The Dance of Connection

There are moments in life when it feels as though others simply don’t understand us — our feelings, our intentions, our needs. It can be easy to fall into frustration or disappointment when we sense that gap. But if we look deeper, we see that each person is living within their own universe, shaped by their experiences, wounds, perceptions, and lessons.

Everyone is exactly where they are meant to be on their journey. So even if someone doesn’t understand you in the way you wish to be understood, perhaps they are understanding you in the way they need to — for their evolution or for yours, at that moment, under those circumstances.

The movement of Spirit is not random; it is precise. There is delicate threading and quiet maneuvering taking place behind the scenes, as the divine orchestrates the dance of connection. Every encounter is sacred: two souls in dialogue, fulfilling unseen appointments, negotiating lessons, expiating karma — all under meticulous spiritual mediation.

The Sacred Work Beneath the Surface

So much is being worked out in the invisible realms — from the depths of the subconscious to the clarity of the higher self. What may look like conflict or misunderstanding on the surface is often the very tool Spirit uses to refine us.

There is always tension when truth meets resistance, friction leads to transformation. But when confrontation happens within the light of truth — when it’s consecrated in love — the struggle becomes sacred. It tills the soil of the soul, making it fertile ground for the divine seed to germinate.

When that soil is watered with love, compassion, and encouragement, the seed of understanding takes root and blooms into a flower — one that carries the unmistakable scent of the divine. And from that flower, new seeds are born: of forgiveness, of wisdom, of growth.

The Purpose of Meeting

We meet not only to share feelings and thoughts, but to exchange the subtle magic that brings transformation. Every word, every silence, every gaze has potential to awaken something sacred.

As the saying goes:

“The healer is one who can inspire faith. The tongue may speak to human ears, but souls are reached by those who speak to souls.”

So may we speak soul to soul. May we honor the dance, trust the unseen choreography, and recognize that even in misunderstanding, the divine is at work — always weaving, always guiding, always loving.

Open Paths,

Drew

I Am Small: The Power of Humility in Healing

The Posture of Learning

When we approach the medicine, it’s not as masters but as students. The plants carry a wisdom older than any human philosophy. They teach in silence, through intuition, and through the language of the heart. The medicine acts as a vehicle of divine light that teaches those who come with openness—those willing to listen, to surrender, and to be taught.

If we already had all the answers, why would we still suffer? If we truly knew how to live in health and joy, would we continue to repeat the same cycles of pain and separation? These questions remind us that humility is not weakness—it’s awareness. It’s the recognition that there is more to learn, that healing requires letting go of what we think we know, and understanding that we don’t know what we don’t know.  

The Mirror of Recovery

The same truth applies to recovery. Healing is not a straight path; it’s a spiral that invites us to revisit our wounds with new eyes. When we show up convinced that we already know everything, we block the very insight we seek. To heal, we need to be willing to be honest with ourselves, and this requires humility.

To recover is to listen—to ourselves, to others, and to the quiet voice of Spirit. Listen much, speak little. Be small, so that you can perceive the help that is already present. The divine often works subtly: through a conversation, a song, a moment of silence that pierces the heart.

Misconceptions About Failure

It’s a common misconception that the inability to recover from addiction and destructive patterns is just about defects of character. In truth, it is often a lack of perception—a blindness to what is real. What we call relapse, avoidance, or self-sabotage are often expressions of pain unrecognized. Beneath the behaviors lies a longing for connection, purpose, and love.

When we begin to see our struggle not as moral failure but as a sacred call for awareness, compassion replaces shame. We start to recognize that what seemed broken was actually guiding us toward wholeness. Our suffering, when viewed through humility, becomes a teacher.

The Gift of Smallness

Humility is the cornerstone of both recovery and spiritual awakening. From this posture, everything becomes easier, and we begin to cultivate the virtues necessary for true healing. To be small is to make room for grace. When the ego quiets, the heart can finally hear the deeper current moving beneath all things.

Trust in that current. It knows the way home.

