San Pedro

While in Argentina, I spoke to people of my plans of going to Peru. I had a few people tell me of must go to places and must do things. Amongst them was San Pedro. What is this San Pedro? I have never heard of it. I brushed it off saying I am not going to do it. It sounds like you are not in control of your body when you take it. I like to be in control of my body. I enter into Peru and while on a tour in Caraz, the guide spoke of San Pedro (S.P). She discussed how the The Priests (Inca Period) would take S.P to cleanse themselves before rituals and how S.P was a healer and teacher. So I became fascinated. But she also spoke of the cleansing process, which is vomiting. Although fascinated I did not like the idea of vomiting. So my first month in Peru, I spent time in Lima thinking about this, discussing it with the friends from Peru as well as some friends that I met in Argentina who did it. I still was not convinced. But then I arrived in Cusco, decided to read online about San Pedro. Now, I learn of S.P and Ayahuasca. S.P is a plant and Ayahuasca is a vine. They are both teachers and healers. Ayahuasca mostly used in the jungle and S.P on the coastal region. Ayahuasca sounded pretty intense. It is said that you face your fears and learn from past hurts and disappointments. You also have vision to help guide you. S.P is more gentle and helps you to connect with nature. In speaking to several “guides”, and shamans I was told if I was to do it to begin with S.P since it is more gentle. I also felt the need to connect more with nature. Yes, I was also scared of the intensity of Ayahuasca. Still not convinced that I would try S.P. I went to Casa de la Gringa. I remembered that one of the recommendations I was given for S.P while in Argentina was to work with Lesley from Casa de la Gringa. So I went there. Lesley was in England for 3 weeks doing ceremonies there. I felt warm and comfortable in her Casa and saw her reiki certificates. The staff there were so wonderful and told me about the S.P ceremonies and gave me the guest book to look through. I read through and saw so many amazing stories of how S.P has helped and transformed people. I said if I am going to to do S.P I will do it with Lesley. The other thing I heard was that you have to do it with someone you feel comfortable with and truly trust. I felt both. The day came to do the ceremony. I had fasted the morning of and could only eat light vegetarian meals the day prior. Surprisingly, I wasn't hungry. A little nervous but ready. The night before I set my intention of what I wanted to work on and was ready. That morning 11 of us sat in Lesley's garden outside of the Temple of the Moon. She said a prayer, silently said a prayer and asked that my intentions be worked on. I set two intentions:1. To help me understand why I can not commit in relationships, to allow me to work so that I can enter into a loving relationship; 2. To show me what is needed so that I can become a better healer/therapist. Than I drank. The S.P was thick and disgusting. Well, not too disgusting, but not a pleasant taste. I could feel the fear inside of me, not knowing what to expect. After about 30 minutes, I began to feel nauseous and anxious. I sprinkled some Florida water onto the palms of my hands to be re-centered. I looked around the garden and marveled at the beautiful flowers, plants and huge stones. I had the urge to move and walk around, lots of nervous energy. So I moved to go sit alone on a big rock. Sat there for a few minutes, than walked a bit, than sat again, shifted in my seat. Got up moved around some more, nausea set in again. This time I vomited. The cleansing began. I looked to identify what I was releasing. I was releasing the fear I had. I got up, decided to write in my journal, but couldn't so I put the journal down and stood. A man approached. He hadn't done the S.P that day, but was staying at the house and did S.P on previous occasions. His name, that I found out later that night, was David. He asked me if I was ok. I thought to myself, “do I look ok”?, but smiled and said yes. He then said he overheard me saying that I do reiki and if I can send him some energy. He reached out his hand to me. I put my hand on the top of his and thought to myself. “I don't know this guy, why does he want my energy. Well I need to protect myself and not give him all my energy”, He begins to say to me that I am very guarded. I am not trusting in relationships and I need to make myself more vulnerable. He began telling things about myself in relationships and that I need to cry. I was amazed at how intuitive and correct he was. “Who is this man? How does he know these things about me?” Then he asked if he could give me a hug. At this point I let down my guard and said yes. We hugged and he said he feels family stuff. Then said he feels my father. I was like whoa, because as soon as he said that I could feel the presence of my father. I knew his spirit was there with us. My father than began to speak to me through David. David became a medium. My father, through David, was able to impart wisdom and advice to me regarding relationships. I began to cry and slobber all of this stranger. Still not knowing his name. I had never experienced anything like this in my life. This was an amazing gift. In speaking with David, he too had never experienced anything like that. He had never been a medium before. Later David and I walked up to the Temple of the Moon and walked up the mountain. We spoke more of the message that I received and what I can do about it. This is why so many people have said if you have the opportunity to experience S.P you should. As for the second part of my intention, David has continued to help me grow as a healer and as a person. We continue to be friends and have begun to travel together for some time. Everyday we meditate or speak about life and healing. This will have to be another blog since this one if devoted for S.P. :-). All I have to say now is thank you San Pedro. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to travel, to learn from new cultures and people, and to grow emotionally, mentally, and physically!