Healing Testimonials from Sinchi Runa Participants

We are honoured to share some of the experiences and testimonials from our Retreat & longer process (Personal Treatments, Deep Immersion) participants below ❤️ 

Releasing Trauma, Healing Chronic Pain - Helge's Journey

Helge from Germany, at Sinchi Runa

“These 3 months at Sinchi Runa fundamentally changed my life. I came to heal from years of chronic physical pain and the after-effects of childhood trauma. Through the process, I was able to understand how my physical and emotional symptoms were connected and the work needed to let go of both.

Healing could only take place when I understood my part of the responsibility and let go of defining myself as a victim of my circumstances.

In the end, this was my most important realizationI don’t heal my body first, and then open my heart. It is the opening of my heart, the feeling and the compassion that heals me and makes my life so much richer.”

Freedom from Substances and Depression - Paige's Recovery

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Paige from United States

“I’ve always struggled with depression, and for the last 10 years with substance abuse. My life completely fell apart.

“Healing isn’t for me, openness, happiness and certainly love isn’t for me.” All I could do in that situation was medicate myself. It’s this cycle of shame and guilt, self-hatred, self-denial and you get this belief that if try to address the situation all that what will come out is horrible. 

Once I was able to recognise all those thoughts, I was able to recognise this is not who I am. I was able to accept them and love myself despite them, and free myself.

I was the only one that could free myself. Only from going within and taking an honest look at myself and embracing it with an open heart – that has led me to the greatest healing. Self-love, respect, compassion, all these lead to the greatest healing.”

Recovering from Autoimmune Disease - Edouard's Healing

Edouard from France

“I was suffering from almost 15 years with an autoimmune disease that was causing me blockages and limited mobility in the lower back, shoulders and neck.

This summer I did a 1 Month Process with Sinchi Runa. It was very intense and healing at the same time. 

The two master plant ‘dietas’ with Bobinsana and Chiric Sanango showed me the correlation between my thinking, how I was controlling myself and my thoughts, and the blockages that this was causing in my bodyThe Ayahuasca ceremonies were tough but helpful, because they showed me programs and parts of me I was not aware of. After just a few days, I could really feel the difference, and I had states of mobility that I hand not had in 15 years.

I was dancing and moving. 

Coming home, I am confident and have serenity and the sensation that I have everything inside. The medicine showed me the healing way and I feel much better than before.”

Understanding the Roots of Suffering - Stephen's Experience

Stephen from England, with Maestro Sanango

“I recently ended a 3 month stay at Sinchi Runa. I don’t know how to sum up all that was learned, understood, let go of, and more, in writing.

This has been the most challenging chapter of my life, and without a doubt the most rewarding. I developed an understanding around deep life questions: what is pride, humility, compassion, and gratitude, in what conditions do these arise… An understanding of who I am, and why I behave the way I behave, and what am I doing in the human experience.

It was a learning of how to come out of my suffering, my understanding arose from my coming out of my own suffering… It was very draining, very emotional and very rewarding.

For me it feels it’s a privilege and a great stroke of luck to have come by Sinchi Runa and to work with Maestro Sanango.”

Coming Home to the Heart - Jess' Immersion

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Jess from Australia, at Sinchi Runa

“I’ve struggled for the past years with self image and lack of self love. Like I was dragging a ball and chain along in my life, in a constant state of people pleasing and not understanding what I desire. My experience with Mother Ayahuasca was a like a shedding. The big question was Who Am I? Beneath the layers of shame, doubt, criticism.

This process ultimately was me stepping into my heart and listening to my heart. All those questions I was pondering came down to this heart space and understanding myself. I discovered what it is like to be a sovereign human being.

The place I am in now is beautiful. I feel so sensitive to who I am, I feel so connected and with reverence for my body. Sinchi Runa has done so much for my discovery of my truth and who I am. This place has taught me nourishment, stillness and slowness, and that is what I want to cultivate.”

Self-love, Forgiveness and Trust - Saraswati's Process

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Saraswati from Brazil

“Coming out of my 4th Master Plant ‘Dieta’ here at Sinchi Runa is beyond words. In this final dieta with the master plant Bobinsana, I finally touched how much I missed loving myself. I realised I never really loved the full of what I am. In the ceremony with the plant, I was truly open, my heart, to the most difficult love which is self love.

I’m leaving with such a trust, in myself and I could see clear, forgive myself for what happened, and forgive the others. I trust that I’m taken care of, by myself and by the universe. It changed my life. That’s it.

I am beyond grateful to everyone at Sinchi Runa that is dedicating to bring this sacred medicine in a safe way but very authentic, pure, and in respect to the spirit and tradition of the plant.”

