AYAHUASCA PLANT MEDICINE
INTRODUCTION
It is becoming apparent in this day and age that much of humanity has become disillusioned by the present paradigm in which we are living. Many of us have become disconnected from our mother earth and have allowed ourselves to become disempowered by letting our values shift to the material domain. We are now experiencing unavoidable challenges that are directly attributed to our unbalanced and unsustainable ways of living. Many people are becoming aware of a great shift in consciousness that is taking place all over the world. Along with this shift we are becoming aware of our opportunity to self heal and create a new and beautiful world paradigm that we can live harmoniously in union with. Ayahuasca, an exquisite gift of the plant world, is now widely availing herself at this critical time of transformation and rapid evolution. Ayahuasca is a plant spirit medicine from the Amazon region of South America that has been serving people who genuinely seek it out for its healing properties. This plant spirit medicine has been used since time immemorial according to the Amazonian tribes and is currently attracting people from around the world for its life transforming abilities. Plant teachers are playing a vital role in the health of the individual and community as well as serving our spiritual experiences and evolving consciousness.
HISTORY & SHIPIBO TRADITION
Ayahuasca is made of two Amazonian plants, the Ayahuasca vine and traditionally the chacruna leaves. In some areas the chaliponga leaves are used. This sacred medicine is traditionally known by it’s Quechua name, Ayahuasca, which translates to; “Vine of the Soul” or “Vine of the Dead”. In Shipibo, Ayahuasca is known as Oni which signifies wisdom. Throughout the Amazon region, Ayahuasca goes by several dozen other names such as Daime, Yage, Caapi, ect. Ayahuasca is suspected to have been used for centuries, if not millenia. There is little written history on the subject yet there have been several verbal stories passed down through family lineage about the use and origins of this sacred medicine. Traditionally the healers of the villages would use ayahuasca to assist in healing patients of illnesses. To diagnose the root causes of the illness they would often seek assistance by other plant spirits and doctors in their visions and would be shown which plants to prescribe in order for them to heal. Some further examples of the shamanic use of ayahuasca by the village healers was to help settle village disputes, help with hunting tactics, or to help a person attract a partner for love.
The Shipibo tribes are from the Ucayali River region. The use of Ayahuasca has been present within their tribes for hundreds of years and their vast knowledge in healing and plants has been an invaluable gift to those that have worked with them. The geometric patterns that you often see in their art are also termed icaros. These icaros in their artwork of painting and embroidery also tell stories. The icaros can be read and are essentially their original language. The Shipibo culture has thrived throughout the past in the practices of fishing, hunting, medicinal plant knowledge and art such as embroidering, painting, wood craftsmanship and ceramics. The Shipibo have always had a deep connection with mother nature yet as there has been more globalization and western ideals moving into these some of these regions, their traditions, language, art and knowledge are slowly being lost. Within our work we focus in preserving their traditions by supporting their arts, traditional practices and aid in the reforestation of the local jungle.
BIOCHEMISTRY
Banisteriopsis caapi, the pharmacological name of Ayahuasca, is a vine that grows in the highland jungles of the Amazon. Psychotria viridis, or the Chacruna plant is the typical add mixture to the vine. Chemically, the main active constituents in the Ayahuasca brew are the alkaloids harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine. These are the beta-carbolines, or mono-amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) which allow the dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in the chacruna leaves to be activated within the body. DMT is a potent psychotropic enhancing the activation of the neurotransmitter serotonin. These plants must be joined together, for if either are consumed alone the body will inhibit any psychoactive effect. These chemicals already exist in the body and therefore they facilitate a natural shift in the brain. The fact that DMT has receptor sites in the brain shows how ready the body is to metabolize this chemical. It is part of our innate biological design, rooted in our DNA, to be able to move into expanded states of awareness and consciousness, deep trances and experience other worldly realms. Dr. Rick Strassmans pioneering work has shown the correlation between the pineal gland and its production of DMT. The pineal gland is also known as the “third eye” in many ancient traditions. In his book, DMT: The Spirit Molecule, he hypothesizes that the pineal gland triggers a flood of DMT when the life force enters our fetal body and later at birth it releases more DMT and again when the life force leaves the body at death.
