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by Sergey Baranov � �
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� The Amazon rainforest offers its mysteries to those who want to feel like Indiana Jones; whilst the coast of Peru and the Andes are waiting for people interested in ancient cultures. �
Even if you travel without a specific reason or
intention, it will still be an enriching journey into a colorful,
enchanting world with a vast and fascinating history. � You can always embark on a journey to see the world beyond your city limits. � Andre Gide, French author and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947, said,
That
is so true, both for earthly discoveries in a new land or those made
mentally with your mind.
This is one aspect of Shamanic Healing that we focus on at The Huachuma Wasi. � � �
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When you have broken a bone,
with time the bone mends and you can start using it again. You then
know that it has healed. �
The scar
in your heart will remain, but it is no longer bleeding. � Healing has taken place when, instead of feeling hopeless, worthless, pessimistic, guilty and experiencing chronic fatigue, one is feeling hopeful, self-confident, optimistic and full of energy to live one's life.
During the years running a retreat center I have seen all kinds of people coming to visit. � Among them were very rich people who have achieved all their life's material goals. Yet still, they came depressed and even suicidal. Why? Because they realized that after buying property all over the world, they still could not buy a bridge towards themselves. �
Thus, though their bodies were well-fed,
their souls were hungry. What do all your possessions matter without
meaning and purpose in your life? Your life is empty, causing
spiritual pain. �
These files become more accessible by increasing self-awareness and
enhancing our human experience on a daily basis. The intensity of
our existence is what makes our memory stronger, whilst
self-awareness gives us the capacity to experience this intensity. � When someone suffers from Alzheimer's, it seems as though there has been a disconnection or severe malfunction within the operating system. It is unable to read the files stored in the memory - or perhaps the files themselves have been corrupted and are no longer readable. �
This
condition is not yet fully understood by modern science. � Modern medicine does not have the cure for Alzheimer's disease, but the majority of humanity can be helped. �
People in the modern world know their names and addresses
but have forgotten themselves, living their lives as robots in a
world that is becoming increasingly mechanical, functioning without
self-awareness. � Pharmaceutical drugs are only capable of masking the symptoms whilst leaving the root cause unaddressed and presenting a number of negative side effects as our sensitive biology struggles to process these unnatural chemicals. � � �
� How can you cure something that you don't believe exists? The soul is a vague concept, and arguing about it leads either nowhere or towards violence. � It is the same thing as asking if there is a God. Bypassing theological debate about the existence of the soul, let's just call it "consciousness" - that is, having a human experience. � The point being that we often spend a lot of time and energy asking questions that simply cannot be answered.
There is a general misconception and confusion about plant medicines being dangerous and harmful, but this fear is rooted in a lack of understanding and expertise. � Through many years of working with the Huachuma cactus, I have observed tremendous psychological healing as well as improved physical health for me and many who have come to The Huachuma Wasi. � Somehow, it has the power to bring to the surface that which has long been forgotten or deemed insignificant and make it understandable. �
This understanding brings
healing on a spiritual level, which western medicine denies the
existence of. Half-jokingly, I call the cactus the "memory
restoration agent." �
The medicine gives you a new perspective. This
ultimately allows you to make better decisions that improve the
quality of your life and wellbeing. � � �
� The Huachuma Wasi is based in Calca, a quiet town in the Sacred Valley between Pisac and Urubamba, and is surrounded on every side by stunning beauty and authentic Peruvian culture. � Over nine years, my wife and I have transformed our land from a corn field into a beautiful space for guests to come and relax, enjoy and think creatively. The Huachuma Wasi is a treasure island for creative minds and an oasis for the seeker. �
Many of those
who come to visit find themselves extending their stay longer than
planned, sometimes considerably so.
Another therapist from Washington State, who holds a PhD in Psychology, came to stay for three months. �
His time
at The Huachuma Wasi, besides being insightful and revealing, also
saved his life. �
Our ceremonies take
place every two days and run all year around. � � �
Choice is Healing and
Healing is Choice � When you do change yourself, you affect others in a positive way. This is the only chain reaction that we want to see taking place on the planet. �
Whether you are a
seeker of truth and are tired of hearing about "awakening" and
"enlightenment," or you are a curious traveler who just learned
about Plant Based Shamanism, The Huachuma Wasi can help you on your
Path. �
We work with the medicine by
spending lots of time out in nature sitting in silence, which
becomes the medium for healing. Time spent here is productive. �
The ancient ways of working with Huachuma have nearly been lost. We don't know exactly what was
happening three thousand years ago at the
Temple of Chavin, the
cradle of Andean Huachuma Shamanism, but from the little knowledge
that we do have, strong new roots can be grown. � Our objective is to restore balance within and outside of us, taking a gentle but firm approach that delivers life-changing results. � We call it,
If you are already working with plant medicines but aren't seeing results manifesting in your life, then something isn't quite right. � The medicine, however, is not to blame. It is a tool the Earth offers us, and, like any tool, it can be used in more and less effective ways. � On our part at The Huachuma Wasi, it takes experience and knowledge of the medicine to guide the process, and on your part as a guest it takes commitment to receive it. It takes two to tango. �
Just as there are many layers to the clouds, you, too,
have many layers that the medicine can help you to understand. Just
as the sunlight illuminates the clouds so that we can see them, Huachuma illuminates your consciousness so that you become aware of
it. �
This is the true essence of ancient alchemy, which isn't about
turning lead into gold but rather transforming your fear into love
and transcending the mechanical, mindless aspects of human
existence. � � �
� This is exactly why so many people are falling into ideologies that are supposed to help them to reach this state of being. Unfortunately, many who are forced to cross a spiritual desert to find the oasis of life never see this utopian landscape. �
With the help of sacred plants and certain guidance, this
oasis is not only revealed on the map of consciousness but is given
a physical address. � But other components are required in order to complete the puzzle. For me, this is working with sacred plants, the Huachuma cactus in particular, which contains the alkaloid known as mescaline. � To you, it may be something else. It's up to you to judge whether or not it works for you. Speaking for myself, I found mescaline to be one of the most amazing naturally occurring chemicals on our planet. �
Its
compatibility with our physiology and psychology is simply stunning. � Mescaline is interesting in the way that it both connects you to a higher consciousness and mystical realms of existence, but at the same time it provides you with a safe return to your waking consciousness. � This is a very profound and grounding experience. �
This is why we recommend partaking in Huachuma after Ayahuasca. Huachuma is a highly effective way of
bridging the gap between realities. It can ensure that your sanity
remains intact upon arriving back in the city, where you might find
yourself sitting in Starbucks talking to aliens while having your
cappuccino. �
After a decade of ongoing shamanic work with the cactus, I have
come to the conclusion that we are here for one another. Together,
we form a symbol of unity between man and nature. �
This inner
transformation is what we are after, the same kind that the ancient
alchemists were striving for. They weren't looking for gold - that
was a cover story for religious inquiry. They weren't fools. �
Although
no one owes us salvation from our own ignorance, the generosity of
nature is immense and it welcomes those who are willing to learn
from it. � � �
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We hope you will find it interesting and worth your time. � |
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