How to prepare for Ayahuasca
​Its best to feel a calling, an intuition because embarking on a journey to an Ayahuasca retreat requires courage, faith and an open-hearted commitment, its not an 'experience box' to tick off, though if you do think of it that way you may well change your mind after just one ceremony!
Don't worry if you don't follow all of the advice given here, just do what you can and what feels right. Perhaps don't take life too seriously? It should be fun as much of the time as possible! We are after all spiritual beings having a physical experience with the aim of learning things we can take with us when our physical bodies 'give up the ghost'. A high happy vibe is what we are aiming for, right?
The preparation for such a profound undertaking greatly influences the depth and effectiveness of the experience.
Here are some key suggestions :-
Food and Drink
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Nutrition is a subject I have been interested in for decades and is one of the most controversial ( for many reasons ) so you may find some differences in the advice I am about to give from other sources.
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"Let food be your Medecine"
No two people have the same dietary requirements. No one person has the same dietary requirements throughout their life.
​Preparation for Ayawaska ceremonies and for a serious 'Dieta' for shamanistic training is somewhat different. The following is the less stringent regime for ceremonies.
Physical detox
Preferably 6 weeks before the first ceremony (using common sense and thus depending on your normal diet) - slowly reduce stimulants like, sugar, spices, alcohol, recreational drugs, and then caffeine a few weeks before the retreat. This helps to detoxify your body and may allow for a clearer, more profound experience and will significantly reduce purging and nausea during the ceremonies. Drinking pure water is essential (at all times!).
NB - C Sativa (merry wana) - for heavy users this can still be in the body 90 days after last use. For occasional tokers 2 weeks before should suffice.
The Shamans describe the personality of Ayawasca as being 'jealous' - she doesn't like mixing it with other plant mediated spirits except under special circumstances (this is what a Curandero level Shaman finds out).
NB- Spices - this is controversial. For example you will be offered the Amazonian equivalent of Tumeric (Cuisador = 'The Carer') as a condiment with your food during you stay. It has almost miraculous healing qualities for the vast majority of people.
NB- Salt - insufficient salt over a long period will make you ill so I repeat - use your common sense and listen to your body. Being mineral deficient in an environment where you will sweat more than usual isn't good.
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Lastly - All nutritious food is alive before its cooked and still has a consciousness after! Consequently there is a lot of sense in eating and drinking with a sense of gratitude. The old customs of saying a prayer of thanks before your meal comes from that knowledge. Water in particular can absorb good vibes straight from the heart.
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Reduce Distractions
A week or two before the retreat, begin to limit your exposure to digital and social media especially for an hour before going to sleep. This helps to cultivate a state of presence and calm, allowing for greater mental clarity during your retreat. By stepping back from digital noise, you mentally and physically detox thus making space to become more receptive to the subtle insights and experiences in your healing process.
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Spend Time in Nature
Focus on sensations like the sunlight and wind on your skin. Recall the childlike curiosity and wonder of exploring nature, ponder on how small seeds grow into tall trees, caterpillars become butterflies, or bees make honey. This will enhance the likelihood of a transformation within yourself. Use all of your senses especially smell. Experience the mystery of nature’s wisdom and power, remembering that you, too, are part of its mystery and magic.
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Consider practising one or both of the two fundamental forms of meditation for a minimum of 10 minutes each (there are of course many types):- an open/ transcendental form and a mindfulness/focused form.
Breathwork and Yoga can support mental clarity and emotional resilience and focused breath control can be very helpful before and during the ceremonies. The sun salutation first thing in the morning is excellent.
Fitting all this into your daily routine may not be possible in your individual circumstances so please don't get at all stressed if you only follow a little of the advice given here.
Work out what you can fit into your life and try to do it the same time each day. Go to bed at the same time and do not look at screens for at least an hour before that - failing that use yellow/orange coloured specs to reduce blue light input. It's good to welcome the sun during first light or at least before it rises more than 30 degrees as the form of blue light in the morning helps empower you and wake you up for the rest of the day.
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Spend time in nature, focusing on sensations like sunlight on your skin or the breeze around you, tuning into the subtle energies of the environment. Recall the childlike wonder of exploring nature, pondering how small seeds grow into tall trees, caterpillars become butterflies, or bees make honey. Experience the mystery of nature’s wisdom and power, remembering that you, too, are part of its mystery and magic.
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Have faith in the process- trust it and yourself
Practice Gratitude
Build and maintain a practice of gratitude by writing daily in a journal, noting things you’re grateful for, and acknowledging others for their positive impact on your life. It might be helpful to make a list of all the things that are going right in your life, including problems.
Reflect on positive experiences and notice how they make you feel, deepening your awareness of gratitude and positivity.
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If you feel one of the higher emotions during a ceremony you might be amazed at how fantastic the experience can be.
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Have faith in the process - trust in yourself and remember the universe is on your side and will help you when you use your higher emotions via the law of attraction.
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