The Plant Medicine Experience

Trusting an Ancient Way of Healing

  • Our Story: When Life Felt Too Predictable

    There came a point when life felt flat—too routine, too scripted. Despite therapy, exercise, and reflection, something still felt stuck. We were beginning to wonder whether the years ahead would feel less alive than the ones behind us.

    “We had done all the ‘right’ things—yet something still felt missing.”

    Picture above: One of the many Joshua Trees in the Cashibococha Lagoon that borders Ronin Jointi.

  • First Openings: Finding New Space Through Ketamine

    Attending a few ketamine retreats in the U.S. opened a door. We found ourselves communicating more deeply and feeling freer inside. When the chance arose to travel to the Amazon for a plant medicine retreat, we felt ready for something deeper.

    “Sometimes healing starts with a crack in the wall—just enough light to enter.”

    Picture above: Maestra Sylvia and Bertha-Elena, taking in the Peruvian Amazon jungle and the wisdom of the Machinga Master Tree

  • Into the Jungle: 17 Days of Ceremony and Silence

    We spent 17 days near Pucallpa, Peru—five Ayahuasca ceremonies and a dieta with Renaquilla, a heart-opening master plant.
    As psychologists, what struck us most was how little relied on words. Healing in the jungle unfolded through icaros—sacred songs sung in Shipibo—rather than analysis or explanations.

    “In near-total darkness, the songs carried the healing.”

    Picture above: The hammocks tambo (cabin) at Ronin Jointi, where we relaxed, read, rested, meditated, gathered, and worked on our embroideries

  • Trusting an Ancient Way of Healing

    For Western minds, this can feel hard to grasp. But the Shipibo have worked with these plants for centuries. Over 400 medicinal plants are catalogued in Peru, more than half for mental and emotional health. Their deep knowing invited us to set aside “understanding” and step into trust.

    “We didn’t need to understand everything. We just needed to trust.”

    Picture above: Maestra Sylvia sharing her traditional mud painting and embroidery artisanal heritage with Mike

  • What Shifted for Us

    In those two weeks, something profound happened. Old traumas began to release. Emotional heaviness softened. We felt lighter, freer, and more deeply connected—to ourselves, each other, and something larger than us.
    Our relationship renewed in ways we hadn’t imagined.

    “It felt like knots inside us were finally untying.”

    Picture above: From left to right: Bertha-Elena, Maestra Sylvia and Justin another guest who became our friend, during a boat tour around the beautiful Cashibococha Lagoon, near Pucallpa.

  • Honoring the Maestros: The Heart of the Anaconda

    The maestros who guided us, Sylvia and Noe, are now opening their own retreat center—Ronin Jointi, “The Heart of the Anaconda.” With limited internet and no English, reaching them directly can be difficult. We felt called to help bridge that gap, so others can find their way to this healing work.

    “Their work isn’t translated into English—but it speaks straight to the heart.”

    Picture above: From left to right - Dr. Cirillo, Maestra Sylvia, Emily, Angie, and Manuela (Sylvia’s relatives) and Dr. Rojas

More about your experience

The Plant Medicine Experience Information Session

on Wednesday November 5th, 2025 at 7:00 pm

If you feel drawn to this path, we welcome you to reach out. We’ll be returning to Ronin Jointi in Spring 2026 with a small group. We’d be glad to share our experience, help with orientation, and support you in preparing for a safe, meaningful journey.

“If you feel the call, trust it. That’s how our journey began.”

  • *All of these experiences are provided by the Shipibo Maestra with support from Dr. Cirillo and Dr. Rojas as needed.

