Best Seller
Top Rated
1.0
Verified
Unethical, unprofessional, hypocritical and potentially dangerous
Original Review on October 1, 2024:
It is a spiritual violation when an authority figure persistently behaves unethically, pushing someone away from their spiritual path into darkness. This is exactly what happened to me.
Before I begin, consider that Mexisoul will ask you to leave a review or even record a testimony while you are still in a significantly altered state of mind. It might sound extreme, but they also tell you not to make any major decisions for at least two months—so leaving a biased review that might persuade a stranger to make a life-changing, potentially dangerous decision seems contradictory. People rely on reviews all the time. Wouldn't you want those reviews to come from sober individuals?
I have attended three retreats, and this is the first time I feel compelled to leave a review—solely to keep you safe and to deter seekers like you from choosing Mexisoul. Note: it is NOT a compliment to Mexisoul that I have returned more than once. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Something isn’t working, and it’s not due to a lack of integration on my part.
I implore you to do your research thoroughly. And I mean *thoroughly.* Please educate yourself on what it truly means for someone to call themselves a shaman versus a curandero, and then compare their credentials. Secondly, research what qualifications or specialized training a psychedelic integration coach should have to safely assist in a ceremony. Are they trained in trauma-informed care, for example? Should the general manager of the Finca be assisting in the ceremony? More importantly, should any of the staff members (excluding the "shaman") be under the influence during the ceremony when their role is to be of service? I actually had to tell the integration coach to please *not* take the medicine after she blurted out that she hadn’t made her decision yet. That is insane! Also, what would you like to imagine the resume of a Plant Medicine Retreat Director would look like?
If you take anything from this review, I sincerely hope it’s this: specifically ask if there have been any accusations of unethical behavior involving the staff, including the "shaman." Ask when these incidents occurred and how they were handled. Request to see the written response. The last incident happened this summer, by the way, to my retreat sister, who has shared her experience publicly on this site. You deserve full disclosure. My experience was more subtle, as all of my ayahuasca journeys were grossly sexual in nature until I retreated to my room, where miraculously, they would entirely change into useful lessons. On a deeper level, what I experienced was spiritual incest due to the manipulation of the sacred relationship between the “shaman” (the patriarchal archetype) and myself, the vulnerable female participant. It is extremely personal subject to me, hence the depth of this violation. This is the most damaging and dangerous offense—the ultimate betrayal of the spiritual family dynamic, where there should be obvious, common-sense boundaries.
I have been psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually damaged. I am currently in therapy with two therapists, one of whom is specifically trained in these matters. I have also started on an antidepressant. These experiences have caused endless rumination. I now feel anger (which is not a normal emotion for me) after spending so much time, money, and enduring unnecessary suffering. I'm worse off than I was before my first retreat.
When I think about plant medicine now, I feel disgusted. I don't know if I will ever trust another shaman or retreat center again. I truly believed these people were my spiritual family, and it is heartbreaking. Our "sagrada familia" has been severed in two, with denial and leniency favored over evidence.
Be very careful. When you hear them say, "trust the medicine," take pause and never give up your sovereignty. If you need help, demand it. I can attest to several times when I asked for help and was denied. I witnessed this happening to others as well. Do not trust the "shaman" to know which medications are safe to take alongside these substances. We sent photos of our medications (including all ingredients) to the "shaman" for review. He gave us the green light. However, after doing my own research later, I found that some were contraindicated. On that note, is it even safe to do DMT four days in a row? Experts say no. I was never comfortable with that, so I always sat out for one of the four days.
Furthermore, the "shaman" will tell you that he takes on this role only for the ayahuasca ceremonies, not for the samadhi or bufo ceremonies. So, who is sanctifying, holding space, and protecting you? You might as well conduct your own ceremonies at home, minus the "shaman" acting as a DJ. The entire experience feels like a performance to me now.
There is a serious lack of integrity and authenticity, starting at the top and trickling down to the volunteers. I can provide many examples that reveal this. A powerful psychedelic experience will be nothing but static unless it is grounded in firm, clear, pure, and unwavering ethical foundations that everyone believes in and practices. Sadly, this does not exist at Mexisoul.
Do not drink their well water. Be alert to the farm animals as they let them roam freely sometimes. I was tackled and thrown down to the ground by one of the horses.
--
Response from Mexisoul:
We realize that negative reviews are inevitable, but this one is admittedly hard to read given the amount of time, attention, energy, and love our staff gave towards this guest's experience. While we respect the perspective, we would like to address a few of the points raised to clarify for others who may be reading this.
Reviews and Testimonials: It is not possible to leave a review through Retreat Guru until after the retreat ends. Every review left (including this one) is left days, weeks, or months after the retreat ends. Any video testimonials are recorded on the very last day before guests leave.
Staff Participation in Ceremonies: Occasionally, staff members do participate in ceremonies. However, this is carefully planned to ensure that a team of sober facilitators is always available to serve and support our guests. We are proud to maintain one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios among retreat centers, enabling us to provide highly individualized care. Moving forward, we do feel it is best to adjust our policy so that integration support staff no longer participates in medicine ceremonies, allowing them to fully serve guests in the most effective way possible.
Personal Experiences in Ceremony: Plant medicine journeys are deeply personal and reflective of one’s inner world. We provide as much guidance, love, and support as possible, but the process is ultimately shaped by each individual's unique path. The work of self-discovery and expanding consciousness is an ongoing and deeply personal process— the journey of growth, healing, and transformation is continuous, requiring patience, courage, and self-compassion. While we provide as much guidance, love, and support as possible, the experience is ultimately shaped by each individual’s unique path.
