I am of Mexican heritage, born and raised in the United States, only to later embrace my Indigenous Mexican roots. This realization led me to believe that my ancestors have always been guiding me from the moment of my birth.

My awakening to a unique gift occurred at the tender age of six. Seated at the kitchen table, I watched time unfold with an eerie familiarity, as if the narrative of my life was prewritten, and I was merely retracing steps I had unknowingly memorized.

My childhood was far from ideal, necessitating constant retreats from the daily turmoil I faced. Mastering the art of escapism became a survival tactic, with sleep and the embrace of the natural world as my sanctuaries. In sleep, the harshness of reality softened, and amidst nature, I found solace away from the tumultuous environment I lived in.

Dreams and the embrace of Mother Earth became my sanctuaries. Through dreams, I learned to astral project, experiencing a realm where the physical constraints of my world dissolved. Yet, returning to my body always posed a challenge, accompanied by a heightened sense of clairaudience. Despite my attempts to share these experiences, they were dismissed as "pesadillas" or nightmares, igniting my quest for understanding.

My connection to nature was profound, particularly reflected in my dietary sensitivity. An inability to stomach meat led my mother to introduce a vegetarian diet early in my life, further deepening my bond with the natural world. This connection felt like tuning into Earth's frequency itself.

My grandparents' home was a sanctuary, an idyllic place with chickens, rabbits, a goat, and a plethora of plants and animals. It was here, amid the mud and the flora, that I found my peace, far from the difficulties at home. Without toys, nature itself became my companion. I saw life in every creature, conversing with hummingbirds and naming chickens with my aunt, embodying my profound connection to the Earth and heightening my sensitivity to the world around me.

Life’s circumstances, influenced by my parents, introduced me to Native American traditions through my father’s Dakota Lakota Native ex-wife. Participating in powwows, I felt honored to dance in traditional attire, grounding myself with the Earth’s pulse through the drumbeats.

As a teenager, my spiritual quest intensified, exploring various practices from sage burning to prayer, always seeking deeper truths. Marriage and motherhood brought new dimensions to my journey, yet my soul continued to seek its path, leading me to undergo hypnosis with a practitioner trained by Dolores Cannon. This experience reconnected me with the dream realm, hinting at a future awakening in another country.

Relocating to Saudi Arabia marked the beginning of a profound inward journey. Faced with cultural and linguistic barriers, I turned inward, dedicating countless hours to meditation and, developing psychic abilities, and mastering astral projection and developed a passion for acrylic and oil painting.

Returning to the U.S., my spiritual practice expanded into healing arts, becoming a Reiki master and delving into plant medicine. Without prior knowledge of my indigenous roots, I felt a call to Mexico, joining a pilgrimage that felt guided by my ancestors. This journey, alongside a DNA test, revealed some of my roots in the Sierra Madre Mountains, sacred to the Wixárika indigenous, and Tepehuan, a Uto-Aztecan Nati affirming my ancestors' presence in my life.

My journey through plant medicine has solidified my belief in our innate gifts and the guidance of ancestors. I've witnessed the power of connecting with Pachamama through Kambo, Ayahuasca, Bufo, and Peyote, embracing my role in sharing this healing. My experiences affirm a belief in the transformative power of plant medicine and the ancestral guidance available to us all. I hope that sharing my journey with Pachamama will illuminate your path as it has mine.

Founder of Healing With Pachamama

—Diana Renteria