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Ayahuasca Retreat Opinions Needed

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Tek

Tek

Rising Star
Hey everyone. Due to good fortune and hard work, I've recently come into a surplus of money and other than spend it frivilously I was thinking I'd use this as an opportunity to visit an ayahuasca retreat and participate in a ceremony.

Instead of googling this subject I thought it'd be far better to ask my fellow Nexus members about this. Those of you who have went on these types of excursions before, what can I expect? Roughly how much does something like this cost, and does anyone have any recommmendations or links to accredited retreat facilities?
 
Cool! Lucky you. I'd LOVE to go to the amazon just in general some day. Sorry I can't help you on your question though. Almost forgot, I do know someone who did travel to South America and got REALLY sick so make sure to check up and take the immunizations ect.
 
Im planning to go soon as well!

Ive done some research, but it's hard to understand what sort of people Ill end up with just by looking at a webpage... More than a friend told me that the best way is to go there (in the Peruvian/Brazilian Amazon) and find it yourself. The key is to not rush, you have to take time to understand the culture and learn the language. I know a girl who hanged out with some locals for a couple of weeks till they introduced her to a shaman who didn't want any money.

I realize that this kind of trip it's not for everyone, you need lots of spare time and an adventurous spirit, but it could lead you to some truly amazing experience.

If you only have a limited period of time though, it makes sense to go to a retreat that it's easily accessible.
 
I'd love to do a traditional Ahahuasca journey. I found an interesting Brazilian "retreat" being promoted by er0wid. The site is called spirit-vine.net. I only know whats on the site, but it seems legit. Also I'd like to check out The Peyote Way Church of God in Arizona, peyoteway.org. Also there are those folks in Oregon The Santo Daime Church, they also use Ayahusca in there ceremonies. I woludnt go calling or knocking on these respectable doors based solely on what I've heard or my recomendation. I just think they are worth looking into, for myself.

But the indigenous journey seems the most natural course of action. My dream is to get lost in Peru. See the Nasca Lines. Find new brothers and sisters. Drink San Pedro tea in the mountains. Then journey to the forrest and hope the Vine finds me.
 
I'm happy for your surplus of funds Tek:d
antrocles had written some amazing trip reports of his experience at an Aya retreat sometime ago. I've been wanting to go there for a while after reading his experience, but I'll have to wait for sometime before that can happen.
here are his post/report if you haven't seen em already:
<3
 
Spirit vines prices are extremely expensive just like all the retreats seem to be. To be honest it looks extremely touristic to me. Surely the right thing to do is just go to one of the Jungle towns near Iquitos in Peru, and take part in one of the village ceremonies, or see a local curandero??.. The Ayahuasca is only a few dollars and you pay like 4 dolars for a room. Far more authentic, and a lot less than £1000'S of dollars with the company of other tourists.
 
There's something to be said about NOT going into the jungle with unknown shaman IMHO. It can be unpleasant or dangerous or weird haha :). I know "weird" may sound naive or simple, but it's good to feel comfortable and like you're in good, trustworthy hands. May be some prefer hardcore jungle adventures? But in truth, many of us are indeed tourists and need a good guide.

My own personal experience has lead me to believe that some of the "active" ceremonies are sometimes overrated and take attention away from personal interaction with the medicine. To each his own :) all love all time

Spirit-vine's people were pure, light, and non-domineering and were careful not to impose on the experience. Spirit-vine had a certain aura of purity than I have found to be deficient with some other practitioners. Everyone's experience may differ. I don't mean to step on any toes; I mean only to humbly express my experience.

Aloha
ST
 
Fair enough... Thanks for the info on spirit vine. Based on the web site I thought it would be more westernized. That could be good or bad based on the individual, i guess.
 
Wow thanks for all the response guys! I'm going to look into some of the options listed here and once I make up my mind I'll post back with my plans :)
 
If your not looking for a retreat center but would like more of a indigenous place where i am currently staying in the small Shipoibo village of San Francisco, {Peru I would highly recommend.
The shamans are all incredibly talented and work hard for us in the nightly ceremony's. You dont have to drink every night its all u[p to you. Its a very free feeling place without a bunch of have to's and cant's. Your there to explore ayahausca as you wish and they will guide you and help you achieve your desires. Or you can have them set you u[p a game plan if thats wanted as well.
Don Mateo has thirty five years experience being the head shaman of this village and his disciples both have over a decade of working with him. All have their own unique qualities about them i find helpful.

For me the whole retreat thing isnt my gig. They tend to cost a lot and there are some that actually cause harm or do not give back to the community's they work with.
Not all of coarse but some.
good luck.
 


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