About Us
Welcome to healing and transformation, where the ancient wisdom of sacred plant medicine meets modern integration practices. At our safe, and ceremonial ayahuasca retreats, we invite you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner exploration.
Our retreats span 3 nights with 2 ceremony evenings, and a final 3rd night’s stay to further decompress, make music, and dig deeper into the weekend’s experiences. Daily meditation and integration, along with continued guidance throughout the weekend envelop you in a supportive environment designed to facilitate deep healing and spiritual growth. Throughout the weekend, nourishing meals are lovingly prepared and provided, ensuring that your body receives the sustenance it needs to accompany your soul’s journey.
In addition to Kambo and the powerful grandmother medicine ayahuasca, we also honor and work with other natural plant allies, including the sacred tobacco known as Hape’. These ceremonies are intentionally kept small, fostering an intimate setting where each participant can receive personalized attention and guidance.
As the brewer of the medicine, I approach each batch with intention and care according to the needs of the participants. I also sit with it in solitary communion before I serve it. I have sat with or facilitated for over a dozen medicine servers of various traditions, including experiences in the heart of the Amazon. I bring a wealth of wisdom, experience, and a close personal relationship to ayahuasca, to our sacred gatherings.
While rooted in respect and tradition, our approach to healing is grounded in practicality and integration. We believe that the true work begins after ceremony, in the integration of the lessons learned, into our daily lives. Our commitment to a holistic approach means addressing spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental well-being, empowering you to embody true wholeness.
If you feel the stirring within you, if you hear the whisper of the plants calling you, we invite you to join us. Trust your intuition, it knows the path that leads to your healing and growth. At Mt. Shiva Retreats, we embrace the work with reverence, and also with joy and celebration, recognizing that healing is a journey that can be both sacred and joyful.
Come, journey with us, and discover the transformative power that lies within.
8 Reviews on “Mt. Shiva Retreats”
I have had the privilege of attending five medicine ceremonies and some private medicine facilitation with Shane, and each experience has profoundly impacted my life. Every ceremony has left me feeling like a better person, enriched by the wonderful experiences and the incredible people I’ve met—many of whom I now consider lifelong friends.
Shane’s dedication to helping others learn and heal is evident in every aspect of his work. His heart is truly in the right place, and he leads with compassion and integrity. I know firsthand that he has sponsored individuals who couldn’t afford to participate. There have been times when he barely broke even, yet he continued to offer his support and guidance selflessly.
I have recommended Shane to many people, and a few have attended his ceremonies. Both of my sons have also gone to three ceremonies and grew and transformed as men. I would not trust them with just anyone, but I would trust Shane with my life. I have witnessed people transform under his guidance, experiencing profound personal growth and healing.
Shane’s caring, compassion, and love for what he does are truly remarkable. He is a great leader in our community, always striving to learn and grow. His commitment to personal and communal healing is inspiring, and I am grateful for the positive changes his ceremonies have brought into my life. If you are looking for a genuine, heartfelt, and transformative experience, I highly recommend attending one of Shane’s medicine ceremonies.
Thank you for your kind words and continuing friendship. It is an honor to know and serve with and for you. Thank you for your trust and wisdom. We really are just…so f***ing powerful. Let’s keep climbing my friend.
After having sat with a small handful of both traditionally trained Colombian Tiatas, as well as less traditional western “shamans“ I found Shane and his gatherings to be a refreshing lack of pretense. He’s not here to woo you with mystical Tales and magical personas. There will be no bells and whistles to distract from your work. This isn’t a show nor an indulgence in a game of make believe. This is real honest to God work. And it’s that very honest to God work that Shane will walk you through, shoulder to shoulder. The tradition of the medicine is approached with reverence and respect, without losing sight of what it is to be a westerner. With Western problems. Aya is earth medicine and it’s a down to earth let’s get rid of the bullshit approach that is warmly embraced. A welcome contrast when compared to other approaches. Approaches that often manipulate a participant’s ignorance of medicine into a world based on fairytale. I thoroughly endorse Shane and encourage anyone who was ready to get real and drop the bullshit to step into Shane ‘s sacred space.
Terry, its always an honor to sit with you. Your presence is always welcome at my ceremonies. Thank you for your speaking your truth.
I’ve sat with Shane 3 times with aya and few times with Kambo. I didn’t really know a whole lot about plant medicine other than the fact that I was being called to it. Each time for me personally w the medicine was a different experience but his humbleness & respect for the medicine is always the same. The way he treats each individual and respects where they are at on their journey I think is really important. The saftey factor was a big thing for me personally as a woman it’s kind of scary finding the right space to sit in. Having sat w him multiple times I can say that he provides a safe, protected space for all involved. Would highly recommend him for any type of plant medicine experience. It’s obvious to me that he really cares about what he is doing as well as the participants well being both during and post ceremony .
**Review of the Ayahuasca Retreat with Shane – A Transformative Experience**
My Ayahuasca retreat in early June 2024 was profoundly impacted by Shane, our shaman and facilitator at Swan Lake. He created a sacred space that fostered deep healing and self-reflection, essential for anyone seeking transformation.
Shane dedicated himself to preparing the medicine with love and intention, infusing every step with prayers that set a powerful tone for our ceremonies. His ability to guide us through these experiences was remarkable; he motivated us to explore our inner landscapes while providing the safety and assurance needed to dive deep.
A shaman is a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, and Shane embodied this role beautifully. His extensive knowledge and compassionate presence created a transformative container for our journey.
Thanks to Shane’s exceptional leadership, I uncovered hidden layers of myself and embraced profound change. If you’re considering an Ayahuasca retreat, I highly recommend Shane—his guidance can elevate your healing and self-discovery in ways you never thought possible.
