About this Retreat
Blez is a psychologist and traveler on Earth and in the inner worlds. He co-founded the Psychonauta Foundation and has made his home in the Amazon jungle with his partner and two children. Since 2016, he has been leading retreats that facilitate contact with psychedelic plants, helping hundreds of individuals expand their consciousness. His favorite plants for these experiences are Ayahuasca and San Pedro.
Over the years, he has undergone many plant diets, including Ajo Sacha, Bobinsana, Chuchuhuasi, Marosa, Shinipampana, Renaquil, and Chiric Sanango. He earned the nickname "Captain" from a Shipibo healer, he likes it for its connotation of guiding a boat, a psychedelic boat beyond the mind's boundaries. However, he believes true leadership enables individuals to become captains of their own lives.
In his practice, Blez combines his skills as a psychologist with the profound lessons from plants. He is committed to creating a safe, judgment-free space for those seeking healing. His priority is to foster a supportive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Blez takes great care in preparing medicines, ensuring their highest quality. He finds immense satisfaction in witnessing the transformation towards a more conscious existence and improved well-being. He states that healing can be a fascinating journey.
Filmmaker and creative with London Real, director of "Reconnect" ayahuasca documentary, manager and facilitator with Psychonauta Foundation
"My mission at Psychonauta Foundation is to create a safe space where our participants can experience Amazonian medicine in a way that is authentic and respectful.
I´ve worked for years as a creative and film director in a well known media channel, where we collaborate with some of the brightest thinkers of the planet creating conscious and empowering content. But something was missing in my life, modern society was not giving me the answers I was looking for so I've decided to leave the industry and start a personal exploration of Amazonian shamanism.
During my life I've collected a range of practices and tools from different angles like martial arts, dream-work, psychedelic explorations, philosophy, magick, yoga, the creative process, storytelling and the world of personal development, this tools were crucial on my path with plant medicine and I'm delighted to be in a position of share them with our participants.
It will be an honour to be at your side while YOU do your own healing."
Being born in a country with plant medicine tradition gave me the opportunity to be in contact with the magic and power of plants since I was a little girl, when my grandmother and my mom use botanical wisdom to heal my physical and emotional diseases... Plants were always there.
I received the call of grandma Ayahuasca more than 10 years ago and since that I have been deepening in the ocean of myself with the intention of understanding my complex humanity, living a more joyful life and releasing the veil that creates separation inside and outside me; during this time I have also explore and incorporate into my life practices of meditation, yoga, pranayama, ayurvedic medicine, dance and conscious movement using the physical body as a tool for healing and transcendence; finally in my call of serving the feminine energy I have created and developed sacred women's circles and I keep creating spaces for young women to bring conscious to our blissful cycles and their inherited relation with mother earth.
My job in Psychonauta is to create and hold a safe space where people can overcome the challenges of this experience in order to focus in what really matters: their own healing journey! I also like to bring harmony, kindness and joy, just like a big smile to serve as a reminder that this process - and life itself - it should also be joyful and enjoyable... "at the end the diet and the ceremonies are just an intensive training for doing better in life".
Matilda has a lot of experience working with women, and is usually really appreciated by female guests. Our maestra does not wear fancy feather crown, nor white turban. She gives no long motivational speeches, does not boast how big she is and how wrong the others. It is not in the words, but in smile, not in answers from the mind, but in melody and vibration from the heart, in games of little girl, in jokes and joy of being and living we dwell, share, and grow.
"..her singing, when it finally kicked off, great stuff, very feminine, melodious, harmonious, bringing peace and healing, what we needed after roughness of the jungle base and some spiritually sick people that affected us in last weeks. My partner was delighted, saying Matilda was best so far on this journey, so I guess she can be especially recommended for women, looking for care and softness.."
Almost 20 years on a long and twisted path of exploration of magic, primordial beliefs, traditional cultures, shamanism and spirituality of the world. From Rastafarian camps in Jamaica, voodoo in Haiti and Africa, desert traditions of healing with trance, in Maghreb, Ethiopia, Pakistan, shamanism of Mongolia, Africa, Pakistan, mysticism of Indian subcontinent, transformative Sufi rites on three continents, Bwiti initiation in Cameroon, finally culminating in Amazon and Andes, learning its traditional medicine, sampling various sources of knowledge of the world and inspiration, understanding of self and bringing others safely through paths scouted before. Worked with shamans in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, gringos, mestizos and tribes : Shipibo, Siona, Cofan, Tsachilas, Kamsa, Achuar, Kichwa, Witoto.
