Stepping into Rythmia, I couldn’t escape the buzz about Taita Juanito, the visiting shaman from Colombia. Despite the hype, I hadn’t researched much about him—I just hoped he might understand the whirlwind of experiences I was navigating and provide some much-needed guidance.

The first two days of ceremony featured brews from Costa Rica and Brazil, but the climax was set for the last two days when Taita would brew and serve his own concoction from Colombia. As someone who had never felt particularly drawn to psychedelics, I was both nervous and curious about what lay ahead.

When it was finally my turn to meet Taita, I was taken aback by the sheer intensity of his presence. It was as if the room was pulsating with energy, and I felt a wave of emotions wash over me. Taita, however, seemed detached, almost as if he was channeling energies beyond our comprehension.

His assistants took the lead, asking about my reasons for coming to Rythmia and my expectations for the ceremonies. As I began recounting my life story—my visions, dreams, and the pivotal moment of my accident and the vision of the doors—Taita suddenly snapped out of his trance-like state. Locking eyes with me, he seemed to peer deep into my soul, unraveling truths hidden within.

After listening to my story, Taita spoke with a profound wisdom that resonated deeply with me. He described my gift as the ability to walk within worlds and emphasized my role in helping others. He spoke of the importance of doing the inner work for my visions to make sense and how he was going to plant a seed within me that I would need to nurture for my gifts to flourish.

At the time, Taita’s words seemed cryptic, and I struggled to fully grasp their meaning. However, as time passed, his insights began to unravel, guiding me on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Looking back, I realize that Taita was offering me guidance in a way that transcended language—a silent understanding that continues to shape my path to this day.