CUMBRES DE ARUTAM

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An authentic Ayahuasca Retreat deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon
With Shaman Arutam Ruymán
Rooted in the ancestral wisdom of the Shuar people
A living legacy of healing through master plants, and traditional initiations
Remembering the ways and tales of our elders
Feeling the vibration of the Anaconda
An authentic Ayahuasca Retreat deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon
With Shaman Arutam Ruymán
Rooted in the ancestral wisdom of the Shuar people
A living legacy of healing through power plants, and traditional initiations
Remembering the ways and tales of our elders
Feeling the vibration of the Anaconda

Guided by Arutam Ruymán
20+ years of experience

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Arutam Ruymán has walked side by side with elders of the Shuar nation for over two decades, being recognized and honored as a Shuar Uwishin (Shaman) — a traditional spiritual guide entrusted with the deepest transmissions of this living legacy, and holder of profound mastery in the ceremonial use of sacred plants such as ayahuasca and tobacco.

He dedicates his life to healing, teaching, and sharing the sacred art of Amazonian shamanism and the path of the Union in Arutam around the world.

Visit his personal website to learn about his path, his teachings, and the work he shares with the world.

Visit unioninarutam.org

Shuar Ceremonies

Advanced and traditional ceremonies with Natem (Ayahuasca) and tobacco, including the waterfall Shuar initiation ritual and the Natemamu practice.

Plant Teachings

Learning to prepare our own Natem following ancient recipes, while planting and caring for the sacred plants that will serve future generations.

Living Community

We sit with our elders, receive their guidance, and share moments of meditation with tobacco and reflection — supported by the family that walks this path with us.

Protected Land

The retreat is immersed in 600 hectares of Amazon rainforest. It holds rivers and waterfalls, and borders Sangay National Park — providing the conditions needed for our practices.

Practice Traditional Shamanism in our Amazonian Retreats

In the ancestral territory of the Shuar people, our retreat center offers 7 to 21-day immersions guided by Arutam Ruymán and native elders — to learn and practice the roots of Shamanism and the Spirit.

These retreats open the path to deep learning with sacred medicines like Natem (Ayahuasca) and Tobacco, requiring presence, fasting, discipline, and sincere commitment to healing.

Blessed with Tuna Karamamu, the traditional initiation held at the sacred waterfall, the journey may culminate in Natemamu, the most powerful and enriching ceremony in this practice —reserved for devoted and experienced practitioners.

Family cooking Ayahuasca for late night ceremony.

7 and 14-day Retreat

These periods of practice allow us to surrender ourselves, find balance, and develop the necessary abilities to walk this path. We follow the rhythm of the jungle, prepare the sacred plants, and take part in daily practices that sustain this tradition.

Each week includes at least three Ayahuasca ceremonies, held with the rigor once passed down by the elders. In addition, some elders who are still with us share stories and teachings that carry the strength and continuity of their lineage.

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21 days Long Retreat

This retreat builds upon everything covered in the previous stages, adding more time, effort, and commitment to the path.

On the third week, the participants are initiated into the traditional Waterfall ceremony (Tuna Karamamu) and the Natemamu, which are far more advanced practices requiring greater willpower, determination, extended fasting, and rigorous diets.

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What others have experienced at Cumbres de Arutam

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
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 Gordey V profile picture 
 
 
 Gordey V 
 
 
 
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Absolutely amazing Thank you my dear Friend, Brother and Maestro, Arutam Ruyman, for sharing knowledge, Unity and strength. For that long time that you helped me in a safe and noble manner. It was a great experience in Ecuador, beautiful retreat center in rainforest, sacred plants of Ayahuasca and San Pedro shared in the ancient tradition of Shuar. Healing my soul and bringing back to Unity and Harmony. I definitely recommend this retreat. It changed my life in a better way, mindful and heart-opened, made me feel the way I never imagined. It is a luck and blessing to meet a real spiritual tradition in these times and a Master who holds it and shares it. And what a pleasure to feel it in the heart of Amazonian rainforest, in Ecuador.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 София Т profile picture 
 
 
 София Т 
 
 
 