Traveler, journalist, guide, practitioner. Founder and leader of medicinal camp in the jungle of northern Peru, place where patients from all around the world come seeking solutions to their problems. Specializes in entheogenic plants used in the local tradition. Primal, ancient shamanism reinterpreted through body, breath and own, unique experience for the moment of NOW, improvisation, syncretism, song woven continually, rooted in ancient past and in various cultures with fruits here and for each case individually.
Special maestro, a rare gem, 35 years of experience with medicine, having started dieting at the age of 13 he accumulated energy of many dietas like chullachaqui, huairacaspi , ayauma, camaloga estorasque, chumtaquiro, palo de sangre, bobinsana, chiric sanango, eucalipto, palo de rosa but his main ally and specialty is noya rao, which was given to him by his grandfather and now he offers this in form of special dieta by transmission of icaros, without drinking the tree, which, despite marketing tales of many centers is gone from the Amazon of Peru.
We have worked with many maestros, but energy and quality of Francisco icaros is something of a different realm.
Details of this retreat
Please contact us before booking to make sure if your preferred dates are available.
Please read carefully following description, and if there is anything unclear or anything more you need to know, write us a message, we will love to go into details. It is important to be aware what is dieta before signing up.
We could describe dieta as transformation process happening in isolation, a kind of shamanic vipassana that enables contact with spirits of healing plants, better understanding of oneself and roots of own problems, getting rid of things blocking you from moving forward and finding onward path in life.
This is an intimate master plant dieta structured in a traditional style in a family camp, in a very small group, under care of healers from the Shipibo tribe and a western team of facilitators.
This holistic transformation process consists of : 10 days dieta in isolation / 4 powerful ceremonies with Ayahuasca cooked on the spot out of pure, selected plants / private consultations with shamans / private integration sessions - depending on the needs / plant medicines - chosen according to your intentions and issues to be solved / plant bath / integration/ consultation services after the dieta.
Ayahuasca retreat in Peru combined with entering the master plant dieta is a way to really get to know the power of Amazonian plants.
/Our approach to serving ayahuasca/
Ayahuasca is priceless - That means one can not put a tag on relationship established. Just like you can not price feelings, love, health and abundance. We do not therefore charge for ayahuasca. We see limitation in “I pay – I demand” approach, which can be obstacle to build that meaningful relationship with the plant, to transcend restrictions of consumerism that keeps us enslaved in expectation.
Our main goal is to provide a deep, safe and transforming experience with mother Ayahuasca and plant teachers from the Amazon rainforest. The price of our retreats is covering healers work and work involved in preparation and running of the retreats and place itself.
Thanks to our undertaking and your trust we can support the maintenance of a living tradition of working with plant medicine. The medicine itself remains free for all. We treat is as alive, sentient and beautiful being. Obtaining it, preparing and cooking is as important as ceremony itself. We are trying to give back to nature and re-plant it in the forest. Our work is to serve it and to serve you.
Our focus and best effects so far are working with issues such as chronic depression, lack of clarity and purpose in life, compulsive habits and addictions ( for example alcohol, drugs, other addiction ), lack of focus and determinations to finish things, anxiety and excessive control, emotional blockages. Besides, both ayahuasca and other plants prove effective for a range of physical ailments. It is best to contact us before to discuss potential options of your healing.
/Use of ayahuasca during the master plant dieta retreat/
Ayahuasca is used in the Amazon as one of main master plants. Therefore for healers working here it is a source of knowledge and this is its main function in a master plant dieta. Both for the shaman to know what is going on with his patient as well as for the guest to be able to recognize patterns inside his body, psyche and soul and in this way to have an option of transformation.
Besides, in the context of dieta, ayahuasca allows understanding and strengthening connection with the plant being dieted. All elements work here in synergy, design of master plant dieta, power of psychoactive brew and healing potential of the plants. Therefore, this approach delivers experience much stronger and much more effective than what even very experienced drinkers may know from their previous random sessions.
