Rainforest Medicine

By itself, ayahuasca as a transformational medicine offers us profound opportunities for spiritual awakening, physical renewal, and reconnection to the most important aspects of life and nature. Journeying with the vine of souls is unlike anything else in this world, and while many have shared their personal stories of harrowing nights in ceremony, another chief aspect of this medicine tradition is less often discussed: the valuable lessons to be learned from time spent with traditional plant medicine masters.

Sadly, true Amazonian medicine elders are a dying breed. To be in the presence of a genuine master is a treasured experience, and those of them still with us exemplify the virtues of living a life aligned with nature, devoted to spiritual development, and focused on the well-being of others.

I have been blessed with the good fortune of spending time with and and learning directly from Secoya elders who are the torch bearers of a unique lineage of spiritual masters in the upper Amazon. Their tradition, that of God's Multi-Colored People, as they know it, is the longest unbroken and non-syncretic tradition of working with the sacred brew Yage, or Ayahuasca.

The attitude, demeanor, habits, and character of these “abuelitos” symbolize the simple purity and deep peace that may be found with dedication to this spiritual path. Reflecting on my time spent with the Secoya, I've realized that many of the best lessons come not when they are teaching, but when they are just being themselves.

Yage Shamans of the Amazon Offer Nine Rules for Living

Secoya Elders: Don Delfin Payaguaje, Don Augustin Payaguaje, and Don Rogelio

1. Abundant laughter is the hallmark of spiritual achievement. Laugh first and laugh often.

2. All life is beautiful and priceless, and even the most pitiful or comical of creatures in infused with the sacred.

3. Always be productive in the service to others, and even if all you can offer is a smile, your positive contribution is important.

4. Love everyone equally, for we are all equal is spirit and life.

5. Silence is golden. Communicating without speaking is more penetrative than attempting to express the infinite with language.

6. It is in stillness you will find that which you seek. The ability to highly control one's impulses is the key to spiritual advancement.

7. Gentleness is often more powerful than force.

8. Sincere dedication to spiritual development is the highest calling in life.

9. Follow nature instead of following man, for the lessons in nature are universally true and infinitely pure.

by Jonathon Miller Weisberger in his work Rainforest Medicine