What are the benefits of retreating to the jungle, being alone, and refraining from tasty food and all the amenities of our oh-so-comfortable lives?

Some might think a master plant diet is similar to a wellness retreat, relaxing in a hammock, drinking lots of Ayahuasca, and ingesting other plant medicine. Practically it is like that, but emotionally and energetically, it is a challenging process. When we deeply connect to the plants and absorb their wisdom and strength, a lot of healing occurs. Imagine yourself perceiving the world through the eyes of a vast 500-year-old tree with immense tranquility and untouched by human drama. It will teach you to change your perspective and expand your realm of possibilities. It is a beautiful experience, and at the same time, it is highly confronting. Gaining strength requires transcending weakness, gaining courage requires overcoming fear, and opening the heart requires surrendering to all emotions.

In the Peruvian tradition in which we are trained, we can learn some skills from our teacher. The general structure of ceremonies, how to use which tools properly, and so on. But when it comes to magic, copying leads nowhere. Everyone has a unique skill set and energetic disposition. And this is where the master plants come in because the actual teachings come directly through the plants.

During a dieta, we go into communion with a specific plant chosen by the maestro. Now, this plant falls onto the ground of our being and teaches us on a completely unfamiliar level. While we keep our bodies clean from foreign influences, we pick up on the frequency of this particular teacher plant. We install an additional program into our energy system. It needs a little time to stabilize, but once it is up and running, it assists us when needed.

The knowledge we gain is not intellectual. Knowingness might be a better word to describe it. And this is what allows us to heal our physical body as a side effect. By re-conditioning ourselves and changing our perspective on life, we are also relieved from those conflicts that caused the physical dis-ease in the first place.

Are you still asking yourself why we only take well-prepared clients?

I’ll say that much: No house, no car, no phone, no job, no friends, and nothing to do. A dieta is beautiful, and it is shocking. It’s you. Alone. In the jungle.