The Sacred Virtues of Yagé: Consistency, Motherhood, and the Art of Presentation

Walking the medicine path in the mountains of Antioquia, at Camino al Sol and within the territory of Yaogara, we are constantly reminded that the real ceremony is life itself. Drinking yagé (ayahuasca) is only one moment — what truly matters is how we live, how we integrate, and how we walk each day.

Among the teachings that emerge again and again are three timeless virtues: the art of presentation, the universal role of motherhood, and the sacred force of consistency. These are not abstract ideas. They are living principles that guide how we approach the medicine, how we honor our families and communities, and how we prepare ourselves for the journeys ahead.

In this article, we share how these teachings are woven into the retreat experience at Camino al Sol, and how they continue far beyond the Medicine House and the Bohío.

Presentation: Meeting the Sacred with Honesty

Every journey begins with a presentation. In the language of our territory, this means more than introducing yourself by name. It is the act of standing before life, before the earth, before the medicine, and before yourself — in honesty and sincerity.

When a participant arrives at a yagé retreat, there is a moment of offering: not a performance, but a truthful showing of who we are. It is less about convincing the spirits and more about remembering ourselves.

• Where do I come from?
• What am I carrying?
• What am I offering in return?
• How do I wish to continue?

In this way, preparation for ayahuasca is not only dietary. It is a spiritual act of alignment. Before entering the Medicine House, we encourage each participant to take time in nature, to sit quietly, to breathe, and to bring clarity about what they are seeking.

This teaching echoes through our retreats in Antioquia. We remind seekers that the medicine already knows us. What matters is whether we are willing to know ourselves. To present ourselves with humility is to walk the first step of transformation.

Read more on how to safely prepare for an ayahuasca retreat.

Motherhood: The Universal Role of Care

Motherhood is often misunderstood as a role belonging only to women. But within the teachings of Yaogara, to be a mother is a universal responsibility. The earth is a mother. The rivers and caves are mothers. Elders are mothers. Sometimes even men, animals, and trees embody the maternal role of nurturing and protection.

In ceremony, this maternal energy is always present. It may come through the tenderness of a healer’s song, the firmness of an elder’s guidance, or even the embrace of the forest itself. To mother is to care, to protect, to nurture life.

At Camino al Sol, we often say: to serve the medicine is to be a mother. Whether guiding a ceremony in the Medicine House, preparing food in the kitchen, or simply holding space in the Bohío, each action requires the same maternal quality of patience, tenderness, and responsibility.

“Camino al Sol provides a powerful spiritual experience that cleanses, renews, and inspires me. One of the greatest things is the music — true musical medicine! And the care I felt was like being with family.”

Former retreat guest

This universal motherhood is not only an energy we receive, but also one we are called to embody. After retreat, many participants discover new patience with their children, new tenderness in their relationships, and new respect for the living earth.

Discover more about our setting: Authentic Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia.

Consistency: The Sacred Force of Perseverance

Consistency — la constancia — is perhaps one of the least glamorous but most essential virtues on the spiritual path.

It is easy to be inspired after a single ceremony. It is harder to keep walking when daily life returns with its challenges. Consistency is what allows the teachings to root. It is the slow, steady fire that transforms fleeting insights into lasting change.

• The patience to continue, even when difficulties arise.
• The discipline to maintain your practice — whether in prayer, diet, or meditation.
• The courage to stay present without seeking shortcuts.

Without consistency, the medicine path becomes a series of scattered experiences. With consistency, it becomes a steady unfolding.

At Camino al Sol, we remind guests that one ceremony will not change your life. What will change your life is the commitment to integration — to live the teachings every day, in every choice.

This is why our retreats include not only ceremonies in the Medicine House, but also conversations in the Bohío, nature walks, and integration circles. They are moments of learning how to practice consistency: staying with the process, even when it feels uncomfortable.

To explore integration more deeply, see A Healing Journey is Not a Straight Line.

Living the Ceremony Beyond the Retreat

Presentation, motherhood, and consistency are not concepts that end when the songs fade and the fire turns to embers. They are ways of living.

• To present yourself each morning with honesty is to begin the day consciously.
• To carry the role of motherhood in your community is to nurture life wherever you are.
• To practice consistency is to honor the long path of growth, rather than chasing quick results.

These virtues, when embodied, transform ayahuasca from a weekend retreat into a lifelong companion. They ensure that the medicine does not remain in the Medicine House or in the mountains of Antioquia, but lives on in your choices, your relationships, and your service to the world.

“The experience was enlightening, transformative, difficult, and humbling. Each medicine night offered a different pathway, but it was the guidance and consistency of the shamans that allowed me to truly integrate. I left not with answers, but with the strength to walk my path.”

Former retreat guest

Conclusion: The Path of Responsibility

At Camino al Sol, we often remind seekers: nothing is going to change — only the way you perceive life and the way you assume it.

The virtues of presentation, motherhood, and consistency are not promises of perfection. They are responsibilities we take on if we want to live well, in harmony with the earth and with each other.

If you are ready to take your next step, explore our retreats near Medellín or learn more about Camino al Sol.