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Sapan Inka: Small groups (7 people) and integration sessions
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At Sapan Inka, we believe participating in an Ayahuasca retreat is a powerful opportunity for profound energetic and spiritual cleansing and healing. An Ayahuasca experience can be immensely favorable for those embarking on a journey of transformation and spiritual development. Our unique model is a conscious synthesis of the millenary wisdom of Amazonian medicine and the principles of depth and transpersonal psychology. We are not a center for spiritual tourism or mere Ayahuasca experiences; we are a dedicated space for exploring the deep psyche, practicing ancestral Amazonian medicine, and supporting transformative processes.
We distinguish ourselves through our philosophy of minimal interference and the unwavering shamanic and spiritual support provided in our ceremonies. Our commitment to ethics and professionalism is paramount. We believe an Ayahuasca ceremony is an opening to the reality of the soul and a world of sacred images. For this reason, we practice minimal interference during your experience of expanded states of consciousness, allowing the healing intelligence of Ayahuasca and your own inner being to guide the process. This is not abandonment or a lack of warmth; it is a conscious act of respect and trust in your innate capacity to heal and in the divine power of the medicine itself.
The transformative power of Ayahuasca is fully realized through a structured integration process. At Sapan Inka, our psychotherapeutic integration is more than a simple conversation; it is a rigorous process designed to help you assimilate, process, and effectively integrate your experiences. We provide a space for you to understand the intricate symbolic language of your visions, converting profound insights into tangible and lasting change. This is how the spiritual revelations from the ceremonies are bridged with your daily life, ensuring the journey leads to genuine personal growth.
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To navigate this journey, rigorous preparation is essential. An Ayahuasca experience can be incredibly challenging, and its potency demands thorough mental, emotional, and spiritual readiness. It is crucial for participants to understand that this is not a shortcut, but a deep and profound inner work that requires commitment and maturity.
Given the serious nature of our work, we are aware that our approach may not satisfy everyone’s expectations. Those who seek a more superficial, less confrontational experience or group activities may find other centers more suitable. Our model is designed for individuals committed to holistic healing and willing to embark on a serious psychospiritual path. This is why our groups are intentionally small, to ensure the personalized and ethical attention that is the cornerstone of our years of experience and dedication.
At Sapan Inka, our commitment is to support you on your journey, respecting the authenticity of your process and providing a safe and professional environment for a genuine transformation.
If you wish to explore the details of our retreats or simply prefer a more personal connection before beginning your journey, we invite you to schedule a 15-minute video call with us.
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Mia
August 13, 2019 at 11:13 pmIt was my good friend of mine that had been to Sapan Inka Retreat in Peru, with Eric and Nilda twice. I trust her implicitly. When we discussed where she went for her Ayauasca Plant Medicine Journey and what it was like for her, it sounded amazing and I knew it would be a safe place to go and that I could go by myself as a single woman. She used words like kind, compassionate, supportive, safe, thorough and beautiful to describe Eric and Nilda and the 5 day retreat she went on.
I went, for my 50th birthday in 2018, to do ayausca for a number of reasons, healing, self discovery, opening of my mind and heart and any other body and mind shifts I was able find my way to. To say I was excited and nervous would be an understatement. It was extremely beneficial knowing first and foremost that as a woman and lone soul on this journey that I would be completely safe as can be. I knew my body would be safe and that my mind would be protected in the most sacred way.
It is impossible to go to the Sapan Inka retreat without first filling out a very thorough questionnaire. To be frank about this, it would only be to a persons detriment to be anything but brutally honest. Filling out this questionnaire with integrity and honesty ensures a few things. One, that you are prepared for the aya; two that Eric and Nilda can ensure you have no indications that demonstrate you should not do ayausca; three that Eric and Nilda our aware of where you are in mind, body and spirit and what you are looking for or why you are doing the aya. Although, I am not the pro, I believe this again helps them to know what to potentially expect and to support you in the best way. Create a safe container for you as it were. I have to admit, I was nervous I would be turned down.
I was overjoyed that I was allowed to attend the Sapan Inka Retreat for 5 days.
