Ayahuasca Retreat Reviews — Helping You Stay Safe with 5,000+ Independent Reviews
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Property Features
Gaia Sagrada is a non-profit (rare among retreat centers) keeping prices as low and close to expenses as possible. Even the directors of Gaia earn close to minimum wage in Ecuador each month, as their priority is helping people awaken in a changing world.
Gaia Sagrada is nestled in the Magical Andes Mountains on 55 acres (22 hectares) with hundreds of miles of beautiful country roads and trails to hike. Most centers are in cramped quarters on a small piece of land, but Gaia Sagrada is expansive, open and free. You can see the Milky Way at night with clearer stars in the sky than you’ve ever seen, with fireflies in the fields. In the daytime there are beautiful mountain vistas in every direction and miles and miles of country roads and hikes to take. There is even a waterfall nearby to hike to!
Gaia = Mother Nature, Mother Earth
Sagrada = Sacred
This is a magical journey through consciousness that will change your life forever. Gaia Sagrada is sponsored by University of Metaphysical Sciences and founder is Christine Breese, PhD.
This is a chance to overhaul your system through shamanic healing and realize your full potential. Much healing will take place during these 12, 7 or 6 days in mind, body and spirit during this Ayahuasca retreat and San Pedro retreat.
Why did we choose Ecuador instead of Peru?
We chose Ecuador because shamans have to be certified and authorized to practice their trade. It is important to us that everyone has a safe experience with skilled shamans who are approved by the government to practice their trade with integrity, skill and a proper education in this particular healing practice. Ecuador has more regulations for shamans than any other country.
Ecuador was also picked for the ease of entry for visitors (no shots or visas required, only your passport), and also for its gorgeous, magical, and natural settings (very lush and green!).
Ecuadorian people are very friendly and helpful, and we have become quite a part of the Ecuadorian community around us. Your money helps to support them.
Where is Gaia Sagrada?
Gaia Sagrada is nestled in a small community called Llayzhatan (Yah-zuh-tan) in the Andes Mountains on 55 acres, about 45 minutes outside of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. We are very near to Jadan (Hah-don) which means “Close to Heaven.” What a perfect place for Gaia Sagrada!
Why both Ayahuasca and San Pedro Ceremonies?
We feel that offering both is very important because one without the other is not a balanced experience. The shamans say Ayahuasca shows you what you need to change or heal, and San Pedro gives you the power to do it.
We offer both Ayahuasca ceremonies and San Pedro ceremonies because the Ayahuasca is considered the feminine aspect of the medicines; San Pedro is the masculine aspect of the medicines. In this era, it is all about balancing the masculine and feminine aspects in each of us to attain true wisdom. These two very different medicines help with that in every individual. The shamans also say that Ayahuasca shows you what to heal and San Pedro gives you the power to make the changes.
Modern, Comfortable Facilities
, sauna and modern housing with electric, 24/7 hot water, and WiFi make it easier to concentrate on your inner journey, yet stay in touch with the outside world if you wish.
We are practically bug free, (NO mosquitoes!) the air is clean, never too hot or humid, and you can see the milky way at night in the sky with fireflies all around you. During the day is T-shirt weather, with sunny gardens to sit in, and hummingbirds to watch.
Description of Retreats – 12, 6 and 7 day Ayahuasca Retreats
12-day Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreats are offered. During these 12-day retreats, 5 ceremonies are offered: 2 Ayahuasca, 2 San Pedro, and 1 mixed with a powerful sweat lodge experience. There is the possibility of 7 ceremonies if you are interested in doing the extra Ayahuasca ceremonies for an extra charge. There is one extra Ayahuasca ceremony in the middle of the retreat and a 2nd extra Ayahuasca ceremony at the end of the retreat and you would stay for an extra day making it a 13 day ceremony.
7-day Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreats entail coming for the first 7 days of a 12-day retreat. This includes 3 ceremonies – 1 Ayahuasca, 1 San Pedro and 1 mixed with the powerful sweat lodge experience. There are no extra ceremonies available for this retreat unless there are openings in the 6 day retreat (which is rare, we are usually completely booked).
