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Ceremonia
  • Journeys
    • AwakenPsilocybin retreat in Denver, Colorado
    • HealAyahuasca retreat in Baja, Mexico
    • Awaken at HomeRemote preparation and integration
    • CompareAwaken and Heal side by side
    • PricingWhat each journey costs
  • Centers
    • ColoradoPsilocybin in Denver, Colorado
    • BajaAyahuasca in Baja, Mexico
    • Archetypes & Personality PatternsExplore light and shadow
    • PreparationBefore a retreat
    • IntegrationAfter a retreat
    • ScienceHow psychedelics work
    • ResearchStudies and how we evaluate evidence
    • SafetyScreening, medications, support
    • Plant MedicinePsilocybin and ayahuasca
    • BlogArticles and updates
    • FAQCommon questions
  • About
    • Our storyWho we are
    • Austin MaoFounder and guide
    • TeamThe people who hold the container
    • Our methodHow we work
    • ValuesWhat we stand for
    • BeliefsWhat we hold true
    • Media and PodcastTalks, appearances, podcast
    • TestimonialsIn participants' words
    • Licensing and faithHow our ceremonies are held
  • Live Events
Find My Archetype
Find My Archetype
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  • About
    • Our story
    • Austin Mao
    • Team
    • Our method
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    • Beliefs
    • Media and Podcast
    • Testimonials
    • Licensing and faith
  • Live Events

Awaken together

Nonprofit, science-informed plant medicine retreats held in lifelong community. Sacred ceremony, expert facilitation, and one month of integration after every journey.

Find My ArchetypeWatch TEDx Talk

Austin Mao at TEDxBoulder

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As seen on

As seen on
  • TEDx
  • Fantastic Fungi
  • Mindvalley
  • Third Wave
  • Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers

Our community

Five-star reviews
256
  • 163 on Senja
  • 29 on Retreat Guru
  • 64 on WeTravel
Video testimonials
103
Alumni
412+
Retreats held
60+

A place to start

Curious about your next step?

Take a few minutes to reflect on your intentions, support and readiness for a retreat. This initial self-check helps you consider what to discuss with our team; it is not a screening decision.

Find My Archetype

A moment of reflection

Meet your light and shadow.

The qualities you rely on can be strengths. Under pressure, those same habits may also protect you in ways that feel limiting. Explore five patterns: Observer, Harmonizer, Anchor, Leader, and Creator.

You might notice how easily you read a room, how you carry responsibility, or when you retreat into thought. The ten questions, health check, and email take about 4 minutes. This is not a diagnosis.

Find My Archetype
Austin Mao speaking on the TEDxBoulder stage

Austin Mao at TEDxBoulder

Will Psychedelics Destroy Society?

Start with Austin’s TEDx talk, then explore your archetype.

Watch TEDx Talk

Austin Mao at TEDxBoulder

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Find My Archetype

What we hear most

Life can look full. And still feel distant.

You may recognize something here. There is room to talk about it without having to arrive with an answer.

  • Surviving, not thriving

    You've hit the milestones: the company, the title, the lifestyle. But the days feel like managing rather than living. Something essential is missing, and you can feel it.

  • Tolerating instead of inspired

    The life you built used to light you up. Now you're getting through it. You want to feel the pull of inspiration again, to live from passion, not from obligation.

  • Surface-level, not depth

    Conversations stop at "how are you / fine / great." You're surrounded by people, and still longing for the kind of authenticity and depth where you actually get seen.

The Ceremonia way

The experience matters. So does what surrounds it.

How screening and support workCeremonia retreat alumni celebrating together on an outdoor deck
  • A practice of connection

    Circling, mindfulness and time in conversation make space to notice what you feel and say what is true for you.

  • A group you can get to know

    Preparation and shared circles give you time to build relationships before and during the retreat.

  • Support after you return

    Integration is part of the journey, with space to reflect on the experience and bring it into daily life.

Included integration: one month after your retreat.

Research, with perspective

Stay curious. Ask good questions.

Research informs our approach to preparation, ceremony and integration. Clinical study findings describe those study settings and participants; they do not predict your experience at Ceremonia.

Read the science

Your path

Start with a question. Take it one step at a time.

  1. 01

    Check Readiness

    Use the self-check to reflect on where you are and what you want to explore.

  2. 02

    Talk with us

    Have a conversation with our team about your questions, intentions and fit.

  3. 03

    Choose a journey

    Explore Awaken or Heal by fit. Screening and acceptance come before booking.

Find My ArchetypeSee journeys and dates
Austin Mao smiling outdoors at sunset

Founder

Austin Mao

I'm Austin, co-founder of Ceremonia. My work brings together connection, ceremony and the practice of paying attention to your own experience.

I'm a TEDxBoulder speaker and host of the Modern Enlightenment podcast. You can hear more of my perspective in the talk and read the story behind Ceremonia below.

Read my full story

Common questions

What people ask first.

You do not need to have it all figured out. Here are a few questions to help you decide what to explore next.

  • How do I know if a retreat is for me?+

    Start with the readiness self-check. It asks you to reflect on your intentions and support. A conversation with our team and screening help assess fit; the self-check does not confirm eligibility.

  • How do you approach screening and support?+

    We discuss your history, medications and intentions before acceptance. Our nurse practitioner reviews every medical intake. Bring your questions to the team, and talk with your prescriber before making any medication changes.

  • What happens after I check readiness?+

    You can explore the next steps and speak with our team. Awaken and Heal are chosen by fit, rather than a required sequence. Screening and acceptance come before booking a retreat.

  • What support is there after the retreat?+

    Integration gives you a place to reflect on the experience and how it relates to daily life. The current program includes one month of virtual integration after the retreat.

  • Where can I find dates and cost?+

    See the journeys page for current dates, tuition and accommodation options. Our team can answer questions about the program before you decide whether to apply.

See journeys and dates

Begin

Ready to begin?

Give yourself a few minutes to reflect on where you are. If you would rather begin with a conversation, our team is here.

Find My ArchetypeTalk to us

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Ceremonia

A nonprofit sanctuary in the Colorado Front Range, dedicated to the safe and ceremonial use of psilocybin. Psilocybin ceremonies held as religious practice under RFRA.

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About

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  • Austin Mao
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  • Inspiration not appropriation
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  • Book a connection call
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