at the village, any exhaustion quickly faded. We were rejuvenated by the energy of the surrounding nature. The village, with its small, simple houses, hammocks, and festival spaces, exuded a tranquil, unpretentious charm. There was a serene, almost magical atmosphere, and the villagers were warm and welcoming, greeting us with open arms.

The village felt quiet yet deeply peaceful, a place of perfect harmony. From this point on, our journey became ever more fascinating, interesting, and exhilarating. We were a little apprehensive about engaging in business negotiations with the chef and other spiritual leaders. There were high expectations on both sides, but we soon realized that the true nature of our stay had little to do with formal business dealings. Our knight at the village, as it turned out, would be an entirely different experience that I will be discussing in the next blog post.

Stay tuned for Part II to find out how our night in the village unfolded.