An amazing journey to the heart of my soul. I don't have words to describe what an amazing feeling I have. Gratitude, humble, love. It has been a privilege to be with them for the second time. It's a life changing journey to awareness, consciousness and love. My life will never be the same. I bow to Sanango for his knowledge, to Mikaela for here purity and to Kameron for his love.🙏 Sanango has so much knowledge of the Medicine plants and combines it with his knowledge of the Vedic's these two go hand in hand together. Namasté🙏 Alexandra
Alexandra Post-Leonards
Spain, Nov 26, 2020
The week with Sincha Runa was really special to me and I am more than thankful to Maestro Sanango, the Sincha Runa team, the healing plants, the healing sounds and my fellow participants. It was my first experience with Ayahuasca and I am so happy now that I overcame my doubts and fears. The personal and rather life changing expereince are difficult to put into words, so I limit myself to speaking only highly of the Sincha Runa team. For me everything was just perfect. I have total trust in the whole approach of this retreat and most of all in the very special people making this retreat possible. I can therefore absolutely recommend this retreat to anyone who has the calling to heal with Ayahuasca. The team was so loving and caring and all my mixed emotions and partly difficult expereinces I went through during the retreat, were fully and sincerely taken care of with compassion and understanding. I can say that my wounds are actually healed and or I know how to approach them now in a different, more positive way. Thank you so much for providing such a protected space for healing in Portugal!
Alejandro Miller
Oct 28, 2020
I just want to start by saying this is my direct experience and honesty coming straight from my heart that I am sharing, not opinions or views. What I experienced during this 7 day retreat is very difficult to describe, so I'll try my best. I felt that state of being where you are in direct communion with everything. It was pure Love. And when you are in that state you see things wholly, fully, differently from your usual way of fragmented and distorted seeing. I witnessed extraordinary beauty which is beyond my mind's abilities to contain or remember no matter how much it wants to cling to it. The self-knowledge and insights I had opened my mind and heart. It was very challenging at times, both physically and psychologically, but you have to trust the process and plants fully. There is no bad experience, there is always a lesson to learn with plant medicine. I see how the diet is transforming my mind as well. I always loved food, in fact, I was a little obsessed with food before. I've come to realise this made me a slave to my desires. I experienced how this clean diet started changing my body and my mind, therefore impacting my thinking. It was clear to me that I have to stop eating meat, consuming so much caffeine and overindulging in food that feed my ego. Clean food=clean body=clean mind. Thank you, Sinchi Runa, for teaching me this ever so gently. I learnt I need to start acting, stop fighting, resisting and running away so much, keep my heart and mind open to everything. Action born out of love has no motive or effort, it feels so natural to act now. I know and feel something moved and changed inside me forever. And I will carry this feeling with me till the end of my life. It has been a week since the end of our retreat, I noticed how my mind became very sensitive and I am seeing things about myself, observing myself but not in an analytical or judgemental way. So more insights are coming in after the retreat ended. I understood what is behind some of my fears. I had enough courage to forgive and let go. I started decluttering my house and my mind and saying goodbye to my past. I have clarity in my life now. Also I realised I started this journey some time ago, constantly searching for something somewhere, different places, different teachers, many books, meditation techniques, but all along all the answers were inside me. I am the problem and I am the answer to all of my problems... I just can't express how thankful I am to everyone at this retreat. To Maestro Sanango for his incredible guidance and true wisdom coming from his heart. He also has the most beautiful voice in the world. Maestro Sanango is full of light. He is a true teacher with so much compassion, patience and love. I feel blessed to have met him. Thank you to Mikaela, Kameron, Matt, Veronika for taking such good care of us and helping and guiding us so much. For being so patient with us. I am also very thankful to everyone else who shared this experience with me. To conclude, if you are looking to embark on a life changing journey of self-knowledge and discovery, on a journey of that true meditation, if you feel your heart is calling for a change, looking for answers, Sinchi Runa is the perfect place to start and explore. My only advice is to come with an open mind and get ready to be exposed. And ask yourself if you are truly ready. Ready to be patient with others and yourself, ready to confront your fears, learn things about yourself that may be uncomfortable or painful. Ready to be open so you can receive. Come just as you are. I guess what I want to say is that what you experience doesn't merely depend on this amazing, loving, and caring group of people guiding and helping you. They do all they can, they really do put their hearts and souls out into what they do. But this is your journey. What mindset and intention you come with plays a crucial role here. Thank you, Sinchi Runa for this beautiful journey you put me on. I am ever so grateful from the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you! I know this is not a goodbye, I will definitely be back again in the future 🙂 Lots and lots of Love Nika
Nika
Azerbaijan, Oct 28, 2020
This has been the most wonderful and life changing experience I’ve ever had. I feel like I just woke up from a crazy dream. First of all, thank you Sinchi Runa for an amazing journey. The staff are wonderful, caring and filled with love. The food was amazing and each session was wonderful with a degree of challenging moments. I came in without much expectations but came out a changed individual. It’s as if I am seeing things (people, plants, rocks, etc.) for the first time. From my experience, the plant is the connection between us and the divine. It will call you when it is time and will show and let you experience what it is you need to see. Thank you so much Sinchi Runa - words alone can’t explain my gratitude.
Marvin
USA, Oct 26, 2020
Oh my god. It's been already two weeks since the retreat ended, and I still can not process what has just happened. The 7-day retreat was the most magical week of my life. Challenging at times, yes, but it was so worth it. This was my first retreat, and it could not have gone better. Sinchi Runa exceeded all my expectations. The food was delicious, and we were camping in spacious tents in the middle of nature. A special thanks to the team for making us feel at home, answering our questions and being the lovely human beings that you are. I felt safe and cared for during the whole retreat. Sanango has been doing this for tens of years. He has a tremendous amount of knowledge around the medicine and how to approach life. Listening to his insights was one of my favorite moments. He also does an excellent job of guiding the ceremonies. I loved every minute of it and did not want to leave. I feel like a new person after the retreat. Calmer, less reactive, and I put more focus on my well-being, just to name a few. If you want me to share my story with you, want to hear a personal experience, or chat about the medicine, you can find my contact details on my website, robertistok.com. Much love, Robert.
Robert Istok
Oct 05, 2020
Sinchi Runa is a truly authentic Ayahuasca retreat in Europe. If you are looking for a retreat that honors the Amazonian traditions and serves the medicine with care and for the betterment of the world, then look no further. Sanango, Mikaela, Kameron, Matt and Veronika all held a beautiful and powerful space for the medicine to do its work, and at every moment I felt deeply cared for and protected, especially through the challenging moments. The amount of love and care we received from them, from the first welcome messages to the final hug goodbye and all the ceremonies and purges in-between, was an inspiring example of what it means to truly serve. This level of care is no doubt a reflection of their dedication to serving the medicine for our healing and well being of all of us and our planet. Everything at the retreat facilitates the healing process. The majority of the retreat is spent in silence, to prepare for and assimilate after the ceremonies. Sanango's beautiful chants guide the ceremony, while participants remain in silence (apart from any assistance that may be needed from Sanango or the facilitators), to allow the inner journey to unfold. Sleeping in tents in the beautiful forest brings you closer to nature and was an integral part of the healing process. And last, but certainly not least - the food is delicious! Thank you Sinchi Runa, for your great service to the world. With deep love and gratitude.
Victor Povlsen Camacho
Spain, Sep 29, 2020
Sinchi Runa has given me the most powerful, profound, extraordinary and loving experience ever. It opened my eyes, heart and mind, taught me who I am and asked me to trust, surrender and love. I am bringing that knowledge to my life now and can already notice the deep transformation those lessons brought to me and my environment. I have no words to thank Sanango and all the beautiful people who were there for me and helped to make all this happen. Magda
Magda Harver
I came to this wonderful retreat seeking more answers to my life. I not only found that, I found an identity of who I am, and several new disciples to apply in my life moving forward. I can't say enough of this retreat and the beautiful people that guide and help you journey the experience here. I'm from the US, so I decided to come to Portugal and not the other retreats in Peru and man was that the best decision I ever made! The details I read of the Sinchi retreat felt loving and authentic, which paid off more than I could have ever imagined. If you're inquiring/interested in profound ayahuasca experience, do yourself a favor and take the leap here!
Sam Negasi
USA
