Beyond the Illusion Part 1
En la Selva - My Meeting with Mama Aya
While I have an ongoing relationship with plant medicines, I’ve only worked with ayahuasca for one retreat—six ceremonies—but the lessons I learned will stay with me for a lifetime. While my experience is just a fraction of what others have explored, I feel deeply called to share what I’ve learned, especially as more people turn to plant medicines for healing.
This wasn’t just about my personal healing. One profound realization I had during the ceremonies was that individual healing is deeply tied to collective healing. We’re all part of an intricate web of life, connected in ways that go beyond what we can see or fully comprehend. Each moment of growth or healing within us ripples outward, touching the lives of others.
The most vivid message I received was this:
“Now that you’ve remembered home, help others remember theirs. Show them the path and remind them of the infinite love this life offers—a love far greater than any fear or pain. We are here to do this work, and we are entirely capable of it.”
These words have become a guiding principle in my life and work. They remind me of the importance of coming home to ourselves and offering that same opportunity to others. Ayahuasca gave me a glimpse of what it means to live with an open heart, aligned with the love and wisdom of the universe.
Finding What Works for You
It’s important to say that ayahuasca is just one doorway among many. There are countless ways to heal and reconnect with your inner truth. For some, it might be meditation, breathwork, or creative expression. For others, it might be something as simple and profound as tending to a garden or sitting quietly in nature. What matters is finding what works for you—something that helps you feel grounded, connected, and alive.
Ayahuasca Is Not a Quick Fix
Before my retreat, I was fortunate to come across an article that emphasized a crucial point: ayahuasca is not an antidote or a quick fix. Healing, in any form, is a process. It requires preparation, intention, and the willingness to integrate what you learn.
I’ll admit, part of me hoped the ceremonies would “poof” me into an enlightened being. I was quickly reminded that transformation doesn’t work that way. Ayahuasca opened doors for me, but it was up to me to walk through them. It showed me truths about myself— some beautiful, some difficult —and reminded me that healing is ongoing. I left the retreat not as someone who had “arrived,” but as someone still very much on the path, doing the work of being human.
This is the reality of healing. It’s not about “fixing” ourselves. It’s about tending to our wounds, holding space for our emotions, and cultivating growth over time. It’s an ongoing, sacred process—and it’s one we’re all capable of.
