Master Plant Dieta
Shamanic Practice for Personal Transformation
Master Plant Dieta
Shamanic Practice for Personal Transformation
Walking with the ancient Masters
Master Plant Dieta is an ancestral practice used by Amazonian shamans to access the healing power and wisdom in nature. It is called Dieta because a set of dietary and lifestyle restrictions are required to enhance the connection with the plants.
But Master Plant Dieta is much more than simply following a set of discipline practices. It is a rich, complex, and rather inexplicable path of coming to know and transform oneself. This process unfolds slowly over years of practice. It happens through an inner landscape of direct relationship with the consciousness of certain plants known as the Master Teachers.
For many Dieters, learning to interpret the messages from the Master Plants received during Dieta practice becomes a lifetime pursuit. It offers a long-term path of seeking deeper self-understanding, strength and wisdom for a healthier life.
Walking with the ancient Masters
Master Plant Dieta is an ancestral practice used by Amazonian shamans to access the healing power and wisdom in nature. It is called Dieta because a set of dietary and lifestyle restrictions are required to enhance the connection with the plants.
But Master Plant Dieta is much more than simply following a set of discipline practices. It is a rich, complex, and rather inexplicable path of coming to know and transform oneself. This process unfolds slowly over years of practice. It happens through an inner landscape of direct relationship with the consciousness of certain plants known as the Master Teachers.
For many Dieters, learning to interpret the messages from the Master Plants received during Dieta practice becomes a lifetime pursuit. It offers a long-term path of seeking deeper self-understanding, strength and wisdom for a healthier life.
"Dieta is the beginning of transformation."
ONÁNYA MIGUEL
Table of Contents
What is a Master Plant Dieta?
Master Plant Dieta (or Dieta) is a fascinating shamanic practice for communing with the medicinal healing power, energy and consciousness of certain Amazonian Master Plants.
Dieta is the core practice of traditional Shipibo shamans (Onányas) for deeply connecting with the physical and emotional healing properties of the plants. It is also the way Shipibo apprentices seek to undergo remarkable transformations of the body, mind and spirit to develop their healing skills. This process of transformation happens through many years of disciplined relationship with the Master Plants.
The Master Plant Dieta healing path is a complex and highly personal journey of coming to know yourself (potentially!), through mystical interaction with the consciousnesses of nature.
This path is nothing like you expect, and there is no definitive “hand-book” or science of Dieta. Having said that, vast knowledge exists about this practice and it can be remarkable to discover for yourself the surprising commonalities amongst Dieters’ visionary experiences. This rich body of knowledge has been nurtured and advanced by Shipibo shamans over many generations. We call this knowledge a “Divine Science.”
Shipibo shamans (Onánya) are recognized throughout the Amazon for their advanced plant medicine knowledge.
Master Plant Dieta at Caya Shobo
Traditional Shipibo Plant Dieta (Sama) is the central focus of the healing work we do at Caya Shobo in our 12-day Ayahuasca Retreats. The incredible depth of healing that Dieta practice can slowly bring to all aspects of body, mind, heart and spirit is, in our view, unequaled by any other natural healing practice.
We are dedicated to studying the true traditional knowledge of the Shipibo shamans. It is the oldest and most extensive body of knowledge that we know of for working safely with Ayahuasca and other plant medicines. We recognize this knowledge as a heritage treasure of enormous value for anyone seeking genuine personal transformation. It is our honor and passion to share what we’ve learned over our many years of experience with Dieta practice.
During your Ayahuasca Retreat with Master Plant Dieta at Caya Shobo you will have the opportunity to experience this tradition for yourself. Our master Onánya shamans will personally prescribe plants suited to your particular healing needs and learning focus. Our experienced facilitators will support and guide you as you undergo 12-days of intensive healing song treatment in up to 8 Ayahuasca ceremonies. Upon returning home you will have access to meaningful ongoing support and a like-minded community of passionate long-term “Dieters”.
Ayahuasca and Master Plant Dieta
In the same way of the Shipibo shamans (Onányas), we work with Master Plant Dieta practice hand-in-hand with Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is a powerfully cleansing plant medicine which facilitates visionary access to the energetic and spiritual worlds of the Master Plants.
However, it is not necessary to drink Ayahuasca in order to enter Dieta practice. In fact, many Shipibo shamans begin their first Dieta years, or even decades before their first encounter with Ayahuasca.