Beautiful place, beautiful people. Sanango was full of wisdom and compassion on a level I haven't experienced before. All the staff were so kind and caring, really going above and beyond to help with some of the challenges that come with the process. I arrived with a lot of anxiety and left with a sense of peace and an open heart. The only drawback was that it went by so quickly, I wish I could have stayed longer than a week. Unforgettable experience, I'll be forever grateful.
Rene Echells
England
It's hard to know where to begin explaining such a beautiful experience. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with the most incredible warmth, which made me feel so comfortable and put me at ease. Kameron and Mikaela were some of the best humans I've met, so gentle, generous, kind and loving. And Sanango showed me and our group a level of kindness and compassion that I’ve honestly never witnessed. I’d never had an experience with a shamanic healer but if I’d had any doubts about the possibility of this type of healing, they are gone. He offered so much spiritual wisdom and guidance that helped me before, during and after the experience… it’s so hard to put into words but it was one of the greatest comforts I’ve experienced, and he taught me so much about compassion, love and acceptance. Before I signed up I was thinking about all the details, of the cost, if I could take the time away, all these details that seemed so silly and inconsequential after this. It just feels like it has nothing to do with money. This is about human connection, and connecting with your true self. I’m not sure how you even put a price on an experience like that. Everyone will have their own experience with Ayahuasca herself, and that really depends on your relationship to her and your own intentions and openness to the experience, but everyone at Sinchi Runa provided the most incredible comfort, guidance and love and I will be forever grateful. It’s been about 6 weeks since my experience and it put me on a new path that feels so full of hope and opened my eyes to the beauty all around me. And all the details were done beautifully, the food was great, the accommodation was comfy, the location was majestic and perfectly peaceful. Thank you thank you thank you!
Elizabeth Olwen
Canada
There are no words to describe how grateful I am for your support, love and care on my personal spiritual journey. I experienced unexpected, completely life-changing beautiful moments. Finally, I broke down the blockades and opened my heart to unconditional love. These only 5 days in nature was like healing to my soul. I was supposed to be there and experience what I experienced. In my case it was just the beginning of a journey to this magical, powerful world and plant based medicine. Believe in possibilities! Stay blessed and listen to your heart! Thank you Kameron, Mikaela and Sanango with all my heart for being such an amazing beings. I wish the whole world was like you! See you very soon! With love, Izabela
Izabela Kubicka
England
From the moment we were picked up by hand chosen taxi drivers collecting us from the train station (the same who took us back there after our retreat) I felt relaxed and in the good company of others called to experience the healing tools on offer at Sinchi Runa. Here I learned much in silent observation of the ceremonies we shared together. Through all (3 Ayahuasca 3 Kambo) the ceremonies this one experienced I witnessed felt and gratefully received Love delivered expertly gently and with humility by Sinchi Runa a Family of 5 Sanango Mikaela Veronika Matt and Kameron. In my group there were open minded and open hearted seekers to speak with and share ideas when we were called after our reflective period of silence. Each meal was crafted from scratch by our very gratefully received chef Veronika. She breathed life into each dish she prepared and her food was not simply fresh nutritious or delicious it Felt Good. A range of teas and fruit were always available, with a wide choice of ethically sourced condiments to use at meal times. Accommodation consisted of personal bell tents with hammocks and modestly decorated with a single bed chair and side table. The ability to sleep under the stars and hear acorns popping on the roof of your tent is a seasonal bonus. So my experience of this group led by Sanango an authentic Vegetalista who personally (in ceremony) held a sacred space with grace and ease. Allowing this one a variety of Sacred Experiences with God the Divinities and Self. Mikaela is an absolute pleasure to learn from. Her humility and patience calmly emanate to all in her presence. Mikaela is the one who performed my Kambo initiation and her application and skill with this ancient Gift was a sight to behold. Kameron who is a storehouse of information about the Master Plants and made himself available to receive any questions and answered each in turn with dignity grace and Wisdom beyond his years. This leaves Matt and Veronika who are presently assisting in Ceremonies and helping ensure that whoever chooses to experience the Healing Power of Sacred Plant Medicines with Sinchi Runa does so in a safe welcoming warm inclusive space. Blessings for All
Matthew
England, Oct 04, 2020
I want to thank the whole Sinchi Runa team for giving me the best 7 days of my life.The encounter with Mother Ayahusaca can not be described in words it must be experienced and felt. I feel a newborn.All the energies and all the experiences I have experienced and felt cannot be forgotten.Now I also understand how important nature is and that I need to be careful with nature. 🙂 Now I will try to show other people how important plants are for our life and our health. Thank you maestro Sanango and Mikaela See you again 🙂
Dalibor Andric
Sweden
I’ve been putting off writing a review for 2 weeks now because I’m still in awe of the magic that happened at Sinchi Runa. I cannot do it justice in words. It was truly life changing. Sanago, Kameron, Mikaela and everyone at the retreat were incredible. I am so so grateful to have had that opportunity, and to share it with the people I did just makes it even better. Those 5 days have truly truly changed my life. You guys are magical! I can’t wait to meet again X
Lauran Jenkins
England
Namaste, Words are not enough to describe this soulful experience. Enlightenment, peace, compassion, gratitude, growth, joy, freedom and above all LOVE. The location is peaceful and so are the people who were assisting us. Emma, Noah and Kameron are devoted and committed to helping us, kindly with pure honest hearts, throughout the ceremonies and the other activities. Sanango and Mikaela are on another level of awakening and love, it will touch your soul. Taking a part of this journey, will get you exactly what you need, regardless of where you are at, coming with an open heart and ready to let it all in. Witnessing magic in every step of the way and opening eyes to things you did not see before, on every level. I am so grateful for being part of this retreat, it changed my life for the better. I met and had a connection with amazing and beautiful souls. Thank you all, I love you always and forever.
Ghazoua Jberi
Previous to Sinchi Runa I have been to two other retreats in Europe and by far my experience with Sinchi Runa was the most amazing on all levels and by a huge margin. It was challenging at first, giving up my phone, having days of silence and having nothing much to distract myself with in general. After a few days I was able to pay attention to and appreciate nature more, I was mindfully eating because of the lack of distraction and really let my body rest as much as it needed. Also from just observing, I've learned what I should be eating and it's tasty simple food that I feel confident that I could cook at home. The members of Sinchi Runa are all such wonderful people that gave a really calm and safe energy which was so important for my Ayahuasca journeys as well as just being able to have really interesting conversations. In my first Ayahuasca ceremony I asked to give up my fear, knowing that I was asking for a challenging experience. I got that challenging experience but it wasn't terrifying because I fully trusted Ayahuasca and Sanango's guidance. I'm not sure such an experience would have been possible anywhere else as it involved real life events. It wasn't all in my head. My second Ayahuasca ceremony was the most bizarre and beautiful experience of my life. When closing that ceremony Sanango held my arm and said something to me that I didn't understand. I suddenly went from giddy happy to realizing that I had finally let go of enough trauma that I could feel joy again. For five ceremonies my intentions were to let go of grief, let go of sorrow, let go of fear and after letting go of so much negativity I could finally see the light. I felt like Andy in Shawshank Redemption, after crawling through my endless sh*t finally I was free. I was so happy I wept with joy and relief. Finally I can let go of my past. Finally I can live my life. I had been searching my whole life for a way to "fix" myself and finally that journey has come to an end. I don't feel the need to take Ayahuasca anymore. It's possible that I will again in a few years but I want to focus on integrating and living my life. In the second ceremony I asked Ayahuasca how to have more joy in my life and she said "You're funny. Do comedy." I had done stand up comedy in the past but quit because of the fear of bombing and not having anything meaningful to really say. I think I will get back to stand up as now I do feel like I have a lot to say and I think it'll be really fun. Thank you Sanango, Mikaela, Kameron, Noah and Rava (The coolest dog I've ever met).
Grace Chan
UK
My experience with Sinchi Runa was just amazing. I have read about many retreats before deciding to go to this one. I couldn't have asked for a better arrival into this life changing experience. The people at Sinchi Runa are by far the most genuine, kind and understanding people I have ever met. I live in Norway and this kind of humanity is something that I don't see very often. It's almost two weeks since I left Sinchi Runa and I'm still trying to process all that happened there. The food was amazing, the farm we stayed at was wonderful and ceremonies were magical. I have a little trouble finding the words to describe such an experience, but I would highly recommend Sinchi Runa to anyone who is thinking about visiting the wonderful world of entheogens. Sanango is a very good shaman/guide and has a lot of wisdom to share to those who will listen. His powerful presence really made my sessions perfect. Sanango is like the ultimate father/grandfather. Wise and powerful, healing and caring. He may be strict in some ways, but only because he cares about you, your journey and your spiritual healing.
