I have had some experience working with ayahuasca before and wanted to undertake my first master plant dieta. I am starting work at an ayahuasca centre myself next year and felt that it would be a valuable way to prepare, especially after a difficult couple of years dealing with challenges in my personal life. I felt there was much to release. I chose to do this at the Garden of Peace on the recommendation of a friend, an experienced ayahuasca facilitator living in Peru who has undertaken many plant dietas over the years.

I was stunned by the beauty of Ash’s (the owner’s) land, pristine cloud forest with the clearest river running through the middle of it, offering a number of pools fed by little waterfalls in which to bathe every day. What a dream! My little wooden casita (cabin) was raised on stilts and open-sided, so I truly had the sense of being ‘held’ by the plants and trees huddled all around. In fact, I often spoke to them, like companions. I had a few basic bits of furniture, a very comfy bed with mosquito net and a hammock, and my own compost toilet around the back of the casita.

Whilst I had everything I needed, it is appropriately simple. That is the whole point. To put books and devices and any other distractions and unnecessary creature comforts blocking connection to earth aside and be with one’s Self in the jungle stillness. To surrender to the rhythms of nature usually hidden behind artificial light, mechanical noise and hustle culture. To allow space and possibility to hear, feel and open to the plants, however that may happen. At times, of course, this was confronting, even as someone who is used to making time for stillness and meditative practices, since with all my usual daily ‘to-dos’ removed, my mind became loud and its insecurities surfaced, clamouring for attention, to be faced. But I always knew that support would be instantly available if I asked for it.

I was humbled by the care given to me by Ash, Maestro Reshi Nika and their dedicated team, including the kindest volunteers who looked out for every possible need and were always on hand to listen and hold space. Dieta food was delivered twice daily, and although necessarily very plain, was as varied as it could be and was plentiful enough that I felt ‘eased-in’ to my first dieta experience. Maestro Reshi Nika listened patiently and with curiosity to my experiences whenever we had a check-in, and I trusted his recommendations implicitly. Whether during the ayahuasca ceremonies – which could take a lot out of me – or alone in my casita, at all times I felt completely safe. Indeed, I was sad to leave.

I have huge respect for what Ash has built and very much look forward to returning to GoP in the future.