It’s Not About Me Anymore
**This newsletter is part of a series sharing my experience of my recent Ayahuasca healing journey in Peru. To read the April journey part 1 click here, part 2 click here, part 3 click here, and part 4 click here. For my August journey part 1 click here, and part 2 click here. For two important parts about finding love, part 1 click here and part 2 click here.**
My last Ayahuasca journey in Peru wasn’t just for my personal healing.
It was also about all of YOU.
During my last trip, the maestra and her daughter were preparing me to drink the medicine not for my own intentions next time… but for YOURS.
I began my training as a facilitator for the next Aya retreat, so that I can be a pillar of grounding and resilience for participants to lean on.
As a facilitator, the intention behind each ceremony shifts. I’m no longer drinking the medicine for my own healing.
Instead, the next time I drink the medicine my intention will be to listen deeply to Mother Aya’s guidance so I can hold sacred space for others’ deepest transformation and journey, understand their needs, and how best to support them.
It’s EXACTLY this support that makes our Aya retreat so different than just going to a center and drinking the medicine on your own.
On a recent call with David, the facilitator for the Shipbo retreat center in Peru where we’ll be hosting the Aya retreat, he said:
“Oh, your people are going to have a way better experience. They’ll come so much more grounded and ready for their journey.”
David has been working with this shamanic family for a long time, and he is the primary facilitator between the maestra, her family, and the clients.
So you’ll be getting his support–his deep wisdom and insight into plant medicine, Mother Aya, and the integration from years of experience.
Yet, you’ll also get mine, guiding you with somatic healing practices, wisdom from my own Aya journeys, and holding a strong, safe container for you. Before, during, and after the retreat.
And because of this, you can expect to have more powerful results because you will arrive more prepared and get double the support.
I will also guide you 1:1 on how we drive the medicine through intention setting.
Intention setting isn’t just a passive practice. There is an art to it–what verbs to use, how to form it–so that Mother Aya can understand how to guide you.
For example, if you’re asking Mother Aya to “show” you something, she’ll provide understanding. But if you ask her to “help” you heal - she will help you heal what is blocking you and not focus on removing the blocks.
These are very different intentions that will lead to very different experiences.
This is part of the unique guidance you will receive in preparation for your journey.
At my last retreat, I focused on developing a stronger resilience. The maestra gave me a specific plant dieta to help me strengthen my body and my ability to ground beyond myself–to ground for others.
This ability I am developing goes wayyyyyy beyond even what I’m doing with my one-on-one coaching clients.
It’s about holding a sacred container and ensuring you can lean on me/us, feeling safe, and fully supported throughout your journey.
It’s emotional, spiritual, and yes, even physical.
At times, people may need to literally lean on me to go to the washroom unable to walk normally as they would if they didn’t drink the medicine (like I had to lean on the facilitator during my last trip).
Being a facilitator for such a life-changing, deeply spiritual process is an honour beyond words.
I’ll be drinking with the intention of being of presence and service to YOU.
And while I felt honestly a little disappointed at first to not be drinking the medicine for myself (because the last two trips were SO life-changing 🤯), so few people get the opportunity to learn from real Shipibo shamans this level of holding space for others in a deep spiritual journey… so I truly feel honoured to be in this position and to show up for you.
Plus, you’ll be getting 2x the loving support.
2x the transformation. ✨
With both David and I present, if you choose to join us you won’t be walking this path alone.
You’ll have two guides—one to facilitate the spiritual journey, and myself to ensure you’re held in a somatic way and guided on how to process what is coming up for you emotionally. 💗
When fears arise, when emotions surge, when the experience doesn’t look like what you expected, we’ll both be there.
I’ve vetted this retreat center, experienced two profound journeys there myself, and learned how to guide you through this journey to make it a beautiful journey. Knowing that you can trust the center is huge!
In the months leading up to the retreat, I’ll be getting to know you, answering your questions, and preparing you for the healing you’ve been seeking.
You’ll get a level of care that most people never experience on an Ayahuasca retreat.
From preparation to post-journey integration, you’ll be guided by someone who has been through this process 13 times herself—and trained specifically to support you.
I can’t wait 😍
Our next Aya retreat is around the corner, and there’s still time to join us. ✨
I’m taking 10 people with me on the next exclusive, transformative Aya Somatic Healing retreat to the healing center in Peru that I went to.
If you’re feeling called to this journey, let’s explore this powerful path together.
This could be one of the most profound experiences of your life.
To explore further, please send me a message, and I’ll share all the details with you.💗
With love,
Chen