General Preparation
Working with Sacred Plants comes with some risks. It is a serious business and certainly not for everyone. That is why we think it is important that you yourself take responsibility for preparing yourself carefully.
"Being well prepared is half the victory - reflect before you drink"
Precaution, motivation and intention
It is very important to consider carefully why you want to work with the plant medicine. What motivates you to meet the sacred plants/mother Ayahuasca? What is your motivation? Do you feel willing to travel deep within and go on a self-exploration journey? What do you want to get out of it? What is your intention? Do you really feel ready for it?
We advise all participants to inform themselves well in advance, and to thoroughly consider any risks and contraindications that come with working with Ayahuasca and other Plant Medicines. Check it out here on this page if you haven't already.
Preliminary course
We ask everyone to fill in an intake and health declaration at registration. This is because under certain mental or physical conditions it is not wise, or can even be dangerous, to drink the beneficial drink. For instance, there are certain contraindications for combining Ayahuasca with certain medications.
After receiving this statement, we determine with each participant, possibly in telephone consultation, whether we consider participation in an Ayahuasca ceremony is a wise choice. In view of the current, personal situation, it is then decided whether it is a suitable instrument for the participant to start working on themselves on a deeper level.
More and detailed information about the actual preparation for an Ayahuasca ceremony follows below.
Physical preparation
In preparation for the retreat, following a diet helps lay a good foundation for your overall experience with the Plant Medicine Ayahuasca.
The traditional Ayahuasca diet
La Dieta, the traditional, shamanic diet followed by the ayahuasceros in the Amazon, we do not mandate, but it shows, your respect for the process and commitment to your own healing. It prepares your body, the temple of the soul, to receive and welcome Ayahuasca, the Mother of plant medicines. It can also reduce the amount of cleansing required during the ceremony, allowing the healing work to unfold more easily and deeply.
In general, we encourage all participants to eat whole foods, and to limit processed foods, spicy foods and foods high in spices, salt, sugar, oil and animal fats. The aim is not deprivation you do not need to fast; in fact, you will need sufficient energy during the ceremonies and your journey.
The tyramine-restrictive diet
It is in your best interest, at least 48 hours before the ceremony, to avoid tyramine-rich foods as much as possible. Tyramine is not broken down sufficiently due to the MAO-inhibiting effect of the Pant medicine. And can therefore cause side effects during your Ayahuasca Plant Medication journey. For example, headaches, excessive sweating, dilated pupils, stiff neck, palpitations and high blood pressure.
For more info and detailed lists of products, see this page
Mental Preparation
Getting in touch with our deeper selves by drinking Plant Medicines like Ayahuasca can be an overwhelming and exhilarating experience. Reading about Ayahuasca or about the experiences of others can create a certain expectation about what the tea has in store for us.
Expectations
However, we recommend that you try as much as possible to approach this journey without expectations. Be prepared to surrender to whatever presents itself during the journey. Trust the healing power of the sacred Plant Medicine, and above all, your own self-healing ability. Trust that you will get what you need and what you can handle. Be open to what the plants have to tell you. Observe and try not to judge everything you see or feel, and above all, open your heart and show compassion for everything that arises.
This way, you will be able to travel in the best possible way.
Preparation Mindset
Here are some tips to prepare your mindset for your inner journey with Ayahuasca and other Plant medicines:
- Try to have no or at least as few expectations as possible.
- Take time for yourself; make space to connect with yourself.
- Do not absorb too much outside information that distracts from preparing (social media, television, radio, newspapers, etc.).
- Rather, meditate, connect with nature, or read a book.
- Think about and unfold the intention(s) for your personal journey.
- Avoid recreational, and especially psychoactive drugs 14 days in advance and do not drink alcohol 4 days before the ceremony (note: these substances also give possible contraindications!).
- We also recommend that all participants refrain from having sexual activity and orgasms three days before and a few days after the ceremony to preserve this energy for the deep, inner work during the ceremony and during the integration of the journey after the ceremony.
Intentions
Formulating one or several intentions to drink Ayahuasca helps to give the experiences of the journey a place. It is wise to take some time before the retreat to get clear on what you want to achieve by drinking Ayahuasca. Consider your intention as a positive affirmation:
- For example, ask yourself what you need in life right now, in terms of needs or desires.
- Your motivation may have to do with a specific issue or problem you want to overcome. Do remember that a problem or a particular pain is always related to a higher purpose, in the sense that it serves as an obstacle in achieving a particular desire or need.
- You can also ask for insights into overcoming certain issues or what you are struggling with in life.
Preparation Set
Good preparation is a must. Reading up on the subject and preparing well on both physical and mental levels will, affect the course of your journey.
Safe Setting
It is important that the journey is made in a setting that feels safe, in the presence of competent and experienced facilitators, who will provide support and help navigate if needed.
Integration
However intense the experience, the real work starts after the journey. Grounding well afterwards and integrating your experiences and the insights gained, is perhaps the most important part of working with the plants.