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Успешно I participated for the first time, and that was two nights. It was a bit scary to be in the state of anticipation, as no one knows what the Great Mother will show! In the end I experienced a feeling of being enough, awakening. The process of the ceremony itself is very safe, everything is done according to the tradition. I think it’s impossible to leave without your own inner answers. The ceremony took place in beautiful surroundings in nature, with so much space for solitude and meditation. Everybody who also participates becomes a family and it doesn’t matter at all if you are together only for a couple of days. I began to realise that every single one can become my brother and sister, even mother and father. Arutam Ruyman is a great person with an opened heart and loving soul. With his beautifully put words he liberates the mind and lifts the soul. A chance to meet him is a real blessing! And for those who decides to come I only have one advice - be opened, sincere and with pure heart. Don’t think too much, just accept what is. I am planning to visit the centre in Ecuador in January and open new doors with possibilities in my life.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Natalia V profile picture 
 
 
 Natalia V 
 
 
 
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Безопасный путь к себе When I first got in touch, I was so deeply closed within myself, that I felt like everyone around was an enemy, I was lost.After, my life has completely changed.I realised and felt who I am, that I have heart, soul, that I am alive and the world around me is beautiful and in harmony.When I received my first knowledge I couldn’t comprehend this puzzle and didn’t first understand what happened. But when I started to see how my life was beginning to transform I started to trust, surrender and allowed myself to go on!When I met Ruyman again I felt myself comfortable in my skin surrounded by family. It is an unbelievable feeling. I’m happy that I came here and began the process of healing and spirit transformation. The dates, the people who I meet there are all at the right place, right time. For me it was important to surrender to the process, also concentrate, and follow Ruyman. His songs, his melodies, words. He is the best shaman, safe and well trusted, who keeps his tradition. He treats everyone with care and love. The people who help him are ones with big hearts who look after the space, help with any questions (from the most simple ones to the ones that might appear during the work). Ruyman’s love reaches everyone, in his mysterious way he leads everybody to his own answer. I am grateful, I found myself, my wholeness, life and I returned on my path! I think that the time I spent here is better than any other retreat.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Ksenia K profile picture 
 
 
 Ksenia K 
 
 
 
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Authentically and seriously I wish to express my gratitude and respect to maestro Ruyman for his mysteries. His sacred Ceremonies bring me deep healing and transformation to the light. Besides mystical discoveries and insights, after the ceremonies my life gets better and new ways open. The ceremonies pass in peaceful, kind and caring ambience, where one can feel trust and support. Ceremonies are held safely and with great care for each one. Maestro Ruyman is very serious and knowledgeable medicine man, it’s a great luck to meet him and to learn with him…
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Valerie S profile picture 
 
 
 Valerie S 
 
 
 
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Safe and deep work I have travelled to Ecuador in 2017 and 2019 to learn and study shamanism with Maestro Ruyman. The ceremonies that are held there are safe, real, and definitely recommended by me to anyone who is looking for a real ancestral tradition. I have met other people along my path in shamanism, and I say with a heart full of gratitude and respect that Ruyman is the best transmitter of the healing art.The Center is situated far in the selva, where you can truly dive into the embrace of the Anaconda. I have participated in Natemamu ceremonies (that are very rarely held nowadays) and that was very hard, challenging and difficult to grasp, though after some time I felt the un turning changes within my whole system. I felt much healthier, lighter and way more sensitive and in unison with life. Thanks to deep purging, to Ruyman who is a real warrior of Spirit who inspires me to the bones during his attentive, safe and profound ceremonies.Also, I participated in Tobacco ceremonies at the waterfall, which deepened my connection to Tobacco medicine.What I loved about the Center itself, was :1) great location, pure land and abundance of rivers around it2) healthy food which was provided, it was very nutritious yet simple and fulfilling3) I loved our Jea ( the ceremonial house), which is made in a traditional way. Honestly, it’s the most amazing home I have lived in! We always have a fire in the Center, and all of the sounds of the jungle are always weaving through the dreams.After spending three weeks in Ecuador at the Center, I returned home full of strength, faith in humanity and in my own pure heart. I felt like a tonne of illusions have left me and finally I could laugh and live in much greater peace.The second time I was coming back to selva like coming back home. I was going through a very challenging time in my life, and I knew that coming here to face everything inside myself will be very hard. But I knew that that was the real way to the healing, even though many tears would have been shed. Coming to the ceremonies with Ruyman is not a joke - it’s the real medicine here with a real Uwishin - and be prepared to face shadows of your own identity and do the work. I am so grateful that people like Ruyman exist who are saving the tradition, play the traditional instruments of the jungle and sing ancient songs that have been passed on generation by generation.I recommend to come to Cumbres de Arutam if you are looking for your Spirit and connection with it, while being sure that you are guided through with love and knowledge.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Eugenia C profile picture 
 