Learning to work with the powerful visionary states of Ayahuasca in harmony with the more subtle visionary aspects of Dieta can become a life-long, ever-changing, mystical process of self-discovery.
What are the Master Plants?
The Amazon rainforest is undoubtedly the world’s most abundant source of plant medicines. Some researchers estimate up to 30,000 medicinal plant species. For many thousands of years, indigenous healers of the Amazon have depended on plants as their principal medicine resource. The depth and extent of indigenous knowledge for working with these plant medicines is unequaled.
Over many generations living immersed in the heart of the rainforest and working with the visionary aid of Ayahuasca, Shipibo shamans have identified certain plant medicines as having special physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual healing properties. They call these the Master Plants or the Teachers. Common examples include Albahaca, Ajo Sacha, Bobinsana, Coca, Marosa, Pinon Blanco, Mapacho Tobacco, and many more.
Most Master Plants are non-psychoactive. However, they are experienced by shamans as having a wisdom consciousness that can be directly engaged with through Master Plant Dieta practice.
The Amazon rainforest is undoubtedly the world’s most abundant source of plant medicines. Some researchers estimate up to 30,000 medicinal plant species. For many thousands of years, indigenous healers of the Amazon have depended on plants as their principal medicine resource. The depth and extent of indigenous knowledge for working with these plant medicines is unequaled.
Over many generations living immersed in the heart of the rainforest and working with the visionary aid of Ayahuasca, Shipibo shamans have identified certain plant medicines as having special physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual healing properties. They call these the Master Plants or the Teachers. Common examples include Albahaca, Ajo Sacha, Bobinsana, Coca, Marosa, Pinon Blanco, Mapacho Tobacco, and many more.
Most Master Plants are non-psychoactive. However, they are experienced by shamans as having a wisdom consciousness that can be directly engaged with through Master Plant Dieta practice.
The Amazon rainforest is undoubtedly the world’s most abundant source of plant medicines. Some researchers estimate up to 30,000 medicinal plant species. For many thousands of years, indigenous healers of the Amazon have depended on plants as their principal medicine resource. The depth and extent of indigenous knowledge for working with these plant medicines is unequaled.
Over many generations living immersed in the heart of the rainforest and working with the visionary aid of Ayahuasca, Shipibo shamans have identified certain plant medicines as having special physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual healing properties. They call these the Master Plants or the Teachers. Common examples include Albahaca, Ajo Sacha, Bobinsana, Coca, Marosa, Pinon Blanco, Mapacho Tobacco, and many more.
Most Master Plants are non-psychoactive. However, they are experienced by shamans as having a wisdom consciousness that can be directly engaged with through Master Plant Dieta practice.
Master Plant Dieta Knowledge Reels
ACHIOTE
BOBINSANA
Master Plant Dieta Knowledge Reels
ACHIOTE
BOBINSANA
What is involved in Shipibo Dieta practice?
Master Plant Dieta has its name because the practice involves following dietary and lifestyle restrictions. These restrictions are aimed at facilitating your best connection with the plants. A Diet (or Dieta) is followed with discipline for a predetermined period (which may be days, weeks, months or even years). Throughout the Dieta period you periodically ingest an extract or infusion of your Master Plant/s.
Dieta also requires focused shamanic treatments from an experienced and knowledgeable Shipibo Onánya shaman. These treatments can help to establish your connection with the plant consciousness; align your energy during Dieta practice; and clear, close and protect the Dieta energies at the end of your practice.
At the close of your Master Plant Dieta, the Integration phase begins. This is where we believe the spiritual energies of the plants continue to grow and develop within you over the following weeks, months and even years. This process can prompt greater self-awareness and can facilitate ongoing positive life-changes.
- IMPORTANT MESSAGE -
Ayahuasca and other plant medicines should only be used under the guidance of knowledgeable practitioners.
Combining Ayahuasca with certain foods, substances, medications or pre-existing health conditions can produce serious adverse effects.
Can anyone open a Master Plant Dieta?
We respect that anyone can make a conscious, mindful connection with plants, and thereby potentially receive some healing benefit. But there are a number of reasons why we feel it is critically important to have skilled support for opening, treating and closing a traditional shamanic Master Plant Dieta.