6 day Ayahuasca & San Pedro retreats have 3 ceremonies: 2 Ayahuasca and 1 San Pedro with the option of 1 extra Ayahuasca ceremony if you opt for the extra ceremony on the day of your arrival. This gives you the possibility of 4 ceremonies in a 6-7 day span. You can also come a day early and settle in (recommended) so you aren’t getting off the plane and going straight into ceremony, making it a 7 day retreat.
You can see all our retreat dates here.
Ayahuasca Ceremonies
The Ayahuasca ceremonies take place in our beautiful maloka near the forest with the sounds of nature and the twinkling stars outside. During the Ayahuasca ceremonies we always have a few sober helpers standing by to help light your way to the bathroom, empty your purge bucket, and get you anything you need during the ceremony.
Some centers have people express loudly and be dramatic, but our ceremonies are quiet and inwardly focused, with our expert shamans holding space, using music and Icaros at the proper moments to carry the energy. If someone needs to make noise, we move them to another place outside the maloka so everyone can stay focused on their journey.
The shaman is there for your individual healing as you need it from beginning to end. Between ceremonies you are supported with experienced staff to talk with about your experiences if you need any help.
San Pedro Ceremonies
The San Pedro ceremonies give you a completely different experience. These ceremonies take place during the day and go into the night under our beautiful ceremonial gazebo patio (maloka), on the edge of a beautiful forest with a view overlooking the mountains, completely connected with nature in every way. Some San Pedro ceremonies are done walking through nature on Gaia’s incredibly beautiful land, with beautiful vistas in every direction.
While Ayahuasca takes you to your inner dimensions, San Pedro opens your 
and shows you how the dimensions intertwine and overlap with each other.
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
The sweat lodge ceremony, with both medicines mixed, takes place outdoors in a beautiful field, with the birds chirping all around you.
Connect with the Earth while you go through this deep, cleansing experience, a traditional shamanic offering as part of your healing and awakening. After the sweat lodge we sit under the stars and enjoy time around the fire, connecting with the shamans in a heart felt way with laughter, music and love!
In this ceremony, the San Pedro is given first, then if you want to take the Ayahausca you can later in the ceremony. It is optional, but don’t miss this exquisite experience of both the masculine and the feminine medicines together. It is like having both grandfather and grandmother holding your hand in this journey.
This is often everyone’s favorite ceremony, as it brings everything together, the male and female aspects of the medicines, and a balance to the experience. Places that tell you not to mix the medicines are usually ones that don’t offer one or the other, but we have found that this is the most healing experience of them all and there are always good results!
Each ceremony is different
In total, there are five ceremonies in a 12 day retreat with the option of 2 extras if you choose to partake, and the 6 and 7 day ceremonies have 3 ceremonies each with extra ceremonies (6 day only) if you would like to partake as well.
Each one is a different kind of ceremony with different shamans so you can experience all the ways that shamans work with these traditions. There are many ways to experience shamanic ceremonies and we offer them all!
Prices
12-Day, 6 Day and 7 Day Ayahuasca & San Pedro Retreats include everything – steam room, , wifi, food, several workshops and meetings, yoga, meditation and all the ceremonies with a day of rest between each ceremony. It is very important, not to rush through the medicines. You can see our Retreat Prices here.
Be careful with retreats that offer back to back ceremonies each day or squeeze too many into a retreat. It is important to process the changes happening for you, and get plenty of rest so you aren’t tired for the next ceremony. Better to spend a couple extra days in retreat than to rush through the medicines.
12 (or 13) Day Retreats: This retreat includes 5 ceremonies with the possibility of an extra ceremony in the middle of the retreat and even another for the possibility of 7 ceremonies if you stay for a total of 13 days.
7-Day Retreat: Come for the first 7 days of a 12 day retreat. There are limited spaces for the 7 day retreat option, as it is mostly filled by those who want to stay for the full 12 days. We encourage you to go for the 12 day retreat though because you will find that 7 days is not enough! If all you have is 7 days though, we are here to accommodate your needs.
