A center that organizes spiritual retreats went viral after revealing a ritual where people volunteer to be buried alive.
The ritual, called Shamanic Rebirth, is promoted by Casa Semente Experience, which organizes spiritual retreats that include therapeutic rituals and alternative medicine.
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According to Casa Semente, the purpose of the ritual, held on a farm in the Federal District (Brazil), is to promote a reconnection with nature and with oneself.
The ritual was inspired by indigenous practices from the Peruvian Amazon and is performed with the participant lying in a shallow grave. The body is then covered with soil, with a thin cloth protecting the face to prevent dirt from entering the eyes, mouth, and nose.
The participant remains buried for three to seven minutes, although in some cases it lasts longer. It’s worth noting that the entire process is supervised by professionals.
If the participant wants to exit early, they can raise their hand, and the therapists will help them out. The ritual is only performed after a health assessment and with the participant’s consent.
“It’s like returning to the womb of the Earth. Breathing with her, releasing what no longer serves us, and being born again,” explained Lila Sousa, an interactive therapist who co-founded the project alongside her sister, Priscila.
The four-day retreat costs R$697 (about US$124) and includes the ritual, shared accommodation, meals, and all experiences offered by the Casa.
In an interview with the Brazilian portal UOL, participants shared their experiences. “Giving my body to the earth was an act of surrender,” said Fernanda Barreira, 40, to the site.
“While I was down there, I saw images from my childhood, felt forgiveness, gratitude, and reconnected with myself. The Earth gave birth to me, and I allowed myself to be born again. I realized that death is an ally of life. I learned that I can trust in the cycles,” she added.
Meanwhile, Letícia Freire, 41, who suffers from depression and has had suicidal thoughts, admitted the ritual made her “want to live.” “It’s impossible to forget. I felt embraced in every inch of my skin. It was the first time I cried for being alive,” she told UOL.
Vanessa Moyses, 42, confessed she had a phobia of being buried alive. “But there, in that moment, I felt the Earth was welcoming me. When the dirt touched my face, I cried a lot. It felt like I was being cradled,” she told UOL.
“I felt as if I was being cleansed from within. I came out transformed. It was emotional. I’m a different person after this retreat.”
Photo and video: Instagram @casasemente.experience. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