Firstly, plant medicines can be dangerous. It is crucial to have guidance from knowledgeable practitioners when working with plants, to ensure correct application for your healing case.
That requires skilled diagnosis. In traditional Shipibo healing, Onánya shamans develop their vision and plant knowledge over many years of Master Plant Dieta practice. They then use these skills to make well informed healing diagnoses and plant medicine recommendations.
Finally, master Shipibo shamans apply substantial technical knowledge to setting up the energies of the Master Plants in good alignment in your body, mind, heart and spirit. This is done with the aim to help you with your specific healing and learning goals. In our understanding and many years of working with this practice, we have seen how important it is to have the most knowledgeable, skilled and high integrity shamans to conduct this important energetic work.
What to expect during an Ayahuasca Retreat with Master Plant Dieta at Caya Shobo
Dieta Food restrictions
Dietary restrictions are a vitally important consideration for ensuring physical safety when working with plant medicines. In Dieta practice, food restrictions are also followed to ensure your mental and emotional wellbeing, and to maintain the energies of your Dieta in good harmony.
Dieta food restrictions are similar to those required in preparation for Ayahuasca Ceremony. As a baseline, the key food exclusions include pork, red meat, dairy foods, refined sugars, salty foods and acidic foods (eg lemon juice). No alcohol or recreational substances may be consumed during Master Plant Dieta. Most medications and supplements and other strong plant medicines are also unsuited to this practice.
Depending on your specific Master Plant/s there may be additional food and lifestyle restrictions.
Traditional Shipibo Dieta food
Traditionally, an apprentice Shipibo shaman in Master Plant Dieta (Sama) practice eats only 1 small meal Boquichico river fish or grilled plantain daily. Boquichico is a shallow water fish that eats only reeds and plants. Plantain is a starchy banana-fruit that has little flavour and is cooked before eating. These foods are considered the best options to facilitate the most powerful connection with the Master Plants.
Alternatively an apprentice Dieter might fast completely for a day or so, and drink only a small amount of water or herbal tea (agua de tiempo).
These traditional options are available to guests at Caya Shobo’s Ayahuasca Retreats. However most guests opt for our more comprehensive offering of salads, cooked vegetables and grains, fish or chicken and eggs, and fresh fruits. All meals at Caya Shobo are prepared with the needs of Ayahuasca and Master Plant Dieta practice in mind.
Dieta Lifestyle restrictions
Being in Master Plant Dieta is a time of heightened sensitivity and energetic vulnerability. This state is ideally managed by isolating as much as possible during the practice.
In addition to food restrictions, Dieta involves restrictions in lifestyle and social activities. The energies of the Master Plants are considered to be very sensitive to disruption from movement, interaction, thoughts, the energies of other people or places, sickness, blood, and so on.
Perhaps most notably, sexual activity is prohibited during Dieta. This is because the intense vibration of sexual energy is shocking to the Dieta process. Similarly, hugging others, sleeping in the same space as others, having long conversations with others, etc – are all potentially disruptive to the Dieta energies.
Discipline in managing your thoughts is also an important challenge. This practice tends to unearth buried emotions and thought patterns, as the plants dig their energetic roots deep into your psyche. Part of the healing process is to learn to calmly observe these clearings of old psycho-emotional “forms” without spiralling into negative thinking.
Healing Aspects of Master Plant Dieta
Physical Healing with Master Plant Dieta
A wide range of physical conditions may be treated with Dieta. This takes the healing deeper than herbal remedial treatment. A minimum of 10 days of disciplined practice is required. More serious cases typically require 1-4 months or longer.
Emotional, psychological and spiritual healing
Dieta healing happens holistically, as the energy or consciousness of the Master Plant/s is nurtured within you. The subtle, non-physical aspects of Dieta healing are believed to continue well beyond the close of the practice. We call this Dieta Integration
Learn Shamanism through Self-Transformation
The principal way that Shipibo shamans develop their healing skills is by communing with Master Plants in Dieta practice. Over the long-term this can bring about profound personal transformation. Dieta for apprenticeship is a minimum 6 months.
Deep healing and profound personal transformation is possible with Master Plant Dieta.
How quickly does Dieta healing work?
In general, healing with plant medicines happens more slowly than what we may be familiar with modern medicines. Just as plants grow slowly, working with plants in their natural form (rather than isolating or synthesizing active compounds) requires more time for their healing properties to take effect in the body and mind.