 
 Eugenia C 
 
 
 
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Amazing miracle I would like to express all my gratitude to the Master in words from the depths of my heart filled with happiness, truth, strength, light and love for the whole world. For the most ancient and subtle art, for an incredible heart, for the ability to heal and open incredible spaces and flows inside and outside the universe. Each ceremony is like living your whole life in one moment, simultaneously healing, cleansing, being filled with light. How to express in words the universe that you see with your own eyes. The Master and the medicine gave me life itself, the only life that exists in the moment, the very support, light, happiness, love and protection that can be found only inside myself and expressed to the whole world. At that moment in my life, when it seemed that there was nothing to cling to and there was no sense, the Master with his huge heart, reliability, strength, spirit, faith, stretched out his hand and picked me up when I was falling, showing dark corners. The shadow behind which there is power, light, resource, pointing the way to the true self. The ceremonies, the medicine, the Master makes it possible to find all the answers to the most difficult questions, to find them yourself. His ceremonies are very safe all the way through and bringing to the light of truth. I'm really looking forward to the retreat. With gratitude, with an open heart of the Spirit of Strength. p. s Is it worth trying, if there are doubts. Its better to try once than to regret all my life that I haven’t. I recommend the best Master, time-tested, reliable, carefully preserving the ancient tradition of the Great Spirit, Arutam, the Sacred Crystal.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Kostya 
 
 
 
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Beauty 1. A stunning experience of realising the eternal beauty of being.2. Kindness, Love. 3.Great Medicine, Strong Medicine. The centre - as it should be. 4. Authenticity of tradition. Strong Master, Bodhisattva5. Be happyMy name is Kostya, spiritual name Manchunka
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Marina S profile picture 
 
 
 Marina S 
 
 
 
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The best shaman I have dreamed of attending a retreat at this center for a long time. Many of my friends have already been there and they are in awe of it and say that this is the best center that they have visited. I have attended many ceremonies in other countries with this shaman. This is a very great soul, an enlightened teacher, an unsurpassed master in his field, an ingenious healer and a masterpiece musician. Ruyman conveys the doctrine of shamanism without distortion, such as it was hundreds and thousands of years ago. The ceremonies are very safe and efficient. I especially love to take tobacco in the Shuar tradition. It's very soft. Ruyman's music is unique and completely authentic.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Alexeynavnav 
 
 
 
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Passing Shuar way My name is Uwi and I'd like to share a few words about retreat in Ecuador with maestro Arutam Ruymán.Being a part of our family in Cumbres de Arutam in January 2019 I spent 3 weeks in the jungles of Ecuador in Sangay National Park.Frankly saying, these 3 weeks were the most changeable times in my life which transformed my world and perception of life, as well my consciousness to good. Getting out of the box was the hardest part, because for the person living in the city of Moscow, taking a daily bath in the river and merging all that jungle life as I was indian guy, was unusual and let's say a big challenge. However, I always felt the support and care of maestro Arutam Ruymán and the local Shuar Family. I've been practicing the tradition of Ayahuasca or what we call the sacred plan - Natem for 6 years, but never did that for 3 weeks. Taking Natem or San Pedro almost every day is a challenge and a blessing at the same time. We also cooked Natem on our own from the cleaning of sacred liana of Natem till cooking it on fire till the drink was ready. And yes, that was the most magical Natem I ever took. Living in a village in the middle of Selva (jungles) was a great time, merging with mother nature and all the spirits, meeting sunrises and sunsets every day, as well as enjoying great views of the Sangay volcano watching and listening to unknown birds, animals and insects. Maestro Arutam Ruymá is a master of traditional chinese medicine, filosof and shaman, who passed initiation in the Shuar tribe. He transmits ancient shuar tradition with care and true love, this responds in my heart, helping me to overcome personal tragedies and darkness which kills me for years, opening doors to spiritual growth and happy life in the end. Please take in consideration all the dangers of living in the jungle and take your medical insurance with you. I wish you great times in Cumbres de Arutam and remember , since you get out of jungles and return to your home, jungles never get out of you!Aho!

Inside Cumbres de Arutam...

