What our clients say about us

Experiencing this ceremony was truly incredible. Not only because of the experience itself, but because throughout the entire process I felt welcomed, safe, and supported. Gerardo created a space of trust that allowed me to experience each moment from the depths of my being. Thanks to his guidance, I was able to connect with my essence in a way I had never experienced before, feeling fully connected to life, to myself, and to the universe. It was such a profound and transformative experience that it's difficult to describe in words. Gerardo's dedication, his human sensitivity, and above all, his deep respect and knowledge of these types of ceremonies are unique. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking a profound and transformative experience.

Vivir esta ceremonia fue una experiencia verdaderamente increíble. No solo por la experiencia en sí, sino porque durante todo el proceso me sentí acogida, segura y acompañada. Gerardo creó un espacio de confianza que me permitió vivir cada momento desde lo más profundo de mi ser. Gracias a su guía, pude conectar con mi esencia de una manera que nunca había experimentado antes, sintiéndome plenamente conectada con la vida, conmigo misma y con el universo. Fue una experiencia tan profunda y transformadora que resulta difícil describirla con palabras. La dedicación, la sensibilidad humana y, sobre todo, el profundo respeto y conocimiento que Gerardo tiene sobre este tipo de ceremonias es único. Sin duda lo recomiendo una y mil veces a cualquier persona que esté buscando vivir una experiencia profunda y transformadora.

I had a beautiful experience and highly recommend this ceremony to anyone that is looking to heal from their mind and body. Gerardo's care, knowledge and experience made me feel at home and safe during the whole process. The temazcal, the forest, the kindness of the staff at Casa Maitri, along with the delicious food were all amazing to experience as well. I feel I made a breakthrough on many levels during the ceremony and after. I am seeing and feeling the positive results in my mind, body, mood, my life and relationships with each day that passes. I am so grateful I had the courage to make my way to Casa Maitri and go through with it. Gerardo made it all so much easier and I am so grateful to him for putting this together for other people like me to have the opportunity to heal. Gracias Gerardo!

This retreat has without doubt participated in elevating me to another stage in my life. I came with the purpose to fully understand and experience what unconditional love means, and this is exactly what happened.

I would absolutely recommend this retreat. It changed my life and I plan to do it again when the opportunity arises! This retreat has seriously advanced my journey of returning home to myself.

The Oaxaca retreat put on by the Ascension team was nothing short of magical. Every aspect of the experience felt very intentional and lovingly created. The location and the immersion in nature was incredibly restorative, the ceremony was a gentle and profound journey, and all of the practices created a true opportunity to heal body and mind in all respects. The facilitator team brought such vibrant energy, joy, and love. I found myself, on the last morning of the retreat, overcome with an all-enveloping sense of pure love around me and within me. It was the most beautiful feeling. And that, for me, was the culmination of these 5 days. It was powerful, deep, soul enriching, heart opening. I am very grateful for this experience.

The location was magical. The yoga, sound bath, breath work and meditation was amazing, everyday! Great location, great people, and the facilitators were organized and on point. Well done!

The week I spent with Gerardo has truly changed my life. The way he combines IFS, Stoic philosophy, and the use of mushrooms allowed me to get the most out of my journeys with him. He was incredibly committed to doing everything possible to help heal me. I had hope, but I’ll always owe Gerardo for his dedication and the lengths he went to in supporting my healing journey.

I highly recommend Gerardo and the container and ceremonies he cultivates at the beautiful mountain forest Casa Maitri retreat in Oaxaca. As someone who has worked professionally in the mental health field and in the psychedelic crisis space holding world, I had high standards and healthy skepticism of sitting with someone I did not know. Gerardo is the real deal and proved himself to be a knowledgeable, kind, caring, and fun guide. He gets “it” and “it” for me is that the experience isn’t about Gerardo and his skills as a “shaman,” although I think he has a very strong skill set and is good at what he does. I got no sense of misplaced inflated ego like some “healers” reek of. There are many fake shamans out there. Gerardo is genuine and honest and transparent. The experience is about you and the power of the mushroom medicine. Gerardo did an amazing job of facilitating that experience and providing a safe energetic container in which that meeting between me and the mushroom could unfold. Gerardo has a deep commitment to the power of the mushroom as a transformational healing medicine and a genuine intention to help people access and experience this transformational power in a safe and beautiful container. It was an honor to get to sit in ceremony in the traditional cuarto redondo, the round ceremonial room, and pray at the sacred hearth fire that has been the focal point of ceremonies on this land for the last 30 years. In addition, Gerardo is genuine in his desire to be a responsible steward of this tradition and respectfully integrate its impact on the small indigenous mountain community where the ceremonies take place with the full blessing of the indigenous medicine woman who initiated and trained him. If you have the resources and the time, I highly recommend a 1 on 1 ceremony with Gerardo if you feel called.