6 (or 7) Day Retreat: Come for the second half of the 12 day retreat, last 6 days, everything included. Possibility of extra Ayahuasca ceremony on day of arrival, first day.
Our Retreats Are At-Cost, Non-Profit
Gaia Sagrada is a non profit retreat center, rare among Ayahuasca retreats. We are not in this for money, we are in it for the awakening of humanity! Our expenses cost 5 – 6 times more in Ecuador than Peru, and yet our prices are even more affordable than most places in Peru. We operate at the edge of expenses because we care about everyone of all income levels to have the opportunity to have this experience. Even the directors make only minimum wage, which is unheard of. This is a labor of love!
Who are Gaia Sagrada’s shamans?
Our shamans are true Ecuadorian shamans, so you are getting the real thing! Our shamans bridge both the Ancient and Modern worlds so they understand the issues you are coming to heal or understand. Scroll below to see pictures of our shamans and meet your guides on your inner journeys with the medicine!
Why Gaia Sagrada Is Highest Rated Ayahuasca Center
People who have been to other Ayahuasca centers tell us all the time that Gaia Sagrada is the best place out of all the centers they have been to and that Gaia Sagrada sets the standard for what an Ayahuasca retreat center should be, even outshining the famous and super well known ones.
Our shamans are around before and after ceremonies for people to talk to, spend time with people outside the ceremonies, and our shamans stay with the people from the beginning to the end of the ceremony.
At most centers the shaman sings for a little while and then disappears, never to be seen again until the next ceremony. If you see them around you are supposed to not talk to them or bother them. Our shamans are approachable and happy to talk with you.
Our shamans spend time with everyone and give individual attention to each person not only during the ceremonies but also between the ceremonies. You can actually talk with them at breakfast or sit by the fire and enjoy their company! This is one of the things that makes our center unique.
Our Shamans
Mauricio has been in documentaries of South American Shamanism. He is guide with power plants for 30 years, plays many instruments, plays shamanic music for events, and makes wind instruments and stringed instruments. He composes Andean and shamanic music. He is very famous for his music! He is a descendant of the Diaguita ethnic group from northern Chile.
Mauricio is an elder, which is very unusual and lucky to have as your guide in these Ayahuasca ceremonies. He is very skilled, well respected and well known in Ecuador for his work. You will be so blessed with a real, authentic and safe Ayahuasca ceremony guided by a true master Shaman!
Veronica’s motivation is serving others in their existential search in relationship with nature, and personal balance. She runs sweat lodge and creates a beautiful, transformative and authentic experience, carrying the traditions of the native people. She is a spiritual energizer who carries the sacred pipe (Chanupa), blessed by the elders of the Sacred Fire of Itzhachilatlan.
She is a Medicine Woman, Sun Dancer, Star Dancer, and has completed the vision quests. She is an Andean Agricultural student of University of Hatun Yachak Wasi, as well. She is also a biorhythm trainer.
Namur descends from a family of Shuar tribe shamans, a native culture of the Ecuadorian Amazon. He is a born shamans, so to speak! He experienced and connected for the first time with the medicine of Natem (Ayahuasca) when he was only 5 years old. The shamans of his community have shared with him their knowledge, wisdom, songs and prayers throughout all his life and he took part in many ancient rituals.
An elder Shuar shaman passed down to Namur the Uwishin practices. He has also received the instructions and teachings of the ancestral practices of other native cultures.
Christine holds space in ceremony with a combination of strength, gentleness and kindness that is quite rare. She touches the hearts of those she works with in her ceremonies. She is a shaman who has a way of calming any person who needs it and can help each person take their power back from the places they lost it.
Born and raised in La Amazonia (Ecuador), Santiago’s first memories are of the medicine, the ancestors, and his first limpia (shamanic cleansing) when he was 7 years old from his mom (Alicia). His Mother was his first and most important teacher. She taught him how to do limpias with the Sacred Plants such as: Tobacco, Santa Maria, Aji and many others. Another Master from his village was Don Juanito, who works with medicine plants doing limpias of all sorts and healing bones.