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Rosa Jimpikit

Shuar Elder, Storyteller, and Wisdom Keeper

Rosa Jimpikit has been like a mother to Ruymán on his path in Shamanism. She cared for him, fed him, and taught him the details, culture, and experiences of the tradition. Her father was a practitioner of the “Uwishin” path, so she was well acquainted with it from a young age as part of her daily life. She received a religious education in her childhood and adolescence, later studying nursing and dedicating herself to the profession for many years.

Today, she visits our center at Ruymán’s request, collaborating by sharing all the teachings and experiences just as she did with Ruymán when he was young. She explains the tradition in detail and embodies it among the groups that come to our center.

For us, having these contributions from the elders of the “Shuar” tradition is invaluable. In the Amazon, such opportunities are increasingly rare, simply because everything falls into oblivion and fewer and fewer remain.

SECOND PART: THE DIET IN SHAMANISM

Amazonian traditional diet prepared at our retreats.

I continue with some clarifications about the original article published in my previous post:

I’ve received quite a few questions about which vegetables are best to consume. A raw green leafy salad is a good choice. All kinds of water vegetables, especially zucchini of all kinds, eggplant, leeks, varieties of pumpkins (eaten in moderation), Swiss chard, spinach, peppers, etc. Eat your fill, no matter the amount.

Another issue to keep in mind is what types of carbohydrates to consume. Among the seeds, quinoa and buckwheat are the best options. You have to avoid cereals completely. Among the vegetables, we can choose roots with a high carbohydrate content: carrots, turnips, and beets are very acceptable, but remember to consume them in moderation. We must be very cautious about the consumption of radish because it is a spicy food. Potatoes and sweet potatoes can be consumed, but in moderate amounts due to their high carbohydrate content. 500g per day, in total, should be enough for a combined lunch of roots (each person’s need is different and that should be determined in advance). We must also clearly decide in advance if we prefer seeds or roots at lunch because you should never eat them together. In the jungle, you only have roots: yucca, pelma, papachinia, sweet potato, etc. These are the carbohydrates that are usually consumed along with green plantain.

With regard to fruits, they should not be eaten too late. The ideal time is when we drink water, right after the ceremony. I usually take my second ration in the early afternoon. In my usual life, I try to consume around two kilos of fruit a day, but not as much on ceremonial days. It’s very important to differentiate fruits into two types: those with the highest and lowest sugar content. We recommend — for daily consumption and also for the ceremony: melon and watermelon (better eaten alone); grapes, apples, and pears (slightly chilled, for Natem); blueberries, peach, apricot, medlar, plum, and papaya are always great. Cherimoyas, cherry, fig, and persimmons are not so advisable for the afternoons of ceremony because they are too sweet. Bananas and dates are not recommended: they’re too sweet. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, pineapple, and a few drops of lemon and tangerines (very few) should be consumed in moderate amounts and outside of ceremony hours because they are quite acidic. Oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits are not used in the way of shamanism due to their high acidity.

Salt is a necessary option. The pink kind or mine salt is the best and traditionally used in the rainforest. Certainly, you have to be insipid as the sky, water, and breeze, but kidneys need stimulation and strength to support us during long nights followed by deep concentration. Few but fundamental, especially for those not well trained. The sacred touch weakens in its bodily spring: the kidneys, which is a common problem among people in cities. They fail a lot in shamanism and in themselves because of this. Let’s not risk loosening too much: the prolonged abandonment of Spirit, its weak touch; the abuse of over-stimulation, anxiety, and sex, all come clearly to light through the lack of salt and nourishment (forced fasting). A ceremony is the worst moment to test these kinds of self-limits; the result may be a serious mess.

Another issue is fasting: Should we or should we not eat? The answer is clear: you have to eat. You need energy to maintain strength or to work towards balance in Arutam. City people are very weak; they are not a pure breed raised in nature, full of sacred touch, and they do not practice sexual abstinence with care. With the fire of life weak between the kidneys, they cannot resist or function well, especially with Natem, although this applies to any entheogen. Fasting is dangerous and useless in shamanism, except for experts. The energy from food helps us when the sacred touch is insufficient. It is also essential to resist, to avoid falling apart, especially in ceremonies with strong power plants and in the company of powerful masters. In any case, what we need is to eat small quantities, and very early, before noon on the days of the ceremony.

THE DIET FOR NATEM CEREMONY

Amazonian Shuar fermentated yuca preparation, called Chicha.

