In the city of Brasiléia, which is close to the border of Bolivia, he was in contact with other people from his home state of Maranhão as well as Bolivians, from whom he learned the use of ayahuasca.
In these early experiences he encountered the Virgin Mary (the Queen of the Forest) and began receiving the guidance which developed into a religious doctrine throughout the remainder of his long life.
[1] Santo Daime teachings emphasize hymns and calls that guide participants during the sacramental drink's communion, aiding in self-awareness and individual character refinement across social, emotional, and spiritual spheres.
Irineu was tasked with founding a spiritual doctrine, a syncretism based on the consecration of a drink consumed for thousands of years, set within Christian culture and symbolism, while simultaneously incorporating Indigenous, Brazilian, African, and Eastern transcendental wisdom.
Consequently, Mestre Irineu and his doctrine faced prejudice and persecution due to the predominance of Afro-descendants among his followers and the fear held by the elites of the time towards traditional movements of Afro-Indigenous origin, like Santo Daime.
Due to disagreements, a group of daimistas, including Sebastião Mota de Melo and Francisco Fernando Filho, decided to establish their own churches, which became independent from Alto Santo.