Male and Female Facilitators At Each Ceremony
We have both a male and a female facilitators at each ceremony. This keeps everything safe and in balance.
Women Are Truly Safe at Gaia Sagrada
Women are truly safe at Gaia Sagrada, particularly given that the founder of Gaia Sagrada is a woman.
You will love every single one of our shamans. Feel free to look on our shaman bio page for their history and photos.
We spent years looking for just the right shamans to offer ceremonies here. We bring the best of the best to you here in Ecuador!
Safe Medicine!
Whenever there are problems with Ayahuasca or any other shamanic medicine ceremonies, it’s because the shamans mix something into the medicine that shouldn’t be there. Sometimes shamans mix in Datura (Toe), Nicotine, or other ingredients to make the experience more intense.
However, ingredients mixed in is not true Ayahuasca and can become a nightmarish experience rather than a healing experience. When people have a terrible experience with Ayahuasca, it is usually because ingredients are mixed into Ayahuasca that shouldn’t be there (or the person is taking pharmaceutical or recreational drugs that should not be mixed with Ayahuasca.) Gaia Sagrada’s medicine is absolutely pure.
We use only the vine and the leaves for Ayahuasca. Nothing else!
For the San Pedro medicine, only the cactus. Nothing else!
Our shamans are under contract to make only the purest medicine with nothing else in it that could cause harm to anyone. Our medicine is the safest possible medicine that can be made, strong and pure.
Why Choose Gaia Sagrada?
- At Cost, Low, Non-Profit Prices, good karmic use of your money. This center is not about commercialism or making money and that is why we offer everything AT COST. Things in Peru cost a fifth or sixth of what things cost in Ecuador, so this truly is our rock bottom cost! No one is getting rich at Gaia Sagrada. Even the directors make only Ecuador’s minimum wage, and get housing and food. This is about service to humanity, NO Ayahuasca commercialism here!
- Modern Housing And Facilities. Comfort allows you to focus more on your inner journey. Electric, hot water, modern toilets and hot showers, wifi internet… LUXURIOUS HOT TUBS and SAUNA. No mosquitoes or bugs. Big thick, comfy mattresses in a real bed in a modern room. No other Ayahuasca center has this level of comfort and amenities. Be comfortable while you journey into the universe within!
- Shamans Are Registered, Trained, Skilled, And Evaluated. Shamans are examined by Ecuadorian government agencies for their ability to practice their trade, instead of countries where anyone can call themselves a shaman.
- Ease Of Access for travelers, no vaccines or shots required, Cuenca airport only 45 minutes away.
- There have never been any medical emergencies, but if there was one, a fully equipped modern hospital is only 35 minutes away by car. No walking through bogs, hiking, motorcyles or boats required to reach help if needed. Even a clinic is only 15 minutes away, yet you are in a pristine 55 acre country setting under the stars with no lights or buildings interfering with the view. You would never know you were close to civilization. This makes our center one of the safest to experience these medicine journeys.
- Not Hot Or Humid, pleasant weather all year round. No screeching animals or insects all night long, like in the jungle! Being near Cuenca and being in the Andes Mountains makes Gaia Sagrada’s temperature and climate like an eternal spring. It’s warm T-shirt weather during a sunny day and it’s cool at night. You won’t be dying of sweat and heat (or mosquitos!) at Gaia Sagrada while trying to sleep.
- Medicine Is Safe, Strong, Pure And Unadulterated. NO additives or mixtures that could be dangerous to your health. We only use pure traditional ingredients, only the vine and the leaves for Ayahuasca, and only the Cactus for San Pedro. Nothing else! Period! Our medicine is safer than places where they mix things that shouldn’t be included.
- Sponsored By University Of Metaphysical Sciences, a leader in metaphysics and spiritual teachings, with credibility and tens of thousands of students all over the world.
- Instead of large, overpriced and commercial, we keep ceremonies Small And Intimate so each participant gets individual attention.
