Dear Friends,

I would like to thank you for your interest and taking the time to visit our site. I feel deep gratitude especially for those who have supported us with this work. Thank you.

Heart of the Initiate is a project that was started 9 years ago. In September of 2009 we began an evaluation process that led us to the decision to shift our focus away from offering further retreats, and into other projects. This is simply a closing of a cycle for us.

We remain dedicated to the preservation and protection of this ancient tradition and hope to announce the formation of a Brazilian non-profit research project called Nucleo de Estudos da Cultura Shaman sometime this year.

Heart of the Initiate has been the meeting place for many international visitors coming to Brazil where Warnei and his assistants Sara Ñusta and Catalina have shared their traditional ayahuasca ceremonies. Warinei has offered these ceremonies in strict accordance with the oldest and most sacred traditions of ayahuasca shamanism. These traditions are always passed forward from elder-teacher to student. This principle is the most critical aspect of this experience.

Warinei, a native Colombian, began his traditional ayahuasca apprenticeship in 1996 with a grandfather shaman of the Inga community of Colombia in the Southern Amazonian region of the Putumayo River. He continues his shamanic training with the Sikuani community, in the eastern Orinoquia River region of Colombia, in the tradition of another shamanic medicine called yopo.

He received his sacred name from his ayahuasca teacher, Kasulú who gave him the name of Warinei Wanare, meaning ‘star from which come forth the warm and cold crystals with which it is possible to make healings.’ He and his assistants have brought this ancient tradition to people in Colombia and to the delegates who have attended Heart of the Initiate workshops. He has always brought this work with great kindness and purity of heart.

The ayahuasca ceremony is sacred. We have great admiration for the many experienced shamans across the planet who are now advancing very humble and traditional ceremonies with this sacred medicine. We have always hoped that Warinei's work has enabled others to receive lessons and find healing as we have had for ourselves. The world is at the very doorstep of many great changes. Human consciousness is waking up!

I have left a few articles here on the public area of our site that you can read if you like. I am continuing with several writing projects, so you can look for more articles in the future. We welcome you to subscribe to our site if you would like to have full access.

with enormous gratitude,