Iboga Journey- Being in the Present

The days are beautiful in Costa Rica...ah, pura vida! The sanctuary provides a safe container to make the integration of my Iboga journey a powerful, immersive experience. I get absorbed by the stillness of the environment, the colors of the landscape and the sounds of the jungle. It is such a privilege to walk the grounds of paradise and feel mother earth vibrating beneath my feet. The activities the center provides are conducive to the spiritual journey.

We had Yoga in the mornings, gone to the river to swim by the waterfall, and trekking the jungle, shamanic breathwork, a spiritual shower, energy work, massages, delicious, nutritional meals...everything is offered here to enhance and support your experience.

I have dedicated my time here to nurture my body and my soul. I took long walks in the jungle trail, journaling and lots of sleep. I've also been reading the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

This book IS the perfect companion for a journey like this. I've never been so present , in the now before picking up this book. We talk about being present without letting your mind wander between the past and future but it is not an easy thing to do. Big city noises, phone, social media, the news, our own mental chatter makes it very, very difficult to stay present.

To listen to the sounds of birds, the rustling of leaves, feel the sun warming my skin, smell the air, feel the dirt and rocks under my feel and allow the eyes to dive into the kaleidoscope of colors surrounding me has make the entire experience of been present real and long lasting for me to finally understand and apply. I've been creating mental anchors of this place to remind me to come back to this state wherever I go.

The second ceremony took place on a Sunday night. We gather around the fire once more and Anthony opened the ceremony space. I stepped in my ceremony space with full intention to be open and present to whatever comes during my journey.

As I lay down on my mat, trying to be still, the medicine started to make its presence. Shrouds of darkness engulfed me yet again. I was looking for the familiar shapes swimming in my view field but none came, just darkness. I focused my gaze and was able to see through my eyelids, the room beyond. shapes and patterns but nothing distinctive. Thoughts took presence instead of visions and through the thoughts emotions were evoked. I thought of my Dad, how he is not getting any younger and realizing that one day he will pass to a better life. The thought of loosing my dad worried me, feeling sad and made me think of the times I have not being able to spend time with him and talk about his things, his life, to talk about us, and getting advise from him. I miss spending quality, interrupted time with him. To BE in his presence. The same process happened with my Mom and every member of my family and those whom I love that are close to my heart. It got really though when it my own children appeared.

The thought of loosing them was terrifying but I accepted it as part of the process of life. Instead of feeling guilty for the times I have missed and things I have not done with them, I gathered strength and conviction to make amends, to make it right. To be present when I'm home, not on my phone, not working, to ask questions and don't judge them. To accept my family as they are. As individuals capable of their own thinking and feelings. That's my takeaway from this spiritual experience.

Bassé