HOW TO KEEP OUR VITAL ENERGY

Diet is a key element to ensure that the medicine stays active in the body for a long time, so that it can be well absorbed and allow for a trance of many hours.

Firstly, it’s very important not to lose our body’s vital energy pressure. We shouldn’t allow the sacred touch to weaken inside us. This means we must take special care to ensure that no energy is lost in orgasm and ejaculation. That moment of pleasure, when our body’s vital energy is released, brings all the pressures down and weakens the whole path of the sacred touch.

Drinking Natem, in the practice of Shamanism, means being filled with Arutam and its sacred touch. If we are going to waste it, then why should we increase it? Some people foolishly believe that the practice of Shamanism can be subordinated to a more extensive and pleasurable sexual life. In other words, that we can’t dedicate ourselves to it just to increase the sacred touch with no other basic aim than to waste it in larger quantity and strength. This, of course, turns Shamanism into a truly dangerous thing.

Anyone who is not willing to keep their sex life under control should not practice Shamanism. Any discipline requires us to have a well-awakened, well-kept, well-maintained sacred touch. It’s necessary even in sports because the only way to recover from training, fiber breaks, muscle exhaustion, and stress is to be filled with a renewing sacred touch. It flows from our kidneys to the rest of our bodies and throbs next to our hearts.

Arutam is well-kept in the center of our bodies, starting from our kidneys. There’s our true self, warming us. The legs are our strong roots. Then it comes up the stalks, our backbones. Arutam ascends through the marrow and matures in our heads with its five colors, flavors, etc.: our five senses.

Whoever is not full of sacred touch weakens the path of Arutam. That brings us problems when we’re already weak, every time we consume our vital energy through sex. This worsens markedly with alcohol, which numbs and destroys us. If there’s an excess of substances with relaxing properties in our bodies, like opiates, cannabis, etc., the sacred touch becomes slower and eventually withdraws.

Both anguish and illness will come from the lack of harmony. Visions will not appear because there’ll be neither strength nor speed. The animal within us is asleep. No matter what they say in the cities, those who are considered professionals in these matters will probably say that sex is good and that it’s healthy to ejaculate every day.

Sex is good, of course, when we’re in love. But true love between two people doesn’t involve the destruction of one another. Love is passion, composure, and also happiness through sex. But there’s fulfillment—more than we’ve been taught about, more than we’ve experienced on a daily basis.

This is, therefore, the first point to take into account if we want to live a long life and succeed in the practice of Shamanism. Breathing should be slow and deep at all times. We must be able to take greater advantage of the act of breathing with fewer inhalations and exhalations. But we must also be strong and never hesitate, if necessary, to accelerate our breathing and still remain calm.

The goal is to maintain the correct tension, the perfect one, as expected from the Great Spirit. Such tension tends to tighten more than usual, but sometimes it loosens. We must know what the perfect balance point is. Only those who find the perfect tension will be fully functional. Animals are a very good example: they are tireless and perfect just as they are.

A GOOD NUTRITION

Last but not least: food. We’re always under the influence of what we eat and drink. Many times I am asked to point out the most accurate diet for taking Natem. It’s been written about—though the Shuar people did not have a writing system. It is something simple and natural. The Natem grows in the jungle, so we should eat plants that grow in the jungle. If we start from this principle, there is natural and intrinsic simplicity.

My grandparents had the fortune, even at a particular time of the year, to settle in some places of the jungle and stay there for a little more time. Hence, a diet based on gathering fruits predominated: guavas, chontas, and other fruits. The farming that was practiced was very basic. It was normally used to sow and pick many different types of jungle squash: cassava, sweet potato, papachinia, plantain… Small leaves were also consumed as vegetables or salad. Yucca was their only fermented drink. It was made of chewed yucca that women spat back into the jars.

During the ceremonies with Natem, nobody took too much ferment. It was not good to drink too much at that moment. Once more established—more sedentary—they completed their diet by fishing in the rivers. They did not eat fish or meat during the ceremonies: it was intended to attain the highest purity, physical and spiritual, by not creating suffering for other beings. But the jungle is the native way of living: they take everything they need from nature and do not rely too much on agriculture. Consequently, they need to obtain protein and fat from fish when they live a sedentary life and from hunting birds—using the blowgun—during the nomadic stage.

