Tobacco & Tree Dieta
The plant dieta is an opportunity to learn from and develop a relationship with one of the Master Plant teachers. “Dieting” is a traditional process through which one works deeply with a plant for healing, learning, and personal transformation.
The dieta is undertaken in isolation, giving the participant the opportunity to be deeply with themselves, observe and understand the mind, and create the conditions for the plant to work as fully and deeply as possible.
How the dieta works
Guests will arrive during the day, settle into their accommodations, and, if appropriate, have a diagnostic consultation to help determine which plant may be most beneficial for them.
They will then begin the ceremony and dieta process that same day or evening.
Food
Food is kept to a minimum during the dieta to allow the plant to work as deeply as possible. Traditionally, it is said that when the body is weak, the spirit is strong.
Guests will drink a juice or smoothie or have a light soup twice a day—just enough to maintain the physical strength needed to undertake what can be a powerful and profound process.
Guides and support
The dietas will be guided by Jason and his colleague Merav, a highly experienced tabaquera.
Together, they have worked with and guided more than a thousand people through ceremonies and healing work with a variety of plants.
The retreat offers the opportunity to work with both an experienced male and female guide throughout the dieta.
Duration
Guests may choose to stay for one, two, or three weeks.
Each dieta consists of eight days and eight nights.
During each dieta:
- Guests take their medicine each day.
- There is a daily consultation with Merav and Jason.
- The dieta concludes on the eighth morning with a small ceremony and a meal.
- Guests have dinner that evening and may depart the following morning.
Working with the plants
Each dieta is dedicated to working with one tree.
The organizers recommend staying for at least two weeks for those who wish to go more deeply into the medicine.
There will be a two-day break between dietas for rest, recuperation, and integration.
Guests continuing their dietas may remain on-site during these two days.
During the break:
- Food will not be prepared at the retreat center.
- Restaurants, grocery stores, and markets are nearby.
- Guests may use the time to leave the retreat center, use the internet, rest and integrate, do laundry, or take care of errands in town.
Location
The dietas will take place in Urubamba, Peru, at Samana Wasi, a retreat center in the Sacred Valley.
lowland Amazonian jungle and the high Andean mountain range.
Urubamba is approximately one hour by car from Cusco.
The organizers recommend arriving in Urubamba at least two days before the dieta begins to acclimatize to the high-altitude climate.
Dieta Dates
| Week | Dates |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | February 7–15 |
| Week 2 | February 17–25 |
| Week 3 | February 27–March 7 |
Participants should indicate which dates they wish to attend.
Important restriction
One-week dietas are NOT available beginning the second week, February 17.
One-week dietas can begin only:
- February 7
- February 27
Cost
Early Registration
1 week: $1,200
- 5% if paying by credit card
Beginning October 15
1 week: $1,300
- 5% if paying by credit card
The price is all-inclusive and covers:
- Dieta
- Guidance and support
- Medicine
- Food
- Accommodation
- Treatments
Important: Support Team Change
There is an important change from the original arrangement:
Jason will be working remotely rather than attending the retreat in person.
Present on-site will be:
- Merav
- Stephanie, assistant
- An apprentice who will be shadowing the work
The organizers state that this provides a strong and experienced support team on-site throughout the retreat.
Why Jason will be remote
Jason originally intended to attend in person. However, after the retreat was planned, he and his wife learned they are expecting their second child.
Because his wife is unable to fly during this period due to airline regulations, Jason cannot be away from his family for the full duration of the retreat.
He will nevertheless remain engaged with guests each day via Zoom rather than in person.
The organizers state that they have used this approach successfully several times before and that, in their experience, it has not affected the quality or continuity of the work.
Apprenticeship Program
A 10% discount is available for the Apprenticeship Program after completing six tree dietas.
For more information:
