Photo Courtesy: Isabel Grau – Heberto H. Garcia Ramirez

The most amazing part of my two weeks was Doña Ercilia.  She is an amazingly powerful shaman who is a constant generator of unconditional love and acceptance.  I felt healed, supported, loved and encouraged.  It was profoundly beautiful! At every moment and in every ceremony Doña Ercilia was an impeccable, wise and powerful shaman.  She is not caught in the “ego trip” so common to medicine men and women of her calibre.  This is simply “her work” and she does it all with love, honour, humility and respect.  I witnessed her create and hold sacred space that was filled with energy and love.  Her ability to cast a shield of protection is beyond compare.  Once inside sacred space with her, she tunes into your journey and your energy.  She knows exactly what you need.  Her icaros are capable of soothing, energizing, transforming, purging or accompanying depending on what you need at the moment she tunes in to your body and spirit.  In an ayahuasca ceremony she also knows when you need help or energy and moves from person to person as required.  I was also able to witness her profound personal healing powers.  I was privileged to observe her conduct two extractions on one of the guests.  No “fan-fair,” no ego, no show. . . just good, clear, amazing healing work.  In our western world it is not every day you see a shaman suck foreign objects out of the human body.  The procedure was successful, simple, and quick; leaving no exit wound.  Ashi Meraya has always attracted the best shaman to work with and it is clear that Doña Ercilia is continuing that tradition of quality and care.  I wish everyone could spend some time with her and experience the true Shipibo healing with love.

J. P. Fischbach, Shaman & Film Director, Victoria, AUSTRALIA