The accommodations were amazing. Shared room with one other, private shower, super healthy yummy, yummy, yummy food. Vegetarian of course. Quiet and very safe at night and in the day. Beautiful yard to sit in and ponder, write and integrate.
Eric was very thorough in that he also had what I like to call the pre and post aya interviews to help each of us prepare and integrate after. The interviews are very personal and very appropriate and one should be honest and prepared to answer such questions.There was a maximum of 6 of us in each ceremony, which I have since learned is really really good. Easier to support and keep each of us safe. It is quite clear from the questions asked and suggestions that Eric gives he is extremely knowledgable about aya, the mind, psychology, mindfulness and the history of these things.
My personal experience was one of complete terror the first night. It did not start this way. Yet ultimately I began resisting where I was being taken by the plant medicine and I believe this is what started my slippery slope into terror. Eric was respectful of my journey and let me try to find my way through my terror. When it was clear I was stuck or maybe lost somewhere and could not find my way on my own, he used music, his voice and gentle words to help guide to “trust the medicine” and “find my light”. I will never forget these words. They have been woven into my very soul now. Ultimately I found my way back and had some amazing visions, awakenings and realizations.
Yes, I did go back and do the ceremony the next day and took more aya. Most of my friends and family can’t believe I did the second night after my absolutely terror filled first night. But I did, and it was nothing like the first night. The post interview with Eric after my first night of aya was extremely important and helpful for me in the integration of my journey the first night. I believe this combined with the knowledge of being safe and trusting Eric and Nilda so much allowed me to do the second ceremony. They never pushed me to do it; it was completely my choice. I do not think that any of us should decide to do aya because we have flown a long way or paid a lot of money, it should be because you are ready and prepared. Always be ready to walk away if it does not feel correct for you. I was ready to not do the ceremony at one point. I had a great deal of time to think and process. As I spoke with Eric and listened to his words, introspections and guidance I decided I very much wanted to do the second aya journey and was completely prepared to in the hopes of allowing the plant medicine to show me. To be very clear, it was always my choice and I never felt pushed.
I was so glad I did the second night. Completely different, as everyone will tell you, each journey is always different from the last.
I can’t tell any of you how absolutely important, especially but not only as a single woman or female friends together, it is to trust where you are, who you are with as far as Shamans and/or guides and those that will keep you safe; your mind, body and soul during ayausca ceremonies. It is a very serious medicine and not to be taken lightly. The Sapan Inka Retreat absolutely checked all the boxes for me. I hope to go back someday when the medicine again calls me and I would only go back to Eric and Nilda and the Sapan Inka Retreat. I hope this helps anyone trying to find a safe, healthy and peaceful place to take some journeys.
Much Love, Mia
Annib
July 25, 2019 at 5:20 amI think I had a fairly atypical experience here. I approach plant medicine from a purely chemical perspective, and am interested in how the medicine can treat ptsd and depression. I’m not at all interested in the spiritual or ritualistic elements of the ceremony. But as a first timer, I didn’t want to be in a clinic setting. This was actually a great fit, as the group was small and Erik approaches the work with a psychology background, just what I wanted. However, I have a lot of gastric issues, specifically acid reflux. You are told to stop all medications before the retreat, so they don’t interfere. However I did a lot of reading after the retreat and learned that hydrochloric acid kills the DMT. So, the medicine didn’t have much of an effect on me. It was still extremely valuable, and I look forward to trying again, but next time I will continue my regular stomach medication and hopefully will be able to feel the medicine more fully.
fanof2012
July 12, 2019 at 8:28 pmSapan Inka was an experience to remember. I took part in 2 ayahuasca ceremonies and 1 San Pedro ceremony. The ayahuasca caused the best feeling of coziness that I have ever felt in my life. I was quite relaxed during the experience and felt the urge to snuggle up all wrapped in the blanket. I didn’t experience a large amount of visuals, but the thoughts flowed more clearly. I also found upon returning home that my habit of picking and biting my nails had diminished, so apparently ayahuasca has the ability to help with beating drug addiction AND bad habits.
The San Pedro experience in nature was weird in that I found myself thinking about negative things while on the San Pedro, but they didn’t bother me as much as they would if I was sober. I had the feeling this was an attempt to bring negative thoughts to the surface in a way that I could deal with them better.
