Title & Summary

                                           Transformational Journey To Paititi

                                                    ∞ Embody True Nature Retreat ∞

                                                                             By Rex Costello

                                                                                            October 2015

                                                                                  Capstone BSc - Integrative Ecosocial Design

This report is about participating in a month long transformation retreat with the Paititi Institute in the Peruvian Amazon which spanned from March to April of 2014. The retreat focused on consciousness transformation, self-reflection, and personal empowerment utilizing shamanic ceremonial initiations involving psychoactive plants along side daily practices integrated from east/west wisdom traditions.

The goal of the retreat, hence the name, "Embody True Nature: Consciousness Transformation Retreat", aims to help individuals to peal and purge the layers of limiting beliefs and stagnant energies which keep us from experiencing and embodying our true nature, potential, and purpose. Along with the integration of eastern spiritual philosophies, shamanic practices involving plant medicine and natural healing, clinical diagnostics and western psychological analysis, the institute also aims to educate individuals both in the retreat and in the local/native community on how to implement permaculture practices and principles into their daily lives.

This report focuses on the structural design of the retreat, how it unfolded, central activites, education on sacred plants & shamanic tradition, my personal process, un/learnings, edges, and insights, as well as how I have integrated the experience, lessons, practices and community connections into my daily life.

You can read this OP linearly by following the header tabs as they flow in numerical progression from left to right or use the navigation menu located at the bottom of the page. 

Throughout the OP (primarily noted in the Sacred Plant Medicine section of the report) you will find links to websites where more in-depth information on the specified subjects and terms can be explored further.

A Note on Titles & Terms

 Words such as shaman(ism), curandero, ayahuascero, and healer will be used interchangeably but all essentially refer to the same meaning (defined later in the OP). The same can be said for the words psychotropic, psychoactive, and entheogen. It is important to note this as these words come up often in designated sections throughout the report.