Huachuma Wasi Retreat Center • Retreat Center
Treating:
Depression
Chronic Illness
Suicidal Ideation
Eating Disorders
Mind Expansion
Relationship Difficulties
Palliative Care
Anxiety
Addiction
PTSD
Utilizing:
Ayahuasca
San Pedro Cactus
Incas, Comas 15327, Peru
Huachuma Wasi
A Place Where You Can Shape Your Future
by
Healing Your Past
A Gateway to Consciousness and a Bridge to the Ancient Shamanic Traditions of Peru
Our Mission
Healing the world by creating a safe space for people to experience sacred plant medicine in a profound way.
It is a unique skill that I, fortunately, do not possess, to incarcerate the experience of life into a cage of language. No matter how eloquent a description may be, it still can never capture the essence of a studied culture. This is why I never pursued anthropology as a career, even though this would be the closest academic discipline to my liking. Fascinated with indigenous cultures since childhood, all I wanted to do was to explore them myself and be with them, rather than study about them in university.
Intuitively, I felt that no amount of class hours could actually teach me about the life lived by people whose worldview is not limited by words and concepts — people who sniff the wind to know where to find game or perceive danger. Intuition and extrasensory perception would never fit into a classroom. They are bigger than that and much more real.
I began my shamanic path drinking Ayahuasca and Huachuma San Pedro cactus in Iquitos, Peru in 2005. After a lifelong search for magic, spirituality and later enlightenment, I was fortunate enough to be found worthy of real shamanic experiences which have transformed both myself and my life completely. My old self is hardly recognizable even to me, who knew myself best. Sometimes I remember my past with a bitter sense of embarrassment, and on a good day, with compassion.
I was living my life without spiritual guidance, as the teachings available through mainstream spirituality were unsatisfactory for my taste. The mindfulness and meditation path given by Indian gurus wasn’t for me. None of this could actually teach me life and how to live it correctly, be happy, and live with joy. Anywhere I looked, I only found preachers, none of whom I felt had enough inner depth to resonate with me fully. It all felt superficial at best. The closest I came to that which I was seeking after was in books and in personal psychedelic experiences, which I had long before I found sacred plants.
Looking back, it is clear that I was getting prepared for my future, which would be infused with working with plant teachers. Bypassing a load of unnecessary information that would just take space in my memory if I were to embrace an academic path, I dived directly into the world of Spirit when the right time came.
My life was saved on numerous occasions. Being young, adventurous and curious, I was teasing death prematurely. I made my guardian spirits work too hard. But apart from the obvious physical dangers, I now understand more subtle level of protection which I interpret as being saved from taking the wrong intellectual paths in life, which may have proven deadly to my spirit.
There are many who write beautifully about the shamanic experience, myself included, and while this can be a wonderful introduction to the subject, it's never the same as having an experience yourself. It's important not to mistake the map for the territory when it comes to consciousness and spirituality. The words are there to be transcended into an embodied experience, which you can have here with the medicine.
It is my deepest gratitude that I am expressing here, and elsewhere, to the invisible forces in my life which have protected and guided me so I could find my path in life and walk it with heart. Sacred plant healers and teachers have proven to be worthy of my dedication, commitment and love.
The Process
STEP
1
Initial Inquiry and Form Filling
Upon arrival or through an online platform, guests are invited to fill out a detailed intake form. This form gathers basic personal information, medical history, dietary preferences, and any specific intentions or goals for their stay. It would also ask about previous experiences with high altitudes and plant medicines, if any, to tailor the retreat experience to their comfort levels.
STEP
2
Personal Consultation
After reviewing the intake form, a one-on-one consultation is scheduled with a facilitator or healer. This conversation allows guests to discuss their expectations, apprehensions, and desired outcomes in a private setting. It also serves as an opportunity for the facilitator to provide guidance on how to mentally prepare for the experiences offered, such as Huachuma or Ayahuasca ceremonies, and to understand the individual’s physical and mental readiness for the retreat.
STEP
3
Preparation Guidance
Based on the information gathered from the form and consultation, guests receive personalized guidance on how to prepare for their stay. This includes dietary recommendations, mental preparation techniques, and what to expect during their time at the center. For those who are new to the mountains, advice on acclimatizing to the altitude and how to deal with potential altitude sickness would be provided. For those engaging with plant medicine, guidelines on setting intentions and how to engage with the medicine for healing and growth would be shared.
