A Real Journey of Healing, Trust, and Transformation
I recently was approached by a dear friend who I used to go to church with as a young child when I lived in Indianapolis, IN.
While our lives have gone in very different directions—I had invested in real estate, retired and moved to Costa Rica in 2020—Phill stayed in the US, became a father, had a successful career path and was continuing to follow his dreams and aspirations.
Phill had been following my journey over the years via Instagram and Facebook—me moving my family to Costa Rica in 2020 (Check out Our Story), starting a Detox Business in the jungle while helping raise my boys in a more lush and natural environment, my deep dive into herbal detox and plant medicine, etc. Phill was inspired by my journey and wanted to visit Costa Rica as he was looking to make some life changes.
Phill's Quote:
"I am at a place in my life where things are mundane and I want to do something different. I think a retreat like this would benefit me and ‘re-start’ several aspects of my life when it comes to family, marriage, friends, goals and my whole mindset... Also, I have never done a solo trip, so this might be a good opportunity to."
Why take a trip to Costa Rica?
When Phill filled out the Retreat Questionnaire, he stated part of his intention was for “Time for self, plant medicine ceremony, retreat, better eating.” He also selected that he’d like to focus on the following areas:
- Life Trajectory Change
- Mindfulness/Mental Health
- Relationships
- Wellness/Health
- Plant Medicine Integration
We hadn’t spoken in years and our first call felt like it was just yesterday. A lot had changed obviously. We both had families, we were much older (and I trust wiser), and like myself in the past, Phill was looking for deeper answers regarding life.
This would be his first solo trip to a foreign country and one that would allow him to focus on his personal growth, to deepen his self-care and shift his perspective—a reset if you will. And one of his primary intentions and considerations, like many people these days, is plant medicine—in this case, Ayahuasca.
I have had many experiences with plant medicine, all of which have been life-changing, ground-shaking, pattern-breaking experiences. One day, I’ll write about my experience in Colombia. I have come to deeply respect these master teacher plants and all of the different ways in which they can serve. I was really excited to hear that Phill was considering this as an option. Plant medicine isn’t for everyone—being in the proper mental and physical state is important to ensure we are open and available to receive the wisdom, messages, and potentially visions from the plants. - Daniel
Pre-Retreat Plan – Ayurvedic Food List, 3-Day Liver Cleanse, and Plant Medicine Dieta
Before clients arrive in Costa Rica, it is always best to prepare the body, mind and nervous system.
Due to Phill’s concern for his borderline high cholesterol and family history, we placed him on an Ayurvedic Diet to address his current imbalances. His Ayurvedic consultation with Kaiyla prescribed him with a Kapha Balancing diet to improve his digestion, reduce chemical-based products, and cool/soothe any existing inflammation. Big thanks to Kaiyla.
Next, we shipped Phill our 3-Day Liver Cleanse, a self-guided juice cleanse alongside herbs for the colon, liver, and lymphatic system. This cleanse is an essential first step to clear physical and emotional stagnation, purge repressed anger, and increase the body’s ability to metabolize and breakdown food, clear toxicity, and improve the natural processes inside of the body. Phill received 3 sets of Herbal Teas, a Plant-Based Protein for Toxin Elimination, a Green Supplement for Anti-oxidant support, Magnesium capsules and a digital guide to guide this 3-Day process. Needless to say, Phill’s Liver Cleanse was Potent.
Finally, about 10 days before arriving, Phill began his Plant Medicine Dieta. This consists of a specific diet to prepare a person’s mind and body before they sit in ceremony. This diet, because it limits spices, sugars, salts, and oils, often has a profound effect on the person’s ability to receive the benefits of the plant medicine.
The Retreat
On our one-on-one Retreat Consultation Call, Phill decided to book a 4-Day Private Retreat. Our retreat activities are based on the 4 Elements (check out our Retreats page), and Phill’s retreat package included 5 Sessions (Waterfall Hike, Chinese Abdominal Massage, Sound Journey, a Private Chef to cater each day’s meals and an Ayahuasca Ceremony with the wonderful Lydia and Pancho). Talk about an action-packed schedule—Phill really set himself up for success.
View Phill’s Full Retreat Schedule (PDF)
Day 1 – Arrival & Intention Setting
getLIGHT Daily Theme: Feet on the Ground
- What does this trip mean to you?
- What are you hoping to release or invite into your life during this retreat?
- How do you feel as you arrive in this new environment?
Phill's Quote:
"I ask help to identify and be freed from negative vices and eventually eliminate them from my life. I am asking for advice to handle the way I navigate life, in my professional and personal life so I can best support my family, be a good and understanding father to my daughters and a good husband to my wife. I would love to see more clearly what my deeper purpose in life is."