FOODS: BEST AND WORST CHOICES

The meat of larger animals, firmly rooted on the land—such as wild boar or deer—was never used. They were considered impure meats as they contaminated the body and brought disease. Such foods also clouded the mind and overexcited the nerves. Deer, they believed, were the reincarnation of the grandparents, probably due to their purity and nobility. So mostly, they hunted the pure meats of birds, which were available during their long walks through the jungle.

It was also a frequent habit to eat wild mushrooms (not close to ceremonies), tubers, sorts of zucchini-pumpkins of all kinds and sizes, and many other wild vegetables. It was very difficult to find salt. Sometimes they got it from mines, pink salt. The Shuar wrapped them in leaves and looked after them as if they were gold.

When they submerged themselves into a profound practice of their ceremonies—that is to say, when taking Natem—they tried not to consume any products of animal origin.

It is fundamental in Shamanism to maintain lightness and purity: to be tasteless, like water. I am fortunate to have access to sources of fat and vegetable protein—as I can get from legumes—in the places I spend more time. I can also count on avocado, olive oil, and walnuts. But that is not available in the jungle. In that sense, I am very satisfied to have such foods because they allow me to maintain strength and also purity, all in the same great trend. These elements are essential to nourish the roots, marrow, and depths of our body.

In these times of peace we live in—these times of exchange—it is wonderful and healthy for our planet that we can get fats and proteins from plants growing on the land. If our species has evolved into peace, that is consumption of vegetables. Nowadays we can get vegetables and vegetable fats almost everywhere in the world.

Legumes and vegetable fats can be found in almost all countries. Higher up, in the high mountains, you can find beans and even avocados. One of the reasons I chose to live on the edge of the jungle—between the hot and cold jungles—is to have the privilege of planting, preserving, and collecting these foods. To be able to sow, conserve, and collect the Natem, the Wanto, or Floripondio, the Tsaank. And to follow, at the same time, a pure diet, which gives me strength and health.

Many people believe that strength is obtained by stealing it from animals, by killing them for food. But strength comes from Arutam. Those who do not care for that vital flow are the ones who need to rush to take energy away from others. But they will not regain the energy flow they lost by eating a dead body—simple animal flesh, without Arutam. They will only have a huge body: a lean mass, empty of life and without sacred touch.

At what point did we forget that all strength comes from our Creator? When did we stop taking care of it? We cannot recover what we’ve lost. We can only try to survive by killing and eating other creatures, despite that disadvantage.

A well-made vegan diet, on the other hand, most of the time does not even need the destruction of the plant. Lettuces, leaves, are collected and consumed without major damage, blossoming and continuing the next generation. Not all the seeds we eat were destined to germinate. So the roots, the yuccas, will continue to be planted and will grow. The same plant will continue to multiply its leaves and its fruits.

We can pick up some leaves and let others bloom, so that new plants continue to appear and grow from their seeds. The same thing happens with the trees: each year they will grow to greater height and give us their fruits. If we do so, there will be no interruption of the life cycle of plant organisms, and there will be greater wealth in the whole.

But for this diet to be effective, I insist: we must take care of the sacred touch. You have to pay attention to how we handle sexual energy. We have to keep our body warm. Legumes and seeds must germinate. The body must get used to it. It’s a bit difficult, but this happens only at the beginning.

We can make strong concentrates, with protein content, using all these legumes. Our body should consume a lot of fat, good fat: raw, vegetable fat. This is beneficial for Natem, nourishing all the substances of our body, from our vital fluids to the bones and marrow. We should consume the necessary amount of carbohydrates for our daily nutrition. We must provide our body with the proteins it needs, and focus on eating mostly vegetables and raw fruits, reducing or completely eliminating cereals from our diet.

Anyway, I often insist, I don’t know of almost anyone capable of adhering to all the required care to follow a diet strictly based on vegetables, according to proper nutritional facts and vital energy conservation. For that reason, and to be responsible, I recommend eating fish in general, as my elders in the rainforest do. This doesn’t interfere with the ceremonies if you leave sufficient time between the events. However, seafood, octopus, “water snakes,” slugs, and similar creatures are harmful.

Another important consideration regarding the daily diet is the near-total elimination of sweets and sugars. We should obtain sweeteners exclusively from fruits. We must trust the place where we live, that is, the typical food of the area. This helps us to better remember and relate to Arutam. You should also restrict the use of salt and not over-modify the flavor of the meals. You can use spices from the area, but we must ensure they are not always the same. Do not fall into a state of attachment or extremes: neither sweet nor salty. We must use less salt and avoid trying to alter the taste of the meals. It is possible to use local herbs as spices, but not always the same ones. Avoid attachment, whether to sweet or salty flavors, without leaning toward either extreme. If you want to reduce your calorie intake, you can use stevia leaves. Also, it’s essential to drink plenty of fresh and pure water, though sometimes you can have vegetable syrups like agave or maple.

