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Before You Come

BEFORE YOU COME

SETTING INTENTIONS

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Intentionally preparing your body and mind for immersion into a life-changing plant medicine healing experience is fundamental to your process of growth and transformation – alongside integration. How you choose to show up for the time before your retreat and after, is just as important as working with the medicine. Setting intentions provides a center point and an anchor should you find yourself experiencing moments of distraction or challenge during your time with us at Selva Madre. It supports you in coming to this work with clarity and groundedness. 

 

This is also an opportunity to create certain contracts or agreements with yourself that support holding yourself accountable for the changes that may be required during and after your retreat. Before you arrive at Selva Madre, we suggest taking the time to honestly get clear about why you are coming to this work. Remember, the medicine of this work is known to give you what you need, not what you ask for. With that, it is a beautiful practice to hold your intentions without expectations and with a lot of joy and trust in your unique process. Ayahuasca works and expresses itself differently for everyone and in every ceremony. However your experience may be, it is most important to honor what you’ve been shown and contemplate how you will move forward in maintaining your new perspective and insights.

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DIET

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  • Stop pork, all dairy, coffee, and alcohol 4 weeks prior to your retreat. 

  • No sexual acts/thoughts of any kind 2 weeks before ~ during ~ and 2 weeks after your retreat. (This is different for those that are dieting with Master Plants. Please consult Maestro Lucho for your post-diet requirements) 

  • We request following a healthy diet beginning at least 4 weeks prior to your arrival - avoid sugar, soda, greasy and heavily processed food. Avoid foods containing Tyramine (cured meats, soy and pickled foods) and limit foods with Tryptophan (turkey, canned tuna) for 1-2 days prior to the retreat.

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PACKING LIST

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We recommend packing as lightly as possible and limiting yourself to only carry-on items. Laundry services are available on-site in exchange for a small tip to the family. We recommend bringing long-sleeved clothing for the ceremony and short sleeved throughout your stay with us here. Evenings can get quite cold and there can be mosquitos. If you require an all-natural detergent, please bring this with you as options are limited in Peru.

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Important:

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  • Loose lightweight clothing

  • 1-2 Sweatshirts or long-sleeved tops and comfortable long bottoms.

  • White or light-colored clothing for ceremony. 

  • Flip Flops/Sandals

  • Rain poncho

  • Travel Towels

  • Headlamp with a RED LIGHT setting for ceremonies

  • Water bottle: (Filtered water on-site). 

  • Small backpack or bag: For shorter day excursions

  • Extra cash in small bills: To buy souvenirs and other needed items. We recommend bringing 500 - 1000 soles. 

  • 100-200 Soles are suggested to tip for local staff - Please give this to ANDERSON at the end of your stay. 

  • All natural, environmentally friendly toiletries. (All grey water goes back to the Earth. Please be mindful).

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Optional:
 

  • Hat/cap and sunglasses

  • Luci Solar Lamp (these lights recharge in the sun - the Luci Lux has a nice frosted warm light)

  • Bathing suit (for plant baths)

  • ALL NATURAL mosquito repellant. Please do not bring DEET products. This is harmful to the environment. 

  • ALL NATURAL sunscreen 

  • Self Development/Spiritual books

  • Pre-downloaded meditation music, dharma talks, or guided meditations.

  • Power bank

  • Solar charger

  • Lighters

  • Compostable feminine products

  • Hand Fan 

  • Yoga Mat

  • Incense or Palo Santo

  • Mapacho

  • Agua De Florida

  • Zip-lock/plastic bags to protect technology from the humidity

  • Journal and art supplies

  • Earplugs

  • Travel Blanket

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Please, no candles are allowed as they are a fire hazard.

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A quick note on tipping: 

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The suggestion for tipping the staff comes directly from the Western persons on the Selva Madre Team and not a request from the Maestros or family. Though this is only a suggestion and you are entitled to your own choice on this matter, we want to communicate the importance of acknowledgment and respect to those at the center who have supported your journey along the way. We ask that you give what you can to the family who has cooked, cleaned, and tended to you so you can focus on your healing, with this small gesture of reciprocity. You are also welcome to bring gifts like coloring books for the children of the local village or art that you’ve made but this is not at all a requirement – so we invite you to show up as you feel called.

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BOOKING

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To make your booking please use our Application Form to contact us. We will ask you to make a $500 nonrefundable deposit to secure the reservation. This can be done through PayPal. PayPal will charge a fee of $22.45 when a payment is marked as "Goods and Services" rather than "Friends and Family". If you choose to mark your payment as "Goods and Services", please change your deposit to $522.45.

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