#5. What is Reality?
That first dream, and years later my experience with the print of ‘The Transformative Force’, had led me to an apprenticeship with Imero in his studio. It was there that the place he called Humbravana began to form more clearly in my mind. His imaginary world infiltrated my life and caused me to wonder about the nature of its reality, and then to questions the reality of my life in general, as I perceived it.
‘Homage to Heisenberg’ by Imero Gobbato
What is ‘reality’? Certainly, for humans, it must be based in a natural environment with the elements required to support physical life. But the more I explore the question, the more I find that our personal ‘reality’ seems to be greatly determined by the mind—ones own mind—which over time constructs a sort of belief system according to what it focuses, gathers, and builds upon from life experience. In turn we influence and build upon each other’s beliefs to create a shared ‘reality’, which supports and motivates our collective societies here on planet earth.
‘Wheel Walker’ by Imero Gobbato
In working with Imero, who had such a vivid imagination, I saw the ability of one individual to create a whole world offering a different ‘reality’. Through a lifetime of closely observing nature, studying history, and delving into the many aspects of human thought and behavior, Imero chose with great care and consideration, to literally create a world through image, music and writing, that resonated with his sensibilities and the qualities he aspired to. In the world he imagined, in his world, he had the power to determine need, invent function, construct form, devise systems, manage productivity and most importantly, portray individuals and a society instilled with wisdom, love and compassion.
Humbravana is a world that I entered and have consistently resonated with. At its core, it represents a deep awareness of the sacredness of life and the natural beauty of the earth, that has touched and influenced me for years. The essence of it is powerful enough to keep me wrestling these words into a form that I can share with you, and feels important enough for me to keep building upon its ‘reality’.
I assisted Imero in his art studio, by printing one by one the images depicting the people and places of Humbravana - and there were many. I would ask Imero all kinds of questions about them, fascinated that he could conjure a whole world into existence. I was increasingly hungry for more information. Invariably, our conversations would become philosophical, and wander into topics about life and death and everything in between, leading both of us into the great mysteries and the many unanswerable questions. Yet the more Imero revealed about his imaginary world, the more substantial and ‘real’ Humbravana became for me. More and more I wanted to be there.
‘Sketching in Humbravana’ by Imero Gobbato
Imero claimed he had traveled through Humbravana as an itinerant artist by the name Lucoel, and this is how he was able to make so many detailed observations about the environment and its people. I asked him early on how he actually found his way there, and with a strange, bemused look I can still see on his face, he told me he was ‘not permitted’ to say. But I was already feeling some part of myself shifting back and forth between the life I was living in Maine and this other fascinating life I was discovering through the vivid and detailed portrayals and ‘Humbravanian music’ he shared with me. It was just a question of time before I found my own way to Humbravana. Or perhaps the way found me.
‘On the Way’ by Rosemary Willson
Finding myself in Humbravana? Do I mean physically finding myself in the actual land of Humbravana—living and breathing there with relationships and responsibilities? Or am I finding myself in an inner, psychological, spiritual way of self-realization through my studies and work with Humbravana? Both are true. The challenge is in exploring and explaining the experiences in both worlds, this one and that, while finding a balance in the precipitous place in between.
Now that I have tried to explain my position as best I can, I will begin to tell you a story, a parallel story, which emerged while writing the book ‘A Place Called Humbravana’. I tried to deny the voice that kept rising up during those ten years it took to put the book together, but as is evident here, I have accepted that her insistence is bigger than I am. I do not know how the story will unfold or where it will lead. All I do know is that it comes from deep within a place I love, amidst people, creatures and other entities whose way of life I cherish, and will do all I can to preserve.
The story comes from a place called Humbravana.