Feedback, even when critical, offers us an opportunity for self-reflection and growth, and for that, we are grateful. Ultimately we are sorry for the way you view your experience at Mexisoul and wish you the best in finding hope, peace, and love
It is a spiritual violation when an authority figure persistently behaves unethically, pushing someone away from their spiritual path into darkness. This is exactly what happened to me.
Before I begin, consider that Mexisoul will ask you to leave a review or even record a testimony while you are still in a significantly altered state of mind. It might sound extreme, but they also tell you not to make any major decisions for at least two months—so leaving a biased review that might persuade a stranger to make a life-changing, potentially dangerous decision seems contradictory. People rely on reviews all the time. Wouldn't you want those reviews to come from sober individuals?
I have attended three retreats, and this is the first time I feel compelled to leave a review—solely to keep you safe and to deter seekers like you from choosing Mexisoul. Note: it is NOT a compliment to Mexisoul that I have returned more than once. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Something isn’t working, and it’s not due to a lack of integration on my part.
I implore you to do your research thoroughly. And I mean *thoroughly.* Please educate yourself on what it truly means for someone to call themselves a shaman versus a curandero, and then compare their credentials. Secondly, research what qualifications or specialized training a psychedelic integration coach should have to safely assist in a ceremony. Are they trained in trauma-informed care, for example? Should the general manager of the Finca be assisting in the ceremony? More importantly, should any of the staff members (excluding the "shaman") be under the influence during the ceremony when their role is to be of service? I actually had to tell the integration coach to please *not* take the medicine after she blurted out that she hadn’t made her decision yet. That is insane! Also, what would you like to imagine the resume of a Plant Medicine Retreat Director would look like?
If you take anything from this review, I sincerely hope it’s this: specifically ask if there have been any accusations of unethical behavior involving the staff, including the "shaman." Ask when these incidents occurred and how they were handled. Request to see the written response. The last incident happened this summer, by the way, to my retreat sister, who has shared her experience publicly on this site. You deserve full disclosure. My experience was more subtle, as all of my ayahuasca journeys were grossly sexual in nature until I retreated to my room, where miraculously, they would entirely change into useful lessons. On a deeper level, what I experienced was spiritual incest due to the manipulation of the sacred relationship between the “shaman” (the patriarchal archetype) and myself, the vulnerable female participant. It is extremely personal subject to me, hence the depth of this violation. This is the most damaging and dangerous offense—the ultimate betrayal of the spiritual family dynamic, where there should be obvious, common-sense boundaries.
I have been psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually damaged. I am currently in therapy with two therapists, one of whom is specifically trained in these matters. I have also started on an antidepressant. These experiences have caused endless rumination. I now feel anger (which is not a normal emotion for me) after spending so much time, money, and enduring unnecessary suffering. I'm worse off than I was before my first retreat.
When I think about plant medicine now, I feel disgusted. I don't know if I will ever trust another shaman or retreat center again. I truly believed these people were my spiritual family, and it is heartbreaking. Our "sagrada familia" has been severed in two, with denial and leniency favored over evidence.
Be very careful. When you hear them say, "trust the medicine," take pause and never give up your sovereignty. If you need help, demand it. I can attest to several times when I asked for help and was denied. I witnessed this happening to others as well. Do not trust the "shaman" to know which medications are safe to take alongside these substances. We sent photos of our medications (including all ingredients) to the "shaman" for review. He gave us the green light. However, after doing my own research later, I found that some were contraindicated. On that note, is it even safe to do DMT four days in a row? Experts say no. I was never comfortable with that, so I always sat out for one of the four days.
Furthermore, the "shaman" will tell you that he takes on this role only for the ayahuasca ceremonies, not for the samadhi or bufo ceremonies. So, who is sanctifying, holding space, and protecting you? You might as well conduct your own ceremonies at home, minus the "shaman" acting as a DJ. The entire experience feels like a performance to me now.
There is a serious lack of integrity and authenticity, starting at the top and trickling down to the volunteers. I can provide many examples that reveal this. A powerful psychedelic experience will be nothing but static unless it is grounded in firm, clear, pure, and unwavering ethical foundations that everyone believes in and practices. Sadly, this does not exist at Mexisoul.
Do not drink their well water. Be alert to the farm animals as they let them roam freely sometimes. I was tackled and thrown down to the ground by one of the horses.
--
Response from Mexisoul:
We realize that negative reviews are inevitable, but this one is admittedly hard to read given the amount of time, attention, energy, and love our staff gave towards this guest's experience. While we respect the perspective, we would like to address a few of the points raised to clarify for others who may be reading this.
Reviews and Testimonials: It is not possible to leave a review through Retreat Guru until after the retreat ends. Every review left (including this one) is left days, weeks, or months after the retreat ends. Any video testimonials are recorded on the very last day before guests leave.
Staff Participation in Ceremonies: Occasionally, staff members do participate in ceremonies. However, this is carefully planned to ensure that a team of sober facilitators is always available to serve and support our guests. We are proud to maintain one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios among retreat centers, enabling us to provide highly individualized care. Moving forward, we do feel it is best to adjust our policy so that integration support staff no longer participates in medicine ceremonies, allowing them to fully serve guests in the most effective way possible.
Personal Experiences in Ceremony: Plant medicine journeys are deeply personal and reflective of one’s inner world. We provide as much guidance, love, and support as possible, but the process is ultimately shaped by each individual's unique path. The work of self-discovery and expanding consciousness is an ongoing and deeply personal process— the journey of growth, healing, and transformation is continuous, requiring patience, courage, and self-compassion. While we provide as much guidance, love, and support as possible, the experience is ultimately shaped by each individual’s unique path.
Feedback, even when critical, offers us an opportunity for self-reflection and growth, and for that, we are grateful. Ultimately we are sorry for the way you view your experience at Mexisoul and wish you the best in finding hope, peace, and love
Kerilyn 's Staff Pick
Last Chance