Women’s only Ayahuasca retreat with Johana

I have been walking the spiritual path for 11 years, facing the aspects of myself that are out of alignment with my true natural self and replacing fear-based beliefs I inherited with self-empowering ones by reading higher frequency books and channeled teachings that teaches mindfulness, oneness, and our eternal and indestructible nature, but this is my first time having ayahuasca and first time having substance in my life, so I didn't know what to expect except trusting the process and the transformative effects that come with it.

I went in with the hope of experiencing dimensions beyond what my physical senses can perceive without the aid of DMT in ayahuasca, a natural chemical produced in the body, to gain an experiential witnessing of the greater reality that had previously been conceptual. I got that, and much more than I could ever imagine with my physical mind. By the end of the retreat experience, I truly appreciated the natural intelligence, a name for which I learned is Mother Aya, which knows and provides what I need to continue learning, growing, and evolving toward greater empathy, compassion, and self-empowerment.

Becoming aware of my ego and how it keeps me fearful, small, and in a state of lack began at the start of my spiritual journey a decade ago. After attending two ayahuasca ceremonies at Pachamama Sanctuary spread across two days, I became more aware of how my ego was subtly and masterfully pulling a wool over my eyes, steering me away from what I needed to see, process, and let go of. So that I wasn't even aware of my ego's deception work on me, if not for the ayahuasca retreat experience that's powerful enough to loosen my ego's hold and illusion and reveal its secret workings.

The powerful breathwork between the two ayahuasca ceremonies, another first for me, helped me surrender and let my natural self be more present, which, in hindsight, facilitated the truly powerful work that occurred during the second ayahuasca ceremony.

With 11 years of facing my shadows and transforming them into light, the fact that I did not feel the urge to vomit in the first ceremony led me to think I was special and separate from others, and somehow beyond the need to vomit. In hindsight, that sense of specialness came from my ego mind. By doing the breathwork wholeheartedly and drinking the second cup of ayahuasca that followed on the second day, I was able to witness how hard my ego tried to keep me from seeing the uncomfortable aspects of myself that needed to be seen in order to be transformed. With it, my previous sense of specialness was replaced with empathy and compassion for those around me and humanity, knowing how masterfully the ego pulls its illusions over our eyes, and having witnessed my own ego's workings, which only fail to work in the presence of ayahuasca and my will to surrender.

From this powerful and transformative ayahuasca experience I had at Pachamama Sanctuary, I come to see that the ayahuasca and my willingness to surrender are two key pieces to the experience. But there are other equally key pieces -- the leaders, staff, and volunteers who facilitated the ayahuasca retreat, their powerful singing, drumming, and music, their caring guidance and intervention, their service-to-others intention, the Pachamama Sanctuary ground itself, and my fellow retreat attendees. All of these pieces made the powerful and transformative experience possible for me.

One of the ongoing gifts I received after the retreat, upon returning to my everyday life, is the recognition that I miss the version of myself that I was at the Pachamama Sanctuary, when my ego was not at the driver's seat but in the backseat. I realized that I could reconnect and realign with that version of me at the retreat center by invoking in my mind's eye the place, the people, the ceremony experience I had. The Pachamama Sanctuary and the people I met there became an anchoring point, a homing beacon, for me to access the version of myself that I aspire to be and move towards it in due time.

For all that, I'm most grateful for my ayahuasca retreat experience at Pachamama Sanctuary. This is my experience. May you open your heart and mind to receive what you need, with the ayahuasca retreat at Pachamama Sanctuary serving as a catalyst that accelerates your growth and evolution.

This was one of the best experiences of my life and the staff and volunteers created an environment of safety and trust which made the experience that much more incredible.

Such a beautiful place to rest and relax, get away from the busy life. Staff were absolutely wonderful, food was delicious and I appreciate the care and respect they have for this Sacred Indigenous medicine. I feel as if I've healed decades of trauma from childhood by letting go of pain, guilt, shame, control I used as a barrier for safety. I now know I am the alchemist. I am the one who creates and changes and heals. Im so grateful!!!!!

The Pachamama Sanctuary offers one of the most powerful, emotional, meaningful experiences of my life. I feel as if I had travelled around the world in one weekend. I made new friends for life and experienced what I barely thought possible before. The staff were amazingly friendly and helpful. The food was simple and tasty. The ceremonies were beautiful on so many levels. Despite a minor hiccup earlier in the week, the weekend was one of the best run, well organised retreats I have ever attended.

Arkawa is a master of his craft, a maestro. His music during ceremonies was transcendent. Derek's breathwork session was more powerful and moving that I ever imagined breathwork could be. His presence was comforting and strengthening. The staff of the sanctuary and the aides was some of the lightest, most honest, most compassionate and wonderful people I had the privilege and honour of meeting. My new friends inspired me that weekend, and continue to inspire me, in so many different ways. I saw wonderful things throughout the entire weekend. I owe this experience to the Pachamama Sanctuary.

If you are honest with yourself, seek personal transformation, and are willing to take that very difficult look into the mirror at yourself as you are, then attend a retreat at the Pachamama Sanctuary. You will be rewarded in wonderful ways you never imagined. Thank you, Derek, Arkawa, and all the people who make this beautiful experience possible. It was one for the books, the experience of a lifetime!

I'll be back. <(^^,)>

I had the most unbelievable life-changing experience at Pachamama sanctuary. The experience over the weekend completely changed my life, by giving me new insight, new understanding and new awareness. Partner that with an incredible group of people and I highly recommend this for anybody interested. I know I will certainly be going back.