Usually ayahuasca taken during the master plant dieta works stronger because of proper preparation. Psychonauts, having foundation of right diet and isolation, can dive deeper. Ayahuasca rewards patience, humility and commitment.
/How the Shipibo ceremony at ayahuasca retreat looks like?/
There are always at least two shamans present in the ayahuasca ceremony, besides experienced facilitators. We have always a female curandera ( onanya ) working with us. This is assuring that if there is a need for physical treatment for female guests, it can be done in a safe and transparent manner.
Shipibo style of ayahuasca ceremony means complete darkness, lack of superfluous gadgets and ornaments. Just you, medicine, and power of multiple songs – icaros weaving the visions, harmony and new, healthy energy patterns.
We strictly follow our security protocol so that every experience can be safe. This protocol consists of many elements developed during hundreds of ceremonies held under our guidance.
During ayahuasca retreat it is an important priority for us to provide participants with a safe space for deep journeys.
/Introduction to Samá – master plant dieta/
The root of ¨dieta¨ is δίαιτα , which was a Greek word meaning a way of life. This included not only food, but also way of being in the world, way of thinking, relating to environment and others. Samá in the Shipibo language or dieta is a therapeutic and spiritual practice of isolation and working toward integration with plant medicine.
In the Amazonian tradition it means stepping out of your ordinary daily life and reorganizing it completely with the aim of changing focus and opening new communication – with plants and with yourself. If you want a radical breakthrough, you need to look for radical solutions.
You may have already drunk ayahuasca or went through some other initiatory experience that hinted you direction to follow. But all seems very complicated, you don´t know where to start, entangled in complexity of your life patterns.
But there is a way.
It has been tested in history of humanity in various contexts. This is the spiritual practice of separating yourself from social game, from all habits and seeking the voice in the wilderness. Whether it is Jesus conversing with God and Satan in the desert. An Amazonian shaman learning from the plants, or modern man understanding himself better. These may be just cultural ways of attempting to use language to describe similar process.
The only way to understand is to stop thinking and try. This can not only be profound healing, but also an adventure of your life.
/Master plant dieta leads you to union with the spirit of the plant/
The concept of the dieta in Shipibo and some other Amazonian cultures is learning directly from the plant you are dieting. Receiving messages in order to heal oneself. Learn about reality, and learn tools of medicinal work, especially healing songs called icaros.
It requires a lot of determination. It is for people dedicated to make a change in their life and in lifes of others. By silencing your mind, switching out external distractions or chaotic energies of everyday life. You can be still enough to hear subtle message, in your dreams, visions or in the forest surrounding you. This is how shamans of these traditions learn.
Specific master plants have their characteristics, some are better for opening heart and emotions. Some give you a solid center and strength, defence against hardships of life. Some make you more focused, able to do what you want but so far only claimed you want, including leaving your addictions. Other can heal stomach problems, rheumatism, depression. You should specify your intentions when applying, and the healer will choose one appropriate.
/Guides for your plant experience. Who facilitates ayahuasca retreat in Peru at Psychonauta Foundation?/
Ayahuasca retreat and master plant dieta is led by a crew of experienced Shipibo shamans. We especially take care to have female maestra present. This is most appreciated by women who often are cautious who they learn from. If there is any physical treatment that needs to be performed at night, during ceremony, female guests are always treated by female healer.
The healers work with a variety of techniques, ayahuasca ceremonies being only one among them.
Male shaman gives sense of foundation and stability in the ceremony, as well as power that takes you really deep, while female presence assures empathy, feeling and sensitivity.
There are also always multilingual Western practitioners present, building a compassionate space and a bridge of understanding between cultures. It is a crew of experienced facilitators, guides and volunteers.
/More details about the master plant dieta process/
Dieta starts with flower bath, which purpose is to cleanse and make you more receptive to plant spirits, removing distractions. Your plant can be chosen beforehand, if you specify your intentions, what you want to resolve or learn.
Master plant dieta is formally opened with first ayahuasca ceremony, during which healers will be additionally able to diagnose you, connect with plant being dieted, perhaps also add another one. You will be also able to see with greater clarity and details the issues present in yourself.