Transformative Healing in Oaxaca – A Journey of Renewal My sacred medicine journey in Oaxaca, Mexico, was nothing short of life changing. From the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in a profound sense of warmth and professionalism that set the stage for deep healing. The temazcal ceremony was a pivotal experience, offering a cleansing and rejuvenation that felt as though layers of old energy were being shed, making space for the new. Having sat through many ceremonies with various healers, I can say that Gerardo stands out as incredibly supportive and intuitive. His guidance was both gentle and powerful, creating a space where I felt seen, heard, and deeply cared for. His ability to tune into the group’s energy and individual needs made the experience even more profound. The food was another highlight—each meal was a nourishing blend of traditional flavors, prepared with such care that it felt like a continuation of the healing process. The attention to detail and the love infused into every dish were palpable. The journey was marked by moments of laughter and tears, both flowing freely as we navigated the depths of our emotions together. The laughter was a particular gift, a reminder of the joy that can coexist with profound transformation. We laughed so hard we cried, finding solace in each other’s company and the shared experience of renewal. The professionalism of the facilitators was evident in every aspect, from their gentle guidance during the ceremonies to their supportive presence throughout the journey. They created a safe, sacred space that allowed me to fully surrender and trust the process. This journey rewired my brain and left me feeling new, whole, and deeply connected to myself and the world around me. I am profoundly grateful for this experience and the beautiful souls who facilitated it. takingbackmymind.com has been a gateway to healing I never imagined possible.

I arrived at Casa Maitri at the end of a four-month healing journey and spontaneously decided to join a ceremony the following day. It turned out to be a truly beautiful and transformative experience. Gerardo held the space with strength, wisdom, and care. I really appreciated the integration of both traditional practices, like the temazcal, and contemporary practices such as breathwork. They helped me feel grounded, open, and ready, gently preparing me for the journey ahead. The ceremonial space itself is stunning, and being held in such a nurturing environment allowed me to fully surrender. With Gerardo’s attentive care, I felt completely safe to be myself and to face everything that arose. The ceremony was deeply profound. I connected with ancestral wisdom, experienced ego death and touched a powerful sense of oneness with the universe. I left overflowing with love, joy, and gratitude — for Gerardo, for this beautiful life, and for the sacred medicine of the mushrooms, our greatest teachers. Thank you, Gerardo, for the work you do and to all the Casa Maitri team for creating such a special space for healing.

This has got to be one of the most beautiful places you can stay in the world. Blissfully peaceful and couldn’t be more comfortable. The town is lovely as well, everyone is so nice. Yoga studio free for use upstairs, with yoga classes available I. Staff are very nice and Mari who runs Casa Maitri is very welcoming and helpful. On site traditional shamanic magic mushroom ceremonies ran by Gerardo who is very committed and really knows his stuff, I did one of these and I highly recommend it. Amazing cabin style rooms with log burning fires and cozy beds. And to top it all off a very cute and kind lady working in the kitchen cooking up absolutely delicious home style traditional Oaxacan dishes, breakfast and dinner, which you can order in advance, very reasonably priced. I couldn’t recommend staying here enough, an absolute hidden gem.

My wife and I visited Casa Maitri with few plans beyond exploring the beauty of the property. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. We were greeted by wild flowers and a vibrant mountainside oasis that was full of life. Surrounded by spectacular natural beauty and some of the freshest air we’ve ever breathed, we were left in awe and felt completely at peace. We wanted to explore having a Temazcal experience, so we were directed to Gerardo. Gerardo had a beautiful energy and immediately made us feel at ease. After only a few minutes of delightful conversation, we set out on an ambitious and impromptu plan to follow our Temazcal with a mushroom ceremony. What an incredible decision… For anyone looking to have an authentic, safe, beautiful, and healing experience, strongly consider Casa Maitri and Gerardo. Gerardo shepherded us through a magical and truly life- changing day. My wife and I are very grateful for having visited this slice of heaven.