BREWING PROCESS
The care and attention taken during the brewing process of Ayahausca is of utmost importance in order to produce quality medicine. We brew our own medicine at our Center under the care of experienced Shipibo Ayahuasqueros. We only use the Ayahuasca vine and the chacruna leaves. No other admixtures are used. Our groups may have the opportunity to assist in the preparation process and may drink the Ayahuasca they have helped brew in their final ceremony.
We start by scrapping off the bark of the ayahuasca vines. This will allow for a more palatable taste as it eliminates much of the bitter flavor. The vine is pounded with wooden mallets until fibrous and the pieces pulled apart. The chacruna leaves are cleaned with fresh water. The prepared ayahausca vines and chacruna leaves are layered in large pots and are boiled for several hours until the final consistency is reached. The loving attention, prayers, and positive intentions that are given during the brewing process are essential in producing powerful medicine. We encourage our guests to participate in this process as it will help them connect more profoundly to the spirit of Ayahuasca and deepen their healing experience.
Watch a video HERE on the Ayahuasca Brewing Process at Nimea Kaya.
HEALING WITH AYAHUASCA
It is very pertinent to state here that the Ayahuasca ceremonies are not an easy path to take for personal healing and transformation. The majority of participants admit that this is the hardest work they have ever done in their lives, yet at the same time the most rewarding. From birth we have been conditioned by our families, cultures, politics, religions, unhealthy diet and paradigm ideologies that heavily impose limitations and boundaries upon our consciousness. Painful situations and traumas experienced during childhood and adolescence often cause negative emotional imprints to be suppressed within the cellular structure of the body causing deep seated fears, low self confidence an unhealthy lifestyle habits resulting in strong disassociation with the self, family, community and the surrounding environment. Through the Ayahuasca ceremonial process, the medicine can assist in revealing what needs to be healed and integrated. Often during these moments, a purging process will take place removing some of these un-serving energies and imprints. Yet, it will still be necessary to work towards living in harmony with the mind, body and spirit afterwards as additional processing and integration will likely surface to remove more layers of these energies, assisting the person to become a more whole embodied version of the higher self.
Ayahuasca, also known as la purga, is a purging medicine. The healing is reached through a multilevel process of self cleansing that penetrates down into the cellular level. It is not just the liquid that does the healing, but the spirit and intelligence of Ayahuasca, that knows exactly what is needed to help the participant. The plant medicine often begins by cleansing on the physical level. One often feels the ayahuasca healing them by working through the stomach and intestines, eliminating toxins, parasites and other illnesses. These initial processes of cleansing are commonly manifested through vomiting or defecating. Purging may also be experienced through crying, shaking, yawning, sweating, fluctuations in body temperature and even laughing. The next level of healing is within the emotional and psychological realms. Here the opportunity to find the true root of ones challenges in life may revealed. This process can feel difficult as one must truly surrender and face their deeply seated fears. In a sense, it is a recapitulation process as one must experience that which they release. As these energies and emotions are purged from the body they are shown how they must change to reach a harmonious balance within their life. How they may find self worth and self love once again. Participants often report feel lighter as the energetic baggage has left them. They may also feel like they were re-wired with new neural pathways set. Realizations are reached about the truth of ones actions and behaviors and then emotional blockages can be released.
The depth of spiritual awakening and growth during the ayahuasca healing experience can only be fully understood by direct personal experience. It is here where one can reach profound visions and astonishing realizations. At this stage with the energetic centers more fully open in the body, many participants experience being ‘downloaded’ with divine knowledge. In this place where pure intention is set forth, one may comprehend anything without thought. Here the interconnectedness of all things may be experienced, healing our false sense of separation. One may be able to pierce through the illusion of the social dream and is able to merge with the Universal Mind, reaching a state of great balance and liberation through genuine self awareness. The Ayahuasca vine is known to bring the power and the chacruna is known to bring the light within the visions.
Ayahuasca is not for everybody. One must feel a deep calling within to step forward on this path of healing. Mother Ayahuasca should be approached with the deepest and humble respect and caution. As Ayahuasca ceremonies are being facilitated all over the world, one should do their research before committing to drink with a shaman, guide, group or any particular Center. There are many charlatan shamans and facilitators out there that do not have the best interest of the participants at heart. When drank in a safe and proper set and setting with experienced healers, one may delve very deeply into their inner psyche and reach profound levels of healing and transformation.
