"We recently received an article entitled 'Why we inevitably all become Ralph!' from our friend Piers. The title of this article is deceiving which seems to be the very point he was making in writing the article. And certainly was not encouraged by Ralph himself who has said to me so many times over the years 'This work with ayahuasca is not about you, or me or any of us.'

This article describes a realization that we are ultimately responsible for every choice we make and it is our choice alone to encounter this sacred medicine. No matter what we do, or what we think we know, we are not prepared for this experience. Even if you have drank ayahuasca before you still remain unprepared. Ralph is pretty good at getting that message across with humor."

-Peter

The path to enlightenment is a path to be walked alone. This may seem something we would not choose, as we are all addicted to the comfort zone of our companions. If we are to take the essential lesson of self-responsibility we will see that we are only able to walk through the door alone. Our companions may well be either side of the threshold, either beckoning for us to walk through, or encouraging us to make the journey. But the walk is one we must do alone. I point out at this moment that I believe that alone is missing a letter. The word should actually denote All-one.

Read the article

Many people have sent us their stories of their own awakening.

Although some of these stories have come from past workshop participants, we encourage anyone to send us their own story.

We have just recently updated this section and invite you to read these Redemption Songs.

I am not looking for sympathy here only an understanding of what prompted me to take part in Ayahuasca ceremonies after learning that the medicine was a great healer.

This process allows you to relive the experience to gain new understanding and insight enabling resolution or closure. It often results in re-evaluation of your life course with strong tendency and resolution to pursue positive changes to improve your life with renewed purpose and mission. Now I have peace...

Ayahuasca has confirmed to me that this world is an illusion created by mass thought. Sadly I believe the collective thoughts of the human race have been hijacked by a very deceptive force and we live lives that the hijackers want us to live. I believe we can change this world by changing mass thought and if the majority of minds can wake up to what is really going on then a massive spiritual shift is possible and we will reconnect with the paradise world that I have been shown and seen.

Aya does generate different responses because each drinker possesses a distinct psychological predisposition. Yet the results are the same. One result is the lessening of the false self, ego, or conditioned thinking—that sneering voice inside our minds always ready to take over the driver’s seat in our life-car. A second result is an opening to greater energy, clarity, and love, and, for some, entry into exotic psychic dimensions.

Our Global Community

There is a story we would like to share with you. It is about people from all walks of life, faiths, and beliefs coming together with a higher sense of purpose in their lives. Over the years we have met many people who were brave enough to step into the unknown. As their lives changed so did the lives of the people around them.

Many of the people we have met returned again with a friend or family member to share with this experience. We began to see a community emerge that transcends countries and borders, that exists in the feeling of belonging to a world family.

Our global community has been from 48 different countries (and counting)! On this interactive map you can have fun looking for your home location, explore the surface of our world, and find all the people that have joined us on this experiential journey. We are still testing this and have several hundred more locations to add to this map. So please be patient and check back again soon!

Here's What People Say about their experiences...

For thousands of years the shamans of the Amazonian rainforest have used a sacred plant brew, known as ayahuasca or yahé, for healing and spiritual awakening. This ancient medicine is a very powerful visionary tool to awaken the inner sight.

We offer one and two week workshops in an extraordinarily beautiful setting along the coast of Bahia. We will spend the week exploring and opening the subtle doorway through the heart energy and into the inner trans-dimentional worlds long forgotten by mankind. This is the path back to remembering your true divinity and awakening of the true self.

We have just announced the September 2008 dates for our Brazil Ayahuasca Workshops! This will be our last trip for this year.

Find out more about our Brazil Ayahuasca Workshops.

We have just added six new videos to the video section of the site!

Videos with Terence McKenna, David Bohm, Alex Grey and Stanislav Grof have all be added.

Here is a list of what has been added:

• Terence McKenna: Culture is not Your Friend
• Stanislav Grof on Holotropic Breathing
• Terence McKenna on the Purpose of Psychedelics
• David Bohm on Fragmentation Theory
• Alex Grey on His Work
• Terence McKenna: Reclaim Your Mind

We are very happy to welcome László Nagy and Fiona Pedlar as new Heart of the Initiate staff members who will join us for the upcoming workshops in September.

Fiona has attended several workshops over the years and brings a solid healing energy to her relationships. László has been a dear friend and brother of mine for several years, and is a true emissary of the sacred heart energy.