Kuntanawa 2-Night US Virgin Islands Plant Medicine Immersion Retreat

It was an amazing experience. This was my first time experiencing grandmother. From the start the work that was put in to prepare for grandmother was very helpful. Prince Haru was also amazing with the ritual ceremony and singing. Thank you

This was my 10th ceremony and one of the most extreme ones I’ve ever had. The facilitators were much more hands off during the ceremony than what I’ve seen when someone is going through a rough patch, which was fine at the time because I had enough tools to get through it though I spent most of the ceremony crying and puking. I was very weak as the ceremony ended and knew I needed food and inquired about it multiple times.

They said it would be out soon and, because I had such a hard ceremony, offered to put me in a yurt away from everyone, a somewhat long walk away in the forest. Once there, I waiting for hours to receive food before I realized they weren’t coming back with any. I was incredibly strung out and walked down to see everyone was sleeping. I didn’t know where the leaders were sleeping or how to ask for help, so packed up my things and called my husband as I drove home at 4:00am and didn’t get any food in my belly til 5:00am. By then my system was officially shot and set up my next next days to be incredibly traumatic.

The days (weeks) after were some of the worse of my life. I couldn’t sleep the first nights, nor could I stop puking and had diarrhea straight for three weeks (sometimes sitting on the toilet for up to 40 times in a day). I kept getting waves that would send me into very extreme headspace’s and it was a battle to get through. I had to rely on friends, therapists, mentors, crisis lines and lots of dedicated ceremony to move through it all.

I asked to be connected with the leaders multiple times through that time period and while my intake contact at least called me back a couple of times and was as helpful as she could be, I only heard from those at the retreat for the first time via text 5 days after the ceremony, and they were unable to secure a time to talk with me. I asked if we could put a time on the calendar so I knew when to expect them and they never replied.

I reached out a couple weeks later as another wave hit and I couldn’t stop gagging and was told Hayra would try to get ahold of me, but I never received a phone call or text.

I’m finally through the worst of it now, although navigating long term physiological and psychological effects from the ceremony as I continue to put myself back together.

I think this group has a really beautiful message, but as a participant received some very negligent care and support that I think others should be weary of. This medicine can really disrupt your life and needs to be managed with more attentive care by those serving it.

It is hard for me to express in words the depth of my gratitude for the guidance Haru and Hayra provided during my experience.

Their music and songs guided me in a gentle but definitive way. My first ceremony gave me such deep healing, through a reunification of myself. My second was, without doubt, the most enlightening and profound experience I have ever had.

I believe how they are administering this medicine, is truly special. I still catch myself singing, and I'm right back there.

The timing of the retreat, and how I came to hear of it, enabled me to go into the experience in a truly open way. The location of the retreat provided the energy and framework for a nurturing experience. I felt welcomed into the loving embrace of my divine mother, as though I was a newborn child, gazing lovingly upon her face, after hearing her voice for so long
I had the hope of finding healing. I found so much more.

Xara Xara

My ongoing journey as a plant medicine learner is multifaceted and engages all my internal resources (Parts). This specific journey as a wounded healer (Therapist/Community Organizer/Social Worker) engaged a specific group of Parts who have carried anxiety/paranoia these Parts used to protect me. In the 3-4 weeks prior to this ceremony I got to know these anxiety carrying Parts of me. Abuela Ayahuasca/Abuelo Tabaco nurtured these Parts to unburden/heal and as a result begin to take on new roles. First night was focused on initial nurturing and assessment of what these Parts needed and second night (in conjunction Kombocito) was focused on full on healing of all of these anxious internal beings.

What an honor and priveledge to work with Haru and his cohort guardians.

I had experienced plant medicine twice before, but my first time with Haru and Hayra Kuntanawa was truly life-changing. It was the most beautiful and profound experience of my life! Being in their presence brought me an overwhelming sense of peace, love, and protection, creating a safe space for me to access and heal deeply hidden parts of myself. The group I was with was equally incredible, fostering a sense of unity, community and connection that I’ve never felt anywhere else. I wholeheartedly recommend Haru and Hayra and am already looking forward to attending more ceremonies with them in the future in the US or Brazil!