Thank you, Tiffany. I am honored to witness your healing.
Attending an ayahuasca ceremony in North Carolina was a profoundly transformative experience. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and supported by the facilitators, who were incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate. The setting was serene, nestled in nature, providing a perfect backdrop for deep introspection and healing.
The ceremony itself was conducted with the utmost respect for tradition and safety. The shaman leading the ceremony was authentic and experienced, guiding us through the journey with soothing chants and music that resonated deeply. The environment was safe and sacred, allowing for a truly immersive experience.
The effects of ayahuasca were intense but manageable, thanks to the preparatory guidance and the continuous support provided throughout the night. I experienced profound insights, emotional releases, and a deep sense of connection to myself and the universe.
The integration process the following day was equally valuable. The facilitators provided space for sharing and reflection, helping to make sense of the visions and emotions experienced during the ceremony. Their genuine care and expert advice made a significant difference in integrating the experience into my daily life.
Overall, this ayahuasca ceremony in North Carolina exceeded my expectations. It was a journey of healing and self-discovery that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
I will definitely be attending at least once a year to rekindle the life long friendships I’ve acquired.
Blake, my brother, a survivor and happy warrior you are. Thank you for allowing me to be in your life. Cant wait to see you again.
We must remember to vet! Safe Ceremonies does not verify the claims maxe by providers, so you must!
Shane Ali first sat with Ayahuasca in late 2020. He has had no formal training, not as a facilitator, certainly not as a provider. He has not served or sat with “dozens of esteemed” providers, and his “experiences in the amazon” amount to a single trip to iquitos for a few days where he groveled to raise funds for a flight and hotel. When asked, he was not able to recall the name of the provider he sat with.
I emailed him 3 months ago to ask him questions about his training and experience. At the time he had no reviews,after he answered that he wouldn’t be transparent unless I jumped on a zoom call with him. He is dishonest about his experience, or he would be proud to share with someone who’s inquiring. Suddenly, he had friends leave reviews.
Please vet! Ask questions, know what the red flags are. Anyone who is legitimate will share their story with you. They will five you verifiable references, not just a vague ” I’ve been blessed to serve by the elders”. They will notuse a legalities excuse while they are advertising their retreats all over social media (another red flag).
Ask questions and verify!
They’re back! Lol. This person was sent…by others. First of all, btw, she has never sat with me in the medicine, so she has NO idea. Her initial email to me was suspicious and threw up red flags. My intuition knew something was up, but I kept my procedures in place and told her, as I do with everyone out of respect for all of us and the medicine, that I would be happy to hop on a brief vidchat to answer and ask all the questions. I would’ve told her my whole life story if she wanted. She refused. She kept fishing so I ceased communications with her. She also claims to know a lot of alleged “personal” information about me for us never haven spoken. This is coming from a very specific couple who serve medicine from Michigan and around, whose fraud, theft, and disrespect for the people they serve, I have witnessed firsthand. I disconnected from them years ago because they bring chaos and drama wherever they go. This fraudulent review is just a small example of what they are. The bring chaos and drama with them wherever they go. They lack integrity, are driven by ego. They are unscrupulous at best. They get the full treatment in the book where I discuss the pitfalls of these spiritual and plant medicine communities although their names in the book have been changed to “Doug and Stacy”. Iykyk. That having been said, if you have any questions about what, how, or why I do what I do, please reach out to me directly and I would love to, you guessed it, hop on a brief vidchat to answer and ask all the questions, open and honestly, healing adult to healing adult. I am here if you feel called. Good luck out there y’all. *This is the last I will speak of this regardless of what else gets thrown over here. It is not mine and I will not accept it. Protected by the armor of God.
As a facilitator and server, Shane is a force of nature. I am a skeptic when it comes to people who are in positions such as these, where they could potentially take advantage of others, and for the most part am unimpressed by then. It was nothing like this with Shane. He exudes a confidence that is well grounded. He’s authoritative and humble. If I could seek him out and get served by him every time I would. There are too many things that I could say about him in this small post, but I recommend him to the full degree!
Jake can’t thank you enough for your trust and faith. I admire your resolve and dedication. Keep up the good work and I’ll see you at the next one.
I had the most beautiful experience sitting with grandmother in this group. Our medicine server provided us with one on one care during ceremony as well as during integration. His energy was beautiful and very grounding during ceremony which helped grandmother be able to work through me more. His serving assistants were very attentive to the needs of all the guests. It was beautiful how well they held space for us all. Swan Lake was the perfect location for ceremony. The land was so serene and was a beautiful backdrop for the profound healing I experienced. The horses, goats & pond added a cathartic layer of healing and connection. The service dog even assisted in ceremony and would come around and check on everyone and lay next to us. Every detail from sleeping arrangements to food was well planned out and executed by those at Swan Lake. All the beautiful healing instruments (gongs, drums, & sound bowls) that Swan Lake provided for the participants to play during the day were so very healing. Everything flowed so effortlessly and worked out beautifully. I can’t thank Mt. Shiva and Swan Lake enough. I will definitely be attending again 🙏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Shane was the Medicine Server at a retreat that SSS hosted in June 2024. He greatly exceeded expectations! His guidance and care can be felt deeply and he holds a beautiful safe container for all. He is strong and wise. We will be collaborating with him on a regular basis!! I appreciate his Daily Sharing circles And the Aftercare and integration that he gives every participant.
Thank you for your trust and faith and for having me at your beautiful property. It was a divine and powerful weekend. Looking forward to returning in May. Keep up the good work up there.
Jennelle. You’re a boss! You were such a divine presence at ceremony and I pray you get all the beautiful things you deserve in life. Until next time, my friend.