Ayahuasca

La Vida Divine (formerly Ayahuasca In Ecuador)

Name: La Vida Divine (formerly Ayahuasca In Ecuador)
Rating: 4.9

4.9 (67 reviews)

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Are you ready for a one of a kind spiritual and self-healing experience? Nestled in the heart of the lush and verdant Ecuadorian jungle, our Ayahuasca and San Pedro healing and spiritual fulfillment center has a long and proud history of welcoming truth seekers and individuals striving for inner enlightenment from all around the world.

An Authentic Ayahuasca and San Pedro Retreat

While providing essential home comforts such as comfortable lodging and freshly prepared gourmet vegetarian or vegan meals each day, our Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreat is otherwise one of only a handful of authentic treatment centers in the entirety of South America.

This is because while promoting physical wellness through deliciously prepared (and organic) vegetarian food, we also facilitate travel to genuine Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremony site on the Jurumbaino river surrounded by rainforest. their, our guests are given the opportunity to spend the evening wif an authentic local shaman. The next day, you will tan be escorted back home in order to rest, reflect and prepare for you’re next ceremony. Even better, at all times you will be attended to by one of our very own local guides and translators.

How Ayahuasca Heals

Popularly known around the world as a shamanic gateway to the spirit world, Ayahuasca has traditionally been used for thousands of years as a healing medicine also. Made using two indigenous plants Banisteriopsis caapi & Psychotria viridis, Ayahuasca works by promoting massive mental and physical healing responses in the human body.

While different for everybody, no one is ever not deeply affected by Ayahuasca. In like regard, few if any people ever come away from an Ayahuasca ceremony not feeling more spiritually and vitally restored than they did before arriving.

How San Pedro Heals

A lesser-known but no less effective healing plant is a cactus called San Pedro. Like Ayahuasca, it has been utilized by Shamans for many thousands of years in shamanic healing ceremonies, and there have been numerous reports of its healing power for cancer, diabetes, and paralysis, as well as for emotional and psychological problems such as depression and grief.

The Biblical Saint Peter, whom the plant was named after, is said to be the holder of the keys to Heaven, and so the name represents an opening of a gateway for us to enter into a dimension where we can experience the world as divine.

Participants are said to be ‘set free from matter’ and ‘engage in flight through cosmic regions… transported across time and distance in a rapid and safe fashion’.

One shaman described its effects as “First, a dreamy state… then great visions, a clearing of all the faculties… then detachment, a type of visual force inclusive of the sixth sense, the telepathic state of transmitting oneself across time and matter, like a removal of thoughts to a distant dimension.”

In this way, San Pedro is said to remove our negative beliefs so the positive ones shine through and we can heal ourselves.

Your Stay at our Ayahuasca and San Pedro Retreat

Due to the powerful nature of such ceremonies, our Ayahuasca and San Pedro retreat focus on marrying high-quality rest and relaxation periods wif intense plant medicine experiences. dis is why we provide you wif a superb natural setting, intuitive and support staff and high-quality nutrition throughout your stay. We do, after all, want your stay here wif us to be just as much a once in a lifetime experience as the Ayahuasca and San Pedro experiences themselves.

Are you ready to discover yourself and experience the physically restorative power of Ayahuasca? If so, make sure to reach out to us today to find out more.

Next Special Celebration of Mother Ayahuasca and Father San Pedro Personal Retreat

A celebration of Mother Ayahuasca and Father San Pedro every month from 8th-15th and 18th-24th 2018 in Macas Ecuador. Maximum 7 people
Come to join us for a celebration of Mother Ayahuasca. Eight days or seven days with indigenous Shuar shamans for Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies at the incredibly beautiful and peaceful sacred ceremonial site on a small river peninsula on the Rio Jurumbaino surrounded by rainforest…Great accommodations and outstanding vegan or vegetarian meals included. You may choose to participate for 4 to 8 days. Small Group, Autantic Indigenous Shaman, Private Accommodations and Affordable.

Special price for November 8-15 and 18-24. Mention Ayaadvisors for the discount.

4 Days and 2 ceremonies $595

7 Days and 3 Ceremonies $895

8 Days and 4 Ceremonies $1095

Reviews (67)

4.9 out of 5

Overall 4.9

sonyabeth
March 25, 2021 at 5:57 pm

Writing a review for this kind of service feels a little strange, because for me, this is deeply sacred, culturally sensitive, and sits both inside of and apart from the usual norms of capitalist exchange. I am writing because I want to support and uplift the efforts of this crew, Jhoselyn and her family, and the Shuar shamans who are carrying forward a lineage that they don’t owe to anyone, and yet share generously and patiently with the world even as it encroaches on their way of life.