Magnus Overseen
Norway
I did an 8-day Ayahuasca retreat with Sinchi Runs in Portugal in early June. Both Mikaela and Kameron were so helpful in the initial stages of enquiry, booking and arranging transport etc. When I arrived at the Retreat, I was in awe of the dedication and kindness of all the staff and volunteers. I found both the first Kambo and the first Ayahuasca sessions quite challenging, yet the support I received was second to none. It enabled me to continue with further sessions as planned. I let go of a lot of grief and received so many insights that I know will be life changing. Before I did the retreat I felt very lost, whereas now I have a renewed zest for life and trust that I am part of a Sacred Universe. The other retreat participants were really great and supportive also. A huge thank you to Sanango, Kameron, Mikaela, Noa and Emma. I will be forever in your debt.
Margaret
UK
I had participated in four Ayahuasca ceremonies prior to this one. Each offered something different. However, my experience with Sinchi Runa was by far the best Ayahuasca experience that I have ever had. I would attribute this in large measure to Mikaela, Kameron and Sanango. They did an outstanding job of creating a safe nurturing environment. They were generous in all ways. I felt safe and cared for at all times, by these strangers who became my friends. The sense of security that i felt, permitted me to be absolutely vulnerable, which made it possible for me to focus all of my energies into doing the work that I was there to do. I would wholeheartedly recommend Sinchi Runa to anyone who is sincere about healing, expanding, getting closer to source, or all of the above.
Jorge Monterrosa
Spain
One of the most powerful, positive and memorable experiences, I imagine, I will ever have. Attending a retreat such as this did not come without some deep personal fears. These fears, however, were kept at bay: Sanango, Mikaela and Kameron created a warm and loving space in which I felt safe and held but also given enough room to allow for painful, yet needed, change. I feel blessed each time I was present in a ceremony held by Sanango, I have a huge amount of respect for him. It is hard to capture in words but Sanango's knowledge and experience allowed for me to feel safe enough to explore and go to painful places, resulting in much needed healing - as a hard nosed Brit - I was amazed I was able to do this. In addition, Sanango's feedback was insightful and invaluable. The diet and the moments of silence together amplified the feelings of rest and recuperation. Looking inside myself is something I have always struggled with but in this environment it became easier and for the first time ever, I could feel my heart start to open. In the weeks that have followed I have had moments of feeling like my body may burst with love. The location was beautiful and our hosts fed us well! Nature was all around and rain or shine I felt at peace. I was told on my last day that changing the world starts by changing myself. I know the change in me has now begun. I want to wrap this retreat up in ribbon and give it to the world...
Dora Roberts
UK
My experience at Sinchi Runa was beautiful. I attended a weekend-retreat in Sweden and can't be happier I did. All the people working at the retreat were very warm-hearted and knowledgeable. They really did listen to us, the participants', thoughts and questions, and created a great sense of trust. During the whole retreat I felt very safe and cared for. The retreat was very all-encompassing - there was lots of space for valuable time in silence and introspection, for preparations for the ceremony, questions and follow-up sharings the day after. Oh, and the food was amazing. The ceremony was led by Sanango who I found so inspiring and passionate. The insight and compassion that emmanated from him was incredible. I really wish to return in the future to learn more about myself, life and consciousness, and can think of no better place than the beautiful Sinchi Runa. Thank you, Sanango, Mikaela and Kameron, for being such a loveful part of this journey.
Johas Johansson
Sweden
It’s been six months since I came home from my stay at Sinchi Runa, and not a single drop of my life has been the same. I’ve had no idea how to even start this review for so long - how does one describe their most profound and earth-shattering experiences? How could I possibly tell you about how I every breath I take is deeper, every color is brighter, every ounce of my love is stronger? Which words can I string together to make more than mere sentences that prove my entire paradigm has changed? My life was saved in that jungle with every flap of a butterfly’s wing, every drop of rain, every grain of rice...and thankfully, I will never be the same again. Though I could tell you all about the incredible connection to Spirit I witnessed through Sanango and Mikaela, the deeply intensive experience of being alone amongst the trees for so long and the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten in my entire life, I feel that there is so much more to this experience than just what happens in Peru. I was called to go to Sinchi Runa after a deeply difficult bout of depression had taken almost everything from me. On the brink of suicide, I booked my flight with nothing to lose. I had no idea the magic that was in store for me there. Using their vast knowledge of Spirit and the world of plant medicine, Sanango and Mikaela took me on an intensive journey of death, rebirth, awakening and healing. They guided me every step of the way and though I went through the entire rainbow spectrum of emotions, I always felt safe under their care. The jungle, Sanango and Mikaela are the greatest teachers I have ever known. This came as no surprise to me - after just moments in their presence, you can already feel and see the deep connection they have with Spirit. What I wasn’t expecting, however, were the infinite and powerful changes that have occurred since I left. Every aspect of my life has undergone great transformations since returning home, but that most incredible of all of these has been my relationship with myself. Before my process, fear was dominating every part of my life, but my time at SR firmly rooted me back into myself and allowed me to operate from a space of loving kindness. If you have found yourself here reading these reviews because something inside has been calling to you, I implore you to honor that voice. Who knows - you just might save your own life.
Amanda Ligon
United States
My experience with Sinchi Runa was just amazing. I have read about many retreats before deciding to go to this one. I couldn't have asked for a better arrival into this life changing experience. The people at Sinchi Runa are by far the most genuine, kind and understanding people I have ever met. I live in Norway and this kind of humanity is something that I don't see very often. It's almost two weeks since I left Sinchi Runa and I'm still trying to process all that happened there. The food was amazing, the farm we stayed at was wonderful and ceremonies were magical. I have a little trouble finding the words to describe such an experience, but I would highly recommend Sinchi Runa to anyone who is thinking about visiting the wonderful world of entheogens. Sanango is a very good shaman/guide and has a lot of wisdom to share to those who will listen. His powerful presence really made my sessions perfect. Sanango is like the ultimate father/grandfather. Wise and powerful, healing and caring. He may be strict in some ways, but only because he cares about you, your journey and your spiritual healing.
Magnus Øversveen
Norway
Previous to Sinchi Runa I have been to two other retreats in Europe and by far my experience with Sinchi Runa was the most amazing on all levels and by a huge margin. It was challenging at first, giving up my phone, having days of silence and having nothing much to distract myself with in general. After a few days I was able to pay attention to and appreciate nature more, I was mindfully eating because of the lack of distraction and really let my body rest as much as it needed. Also from just observing, I've learned what I should be eating and it's tasty simple food that I feel confident that I could cook at home. The members of Sinchi Runa are all such wonderful people that gave a really calm and safe energy which was so important for my Ayahuasca journeys as well as just being able to have really interesting conversations. In my first Ayahuasca ceremony I asked to give up my fear, knowing that I was asking for a challenging experience. I got that challenging experience but it wasn't terrifying because I fully trusted Ayahuasca and Sanango's guidance. I'm not sure such an experience would have been possible anywhere else as it involved real life events. It wasn't all in my head. My second Ayahuasca ceremony was the most bizarre and beautiful experience of my life. When closing that ceremony Sanango held my arm and said something to me that I didn't understand. I suddenly went from giddy happy to realizing that I had finally let go of enough trauma that I could feel joy again. For five ceremonies my intentions were to let go of grief, let go of sorrow, let go of fear and after letting go of so much negativity I could finally see the light. I felt like Andy in Shawshank Redemption, after crawling through my endless sh*t finally I was free. I was so happy I wept with joy and relief. Finally I can let go of my past. Finally I can live my life. I had been searching my whole life for a way to "fix" myself and finally that journey has come to an end. I don't feel the need to take Ayahuasca anymore. It's possible that I will again in a few years but I want to focus on integrating and living my life. In the second ceremony I asked Ayahuasca how to have more joy in my life and she said "You're funny. Do comedy." I had done stand up comedy in the past but quit because of the fear of bombing and not having anything meaningful to really say. I think I will get back to stand up as now I do feel like I have a lot to say and I think it'll be really fun. Thank you Sanango, Mikaela, Kameron, Noah and Rava (The coolest dog I've ever met).
Grace Chan
Ireland