    • Multiple Ayahuasca ceremonies (between four and seven, depending on the length of your stay)

    • Plant dieta with Bobinsana or Renaquilla (for two week stays only)

    • Herbal Saunas and Herbal Baths

    • Artisanal workshop to learn traditional Shipibo embroidery

    • Jungle walk and Tour of the Cashibococha Lagoon

    • Day trip to Pucallpa’s markets (weather and time permitting)

    • Mike and Bertha-Elena offer mentoring and support to all participants. Before your journey, they provide virtual orientation and readiness meetings, along with a detailed informational guide for registered guests. During the retreat, they are on site to offer guidance and support throughout the experience. See the dates below for upcoming orientation sessions.

    • Mike and Bertha-Elena provide ongoing facilitation and integration support to help you receive the greatest benefit from your experience. This support is offered in both individual and group formats.

    • Bertha-Elena, as a native Spanish speaker, will support all interpretation needed throughout your experience.

  • *Fees do not include airfare to and from Peru.

    • The fees for the experience are $3000 per person. The fees include accommodations, all food and essentials of the experience (see above), support to prepare for the experience (via virtual meetings), facilitation, integration, mentoring and interpretation throughout participants’ stay at Ronin Jointi, and travel to and from Pucallpa’s airport.

    • It is recommended to bring additional cash, if interested in purchasing original Shipibo artisanal goods, tapestries and tunics. Small tapestries range from $100 to $150 and medium to large ones range from $250 to $500. These funds support Ronin Jointi and the members from the surrounding community who assist the maestra with the experiences.

    • Setting
      Ronin Jointi is located in a remote area of the Peruvian Amazon. Accommodations are simple and rustic, designed to support a deep connection with nature. Guests stay in tambos (wooden cabins) for individuals or couples, with shared bathrooms and showers located nearby.

    • Meals & Common Areas
      Meals are served in a shared kitchen space, with additional common areas nearby for connection and relaxation. A dedicated hammock cabin offers another place for rest and retreat. Walking paths also weave through the retreat center, inviting time in nature.

      Dietary Guidance
      All meals are included as part of the retreat. Because ayahuasca and plant dietas require specific dietary guidelines, we ask participants not to bring outside food or snacks. Introducing other foods may interfere with the plant work and can cause rashes or other uncomfortable side effects.

      Jungle Life
      We recommend bringing insect repellent—mosquitoes are part of the Amazon experience. Many participants have found deet-free, natural-based repellents effective, and we’re happy to share suggestions. Even so, mosquito bites are to be expected.

    • Our groups are coordinated for a 15-day stay at Ronin Jointi. The stay includes participating in 5 to 7 Ayahuasca ceremonies and completing a plant dieta with a master plant for those interested.

    • Travel time to Pucallpa Peru adds to the trip. We strongly recommend that you add one to two days before and after to your trip for travel time from your home location.

    • Pick-up and drop-off at the Pucallpa Airport are included in Ronin Jointi’s fees. Travel from the Pucallpa Airport to Ronin Jointi includes a 30-minute car-ride to the Cashibococha Lagoon port and a 20-minute boat ride to the Ronin Jointi retreat site.

    • The Ronin Jointi Plant Medicine Experience this year is scheduled for mid to late April/early May 2026, specific dates TBD.

    • An informational session via zoom will be held for interested participants on Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00 PM. Click HERE to register.

    • Registration & Payment

      Deposit: $750 to reserve your spot. Non-refundable but may be applied to a future retreat.

      Balance: $2250 due by February 14, 2025. Registration is complete once deposit and balance are paid.

      Deadline: All registrations must be completed by February 14, 2025. Late registrations may be allowed with full payment immediately.

    • Cancellation & Refunds

      Cancel by February 14: Full refund of balance ($2250).

      Cancel by February 15 – March 15: 50% refund of balance ($1125).

      Cancel after March 15: No refunds.

    • Orientation Session

    • An orientation and preparation session (via zoom) will be provided prior to the trip. These sessions are for registered participants only. A comprehensive informational guide will be provided after the session. The session will be scheduled at a time convenient to the registrants.

    • If you have any questions, feel free to email Mike or Bertha-Elena at m.cirillo@aracarihealing.com or be.rojas@aracarihealing.com