I did deep work at Casa Maitri. Although I wanted a euphoric pleasant experience full of all the beautiful things the universe had to show me, I was shown the contrast. It was what I needed, a check, a balancing in a way and a deep look into the ways I am hard on myself and why. The beauty of the experience came in integration work following the retreat. Gerardo was a present and grounding guide throughout the process. The accommodations are stunning, and the food was likely the best I’ve had in the Oaxaca region…request the relleno, trust me 🙂. I recommend Casa Maitri for deep internal work. Thank you Gerardo!

I participated in the Temezcal and mushroom ceremony that Gerardo offered a few months ago and I can say that the medicine of the honguitos, to this day, keep doing the work 🙂 I had participated in other ceremonies; this one was a totally different experience. The honguitos of Oaxaca are gentler than the ones I had before, YET POTENT! Gerardo is a master holding space for the participants. For my partner it was his first time participating in a ceremony. Both of us felt safe in The Space. I am grateful to Gerardo for the support he offered me in my healing process with my partner. I recently learned about the holy witness archetype, by Caroline Myss on Youtube. That’s who Gerardo is: the holy witness. Deep gratitude and appreciation to Gerardo’s own healing journey so he can be of service from the heart. The Sacred Space where the ceremony is held is like the Holly Womb of The Mother. You will feel embraced in it.

Gerardo is amazing! He is a very powerful Shaman and made our experience so meaningful, deep, and healing!! He made the setting very comfortable so I could feel safe throughout the entire ceremony. He also talked to us before and after the ceremony and has a very personal approach. He made us make contact with so many things inside ourselves, connect with the universe and one another, our ancestors, and so much more than that. The healing happens inside of us, but Gerardo is more than just a facilitator; a ceremony without Gerardo will never be the same again!

I can recommend Gerardo 100% as a ceremony facilitator! He has a lot of knowledge and a trustworthy manner. Gerardo guided us very well through the ceremony. Many thanks for that experience!

Had a most amazing sacred ceremony led by Gerardo. Gerardo is well versed in the traditions of the masters that have been leading such journeys for centuries, and his care and skill showed as we were transformed through this experience. Now back at home we are still reaping the benefits, feeling a deep sense of peace and presence.

My dad and I met Gerardo when we came to stay at Casa Matri to visit textile weavers in the area. Gerardo gave us a tour of the Temazcal and we knew we had to do it. I was extremely nervous about the heat and being in a small space, as I had never done a Temazcal before, but I am infinitely grateful my dad and I chose to do the ceremony. Gerardo was an incredible guide. The experience in the Temazcal with his guidance was one of the most positive and transformative of my life. I entered full of fear and anxiety and left feeling totally cleansed spiritually and physically with a much deeper connection with mother nature. My lungs still feel so clear and strong weeks later. I was grateful that my 72-year-old dad was able to join us as well – and Gerardo was very attentive to make sure he was comfortable during the experience. We both loved it and plan to return.

I was referred to Gerardo and Casa Maitri by a friend after I expressed to her my interest in a mushroom ceremony. It’s hard to put into words how positive and healing the experience truly was for me. The combination of traditional healing practices and modern psychological theory seemed a bit weird at the outset, but it was exactly what I needed. Certain parts of myself that I had been repressing began integrating their ways back into my life almost overnight. A feeling of oneness with the world and immense spiritual power stayed with me for weeks after the experience as well. I would recommend Gerardo and Casa Maitri to anyone looking for this experience. The experience was 100% positive and the food at Casa Maitri was delicious and very healthy.

My experience with Gerardo felt very deep, a few weeks later I’m still integrating and witnessing energies, and life transform. I took a high dose of mushrooms with Gerardo, I felt safe to do this in his presence. The trip at times felt intense, my body was involuntarily moving, shaking, and releasing a lot throughout the journey. I received some clear, valuable messages and insights that were related to my intention, and some that weren’t but felt meaningful. After the journey I felt joyous, light and much more free. Gerardo holds a beautiful space, I felt his strong, supportive energy which helped me to trust and surrender to the healing. I highly recommend him as a safe, knowledgeable guide to share this magical experience with. Thank you, until the next time.