I found myself in Ecuador last summer as the pandemic was in a global lull, with the intent of continuing my quarantine in this beautiful country. I was drawn to the Amazon for the healing and clarity I had received before with ayahuasca ceremony. I chose to reach out to this place because it seemed more personal and less business oriented than the other options, mostly larger retreat centers. It was then that I learned Ken and Sun had retired and passed on the operation to Jhoselyn and her family, still living in the states and managing remotely. I was actually excited when I learned I would be the only one in attendance during my stay because I love solitude especially when I’m doing deep processing work.

I had some challenges with Jhoselyn’s father, who at the time was serving as a temporary caretaker and logistics manager. This mostly centered around his lack of familiarity with the medicine. But I understand that this was a temporary situation in the midst of a global emergency.

My interactions with Jhoselyn were amazing, and gave me great faith in the future of this community. I am so glad that they will be moving there permanently to run the retreats and develop their offerings. The psychedelic medicine space is growing rapidly. It’s become commercial, which has great blessings and also drawbacks for both visitors and indigenous communities. Traditional knowledge systems and spiritual practices are being researched more deeply and in turn being medicalized and subjected to the reductionism that science and ethics-based psychiatric offerings require. Wonderful for people in the states who would not otherwise access the benefits of medicine. But there is something to be said for experiencing medicine in its cultural, ecological, and spiritual context for those who are able. Jhoselyn and her family understand this. They are concerned with being in right relationship with Indigenous community, and creating access to this medicine for those who have historically not felt that this kind of experience is for them, namely people of color and queer people. They are concerned with being in partnership with the Shaur in their struggles to defend their land, and countering colonial and racist narratives that so often seep into the intercultural encounters of medicine ceremony.

I had the privilege of staying in the area for several months after my ceremony week and continuing to get to know Lucy (the cook) and her family who are urbanized Shuar but still live in a semi-traditional way. I was honored to be asked to serve as translator for ceremonies that took place when I was still in the area, which allowed me to continue to get to know both Savio and Alberto, the primary shamans that work with La Vida Divine. They are both highly skilled and very caring people, and have an easy humor about them along with a good balance of dedication to tradition and adaptability to circumstances.

I hope to return and bring friends with me, and to finally meet Jhoselyn in person!
tulemon
March 3, 2021 at 8:46 am