AYAHUASCA DIET
The “Ayahuasca Diet” is an essential component that should be adhered to in order to receive the deeper healing benefits from the ceremonial experience. Throughout time, indigenous healers have acquired the necessary knowledge regarding this practice in order to experience a safe and effective journey with sacred plant. Participants will be able to cleanse the physical body and expand their states of consciousness with more ease by following the dieta requirements. Although the guidelines of the dieta may differ according to various lineages of shamanism, it is best to follow the basic diet requirements to ensure ones health and safety with Ayahuasca. It is recommended to fast during the day, only eating a light breakfast and optional light lunch. This will allow the entrance into the medicine realms to be reached with more ease.
Read more about the Ayahuasca Diet: Here
ICAROS – MEDICINE SONGS
Another major aspect of Ayahuasca rituals is the music. The shaman sings icaros, or magical healing songs. These songs may be sacred chants or melodies that are sung or whistled. The shamans will traditionally whisper an icaro into the bottle of ayahuasca before ceremony to call in the spirit of Ayahuasca & Chacruna as well as other plant spirits and doctors. During their apprenticeships and dietas working with various plants in solitude, the healers are taught specific icaros from the plants spirits directly. They may also learn icaros from their maestros/teachers. These songs carry a vibration which is used to help heal the patients by altering their energetic frequencies to be more harmonically aligned. Often times after a guest is sung to directly by the shaman they will experience a purge or they may delve more deeply into their journey with Ayahuasca. It is common during the ceremonial visions to see patterns of the icaros. These consist of distinct geometrical shapes which are seen throughout the artwork of the traditional Shipibo culture. Most participants confirm that the icaros sung during the ceremony had a pivotal influence on their experience. The music is said to have a wondrous power which may carry those who listen into other worlds.
Watch a Video HERE of our Shamans Singing an Icaro
AYAHUASCA INTEGRATION
The integration work after the ayahuasca ceremonies is necessary for the participant to continue to experience the unfolding benefits from the healing work done with the medicine. It is often said the “real” work continues after the ceremonies where one must then apply the teachings and tools they have learned into their daily lives. After participating in a series of ceremonies, many participants return with a strong feeling of rejuvenation and transformation throughout their mind, body and spirit. After returning to daily life for a period of time, one will often experience many different feelings and emotions that range from ease and joy to difficulty and confusion. This is all a normal part of the process yet it is also an opportunity to feel gratitude for the joyous moments, or observe and apply the teachings one has learned in order to move through any challenges with ease. This is a time when new paths and opportunities present themselves in one’s life in order for there to be more growth, healing and happiness. This could take shape as a new career, relationship changes, move to a new city, etc. Often one will feel called to share their ayahuasca experiences with others. Some may be receptive, some may not. Yet be gentle in this area as everyone is on their own unique path of self awakening.
The integration process will often last months if not years. The amount of healing work done in a week of ceremony can have long lasting unfolding effects. It is often said that one may feel they achieved the benefits of 10 years worth of psychotherapy in just 4 ayahuasca ceremonies. As the path in life continues to unfold, one has the opportunity to change their perception of the world, continue their healing and growth as well as focus on their contribution to the healing the Mother Earth. Ayahuasca is loving Spirit who only wants the best for us. Often one will feel the energy of Ayahuasca in communication with them in their daily life. It is also beneficial to have a support network of other Ayahuasca participants one can discuss and process with. Often our groups will create private Facebook groups in order to stay in touch and continually support one another. Our staff is always more than happy to help any guest at any time after a retreat integrate their experience deeper.
The growing interest in sacred plant medicines and shamanism represents a global movement toward a more spiritual connection and union to the natural world. Ralph Metzner, PH.D states, “The fact that Westerners will seek out a foul tasting jungle medicine in a faraway environment and culture, a medicine that frequently leads to violent purging and can include terrifying visions, is a remarkable paradox.”
Famous artist and Ayahuasquero, Pablo Amaringo, says about journeying:
It is only when the person begins to hear and see as if he were inside the scene, not as something presented to him, that he is able to discover many things. There is nothing that he is not able find out. I saw how the world was created, how everything is full with life, how the great spirits intervene in every aspect of nature and make the universe expand. I was like a tourist, always asking the spirits what is this and what is that, asking them to take me from one place to the other, demanding explanations for everything. The world is multifaceted, so mysterious and unfathomable that it is beyond imagination. I also understood that human beings will never be happy until they realize their connection with the creator and the spiritual dimensions.