I came to Oaxaca looking for a Shaman and the universe led me to Gerardo. From the first time we spoke I realized that Gerardo was the guide I was looking for – a humbled passion for the process and culture but enthusiasm about sharing it with the broader world. The ceremony was well planned, comfortable and not rushed. The entire day before, during, and after the ceremony was amazing and a highlight of my 14 months of travel.

My experience with Gerardo was magical and empowering. I felt safe and held from the temazcal right through to the mushroom ceremony and integration session the following day. Overall, my experience helped me reconnect with myself and gain deep insight and understanding. Highly recommend for anyone needing to let go and embark on a journey inwards.

There are no words. All I can say is this was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had… I was deeply healed from the inside. I will never find the words to properly express my gratitude to Gerardo.

I believe that the earth is a school, and we are all students. And I believe we are here to learn continually how to elevate ourselves, how to help other souls, and how to share our powerful light and energy with the world. We are all learning a collective lesson in love.

Before meeting Gerardo, my inner light was slowly being snuffed out and I desperately needed resuscitation. My journey with him was a jumpstart for saving my life. Gerardo, you are awesome and an inspiration by the force of light that you are in the world, and all that you do and create. You make miraculous things happen, and I am so blessed that the Universe allowed me to stumble into your path and be guided by you.

From the very first moment I met Gerardo, I felt safe and comfortable with him. He created the best conditions possible to dive deep into my mind and Soul and let go. Both the preparation and integrations sessions as well as the retreat location could not have been more ideal. Gerardo’s profound knowledge of psychedelics and psychology left no questions unanswered and gave me an extra layer of security. While being on the journey, Gerado gave me the exact amount of guidance and the right words that I needed to make my journey such a beneficial and profound experience. I am convinced about the long-term effects of this experience in reevaluating what really matters in life and have realized more than ever that life, in its essence, is love and beauty.

I had the privilege of working with Gerardo last month after leaving my job due to personal challenges. His expertise goes far beyond plant medicine and conventional wellness practices; I had the opportunity to experience a transformative session that provided much-needed relief. What truly stood out were the weekly one-on-one sessions with Gerardo that followed. These sessions were invaluable in helping me stay on the right path and continue my journey toward healing and personal growth. I would highly recommend anyone to begin and continue their healing journey with Gerardo.

My experience with Gerardo was very fruitful! I normally have resistance in allowing the medicine to help me. With Gerardo and his professional techniques, I went very deep into a cathartic experience of letting go of extreme grief that probably was stored inside of me my entire life. I’m 68 years old and have a long history of childhood trauma. Was it pleasant? NO! Was it healing? ABSOLUTELY! I have yet to experience any more depression since our ceremony and it has been 2 years! To be able to experience lightness in life and spirit is new for me. I will forever feel grateful for this experience and for Gerardo’s commitment to his healing work!

Making the choice to do a ceremony with Gerardo in Oaxaca was life changing! I was able to surrender to the experience completely because of the trust I felt with Gerardo as our guide. I was able to examine myself in relation to my life, my partnership, and the Universe. I was able to release trauma and safely express deep emotions. I feel like I have been cleansed physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I love my partner of 13 years in a new way. I am more fully embodied and that allows for much more love to flow through the relationship. I highly recommend this full day of nature’s “therapy.” The work and internal challenges that I faced during the ceremony were 100% worth it because of the beauty, confidence, and connection I now have access to. I could not imagine a more perfect location or guide for this experience! My partner and I are very grateful!

I highly recommend Gerardo as a psychedelic ceremony facilitator. His expertise creates a safe and transformative space, guiding participants through a profound journey. His compassion fosters an environment for deep self-exploration and healing. Under Gerardo’s guidance, I received a transformative gift, healing ancestral traumas contributing to depression and anxiety. His expertise aided in breaking self-defeating patterns, bringing freedom to both body and mind, and soothing my nervous system. Since then, my heart has opened to more love and joy. Grateful for the impactful experience he provided. I wholeheartedly endorse Gerardo for his exceptional facilitation of psychedelic ceremonies.

If you are looking for a trustworthy guide in sacred ceremony, I highly recommend working with Gerardo! His thoughtful, caring, and supportive approach creates a safe space to journey deeply and let the medicine heal you. I’ve worked with many healers, and words cannot fully express the magical experience I had with his support. I have no doubt you will come away transformed!

