"Paradise Found: Healing, Hope, and the Magic of Rythmia"
A close friend of mine was struggling, their life-long reliance on alcohol had escalated to a frightening crescendo and was desperate for solutions. My own life too had not been without struggle as I was living through the aftermath of witnessing my mother deteriorate through the final stages of Alzheimer’s until death. And what remained of my living family was broken. After twenty years of acting in film and television, the work had all but dried up. The stress and daily traumas of caretaking during the final years of my mothers life had sucked the joy out of it. The multiple union strikes and rise of actorless-AI media certainly didn’t help. Auditions slowed to a trickle and I was adrift navigating this new life as a 45 yr old with no parents, no home and no work. Several years before a bit of divine inspiration led me to try psychedelics for the first time at 38. Psilocybin Mushrooms cracked open my heart and renewed my spirit. It felt like coming home. I’d soon discover that these magical mushrooms could also be beneficial to my mother whose rare form of Alzheimer’s was ravaging her mind, and fast. These miracles sent me on a quest to research the history of psychedelics and discovered there was now clinical science to back it up. Psilocybin was simply the native medicine to my neck of the woods. There was Peytoe, Ibogane, Acacia, and of course Ayahuasca. It didn’t take much of a google search to land upon Rythmia. By the beautiful pictures and stunning videos, I thought “Well, they can’t be taking the medicine seriously. It’s too gorgeous!” Shouldn’t this sacred medicine be taken in a jungle somewhat fearing for your safety while swatting away bugs on the lookout for snakes? Then I saw a podcast where Ron White, a famous comedian where I’m from, spoke about his experience and the breakthroughs he had overcoming alcoholism and thought of my friend. Here’s a man who made his whole career off of being drunk on stage and somehow had his breakthrough in this paradise, not in the wild. It was then I decided to lead a trip with my friends to venture down to Costa Rica and give this Rythmia a try. Not to sound redundant if you've read other reviews, but there’s no other way to put it. That decision changed my life- forever. Surrounded by lush well-manicured landscapes, colorful macaws, giant iguanas, and howler monkeys, the place feels like the Garden of Eden. And the accommodations were top-tier. My room was spacious, the sheets were oh-so-soft and refreshingly cool! It’s a gated campus where winding walking paths meander through large boulders and exotic trees, circling the amenities like steam saunas, cold plunges and lounging hammocks. It was indeed paradise. But that wasn’t what made it truly special. It was the people. All of them. EVERYONE who worked there from the front desk attendants, to the masseuses, to the groundskeepers, to the dining staff were always ready and willing to lend a hand or lend an ear. And do so with joy. The ceremonies were led by shamans trained in the Amazon, blending traditional practices with a comfortable, cushioned setting. And the music…oh man the music was perfect. A mix between surround sound recorded tracks to traditionally trained musicians who jubilantly strummed and sung from the soles of their feet to the top of their lungs. This, I thought, must’ve been what it felt like to be among our ancestors. Walking out to the lawn behind the maloca during ceremony the first night felt, as it should- sacred. All my senses were heightened. Barefoot the lush grass underfoot sent shivers up my whole body as I stood mesmerized by the fire sending sparks flickering into the night. Suddenly…I knew that I could mend my broken family, but it would have to start with mending me. Immediately, I purged. It was as if the poison of my hangups was being quickly and thankfully expelled. Within moments, I was greeted softly by a shepherding attendant who provided a lovingly folded tissue and a gentle, silent hug. Tears flowed and joy followed. Healing was happening…and this was night one! I could, and probably should, write a book about the full events of those weeks (I ended up doing two in a row!) The insights, the breath work, the shamans, some of the most meaningful events I’ve ever experienced. But for now, this review will have to do. I can’t emphasize enough how important that safe environment was for such a profound journey. I was lucky enough to dine with the founder, Gerry, whose origin story would make for a harrowing movie (Trust me, I would know.) Thank God he heeded the call to create this holy place. The ripple of goodness flowing through their doors is righting the ship of a world that’s lost its way. Rythmia strikes a beautiful balance between honoring ancient traditions and providing modern comforts. I believe it serves as a blueprint for how we can address mind, body, and spirit outside the usual healthcare system. My life’s been forever transformed thanks to what they offer, and I’d love to see more places like this around the world. If you’re considering this sacred medicine, I can’t recommend Rythmia enough. It’s truly a place our ancestors would be proud of.
Justice L
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