When I went to the Heart Sanctuary, I’d already attended three ceremonies with a lovely Peruvian shaman in the United States. My experiences, however, were very tempered. I came to the Heart Sanctuary because I know Michael Tierno professionally. He is a fearless expression of divine masculinity, a straight shooter with razor-sharp intellect, a generous, loving heart, expanding consciousness, and a tsunami-size desire to help humans heal. He has immense love and pride for the Heart Sanctuary team and genuinely believes no one serves and holds sacred space for Ayahuasca ceremonies better than they do. If he thought they were the best, I had to try.

An Ayahuasca Retreat is an intense experience. It is big work to hold a sacred container for a group of people to unfold into their emotions, a tumult of highs and lows, tears and laughter. It requires all staff to be in alignment with and moving steadily toward a higher good. Everything has to be ready — food, setting, supplies — and each member of the Heart Sanctuary team has to be focused on holding a sacred container for each participant to have a series of experiences that lead to greater love, understanding, and connection.

At first sight, the Heart Sanctuary is exquisite. The grounds are bejeweled with colorful flowers and long-tailed hummingbirds. The food is abundant, organic, vegetarian, and delicious. The rooms are simple and private; humble with a private bath. This simplicity seemed appropriate for the atmosphere of releasing and relinquishing. The temple where the ceremonies took place was spacious, with a high ceiling and tall windows. Each person was assigned a comfortable mat, pillows, a wool blanket, and a purge bucket per person.

Aleyda and Avalon were each a consistent presence on the property. I felt cared for and tended to throughout the week. Aleyda is incredibly wise, soulful, and dedicated. Avalon has a joyous heart that calls to you as loudly and with as much love as her exquisite voice. The ceremonies were led by Nacho. He is a man who embodies the carefree nature of youth and the knowingness of the ancient. There were other teachers - Laura who led yoga, Gonzalez who led Hape’ ceremony, Marc who led breathwork, Vanessa (and her brothers and father) who led the Huachuma ceremony. Each was incredibly well-suited to their role, over-flowing with presence, care, and attentiveness to the participant and each other.

This is not to say a week of Ayahuasca is easy for the novice. As Aleyda explained, there are three ceremonies. The first to open, the second for the deep dive, and the third to close. The experiences vary. Although they don’t have to be, they can be uncomfortable they can be. Having a safe place with loving hearts felt essential.

Additionally, it is important to have someone there to help integrate the experiences that may be experienced as overwhelming or confusing. The Heart Sanctuary is dedicated to ensuring that participants have ample preparation and, importantly, time for integration. Nacho and Aleyda were present for each participant after each ceremony for dedicated to individual integration. Avalon made certain each person knew she was available to talk as needed.

I felt very grateful to have had my Ayahuasca Retreat experience with the Heart Sanctuary and to feel, as a result, an alliance with Grandmother Ayahuasca, a greater loving connection with self, other, Earth, & Spirit.

Lauren