The Ancestral Plant Dieta
In the Amazonian shamanic traditions, plants and trees are considered living, sentient beings with their own unique consciousness and spirits. The forests and its biodiversity are revered as sacred and interconnected to all aspects of life. By working with the spirits of plants, one can unlock deep insights, overcome physical and emotional conditions, and experience profound spiritual transformation.
The Shipibo healing tradition has evolved over centuries based on this intimate knowledge. At the heart of this system is the ‘Ancestral Plant Dieta’—a rigorous discipline where an individual, or an apprentice ‘dietero’ establishes an energetic and spiritual connection with the consciousness of a ‘Master Plant’ spirit.
Lasting anywhere from a week to several months, the dietero follows specific restrictions in order to develop purity and subtlety within themselves. By living in seclusion in the rainforest, undertaking purgative cleanses, following periods of fasting, as well as abstaining from certain foods and activities that could disrupt the connection with the plant, the student is able to create a clean and fertile environment that allows the plant’s energetic seed to grow.
When the specific restrictions and guidelines are met diligently, the plant ally will transmit its healing qualities to the mind, body, and spirit. These plant teachers are often thought to have unique guiding abilities, revealing hidden aspects of the dietero's inner-world, and connecting them to deeper meanings, through dreams, intuitions, and visions that lead to profound personal growth, healing and spiritual insight. It is vital to approach the plant dieta with the utmost intention, respect, and discipline, in order to forge a strong and aligned connection with the plant, to achieve the best results.
Healing Dietas
Throughout the dieta, the Maestro works with icaros, Ayahuasca, and other medicinal treatments to harmonize the discordant energies that may be disrupting the dieter's well-being. The Maestro's work also serves to reinforce and align the dieter's connection with the plant spirit's energy and consciousness, paving the way for a deeper and more sustainable healing experience.
The Dieta can be a gradual and unassuming process, but when executed with care and expertise, it can reorganize and reorient the imbalances held within all aspects of self, resulting in greater health, vitality, and well-being.
The Shipibo people have a deep-rooted plant medicine tradition that offers a unique path for restoring harmony and connection with oneself, and life. This ancient practice focuses on healing not just the physical body, but also the mind and spirit for a complete holistic transformative experience, where the results can be felt long after the dieta is complete.
Spiritual Benefits of a Plant Dieta
Deeper connection to ayahuasca & other plant medicines
A deep physical & psychological cleanse & reset
Healing the root cause of long-standing issue
Break unhealthy patterns
Awaken latent perceptive & psychic capacities
Awaken latent creative potentials
Enhance one’s connection to spirit & nature
Spiritual strength, clarity & discipline
Enhance one’s connection to spirit & nature
Greater connection with self and others
More alignment to path and purpose
New-found connection to your senses
Emotional depth, balance & healing
Renewal of one’s unique gifts
Continuous momentum towards positive change
Sustainable, long-lasting growth
The Qualities of a Dieta
Beyond the ritual of abstaining from certain foods and stimulants, the dieta is an immersive experience of self-reflection and relating. At its core, it is an exploration of a spiritual exchange through the offering of our presence, our listening, and our heartfelt intention.
By allowing ourselves to become fully present, and silencing the distractions of both our inner and outer worlds, unknown levels of perception can be reached, where the subtle transmissions of the plants can be heard.
Our dieta follows the ancestral instructions of Maestro Suy's lineage, handed down by his late grandfather. To ensure a strong connection with the plant, it is essential to incorporate various ritualistic components into our practice to create a deeper sense of reverence for our plant teacher. Incorporating these practices can also increase our own mindfulness and awareness, allowing us to become more present to fully experience its healing properties. Ultimately, these ritualistic components help to cultivate a deeper and more meaningful connection with the plant, allowing us to reap the full benefits of its medicine and spirit.
Purification.
The cleansing of our energetic system is the first essential step in opening a traditional ancestral dieta. We follow 4 dedicated days of purification with purgative remedies made from Piñon Colorado and Sacha Garca to clear any impurities held in the body. This creates a neutral and fertile ground for Ayahuasca and the plant spirit medicine to deliver healing and regeneration. Additional treatments such as herbal steams, floral baths, and other treatments are included into the dietero’s programme to support further healing to the individual’s condition.
There are plants to treat many physical, mental and emotional ailments, and as the dieta process continues, the maestros follow each dietero’s progress, providing remedies when needed.
What kinds of health issues can be treated?
IBS, digestive imbalances
Arthritis, bone and muscular conditions
Skin disorders
Diabetes, obesete
Female reproductive system, prostate
PTSD, mental imbalances such as depression, acute anxiety, anger, fear
Chronic fatigue
Thyroid, glandular imbalances
Cancer and other life-theatening conditions
Attuning to the Subtle.
