In these chaotic modern times, it’s easy to see the world as a dark and foreboding place. The 24-hour news cycle is filled with stories about terrorism, political corruption and global unrest. Is this really the reality of the world we live in? The powerful documentary The Reality of Truth defends an alternative realm of consciousness in which we can all achieve new meaning and purpose.
Religion provides a platform for many to seek enlightenment. That’s how it all started for Mike “Zappy” Zapolin, a successful entrepreneur whose personal experiences form the basis of the film. With great personal wealth and a happy family, Zapolin seems to have it all. But something is missing. He saw passages in the Bible that described manna from heaven—a small, round, edible substance with spiritual powers. Then he noticed the appearance of mushrooms in ancient religious imagery. Could this be the key to his quest for success?
This is where the journey of self-discovery documented in the film begins. Zapolin takes advice from Deepak Chopra, Joel Osteen, and other famous spiritual teachers. He works with a group of his closest associates who undertake their own personal explorations of consciousness, including actors Michelle Rodriguez and Peter Coyote. He even traveled to the windswept peaks of Peru, where a shaman oversaw his first forays into mind-altering plant consumption.
The mainstream medical community may not have fully embraced the healing power of psychedelic herbs, but research has long demonstrated their effectiveness in treating depression, PTSD and other common ailments. Equally effective avenues of healing can be found in the act of Transcendental Meditation, or even something as simple as a tightly controlled breathing exercise.
Reality of Truth examines each of these possible solutions thoroughly. In either case, practitioners seem to gain a deeper sense of self and strengthened relationship with the world around them. If these practices are adopted collectively, can unity and love replace chaos and destruction? To some, after seeing the movie, the idea doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
Directed by: Laurent Levy, Mike Zapolin