Three of us attended a weeklong retreat from 12/6/2020-12/14/2020. It was me, my brother and my brother’s son. Understanding that this was during peak COVID season we decided to venture on as each of us were dealing with life issues that warranted the lens of Mother Ayahuasca. It was to be my first experience while my brother and his son had a previous trip to Ecuador several years prior. The first step was a Zoom interview with Jhoselyn. She wanted to understand our motivations prior to booking and help us understand what mother Ayahuasca could do for us. She was thoughtful and caring throughout the interview and the days that followed up to the trip. She was readily available to answer questions and helped us setup transportation from Quito to Macas. The flight went smoothly, and we arrived in Quito without any issues. Since we arrived late, we decided to stay in a hotel and catch our ride the following day. The driver arrived on time and we spent the next 7 hours driving from Quito to Macas. Ecuador is truly a beautiful country and even though this is a review of La Divina I would be remiss not to mention the beauty of the culture and its people; everyone we met was so thoughtful and caring.
Upon our arrival to the retreat house, Aldolfo was there to greet us. Aldolfo is Jhoselyn’s father and he was so helpful and kind throughout the trip. He even loaned us his car for the day so we could get out and explore the country. Lucy manages the food and cleaning of the house and although the diet leading up to and during the retreat is strict and very plain, Lucy did a great job giving us a variety of options and the food was obviously prepared with love. Our first Ayahuasca ceremony happened the next day after we arrived in Macas. Our Shaman was Alberto and his family also participated in the ceremony. His wife, Lidia painted our faces to prepare us for the medicine and she was available throughout the night to help us when we were unsteady on our feet. I will admit that my first experience with Ayahuasca wasn’t anything profound; it was more of a physically experience and I alternated throughout the night between bed spins and intense visuals. It was a difficult night. The second ceremony was better. Alberto put on a beautiful ceremony with his wife, daughter and son. Alberto is an interesting man as he walks proficiently in 2 worlds; the shamanic world and the modern world as he represents his tribe in various political matters. After the second Ayahuasca ceremony, we Zoomed with Jhoselyn to discuss a change in plan. Initially, the three of us were only going to do 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies and bypass San Pedro altogether. But after speaking amongst ourselves and with Alberto after the second ceremony, we desired to have a San Pedro ceremony, but we also couldn’t extend our trip any longer and we were due to fly out the day after our last Ayahuasca ceremony. Additionally, we had a fourth person join us at the beginning and she was going to do the 3 Ayahuasca ceremonies and also one San Pedro at the end so we didn’t want to disrupt her plans. Jhoselyn spoke with Alberto and they decided that it was possible to accommodate us. Alberto came to the house to discuss the change and to talk in depth about San Pedro. He was willing to change the schedule to accommodate us to have a San Pedro ceremony, while at the same time keeping with the fourth person in our group’s itinerary. San Pedro is taken during the day so this meant he would spend the day with us, then stay the night for the Ayahuasca ceremony. I was very glad that we did have a San Pedro ceremony as it was the highlight of the trip. It brought some closure and answers to some of the things that I struggled with throughout the Ayahuasca ceremonies.
My experience with Ayahuasca was intense and difficult, but also healing. The night after my second ceremony, I slept the whole night through for the first time in over 10 years. I discovered that Mother takes her time and while I may be anxious and in hurry, she moves at her own pace. Jhoselyn is a caring, spiritual person with significant knowledge concerning the medicine and its traditions. My only regret is that she had not yet made the transition to be in Ecquador full time so I was never able to meet her in person. I can say that I would not hesitate to return for another retreat knowing that Jhoselyn, Aldolfo, Lucy and the rest of the staff are there to make sure everything goes well.
Sie that Sees
February 22, 2021 at 8:06 am

I visited Ecuador in May 2019 with a group of people who I consider my Soul Family. When I had went, it was under the ownership of Ken and Sun- but Jhoselyn was the mainly facilitated my experience. From the moment we touched down in Ecuador- I was taken care of. You see, I was 6 months pregnant at the time, and I am a 4th Generation Medicine Woman and Shaman myself. I came to learn through observation and share my practices as well. I did not take Medicine on this trip, however my Husband did. The Shaman we worked with lead 2 Ayahuasca Ceremonies, and One San Pedro ceremony. All of these Ceremonies were done seamlessly, and extended great knowledge and Honor of the Medicine. Jhoselyn took care of me and made sure I had everything I needed at all times. I was fed the freshest of foods and given so many blessings. I learned so much of my Soul purpose on this trip- even without taking the Medicine and just being a part of the Collective Energy- the Shaman took note that I was pregnant and said to me “Your son will be very rambunctious and strong” I would like to say- he was absolutely right… and I didn’t tell him the gender of my baby… he just knew.. What made me feel the most comfortable this entire trip was that Jhoselyn is actually a Nurse as well as a Curandera (Shaman)- she knows the Medicine, and she not only is working as the owner of this retreat center , she is working along side of her Teachers. Jhoselyn is actually from Ecuador originally and this is her birthright to share this Medicine with people who seek it. I’ve sat in on MANY ceremonies throughout my lifetime and these were some of the most Sacred. Jhoselyn made this experience so special for me and my husband. he and I talk about it everyday and plan on returning very soon!
easawyers
February 4, 2021 at 11:35 am

I am going to recount my experience with this retreat center and talk about the new leadership that is now overtaking the establishment.

I attended this center in May of 2019 under the former leadership, Ken and Sun. Jhoselyn was the trip facilitator for a group of eight of us, all persons of color. I had a wonderful time. The home and the ceremony space was comfortable, inviting, supportive, and peaceful. I felt very connected to the nature all around us and able to both be present in ceremony and in the integration of my journey experience afterward. The food served to us was delicious, fresh, healthy, and in keeping with the Aya diet. I felt prepared for ceremony, that the facilitators were knowledgeable, and safe and supported. Jhoselyn is an incredible healer and it was even more meaningful having a woman of color and people of color to journey with. I was totally pleased with my experience.