The spirit of truth will guide each step of the journey—not through grand revelation, but through small, consistent moments of honesty and surrender.

So we say again, and again, with reverence and courage:
I am small.

In this smallness, we become teachable.  When we begin to learn our lessons well, we then learn to trust the divine love within our hearts.  And from this blessing of the Divine love, a new life begins.

Open Paths,

Drew

A call from Spirit

“The single most essential attribute of my sobriety became my spiritual awareness and my devotion to a life of healing”

Throughout my long career of drug abuse and destructive behavior, I experienced brief pockets of respite — moments of sobriety, clarity, and hope. Over the years of using and recovering, one truth kept surfacing: real healing requires awakening to Spirit. So, I went all in. I learned that everything we need is already within us; we only need to access it. Once we do, we begin to remember, and our lives bloom into truth with love and all good things.

 I decided to face the darkness that haunted me — the wounds and imprints that drove me to act the way I did. The single most essential attribute of my sobriety became my spiritual awareness and my devotion to a life of healing. In confronting my shadows, I began to see the patterns that have shaped me, and I opened the door to change.

 Now is the time to awaken to who you are. Ask yourself: what and who am I? Why am I here? The path is waiting; the first sincere step opens it. From there you can return to a positive mentality — thinking and acting with virtue each day. Give it a try. Have clear intuition and affirmed intention. Cultivate faith and devotion. Be grateful for the miracle of life and the blessed gift of love.

 Look within. Do you know what you’re looking at? Spirit is calling you to be remembered. Awakening to spirit brings the deeper joy we were meant to experience — a contentment and gratitude that grounds us in the gift of being alive.

 Are you or a loved one ready to embark on a path of healing and transformation? Reach out to us for an introductory conversation to see if this is right for you.

Open paths,

Drew

The Importance of Integration and Aftercare in Addiction Recovery

In recent years, plant medicines like Iboga and Ayahuasca have gained recognition for their transformative potential in healing trauma and treating addiction. While these sacred medicines can catalyze deep emotional breakthroughs, a crucial aspect of the healing work continue after the ceremony ends. This is where integration and aftercare become not only important but essential for sustainable recovery.

Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned expert in trauma and addiction, emphasizes that addiction is not a disease or a moral failing, but a response to deep emotional pain and disconnection. In his work, he highlights the importance of creating conditions for lasting change through compassion, safety, and ongoing support. Maté is also a vocal advocate for the therapeutic use of Ayahuasca, noting its ability to help individuals access repressed trauma and find renewed purpose (Psychotherapy Networker).

However, Maté and many other professionals in the field stress that these experiences must be followed by intentional integration. As clinical psychologist Dr. Rosalind Watts, former clinical lead of Imperial College London’s psilocybin trials, has said, "Psychedelic experiences can open the door, but it is the integration work that helps us walk through it." Without integration, individuals risk losing the insights gained during ceremony, or becoming overwhelmed by the emotional material that surfaces.

At Nova Vida, we recognize this crucial phase of healing. Our approach to addiction recovery goes beyond the ceremony, offering a comprehensive aftercare program that includes one-on-one integration coaching, mindfulness and meditation practices, somatic therapies, and holistic lifestyle support. This structure helps individuals ground their experiences, create new patterns, and stay connected to a sense of purpose and healing.

Research supports this approach. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that participants who engaged in structured integration following psychedelic treatment for substance use disorders showed greater improvements in emotional regulation and reduced relapse rates compared to those without such support.

Integration also aligns with the principles of harm reduction, which emphasize dignity, respect, and meeting people where they are. At Nova Vida, we do not view recovery as a linear path or a one-size-fits-all process. Instead, we honor each person's unique journey and provide the tools and guidance needed to support their continued healing.

In conclusion, while plant medicines can spark the healing process, it is through integration and aftercare that transformation is sustained. At Nova Vida, we are committed to walking alongside each individual beyond the ceremony, helping them embody the insights they have gained and build a life of meaning, connection, and freedom from addiction.