Peru Shaman

Interesting experience. Wish there was more discussion about how an experience like that is helpful.

I can't believe I'm Peruvian and I have never been to Iquitos, I'm definitely going next time!
Some people say that the women from this region usually make drinks and give it to men so they can forget about the world and just focus on them...... I don't know if this is true though!!

Thanks for this piece. Obviously it'd be near impossible for you to impart what you learned thru video, no matter how skilled of a filmmaker you are. I wouldn't expect that you could really go into too much depth here. What's important is that this piece might spark interest for people to learn more on their own. Kudos!

A little more information about her experience would be helpful. I hear the thunder of the feet of Rx manufacturers racing down there to make something to sell on TV. "Is a past life holding you back? Are you depressed? Take "Shamanol" and get fast relief from all that baggage from the Middle Ages!" sigh.

The healing arts do need money, but when newbie shaman are trolling the airport, trying to sell 'trips' to potential customers (as I personally experienced Scott Peterson doing in Iquitos), it doesn't serve the tradition well.

Also, the term 'hallucinogenic' would never be used by a traditional shaman to describe the vine. They describe what they see as visions, because this alludes to a larger truth that they are tapping into. To hallucinate is to be isolated into your own make believe world, the shaman I've studied with would be insulted by this term.

I appreciate experiential filmmaking, but from one who is close to this topic, I would have liked to see more depth. If people get too excited about tripping, without understanding the traditions, ayauasca will wind up illegal.

Ryan, your point is well taken but please bear in mind that many youth may be more inclined to continue living and working in the selva if they could support their family financially while continuing the traditions and arts. Isn't lack of money/opportunity why the traditions and arts so often die? It sure would beat a future life spent hanging out the door of a micro!

Money being the only bond is dangerous, true. But the transaction is dangerous when money isn't involved anyway. There's a lot of trust that has to happen in either instance.

I wish much success to all the curanderos and their communities. Thank you Ryan & Kristen.

Experiencing an ancient ceremony in this commercial way is not the way the vine was intended to be used.
And be careful of these fly-by-night ayahuasca eco-tours. When under the effects of this sacred vine one is very vulnerable. I strongly caution all against entering into a ceremony with money being your only bond between the shaman and yourself.