Hi, this is Isher. I'm particularly interested in working with people who have a history of depression, addiction or people who are just looking take hold of their lives again. Anyone who's interested in exploring their inner urge to expand their consciousness without the fear of being judged will always have my full attention and loving respect.
After living 30 years of my life living with recurring depression, a feeling of not belonging and a general sense of not knowing who i am or why i'm here, i decided it was time to do some serious work on myself and. I started meditating and it certainly helped with being able to witness myself and my behavioral patterns and moods. But why was i having these patterns and moods? What was underneath them? I came across a man called Dr Gabor Mate (An expert in trauma, addiction, stress and childhood development) around 8 years. This lead me to the use of plant medicines. First with Ayahuasca (which showed my the roots cause of my behavior patterns as well as helping me shed my mental and spiritual pollution that i felt society had installed in me. Then with San Pedro/Huachuma which i feel made me complete again and gave me my clear focus, mental strength and a purpose in life.
I decided to focus mainly on working with San Pedro as i have so much respect for the gentle and patient nature of the medicine. I don't claim to be a shaman like in the South America traditional sense. I totally respect the shamanic ways and have work and journeyed with Shamans, but I feel this tradition is a sacred one that is so often exploited and by westerners. Shamanic ceremonies should only be conducted by genuine shamans of which they are few a far between in my experience. I also feel that experiencing your journey with loving support and with as little distractions or interference as possible gives the participants the deepest and most transformational experience. I'm descried as being a gentle giant and a big open heart. I offer plenty experience working with medicines as well as safety and protection. I'm originally from the UK but now living in Portugal where we have the perfect location to truly work with this medicine at it's best.
I strongly believe in everyone's individual reality, and that everything is just how it's supposed to be. I feel that we should try our best to embrace our fears and emotions, not run away or drown in to them and we should always show gratitude to the human experience. Life and awareness truly is a blessing.
Blessing on your travels
Isher
Hi, my name is Marijke. I guess you could say I started my healing journey back in 2005 when after experiencing a burn out cause by then career, many bouts of depression and a heavy relationship with cannabis, I decided there must be something else, this can't be it! I enrolled on a 2 year course at a school of living art in The Netherlands. It was here that really started to take a deep look inside myself.
Later, I heard someone talk about a life changing experience with a plant medicine called Ayahuasca. I was intrigued and felt a strong calling to try for myself. I combined the sessions with psycho therapy initially and I'm glad I did so as I could really open up to my therapist as well as help me keep my feet on the floor.
I eventually became a facilitator at the same centre in which I took my first Ayahuasca session and then became a ceremony leader for 5 years. I also met Isher here and we struck up a strong friendship. I later worked as a facilitator at another centre in The Netherlands, this working with different shamans from Peru. Now I'm working with Huachuma at The Lighthouse. All in all I've guided hundreds of participants through their plant medicine journeys.
On a personal level, plant medicines have helped me see different perspectives, have a healthier acceptance of myself and therefore others. I'm kinder to myself and my shadow side. I realise that the world didn't change but the way I look at it now makes it easier to live in. I feel like I've received healing on many different levels.
I like to keep it real, I'm down to earth and have a strong protecting energy. I love to see people regain their inner power and strength.
I know that it's a big decision to embark on a medicine journeys and that you should research strong as to whether or not this is right for you but I also know that if you do feel strongly about doing it and that you're well prepared and physically healthy enough, you could receive some real benefit from them.
Details of this retreat
We lovingly invite you to a 4 day (3 nights) San Pedro /Huachuma gathering at The Lighthouse in Portugal.
Quick overview:
🌵 All meals are included (Vegetarian or vegan;
🌵 1 introductory Rapé/hapey (medicinal snuff) ceremony on day 1;
🌵 2 San Pedro ceremonies on day 2 and day 3;
🌵 On day 3 we will also explore a little nature park where you have the possibility to swim in the waterfall. If time allows we would also love to show you the Douro river!;
🌵 A bed in either a shared bedroom with max. 2 others (same seks), a private room or tent;
🌵Bathrooms are shared.
San Pedro/Huachuma is a medicine that can provide plenty of insights, strength and personal meaning. Although some consider it a gentle medicine, it's also very powerful with it's teachings and results. If you're feeling lost or struggling to understand your purpose in life, our San Pedro gatherings at the Lighthouse could be the answer. We want to create an environment where a fellowship brothers and sisters can come together and encourage each other to step in to our power in this ever-evolving world.
Please take into account that an Huachuma ceremony can last up to 12 hours. It can thus be mentally, emotionally and physically demanding. You might feel tired, drained or low mood a few days proceeding the ceremony. We therefor recommend you take it easy (take some days off), keep your diet clean and stay mindful of your state of being. Within a few days you should feel renewed and in a better state of wellbeing.
Practicatlies:
🌵 The ceremonies will mainly facilitated by Isher. As a second (or sometimes third) facilitator Nancy, Marijke or Rui will be there;
🌵 We accept a maximum of 6 participants ;
🌵 We speak English and Dutch;
🌵 We offer a 45 minute 1-on-1 online integration or guidance session after the retreat should you need it.
BOOKING PROCESS:
Please contact us for availability before booking.
After you've booked at RetreatGuru we will send you an intake form.
- Fill out the booking form with detail & attention;
- After receiving your form, we will review your answers;
- If we feel you are at the right place with us, you will receive an e-mail with the payment details to make the deposit (make sure you check your spam box);
- Be aware that only after you've made the deposit, your spot is reserved and confirmed;
- After the deposit has been received, we will send you all the information about the (preparation for) the retreat;
- We reserve the right to decline reservations. If we do so, you will get refunded the full amount.
