In my previous post, the two words I chose to describe my experiences over the past month were alignment and rebirth. La Vida Divine Healing Institute was the place where the magic culminated, while also ushering in a newness of life for me. While this was my first experience with indigenous healing practices in the form of plant medicine, I can write with confidence that La Vida Divine sets the standard for excellence, integrity, care, and belonging. I’m not ashamed to say that I’m a fan, I’m a fan, I’m a fan… and if it ain’t La Vida Divine, I probably don’t want it…lol! In all seriousness, I believe these folks set the standard of what it means to operate a healing space with integrity while also being grounded in what it means to show up as a human being, full of complexity, contradictions, and wonder.

Before deciding to commit to continuing my journey with La Vida Divine, I was merely a spectator of plant medicine practices from the accounts of ordinary people from various walks of life. Although I was full of curiosity, I didn’t truly see myself in the spaces that offered the opportunities to engage in plant medicine in ways that aligned with my being. Identifying as a Black woman with a solid religious foundation in Christianity, along with fluid spiritual beliefs and practices, I wanted to feel safe, cared for, and not judged for who I am and where I am in life. These things are important to me in all wellness and healing spaces, but even more so in the realm of plant medicine and indigenous spiritual practices abroad, especially considering this would be my first solo international journey. The Shaman, facilitators, and staff offered such a space. So much care was embedded in the details of my experience, from the intake process and the carefully crafted daily activities, integration sessions, and rituals to the present-day offerings of continued integration support and access to a broader community of beautiful souls.

It is said that the medicine begins to work as soon as you are called to it, or if you’d prefer to refer to Aya as a master teacher, you get a lesson as soon as your ears are opened. I believe this is true as I now reflect on the initial intake with the facilitators, Jhos & Gaddy. I believe people serve as mirrors to one another in some way, and upon our introduction, I recall having a mirror moment in ways that seemed coincidental, except now I don’t entirely subscribe to coincidences (hence alignment being the term I chose to describe my recent experiences). The purpose of the intake was to learn about the offerings and determine if I and La Vida Divine would be a good fit. I felt that the intake process was more of an easy-going conversation with down-to-earth people. Since I’m writing about it on this day, it looks like we were a good fit after all! Well, ain’t that something?!

Fast forward to a few weeks before the beginning of the journey to Ecuador. I was connected to the other retreat participants who would be journeying alongside me, and I with them. The container created to begin building a community of who I would come to know as beautiful souls was helpful to ease any nervousness I had leading up to the journey. These same beautiful souls would be the ones I would sit at the kitchen table to dialogue and share laughs with, the ones who I would expose the issues of my heart and tears with, and who also allowed me into their sacred space. I do not take this opportunity for granted. Although they were once strangers, they will now hold a special place in my heart. Healing spaces that offer a sense of communal care and accountability are imperative for individual healing; La Vida Divine facilitated just that.

I greatly appreciate everything I encountered during my stay. From the thoughtfully crafted music playlists for each ritual to the physical, emotional, and spiritual space maintained to just be me. The meals prepared by the staff were amazing, and the hospitality was top-tier! I arrived there wearing bras and a headwrap hiding my baby locs, but within a couple days (barely) the girls were free to be, and the locs were out looking the way they were looking…lol! I was free to exist and be cared for just as I was without shame, while also giving me the time and space to interrogate why I felt I couldn’t show up that way prior to arriving. If inner child work is a thing for you, this is a place to crank it up a few notches.

As for the ceremonies, Although I have no other personal references to compare, I never felt unsafe or alone. I was treated with an immense amount of care, and although I cannot speak on behalf of the other participants, what I observed appeared to be the same high quality of care I received. The group size was appropriate for the level of support they had available, as well as the level of intimate and vulnerable experiences of all participants. Side Note: While I understand that each person’s experience with plant medicines is different and, of course, not like mine, whenever I read accounts of these types of ceremonies occurring with large groups of people, I pause with great concern. I consider the emotional, physical, and spiritual bandwidth it takes to care for folks in such vulnerable states, and I wonder if those places could proceed with the same level of high-quality care and integrity as I experienced and witnessed. When I mentioned that La Vida Divine sets the standard, this is one area of importance for me. Knowing that the facilitators and staff approach the medicine/master teachers with cultural reverence and see themselves and the participants as whole human beings worthy of dignity and care speaks volumes to my heart.

I intend to be a solid supporter of La Vida Divine Health Institute. Whether one decides to participate in the Aya and/or San Pedro ceremonies or not, there is much to learn about their approach to facilitating healing services to those in search of it. My recommendation for those interested in learning more is to connect with them directly, understanding that they service, respect, and affirm everyone from all faiths and spiritual backgrounds (or with no affiliations at all). Helping them help you by having the willingness to be open and respectful to beliefs and experiences that may be different from your own will be valuable. Being willing and open to truly seeing yourself and your place in this world is important as well. You won’t be able to unsee what you see or erase anything you experience, so you will need a certain level of self-awareness and an existing practice of spiritual disciplines to keep you grounded. Approach the plant medicine/master teachers with pure intentions, wonder, and the curiosity of an eager student, and watch your life change with the good folks of La Vida Divine cheering on alongside you!