Dr. Luna, the Director of Wasiwaska—a research center in Brazil renowned for its work on sacred plants, visionary art, and consciousness—shared his knowledge and experience with a range of plants which together are commonly decocted to form ayahuasca within the cultural milieu of “Vegetalismo,” or practices of mestizo shamanism in the Amazon. The session and Q&A which followed evolved into a dynamic dialogue that probed the essence of plant communication and intelligence.
The event was hosted by Rachael Petersen, an MDiv Candidate at HDS, and Natalia Schwien, a PhD candidate in the Study of Religion at Harvard University, who co-lead the CSWR’s Plant Consciousness Reading Group. Petersen and Schwien framed the conversation with Dr. Luna with a discussion of emerging scientific research that reveals the sophisticated ways plants and fungi sense, interact with, and perhaps even exhibit forms of intelligence and consciousness. Petersen noted, "This research...resonates with ancient wisdom that has been safeguarded by Indigenous spiritual and folk traditions throughout the world," emphasizing the shift towards recognizing plant sentience and intelligence as part of a broader “vegetal turn” in academic inquiry. Schwien further contextualized Dr. Luna's work, describing his work as a bridge between the worlds of Indigenous Amazonian communities and contemporary science. His efforts, she explained, "incorporate religious studies, philosophy, and the visionary arts," making him a provocative interlocutor in discussions of plant intelligence.
Dr. Luna recounted his experiences with figures such as the shaman Don Emilio, who was one of his first Vegetalismo teachers, and the visionary artist Pablo Amaringo. He spoke about the deep relationships between Ayahuasquero traditions and the visionary experiences depicted in Amaringo's renowned paintings. Luna's discussion extended to the practical aspects of his work, including his efforts in reforestation and the ecological diversity of the area surrounding Wasiwaska. The conversation took a reflective turn as Dr. Luna and attendees pondered the philosophical implications of plant intelligence. He shared insights into the multivalent relationships formed between plants and humans, especially through the lens of Indigenous wisdom traditions and practices. Luna's narrative wove together threads of science, spirituality, and art, presenting evidence for human interconnectedness within the natural world.
During the Q&A, Petersen remarked on the risks of appropriating indigenous worldviews by those looking for frameworks that acknowledge plant personhood. She spoke to the importance of resuscitating animistic strains within Western intellectual traditions, suggesting that a re-engagement with thinkers such as Whitehead and Spinoza could enrich contemporary understanding of plant intelligence. Dr. Luna responded with anecdotes from his encounters with Indigenous communities and anthropologists, reinforcing the value of an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the consciousness of plants. This reflective encounter with Dr. Luna underscored the transformative potential of bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific inquiry. Attendees left with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of plant life and the philosophical questions that arise when we consider the intelligence and consciousness of the natural world.
Attendee responses to the event included a critical point made by Rebecca J. Mendoza, a doctoral student in the Committee for the Study of Religion at Harvard University with a focus on Latin American and Caribbean traditions, who discussed the importance of protocols which protect Indigenous knowledge. "One of the tensions that’s always present is the desire to honor Indigenous knowledge and cosmology and the history of extractive patterns by non-Native academics and institutions who lack rootedness and relatedness with the land and lineages from which these traditions emerge... The question remains, what kinds of boundaries or systems of accountability need to exist between us here at Harvard and Indigenous peoples, plants and medicines? And, frankly, the answers, which will be diverse, must be determined from within those communities," Mendoza reflected, highlighting the complexity of cultural and intellectual exchange.
The conversation with Dr. Luna stands as an example of the CSWR's commitment to fostering dialogue that transcends traditional academic boundaries, inviting participants to explore the profound connections between the human and non-human. As we continue to navigate the intersections of science, philosophy, and spirituality, the insights shared by Dr. Luna and the vibrant discussions they sparked will undoubtedly continue to resonate, challenging us to rethink our relationship with the living world around us.
Story by Tristan Angieri, MDiv '26