AYAHUASCA RETREAT PREPARATION

Proper preparation for your Ayahuasca ceremonies is essential for gaining more impactful benefits out of the ceremonial experience. Committing to an Ayahuasca retreat with multiple ceremonies will likely be one of the most important decisions and investments you make in your life. If you are feeling called to work with Ayahuasca, it is because your spirit is ready for a significant change in life. The value, dedication and energetic investment one places on their souls growth will be reflective in their Ayahuasca experience. The sacred work with Ayahuasca can bring about astounding transformations in the lives of those who walk upon this journey. Yet the ‘real work’ will come after you leave the retreat as the healing and energetic shifts that have taken place in the ceremonies will require proper integration afterwards to maintain the long term benefits. Approaching your Ayahuasca journey with proper preparation will allow for an easier transition into the post retreat integration process.

 ~ We recommend following the suggestions below in order to prepare properly for your Ayahuasca journey ~

DIALOGUE WITH AYAHUASCA & INTENTION SETTING

Starting a personal dialogue with the spirit of Ayahuasca is an opportune way to become clear on why you are embarking on this plant medicine journey of healing and expansion. Ayahuasca is not just a plant, yet she is a powerful and loving spirit who hears you and knows your needs. Sharing your intentions on what you would like to heal, resolve, release or expand into. You can simply “speak” with Ayahuasca in your meditations or in spaces where you can find some quiet solitude. You can also journal and write out your thoughts and intentions on how you would like to see your life change after the retreat. The important thing to remember is that you must then release any expectations of how Ayahuasca will work with you on meeting these intentions. Every ceremony is unique and the experience will never unfold in the way you think it will. Much of what takes place in these multi-dimensional realms cannot be interpreted by the rational linear mind. Yet continue to trust that your intentions are being met on energetic levels even if you do not receive answers or cognitive understanding in the immediacy after the ceremonies. Much is yet to be revealed and integrated in the weeks, months and even years ahead.

MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

Cultivating meditation and mindfulness practices are very beneficial in assisting you on your Ayahuasca journey. For those of you that may not have a consistent meditation practice, this may feel like a daunting on-taking. Yet, you may view this activity as simply a practice of mindfulness. We recommend within these meditation and mindfulness practices, that your intention be to let your thoughts clear away and come into a place of observation. This can be an extremely helpful tool during your Ayahuasca ceremonies, especially when the energies and visions can become intense. Stepping into “observer mode” in these times will enable you to stay more centered and not get caught up in energies or loops of mental confusion or distraction. This practice will help facilitate an ‘effortlessness’ and surrender to the deeper transformations taking place. Although extreme mental activity can occur during Ayahuasca ceremonies, often this will be the manifestation of a purge or also can be related to receiving deep realization and insights.

We strongly recommend using your meditation and mindfulness practice as a opportunity to drop into your heart space and tap into what it truly feels like to trust, surrender and have faith during your ceremonial experiences. You will often hear these words and concepts throughout your retreat as tools to help assist you in easing any difficulties you are feeling about your ceremonies. It will be up to each individual to find the truth of how trust and surrender will enable them to have a more beneficial experience with Ayahuasca. It is normal for fearful thoughts and energies to arise during the ceremonial journeys, yet remember to recognize these as energies that have been lodged in the cellular body that are now surfacing to be released. Having the ability to surrender and trusting the process will allow deeper healing and re-balancing to occur more quickly.

   ” ‘Surrendering’ is not the surrender of total control, but surrendering to the control that is already innately built within your Soul’s plan and the divine plan that the Spirit of Ayahuasca have in store for you.”

FEARS & ANXIETIES ARISING BEFORE THE RETREAT

Experiencing fears and anxieties arising before your Ayahuasca journey is completely normal and to naturally be expected.  This happens to most participants to some extent or another.  It can often be representative of the ‘ego/shadow side” knowing that it will have to change and let go of old patterns while experiencing the resistance that comes along with this.   It is valuable to simply observe these feelings while in a self reflective space.  Instead of trying to suppress or ignore these feeling, accept them, thank them for what the have taught you and let them go as much as possible.  Do your best to keep an open heart and open mind while recognizing and honoring the fears and apprehensions as they arise, knowing you will have the power to let them go in your ceremonies.

PURGING BEFORE THE RETREAT

The moment you commit to an Ayahuasca journey, the Medicine begins working with you.  You may experience more vivid dreams, synchronicities in your reality, and physical body changes.  Your spirit and body know they will be going through a significant transformation and may begin to prepare for such. This may manifest through the body experiencing symptoms of “sickness” such as colds, stomach upsets, headaches, exhaustion, etc. This is normal and common as the body is preparing to purge the denser blockages by starting to surface these energies. If this begins to happen to you in the immediate weeks before the retreat begins, try to avoid taking any extreme pharmaceutical medications such as antibiotics. These symptoms may be a natural part of the pre-purging process. Feel free to contact us if this is occurring for you as we are happy to recommend natural holistic alternatives to help the symptoms process and release through the body more quickly. If you do end up needing to take a medication, please consult with us to see if it may have a contraindication with Ayahuasca.