In the practice of shamanism, we must completely eliminate the use of garlic. Its use is a significant mistake, perhaps the most harmful of all. Those who consume garlic, cumin, and fresh onion cannot take Natem. Even if we stop consuming them ten days before the ceremony, we would still be under the harmful influence of these substances because purging these types of spices requires months. Instead, leek can be used without issues. If we don’t eliminate this habit, Natem will cause a nauseating sensation, followed by stomach pain, discomfort, and vomiting.

Minor, but still not very recommended, are cardamom and clove. The use of pepper is slightly tolerable but not very recommended, as it produces an uncomfortable sensation of heat. Ginger is also not recommended, though it is much less harmful than garlic. The use of cinnamon and ginger is more appropriate for treating colds. Regarding common spices such as oregano, basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley, and similar herbs, it must be noted that they don’t cause major inconveniences.

Another important recommendation: never heat the oil and never fry it. It should be steamed. Sometimes it can be roasted or prepared in soup, but always with dishes of very good quality.

Lastly, we must mention that the use of dairy products is a serious mistake and a source of diseases, allergies, inflammations, phlegm, mucus, and pain. It is also a source of fatigue and mental heaviness, and it reflects a lack of respect for other mammals.

We must have a sense of responsibility. As I said earlier, it is important not to consume too many relaxing substances. But this also applies to stimulants. If we stimulate ourselves more than we need, we are making the same mistake. Coffee and chocolate are especially contraindicated in the diet, as are any substances that involve roasting the seeds during processing. All of these are harmful. The taste of a burned substance is undoubtedly unsuitable for human use, so it is strictly prohibited by our elders. This applies to peanuts and other nuts, which are too greasy. The exception, among all types of nuts, is walnuts, which are highly recommended for the diet. Bananas and fruits that are too sweet, like dates, are also not desirable. And don’t hesitate to avoid processed, manufactured, and packaged foods.

MY GRANDPARENT'S DIET. A CLARIFICATION STATEMENT.

Amazonian Shuar hunters.

It’s very difficult to find fats and proteins of vegetable origin in the jungle. Everything is too wet in such a place. The terrain is often just water, with almost no earth on top. These are the central ingredients for a diet designed to optimize high muscular performance for proper development and maintenance. In the jungle, it’s absolutely necessary to have the perfect functioning of the physiological systems of any animal. We must ensure we survive: build a house so we don’t get wet; gather lots of dry firewood; hunt, fish, and grow vegetables to feed the family. We must be strong and excellent to overcome any risk. We cannot afford to lose our strength even for a moment, because we know that when death arrives, our fall will be both the first and the last.

My ancestors were partially nourished by what they cultivated: a variety of pumpkins, leaves from the forest, diverse roots, fruits they found, chontas, etc. They didn’t consume much of this, because they were too abundant in carbohydrates: they only consumed the basics to have good energy before it was time to rest. Beyond this functional purpose, no more importance or attention was given to food. The basis of their diet consisted of the fats and proteins they could obtain only from fish (no seafood, slugs, octopus, etc.) and birds: wild birds in general, which they hunted with a blowgun; they also fed on turkey-like species and so on. Saturated fats kept them satisfied for a long time, and protein nourished their muscles, building or repairing their tissues daily. Thus, they forged athletic bodies that were perfectly adapted to live under extremely harsh conditions.

As for me, I usually eat fresh fish, although I don’t feed on birds. I’ve been sympathetic to veganism for a long time: it’s a beautiful idea and very philosophical, but reality, in the final sense of the individual, shows its failure. If we remove animal fat and protein from our diet, we end up replacing them with manufactured foods and excessive carbohydrates, which won’t work for a person who needs to perform perfectly. “Normally,” we find vegans who are weak, thin, consumed; or on the contrary, fat, flabby, and with an unfortunate state of muscle tone. These men and women could not survive in a natural environment that required the best of them, so they remain in their cities, going from home to work and back. It’s regrettable to witness, all across the world, how disastrous certain philosophical beliefs have been when lacking rigor in individual feeling. I’m really writing this short post because I want to be better every day and share what I have learned and personally verified, in the company of the people who follow me and whom I love. I know that many will get upset, and even the knives of their blind beliefs will want to make me bleed; think, then, how violent a vegan can be when he does not eat meat…

My grandparents taught me this way, and in this way, Natem was taken in peace.

