Eternal Gratitude – Terri, South Africa

Eternal Gratitude – Terri, South Africa

I didn’t come to Peru looking for ayahuasca. Though many people shared their experiences with me, encouraging me to try it, I was 100% sure I wasn’t going to. But when I met some staff from The Garden, I believe, through them ayahuasca found me. The whole situation unfurled so organically and after spending some time together I developed a deep trust and respect for their approach to spirituality (so real and grounded, connected to the earth), the medicine and life in general.

I knew without a doubt I wanted to visit this garden where they were doing such incredible work, the location is sublime. Surrounded by the majestic Andes mountains, covered in jungle and small scale farming. Far enough away from the city yet close enough that it is not too difficult to get to and the river was an absolute joy, purifying everyday, butterflies, sunshine, gorgeous!

I spent 2 weeks in the garden and shared in two ayahuasca ceremonies with an incredible group of people who were doing a dieta. I imagine each person connects and experiences the medicine differently. I’ve always had an innate relationship with nature and the earth and I truly felt the spirit of the ayahuasca. I understood we had work to do, accepted what would be and surrendered to the experience. There is so much to learn and ayahuasca is a wise and sensitive teacher. She doesn’t take any nonsense and at times this could feel harsh. But like all of life’s grand lessons the dark creates space for the light. I was able to surrender because I felt the depth of her love, compassion, generosity and kindness this is a sentence I wrote after my second ceremony: “I am eternally grateful for the love I am, feel, give and receive. gracias para todos” meaning, thank you for everything.