Phill landed in San Jose around 1:00 PM on May 22nd, was enroute with a private driver to his mountain retreat by 2 PM, and was tucked into his Airbnb by 6 PM. He arrived to a bowl full of fresh fruit, a cozy bed, and a mountain breeze.
Each day, clients receive a set of reflective questions. See ‘Journal Prompts’ above. These questions are meant to encourage clients to reflect on their daily experience to take self-inventory on the changes that are taking place daily. - Daniel
Download the full guide: Retreat Reflection Guide (PDF)
Day 2 – Grounding & Connection
getLIGHT Daily Theme: Grounding In
- Reflect on nature and what it is teaching you.
- How does being in this environment affect your sense of presence?
- What emotions or thoughts arise during the mountain hike?
Phill's Quote:
"The emotions or thoughts that arose during the mountain hike are that I need to do this more to connect and appreciate these types of experiences more. Not only is it good physical exercise, it helps clear your mind, and opened my eyes to look at creatures living in its land."
By 9 AM the next morning, Phill was enroute to Cloudbridge, one of the premier hiking trails in the area, alongside his tour guide [yours truly] for a 3-Hour Waterfall Tour and Hike. Nature is pristine here, the water is pure, the energy buzzing… I feel so grateful to introduce people to this magical place I call my home. I even brought some snacks to keep us energized during the hike.
This is where the deep conversations happen, where the recalibration takes place, where the nervous system can reset itself… in nature. I appreciated this time so much with Phill. Getting to know him, his story, his aspirations and his retreat intentions was/is an honor. This time in nature was also a great way to prepare his mind and body for the next day’s Ayahuasca Retreat. - Daniel
Phill Enjoying the Moment
Coconuts Have Been Opened in Cloudbridge
After the hike, Phill arrived home to his chef-prepared meals [Thank you to Marketa’s Kitchen] and began reflecting on that day’s journal prompts. It was a great day.
Day 3 – Liberation & Transformation
getLIGHT Daily Theme: Stretch Yourself
- Today is a day of going deep with the massage and the ceremony. What are the things you need to let go of to move forward?
- Describe your "ideal life ahead." What does it look and feel like? In what ways does it look different than your life now?
- What intentions are you setting for the ceremony?
- How did the fire session or abdominal massage shift your energy?
Phill's Quote:
"The abdominal massage shifted my energy by me learning that I have/had some inflammation... A room temperature glass of water (with lemon) is also ideal."
Today was Phill’s Ayahuasca Ceremony, something that he had expressed was really important for him before coming... The local taxi driver, Paola, picked him up for his massage around 12 PM and by 1 PM he was diving deep. By 4 PM he was on his way to the ceremony. He was so excited that day.
Plant Medicine has been the talk of the town for a few years now... It is important to seek out ceremony spaces, teachers, and medicine carriers who have been vetted, come recommended by those who you know or trust...
A sneak peak into the Ceremony Space
Phill and Chris arriving at the Ceremony Location
Phill holding a piece of Ayahuasca Vine
Phill and his ceremony tribe
Day 4 – Integration & Clarity
getLIGHT Daily Theme: Integration Day
- Reflect on your plant medicine experience. What insights emerged?
- What challenges came? Did you see any difference in your fears and your experience?
- What did you learn that was unexpected?
- List 3 actionable steps you can take to apply these learnings.
- What did the sound session reveal or clarify for you?
Phill's Quote:
"The sound session revealed a couple of things... My body felt “buzzed”, but I think that was energy being in and around."
I checked in on Phill in the morning, excited to hear how he was doing after his first full night of ceremony. His responses…
As per the Retreat Schedule, Phill arrived home in the afternoon just in time for his Sound Journey, led by yours truly. I showed up with a bag full of crystal bowls, my Ngoni (African Harp), gongs, flutes… all the medicine of sound.
It’s so important to allow time after an Ayahuasca ceremony for integration. The medicine is still working inside the body and mind, and the person's perspective may still be shifting... At getLIGHT, we support clients with reintegration guides, prompts, and calls to help them transition smoothly into their new life.
Phill’s Final Reflections
His final answers said it all. There’s a weight in his words, a clarity that only comes from doing the real work.
Final Thoughts
I am so grateful that I get to guide clients through transformational experiences like these. It’s a gift to be entrusted with someone’s inner journey. And while this type of retreat may not be for everyone, for those who feel the pull… I’m here to meet you where you are—and walk with you as you remember who you’ve always been.
If you’d like to talk to Phill directly about his experience, reach out—we’d be happy to connect you to him.
And if you’re ready to explore what this type of retreat could look like for you…