The Founders

My path has been guided by a sincere longing to be of service to life, and a continuous inquiry as to how to go about that. I spent my teenage years and early adult life working on socio-economic and political issues, initially with children in India, Brazil, Peru and England, then on deforestation and human rights issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Papua New Guinea. I obtained degrees from the University of Oxford, Sciences Po, and Columbia University, however my most important education came from the illness and death of my mother, and the discovery of psychedelic medicines. These experiences led me to directing the first European psilocybin-retreat programme of this kind, and eventually to founding Alalaho.

Over the course of my adult life, I became increasingly focused on the inner dimensions of healing and delved deeply into work focused on the integration of body, mind and soul. I have worked with psychedelics since my early twenties, and studied in ceremonial contexts since 2017. I have also trained in various psychotherapeutic modalities with The School for Essential Counselling, participated in the MDMA-Assisted Therapy Training with the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies – MAPS (US), explored sensuality and sexuality work with different tantra and embodiment teachers, studied in shamanic lineages of the Americas, predominantly in the Lakota and Shipibo tradition, embarked on the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist path, and participated in a modern Mystery School training in New Zealand. No less important, I am also continuously learning through nature, dancing, singing, martial arts, my friends and my family. 

It is a tremendous blessing to be able to draw on the wisdom of each of these approaches to support my own and others’ journeys through the multifaceted nature of what it means to be a human being. Growing up has been a continuous waking up to the fact that life is very different from what I have been conditioned to believe and expect, both much more challenging and also infinitely richer, vaster and more beautiful than I could have anticipated in my wildest dreams. It is my greatest passion and honour to contribute to the creation of a culture where we open up to the unfiltered wisdom at the core of our being, become empowered to take responsibility for our lives and feel free to express our unique gifts.

To get in touch, email stefana@alalaho.org

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind(heart). What began as an early fascination with mythology, religions, psychology and philosophy transformed over time into a deep-seated commitment to spiritual practice and living a life of purpose. I will forever remember the first book I ever read on Buddhism, how it led me to embark in my late teens on a life-changing backpacking journey to Asia where I discovered both Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred use of psychedelic medicines.

It was in the Himalayan mountains that I experienced for the very first time the deep, inexpressible joy that comes from the cracking open of the heart to its own immensity, and to the inherent beauty of the web of life in all its intricacy, interconnectedness and mysteriousness. It was also then – on a meditation retreat exploring the meaning of life in light of impermanence and death – that I vowed to dedicate my life to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, and to helping facilitate the transformations so desperately needed in our aching world. A couple of months later, I was fortunate to meet my root teacher, a Tibetan Buddhist master in the Vajrayana tradition, under whose close guidance I have studied and trained ever since. 

In the past thirteen or so years, I have spent over 800 days in meditation retreat – inquiring into the nature of reality, becoming familiar with the inner workings of my own mind(heart). I went on to obtain a degree in Social Anthropology from Sussex University, and trained as an integrative transpersonal psychotherapist at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, London. In 2018, I began facilitating psilocybin-assisted retreats and co-directing the first such European programme, eventually leading to the founding of Alalaho. It is profoundly touching to be supporting people on their own journeys of unfolding. For that is what this work is all about: the unfolding of the infinite vitality, wisdom and potential that lies at the core of our being… just like the blossoming of a lotus.

To get in touch, email jennifer@alalaho.org or visit www.jennifertessler.com