"successfully bringing an ancient medicine to a modern audience"
I was invited as a media trade journalist, meaning I don't pay for the experience and I have the freedom to write an in depth story about my time there. I have a background in anthropology and knowledge of the therapeutic benefits plant medicine so I was very interested how a place like this is structured and the overall experience. I came fairly trepidatious, not really knowing what to expect when it came down to it...about the ceremonies, the center, the crowd, any of it. I had read every article, every blog...both good and bad...so I was armed with a wealth of other peoples perspectives and opinions. I left pretty amazed with the whole experience, the people I met, the center, the structure of how you are educated about it all along the way and of course the ayahuasca ceremonies. As a journalist I need proof. I am not one to be swayed by the crowd, or get caught up in the moment. I look at everything from all sides. My thoughts as follows: 1. How they set it up your week there is great. It's like a university where you attended classes and learn, learn, learn about everything from the science to the data collected from thousands of attendees. 2. The center is beautiful and the spa, pool, food and attention from staff is first rate. The grounds are gorgeous. 3. The most important! The ayahuasca is a healing modality bar none and I believe, as well as in the words of the psychologists and doctors I met as patients there, it is "the future of therapy." I don't know if it's quantifiable to say, "ayahuasca is 20 years of therapy in a week of ceremony," as I often see written, but it absolutely blew me away with my personal depth of healing, awareness and relief. I speak as someone who has done standard therapy...not 20 years but enough to know that this plant highlighted and dug into parts of my psyche, therapy had not. I've kept up with several of my fellow patients, most of whom are as results oriented as I am and not prone to gushing about anything "woo woo," ...not that I think it's woo woo, but I get public perception of the lesser known. Every single one of us walked away with valuable insight into self, pretty extraordinary breakthroughs and some very deep spiritual healing. Call 'em miracles if you want. Call 'em pretty awesome life transformations if you rather. I deeply appreciate that Rythmia has brought this 5,000 year old tradition to a demographic of people who otherwise might not be inclined to travel deep into a jungle and sip ayahuasca in an environment that could seem intimidating. As a single woman I felt incredibly safe and also loved the sense of community and sharing amongst the participants. I also love that Rythmia offers scholarships for those who need the healing but can't afford to come. I met radiologists, lawyers, psychologists various other medical professionals, taco stand owners, army veterans, animal vets, marine biologists, single women sorting out life, motorcycle groups, cookie store franchise owners...folks I was pleasantly surprised were open to the experience. The shamans (men and women) are as authentic as the ones I have met in extensive travels...the only difference is modern creature comforts and a whole lotta more information about the process you might get otherwise...which is priceless. Many of the classes, from breath work (which was amazing) to yoga and meditation, and of course the ceremonies themselves, are led by local people and indigenous tribal members who are very happy to share their practices for the greater good of healing. The ceremonies are sacred but if you know anything about ayahuasca you know about the purging. Yep. You will be fine. But as they said in one of the classes...never trust a fart. Nothing better than some humor to ease you into a life changing experience. I came as a bit of a skeptic and left lighter...pun intended...but I mostly mean spiritually. Enjoy. - Kinga
Kinga P
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