‘Connecting With Earth’s Wisdom’ Through Visionary Plants: Meet Firstman And His Retreats At Jamaica’s Rastafari Indigenous Village
“Spirituality is an integrating process that recognizes the dangers of taking life for granted,” says Firstman, a founding member of Life Is A Ceremony retreats. His life’s mission revolves around the transformative power of visionary plants and the deep wisdom of the Rastafari Indigenous Village (RIV) in Jamaica.
Firstman has spent his life advocating for the cultural industry’s sustainable development, promoting cultural events, community development projects, traditional knowledge and indigenous expression. His efforts have shaped communities and driven significant strides in cannabis activism and the integration of visionary plants into spiritual practices.
Nestled along the Montego Valley River, RIV is more than just a retreat center. It’s a living embodiment of Rastafari philosophy, where individuals reconnect with nature, themselves and each other. As a father, drummer, chanter, singer, songwriter and orator, Firstman is the heartbeat of this community, embodying Rastafari spirit in every aspect of his life.
The Roots Of RIV And Life Is A Ceremony
The story of the Rastafari Indigenous Village (RIV) is deeply intertwined with visionary plants. “RIV’s story of origin with visionary plants is the continuing journey of our ancestors who embraced Ganja as a plant teacher with a God consciousness,” Firstman recounts. This reverence for Ganja, and later other plants like Ayahuasca and psilocybin mushrooms, has transformed RIV into a sanctuary for spiritual and personal development.
About a decade ago, other visionary plants began reaching Jamaica, brought by shamans and practitioners from the Amazon. “Approximately a decade ago, other plants such as Ayahuasca, Fungi, San Pedro, and Peyote started to expand beyond their natural habitat to the shores of Jamaica,” Firstman explains. This cultural exchange enriched the Rastafari community’s spiritual practices, blending African drumming and chanting with Amazonian plant medicine rituals for a transformative experience.
Life Is A Ceremony retreats facilitate personal growth and community building. They integrate traditional Rastafari practices with nature’s healing powers and visionary plants. “Ceremonies highlight the awareness of how we are disconnected from the vibration of the planet and ourselves,” says Firstman. These retreats help bridge that gap, reconnecting participants with themselves and the Earth.
Embracing The Wisdom Of Visionary Plants
Firstman’s journey with visionary plants began when the Rastafari Indigenous Village was introduced to these sacred plants by MesoAmerican and …