peter
“I was born and brought up deep in the Colombian jungle in a tribe of indigenous people. I was 18 when I left for the first time and faced the civilised world. It was challenging to see how far we moved away from nature and experience such a different value system but I was young and curious. My family are Ayahuasca healers and shamans and I was involved in the preparation and the drinking of Ayahuasca since I was four-years-old. I always had a very deep connection with Mother nature through Yagé and I loved my tribe but I was eager to see more of the world. I wanted to study. My dream was to become an engineer in the city so I started studying Mechanical Engineering but after a year, living in the city, I became lonely and very sick. I had to come back to my community to ask the elders for help. They healed me but they also gave me advice. They said, I was losing control of my true self in the city and that I should take a little break and stay in the village. I knew it is always better to listen to the elders so I stayed. I was planning to stay for a few weeks and then go back to my studies but soon after, a friend of mine showed up at my house and asked me to heal him. I really didn’t want to take this path but the worst thing you can do is say no to someone when you have the ability to help. I said, ‘I’m going to help you but only you!’ After a few days, three more people came to be cured and before I knew, groups of 10-15 people were coming to my house… In the meantime, I met my wife and I fell in love and we moved to the outskirts of Medellin. Now, we have two beautiful children and I have my own Maloka (traditional ceremonial house). People come from all over Colombia to see me. There are always people at our house, if I ever want to be alone I have to leave my home, but I don’t mind anymore. I don’t consider being a shaman work. All I do is transmit love to people and it’s a beautiful path to take… I’m not sure if I would have been as happy as I am today if I had become a mechanical engineer in the city…”
This is Alex, I met him while documenting an Ayahuasca retreat in Malaga. If you wish to find out more about him and/or the retreat check this LINK