On a February Friday, I was invited to DRagon Love’s home for a spiritual healing session. Two days later, I was sitting in a circle of about eight people, not knowing just what to expect. What I had anticipated lasting about two hours, turned into an eight-hour experience. As a result, just six days later, propelled me to the jungle mountains north of Bogota, Colombia, and changed my life forever.

My trip was led by Shaman Sirata and DRagon Love (Thomas Budde, PHD). Other participants included various spiritual leaders from South America, some families, and seven people from North America. Sirata has published a book entitled, Manoa (2007), that chronicles his life long quest to explore the magic and mysteries of Manoa, more commonly known as El Dorado - The City of Gold.

Since the 1500's, Manoa, has been the destination of thousands of expeditions in search of the City of Gold's treasure. When Spanish explorers reached South America, they heard stories of a tribe that lived in the mountains of what is now Colombia. According to legend, the ceremonial honoring of new chief would include covering the ruler with gold dust and throwing precious jewels and gold into the lake to appease the gods. (*1) This legend has been passed down for centuries and even to this day, lures treasure hunters to Manoa into the lakes and surrounding jungles.

Most famously, this legend attracted the sailor/explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh, who convinced Queen Elizabeth I of England to mount an expedition to discover and conquer El Dorado. After two unsuccessful trips, he went to his deathbed believing, not only that it existed, but also that he was very close to finding it. (*2). I have come to know that he was right.

An eight-hour flight to Bogata, was followed by a 10 hour bus ride to Aquazul, a two-hour van ride to the yet smaller town of Tauramena, then and a one-hour taxi ride to the end of a paved road, and then to the end of a gravel road, and then to the end of a dirt road, with each segment taking me deeper into the mountain jungle, and further and further away from the weights and worry of everyday life, eventually depositing us on the banks of what is known as Grandmother River, Rio Cusiana. Our final destination was on the other side. Everyone’s belongings were transported across the river on horseback and we were instructed to ford the river on our own in the knee-deep but swiftly moving water.

While crossing, we were cleansed and refreshed by the invigorating water. Urged to give thanks to Grandmother River, this final passage into the mountain community was literally and figuratively a cleansing, a washing away of grime, and of both the ego and contrived identities each of us create and assume. On the other side of the river was a place of authenticity and acceptance, and with my first step on the opposite bank, everything changed.

All of my senses were awakened and elevated into what seemed to be a higher level of consciousness. From that very moment, until we crossed the river again, an ever present energy surrounded, enwrapped, and enveloped us. It was as if we had found the long sought after treasure of El Dorado and it was now inside each of us.

I felt what I can only describe as an energy vibration, that previously, I had no idea even existed. While all of our senses were prickled, it was at the same time, calming and peaceful. The net result was being fully aware and present, in that particular space, in that particular time, for every remaining moment of our adventure. Immediately upon climbing the shore, the drums, singing, and dancing began and a fire was lit that would aptly burn for the duration of our journey.

As an observer, participant, and storyteller I spent the next eight days documenting the group's activities, interactions, and journeys that involved shedding of ego, connection with spirit, and a pathway towards enlightenment. The film 'Magical Manoa' is a draft which provides a glimpse into this spiritual journey.

Unfortunately, I was a one-man band in the shooting, digital audio recording and production of this film. I also conducted the interviews. In my mind, the film is more of a prequel to a subsequent documentary, a documentary that follows another group into the magical mountains of Manoa.

I believe that this is a story with an audience in waiting, as more people than ever are searching for meaning in their lives.

Christianity has been in decline for decades. In 1967 about 2% of Americans claimed no religious preference. By 2014 that number had ballooned to 16%* and today it's over 20% (*2). Christian leader Franklin Graham has said that we are in a Spiritual Crisis (*3).

Studies show that most Americans want spirituality but preferably not in an organized religion.

Many have left organized religion because it did not meet their spiritual needs. An estimated 32 million baby boomers remain unaffiliated and instead turn to Eastern practices, new age philosophies, multi-step programs, Greek mythology, Jungian psychology, shamanic practices, massage, yoga and others. The trend and search for alternate forms of spirituality is prominent in the American spiritual landscape (*4) and spirituality is one of the fastest growing sectors of the publishing business.

Spirituality comes from the Latin root spiritus, which means “breath” referring to the breath of life. It involves opening our hearts and cultivating our capacity of awe, reverence and gratitude and its goal is to bring about compassion. It is also believed to promote both physical and mental health. (*4)

For thousands of years, long before the beginning of modern medicine, people looked to spirituality for cures. Some cultures believe that Spirits controlled everything in sickness and health. In this situation, the Shaman (a person attuned to the spiritual world) was the archetypal healer. When someone in the community got ill, the shaman used spiritual interventions to bring that person back into harmony with the sacred world and ultimately, to bring back their health. (*4)

Spirituality is about seeing the sacred in our lives and opening the door to a life of passion and depth. (*4)

As society emerges out of the COVID pandemic, a time of death, and grieving, and solitude, and realignment of priorities, I believe the time is right for a film that deals with spiritual enlightenment. By exploring how other cultures nurture spiritual growth this film can benefit those that are open to exploring options and pathways to awaken their soul.

I hope you will join us in returning to the mountains of Manoa to unearth the mythical treasure of El Dorado, for it lies within... yours for the taking.

Join us. Find it for yourself.

*1 National Geographic 'El Dorado' by Willie Drye

*2 Silverberg, Robert The Golden Dream: Seekers of El Dorado. Athens: the Ohio University Press, 1985.

*3 CNS News Blog by Michael Chapman Jan 2021

*4 Psychology Today 'Spirituality' by David N Elkins Ph D Sept 1999