The next hot trend is here already and it’s all about shamanic vacations. Yes, you heard us right. Millennials are trotting off to Peru shaman retreat and they return as fervent devotees. A few years ago, this would have caused raised eyebrows and even sarcastic eye rolls. But returnees swear that they feel refreshed, stronger and much more capable of dealing with modern day stress. So, will a shaman retreat work for you? It might but let’s find out what a shamanic retreat means and how do you choose one?
Shamans are traditional medicine men; healers who use energy to alter a person’s life experience. The practice is based on ancient philosophies and focuses on overall mental and physical well-being. Complex rituals are involved, and they are used as a diagnostic and healing tool by the shamans.
Pros: As a shaman is considered a native medical practitioner, the benefits of attending a shaman retreat can be numerous. Attendees have reported increased vitality, release from emotional trauma, change in negative attitudes, spontaneous happiness, feelings of empowerment, and the ability to move past traumatic life episodes. As practitioners deal with overall health, some people have also reported beneficial effects on chronic conditions like elevated blood pressure, arthritis, insomnia, back pain, migraines, and weight issues. Psychological conditions like depression, low self-esteem, phobias and lack of direction also seem to improve under the guidance of a good shaman. A good shaman will deal with physical, emotional and spiritual health to create a balanced personality.
Cons: Finding the right person for your needs can be tough. Just like you need to look around for doctors, you will have to visit a few spiritual centers or shaman retreats before you find the right practitioner for your requirements. For example, Ayahuasca shamans use a combination of the Ayahuasca plant and the Chacruna plant to encourage a connection with the self and the world. The plants have been used for thousands of years in Peru, Ecuador, Columbia and Brazil for healing and divinatory purposes. This might not be everybody’s cup of tea and there are other options to choose from.
Its easy to dismiss the benefits of shamanic retreats but times are changing. We live in a stressful world and modern-day medicine may be wonderful, but it has severe limits. Yes, shamanic retreats may not be the right treatment for acute health conditions, but they will help you recalibrate. In the end, it may provide you with the tools to deal with day-to-day life. We encourage you to consider trying a shaman retreat atleast once for the overall health benefits.
