3:35 Acting on an Invitation

Today was a special day, the vail of hesitation lifted by the last several weeks which have led me to take a decision. But before I share with you this decision, let me explain how I got to it.

The path to self-discovery, the one we are all traveling at our own pace, took a definitive turn when I enrolled with Integral Coaching Canada after trekking the Salkantay in Peru in late 2018. The revelation I felt (see chapter to that effect in Volume 1) was so profound that I knew major alterations were coming to my life. I felt a connection so deep and profound, that as the Knowing subsided, I knew I needed to become a better husband, a better father, as well as a better citizen. I had to better myself in every aspect of my life.

Then, shortly after I had embarked on the spiritual path, the pandemic hit and my perception of the world was altered forever. The things that I once took interest lost their meaning as I realized that my assessment of my environment was nothing more than a projection of what I thought it was, instead of actually seeing it for what it truly is.

In other words, the illusion which I was a willing participant and which held a significant meaning for me was nothing but that: a make belief world that was bringing me to critique without cause into absolute obedience.

As I struggled to find my footing, the Universe tested me even further through the lime’s disease that emerged within my body. I attempted the best I could to cope with the disease but by early in 2024, it became clear that I could no longer continue in the direction I was going. I enrolled in the Wellness Center in Clearwater, met Trish and everything changed from then.

2024 was a transformative year and I’ve grown to appreciate the simple things in life: my wife’s smile, my kids laughter, my community’s deep family roots, nature, writing, meditating, contemplating, breathing, … when we experience the Self within, we no longer see ourself as isolated or separate. I now know what Trish and Tadeen have been telling me, as the connection we experience is a Force on its own which feeds our soul.

Now, as I seek to walk free from past constraints and to openly serve others by letting go of the ego, I realize I can’t do it alone. I need help.

It is with this intent that I went into my meditative practice this morning asking for guidance. Our upcoming project of renovation and then launching our business has stirred within both my wife and I many doubts. These doubts are numerous but nothing more than mental constructs that no longer serve their purpose.

I’m so focused on trying to make it all work that I’m unable to do the most simplest tasks and I have fallen into what Trish calls “LI”.

And so, deep in meditation, I see my daughter Sam. She has a beautiful smile and with an inviting gesture, she motions me to join her. She’s in Costco Rica to learn Spanish … “what’s in Costco Rica that can be of assistance to what I seek?” pops up in my mind.

I then see the picture of my family on top of Machu Picchu and Coco (our guide) who spoke of Pacha Mama. I then see mySelf engaged in a ceremony producing a deep connection within.

Costa Rica, deep spiritual connection, ceremony … what was the link? Soon thereafter, the timer goes off, signalling the end of my practice.

Later during the day, I go on “Duck Duck Go” and type “ceremony” and “Costa Rica”. Before I hit the enter button, 4 options are afforded to me as alternatives to my query: 1- cacao ceremony Costa Rica, 2- Ayahuasca ceremony in Costa Rica, 3- Costa Rica plant medicine ceremony and 4- iboga ceremony Costa Rica. I click on the second option and start reading the results.

There are numerous ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica and the more I read about the plant medicine and its benefits, the more I sense this is the path I must travel.

After speaking to Ayla, she proposes that I enrol in the retreat that starts in late January and suggests joining me for a 10-day vacation of trekking. We would have the opportunity to see our Sam, while enjoying a last gruesome trekking vacation before embarking on the next phase of our lives. Ayla always wanted to trek around a volcano and she loved our previous trip to that country.

I reach out to a center, speak to a representative, fill up the medical form and within a couple of days, receive the green light. I book a flight and book my stay. In about 10 days, I’m off to Rythmia.