The retreats offered by Melodías Arbóreas follow the Amerindian tradition of master plant dietas and ayahuasca rituals as practiced by certain Peruvian Amazonian peoples, such as the Shipibo-Konibo, with whom the healer trained for several years. This form of therapy is highly effective in addressing emotional blockages and ailments. For further details, please click on the tabs corresponding to the different explanatory sections.
Ayahuasca: Definition, uses, and purposes
Ayahuasca is a decoction prepared from the bark and stems of a vine from the Banisteriopsis genus and a powerful natural psychotropic substance, DMT (from the chacruna leaf, Psychotria viridis).
The term ayahuasca comes from Quechua and is formed from the combination of aya and huaska, which is commonly translated as “vine of the spirits,” “vine of the dead,” or “vine of the souls.”
The Plant Dieta: Purpose, Rationale, and Practice
It is often said that ayahuasca can heal various psychological, emotional, and even physical ailments. However, in my view, this is a false belief. Ayahuasca does not heal; rather, it opens vision. It allows us to “see,” but it does not cure. The Indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Amazon understand this well, particularly the Shipibo-Konibo (Ucayali and Loreto regions), who traditionally heal themselves through what they call the “diet.” Those who are ill traditionally go to a shaman, who prescribes plants to be “dieted” in order to treat ailments that are both physical and non-physical. This is why we recommend the practice of the “diet” in our center, so that therapeutic care can be optimal.
How does an ayahuasca ceremony take place
The ritual takes place at night, in darkness. Each participant takes their place on a mattress on the floor. A pillow, blankets, toilet paper, and a bucket for vomiting are provided for each participant.
What is the role of the Healer
The healer’s role is to guide both the dietas and the ayahuasca rituals. In both cases, his work is primarily informed by intuition and heightened sensitivity, which he has developed throughout his apprenticeship. These abilities enable him to rapidly identify the issues that require attention.
“By heightening sensitivity, the “diet” also aims to broaden our sense of connection with what surrounds us—the elements, the universe, the divine—while fostering subtle forms of intuitive communication, especially with those close to us.”
Doriane
