Ethical Code
At MahaDevi, ethics are not an afterthought. They are the foundation of how we work, who we work with, and why this work exists at all. Working with ayahuasca carries responsibility to people, to land, and to traditions that have preserved this medicine for generations. This Ethical Code outlines the principles that guide every retreat, ceremony, and collaboration at MahaDevi.
Indigenous Leadership and Ancestral Land
All MahaDevi ceremonies are led by Indigenous healers.
Ceremonies take place on ancestral land.
We believe that ayahuasca is best received from the hands of the people who have carried, protected, and practiced this medicine for generations.
This is not symbolic. It is foundational.
“If it is from us, then it should not be without us.”
- Reviewing the best travel options based on your location
- Discussing timing and arrival considerations
- Identifying the most suitable airport options
- Answering questions related to travel safety and logistics
Our goal is to help you make informed choices and avoid unnecessary stress or complications.
Lineage, Experience, and Responsibility
All Indigenous healers who work with MahaDevi come from established lineages with a long history of ceremonial practice. Each healer has a minimum of ten years of direct experience leading ceremonies.
Lineage, apprenticeship, and lived responsibility matter. Being Indigenous alone is not enough. Training, experience, and accountability are essential.
Respect for the Medicine and the Land
The plants used in ceremony are treated with respect and reverence. The medicine is prepared fresh and offered with intention. We work only with communities that honor sustainable harvesting practices and respect the land from which the medicine comes.
When we receive from nature, we give back. This includes supporting replanting of medicinal plants and contributing to the preservation of land, culture, and traditional knowledge.
Fair Compensation and Community Support
All Indigenous healers are fairly and respectfully compensated for their work. We actively support local communities by creating employment opportunities and investing in long-term relationships rather than extractive arrangements.
Our goal is not short-term access, but long-term reciprocity.
Ceremony Size and Participant Care
We intentionally host intimate retreats.
Small group sizes allow participants to have space, attention, and support throughout the process.
This approach supports safety, dignity, and the ability for each person to be seen and cared for.
We do not overcrowd ceremonies.
We do not rush experiences.
Honest Representation and No False Promises
We do not present ayahuasca as a cure, miracle, or guarantee of outcomes. We are clear about the potential benefits, limitations, and risks of this work.
Participants are encouraged to approach the experience with humility, responsibility, and realistic expectations. Misrepresentation harms people and dishonors the medicine.
Training, Apprenticeship, and Facilitator Standards
All facilitators at MahaDevi undergo extended apprenticeship. Facilitators are not fast-tracked. Before being considered for facilitation, individuals must have a minimum of one hundred personal ayahuasca experiences and extensive time supporting ceremonies in non-lead roles.
Facilitators are trained in grounding, trauma awareness, ethical boundaries, and participant care. They are not overworked, and rest is built into the retreat structure.
Healthcare Collaboration and Scope Awareness
MahaDevi is not a medical institution. We recognize the limits of our scope. When situations arise that are beyond the expertise of facilitators, we collaborate with healthcare professionals in Colombia.
We maintain access to local nurses and healthcare providers familiar with both medical safety and the retreat context. This collaboration supports responsible care without crossing into medical practice.
Education and Public Responsibility
We believe education is an ethical responsibility. This is why we created the Ayahuasca Framework, a free educational resource designed to share foundational knowledge about ayahuasca, safety, preparation, and integration.
This resource is available to the public regardless of retreat participation. Education reduces harm and empowers informed choice.
Community, Continuity, and Belonging
Participants are not treated as customers who disappear after a retreat. Those who attend MahaDevi become part of an extended community.
We offer continued access to free educational content, breathwork sessions, community spaces, and events. Connection does not end when the retreat ends.
Our Ongoing Commitment
We are committed to continuously raising standards. This includes improving safety practices, expanding education, strengthening community support, and deepening reciprocity with Indigenous partners. MahaDevi exists to preserve ancestral medicine, not dilute it. We offer this work for people who want to do something meaningful for themselves, for others, and for the world.
By choosing Indigenous leadership, ancestral land, and ethical responsibility, participation becomes an act of respect rather than consumption.
Content Responsibility & Oversight
This page is published by MahaDevi.
MahaDevi is an ayahuasca retreat organization based in Putumayo, Colombia, focused on safety-first, ethically guided ceremonial experiences and long-term integration support.
Founder & Content Oversight:
Yasha Shah — Founder of MahaDevi, Psychedelic Mentor
Yasha Shah provides experiential oversight across participant preparation, safety frameworks, ceremonial context, and post-retreat integration, ensuring alignment with MahaDevi’s ethical and safety standards.