Working with Gerardo has been a major game changer both individually and with my marriage. The work we’ve done together to identify, heal, and love all parts of me has changed the way I see myself. And it’s helped me see my wife differently too and have more compassion. Already living on a spiritual path, I have a good foundation for inner work but the IFS model and the way Gerardo teaches it, is next level and helped bring me to a new place of self-awareness and armed me with the tools to face new challenges. Anyone interested in positive change would benefit immensely from working with Gerardo. He’s kind, compassionate, teaches based on having lived it himself so is never judgmental, and it’s definitely his passion and a gift.

My first mushroom journey was with Gerardo about a month ago and it was really a very interesting, exciting and insightful experience. I decided to take this mushroom journey with Gerardo as he inspired confidence from the moment I met him, and for such a personal experience, I needed to feel I could trust him (I was, after all, handing over a lot of responsibility to this man, as I had no idea how the mushrooms would affect me). I also crash read Gerardo’s book, Taking Back My Mind: My Journey Out of Depression with Psilocybin Mushrooms, first to really understand his approach. What convinced me to do the journey with Gerardo was not only his own story and experience with psilocybin mushrooms but the amount of research he’d done and the science behind psilocybin journeys and how it can affect the mind. I found it fascinating. Gerardo’s approach is very stylized and structured starting off with a short, traditional gratitude and cleansing ceremony, then a powerful breathwork session which was amazing… and a music playlist to take you on your journey, that was designed by John’s Hopkins University in the US for the effects the music and sound have on the brain. It is truly fascinating! Having Gerardo present as a support and guide throughout the journey gave me confidence and allowed me to relax into the experience. Gerardo is a sensitive, kind, thoughtful person who also takes you through a pre-journey exercise as well as a post journey reflection session. This journey experience has given me much to reflect on and I’m really glad I had my first journey with Gerardo. It has given me the confidence and interest to explore psilocybin mushroom journeying more in the future, as a tool for personal reflection, exploration, and self-discovery. Thank you, Gerardo!

I was introduced to Gerardo by a mutual friend. I was interested in his breathwork classes and his vast knowledge of plant medicine. We spoke on the phone twice before I decided to work with Gerardo. We clicked and I trusted him. I read Gerardo’s book and a month later we met in California. Gerardo put together a workshop for my husband, daughter and her boyfriend. We learned more about plant medicine and the importance of intention and ritual. He explained the Wim Hof Method before our yoga / breathwork session, followed by an ice bath. Afterwards we processed the experience and discussed what might be the next step. This was a life altering experience. Intuitively, I knew it would be. The same holds true for my family members. I Highly recommend working with Gerardo. He is very open, nonjudgmental, and does not push any agenda. Follow your heart! So grateful for this experience!

Working with and being in Gerardo’s life has been nothing but an absolute gift. The way he sees the world is just pure magic! His ability to articulate, cultivate, and facilitate this into positive healing change is just incredible!! His kind soul, ever-lasting support, and his eagerness to grow and evolve into his best self, shines in all that he does!! I couldn’t recommend working with him enough!!

I randomly met Gerardo one evening while having dinner in San Jose del Pacifico, where I learned that he was a sacred mushroom ceremony facilitator. I had planned on taking a solo journey, but then after speaking with him realized how much safer and better a ceremony would be with proper guidance. I fully trusted Gerardo and so glad I didn’t have my first mushroom journey alone! I had a BEAUTIFUL experience! Gerardo was very respectful from the moment I met him, and I felt very safe with him by my side. I month later, after traveling to the beach, I ended up back in San Jose del Pacifico and decided to take a solo journey like I had originally planned as Gerardo was in California. I ate the mushrooms, put on the eye shades like we had done in our previous ceremony, but I was simply in a room without preparation or rituals, just the music to guide me. It was a very difficult journey, and I wished that I had someone to guide me and help me through it. I really understood how much better it is to have someone by your side during these experiences. I can fully recommend Gerardo as a sacred mushroom ceremony facilitator!

Gerardo was very insightful and was able to assist in articulation of issues that arose during the ceremony. The techniques that were passed on to me in order to maximize the ceremony afterwards were very helpful. At times after the ceremony, I felt I was able to transport myself to the freedom I felt during the ceremony where I was able to clearly analyze different attachments that had been causing me issues before the ceremony. I would recommend Gerardo in assisting you in maximizing your psychedelic journey!

