Honouring Ancient Wisdom: Project Roots and the Preservation of Indigenous Traditions
For millennia, indigenous cultures around the world have cultivated profound relationships with the natural world, understanding the healing power of plants and the transformative potential of altered states of consciousness. These traditions, passed down through generations, offer invaluable insights into the human experience and our connection to the spiritual realm – the numinous. Sadly, many of these traditions are at risk of disappearing, their wisdom fading with each passing year.
Numinous Ways is committed to preserving and revitalizing these ancient practices through Project Roots. We work in partnership with indigenous communities, learning from their knowledge, supporting their cultural heritage, and ensuring these traditions continue to thrive. We believe that these practices hold keys to understanding ourselves, our planet, and the interconnectedness of all life.
Project Roots is more than just exploration; it’s about deep respect, reciprocity, and a commitment to safeguarding the wisdom of indigenous peoples. We seek to create a bridge between these ancient ways and the modern world, offering opportunities for learning, understanding, and personal transformation while honouring the sanctity of these traditions. We believe that by working together, we can cultivate a future where indigenous wisdom continues to illuminate the path towards greater understanding, healing, and connection with the Numinous.
A Foundation of Respect: Sustainability and Reciprocity in Project Roots
Project Roots is more than just exploration; it’s about deep respect, reciprocity, and a commitment to safeguarding the wisdom of indigenous peoples. We seek to create a bridge between these ancient ways and the modern world, offering opportunities for learning, understanding, and personal transformation while honoring the sanctity of these traditions. Crucially, our approach is grounded in sustainability and genuine partnership. We understand the delicate balance of these cultures and the potential for exploitation through “psychedelic tourism.” Our focus is not on commodifying these sacred practices, but on supporting the communities who are their custodians. We prioritize reciprocity, ensuring that our engagement benefits the indigenous communities directly, contributing to their self-determination and cultural preservation. We learn from them, not just about them. We believe that true understanding comes from deep listening, respectful dialogue, and collaborative action. We walk alongside these communities, supporting their efforts to maintain their traditions and thrive in a rapidly changing world. We believe that by working together, we can cultivate a future where indigenous wisdom continues to illuminate the path towards greater understanding, healing, and connection with the numinous, ensuring these traditions are not just preserved, but empowered to flourish for generations to come.
Sharing the Wisdom: Experiencing Indigenous Traditions with Project Roots
Project Roots is dedicated not only to preserving indigenous traditions but also to sharing their profound wisdom with a wider audience. We believe that experiencing these practices firsthand can be transformative, fostering deep personal growth and a greater understanding of our interconnectedness with the natural world and the spiritual realm.
To achieve this, we organize carefully curated retreats and “escapades” to the locations where we have established connections with indigenous communities. These immersive experiences offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from the custodians of these ancient traditions, supporting them in their efforts to cultivate and continue their practices.
We understand the importance of responsible engagement. Our retreats are not simply about “psychedelic tourism.” They are designed to be mutually beneficial, providing participants with a profound learning experience while simultaneously contributing to the well-being of the communities we partner with. A portion of the proceeds from each retreat directly supports these communities, helping them to maintain their cultural heritage, invest in their future, and continue their vital work.
We typically run 2-3 retreats per year to each location where we have established a connection. This allows us to build long-term relationships with the communities, ensuring that our presence is sustainable and that our impact is positive. These retreats are more than just journeys; they are opportunities for deep cultural exchange, personal growth, and a chance to contribute to the preservation of invaluable human knowledge. They are a bridge between worlds, connecting modern seekers with the ancient wisdom of indigenous traditions.
Bridging Worlds: Our Role as Facilitators and Guide
At Numinous Ways, we recognize the profound wisdom held within indigenous traditions, and we approach these cultures with the utmost respect. We understand that we are guests, not authorities, in these sacred spaces. We do not pretend to be shamans or curanderos, nor do we attempt to repackage or commodify these traditions for Western consumption. Our role is not to appropriate or dilute, but to facilitate genuine connection and understanding.
We acknowledge that many Westerners, having been disconnected from their own ancestral traditions of altered states of consciousness, may need additional support to fully engage with and integrate the profound experiences offered by indigenous practices. We act as a bridge between these worlds, providing a framework that honors the integrity of the traditions while ensuring the safety and well-being of our retreat participants.