For months I have thought about how to describe what seems indescribable because it is beyond this physical world of words and reasoning. It is so great and yet still, in all its abundance and infinity, it is still right here. When I was 12 I wrote in my notebook: “I am imprisoned in my mind.” This is the reason why I decided to go to Sinchi Runa, 13 years later. My Father has always taught and showed me that to be worthy of love I had to be perfect. Perfect in many hyper-meta-ways, that can be very hard for a child to understand and navigate in. But I understood the core information: Perfection is something you achieve, love is something you make yourself worthy of and existing is not a birthright. At Sinchi Runa I unlearned all this. Like much of humanity, I had suffered great hurt and pain continuously trough out my childhood. The traumas traveled with me into adulthood. Scars integrated so deeply in my very being that I often mistook this darkness, along with the fear and pain it came with, for my own actual essence. I have suffered anxiety for nearly two decades. At times so profound to an extend where I couldn't go to school for months, or lately back in 2014/2015, where I suffered the most intense anxiety I have ever experienced. A year of penetrating anxiety, that made it nearly impossible for me to leave my apartment, unless I absolutely had to. For a whole year I couldn't walk the streets, for more than a few hundred meters until I had to either run home or take a cab back to “avoid” fainting, throwing up or dying. At work I often had to run to the toilet, to hide an incoming attack, Trying to calm myself never worked because I didn't feel the least bit safe within myself. A thunderstorm of void and darkness would rush in over me, and its vibrating echo would suck out all life force of me. My only way out seemed to be to physically leave this painful world that was me. “We are not all supposed to be here.” I remember thinking many times in great distress. I would cry myself to sleep because I was so saddened and disgusted by my own existence, only to go do my job as a model next day where I had to embody “beauty and happiness”, when I felt like the ugliest, unhappiest being. I felt guilty and ungrateful, now I’d been so fortunate to have been given a Mother, siblings and friends who loved me, a job that introduced me to so many people who have been such a big part of my journey and money, that gave me the freedom, to live a life in New York, that not many would be able to lead in their 20’s. Needless to say, none of this resolved anything. At times I couldn't feel anything, not even my mothers love. I could have had all the love there is in this world around me, but I felt no love within. As in nothing. Only light can lead out darkness and I had very little access to my own light. Light that lives inside of all of us. Light that in fact, is us. I’ve tried so many different healing methods, modern and ancient, physical and mental. They all worked for an amount of time, only until anxiety found a crack and forced its way back. So enough, is enough and I knew nothing was going to fundamentally change inside of me, unless I dared to take a leap, and go deep, back to where it all happened, and even beyond that. Arriving at Sinchi Runa, I had to leave all my preconceived ideas of what was going happen, at the front door. I knew it was going to be profound, like nothing I had ever experienced before. But I also kind of thought “Hey I got this healing covered, I’ve done nothing but trying to heal for the most of life. I’m in touch with my spirituality” Little did I know... I spent a month at Sinchi Runa healing with highly intelligent plants, like Ayahuasca, Yawapanga, Tobacco, and San Pedro amongst many others. And I spent a month doing nothing but facing my greatest fears, my greatest pains and my greatest love. Sanango told me to set my intentions for my first session. He told me to try to become love. At the time it seemed like a very foreign and abstract concept to me. Instead I turned into fear, that is the opposite of love. My first ayahuasca session was the most frightening hours of my life. It was 25 years of fear and pain boiled down to a few hours and revealed to me in its rawest format. Leaving the session, I thought “This fear, this darkness, inside of me is much greater than I thought. It’s lethal. It is going to kill me.” Opposite happened, standing face to face with my fear I have looked at it, felt every inch of it, cried for it, thrown it up, shouted at it, shat it out, inhaled it, exhaled it and released it. I have forgiven those who have hurt me, I have set us all free and I sent them love, even when I wanted to hate. When I “finally”, a month later, became this love, I understood what I am. Who we are. I went to the place where we go when we leave this body, and I looked “death” in the eyes and I bowed. An abundance of love filled me to my core, and as light was streaming through my veins, darkness and all that is not me, dissolved. I was then blinded by light, my light. Shooting up through me, protecting me, embracing me. This light is here in eternity. At Sinchi Runa they teach you how to walk again. You do the footwork yourself, you take the steps, and when you fall you learn how to get up, by yourself, but you’re not alone. You’re being compassionately taught and guided by Sanango, Guillermo and Mikaela, who all heal from the purest and most honest place. I’m forever grateful to have met these three beings, who all in their own ways has changed my life and taught me everything I hadn't been taught about this universe, love and compassion. Teachings far beyond my imagination, beyond words. They have helped me to understand my conditions. Conditions I didn't even knew I suffered from, but more importantly they have helped me understand my truth and my essence. That I am not darkness, I am my not ancestry linage, I am so much more than this body, I am infinite and that I have a right to exist in this world. We all do. I built a stonewall around my heart, desperate to shelter from pain. This wall has now crumbled. I am now able to trust the sensitivity of my heart. Sinchi Runa helped me to trust this very heart, helped me to look trough it, in all its powerful sensitivity. The world, and my part of this world, now looks very different. They have shown me my true potential, a potential we all has as human beings; A potential to step fully into the light. To hold love and compassion for everyone. They’ve opened up a world of ancient wisdom and knowledge that is so beautiful and beyond this world that words cheapen it, instead I carry it within my heart, as a part of my being. At Sinchi Runa there is no dogma, no stigma, not one truth. There is no me or you, us or them, Dissociation is such a hurtful part of our society and religious beliefs. There are just us (and a whole lot of laughter), as a conscious collective, and within this collective is a place for you and for me. It is not a place you gradually work your way up the ladder to achieve, it is your right. It is yours, it has always been yours and always will be yours. I am. We all exist in a universe that is Purnam, which in Sanskrit means perfection. This universe is whole, fully and perfect. It just is. At Sinchi Runa I found a home within my center, but it is also the physical place where I have felt the most at home, I found extended family and I found a way of loving absolutely unconditionally, with every cell of my body and every pore of my skin. Mikaela, Guillermo and Sanago, I am in awe of everything you have showed me and taught me, I am moved to tears every time I think of you and all the love, wisdom and compassion you are and that you share with the world and its people. When I miss you, feel doubt or fear about the next steps I have to take, I close my eyes and I feel your presences and love so deeply inside of me, and I know I am always home. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You. I am so humbled.
Amanda Norgaard
Denmark
I did an 8-day Ayahuasca retreat with Sinchi Runs in Portugal in early June. Both Mikaela and Kameron were so helpful in the initial stages of enquiry, booking and arranging transport etc. When I arrived at the Retreat, I was in awe of the dedication and kindness of all the staff and volunteers. I found both the first Kambo and the first Ayahuasca sessions quite challenging, yet the support I received was second to none. It enabled me to continue with further sessions as planned. I let go of a lot of grief and received so many insights that I know will be life changing. Before I did the retreat I felt very lost, whereas now I have a renewed zest for life and trust that I am part of a Sacred Universe. The other retreat participants were really great and supportive also. A huge thank you to Sanango, Kameron, Mikaela, Noa and Emma. I will be forever in your debt.
Margaret
Ireland
After sitting with many teachers, I still felt that something was missing from my journey and I found it at Sinchi Runa. Sanango is a true teacher who is steeped in the knowledge of master plants, transformation, and Vedic teachings. As a yoga practitioner/teacher, the Vedic aspect of Sanango's teachings was priceless. He really is a master at guiding you through your individual process and customizing it to help you find your truth. I was, and still am, amazed at the depth of his compassionate and firm guiding as I weaved through my process. IT WAS LIFE CHANGING. I will be coming back to Sinchi Runa as long as they are providing this powerful gift of teachings. The accommodations were perfect for what you are needing on your journey. The food is spectacular and the land has a deep healing energy that I have only felt in certain parts of India and high in the mountains of Colorado. I never felt pressured to do anything that did not benefit or enhance what I needed at that particular time. Having sat with many teachers, in different lineages, I can honestly say that this was the most profound experience of my life journey thus far and I will continue to return as often as I can. There is a true sense of caring at Sinchi Runa that provides a safe atmosphere to grow and heal, without giving off a "cult vibe", that I have seen in other lineages and retreats. The staff went above and beyond to make sure I had what I needed to arrive at Sinchi Runa and what I needed for my time there. Do yourself a favor and contact them, you will give yourself a great gift. If we do not take care of ourselves on this life journey, then who will? Thank you.
Clay Campbell
United States
I spent several months at Sinchi Runa participating in a series of dietas and ceremonies. To say the experience was life-changing is an understatement. I experienced profound healing from personal and military-related trauma and finally found a true sense of Self. I've been home from Peru since December and I still feel as though my process and the lessons continue to this day. Sanango is a gifted shaman and Mikaela is an absolute angel on earth. I cannot recommend them highly enough for your journey.
