Technology, social media, nonstop news, and an overabundance of information bombard us with constant noise. There is no doubt an extreme increase in anxiety, distress, and despair in the Western world. Director and musician Krishna-Trevor Oswalt, otherwise known as East Forest, takes viewers on a spiritual journey in his documentary Music For Mushrooms.
East Forest has developed a concert ceremony combining meditation and music, allowing participants a safe space to take psychedelics and be transported to a deeper sense of consciousness in hopes that they find peace, healing, and direction.
We follow East Forest as he develops the concept of this ceremonial experience and prepares to take it on the road across the country. Viewers are given an inside look into how he creates his music, where he draws inspiration from, and how he incorporates instrumentals with natural sounds captured in nature, as well as sound bites from various spiritual leaders and gurus to help supplement the profound concert experience.
“…a concert ceremony combining meditation and music, allowing participants a safe space to take psychedelics…”
Music For Mushrooms intersperses this with interviews with everyday people and spiritual leaders who have found healing through psychedelics, specifically mushrooms, and how music helps unlock these breakthroughs, leading to greater self-fulfillment. The film also features testimonials from people expressing their feelings on the state of the world and the fear of not knowing how to find peace in such unrest.
The movie is, itself, a visual meditation. Featuring beautiful imagery, thought-provoking questions, and original music by East Forest, this documentary takes on its kind of “retreat.” Whether you’re spiritual or religious, the documentary asks timely and important questions. It presents arguments for the responsible use of psychedelics. Still, it really emphasizes the importance of music and how we need to take time to be out in nature and experience real natural sounds, which drown out the noise of the world, achieving healing silence.
The film points to the natural desire for community and for family. We are constantly distracted by the material world that we are losing touch with the spiritual reality. Sure, you could call thos “hippie-dippie,” “new wave,” and “out there,” but it is undoubtedly powerful. This documentary is really a primer for greater discussion. It doesn’t feel fully realized as a narrative, but it intends to be an introduction to a very introspective and niche artistic technique in the quest for spiritual healing.
Putting the psychedelics aside, Music For Mushrooms is a great reminder to get outside and touch grass. We weren’t meant to know everything that was going on in the world at every second of the day. You don’t need psychedelics. Just turn off your phone and get some fresh air. Putting on a song by East Forest wouldn’t hurt either.
"…undoubtedly powerful."
