While many more people are feeling called to the work of plant medicine and Ayahuasca in specific, here we invite in an opportunity for sacred pause and listening.
Ayahuasca, a powerful sacred plant medicine that can offer the potential for transformative growth. And, this journey is a very personal experience that might not be for everyone. While we might have the calling, maybe the timing isn’t quite aligned or something just does not feel right. Here we invite in an opportunity to honor all the knowing that is taking place to confirm if and when it is the right time to embark on a journey with sacred plant medicine.
If you have been feeling the call to work with the sacred medicine of Ayahuasca, we present here an opportunity to further understand the nature of Ayahuasca and possible reflections to determine if the timing is right. Knowing you are the only one that will be able to answer that question, we hope you find this information helpful in your journey of exploration.
Understanding Ayahuasca’s Nature
In expanding our awareness of the sacred plant medicine of Ayahuasca, it can first be helpful to share a perspective of what Ayahuasca is not so proper expectations can be set.
Ayahuasca is Not:
- A quick fix: Ayahuasca is a sacrament and a plant ally. Here we invite in that Ayahuasca is not meant to be a shortcut to personal growth or emotional healing, but instead a tool to be used alongside other resources. While Ayahuasca can be a catalyst to facilitate profound change, for transformation to be lasting it requires capacity and willingness on our part to listen and to implement the wisdom that is coming through.
- A recreational experience: While the experience of Ayahuasca can be sometimes full of bliss, it is not a medicine that should be used casually. For the experience to be healing, it requires that we show up and meet the medicine with reverence. Working with Ayahuasca is a sacred tradition passed down from long lineages of Indigenous wisdom and should be honored as such.
- An escape from reality: While Ayahuasca can bring insights and expand our perceptions, it should not be approached as a way to avoid or to bypass what is. The healing nature of Ayahuasca lies in its ability to illuminate what needs to be acknowledged for healing and wholeness. The medicine encourages us to confront difficult truths, not to escape them.
- A substitute for therapy: Although Ayahuasca can catalyze healing, it should not replace conventional therapy, but instead be used in conjunction with. We encourage working alongside a qualified therapist or somatic plant medicine specialist to not only prepare, but also to integrate Ayahuasca’s powerful insights.
- A magical solution: This medicine doesn’t promise instant solutions. Instead, it offers profound experiences that can accelerate your personal growth, if you’re ready to engage with them in a meaningful way.
What Ayahuasca Is:
- A powerful plant teacher: Ayahuasca is a revered medicine with the potential to guide you toward deep insights and understanding, facilitating spiritual growth and personal development.
- An accelerator of personal growth: For those willing to do the inner work, Ayahuasca can help you break through old patterns and accelerate your healing process.
- A catalyst for deep healing: The medicine has the potential to bring clarity to unresolved trauma, emotional pain, or life challenges, helping to clear energetic blockages.
- A sacred ceremonial medicine: Ayahuasca is best used in ritual and ceremonial settings, paying reverence to Indigenous cultures who have been so brave and courageous to carry on the wisdoms, in the face of colonization. We recommend working with trained facilitators who have deep medicine experience to ensure a safe and meaningful experience.
- A tool for spiritual development: Beyond personal healing, Ayahuasca can help connect you to a deeper sense of spirituality, providing a profound sense of oneness with the universe.
Curious to learn more? Book your Sacred Journey Consultation today.
An Invitation for Self-Reflection
Capacity
Before embarking on this journey, we invite you to take time to reflect on why you are coming to this work and what your capacity is. Below are some questions to reflect upon as you explore your capacity for this work
- What is calling me to this work? Intentions can act as a powerful compass in directing the experience for lasting transformation.
- Do I feel ready to expand my self-awareness and confront potential difficult truths? The experience may push you to confront aspects of yourself that you have not yet been ready to explore.
- Do I feel safe enough in my body and with the medicine to allow and receive? Ayahuasca can bring uncomfortable experiences. Creating capacity, compassion, and self-resourcing is key in being able to receive and hold the insights.
- Do I feel ready for transformation? The insights you receive may prompt awareness of shifts that need to take place in order to have greater fulfillment, health, and peace.