TELLING OTHERS ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING AYAHUASCA JOURNEY

Upon committing to attending an Ayahuasca Retreat, you may feel excited to share this news with others in your life.  We do recommend to be cautious about you to decide to tell as there is a possibility of mixed reactions to be expressed in return.  If you feel that those you tell will be receptive and supportive of your journey, feel free to tell them.  If you are unsure about telling others what  you will be participating in specifically, you can simply share that you are attending a spiritual retreat with yoga & meditation.  Be aware of others projections of fear towards your decision.  Naturally you will have loved ones concerned for your safety traveling to the Amazon and participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies.  Yet often other’s fears can be unfounded and may bring upon unnecessary anxieties around your decision.  This is a very unique personal journey you are undertaking for your own healing and soul growth.  It will likely be one of the most impactful decisions you make in your life. Be sure to do plenty of research about the Ayahuasca process before making your decision to join a retreat to make sure it is the best decision for you at that time in your life.

POST RETREAT PLANS

Participants can feel a wide range of energy levels post an Ayahuasca retreat. Energetic highs and lows may be experienced in the days, weeks and months ahead. The body will be assimilating and integrating the energetic shifts that have taken place in your ceremonies. This can manifest as more ‘releasing and purging’ as the body re-calibrates to the new vibrations.   Ayahuasca is still strongly present within your energetic field in the days immediately after the retreat and you may experience intense dreams and varied physical energetic levels.  This is all a normal part of the process.  It is strongly suggested that you continue with the Ayahuasca diet for the indicated length of time to facilitate an easier transition back into your daily life. It is recommended to give yourself at least a few days after the retreat to decompress and integrate before engaging in any strenuous activities or demanding work environments. If you are able to give yourself even more time, we suggest taking advantage of that opportunity.

Suggestions:

If you only have a few days after the retreat before needing to return home, we recommend staying in Pucallpa at Manish Eco-Lodge where you are still in an environment surrounded by nature with some additional comforts. You can also stay in the Lima/ Miraflores area.  See a list of hotels HERE.  The best months to stay in Miraflores are November – April.  May through October tend to be colder and cloudy months.

If you have at least a week available after the retreat, many of our guests travel to Cusco and the Sacred Valley area. There are many great places you can stay or visit including Cusco, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. There are great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in these areas that can align with the Ayahuasca Diet recommendations. If you plan to hike the Inca Trail, we recommend allowing at least 3-5 days after your Ayahuasca journey to let your body rest sufficiently. If you plan to participate in a San Pedro ceremony, we recommend at least 5 days after your ayahuasca retreat.

If you need to return directly home and work after the retreat, we recommend to set aside some time each day for yourself for self care and integration time.  Even if you can only give yourself 15-30 minutes a day to find some quite time and reflect on your experience, this can be very beneficial.  Take advantage of the Ayahuasca Integration Guide given to you at the end of your retreat to assist you with the starting your new chapter in life.

 AYAHUASCA DIET RECOMMENDATIONS

We encourage our you to start adjusting your diet at least two weeks before the retreat yet the sooner the better.  This will clean and prepare your body to enable you to have a deeper and more profound experience with Ayahuasca.

  • Pork and red meat must be fully eliminated two weeks before and after the retreat.  Consuming fish and chicken are fine and it is preferred to find organic/free range meats.
  • Alcohol must be fully eliminated two weeks before or after the retreat. The more time you eliminate alcohol before the retreat will be additionally beneficial as it will allow your body to detox further.
  • Any all all recreational drugs need to be eliminated fully at least 3 weeks before and after the retreat. If not adhered to, one may run the risk of psychological or energetic damage as these pose a serious contraindication with Ayahuasca.
  • It is best to eliminate or heavily cut back on coffee/caffeinated drinks, bleached white flour products, dairy products, fermented products, spicy foods, highly salted & fried foods, processed foods and refined sugars, two weeks before and after the retreat.
  • Consuming some small amounts of healthy salt (ex: pink Himalayan salt) is good to keep in the diet.
  • It is fine to keep some healthy oils and fats in your daily diet such as seeds, nuts, avocado, virgin olive oil, coconut oil, flax oil, etc.
  • Recreational cannabis should be eliminated for 2 weeks before and after the retreat to make energetic space for Ayahuasca to work with you.
  • Sexual activity of any kind should be eliminated for one week before and after the retreat.
  • It is best to avoid watching or reading anything with that may contain violence or trauma.
  • We encourage our participants to take advantage of the time leading up to the retreat to delve deeper into the ayahuasca retreat preparation process by engaging in any/all of the following: , exercise, yoga, writing, meditation, intention setting, spending time in nature, expression through art, inspirational reading, , organic vegetable juicing, cleansing and detoxing, etc.

ITEMS TO BRING

Lightweight pants, lightweight long sleeve shirts, shorts, t-shirts, sandals, umbrella or rain jacket, earplugs, bathing suit, personal toiletries, flashlight or headlamp, water bottle, mosquito repellent – try to avoid repellents with DEET.  (Optional anti-itch ointment – ex: Gold Bond Cream works great for bug bites).  Hiking boots are NOT needed at our Center.

Ceremony Attire:  Comfortable clothing and lighter colors recommended.

We provide bed sheets, blankets, pillow, mosquito net and a bath towel.

Complimentary Yoga Mats are provided in the Maloca space.

Complimentary Laundry Service is offered throughout the retreat from Day 2 through Day 8.