Testimonials

Transcript – Ramy, Recovery and his Naikan experience Story

Q 00:14 What’s your name and where do you come from?

My name is Ramy, I’m from Cairo, in Egypt.

Q 00:21 What led you to Tabula Rasa Retreat to undertake Naikan therapy?

What led me here was that I’ve been struggling with addiction for 12 years, and I’ve been to countless institutions, and all these institutions, they are basically conventional and they approach addiction in one way, which is through 12 steps and therapy basically, and I started looking for unconventional ways, and I came across Naikan, and it was a different approach and a different kind of treatment, so that’s what led me to try it out.

Q 1:01 In what way has Naikan helped you and how does it differ from traditional programmes you have attended?
The most part that it helped me in was, that it made me more observant and aware of my of myself, and it’s different because it’s not based on talking, so it’s not that I have to keep talking to a therapist, it’s more, that I get to do my own therapy in a sense by introspection.

Q 1:37 How does Naikan complement the addiction recovery process?

I end up using essentially, and trying to mask whatever pain I go through, thoughts and feelings, essentially this is it, and through the Naikan process, I had to sit with my thoughts and feelings and could not distract myself. In a way it was a practical experience of how to deal with cravings, how to deal with negative emotions or feelings, and negative thoughts. I just had to sit and let them take their process, and acknowledge them, and then go through this process of forgiveness, which was a spiritual process with my guide, where at the end of each person I was introspecting on, I would ask forgiveness for the things I might have done, and how I can become a better person.

Q 2:45 Naikan reflection is based on three questions, these tend to cultivate gratitude:

What have I received from ____? ; What have I given to ___? ; What troubles and difficulties have I caused ___?
What was the most significant question for you?
(What troubles and difficulties have I caused ___?)
I was always fixated on looking at how I have been mistreated, and when I had to think more about how I hurt people and when I what I got from them, it made me realize that I also caused lots of pain and suffering to people who were doing their best basically. So, when I had this realization, I felt guilty. We did this not for me to feel like I’m a monster or feel guilty, at the end we just we acknowledge so we can become a better person, and we ask for forgiveness, it’s not to just stay in that guilt. The dynamic of Naikan is that feelings come and they go, and you just accept it, and that was like the revelation for me in the process of Naikan.

Q 03:58 How did the nutrition and exercise breaks help you through the Naikan process?

Obviously there was the food, the food was amazing, was always. I didn’t get to eat with anyone else, and it made me actually realize that I take human interaction for granted, but when I was eating with myself I was also a lot more grateful for this food because it was kind of a break from all the self-reflection, and obviously, it was also physically nurturing, and there was also the exercise, that also helped me, because it would calm down my body, and through this physical exertion, it made me more focused on the process, and it was a good break between each session of self-reflection.

Q 04:59 How did Pranayama and Aanapana meditation help you through the Naikan process?

Without them it would be a destructive experience, because I would keep thinking I’m a bad person, I’m a bad person, so basically the meditation, which was done with my guide, it helped me realized that all feelings come, I will feel good and I will feel bad, and, that all these feelings are essentially stored in my subconscious and they need to come out, and I need to face them, so through the spiritual meditation, it gave me acceptance.

Q 05:43 What was your most significant outcome?

The aim of Naikan is for you to feel more grateful and less resentful, towards yourself, family and the world essentially. So, I have a lot of goodness in me that I want to give back to my family, to myself, and the second thing is, that observation of oneself of being able to observe when I feel bad and meditate.

Q 06:20 How do you feel about your future?

After these two weeks, and the holistic approach of physical exercise, and eating healthy, and being spiritually, fit through meditation and reflection and quiet and peace, I’m just excited to now get on with my life, whether it’s good or bad and, yeah, start living.

Disclaimer: Ibogaine is a potentially illegal substance (often sits in a grey area of the law), and we do not encourage or condone the use of this substance where it is against the law. However, we accept that illegal drug use occurs, and believe that offering responsible harm reduction information and solutions is imperative to keeping people safe. For that reason, we share client testimonials, post treatment with Tabula Rasa Retreat, to show that there are ‘other ways’ to tackle addiction and spiritual malaise. We consider ibogaine as a very useful ‘tool’ in the recovery toolbox. Ibogaine is a safe option, if used responsibly, and where strict safety protocols are followed.

You are safe with us.
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Tabula Rasa Retreat has rapidly positioned itself as Europe’s premier ibogaine clinic. Located in the Alentejan region of Portugal, its clientele is mainly from the United Kingdom, Northern Europe, UAE and the USA. All treatments undergo medical vetting and are medically monitored and supervised. Our medical staff are ACLS trained. To support ibogaine treatments, expect holistic therapies such as breathwork, bodywork, massage, meditation, kundalini yoga, reiki, gong baths, drumming circles, equine assisted therapy, personal training and nutrition advice. This is further supported by 1:1 counselling and group therapy by our in-house counsellors.

For further information visit www.tabularasaretreat.com or call PT +351 965 751 649 UK +44 7961 355 530