Kay Weber
United States
I'm so happy that you're reading this. You just found the best retreat center in Peru. Seriously. Safe, legitimate, powerful, and intimate (this is not an Ayahuasca tourist factory. Avoid those places.) My first Ayahuasca experience with Sanango was back in 2011 and ever since then, I've been traveling to wherever the heck he is in the world at least once or twice a year to attend retreats and continue my journey with him. As a result, my life is incredible and I couldn't be more grateful. As far as I'm concerned, Sanango saved my life. No, I never abused drugs, I wasn't depressed, and I didn't have anxiety. I was actually living what I believed was a good life! Unbeknownst to me, however, I was secretly suffering because I was disconnected from my heart and my true self. I was doing things that I *thought* were ok but were actually hurting me in serious ways. I was a very difficult nut to crack. I didn't even think I had a problem. I was just being curious because I found the whole Ayahuasca thing intriguing and I trusted Sanango so I kept coming back to do retreats. Once I committed to a proper 10-day process with Sanango, my life changed completely and for the better. Sinchi Runa is by far my favourite place in the whole world. Nowhere else have I been able to access so much inner peace and joy. Real peace and real joy. Not just the kind you talk about or imagine. I experienced it. I became it. Sanango showed me the way. Ultimately, you are your own healer so don't bow down before anyone who makes you feel lesser than them. Only teachers with sincere compassion and true understanding who don't take their silly human selves so seriously are worth following. Sanango is one of those great teachers. Anyone who has the opportunity to go to Sinchi Runa and sit with him in their lifetime is sincerely blessed. If you're considering taking this opportunity, I am so happy for you and I hope we get to cross paths while you're there. I trust Sanango and Sinchi Runa with my life. I am safe there. I thrive there. It's the best work I've ever done. It's the best money I've ever spent. Thank you Sinchi Runa. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love you.
Rhiannon Sinchi Runa
Rhiannon Jane
Canada
The greatest gift I could have ever given myself was my decision to do a 3-month-process. I arrived with an idea, a concept of what I wanted. Now, I'm simply left with a feeling, an undeniable knowing, which guides me everyday. It was such a blessing to have found this place. If you are searching for truth, to heal, to free yourself, to open your heart, I highly suggest Sinchi Runa.
Kameron Celniker
United States
I am in awe of this place, of these people. What can I say. Words cannot describe my stay at Sinchi Runa. When I arrived I started to feel a lot of different frustrations, I didn't have the feeling that I could choose if I participated in for example the sauna that they had prepared when I arrived, I felt pushed into it but kept it for myself. After that a series of things happend that left me frustrated, things didn't go the way I thought they would and things were not like I had imagined (like not having a toilet/shower in my tambo and the mattress aggravated my back pain). Even though I know the trap of expectations, I felt right into it, pretty hard...and (silently) I blamed Sinchi Runa for not meeting up to it. Luckily there was the silent, accepting force of nature that surrounded me when I was at my lovely Tambo. I was in awe of this place! Within a day or 2 it teached me to just let go. I really felt taken care of, by nature but also by the people of Sinchi Runa...they radiate love. Mikaela (whom I deeply respect; she really does embodies an angel) has helped me beyond words and partly without even saying a word. When I looked into her eyes (in a time of deep personal drama) I could see the ''silent knowing'' that I also felt in the presence of Sanango. It felt very clear and profound like there is a deeper understanding of life that I seem to be able to experience for seconds, maybe hours..but they seem to live it, understand it. I have to say, that is good company to have around when you truly want to understand those things. They helped me to learn to take responsibility for my own life, my own made-up drama, in a honest but loving way. At some point I was almost crying for their attention, for help, they stayed with me but refused to feed my emotions of helplessness. By not feeding it, it starved a lonely death. I suddenly saw how I (partly) created drama in my life to gain attention; to be seen....and how painfully funny that somehow was. I learned to love and help myself and stop expecting that others will do it for me. I gained a lot of power from that. What I want to say is this: if you'll go to this place, big chance some negative feelings will surface, maybe also toward Sinchi Runa. I just want to invite you to not immediately take it out on the people of Sinchi Runa but try to take a honest look inside and just sit with that negative feeling. Maybe you are a little bit like me and you have some personal shit coming up to the surface, and the event that you are mad/frustrated about is just a way to ventilate those (old) emotions. Everything I've blamed them for when I was in my dieta, I laugh about it now...all that stayed is a deep feeling of gratitude. Much thanks to Sanango, Mikaela, Page and Kameron who all helped me with so much kindness. I hope to see them again some time!
Andrea de Swarte
Netherlands
My process has been life-changing by opening my heart and life for love, compassion and healing. I can from the depths of my heart recommend this center for deep healing work with authentic and experienced shaman in a safely held space. This center has a unique touch and a truly and gentle way of meeting individuals and guiding them on their journey towards healing and greater understanding and connectedness.
christin review
Christin Mellner
Sweden
This has been a common theme for me throughout my journeys with Ayahuasca (and in life in general). Every time I think I know what needs to happen, something much better and more useful occurs. This was the case at Sinchi Runa. I was completely thrown off by not being able to control anything from the time I ate a meal to when the sessions were and everything in between. This was necessary to break down my barriers and begin the deeper work that can happen for me only in a place of letting go. Sanango and Mikaela are able to somehow figure out what each person needs on a personal level. From my first consultation it was like Sanango already knew what would happen and looking back on that meeting I can see with positivity that he is divinely guided. I cannot imagine a scenario where someone would leave after a dieta and not be changed for the better. Whether it feels good or not, the change deep in the structure of your soul is sure to bring true joy to any who seek to visit this special place...Oh and the food is incredible (after the dieta:))!
Norelle Adams
Unites States
No matter what it is you’re wanting to accomplish - what insights you’re looking to obtain, what issues you may think you have and need to dissolve - Sinchi Runa offers the expertise, setting, staff, and support to allow this to blossom in a unique manner that is catered to with patience, attention, care and love based on individual needs. The 30-day process was completely transformative, simply because I finally allowed it to be. It is with much gratitude towards Sanango, Mikaela, the staff, the jungle and plants, and “myself” that I write this. Out of truth and a genuine desire to assist the individual in assisting themselves, without any facade or hidden agenda, the holistic and all-encompassing nature of services provided by Sinchi Runa make it my only recommendation to others and personal choice for continued exploration of who we are. ❤
Anthony Chetta
United States
Sinchi Runa was my first experience with staying at a retreat center and work with the plant medicines and my self. For me it was very important that the shaman (Sanango) have a lot of experiences with his work and the place was peaceful and without too many people. I appreciated my first stay in the private room where it was important so seek inside and be silence. Not too much talking and more focus on one self. The friendly staff came always with fresh tasty healthy food and there was meditation and yoga which was optional. After 5 days it was time to go deeper into to jungle and stay in a secluded hut close to a beautiful river (Shamanic diet). It was so amazing to experience the changes within each day gives. It was like a dream to wake up each morning in this beautiful and relaxed jungle with the sounds from the birds and the other animals. The saunas with medicinal plants was really a lot of good experiences. Personally it boost my experience in total to a higher level. Sanango was may the best shaman you could expect as a first time seeker. His incredible wisdom, understanding and relaxing feeling about the present moment make everything so much brighter and easier. I like the combination with the Vedic philosophy. It helps me to get a better understanding. The place is so welcome and you already feel like a part of a new family from the entrance. So lovely. It was the best decision in my whole life. So if you want a beautiful life - this place is a good place to begin with. 🙂 Come, feel and experience the love. Namasté
Julian Brandt
Denmark
I first came to Sinchi Runa in 2013 to do a shamanic diet, and it was a completely life changing experience thanks to the plants and their wisdom, but above all thanks to Sanango, the shaman, that guided my process to help me find my own truth. I've met many shamans and guru's in my life and it's not easy to meet someone that is really real, guiding through compassion and a higher understanding. I came back one year later for another diet and this April I visited the center for the third time. I'm usually very sceptic towards ayahuasca centers, especially since the tourism around this plant has increased and South America is full of insincere practice. I was lucky to find Sinchi Runa, it's is a place with real people that together with the shaman dedicate their lives to plant healing and the search for truth. This is not just a place where you go to have a one-time ayahuasca trip, actually, if that's what you're after you shouldn't come at all. Instead, Sinchi Runa offers a true healing journey through a higher understanding of yourself, the universe and the reality of the world. I highly recommend it to any true spiritual seeker!