Session Types
Embracing Ayahuasca and Huachuma
In our intimate retreat setting, we delve into the profound healing potential of Ayahuasca, a plant medicine renowned for its transformative power. With a wealth of knowledge accessible through documentaries, books, and podcasts, many arrive with an understanding of Ayahuasca's reputation as a catalyst for facing fears within a healing context. This session will explore not just Ayahuasca's role as a spiritual cleanser, but also its synergistic relationship with Huachuma, forming a holistic journey of self-discovery and reconnection. Ayahuasca serves as a gateway, preparing the spirit by washing away the noise of daily life and opening pathways to deeper truths. It dismantles and reassembles your being, facilitating a brave confrontation with inner fears and fostering resilience. Through this challenging yet rewarding journey, Ayahuasca reveals a spiritual dimension that beckons us to use our time—our most precious asset—more consciously. To complement this journey, we advocate for the integration of Huachuma, especially for those concluding their medicinal explorations in Peru. Huachuma offers a grounding experience, acting as a bridge back to everyday life. It aids in assimilating the profound insights gained from Ayahuasca, ensuring a harmonious transition to your usual routine. At Huachuma Wasi, we honor the ancient balance of these two powerful plant spirits, representing the Yin and Yang of South American shamanic tradition. Our retreats are intentionally limited to small groups to foster a personalized and profound experience. We prioritize this intimate setting to ensure that each participant receives the care and attention needed to navigate these potent medicines. Our trusted local curanderos guide you on this path, ensuring safety and depth in your journey with us. For a well-rounded experience, we recommend engaging with both Ayahuasca and Huachuma during your stay. This dual approach promotes equilibrium, regardless of the sequence. Typically, we initiate and conclude our ceremonies with Huachuma, reserving Ayahuasca for those fully immersed in the retreat environment, as we do not offer Ayahuasca sessions for non-residents. Engage with us for a transformative experience that bridges ancient wisdom and modern existence, guided by the trusted hands of our curanderos.
Learn More
The Cactus of Sanity: Huachuma in the Time of Chaos, a book by Sergey Baranov, Huachuma Wasi
Dancing in Hell with Eyes Wide Open -- A New Book by Sergey Baranov
Welcome to the Huachuma Wasi: Your Oasis of Healing and Sanity in the Peruvian Andes
A virtual tour inside the Huachuma Wasi
What is the Essence of a Shamanic Experience?
Staff
Sergey Baranov · Founder
Sergey is the founder of Huachuma Wasi, a healing center in the heart of the Sacred Valley, which is open all year round to receive guests and spiritual seekers from around the world. Sergey’s work with Huachuma is an intimate and personal encounter with an ancient stream of healing energies, as opposed to mass-market “mystical’’ tourism. Here you may find what you have been seeking and perhaps even more.
Sergey Baranov is also the author of four books PATH: Seeking Truth in a World of Lies, The Mescaline Confession: Breaking through the Walls of Delusion, The Cactus of Sanity: Huachuma in a Time of Chaos, Dancing in Hell with Eyes Wide Open: How to Survive the New World Order. All of Sergey’s books are the result of a lifelong spiritual search and over a decade of ongoing shamanic practice.
Living in various countries and growing up in different cultures, Sergey gained an understanding of the essential core of human experience that lies beneath the differences to be found in every culture. By walking different paths and seeing through their limitations, Sergey found shamanism as a unifying path for all people regardless of their cultural background.
Working with the sacred Huachuma cactus, he uncovered an ancient way of celebrating the gift of life through a deep connection to the natural environment and the cosmos. The expanded state of consciousness experienced in Huachuma medicine is a conduit to deep spiritual healing, otherwise known as awakening. Refreshed and recharged, grounded and connected, you return home to your life but with another perspective, which now becomes your inner Guide.
Dedicated to healing and expansion of consciousness.
In essence, our work with Huachuma is to remind you that what you are looking for is already inside of you, but you have to experience this to know it to be true. Knowing is a feeling, not a word.
― Sergey Baranov
What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest are not only useless, but disastrous.
― Thomas Merton
Sergey’s spiritual path has become his livelihood. Doing what he loves, he introduces people to an ancient healing sacrament that grows naturally in the high Andean environment that he has made his home.
Huachuma shamanism can be practiced in different forms. Sergey’s orientation comes from receiving inspiration from an ancient cultural stream whose center is at the enigmatic temple of Chavin de Huantar. Sergey’s work with Huachuma acts as an anchor into this profound ancient mystery that lies beneath the veneer of modern Peru.
Although Sergey's work is deeply connected with the ancient shamanic traditions of Peru, he believes that the true shamanic experience has nothing to do with appearances. Although he respects the traditional shamanic dress that fits well on the native people, being a Westerner, he prefers to facilitate ceremonies in a more down-to-earth manner so as to remove unnecessary barriers with participants.
Sergey's passion for serving Huachuma is driven by the belief that this is the most beautiful experience we can have in our lives. It's also the key to clarity, sanity, self-confidence, inner peace, and joy that we're all searching for. His purpose is to share this medicine with all those who seek magic in their life - that which was lost in their childhood.
Treating:
Depression
Suicidal Ideation
Chronic Illness
Anxiety
Eating Disorders
Palliative Care
Addiction
Mind Expansion
Relationship Difficulties
PTSD
Utilizing:
San Pedro Cactus
Ayahuasca
Specialties:
Huachuma ceremonies
Don Juan · Healer
Native to Cusco, sincere, respected, dedicated carrier of the ancient lineage, Don Juan serves as a guide for Ayahuasca retreats at Huachuma Wasi. His serious training in Ayahuasca curanderismo (healing) combined with the Andean shamanic tradition will make you feel safe and comfortable to explore the medicine and realize the benefits which you seek.
Treating:
Depression
Eating Disorders
Mind Expansion
Palliative Care
Relationship Difficulties
Suicidal Ideation
Chronic Illness
Anxiety
Addiction
PTSD
Utilizing:
San Pedro Cactus
Ayahuasca
Specialties:
Ayahuasca curanderismo (healing) combined with the Andean shamanic tradition
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Locations
Incas, Comas 15327, Peru