3 Week Walk With the Gen[i]us Taberaemontana

Getting back into alignment can take time. How much of ourselves do we abandon when we say yes but mean no? To live fully from our inner being and intuition is powerful and so hard sometimes. We have obligations, commitments, and habits. So when I was presented with the opportunity to see a shaman, I said yes.

We sat down with him and he administered rapé, a traditional Amazonian snuff, into our nostrils while bathing us in thick organic tobacco smoke. While I was in my own inner world, I heard something unique. He began to sing. After sharing the moment with my friend, tears in both of our eyes, our shaman suggested I could explore Sananga, Tabernaemontana, if I wanted.

I had already looked into what Sananga was, and as an artist, I was very intrigued. In the Amazon, it is used by indigenous peoples to enhance focus during hunting, and I sensed that precise focus could do wonders for my artwork. I did not yet realize the other ways this plant would be of service in my life.

For three weeks, I sat down every morning with my friend, a clear intention, and the drops of Sananga. I knew what to expect because I had been warned. Sitting with Sananga is not a pleasant experience. It is intensely painful for a few minutes, and during that time, it is impossible to think of anything else. There is nowhere to run. That is exactly why it is so powerful.

One of the best gifts it brought me was helping me breathe deeply. When I was hyperventilating from the discomfort and fully present with myself, my deep breathing became involuntary. It felt as if parts of my lungs and diaphragm, long held tight, were suddenly unlocked. The relief was palpable.

During this time, I was side by side with a large painting that had been lingering in my space for years. After each session, as I relaxed, the presence of Sananga began to flow over the canvas. Slowly, the energy of the plant overtook the painting, leaving traces of the experience behind. The painting that emerged from this journey can be viewed here https://www.artoopia.com/products/sananga-dieta-original-oil-painting-on-thick-canvas-by-emily-stewart-artoopia-modern-figurative-surreal-wall-art-large-statement-artwork-48x72inches

I am deeply grateful to have come into contact with this unique plant, especially because of its darker nature. In modern society, many cures mask symptoms without addressing the root of things. The surrender Sananga requires allows for a release of burdens in return. This exchange is rare and underrated.

They say that once you do a dieta, the lessons and consciousness from the plant stay with you forever. I am glad to have taken this opportunity to engage with such a wise and time-tested teacher.