05/07/2026
Every retreat is different.
A few days ago, I had the privilege of accompanying a private three-ceremony ayahuasca retreat. Like every retreat, it reminded me that no two journeys are ever the same.
Our friend arrived with humility, an open heart, and a sincere willingness to work on himself. He wasn't chasing extraordinary visions or dramatic experiences. He simply trusted the process, one ceremony at a time.
As a facilitators our role is not to lead every step, but to create a safe space where someone can discover their own inner wisdom and reconnect with their own center. That, too, is part of the medicine.
The first two ceremonies were not easy. They brought uncertainty, confusion, and the kind of inner work that often asks us to stay present without immediately understanding what is unfolding. It can be uncomfortable, even frustrating at times, but these moments are not signs that something is going wrong. Often, they are part of the medicine gently loosening what is ready to change, allowing insight to emerge in its own time.
One moment that will stay with me happened during the third ceremony. After moving through uncertainty and confusion in the first two ceremonies, hearing him laugh felt deeply meaningful. It was a sign of the natural shift in his process. Sometimes, healing doesn't arrive as a dramatic breakthrough. Sometimes, it unfolds as lightness, relief, or the simple joy of feeling alive again.
One of the most common questions people ask before attending a retreat is, "What will happen?" The honest answer is: no one knows.
Reading about other people's experiences can be inspiring, but comparison often creates expectations that get in the way. The medicine meets each person where they are and reveals what they are ready to receive, in its own time and in its own way.
This gradual unfolding is something Juanita and I deeply value. We trust the intelligence of the medicine and the wisdom of allowing each process to unfold naturally, honoring both the spirit and the nervous system.
Thank you for your trust and for allowing us to witness another unique journey. It was an honor to walk beside you.