Gerardo came into my life during a dark time when I was coping with a lot of internal negativity and didn’t know how to manage it. He taught me a new orientation to my internal negativity that helped me shift it. This was the start of a profound awakening, and I will always be grateful to Gerardo for this.

I felt the need to work through some personal issues, to introspect and rewire my brain. My intention was to regain the feeling of pure joy of physical existence. I wanted to find refreshment and emotional cleansing from the events and actions of my past. I was very attracted to this place in the mountains of Oaxaca, the land of sacred medicinal fungi used by locals for healing and spiritual growth. It felt like an appropriate place to do it if the opportunity arose. Mountains, forest, flowers, hummingbirds, and bees. Kind and peaceful locals. It is an absolute paradise for a mushroom enthusiast. The mushrooms were very gentle with me, they didn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I enjoyed the lessons; they are good teachers indeed! I found detachment from my ego and a sense of freedom from holding on to the past. A few weeks later after the experience I can say that I feel rejuvenated and light. I feel more mature too, and wiser, more balanced. The most important thing is I feel excited for life! I feel positive, optimistic, and grateful for everything I have! Thank you for your guidance, Gerardo

My husband and I attempted the sacred mushroom ceremony with Gerardo in the end of October. We knew we wanted to do the ceremony during our journey through Mexico and we are so lucky that we were guided to Casa Maitri and Gerardo by recommendations. I hope that my words can inspire and encourage someone to do the same. I don't think there exists a more beautiful setting to do ceremony than Casa Maitri. As far as you can see there are green forests full of life. The sounds of a rooster in the morning or lost donkeys call reminds of this primitive urge to connect with nature, guided by nature. We landed in this setting two days before ceremony. Gerardo took care of us from the very beginning giving his advise on hike routes and sharing lovely stories from his life. During ceremony, which included both temazcal and mushrooms, we felt super safe with Gerardo, inspired and connected to the universe in all possible dimensions. Kind, funny and intelligent are some words I would like to describe our lovely shaman as. If you even consider to do mushroom ceremony the answer is - yes, just do it! Followed up by - yes, just with Gerardo! Best luck.

El lugar es maravilloso, ideal para descansar y contactar con la naturaleza, la comida es deliciosa, el personal muy amable, el acompañamiento de Gerardo al guiarnos en el temazcal fue increíble, 100% recomendable.

Hermoso lugar. Disfrute mucho la estancia, conexión con la naturaleza, mucha paz y el temazcal fue una experiencia hermosa, la guía de Gerardo extraordinaria. La comida muy rica, el personal muy amable. Muy recomendable ir y disfrutar este maravilloso lugar

We had an INCREDIBLE journey with Gerardo. I more or less stumbled upon his ceremonies right through this pin on Google and it had been a long time since I felt called to take the leap; and here we go trust your intuition and genuine reviews because Gerardo was everything and more than we hoped for. He made our journey special, deep, meaningful and made us feel prepared (also thanks to the Temazcal experience ahead of the mushroom journey) and most importantly safe. I cannot recommend Gerardo enough as your “curandero”, he will be there every step on the way with knowledge, respect as well as the necessary jokes and light(ness). Also, the setting has to be mentioned, it’s unbelievably beautiful on top of a forest hill, full of flowers and vegetation. I highly recommend staying at Casa Maitri and enjoying the comfort and delicious nourishing food while going on this journey. I will be back - 100%

I had an incredible sacred ceremony with Gerardo, he is an amazing guide! He has trained with a local curandera to share the ancient spiritual practices of the ceremony while incorporating the latest scientific research from places like Johns Hopkins University. Casa Maitri is a magical home for this journey, with a temazcal, nourishing and delicious vegetarian food and beautiful ceremony space. This is about diving deep within - a truly life-changing experience!

I want to share my experience in San Sebastián de Río Hondo. I arrived empty, drained, and discouraged, but with great hope and faith in the ceremony. The process was difficult and demanding, yet wonderful and purifying. Now I feel my cells alert and purified, and the sublime connection with the beautiful nature of the place has transformed, revived, and strengthened me emotionally. I am so happy to have participated in this experience. I would like to ask God to draw many more people to participate in this enriching ceremony and benefit from this process, so beneficial for physical and emotional health. This is a gift from God, but only for those who dare. Blessings to all.