Rebecka Carlén
Sweden
Travel to Sinchi Runa at Moyobamba, Peru was a safe route. I have been at Sinchi Runa 3 Times. I am grateful to have found myself at Sinchi Runa. What I have discovered is the great Love and Truth that is within me. This truth that I speak of is all about me. I am grateful for being able to experience my natural essence. What I have found is a path of comfort knowing that nothing is happening and everything just is. I have learned many lessons on how to search the inner self. I have found how letting go of what does not serve you can be masked in our wounds. I am grateful for the Land and the Almond River that helped soothe me. For the butterfly that showed me patience as it practiced stretching its wings before a real flight. I am grateful for the Plants that were served and the diet that showed me humor in my mistakes. I am grateful for the vibrations of the forest and of the inner being. I am grateful for that unforgettable smile. I really love learning at Sinchi Runa. I am privileged to know such kind people who share the path with you as you discover yourself. Lots of Love, Peace, Light and Flow for letting go.
Michael
Unites States
Rated 5 stars not only for the wonderful experience, but the environment and compassionate nature of the the folks that make Sinchi Runa what it is...a place of self-discovery and understanding of this world. I didn't know what to expect going in, but once my treatment was completed, the results of the process was far more valuable and special than I could ever imagine. The first time I visited, I was in a pretty bad state in my life. I stayed a month, and came back to "my reality" with a sense of purpose and resilience to face almost any difficult situation life put in my way. I've just returned from my second visit to "check in", and now find myself aware of certain things in my life that I need to immediately change to live a more peaceful and authentic "me". Every time I visit Sinchi Runa, a layer of my "conditioned self" is revealed and I become a little more conscious of who I truly am. For all you truth seekers....this place is for you.
Arely Garcia
Arely Garcia
Unites States
This is written in the context of just vaguely summing what doing a year long process at Sinchi Runa has done for me, with an greater emphasis on before and after and the internal comprehension and healing I have personally and individually recieved. Its written as a sort of column for on my facebook so don't mind the formal writing style :)! So I am about to wrap up what has been the most incredible and difficult year of my life. Most of you, friends and family and a few people I've never met but are for some reason interested in my life via facebook (lol) have been able to follow my comings and goings through pictures with beautiful backdrops and scenery. But I wanted to say that those things are completely irrelevant and not of interest to me in comparison with the change thats happened within me. Most of this last year I've spent by myself, understanding myself. I decided to come do a 3 month healing process with ayahuasca and other plants to heal my life long depression, social anxiety, and escapism in all those crappy substances. RING A BELL? We all know THAT person or maybe are THAT person. You know, I lived my whole life feeling like nothing around me made sense, what is the reason for job, marriage, ambition...god being a big joke in this hurtful society where sensitivity is a weakness, where the bible and scriptural interpretations are repressing man and smearing our human collective and psyche with shame, guilt, unwarranted convitions and the UGLY mound of morality that no one can ever agree on because it goes against our nature that no one wants to even talk about. I mean why do the people who "love each other the most" in the world just shit on each other, wife/husband, mother/child etc. Relationship after relationship I thought "love" could heal all this discontentment and anger... It never worked. There was something very wrong and unfortunately I found no success or recognition in my ability to observe and contemplate the injustice and dysfunction of the world around me through my *unique* observational humor (Fingers are still crossed.) So being 24, angry (to an extent I then had no idea how deep, cause of course I think I would KNOW if I were angry ), jaded, hopeless, and recently "heart broken" ( <--- lol) I remember thinking what the hell, I'm so young, attractive, well liked (well...eh, when I wasn't being an intentional offensive asshole), funny, undenialbly intelligent, and naturally very loved by my friends and family. And yet I was the most miserable person I knew!! I mean MISERABLE and careless and just plain dark and dead feeling inside (and not the artsy fartsy "look at me I am so neurotic and contemplative messy, isn't my melancholic sadness attractive". So I arrived to Sinchi Runa feeling terrible. ~TeRrIbLe~ At this point, I had lost any interest or spark in/towards spirituality. I mean come on, Namaste and lotus flowers have become a fashionable social garment. Yoga only exists in photographs, wtf. "My name is now Dancing Sunbeam, Om Namah Shivaya in Sanskrit makes such a pretty upper back tattoo, look how liberated I am with my mala beads as a bracelet!" I wanted NOTHING to do with that (not that it didn't make for great comedic relief.) The fact that Rumi is the most read poet in the United States, this beyond beautiful god intoxicated sufi sage, reduced to really pretty "being in love" instagram caption quotes. What the heck. I had my first Ayahuasca session on New Year's Eve, my 25th birthday. I remember sitting there thinking "Oh, no. I am too dark and morbid for this. You don't know the terrible things that exist in my mind, I am going to end up in some hallucinatory pergatory type hell." I ended up being the one only in a room of 8 people laughing hysterically outloud the whole time, and I mean uncontrollable blissful giggling. Everything became so futile and ridiculous, like the universe pulled back some curtain and we shared a real good laugh together at the barbaric humorous efforts and theatric display of everything meaningless of humanity, yet this all seen and felt through myself. Laughing at the world but really we were laughing at ME!! I felt the beauty and energy of Buddha, Krishna, and Christ envelop my whole being and energy shot up my spine and held me up right through the top of my head. Then I started to become Buddha, Krishna, and Christ! The laughing turned into unutterable happiness and confusion. "Hey dudes, what are you even doing here sitting together in this weird cross legged fashion telling me (via pure feeling) that I am just like you. I felt so much love and amazement that night. Little did I know, I would not be having that same experience again, apparently there was much "work to do." The majority of my experiences, (now decided to be much longer than 3 months) have been HARD, looking at all the real, raw, "ugly" fear and pain that I've been covering up for the past 25 years, and the flood gates opened. When I found out I would be doing a spiritual "dieta" I was like, "umm NO, I literally cannot be alone." My first diet was 10 days alone, second diet was 20 days alone, I did a ten day liver flush completely alone, my third diet was 25 days alone, and my fourth was 10 days alone. Yes, in total I have spent over 70 days of this past year in complete isolation eating only clean rice, green plantains/yucca, without other human contact, music, toothpaste, shampoo, sugar, salt, or anything to distract myself from observing all the "ugly" and "pretty" thoughts, feelings, and emotions that exist within me. And only that. I have cried in ridiculous amounts, I have been pushed by my very strong ego into a corner and had to cover myself from the torturous blows of past and future. I have taken euphoric feeling plants and also plants that make me vomit, cry, and shit and yes many a times simultaneously. I have shit myself pretty much twice this year and have been not so gracefully humbled in every single way. I have fought hard to clear away the oppressor, judge, and dictator that exists within me. I have fought the momentum of thousands of years of social conditioning bearing all the dualities of pain and pleasure, happiness and sadness, ugly and pretty, and mostly right and wrong. I have had to stare all my greatest fears in the eye with no where to run and take cover. I have had to look at the inbalance of masculinity and femininity, the repression and shame attached to sexuality and gender, the love laws that MAN has created. I have laughed at how silly we all are. But more than anything else I've learned what "god" is not. And for me it is everything you think god is. I realized I have been creating god, when in all reality it is the unfathomable silence that exist in the heart, it is the balance of the natural world, it is the perfection of mans ability to heal and love. It is free from thought and exists outside of time and space and yet contains all that exists and could ever exists. It exists outside of sacred texts and philosphical intellectual discussion. It is recognized through feeling and emotion. And you are creating it. You are responsible for everything. Its the beauty of the birds and their songs, its purification and order, its the power behind choosing what truly serves you and what does not. And no one can show you this. It is formless love and compassion, it is the strength that exists to go beyond yourself. It is the beauty behind birth and death and it is the river that swallows everything and everyone. It is pure perfection and it is unknowable by the mind and thought. It is the dormant knowledge of the heart that awakens when you choose to heal and create a new reality of peace in your life. It is the strength and joy of man. So I have been broken down in every single way, my pride has been crushed and self importance displayed as the laughing stock of the whole world. And I tell you, I really know and understand nothing. I am writing this to tell you that NO, true spirituality isn't a trend and the criterion isn't linen pants and long hair. Spirituality to me, is a movement. It is an individual movement through life, it is creating the greatest reality you can dream of and you are its artist. It is a solitary journey