- What is my support system? Ensuring you have proper support following your journey and exploring ways to integrate into communities that understand your journey.
Timing Considerations
The timing of your Ayahuasca retreat is just as important as your internal readiness. We invite you to explore these questions to assess if now is the right time for you:
- Is this the right moment in my life? Reflect on your current life circumstances and whether this is a period of stability and security or upheaval and transition.
- Can I dedicate time for processing? You’ll need space to process the experience; major life events may make it harder to integrate the lessons of the journey.
- Do I have space for integration afterward? Integration is a vital part of the process. Ensure you have time to process and reflect after the retreat.
- Can you commit to preparation protocols? Some retreats have specific preparation protocols to help prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for the ceremony.
- Is my life situation supportive of transformation? Consider whether you’re in a position to engage fully with the process of healing and transformation.
Medical Considerations
It’s essential to consider your physical health before deciding to embark on an Ayahuasca journey. Some medical conditions and medications may be contraindicated with the medicine. Be sure to consult with a healthcare professional, and take the following into account:
- Absolute Contraindications:
- Severe mental health conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
- Certain heart conditions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Specific medications (e.g., SSRIs, MAOIs)
- Recent surgeries
- Relative Contraindications:
- High blood pressure
- Digestive disorders
- Autoimmune conditions
- History of psychosis
- Certain psychological conditions
Have questions? Schedule a Sacred Journey Consultation Call to get them answered.
Life Circumstances to Consider
The environment and life circumstances surrounding your retreat are just as important as your personal readiness. Ask yourself these questions:
- Supportive Conditions:
- Do you have a stable living situation?
- Is your work environment flexible, allowing time for preparation and integration?
- Are you in a supportive relationship or have a strong support network?
- Do you have the financial stability to attend a retreat and take the necessary time for preparation and integration?
- Challenging Conditions:
- Are you going through major life transitions, such as a breakup or job change?
- Do you have an unstable living situation or lack a solid support network?
- Are you in a high-stress work environment that could hinder the integration process?
Indicators of Readiness
As you reflect on whether an Ayahuasca retreat is right for you, consider the following internal and external indicators of readiness:
Internal Indicators:
- A strong inner calling to explore Ayahuasca and its teachings.
- A willingness to change and grow.
- Emotional stability and a clear sense of purpose.
- A deep commitment to healing and spiritual development.
External Indicators:
- The ability to take time off work and personal responsibilities.
- Support from community, care givers, or professionals to ensure you’re not isolated during the retreat and afterward.
- Financial readiness to commit to the experience, including retreat costs, travel, and post-retreat integration.
- Stable life circumstances that will allow you to process the experience and begin integrating insights.
Potential Flags
Before making the final decision, we invite you to evaluate the below:
Personal:
- Seeking an escape from your problems rather than facing them head-on.
- Unrealistic expectations or romanticizing the experience.
- Resistance to preparation or unwillingness to follow protocols.
- Fear-based decision making or feeling pressured by others.
Situational:
- Recent trauma or loss that has not yet been processed.
- Major life upheaval that would make it difficult to integrate the experience.
- Unstable mental health or ongoing psychological challenges.
- A limited support system or lack of financial and emotional stability.
Steps Forward
If you’ve reflected on the above questions and believe that Ayahuasca may be right for you, here are some next steps:
- Continue your research: Make sure you’re fully informed about the medicine, its risks, and benefits.
- Speak with past participants: Hearing from others who have gone through the experience can offer valuable insights.
- Review your medical history: Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out any contraindications.
- Consider timing carefully: Ensure that your life circumstances align with this type of transformative experience.
Conclusion
We honor that the decision to work with Ayahuasca is deeply personal and should not be rushed. We recommend that while doing your due diligence, you also invite trust in your intuition and the body’s inner knowing. You are the only one who will know if and when the time is right.
If you feel drawn to the medicine and would like to learn more, we invite you to:
- Schedule a Sacred Journey consultation.
- Download our free Guide to Ayahuasca.
- Discover our upcoming retreats.
- Subscribe to our newsletter.
Start your journey today by scheduling a Sacred Journey consultation. This is the first step in exploring whether our approach to healing is the right fit for you.