But the best part of the Sapan Inka retreat was the trip to Machu Picchu. I felt profound metaphysical energies while there, and did indeed feel like a more spiritually enhanced person upon leaving.
Erik & Nilda were really interesting folks. Their way of making the ayahuasca ceremonies more enchanting with song and music was quite enjoyable and psychedelic. The food they served was wonderful. The nature atmosphere of Sapan Inka was quite pleasant to be in. Erik also did a great job of helping prep for the ceremonies and showed great wisdom.
The only reason I give 4 and not 5 stars was because Erik took the air out of my balloon a bit at the end of the retreat when he suggested I seek some therapy since I came across as a schizophrenic or autistic spectrum individual to him and he felt that could be problematic for me in the real world. I was kinda astonished to hear this because even though he wasn’t the first person to tell me that, I would expect someone in the field of entheogenic medicine and shamanism to be quite accepting of people like I who talk about far out things like metaphysics, conspiracies, and alien life. I guess he wasn’t too used to having people like that come to his retreat center. Nilda also got uncomfortable when I tried to give her a special type of goodbye hug before leaving and wasn’t interested in hearing why I decided to hug her the way I did, and seeing her get uncomfortable also took the air out of my balloon a bit.
But all that aside, the retreat was worth it and I would indeed recommend Sapan Inka as a potential ayahuasca retreat center, regardless of how Erik & Nilda perceived by uniqueness to be detrimental, they were still wonderful folks that and are definitely NOT snake oil salesman who care only about money.
johnw7000
April 20, 2019 at 2:47 pmTo travel half way around the world and take part in sacred ceremonies can be daunting to say the least. Erik & Nilda dissolved any feeling of such from the moment my son and I got off the bus and accepted their welcoming smiles with heartfelt hand shakes.
I will never forget these beautiful experiences of being a participant in such vital activities.
The care and love and complete restful approach that Erik & Nilda gift is immeasurable and could never be counted in dollars. Theirs is the ancient gift and art of sharing the beauty of realisation that one is in the process and presence of epic proportions.
Mother Ayashauca is very caring and kind if one allows her to encourage you to trust in her way. I felt and still feel her movement in a way that words fall short to convey.
Thank you Erik for your gift, thank you Nilda for yours also.
I will finish this review now with words of a sensing that awoke me before dawn just now to attempt to describe what is now flowing through and of me:
She same in from a directionless moment full of purpose and vitality carrying a vibrant knowing.
Hers is the truthful way that only dreaming brings. A soft breath caresses the dawn of seeing as ones realises what beyond words means ………………………. this is the stirring place of creativity
Awareness is so much more than ever could be described, it can only move in such a way that its very moment gives rise to a recognition that language in most cases has no words.
The Art of pure awareness is knowing reflective patterns that mirror pure organic warmth of vibrant pulsating energy.
Resting nowhere but only where truth resides, she gifts you much while allowing you so much more. Her expression is your movement, her voice is your heartbeat.
Wild within many moments, she approaches to where she already stays.
To recognise this simple truth is to express it freely and completely.
To hold this forever is to be truthful to the flexibility that is the gift of Life itself.
dsumeet444
February 18, 2019 at 10:51 pmI recommend this place 100%. My life has been completely transformed, and there are not enough words that I can put together on how truly deeply grateful I am for everything the medicine did for you, and how Erik and Nilda helped me through it. letting us share their warm home providing us the opportunity in the most professional yet gentle ways. I am getting ready to go through another journey in few years though, I talk about the medicine all the time and recommend Sapan Inka every-time. I was never the one who was going to attend a group setting of 20 something people. client host ratio really makes you feel safe as the ceremony is performed in a little temple in same house we are staying. the intimacy of the whole environment made me feel very grounded the second I entered their house. strangers became family and the whole 5 days were led in such loving way. and lastly the trip planned to macchu picchu was organized in such timely manner and the staff Erik hired for transportation is very trustworthy and professional. I am left with nothing but deep gratitude for everything the medicine and the most loving humans did for me. home Wifi is only allowed for emergency purposes, so arrange your service connectivity beforehand, also pack warm , I went in month of April. forever grateful for this true transformational journey
with love
Sumeet Dhillon