From a very young age, I have felt a strong need to search for answers and to engage in experiences that go beyond the surface. It was never about curiosity for something exotic, but rather a deep desire to understand myself better and to connect with something greater than me. Guided by that inner pull, I traveled several years ago to Putumayo, in the heart of the Colombian Amazon, to participate in a spiritual retreat that included the ceremonial intake of yagé, an ancestral plant medicine traditionally used by Indigenous Amazonian communities as a tool for healing, clarity, and spiritual connection.
Within this tradition, yagé is not approached as something recreational or superficial, but as a guided ceremonial process led by a shaman, where intention, preparation, and respect are essential. The experience usually begins with conversation and orientation, followed by the ceremony around a central fire. The ritual intake is understood as a deep cleansing. The body may react by releasing physical and emotional weight, a demanding yet meaningful preparation that clears the way for deeper inner work.
The first encounter with the shaman was simple and grounded. Before any ritual took place, there was listening and explanation. He spoke about the land, the purpose of the ceremony, and the importance of humility. From the beginning, it was clear that this was not about quick solutions or instant answers, but about opening a conscious process.
The ceremony carried a deep and grounding intensity. The fire stood at the center, setting the rhythm of the gathering. Chants, drums, and traditional instruments blended with the sounds of the jungle and the silence of the night. It was not something that happened only in the mind; it was felt in the body, in the breath, and in the energy of the place. Memories, sensations, and many answers began to surface, answers difficult to explain, yet undeniably clear from within.
Being in the Amazon is transformative in itself. Constant contact with nature, the presence of animals, the sounds of monkeys moving through the trees, and birds filling the air remind you that you are not separate from the environment, but part of it. Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to more than 1,900 bird species, and this richness is felt everywhere. The abundance of tropical fruits, the colors, the scents, and the vitality of the jungle make everything feel intensely alive.
In Putumayo, I understood that healing, from this worldview, is not about fixing something quickly, but about restoring balance. Human beings, nature, and territory are understood as one interconnected system. The jungle is not a backdrop; it is a teacher. These are unique experiences that can still be lived in parts of the world where the connection between nature, spirituality, and community remains alive and authentic.
I remain deeply interested in continuing to learn from these traditions and perhaps returning in the future to further explore this path.
If you’re considering a spiritual retreat in the Colombian Amazon and would like guidance from someone who has experienced it with awareness and respect, I would be happy to help you explore options aligned with your intentions and expectations.
If this journey resonates with you, please send me an email and include “Spiritual Retreat – Colombia (Putumayo)” in the subject line so I can provide you with the appropriate guidance and next steps.