Schedule
We will prepare you beforehand the best we can for the ceremony ahead by taking our time to give you as many tools as possible to navigate through the journey.
The ceremonies always start with us giving thanks to the plants for calling us together for this experience. Then there is an opportunity to share your intentions should you wish to. After drinking the brew we usually sit and try to connect with the medicine and allow it to move through our bodies and mind. We then go for a little walk on the grounds of the Lighthouse and connect with nature. There is one facilitator per 3 participants, allowing everyone’s needs to be safely catered for. Our ceremonies are not shamanic ceremonies like in the South America traditional sense. We totally respect the shamanic ways, but feel this tradition is a sacred one that is so often exploited and by westerners and should only be conducted by genuine shamans of which are few a far between in our experience. We also feel that experiencing your journey with loving support and with little distractions or interference gives the participants the deepest and most transformational experience. There will be live music and carefully selected recorded music, as well as some periods of silence but mostly you are free to go where you are comfortable. There's times when we will take a walk around the beautiful grounds of the property where you'll really feel the connection of nature, the earth and the skies. Your journey could last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours in total.
After the ceremony there will be plenty of time for sharing, grounding, eating and opportunities to get to know the new you
We are a 45 min car drive from Porto airport and a 15 min cab journey to the train station followed by a 1 hour direct train ride which cost €8. Detailed instructions will be given when bookings are confirmed.
Accommodation
Rooms are private or shared with max. 3 to a room.
Bathrooms are shared.
1 person in a shared bedroom (max. 3 persons)
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
We are situated in the heart of the Douro Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Just 50km east of Porto, easily reachable by car (50 mins) or train (60 mins) The house has stunning views into the Douro Valley and is minutes away from the Douro river and all of it's leisure activities and beauty spots. On the property we have many different spots to hang out and enjoy nature's beauty.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
We will serve vegan or vegetarian meals.
What's Included
3 nights stay;
2 Huachuma Ceremonies
All meals (vegetarian or vegan);
Pick up from the local train station;
1 introductory Rapé (medicinal snuff) ceremony;
On day 3 we will also explore a little nature park where you have the possibility to swim in the waterfall;
A bed in either a shared bedroom with max. 2 others (same sexe) or a private room. Bathrooms are shared;
Should you need it; we offer a 45 minute 1-on-1 online integration or guidance session after the retreat.
What's Not Included
Airport pick-ups
Customer Reviews
5.00 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
Transforming experience.
Expert guides and guidance in a beautiful,natural environment create the ideal situation to support the healing process Throughout my experience here I was well informed and any concerns were listened to with compassion and wisdom.A wonderful,life-enhancing experience thanks to the medicine and our wonderful hosts Isher and Marijke.
5.0
Verified
Amazing at-home-like retreat experience
During the retreat it really felt like I was home visiting family:) From the moment I arrived, I felt welcome and cared for the way the family would.
Both, Isher and Marijke, took such a good loving care of the retreat participants. And it was always done with the respect to each one's unique journey and needs for space.
Isher's respect for the medicine and nature emanates in all he does: the way the ceremony is held, medicine preparation, the land and the garden, all of it. Being in that space with these people is healing itself.
The stay and the location were great too. The rooms are warm and very cozy. One can sense it's been done with love and care. It's quite important for me to be comfortable during work with the medicine as it can get quite exhausting:) Isher's home ticks all the boxes!
The land with the garden is just beautiful. Lots of comfy and cozy spots with hammocks, cushions, sunbeds (that hill top with the view over the river is with me forever now) to be with yourself and nature.
The feeling of safety and comfort never left me throughout the whole stay, especially during the Huachuma ceremony days. Isher and Marijka are doing an amazing job as experienced space holders supporting each one in their journey with the medicine, sharing their own experience, and simply by being beautiful open-hearted and grounded beings.
Thank you for having me in your beautiful space, and sharing the medicine🤍
With love,
Dasha
5.0
Verified
Life Changing
Just wanted to stop by and thank Isher, Marijke (and of course Chuma!) for what proved to be an amazing, grounding experience. As I am still coming to terms and processing my time with the medicine, I would just like to thank you for sharing your space and your life perspectives with me, you could not ask for two kinder souls and nicer people to have guided me through. I feel like I have started this week with a new perspective on life and have noticed an all round calmer demeanour in myself. The work has clearly just started but I look back on my day there in nothing but a positive light, and hope to revisit to continue this journey in the future, if possible. Finally, I hope Marijke‘s cat has returned and all is well, and wish you all the best for the ceremonies and winter ahead! Best wishes, R.
5.0
Verified
Excellent experience
The retreat was very powerful and important for my life, so I changed my patterns deep inside. I didn’t know that it is possible.
Hots are very common experienced and cares about everyone with love.
Delicious food, friendly and safe atmosphere
5.0
Verified
A Truly Special Place
Nancy and Isher are the most genuine, honest, and caring people I have met. They made me feel at home immediately, almost like meeting old best friends. The nature and settings are beautiful, with a lot of heart put into the details of various spots where you can have your journey in the most comfortable way possible. More importantly, they have a deep understanding and respect for the medicine, checking on you at the right times and emanating the kind of energy for you to get the most out of your experience. (and not to mention their lovely dog who soothes your soul). I am not one eager giving recommendations, but I recommend this special place with all my heart.
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Payments made through Retreat Guru do not include the cost of: plant medicine, psychedelics or similar products.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
The event is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Verified
