Trip of a lifetime!
Monica was the first to greet us. With her characteristic warmth and bright smile, she showed us around the beautiful grounds and to our tambo (hut)- screened in from floor to ceiling and complete with a loft to sleep in, a hammock and some comfy mats that would come in handy for reading and writing.
Our time immersed in the jungle felt cleansing. With the continual sounds of frogs, insects and birds, the background hum of nature was a welcome frequency for our nervous systems which really needed time in the parasympathetic. This, punctuated by the laughter and conversation of other retreat attendees and staff, gave us the felt sense that we were in a safe space.
Our meals always came at the perfect time, and nourished us completely. The flavours and colours of the Peruvian vegetarian diet were a treat for all the senses. We couldn’t help but take pictures of our meals because they were so beautifully presented.
Before our first ceremony we had already concluded that if the experience ended here, we’d leave satisfied. There was no real schedule to follow- except that meals were served regularly on time. If you happened to be napping or out for a walk during a meal, they’d have it ready for you when you returned.
One of the best parts of mealtime was the table conversation. We met some amazing people from all walks of life and with so many varied life experiences. We came as strangers and left as friends. The shared experiences in the Maloka had a way of connecting us all deeply.
The ceremonies were somewhat other worldly. Everything was new, the icaros (songs), the shamans and their practises with smoke, infused waters and oils, and other rituals of setting intentions, sipping the medicine offered by Monica, and waiting in the dark for the medicine to kick in- which was when the songs began. By the third ceremony what was once new and a little distracting was comforting.
In reflecting with everyone on their experiences in the ceremonies, each was unique and different from the previous- and seemed to have little to do with the amount of ayahuasca consumed. We were reminded that Aya offers what you need, pushes you to your boundaries and not any further than what you can handle. Sometimes it’s extremely uncomfortable, sometimes utterly peaceful, sometimes fluctuating between the two. And one’s ability to surrender to the experience seems to greatly impact the overall benefit.
What was most valuable about the ceremonies was the integration of the experiences following. Mundo and Monica were there when we most needed them, either during the ceremony or in the conversations following.Their genuine care and empathy was felt deeply, and went a long way to feeling supported along the way.
Though at times disorienting and disregulating, we understood this was part of the work of shedding the ego and the illusions of the mind. We were grateful to have sounding boards to share our thoughts and feelings and glean insights from other more veteran ayahuasca retreaters.
We slept in the same tambo but each on our own mattress under the cover of a mosquito net. In the Maloka, we remained away from one another so that our experiences would be our own. Doing this together has certainly given us a new appreciation for each other and a connection of this shared experience that has only strengthened our bond.
We left Psychonauta filled with gratitude. They provided everything we needed and more. It was a simple (but luxurious in its own right) jungle adventure. We’ll miss the open air jungle showers, the laughing frogs and will remember forever the fun of plunging in the Amazon on a river boat ride.
We would strongly recommend this retreat center to anyone willing to embrace ayahuasca as an ancient healing modality, capable of transforming its participants in ways they never could have imagined. Both in ceremony and outside of it, we can be sure that the people departing Phsychonauta will leave changed only for the better. Read More