Finding Belonging
-
The Last Ceremony: NADA
After enduring three grueling nights of ayahuasca ceremonies, I was convinced that I couldn’t bear another. The mere thought of the sage and the brew’s scent lingering in the air made me queasy; throughout the entire week, I had consumed… Continue reading
-
“The Heart of Healing- Rappe”
I had heard stories about Taita’s ceremony, stories that painted it as something extraordinary. But nothing could prepare me for what I was about to experience. Taita, unlike the other Shamans, performed the traditional Colombian Amazonian Ceremony, renowned for its… Continue reading
-
“Ladies Night: Meeting Aya”
(The following is the actual entry from my journal) I was feeling really hopeful that tonight’s ceremony would be the one. I could just sense it deep down. So, I headed to the Maloca early, wanting to get my usual… Continue reading
-
Meeting the Shaman: Taita Juanito
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… Continue reading
-
Rythmia-Day 2: “Tears, Laughter and Violent Purges”
The atmosphere was charged as we gathered at the Maloca, the heart of our Rythmia experience in Costa Rica. I noticed everyone lining up earlier than expected, so I quickly grabbed my things and joined them. Surprisingly, I felt a… Continue reading
-
“Day One: Rythmia, Ayahuasca, and Breathwork”
The car accident felt like a push from the universe, guiding me towards Rythmia in Costa Rica. Despite feeling guilty and uncertain about spending a lot of money on myself, there was a deep-seated belief that this journey was meant… Continue reading
-
“The Push: After the Accident”
The weeks following the accident were undoubtedly the toughest I’d ever faced. It was a time when I truly began to understand how others perceived me. Surprisingly, some of those I expected to stand by me were the ones who… Continue reading
-
“Dreams, Doors, and Dimensions: The Accident”
To keep my mind in check, I made it a habit of walking every day after work. I’d pop in my earbuds, blasting tunes that lifted my spirits and drowned out the noise in my head. Lately, though, my mind… Continue reading
-
Finding My Tribe: Finding Charlie
Finding people I could talk to about my spiritual experiences was crucial for me. I needed an outlet to share what was happening to me and to know I wasn’t alone. So, for the next year, I dove headfirst into… Continue reading
-
“An Old World: Transformed”
After my spiritual awakening, my entire world transformed. I became acutely attuned to the emotions of those around me, sensing their despair, happiness, and joy as they passed by. My senses heightened, making certain foods intolerable and large groups overwhelming.… Continue reading
"Finding Belonging: The Struggles of an Afro-Cuban Queer Medium in Spiritual Spaces" 