What is Ayahuasca? Interview w/Maestro Remi Deluane

Integrating Christianity and Ayahuasca. Recorded at Nihue Rao, Peru [March 2025]

In March 2025 I journeyed to Nihue Rao in Iquitos Peru for my most significant ‘diet’ with the Plant Medicine of Ayahuasca to date. The retreat was held by Maestro Remi Delaune, and his Shipibo teacher Maestro Ricardo Amaringo. I first experienced Remi’s works at ‘Kumankaya’ the remarkable healing center he and his wife Ashley built in the jungle of México. As a curandero he brings a one of a kind mixture of presence, humor, devotion to the medicine and indescribable Icaros.

His near 20 years as an Orthodox monk in France and transition to a deep study of Shipibo Ayahuasca medicine make him a unique teacher on the experiential, mystical and synergistic integration of Christianity and Plant Medicine. Remi’s work represents a key inspiration for my ongoing project ‘Christianity Beyond Itself’.

We recorded this impromptu interview exploring what Ayahuasca is and and Remi’s understanding of the relationship between Ayahuasca, Christianity and the Shipibo tradition. He shares the key practices of the Curandero, the idea of a ‘natural pentecost’ and the importance of a strong spiritual practice when approaching ayahuasca and why he is not an emissary of the plant.

*A note on audio fidelity*

This podcast was recorded in the open air at Nihue Rao in Iquitos Peru. There are lots of wonderful bird sounds. However, there was also some construction on site which shows up for a couple of minutes. These noisy moments have been included to preserve clarity and meaning in the dialogue.

Chapters:

3:30 Why do we drink Ayahuasca

08:00 What is the Icaro?

15:29 The relationship between Shipibo Ayahuasca tradition and Christianity

16:50-19:32 construction sound

19:52 Remi’s background in Greek Orthodox and mystical experience

20:42 Deepening Christianity through Ayahuasca

24:19 A ‘natural pentecost’ rather than a psychedelic renaissance

25:43 Ayahuasca is not for everyone

27:30 It’s important to have a spiritual practice when we engage with ayahuasca

28:00 The Five points that make a good Curandero