The center is now being taken over by Jhoselyn and I will be honest and acknowledge that I haven’t sat in ceremony under the new management but I have complete confidence in Jhoselyn and her team’s ability to provide safe, supportive, quality ayahuasca experiences for their patrons. I know Jhoselyn’s love, respect, and passion for the healing properties of this medicine and her commitment to making it safe and accessible for folks who seek it’s benefits, specifically creating a safe space for Black, Queer, Indigenous, and Persons of Color to have access to this healing. Will there be challenges in the overtaking of the establishment? Yes. Do I believe that Jhoselyn and her team will not only tackle these challenges but excel at them? Also yes.

I would absolutely recommend La Vida Divine to persons seeking this healing, especially persons of color. It is important for POCs to have access to healing spaces with practitioners who share that experience. I am grateful for her vision to create that space and look forward to going again under Jhoselyn’s management.
Echinacea
January 5, 2021 at 12:28 pm

Please be aware of this retreat:

I usually don’t write reviews but after my experience at La Vida Divine and discussing it with my friends, I need to bring awareness to people thinking about attending this retreat. I have never experienced such unprofessional chaotic and solely business oriented energy from an Aya retreat. At this center I was with three other people so it was quiet small, but I have a strong opinion please read on.

This was my second Aya retreat (my first was in Peru) and I must say I’m very disappointed with what I received for the price I payed. The one I attended in Peru was half the price and I got way more out of it.

– I want to start off and say that most of what this retreat markets online isn’t true. They didn’t have any yoga, sound baths, meditation, or after ceremony activities. It was all just relaxing after the ceremony. Peaceful but nothing was really going on. Of course Covid changed how this retreats flow is.

– The house that your staying at is right next to a busy road, actually the main road into Macas, so you’ll constantly hear loud buses driving by no peaceful sounds of the jungle. Made me feel like I was in a City.

– The retreat facilitators weren’t even at the property. It was being run by Jhoselyn, Xaimena, Courtney, and Jevon. Whom I never met. Only Jhoselyn through video chat. It was Jhoselyn’s dad whom held it together and Sonya who was the translator staying at the retreat. Aldofo (Jhoselyn’s dad), and Lucy who was cleaning and cooking. I had an energy of strictly business from the beginning. Aldofo is apparently pretty successful in the business world and doesn’t understand how this medicine works. He also didn’t understand the diet very well. He really wanted me to rent out the house across the street after Sonya left so he could keep paying the mortgage. Since I was traveling for awhile I had the opportunity but gladly declined.

– Shaman and ceremonies, this is where I was very disappointed. They transported us by car from where we were staying to the medicine house. That felt wrong from the beginning. The shaman Alberto. He was very unprofessional in his practice with this medicine. I was honestly ashamed. He did not bless the medicine he didn’t sing very much during ceremony or bless the room, he said “saludos” before drinking the Aya. I felt it was very minimal effort. This just seemed like another day of work for him. I felt as if his heart wasn’t in the right place.

-Also, He was on his phone later into the ceremony and sending voice messages on his phone. I even heard his notifications going off too. That really took me out of the deep state I was in. And compared to my first Aya retreat, phones weren’t even allowed into the medicine house. But then now the shaman himself is using his phone during ceremony. I don’t care about culture differences I know me witnessing that was a huge lack of effort and disrespect to the medicine and the practice of shamanism.

-I also remember Albertos son taking photos during ceremony with flash, that really disturbed me and upset me.

-During my San Pedro ceremony I was given a very large dose, this was a strong experience for me, again yes I felt lack of effort for all the ceremonies. But what happened that put me in a bad headspace was I was still in a very intense altered state of consciousness and they closed the ceremony circle. It frightened me seeing everybody pack up around me and clean up while crying and laughing and having strong visions. They had to help me put my shoes on because I didn’t know how. I should not have left the circle being in the state i was in. Walking even felt difficult. Getting back into the car to where I was staying made me feel distributed from the deep state I was in. Now Im back in my room at the house and I was really worried if I was ever going to come back to my body, I was suddenly forced back into reality when I wasn’t ready. That scared me.

To conclude this I personally would never suggest this retreat to anybody. Unless they can fix these issues I brought up. I did get a lot out of my ceremonies and I felt very relaxed after it was over. These plant medicines are very powerful and need to be respected, I don’t think this retreat truly understands that. This is way to expensive for what you get. I hope that you read this Jhoselyn and everybody else apart of this business.

please reconsider a different retreat.