- We Offer Both Medicines, Ayahuasca (feminine) and San Pedro (masculine) medicines in order to provide a balanced experience. One without the other is not balanced. Not all centers offer both medicines, and both are so necessary. You will see!
- Our Shamans Stay With You From Beginning To End, never leaving prematurely before the medicines are finished doing their work with you. At a lot of centers the shamans sing for just an hour or so, and then they end the ceremony and leave you on your own just when you are needing their guidance the most. It is not good if the shamans leave when the medicine is at its strongest heights! Our shamans stay with you for every part of your journey, until the medicine is finished doing its work with you. They are with you to guide you every step of the way.
- 55 Acres To Hike On, plus miles and miles and miles of country roads to wander in wilderness and small, authentic, indigenous Ecuadorian villages, with the women wearing their normal indigenous clothing, walking sheep, cows and goats. You will never run out of beautiful vistas and places to explore. Here you will get a taste of what the REAL Andes Mountains of Ecuador are like, far from tourist traps.
Transformation with love!
You are supported in your Ayahuasca healing journey with love and kindness. You will have a true adventure in consciousness during these days of Ayahuasca ceremonies and San Pedro ceremonies.
This is a life-changing event – a healing retreat that will change how you see yourself and life. You will see the evidence of this in our more than 600+ reviews.
Be ready to meet yourself at levels you never thought possible! Meet the master within you and explore the universe that you are.
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theresamprice
April 8, 2016 at 1:10 amGaia Sagrada is a world class retreat center. Without hesitation, I rate it five stars in every criteria. Christine and the Shamans are some of the world’s best with decades of experience working with plant medicines and metaphysical sciences.
Want to cure a dis-ease, end an addiction or become free from illness? Want a life-time of healing in 12 days? Come to Gaia Sagrada!
You won’t find a more safe, secure, loving and supporting environment to heal. Hands down, Gaia Sagrada is the best place to experience the plant teachers and learn of the ancient traditions which put the responsibility for our lives, health and thought processes back into the hands of the individual.
I’m eternally grateful to Gaia. It quite literally gave me my life back. I’ve been there for two retreats, and yes, I’m totally going back.
MokshaMente
April 6, 2016 at 6:53 amI felt well supported here, and had some incredible transformative experiences. The land and people are beautiful, and I made lots of friends- especially with the volunteers who were very loving and friendly, and sometimes absolutely hilarious. In the ceremonies I got answers and leads into virtually all of my questions that had been causing me tremendous anxiety before coming down here, and if I hadn’t felt so safe with the structure and the shamans at Gaia Sagrada, I don’t know if I would be so happy and feel so much lighter now that I’m back in the states. This place is very well set up, so there’s very little to worry about while you’re in the retreat, which frees up a lot of space to relax and meditate and process the changes you want to make in your life. I hope you find what you are looking for! Perhaps Gaia Sagrada is that place 🙂
tbolton
April 5, 2016 at 4:48 amOk so, Gaia sagrada is a wonderful place that has been organized with the right ideals for combining the ayahuasca experience with a comfortable stay and more then adequate support. I went down there for a 2 week retreat and I am glad I chose this place. Everyone there is incredibly friendly, welcoming you with a hug from the moment you show up on the property. The shamans are available and introduce themselves to you, they enjoy talking with you and getting to know you. After all, it is their job to help you out and heal you.
Accommodations are quite nice and were more than I was expecting. Beds and rooms are comfortable and clean, The showers were large and nice with all the marble, plus plenty of hot water and good water pressure. There are many extra amenities around, such as hot tubs, saunas, volunteer given yoga and meditation classes. There are also sometimes people around to give paid massages, and many other people around (support staff and other retreat participants) to talk to and hang out with. There is also a TV with movies and netflix.
The food there is great. it is all vegetarian and although I am a regular meat eater, the food was filling and delicious and I didn’t find myself craving meat very much. Tons of fresh fruit and different meal choices at mealtimes. There are also options for snacks and other meals you can make on your own if you are hungry at off meal times. Coffee and teas are available as well. A great selection and some new foods I normally would not have tried.
