RS Medicine Retreat with Daniel Pinchbeck and the Kogi

You're invited to join the Reality Sandwich retreat, Message from the Heart of the Earth, a unique seven-day shamanic encounter with two powerful Colombian medicine traditions: the spiritual masters of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern Colombia, and the plant medicine ceremonies of the deepest Amazon.

Discover the indigenous wisdom and healing traditions of the Kogi, one of the last surviving pre-Columbian civilizations in South America. Set in the stunning wilderness of Santa Marta, Colombia, participants will have a rare opportunity to explore the sacred Kogi way of life through spiritual teachings and ancient rituals. The Kogis will share their traditions and offer instruction to help us strengthen our healing path while we contribute to the healing of the planet.

In addition, participants will take part in 3 sacred ceremonies with Amazonian plant medicine, the "vine of the souls," that will focus on deep healing, discovery and personal transformation. This one-of-a-kind spiritual excursion will be hosted by Reality Sandwich's editorial director, Daniel Pinchbeck. Colombian healer Nando Vila and his partner Kathi will lead the ceremonies with the Amazonian plant medicine. In this retreat you will be guided into deeper realms, opening you up to the healing energies of this powerful plant teacher. Before and after ceremonies there will be sharing circles for discussions on how to integrate knowledge gained during the ceremony into our daily lives. There will also be opportunities for private consultations that address how to best develop our core intentions during ceremonial works.

Mauricio Florez, a Colombian healer who is recognized as an elder by the Kogi nation, will lead our visits with the Kogi. This retreat will induct you into the powerfully transformative consciousness of the Kogi, to deeply connect with nature and discover your power to heal the planet and ourselves. The retreat will be held in gorgeous natural surroundings at a private eco reserve on the Caribbean Ocean where pristine beaches spread out from the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.

This extraordinary Reality Sandwich Retreat takes place March 26 - April 2, 2011.

THE KOGI

The Kogi believe that by gathering together in humble reverence for life on earth, we help to balance the health and vitality of our own lives and the planet. They view the Sierra Nevada as the heart of the world, a vital and primal source of energy and the origin of spiritual equilibrium of Seineken (the mother earth). For the Kogi, everything that exists has a sacred spirit and should be respected: air and fire, trees and insects, stones and mountains. They live in a continuous dialogue with creation through their traditions and spiritual practices.

In our current time of intense global change, reconnecting with these indigenous traditions can be powerfully transformative for both the individual and the greater planetary consciousness. This retreat will guide participants through a profound experience of the Kogi’s ancient teachings including lessons in: “cosmovision,” the spiritual components of reality and humanity’s role as earth’s guardians; how to communicate with nature and spirit; techniques for curbing excess in one’s life and finding liberation from negative thoughts and depression.

Retreat participants will be guided through the mystical, healing rituals and life-affirming knowledge of the Kogi to discover a deeper connection with nature and spiritual reality. In addition to three cleansing plant medicine ceremonies, the week will include: firsthand lessons in the ancient Kogi traditions including plant identification, talking circles and storytelling, and indigenous prayer practices; trips to sacred natural sites and powerful earth altars; and enlightening visits with the Kogi Mamos, an ancient lineage of spiritual teachers.

CEREMONY LEADERS

Nando Vila is a Colombian healer, musician, and environmentalist. He has worked closely with indigenous groups across South America – such as the Camsra, Kogis, Sionas, Kofanes ,Emberas and Fulnio – assisting with ecological projects and keeping alive the traditions of music, plant medicine and ancient wisdom. Nando offers his gifts of song and purifying healing in many ways, from holding prayer circles and workshops to, founding indigenous preservation projects and youth leadership programs. His prayers are focused around the sweat lodge, pipe ceremonies, and the continuity of herbal remedy wisdom and earth teachings.  

Kathi is a dancer and healer from Germany and South Africa. She has spent time with elders from Bushmen tribes in southern Africa; the Tuareg in the Sahara; Gabonese Eboga priestess Bernadette Riebenot; the Lakota, Navajo and Cherokee in the United States; Xawante and Fulnio in Brazil; and the Camsra and Kogi in Colombia. Kathi works toward the preservation of indigenous wisdom, advocating rituals as a key element in human evolution and initiation into adulthood. She embraces the spirit of the divine feminine through communion with the elements: the earth and its foods, the fire and its transformation, the water and its purifying power, and the air in which we move in our dance of life.

Mauricio Florez is a healer from Colombia, and elder recognized by the Kogi nation. He carries the prayer of healing oneself in relation to the earth and supports the preservation of the ways of ancestral traditions. Mauricio is a trained acupuncturist, herbalist, and specialist in bio-energetic therapies. He will be leading us into the Kogi homeland and facilitating activities and visits with the Kogis during the retreat.

Daniel Pinchbeck is author of 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, Notes from the Edge Times, and Breaking Open the Head. He is editorial director of Reality Sandwich. 

The retreat will take place at a private eco-reserve alongside the Sierra Nevada mountains of Santa Marta, Colombia. Located in the northern region of the Tayrona National Park, the natural setting is a hidden paradise with lush rain forests that open up to sparkling Caribbean Ocean beaches. The nearby environment is host to diverse wildlife, breathtaking waterfalls and rivers, and incredible mountain views. There will be opportunities to explore the surrounding landscapes, take hikes along the Don Diego river, and learn about the local plants and animals. The lodge setting is rustic and cozy with comfortable accommodations in a relaxing atmosphere. Excellent homemade meals will be prepared by local Colombian mothers.

To sign up for the retreat, see the Registration section at the bottom of this page.

$100 discount to Evolver Social Movement Members

* $2,000 per person for bungalows

Specific accommodations are offered on a first come, first served basis, depending on availability. There are private double-occupancy rooms available for couples, as well as singles beds in rooms shared between 3 to 4 participants.

The Retreat cost includes:

* 3 sacred Amazonian plant medicine ceremonies

* Delicious, freshly prepared meals (vegetarian options are available by request)

* Transportation from the Santa Marta airport to Tayrona Park and back (see Travel section below)

* All transportation during retreat

* Guided nature hikes

* Morning toning sessions each day (yoga/qi gung/bioenergetics) 

Please note: Travel into and out of Colombia is not included in the Retreat cost. Participants will need to make their own arrangements to fly into Bogotá, and then to fly to Santa Marta. We recommend to buy both flights in one ticket with the international ticket. Airlines have partnerships with local carries in Colombia, such as Aero Republica or Avianca for example.

The retreat takes place a 1 hour drive from Santa Marta, Colombia. 

Space for this Reality Sandwich Retreat is limited to 35 participants.

To participate, please download an application below, and email your completed application to rs.retreats (at) gmail (dot) com. If you have questions regarding the retreat, accommodations or travel, please email us at the same address.

50% of the retreat cost is due by March 13 to reserve your space. Full payment is due by March 20.

We look forward to joining you on this unforgettable adventure!

Main image by jennimarcela, used under Creative Commons license.