Dr. Simon Ruffell, medical doctor (psychiatrist), researcher, and student of Shipibo Shamanism, integrates Western medicine, psychology, and traditional plant healing. As founder of Onaya and Chief Medical Officer of MINDS, he investigates the potential of psychedelics to support mental health, innovation, and personal growth. With a PhD in Amazonian ayahuasca, Simon bridges traditional ayahuasca practices and Western science, collaborating with universities and Indigenous healers to develop integrative approaches to healing, mental well-being, and expanded consciousness.

Sacred Patterns: Metaphysics and the Cosmological Vision of the Shipibo Konibo

This presentation explores the intricate metaphysical and cosmological framework of the Shipibo Konibo people of the Peruvian Amazon, with a focus on the symbolic language of Kené, geometric designs that serve as visual maps of the cosmos. Far more than ornamentation, Kené encode spiritual knowledge, articulating the energetic frequency of beings and their place within the cosmic web. Central themes include the multiversal structure of reality, the mythic role of Ronin, the great cosmic serpent, in creation narratives, and the foundational importance of sound and song through icaros. We examine how ayahuasca ceremonies function as portals to spiritual realms, guided by shamans who serve as mediators between the seen and unseen. Through these sacred patterns and practices, the Shipibo Konibo maintain balance, navigate spiritual dimensions, and preserve harmony between the natural and supernatural worlds.

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