The ceremonies were incredibly well ran, thought being given to every possible aspect. The moloka and ceremony space was comfortable and safe, there were support staff around to help you to the bathroom or provide care if necessary. The shamans were there to do work but they also kept the mood light at the right times and also made sure everybody was taken care of. The ayahuasca was strong and provided the perfect experience in which we had gone down there for. 🙂
I could talk for hours about this place but I will keep it short. It is definitely worth going to this place, it’s very comfortable which is important when doing an ayahuasca retreat, you will need time to integrate your experiences and talk about them with staff or other people who are undergoing it with you. I feel I could spend weeks there working with ayahuasca and working on things in my life and learning. My 2 week experience alone was a lifetime of information and healing. I just wish I could stay there forever. Christine, the organizer of Gaia Sagrada, is great, very wonderful person to be around and I just wanted to soak up everything she said. I could listen and learn from her for the rest of my life if I could!
Already I have been looking at my bank account and contemplating going back again. A+ experience, I am sad it has already come and gone, but glad for the experiences and knowledge I have brought back home with me.
Thank you so much!
Stayed February 2016
GoodPartofCanada
September 15, 2015 at 12:00 amMy time at Gaia has been more than transformative; it has been life changing. Christine, Santiago, Salvatore, Sofia and all the staff have been excellent. During that stay, a fellow kept on telling me “is this real?” There was no way of knowing what was the difference between the dream, the inner world and the outer world. It was just magical. The experience is not necessarily easy and always pleasant though, but that is the reality about Ayahuasca! After all, I would not have gone all the way to South America to “take it easy”… I felt that there was lots of depth with the organization and the Shamans, meaning that it was up to me to chose how deep I wanted to go down the rabbit hole. These guys were more than able to handle the depth I could reach, they are well trained. The schedule is perfectly balanced allowing just the right amount of rest between the sessions.
I developed a deep level of affection for all the participants. Initially, I thought we were too many, but as the days progressed, I gradually realized that each participant was a part of me and learning to accept their strength/weaknesses was just to learn to accept myself. I feel that I now have a new big family to support me in my daily life and that feels awesome. Of course, each individual must tap into their intuition to feel if that retreat center and if an Ayahuasca/San Pedro retreat is good for them. Gaia Sagrada was definitely the right choice for me. Many thanks to all involved.
For those who never did Ayahuasca, I recommend attending a 10 days Vipassana retreat before attending an Ayahuasca retreat. Vipassana is a tool to help handle adversity from an objective perspective. Had I not had that training before Ayahuasca, I would not have benefited from the experience as much. When Ayahuasca kicks in, man oh man you are in for a ride, so better be able to handle it from within. Santiago used to say: “Take only what you can handle”. If you are like me and like to push the limits, better be equipped with the right tools to handle that experience.
May we keep the dream going…
With all my love
Selish
August 23, 2015 at 12:00 amI went to a 12 day retreat at Gaia Sagrada in July 2015 (this was my first experience with Ayahuasca and San Pedro). It was the most important experience of my life.
Medicine – The most crucial thing, in my opinion, is the respect that is given to the plant medicines at Gaia Sagrada. Everything stems from this. The place has a purpose and philosophy, and I recommend anyone considering it to invest the time in reading through their website. It also helps that they don?t limit how much medicine one can drink during the ceremonies; you don?t want that constraint when on a transformational journey.
Shamans – The shamans at Gaia are incredible! Their expertise and care sets them apart. They are gentle when possible and strong for you when needed. At the end, you will just look at them and experience gratitude that goes beyond words. They are wise and share their wisdom in an accessible way. For a non-Spanish speaker, it was important for me that they spoke English so I could communicate with them without any language barriers. The combination of Christine and the South American shamans makes for a unique and wonderful experience.