The dieta provides a unique opportunity to create a kinship with our plant teacher, by sensitizing ourselves to its subtle communications and resonating with it on a heart level. Our silence and stillness hold incredible power in developing our awareness of the plant’s subtle communications, and the liminal spaces where our consciousness intersects it.
The simple act of sitting, and allowing the plant to reveal its presence, helps us learn how to entrain ourselves with its consciousness.As we deepen this connection, we become better able to feel the plant's energy patterns and understand the meanings conveyed through our sensory experiences.
Symbols and metaphors can begin to emerge in our dreams, as well as waking states, offering further insights that help our personal growth.. The dream state is a powerful channel to receive insights and teachings from our master teacher. Forgotten memories are re-awakened, messages are downloaded, themes are presented that demonstrate what needs to be brought into balance.
Intention.
When we make the commitment to enter into the initiation of a dieta, we are entering a sacred space of learning and growth. This is a delicate time capsule, where every thought, feeling, and action holds great weight and significance. They serve as vibrational threads that form the foundations of our dieta. Therefore the choices we make have a profound impact on the outcome. We must consciously choose to project that which aligns with our goals.
A sincere, heart-felt intention is felt by spirit and nurtures the relationship between us and our plant. When difficulties arise, the strength of our conviction can carry us through and lead us to the teachings themselves.
Dry Fasting.
Within Maestro Suy's tradition, dry fasting is considered one of the most powerful ways to deepen one's connection with the plant. The practice of abstaining from both food and water allows the body to weaken while the spirit becomes fortified by the plant. This period of fasting is not only about physical purification but also serves as an opportunity to thin the veil between the tangible and intangible, allowing for greater access to the plant's frequency. Dry fasting is also seen as an offering to the plant, further strengthening the bond between the initiate and the spirit. Overall, this practice is an integral part of Maestro Suy's tradition and serves as a powerful tool for spiritual growth and enhanced connection with the plant kingdom.
Song & Prayer.
At the heart of this tradition lies the understanding that song forms a vibrational language between ourselves and the plants. It is believed that plants possess their own language, and through song, we can express our gratitude, appreciation, and love for the plant spirit, forming a unique and melodic friendship that is central to the Shipibo tradition. As the dieter progresses in their practice, the plant spirit gifts them with melodies, which becomes the means for them to connect with the plant spirit.
Through this relationship, the Shipibo people cultivate a profound and intimate connection with the sentient beings. This partnership allows for transformative healing to occur, and ultimately helps to cultivate a deeper understanding of oneself and the world at large.
“The kindness of the crew is golden. The unique blend of maestros and their family, facilitators and dieters is so colourful! Everyone knows what they’re doing, and you can feel the knowledge and the commitment they make with their lives for this mission. Pure love”.
—Viktor Selendic
Dieting at Metsa Nete
Metsa Nete translates as ‘The Wisdom of the Ancestral Heart’, and is situated along the Alto Ucayali River, a two-hour boat ride from the main city of Pucallpa.
The land of Metsa Nete is surrounded by vast and lush natural forests filled with medicinal trees and plants. These natural resources serve as a vast pharmacy, providing Maestro Suy with the plants he needs to create his plant remedies. Visiting and living in this area is a truly immersive experience—something that is rare to find in modern life. During your stay, you have the opportunity to witness first hand how Maestro Suy and his family live their traditional life while working with the plants. Observing them in their natural environment, you can learn how to prepare your own remedies and witness the deep relationship they have to the natural world.
Dieta Dates
We are currently in the process of planning our offerings for 2025.
15 days Plant Dieta
The 15-day plant dieta immersion is for those ready for a deeper experience, which requires more focus, discipline, and containment. The dietero will follow the traditional dietary and behavioural requirements to the best of their ability, such as dry fasting and noble silence.
What does it include?
Full board /w food
Begin with a 4-day purification process
Diet one plant*
3-4 ayahuasca ceremonies
Personalized plant remedies to support your healing process
Floral baths and herbal steam baths
Facilitation, translation & ceremony guidance
One-to-one calls for pre & post-integration
Information about the ayahuasca and the Shipibo medicine system
Written guidance to support your journey during the dieta
30 days Plant Dieta
The 30+ day plant dieta immersion is for those ready to embark on a longer journey with a plant to establish a greater connection. It suits (but is not exclusive to) those who have previously dieted, or have experience in spiritual austerity practices. Expected to follow the traditional dietary and behavioural requirements, such as dry fasting, and noble silence.
What does it include?
Full board /w food
Begin with a 4-day purification process
Diet one plant*
6-8 ayahuasca ceremonies
Personalized plant remedies to support your healing process
Floral baths and herbal steam baths
Facilitation, translation & ceremony guidance
One-to-one calls for pre & post-integration
Information about the ayahuasca and the Shipibo medicine system
Written guidance to support your journey during the dieta