Our team includes experienced facilitators, guides, and therapists who understand the complexities of navigating these powerful experiences. We offer thorough preparation before each retreat, helping participants to set intentions, understand the cultural context, and prepare themselves mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead. We also provide comprehensive integration support afterwards, helping individuals to process their experiences, make sense of their insights, and weave those learnings into their daily lives.
Our ultimate goal is to create a space where these worlds can connect authentically and respectfully. We believe that by facilitating these encounters, we can foster greater understanding, healing, and a deeper appreciation for the wisdom that indigenous cultures have preserved for generations. We are committed to ensuring that the ceremonies and rituals are experienced in their purest possible form, led by the native shamans and curanderos who are the true keepers of these traditions. We are merely the bridge, the facilitators, the guides who help to make this connection possible.
A Journey to the Heart of the Amazon: Our Partnership with the Shipibo
In January of 2025, a small team from Numinous Ways embarked on a journey to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, seeking to connect with the Shipibo people and their profound traditions. We were drawn to the Shipibo’s deep understanding of the rainforest, their intricate cosmology, and their mastery of plant medicines, particularly ayahuasca. This journey was a reconnaissance, a “proof of concept,” to explore the possibility of collaboration and respectful cultural exchange.
We spent weeks immersed in the Shipibo way of life, learning from their wisdom, observing their ceremonies, and engaging in open dialogue about their worldview. We were honored to connect with Celia and her son Alessio, who shared their insights and perspectives, helping us to understand the nuances of their culture and the challenges they face.
Through these conversations, a shared vision emerged – a vision of bridging worlds, of bringing the wisdom of the Shipibo to those seeking deeper meaning and connection in the West. We discussed how to responsibly share their cosmology and their numinous ways, ensuring that the integrity of their traditions is respected and that their community benefits directly from any collaboration.
We are acutely aware of the pitfalls of “psychedelic tourism” and the potential for exploitation. Our aim is not to commodify the Shipibo’s sacred practices but to create a bridge for genuine understanding and mutual respect. We want our retreat attendees to experience the depth of Shipibo culture, their connection to the land, the spirits of the jungle, and the profound healing potential of their traditions.
This is not about a fleeting experience or a superficial encounter. It’s about fostering a deep appreciation for the Shipibo’s way of life, supporting their cultural continuity, and creating a space for transformative learning and growth. Our journey to the Amazon was just the beginning. We are excited to embark on this collaborative path, offering retreats that honor the wisdom of the Shipibo and provide a unique opportunity for personal exploration and cultural exchange.
To see the full report from our trip to Peru, please visit here.
McAlpine, R.G., Blackburne, G. & Kamboj, S.K. Development and psychometric validation of a novel scale for measuring ‘psychedelic preparedness’. Sci Rep 14, 3280 (2024).
Expanding Horizons: Exploring Numinous Ways Across the Globe
Our journey with the Shipibo is just the beginning. Project Roots is committed to exploring and preserving numinous traditions from around the world, creating bridges of understanding between cultures and offering transformative experiences for those seeking deeper meaning and connection.
We are actively seeking to establish relationships with other indigenous communities in the Americas and beyond, recognizing the unique wisdom each culture holds. Our next steps include exploring:
The San Pedro Tradition: We are drawn to the rich history and contemporary practices surrounding San Pedro in the Ecuadorian highlands, where this powerful cactus has been used for centuries in healing ceremonies and spiritual exploration.
Amanita Muscaria: We are fascinated by the ancient traditions associated with Amanita muscaria in Northern Poland, the Baltic states, and Siberia. These practices, often shrouded in mystery, offer a unique window into the human relationship with altered states of consciousness.
Scandinavian Mushroom Traditions: We are intrigued by the historical use of psychoactive mushrooms in Scandinavia, particularly within shamanic practices and rituals connected to nature and the spirit world.
The Asclepian Tradition: We are eager to delve into the ancient Greek healing practices associated with Asclepios, the god of medicine and healing. These practices, which often involved dream incubation and the use of sacred plants, offer valuable insights into the history of Western approaches to altered states and healing.
