Don David Wiley serves as a powerful conduit of the God of Fire. During his intense work, when Tatewarí takes control of his being, he is swept into a transcendent state—his body’s temperature soars, and he enters a trance-like condition reminiscent of a deep, ceremonial sleep. Meanwhile, Grandfather Fire spends the night offering his wisdom—constantly ingesting sacred hot cocoa and smoking sacred tabaco. In this state, although Don David remains unharmed, his physical body endures a heavy strain.
When the night finishes and attendees leave, his dedicated Recovery Team, comprised of handpicked ritual support individuals, plays a vital role. As the divine presence recedes and Grandfather departs from the physical realm, this committed group guides Don David back into his body. The morning after the Grandfather Fires, Don David awakens feeling discombobulated and spaced, requiring time to reconnect with his extremities and regain a sense of physical presence. A strong hands-on therapeutic session and a day of focused recovery are key to shaking off the residual ethereal numbness, allowing him to reestablish strength, clarity, and focus.
Though Don David often jokes about the challenges of navigating our physical form—humor that echoes Grandfather Fire’s own playful jibes at human bodies when using Don David’s body as a vessel to speak to us during an audience—the recovery process remains an essential part of his work. It ensures that the extraordinary service he offers—allowing others to listen to the wisdom shared by the God of Fire—stays balanced and true, ultimately enhancing the profound healing he brings to those he serves.