Ceremonies – The ceremonies are absolutely beautiful. There is so much meaning to every act, and as the plant medicines open you to learning, you start understanding why things are done the way they are. The most beautiful images I remember from my time at Gaia are from the ceremonies – peering out at the gorgeous night from inside the sweat lodge, food laid out in front of the fire at the end of a San Pedro ceremony, the shamans singing by the fire, etc. Even when the medicine was giving me a hard time, the beauty of the ceremonies would give me faith and strength to push through. Also, I don?t think the sweat lodge ceremony is available in most other retreats. For me personally, this was the game-changer. I now divide my life as Before-Sweatlodge and After-Sweatlodge.
Safety – I remember being scared right up to the time I arrived at Gaia Sagrada, and after that it was just apprehension and not fear. This is because I truly believe that our safety and wellbeing is a primary concern at Gaia Sagrada; we are being looked after in ways we don’t even know of. I cannot stress how important this is. With these plant medicines, most of us are participating in something that is far beyond our understanding. You better trust the people who are taking you on this journey with your life. And this level of safety let me focus on my healing rather than worry about things.
Community – The work exchangers, who pretty much run the place, are the most wonderful bunch of human beings I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Just thinking about them now is filling my heart. I felt so loved and cared for because of them. I never for an instant felt alone in the journey I was undertaking. The first couple of ceremonies were pretty harsh for me, and several of the work exchangers took time out from their busy days to sit and talk to me, help me understand, share their own experiences. This made all the difference in the world. I learnt so much by talking to them, working with them, and just plain being in their presence. Christine puts a lot of thought into who are the people she brings into the center to support us. The work exchangers have walked a variety of paths and have a lot of wisdom to share. These people are my role models in love and empathy. I spent so much time talking and laughing with them, and those moments will always remain precious to me. They are my friends now, and I think of them every single day.
Facilities – Before I got to Gaia Sagrada, I didn’t give much importance to the living conditions, thinking – “I’ve lived rough before, comfort is not important to me during this retreat”. Boy was I wrong. Because of the challenges you are putting yourself through, facilities and comfort become extremely important! A good night’s rest will help you make the most of the ceremony the next day. An extra couple of blanket will help you focus on learning rather than the cold. Time in the hot tub after a ceremony will help you make sense of the things you are discovering. The retreat is located in a massive, breath-taking estate, with beautiful trees everywhere you look. Being in such a place after a ceremony is like a lesson in being able to see the beauty that constantly surrounds us.
Fellow retreaters – The bond that is formed by undertaking this journey together is very special, and a sense of family is quickly formed among the retreaters. It is important that everyone feels comfortable sharing their deepest thoughts, things that remain bottled-up in the real world. And Gaia Sagrada has a special quality that attracts like-minded individuals who love and support one another. All my fellow retreaters are my family now, and I continue to share my experience with them even after the retreat.
Finances – I personally feel that the cost of the retreat is small when compared to all that is gained from it, and how good the facilities and ceremonies are. Furthermore, I feel so positive that my hard-earned money went to furthering such a wonderful vision that Gaia Sagrada has.
Healing/Transformation – At the end of the day, this is the purpose for Gaia Sagrada?s existence – to help people heal or transform. Everything is oriented around maximizing this – the schedule, the ceremonies, the facilities, the entire estate. You get as much out of the 12 days as is possible. And this should be the only reason one should go to a retreat – to heal or transform (I would just use the word heal, but looking back, I don?t think I would?ve understood it before experiencing the ceremonies).
Advice for first-timers – This was the most challenging experience of my life. It was incredibly difficult at times – mentally, emotionally, physically. But the reward was 1000 times greater than the challenge. So go in knowing that it will demand every ounce of strength you have. Take the time to make sure that you are ready. I spent a whole day meditating over this decision and finally came to the answer as yes. Two years ago, I wouldn?t have been ready. Once there, pay attention to what the shamans and Christine say, they have such a deep understanding of these medicines. And remember that what you get from the experience is in proportion to what you put into it. While I was there, my entire focus was on learning and healing, and I am a better human being for it.
I will be going back to Gaia Sagrada as often as once every year after this. I was blessed enough to find this incredible place in my very first exposure to plant medicine, and I can?t imagine a better environment to heal in. Gaia Sagrada has the same place in my heart as the home I grew up in. Crazy how life-changing 12 days can be.
Peace.