The Sacred Journey: Exploring Ayahuasca in Colombia

Ayahuasca, a sacred plant medicine with roots deep in the Amazon rainforest, has been used for thousands of years by indigenous cultures for healing and spiritual growth. Now, two filmmakers are on a mission to document this ancient tradition and showcase a different side of Colombia to the world.

Samir, founder of the La Wayra ayahuasca retreat center, and Sam Lipman-Stern, an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, have teamed up to create a groundbreaking film exploring ayahuasca in Colombia. Their goal is to shift perceptions of the country away from its association with cocaine and narcos, and instead highlight its rich shamanic traditions and plant medicine wisdom.

The Filmmakers' Journey

Samir discovered ayahuasca several years ago when struggling with depression. The profound healing he experienced led him to create La Wayra, an ayahuasca retreat center that has helped hundreds of people from around the world. Sam Lipman-Stern is an accomplished filmmaker, known for his work on the HBO documentary series "Telemarketers."

The two met by chance and quickly bonded over their shared interest in ayahuasca and desire to tell a different story about Colombia. Now they're collaborating on an ambitious documentary project that will take viewers deep into the world of Amazonian plant medicine.

"We're really excited to be able to chat about this project publicly for the first time," Samir shared. "It's been an amazing journey so far."

Documenting the Ayahuasca Experience

A key part of the documentary will be Sam Lipman-Stern's personal journey with ayahuasca. As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety, he recently stopped taking antidepressants in preparation for his first ayahuasca ceremony.

"I've been wanting to get off antidepressants for a while, and this project gave me the push I needed," Sam explained. "We're documenting the whole process - coming off the medication, preparing for the ceremony, and of course the ayahuasca experience itself."

The filmmakers hope Sam's vulnerability in sharing his story will inspire others struggling with mental health issues or considering ayahuasca as an alternative treatment. They emphasize the importance of working with experienced facilitators and proper medical oversight when coming off psychiatric medications.

Exploring Colombia's Shamanic Traditions

Beyond just focusing on ayahuasca, the documentary aims to highlight Colombia's rich history of indigenous wisdom and plant medicine traditions. The team has been traveling throughout the country, meeting with shamans and visiting sacred sites.

"We went into the Amazon rainforest and learned about shamanism, visited shaman markets, explored the ancient statues at San Agustín Archaeological Park," Samir recounted. "There's so much fascinating history and culture here that most people don't associate with Colombia."

One of their most memorable encounters was with a local guide named Chilo at San Agustín. Sam Lipman-Stern described him as "a character out of a Werner Herzog documentary" - eccentric, hilarious, and deeply knowledgeable about the ancient sculptures and shamanic traditions of the region.

"He was playing the flute, talking to us about gnomes in the trees, doing cleansing ceremonies on us," Sam recalled. "But at the same time, he knew everything about every single sculpture. Many were depictions of shamans. It was incredible."

Changing Perceptions of Colombia

A major goal of the project is to shift the global narrative around Colombia away from its association with cocaine and drug cartels. The filmmakers want to showcase the country's indigenous wisdom, natural beauty, and healing traditions instead.

"Most people in the world don't even know there's ayahuasca in Colombia. They think it's something to do with Costa Rica," Samir noted. "But Colombia has such a rich history with plant medicines and shamanism. You can see it in thousand-year-old stone carvings."

Sam Lipman-Stern added: "I still go back to the States and tell people I live in Medellín, and they say 'Oh my God, isn't it dangerous? Pablo Escobar?' But I've never had any problems here. The only time I've ever had a gun held to my head was in New Jersey when I was 19."

The team hopes their documentary will present a more nuanced, positive image of Colombia to international audiences. They're particularly interested in reaching viewers who may only know the country through shows like "Narcos."

The Filmmaking Process

The documentary is currently about two-thirds complete, with the team aiming to finish filming in the coming months. They're taking an immersive, experiential approach to telling the story.

"I don't want to know anything going into this. I want to document everything so that viewers can learn along with me," Sam explained. "We're shooting every step of the journey - making ayahuasca in the jungle with shamans, learning about the culture, going through the retreat process."

The filmmakers are drawing inspiration from Sam's background in gonzo-style documentary work for outlets like VICE, as well as more personal, character-driven storytelling. They want to balance the sacred, spiritual aspects of ayahuasca with humor and compelling human stories.

"It needs to have humor, it needs to be character-driven," Sam emphasized. "All the characters we've met along the way have been amazing."

Looking Ahead

While they don't have a buyer for the documentary yet, the team is optimistic about finding the right home for the project. They're particularly interested in working with a platform that can give the film global reach.

"Netflix has to pick this up more than any other channel," Samir argued. "Netflix did the most damage to Colombia because of the Narcos series. There are people in the US that come to my retreat and they're like, 'You know, where is Pablo?' Even though it's like 40 years ago."

Sam added: "I have some friends at Netflix. I'd love to bring it there. I think that the Narcos series was great, I loved it, but yes, you've got to have balance. You've got to do a Narcos series and then do a series about exploring shamanism and ayahuasca."

Regardless of where it ends up, the filmmakers are committed to telling a story that showcases the depth and beauty of Colombia's indigenous traditions. They hope to inspire viewers to see the country - and perhaps themselves - in a new light.

"We're so extremely lucky that we can tap into these traditions that are here," Samir reflected. "Not only did they remain, but people kept the tradition. They kept oral traditions. So it's like you're getting the full package experience, like it would be thousands of years ago."

The Potential of Plant Medicine

Ultimately, the documentary isn't just about changing perceptions of Colombia. The filmmakers believe ayahuasca and other plant medicines have the potential to address some of the most pressing issues facing humanity.

"A lot of shamans say that the reason they're sharing these medicines now is because the world is so sick," Samir explained. "They're being drawn to get out of their caves and jungles, go to the cities, and share the medicine."

He sees the documentary as part of a larger mission to spread awareness about the healing potential of ayahuasca and other plant medicines. "This might be our last resort, honestly. You're either going to wake up and get sane, or we're going to just destroy ourselves."

Sam Lipman-Stern, who has yet to experience ayahuasca himself, is approaching the subject with an open mind. "I'm like a kindergartener. I don't know shit about this world of ayahuasca and shamanism," he admitted. "But I'm excited to learn and to share that journey with viewers."

A Message of Hope and Creativity

As they work to complete their documentary, both Sam and Samir emphasize the importance of pursuing one's passions and creating meaningful work, especially in challenging times.

"Just try to make stuff. Make stuff, make stuff," Sam urged. "Write books, do podcasts. Just create. For me at least, that's my personal outlet. It's just like, just keep creating, and that's what makes me happy."

Samir agreed, adding that his work with ayahuasca and the documentary project have brought him to a good place after some difficult times. "2025 just feels good for me," he said, looking ahead with optimism.

As they continue their journey of documenting ayahuasca and Colombia's shamanic traditions, Sam and Samir hope to inspire others to explore new perspectives, pursue healing, and tap into their own creativity. Their story is a testament to the power of collaboration, cultural exchange, and the transformative potential of plant medicines.

While the documentary is still in production, those interested in following the project can find updates on the filmmakers' social media accounts. Sam Lipman-Stern can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter as @samlipmanster, while Samir shares information about La Wayra Retreat and ayahuasca on Instagram @lawayra.

As Colombia continues to evolve and reshape its global image, projects like this documentary play a crucial role in showcasing the country's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. By shining a light on the ancient wisdom of ayahuasca and indigenous plant medicines, Sam and Samir hope to open hearts and minds to new possibilities for healing and growth - both for individuals and for Colombia as a whole.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlHlN6QCvZM