I'm Faisal Khattak, founder of Ruhani Wellness Centre and creator of The Arbol Method. I bring 10+ years of direct apprenticeship in ayahuasca and wachuma traditions, alongside deep training in psychology-based integration, shamanic practice, and sound therapy. I built Ruhani on a piece of mountain land in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, after years of working with teachers, guides, and ceremony rooms across different traditions.

My work centers on what happens after the ceremony ends. The Arbol Method grew from a simple observation: insights fade when they aren't integrated into the nervous system, into behavior, and into daily life. I work with executives, founders, and high-functioning adults who are ready to stabilize their healing and stop chasing the next experience.

Assistant Holistic Sherpa

Hi, I’m Evelyn. My background is in Sustainable Tourism Business Management and Accounting, but my true calling found me here at Ruhani Wellness Centre.

For years, I explored different careers, searching for something that truly resonated with me, never realizing that my journey was guiding me toward something much deeper. Arriving at Ruhani felt like a cosmic signal, telling me I was ready to step out of my shell and embark on my own healing journey.

Healing isn’t a path we walk alone, and I have experienced firsthand the power of a supportive, nurturing community. Just as I have received unconditional support in this sacred space, I now dedicate myself to helping others find solace and transformation.

I am profoundly grateful to life for leading me here and to the Khattak family for welcoming me into this beautiful sanctuary. If you feel called to begin your own journey, know that you are not alone. I am here to walk alongside you.

Assistant Holistic Sherpa

Hi, I’m Josh. My path has taken me through the military, non-profit, and corporate worlds, but one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced has been within, learning to navigate lifelong anxiety and depression.

For years, I searched externally for answers, until I realized the truth: everything we seek is already within us. When we slow down, embrace Formal Reflection, and take Intentional Action, real transformation begins, both internally and externally.

My healing journey with plant medicine began in 2012, when I finally made the decision to take care of myself. Since meeting Faisal in 2019 and joining the compassionate, skilled team at Ruhani, that journey has deepened in ways I never imagined.

At Ruhani, a Sherpa is someone who helps carry the weight of the journey, not just for you, but also for the guides leading the way. I’m honored to hold space for you before, during (for select groups), and after your retreat, offering loving kindness and integration support as you step into your healing.

You don’t have to walk this path alone. I’m here to help carry the load.

Assistant Holistic Sherpa

The performance is a heavy thing to carry.

​For years, I did it at a high level. Born into a typical Midwestern family in the 80s, I had the "privileged" youth. The material things, the right boxes checked. But there was always a scratch beneath the surface. Something missing.

​I spent two decades trying to bury that itch. I ran from it through childhood trauma, through combat, and through a string of losses that eventually made the armor crack. I knew how to dance. I knew how to perform. But I didn't know how to be still without wanting to crawl out of my own skin.

​That is usually the moment the doorway opens.

​I met Josh Rizzo, who pointed me toward Ruhani. I didn't come here looking for a spiritual high. I came because I was running out of places to hide.

​My life didn't suddenly become "easy" after that first retreat. That's a fairy tale. What happened was better: it became honest. The numbness lifted. The connection to my community, my family, and myself actually started to take root.

​At Ruhani, I don't sit above you. I walk beside you. I know what it feels like to have the world think you’re fine while you’re quietly falling apart inside. I’m here to help you hold the space while the walls come down, and more importantly, to help you navigate the landing when you go back home.

​Integration is where the work lives. Let's get to it.