You can diet one of many plant teachers available, such as Ajo Sacha (Mansoa Alliacea), Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia), Chiric Sanango (Brunfelsia grandiflora), Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus laevis), Uña de Gato (Cat’s Claw, Uncaria Tormentoso) and many other. You can choose yourself if you are experienced, or healers can help you choose according to your intentions.
After first ceremony you are given first dose of plant. The preparation, amount, frequency, that all depends on type of plant. Some are taken every day apart from the day of ceremony, some just three or four doses in the beginning. They also have different requirements, some are more strict. For example demanding avoiding sun exposure or excessive movements, some more relaxed.
Our team of dedicated staff is available at all times.
Throughout the dieta you are guided and monitored by our crew. We can help with things coming up, both about your psychological and physical process and sometimes adjust in different ways. This is highly individual, and so makes no sense to give examples here. Small size of group allows us to give enough attention to each guest’s development.
What is common that all plants have is what Shipibo call shitana, which is negative or dark energy. Proportionally stronger according to medicinal and healing power of the plant. It can be contained with right knowledge and approach. For instance, consciously working with negative thoughts appearing, like inner criticism of someone you know. When you are able to see it and acknowledge, you can transcend from potentially self and others harming pattern to a better, more aware living.
Technically, you spend most of the time in isolation. You will be dieting in a private tambo – forest hut, protected against insects, without electricity. Twice a day, a simple meal will be served. The dieta food is without salt, sugar, spices, oil, no fruits, very limited vegetables.
You are suggested not to read, use internet, instead to focus on your interior, meditate. You are allowed all activity that does not involve seeking distraction from outside. For example you are encouraged to draw, write, especially note your dreams, do yoga, sing or play instruments. Part of communication with plant spirits happens through musical inspiration. You can take walks in the forest, but avoiding going to village and contact with other humans’ energies.
By stepping out of your ordinary daily trance you may gain new perspective.
It is a form of isolation, a process of symbolic burial, permission to let the old patterns die, and the new path to be revealed. What is worth emphasizing again, it is a certain sacrifice in order to truly change and learn. This process can be compared in some ways with vipassana. However focus here, apart from own self understanding, is to connect too with plant energies.
The ceremonies are held in a place called maloca – the traditional meeting place in tribal communities, in this case hosting together participants, shamans and facilitators. They are happening every second day to allow time for integrating experience and physical rest. For safety reasons, we stay together until the morning after each ceremony. Final session of master plant dieta includes sealing of energies and placing protective arkanas. These special icaros are supposed to guard results of your diet and provide permanent connection with the plant.
You are instructed about post dieta period, during which we are also available for online consultations.
/Reasons to join dieta with us : How can we help/
In conclusion, learning and healing are inherently connected. Most of healers began by dealing with their own troubles, or those of someone in their family. But even if you are not considering at all pursuing this path, healing is a long process of discovery, untangling and undoing of roots and deep causes. That result in both somatic and psychological obstacles blocking healthy living, growth and happiness.
With help of ayahuasca you will be discovering mysteries of your own life. You will be getting rid of trauma hidden in unconscious, becoming master of your own fate. It does not mean that you will become immune to sadness or suffering. But you will able to do more conscious choices, rather than be driven by causes beyond your understanding.
The master or teacher plants will do their part in healing the symptoms. For example cleansing your organism, including physical purge of negative energies accumulated during years of neglect.
These traditional treatments consisting of ayahuasca retreat and a master plant dieta are effective for and have worked before on our guests with issues such as :
Addictions : to substances as well as other addictive behaviors– gambling, pornography, workaholism
Depression – often years long, medicated with pharmaceutical substances without any big success
Lack of sense of life purpose / meaning. Feeling lost and confused, in transition, uncertain
Anxiety, constant living in past or future
Difficulties in emotional opening, relations with family / partners
Low self esteem, pathological introversion.
Anger, excess of control
Consequences of trauma, childhood neglect or abuse
Stressful lifestyle
Dieta is a remarkable tool for improving mental and physical well-being. It is also a fundamental step on the path of shamanic apprenticeship, so if you feel a calling for learning craft of the healer, also good to put it to the test.
If there is anything unclear or anything more you need to know, write us a message. We can also schedule a call to discuss details or clear any doubts. It is important to be aware what is ayahuasca retreat and master plant dieta before signing up.