with yourself through the pain of duality, it is the strength to go through your own personal hell. It is only kindness, personal responsibility and it exists outside of books and images. It is your weird awkward dorky uniqueness. It is all your greatest capabilities. I write this because I don't care anymore about all the walls that exists between me and you. Because I feel for you, and I feel it too. Because no one is talking about our ugliness and our sadness and our unanswered questions about why are things the way they are. Because we live in a world where we kill sensitivity and imagination, where we breed sterile child. And so this years closes the chapter of the last 25 years of my life and opens a new one and I have no idea what it entails. I think that the intelligent life of plants, ayahuasca, san pedro, peyote, kambo, tobaco ETC. have what humanity needs right now to heal itself. So if anyone is interested for themselves or for that certain weird loved one that is "way too smart for their own good" yet cant realize their own brilliance and potential, in what a journey with the plants and solitude is just let me know and I can get you all the information you need. No, ayahuasca is NOT a shallow "cool" visionary hallucinatory experience. Its not seeing green cactus men and ancient mayan priests. Its not something you can look up on youtube and anyone that says they can explain ayahuasca and what happens in a session, really doesn't know. It's a portal to higher elevated levels of consciousness that varies depending on what each person needs to heal itself. It cannot be touched by mind because it is beyond mind. Its is a healer, teacher, and warrior against ignorance. It can be unimaginably beautiful like nothin you have ever experience, and it can be a purging like a spiritual death completely burning away your ego, and let me tell you, dat shit is NOT fun. But its beautiful, because the best things in life come after the hard painful stuff ya know? I think we all know how that works by now. Obviously, I want to thank Sinchi Runa for everything. But I don't have to use words because it is the stuff that is beyond language. I want to thank my family for loving me and supporting me through my trainwreck of a life (sorry mom.) Thank you weirdos, dorks, nerds and freaks for being the ones to keep this world fresh and unique. You truly hold the torch of light through this grim messy existence. I SEE YOU.
Paige Fletcher
United States
I am eternally grateful to you and the cosmos for having intervened in such magical ways in my being, I hope to return at some point and I know that it will be, to make a treatment longer so we'll see each other in the future; It's Now.
David Trigueros
Costa Rica
I don't have words to describe the depth of gratitude I feel for this very special time in my life and the life changing journey they have guided me on. Sinchi Runa is a truly magical place, every part of the centre and the process, even the tough parts, envelop you with the love, connectedness, and the truths of these beautiful beings - thank you Sanango, Guillermo, Mikaela for all your love, your bright light and your guidance. Sanango is an incredible healer, full of love, compassion, and truth. You feel immediately his thousands of years of wisdom and deep connection to the Universe, it is truly an honour and a pleasure to be in his presence. He has such a deep understanding of every being, I feel that he sees all of my layers and right into my soul. I am certain he knows and understands me more than I do. His way is beautiful - deep, direct and honest communication, and also a lightness that heals and means it's difficult not to smile in his presence 🙂 His icaros are so powerful, it is a real and humbling honour to journey with Sanango, and he is ever present for each participant in the sessions, and throughout the dieta, really it is something very incredible to experience this. I feel deeply blessed to have received so many gifts during my dieta and through the sessions. Sanango and Guillermo and these incredible plants have helped me to move through fears, suffering, and thoughts that have kept me stuck for years. Making the dieta with them has been so much more than I could have ever hoped or imagined. I have experienced healing at such a profound level, they have reached places in me that I thought were unreachable. They have guided me on a journey of self love and acceptance. And what followed were the most beautiful truths, the cracking open of my heart, and finding myself open as the Universe, and discovering a deep trust in the Universe. I feel this is what I have been looking for my whole life and I am so full of gratitude to have found it here. These gifts are so precious, I feel different, my whole life feels different. My senses are more awake then ever before, I feel I have emerged from under a cloud, I am more aware, more present, I listen more fully, I feel more clarity in my mind, I can hear my heart clearly and communicate with self honesty and integrity. I feel such bliss and peace within, and have found complete trust in the Universe. I can rest back into this trust completely and I am eternally grateful for such a depth of healing. That this change can come about in such a short time feels like a miracle and is testament to the incredible work happening at Sinchi Runa - they are changing lives every day, I am in awe of their work. If you feel any fear or any self doubt, I urge you to put it aside and step into probably the most important journey you will ever make, a journey full of magical moments and insight. Come with no expectations for there is nothing to compare, and trust completely in the process and guidance of these beautiful souls. I feel so humble and honoured to have been able to be here at Sinchi Runa for my dieta with so much care and love from these beautiful people - my deepest thanks always. Mil mil gracias Sanango, Guillermo, Mikaela, Eric, Jesus, for everything, and to Liam for his beautiful presence, it has been such a pleasure to share this time with you all. And mil mil gracias to the plants, to Madre Ayahuasca, to the magical Chiric Sanango, to these beautiful gifts from Pachamama and the Universe - thank you. I am already looking forward to my next diet.
Emma Dibben
Emma Dibben
England
Om Namaste. Center is wonderful. Treatment plan effective.The environment is perfect for learning and healing. Where silence is well respected and the sounds of the birds are healing ingredients. Shamanic Diet well respected. Ceremonies are learning environments and hosted with indigenous pracctices. I learned many things while at the center for 13 days. Healing was the main objective. Release from suffering and connect back to your healthy being and nature. Master plants used have intelligence to share. I love Guatemala and found the trip to the center from the city safe and secure. I would recommend this center to all. Heal from within and may the child inside of you come out to play and learn. I hope to return soon. Peace and Joy be with you all.
Michael
United States
I have known for some time that I was supposed to take the medicine. And like most intuitions I was naturally guided and with gratitude landed in the beautiful place that is Sinchi Runa. I've met a handful of Shamans in my short time on this earth. However, none have come close to having the amiable essence in which Sanango exuberated. There are a few rare people with whom you can look in the eye and immediately you know, that they know. They have come into contact with and are holding inside of themselves great truths. These truths are profound beyond words and so only their eyes can really tell you. Their eyes tell you that they know. When I looked into Sanango's eyes, I knew he knew. Never with either of these beautiful people did I feel judged or uncomfortable. It was easy to tell them the truths of my life both the beautiful and the ugly. If I only got to meet them and share our conversations I believe I still would have left a happy and more knowledgable person. However, my blessings went beyond this and I was able to take part in a ceremony with these two lovely souls. Throughout the entire process I felt guided, held and supported. I never felt a moment of fear or doubt. I had come to trust fully in them as my guides and they most certainly did not fall short. The understanding that I received from the ceremony is indescribable. It was as though I had been analyzing myself with a flashlight all of my life and now suddenly the light shone down and I was clearly able to make proper connections. Connections, that I had been trying for so long to make and only with the medicine was able to really do. I am forever grateful to Sinchi Runa and to the mother plant for all of the gifts that they have brought me. I look forward to returning as soon as I can.
Artemis testimonial
Artemis
I came to the session in desperation. I was lost and sick. I wanted two questions asked, \"Who am I and what is my purpose?\" These questions were answered. I\'m very honored to have been given the chance to experience what true, divine love is. It\'s my hope that I\'ll be able to share this knowledge with the rest of the world, so that everyone can feel love. Thank you! - Love is the answer.
Michael Sieler
the univers and my parents have given me the present of life. there is endless option to understand what is this present of life, i decided to add to this gift few others. the gift of understanding. the gift of passion.the gift of faith.the gift of trust ,,and love, and gifts,,u can get them ,take them,and receive them,,,deepens of how u understand life,,, i walk in the path,little by little,between one drop of water to the other between sunset to sunset, between miracle to miracle, there are few moments in my life i know for sure will stay with me forever,few moments i know there was wings of angles surrounding me and showing me the way,,making sure i will b able to c a big present is coming in to my life... meeting the mother of truth was one of thous moment i dont know yet what was stronger. meeting her or meeting Sanango. but i don't think its meter couse in the end it is all one i just feel grateful and lucky that i had the privilege to share this experiences with this special sinchi runas.. worriers of light of love and understanding its in our hart. we can keep it num or wake this love to life i felt i want to wake up as i said,,my parent gave me the present of life, i feel i owe then to make my life the best i can it was the first step
Mia
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