I participated in a ceremony with Gerardo, and it was a truly transformative experience. It was my first time at such a ceremony, and I experienced so much more than I had imagined. I was able to heal deep layers of pain and ancestral traumas that I didn't even know I carried with me. I thought I knew what to expect… but I didn't. It was much more intense, profound, and luminous than I anticipated, in the best possible way. Throughout the entire experience, I felt safe, supported, and accompanied. Gerardo has such a clear, firm, and wise presence that I never once doubted myself. He knew exactly what he was doing, and that allowed me to completely surrender to the process. Furthermore, Gerardo covers both the spiritual and scientific aspects, which, in my case, left me very at ease. It's clear he has deep knowledge in both areas. I had the privilege of experiencing a private ceremony, which began with a Temazcal (sweat lodge), followed by a short break, and then everything began: the cleansing, the guidance, the opening. Everything felt sacred. If anyone is thinking of doing this, my recommendations, based on my own experience, would be: Go from a place of calm, not from a place of rushing. Stay at least one more day at the property to integrate and rest. There's so much to digest and process afterward…doing it without having to worry about logistics helps a lot. Or if you can't stay, at least don't have too many activities planned for the next day. And if you go alone, even more so. Integration needs space, silence, and care. I can only say that it was an honor to be guided by Gerardo. He is there at all times, with presence, with heart, and with so much wisdom. I'm still integrating, still feeling…and I am deeply grateful for the experience. 🤍 100% recommended!

04/09/2025 Hoy se cumple un mes de una transformación profunda de mi Ser Alma, mi Ser Mente y mi Ser Espíritu... El 04 de agosto del 2025 llegué, guiada por mi intuición, sin conocer el lugar a donde iba ni a la gente con quien me iba a encontrar, sola, pero con mi corazón confiado y dispuesto a soltar y a abrirse a lo que fuera desde Xalapa, Veracruz hasta la Sierra Sur de Oaxaca, específicamente a San Sebastián Río Hondo a conocer a Gerardo. Fue maravilloso nuestro encuentro, como Almas viajeras del tiempo que ya se habían mirado y sentido en otras vidas, simplemente hermoso! 💕🌷 Casa Maitri no es sólo una casa de retiros, es un organismo vivo que te abraza desde que vas entrando por su puertita escondida cobijada por las raíces de un precioso Árbol Abuelo. 🌳 Huele a humo, a tierra, a humedad, a vida! Ahí, en ese lugar mágico, tierra de los maestros Honguitos, tuve mi primera ceremonia y encuentro con su sabiduría y vi y sentí el Amor profundo e infinito de vivir, de confiar, de asombrarme, de amar, amar, amar ♥️♥️♥️ Gerardo estuvo sosteniendo la energía en todo momento con sus rezos y el humo sagrado del copal, la salvia y las aguas florales, con todo el Amor y respeto que tiene un guardián de la medicina ancestral. Yo sólo puedo agradecer el maravilloso regalo de su compañía y de la claridad de los mensajes de los maestros Hongos y el Amor que sigue y seguirá resonando en mi Ser. 🌺 Gracias pues a Gerardo y a todo el equipo de Casa Maitri: a Marcela por sostener la maravilla de la medicina ancestral y ser maestra y acompañante de Gerardo, a Mary por embellecer y darle vida a Casa Maitri, a Arely y a Paula por sus deliciosos platillos hechos con tanto cuidado y Amor y a Silvano por su bello trabajo de sostener el huerto, proveer de leña, cuidar el bosque comestible de peras y manzanas y el mantenimiento del jardín y de todas las cabañas que dan vida a Casa Maitri! ¡Gracias Infinitas! Seguro regresaré pronto a seguirme nutriendo de tanta belleza y sencillez!! Les amo! 💓

We had a wonderful stay here. It is such a peaceful place. It gets pretty cold at night but we had a fireplace in our room so it was super cosy. The cooks were sick, so the neighbor Ana cooked for us in her home, and it was the most delicious homemade food we've had on this trip. We did a session of wim hof breathing with Gerardo followed by a temazcal and it was such a great experience. I highly recommend staying here! Gracias ☺️

Fue increible passar por casa Maitri. El entorno, la gente y sus cuidados fueran un momento precioso en mi viaje.

Casa Maitri is a magical place filled with love and positive energy. It's a wonderful place that can improve your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. That's what happened to me. I was struggling with many issues, but after 12 days, I felt rejuvenated. The staff and Gerardo took great care of me, and the ceremonies were magical and fascinating. The accommodations are comfortable and cozy. The food was amazing. I highly recommend getting in touch with Gerardo.