The Soma Tradition: We are fascinated by the enigmatic Soma ritual of ancient India, described in the Rig Veda. This tradition, which involved the consumption of a sacred plant believed to bestow immortality and spiritual enlightenment, holds a unique place in the history of human exploration of consciousness.
The Egyptian Tradition of the Blue Lotus: We are drawn to the mysteries surrounding the use of the blue lotus in ancient Egypt. This sacred flower, often depicted in art and hieroglyphs, is believed to have played a significant role in rituals and ceremonies related to healing, spirituality, and altered states of consciousness.
These are just a few of the many paths we are exploring. We believe that each tradition offers a unique perspective on the human experience, and we are committed to learning from and supporting these cultures in their efforts to preserve their heritage.
To deepen our understanding and ensure responsible engagement, we are collaborating with anthropologists and cultural experts who can provide valuable insights into these traditions. We believe that by working together, we can prevent these invaluable practices from being forgotten and create opportunities for them to thrive in the modern world. Our goal is to foster a global community of seekers, learners, and supporters, united by a shared appreciation for the diverse ways in which humans have sought connection with the Numinous throughout history.
Small Steps, Big Dreams: Cultivating a Sustainable Future
While our long-term vision for Project Roots is ambitious, we recognize the importance of starting with small, concrete steps. We are currently in the process of establishing a charitable organization that will encompass our goals of preserving indigenous traditions, supporting communities, and fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.
We believe that the wisdom of indigenous cultures, particularly their reverence for nature and their sustainable practices, holds valuable lessons for the modern world. In the face of climate change and the environmental degradation caused by unsustainable practices, we believe that learning from these traditions can inspire a shift in our attitudes and actions. By rediscovering a sense of the sacred in nature, we can create a more harmonious and sustainable future for all.
Shipibo: A Dying Art of Weaving Visions
Weaving in Shipibo culture is a sacred technology—a bridge between the audible world of Icaros, the visionary realm of ayahuasca, and the tangible world of textiles. These fabrics are not just artistic artifacts; they are containers of spiritual knowledge, designed to heal, protect, and communicate the profound mysteries of the universe.
The art of weaving in Shipibo culture is deeply intertwined with Icaros (sacred songs) and ayahuasca visions. This creates a unique visual language that encodes spiritual knowledge, healing, and ancestral wisdom into fabric, transcending mere artistic expression to become a way of preserving and transmitting the experiences of expanded consciousness induced by ayahuasca. Shipibo weavers, often women, translate the melodic patterns of Icaros, the healing songs sung during ayahuasca ceremonies, into intricate geometric designs known as kené.
Our Current Initiatives:
Artisan Shop: We are setting up a shop featuring handcrafted goods from the Amazonian cultures we work with. This will include traditional arts, crafts, ceremonial tools, cacao, and other unique items. The shop will provide a direct source of income for these communities, empowering them to thrive and protect their cultural heritage. A portion of the proceeds will also go towards purchasing and reforesting land in the Amazon, helping to combat deforestation and preserve biodiversity.
Donation Pool: We are establishing a donation pool for those who wish to contribute directly to our mission. Your generous contributions will support our efforts to preserve indigenous traditions, protect the environment, and create educational opportunities for future generations.
Volunteer Opportunities: We welcome volunteers who are passionate about our mission and eager to contribute their time and skills. Whether you have experience in marketing, fundraising, event planning, or simply a desire to help, we invite you to join our growing community.
Partnership and collaboration: We are actively seeking partnerships with individuals and organizations who share our vision. We believe that collaboration is key to creating meaningful change, and we welcome the opportunity to work with those who are committed to protecting the planet and honouring indigenous wisdom.
Our Commitment to the Shipibo
A significant portion of the profits from our retreats and other initiatives will go directly towards supporting the Shipibo communities we partner with. We have asked them how they would like to use these funds, and their response was clear: “Schools. We will build schools and buy land to protect the rainforest.” We are committed to honouring their wishes and helping them to achieve their goals.
Join Us
We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you choose to participate in a retreat, purchase from our shop, donate to our cause, or volunteer your time, your support will help us to make a difference. Together, we can learn from the wisdom of ancient traditions, cultivate a deeper connection with nature, and create a more sustainable and harmonious future for all. Let’s help Chullachaqui together!