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Arutam Ruymán

Uwishin (Shaman), Tradition Bearer, and Spiritual Leader

Arutam Ruymán, Shaman and professor of traditional Chinese medicine, is an heir to the ancestral lineage of the “Shuar” people. He began his practice around the age of twenty while studying psychology, traveling to the Amazon, and marrying a native woman from a prominent “Uwishin” tradition family. He studied for ten years with different masters from his wife’s family, from whom he received high merits and recognition as a spiritual leader. He trained in all the traditional practices of the “Uwishin” path and its initiatory power transmissions (Tsentsak). He completed his journey by studying with the legendary shamanism figure in the Ecuadorian Amazon: Major Francisco Jimbikit. After 5 years of exclusive dedication to this final training, he consolidated as a fully developed Master, formally receiving all written recognitions.

He has been traveling the world for 20 years, teaching this sacred path to people from multiple and diverse cultures. He maintains and protects all traditional aspects, introducing small details of his own style that characterize him. He has written two literary works and numerous articles, along with two important cinematographic works. Currently, his presence on social networks provides sincere and high-quality information for seekers interested in original content about Shamanism and spirituality.

Together with Jordi Tucán Rojo, he leads this project that we present here in the heart of the Amazon.

Nunkui

Therapist, Assistant, Organizer and translator

Nunkui immersed herself in the world of shamanism, more than 10 years ago, after meeting Arutam Ruymán during the most difficult period of her life. This encounter marked a starting point for her inner healing and spiritual development. Throughout years of practicing shamanism and studying Chinese medicine under Ruymán’s guidance, she was able to better understand herself and the world around her, as well as acquire the ability to help people using plants.

Deepening her knowledge and experience in shamanism, she began organizing ceremonies to assist others on this path. Her annual visits to the retreat center in Ecuador and participation in sacred rituals have helped her develop intuition, sensitivity, and awareness.

Currently, she supports and accompanies people on their spiritual journey, helping them overcome difficulties and find inner balance. She also works as a translator for Russian participants in various events and ceremonies.

Liina

Psychologist and Translator

Liina began her spiritual journey back in 2010 when she attended a shamanic ceremony with Arutam Ruymán. Struck by his honesty and truthfulness, she started translating his ceremonies in Estonia. Over the years, she has deepened her understanding of sacred Plants, participating in countless ceremonies and long retreats in the rainforest.

With a degree in psychology, Liina plays a pivotal role at the center. Her expertise is crucial in providing emotional and psychological support to participants. Fluent in four languages, she assists others during and between ceremonies, helping them navigate difficult moments and gain insight. Her background in psychology allows her to offer a unique perspective, bridging traditional shamanic practices with modern therapeutic approaches.

Liina’s dedication to helping others on their spiritual paths is unwavering. She approaches each person with compassion and a genuine desire to support their growth and healing. Her deep commitment to this work is evident in her presence, as she guides others to connect with their spirit and follow their unique journeys. Liina’s heartfelt mission is to aid those seeking profound transformation, ensuring they feel supported and understood every step of the way.

Jordi Tucán Rojo

Center Director, Assitant

Jordi Tucán Rojo began his shamanic path in 2012 under the guidance of Arutam Ruymán. He felt a powerful current in his work and recognized the call to merge his efforts with this significant force. Not only was he inspired by Ruymán’s teachings, but he also experienced deep healing and gained greater clarity in his own life. Understanding that this collaboration would have a greater impact, Jordi chose to join him. Together, they created the “Cumbres de Arutam” retreat center in the heart of the Amazon jungle.

Dedicated to the traditional ways, Jordi immersed himself in the study and practice of this ancient art. His mission is to weave his experiences and insights into a life of deeper significance and contribution.

In creating “Cumbres de Arutam,” Jordi’s purpose is to craft a sacred space where people can invest their hearts into the community and draw nourishment from it. He aims to provide a sanctuary for spiritual growth, nurturing a genuine connection to the spirit. As a guiding figure, Jordi shares his experience and supports new seekers on their journey, cultivating a spiritually enriching and supportive environment.