A place straight out of a fairytale. You have to see it to believe it: the traditional architecture nestled in nature, the incredibly friendly people, the restorative peace, the profound knowledge... and last but not least: the comfortable bed! Everything here is just perfect. My new dream destination! Thank you, Casa Maitri! Until next time!

Only words of thanks!! A place full of magic and love, to connect with nature and yourself, cozy cabins and healthy, delicious food... friends who surround you with kind treatment, all my love for Mary, Areli... everyone is super kind... and Gerardo, a brother who guides you with so much love 💖 that it overwhelms you. A million thanks, Casa Maitri, my place of rebirth...

I highly recommend Casa Maitri to anyone who comes to San Sebastian. The rooms and bathrooms are clean, and the service is very nice. A huge plus is the food that can be ordered on site. It is really delicious, everything I tried from their kitchen was fantastic, and the portions are very large. Additionally, during my stay I had a mushroom ceremony with Gerardo - I highly recommend it!

This place is a sacred, hidden sanctuary where you can simply be — connect with nature and beyond — and open yourself up to magic. When needed, supported by alternative retreats and ceremonies led by the unique and incredible guide, Gerardo. It is a space between the physical and spiritual dimensions. Not to mention, the staff are incredibly caring, and the nourishing, healing food is truly special."

Beautiful place, great hosts. One of the nicest places I've stayed in Mexico. Great value.

Where to begin? We experienced a magical, spiritual mountain retreat with comfortable, thoughtful appointments in every room. There were cozy fireplaces and beds piled high with fuzzy blankets. I loved the communal kitchen which spawned lots of deep conversations and connections with whomever was there. The food provided is phenomenal and not to be missed. We found great outdoor seating for peaceful reflection. The gardens were lush and we especially enjoyed the ENORMOUS Buddha and meditation pond. Do not miss the temezcal and if you’re at all interested in a mushroom ceremony, you will not be disappointed in the healing properties and the expert care of the onsite shaman, Gerardo. Even if you don’t utilize the mushrooms, you Will undoubtedly find something for every adventurous, curious traveler at Casa Maitri. Just make sure you check their website for the best way to get to them because google maps is incorrect and will try to take you down donkey roads.

I loved my stay at Casa Maitri in San Sebastián de Río Hondo. It's an amazing place surrounded by nature and very peaceful. The rooms are very comfortable, and the vegetarian food is delicious. The staff is very friendly. Mari helped me whenever I had questions or requests. Gerardo, the spiritual guide, offered us an incredible temazcal (sweat lodge). I hope to return 🙂

Where to begin? Without any doubt, this place is one of the most special places I’ve ever been. The people working there are amazing, warm, welcoming, and dedicated to make you feel at home. The food is amazing! I highly recommend experiencing a temazcal, guided by Gerardo - it is something I will never forget. Thank you all for an unforgettable stay and I will be back!

I had a wonderful experience with Gerardo in San Sebastian. The surroundings are beautiful, the retreat space comfortable and the temescal ceremony combined with the power of the mushroom journey was something I plan to do here again.

Gerardo was very insightful and was able to assist in articulation of issues that arose during the ceremony. The techniques that were passed on to me in order to maximise the ceremony afterwards were very helpful. At times after the ceremony I felt I was able to transport myself to the freedom I felt during the ceremony. Where I was able to clearly analyze different attachments, I had that had been causing me issues before the ceremony Would recommend Gerardo in assisting you in maximizing your ceremony

Fue un antes y un despues de la maravillosa ceremonia de Los niños santos, guiada por el gran trabajo de Gerardo Urias, Muy agradecida a la vida por mostrarme la Verdadera esencia del ser humano!!!

There are really no words to describe what was experienced, the journey inside and the connection with the whole. Gerardo's loving and responsible guide always made me feel confident and protected. I can only express my enormous gratitude! And I can say that it changed my way of seeing and living life! Thank you Gerardo!

Es una experiencia como ninguna otra y considero que la forma en la que Gerardo lleva la ceremonia hace que sea un trabajo intenso y muy enfocado a la sanación. Su proceso me pareció muy respetuoso, me dio mucha confianza y lo recomiendo ampliamente.