A retreat that genuinely lives up to…
A retreat that genuinely lives up to its name - Safe Spirit
I researched quite extensively before choosing Safe Spirit Retreats, and I specifically chose them because of their commitment to being a safe space, and having many years of experience with plant medicines, before the recent "trend" for these type of retreats. That authenticity and experience was very important to me.
Having experience working in this space myself (as a Reiki Master), I understand just how important that is when working with ayahuasca.
For me, there are two things that are absolutely fundamental.
First: Safety. The facilitators need to create and maintain a genuinely safe and secure environment throughout the entire retreat - and especially when people are working with the medicine. You are in their hands, and they are the guides. The space and the medicine needs to be protected, held and respected, not just physically but also spiritually and energetically. Safe Spirit did this exceptionally well. I felt held, supported and able to surrender to my own process. You are still the one doing the work, but you are in a safe place, with experienced guides.
Second: Integration. This is, in my view, one of the most important and most overlooked parts of this work. The medicine opens doors, but it is what you do afterwards that really creates deep and lasting change.
Safe Spirit understands this. The experience doesn't end when the ceremony ends. There is real emphasis on making sense of what you've experienced, integrating the insights and crucially, putting them into practice. I found the integration sessions after each ceremony super helpful - actually, without that, you would be a little lost.
Ayahuasca can be a profound catalyst and life-changing, but it isn't a magic wand. It opens the door; you have to choose to walk through it. And then you have to have the courage to keep walking that path, consistently, day after day.
I think of it a little like getting your driving licence. The ceremony can teach you something profound and open up new possibilities, but afterwards, you still have to learn how to actually drive, in all conditions and environments...
That is what I appreciated most about Safe Spirit. They are mission-led. To share this medicine with those who are called to it, to heal, to rise, to evolve our consciousness, which benefits all humanity and our mother earth.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Safe Spirit Retreats to anyone considering this work who is looking for an organisation that takes both safety and integration seriously - this is the gateway to true and lasting change.