Master Plant Dieta healing work is also slow. For some, it may even feel too subtle at first to even recognize. For others, the presence of the Master Plants is clearly discerned much more quickly. Either way, the Dieta path is undoubtedly a long journey of curious exploration before gaining some degree of confidence in understanding the complexities and mysteries of relating with Master Plant energies.
This is one of the key reasons that Shipibo shamans require such a long learning path (typically 10 years or more), before they are considered to hold any level of real shamanic mastery. At Caya Shobo all our shamans have more than 25 years of active healing practice.
Preparing for Master Plant Dieta
Preparation for Dieta involves cleansing your body by following the Ayahuasca Preparation restrictions, and clarifying your intentions for the Dieta. The longer your pre-Dieta cleansing period, the stronger and more clear will be your connection with the Master Plants.
It’s also important to ensure that you have a stable home, work and living situation to support the required discipline. It is important to be able to isolate yourself from potentially disruptive energy while you are in Dieta.
It is critical to receive expert guidance regarding the choice of Master Plant/s and the recommended duration of the Dieta. This is best decided via skilled diagnosis from a master Shipibo shaman and/or knowledgeable facilitator, with understanding of your healing and learning goals and your experience level with Master Plant Dieta.
Sometimes during preparation for Dieta we may receive insights in dreams or intuitions of what aspects of our healing the Dieta is going to help us with. Perhaps a childhood memory, or some important relationship or dynamic in our life presents itself for our consideration. It is good to pay attention to and reflect on these insights.
3 principal stages in Master Plant Dieta practice
Opening & Establishing the Dieta
Master Plant Dieta is opened by Icaro song treatment from a skilled Onánya shaman. This is typically done during Ayahuasca Ceremony (although it may also be done remotely). Discipline is critical in the first days to establish the Dieta energies.
Dieta Discipline & Nurturing Energy
During the main body of Dieta practice, you drink your plant tea each day and follow your discipline. As the energies slowly develop, many sensations, emotions and thoughts may arise. Guidance and treatment can help support your process.
Closing & Protecting Dieta
Closing Dieta typically requires 2 or more Icaro treatments to clean and align your energy. The treatments also focus on ending your physical connection with the Master Plant/s and placing energetic protection around you and the Dieta.
Skilled guidance and Icaro treatment through Master Plant Dieta can help support your healing process.
Visions and Dreams during Dieta
When Dieta is done well, with good dietary and lifestyle discipline, the Master Plants are believed to “gift” the Dieter. These gifts may come in the form of insights, visions, songs, healing, positive emotions, mental clarity, strength, stamina and energetic protection. Every Master Plant is different and every Dieter’s experience is unique.
Many of the insights and visions from Dieta practice may be accessed during Ayahuasca Ceremony. For experienced Shipibo Onánya shamans, Ayahuasca’s principal function is to provide a kind of portal for direct access to the energetic and spiritual realms of the plants.
Perhaps an even more important landscape where interaction with the Master Plants happens, is during dreams. For Shipibo shamans, dreams are like a telephone-line to the consciousness of the natural world. The strength and clarity of this line is fostered through continued practice. Dreams are also where sacred music and Icaro Healing Songs may be gifted to the more experienced Dieter.
Post-Dieta and Integration
Master Plant Dieta Integration commences when your Dieta is closed, which is when we say the Dieta is “born”. The initial phase of Integration is sometimes called the “Post-Dieta” phase. This is the week or so immediately after closing, where it is important to continue following the dietary and lifestyle restrictions to optimize your healing benefits. It is often helpful to have expert guidance and support during this delicate, transitional phase. Re-entering regular life after the intense discipline of Dieta can be challenging.
Ongoing Dieta Integration then continues over the following weeks, months and even years. This is where we believe the transformational work of this path really occurs, as the Master Plant energies continue to grow and develop within you.
Long-term experienced Dieters describe a gradual journey of self-discovery over time, and awakening to a spiritual connection with the wisdom in the plants. There is a common experience of being presented with new personal insights and deepening self-awareness. Often Dieta integration involves a feeling of being encouraged or nudged by the plants to bring healthy change into different aspects of your life. The felt-sense of this relationship with Master Plant consciousness intensifies with each Dieta completed.