Mah cualli xihualacan! Joton’da kafao! Bienvenidos! Welcome!

We are grateful that you consider joining us on this adventure to re-imagine Mexico.  Although the primary focus will be on learning about Huautla de Jimenez and the “Santos Niños,” We invite you to hold this not as a “retreat” but as an immersion pilgrimage into Mexican culture. 

Please note that this pilgrimage is only for people with previous experience with sacred plant teachers, particularly the Holy Children.

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Essential points:

  • Info session 5/12 – 7pm
  • Pilgrimage dates 7/4 – 7/13
  • Cost: $4500

Purpose and statement

As native Mexicans, we take this opportunity very seriously. The whole world has benefited from the wisdom of the Mazatec, particularly those lucky enough to have worked with the so-called “magic mushrooms” or “Santos Niños,” as they respectfully call them. Our hope is that this immersive experience will deepen our understanding of this tradition and its practices.  

Of course, we are not the first to offer these trips, and we certainly won’t be the last.  We strongly encourage you to choose the person you resonate with the most.  This is simply our offering, rooted in our background and experience as born-and-raised Mexicans, healers, teachers, and guides.

The boundaries between appropriation and appreciation can be thin and often unclear.  As mestizos (of Indigenous and Spanish descent), we carry a deep awareness of the painful history of Western stealing Indigenous wisdom.  In this pilgrimage, we’ll do our best to approach these traditions respectfully—avoiding exoticization or romanticization—while taking time to learn about the context in which sacred plants are used, to understand the struggles of local communities, and to explore collaborative ways to support them in a spirit of mutual respect and reciprocity. 

This is not about going to “take” what is generously offered.  It’s about building alliances where we can all be teachers, students, and allies.

Pilgrimage description

Let us briefly guide you through this journey as we’ve envisioned it.  Feel free to check out photos from a previous trip here.

We begin in Mexico City, exploring the complex and paradoxical heart of the country.  We’ll visit the Zócalo (central plaza), where pre-Hispanic temples coexist with colonial cathedrals and the Presidential Palace.  We’ll dine at the historic Café Tacuba and explore the National Museum of Anthropology to understand the ancient civilizations that flourished in Mexico long before the Spanish arrived in 1519 (for historical context, the first English colony wasn’t founded until 1607).  After studying the Indigenous reverence for the Mother Goddess, we’ll visit the “Basilica” where Indigenous and Catholic beliefs beautifully merge.

Next, we head to Huautla de Jimenez, the homeland of Maria Sabina.  Here we’ll spend most of our time.  Nestled 1,560 meters above sea level, Huautla is where we’ll spend most of our time.  We’ll visit its natural beauties (La Regadera waterfall, the Hill of Adoration, and the caves).  Our meals will be prepared by local families that kindly open their homes to receive us.  We’ll learn about the Mazatec cosmology, traditions, and history and participate in activities to support the community.  During our stay, we’ll take part in two traditional ceremonies and, depending on the circumstances and choice, may have the opportunity to experience different medicines.

To close, we’ll unwind in Oaxaca City—exploring, resting, and feasting.  We’ll visit the land of Alebrijes to discover our spirit animals, and on our final day, meet with a Zapotec curandera to learn about traditional medicine and participate in a temazcal ceremony.  After that, you’re free to stay longer in Oaxaca (highly recommended!) or head home.

Details:

Dates: 7/4 – 7/13, 2025

The cost of the whole trip is US $ 4500.00 per person ($4000 for those only observing the sacred ceremonies)

The cost includes almost everything:

  •         All lodgings in shared rooms (2 persons per room)
  •         All meals
  •         All ground transportation (except to/from airports)
  •         All tours and visits (museums, waterfall, Adoration Mountain, etc.)
  •         All guides and translators
  •         All ceremonies (2 sacred ceremonies and 1 Temazcal)
  •         A Psychic corn reading (“pagos” not included)
  •         All gratuities for hotels and services

Not included:

  • Flights to/from Mexico.  We suggest you fly back from Oaxaca since if you choose to return from Mexico City, you’ll need to arrange how to get there.
  • Airport transfers
  • Personal expenses or shopping
  • Lunches in Oaxaca during free time
  • Optional activities during free time

Registration process:

First come, first served — only 10 spots available!

If you want to join us, follow these steps:

  • Email Sarah at sarah@mindfulSF.com to confirm availability and see if this pilgrimage is a good fit. 
  • By May 19th, 2025 at the latest, send a $1,000 deposit via PayPal to secure your spot.
  • Email Sarah to confirm that your deposit has been made,
  •  This deposit is non-refundable(unless the trip is canceled, in which case it will be returned).

PayPal link: https://paypal.me/sergiomft?locale.x=en_US

My email sergioptx@protonmail.com

Please choose “send money to a friend” and send without protection to avoid unnecessary PayPal fees.

You are not officially registered until your deposit is confirmed.

  • Once confirmed, book your flight to arrive in Mexico City around noon July 4th.
  • Send us your flight details.
  • Plan your return from Oaxaca City on or after July 13th.  (You’re responsible for any hotel stays beyond that date.)
  • We’re happy to connect you with a local travel agency if needed.

Next steps

  • Attend the Zoom info session on 5/12 at 7pm 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87289190836?pwd=PSy6kZU247eTnVtXhbIdIoEVm6f3mX.1

Meeting ID: 872 8919 0836

Passcode: 656285

  • Make up your mind AND make the deposit to secure your place.
  • We will send a letter of detailed information closer to departure, such as what to bring, inner preparation, and when to make the additional payments. 
  • For any questions you may have, please email Sarah: sarah@mindfulSF.com  

We are excited and honored to serve as your guides together on this pilgrimage into the Mexican culture and the Mazatec tradition.  

Namaztec!