Although Ayahuasca has been used by shamans in the Amazon forest for a long time (the earliest archaeological remains of a shaman with Ayahuasca in his bag date back 1000 years ago), no one knows how and why the shamans decided to mix these two completely different plants in one brew. .
One thing is for sure – it wasn’t because of the taste of the tea.
Ayahuasca can be prepared as a vegetable brew according to different recipes.
The active ingredients of the ingredients are dimethyltryptamine (DMT, a substance produced by the body) and monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitor (an MAO inhibitor).
When using Ayahuasca, your state of consciousness changes, making your inner perception very strong. You gain access to deeper layers of your consciousness, making it possible to reflect in a very intense way on yourself and on your life until now. This goes deeper than the average therapy, because during your journey things can reveal themselves that you were not or could not be aware of.
What you have so far assumed to be true may just turn out to be very different. Ayahuasca makes you aware of who you really are.
The journey will take about 6 hours in total, you will experience a sense of timelessness.
For more information about an Ayahuasca trip you can watch this video.
Terminology explained
When drinking Ayahuasca tea in a spiritual surrounding it is called an Ayahuasca Ceremony the time you spend under the influence of Ayahuasca is called a Journey.
The entity behind the Ayahuasca tea, which sometimes makes an appearance during the journey is called Mother Ayahuasca.
A more experienced person which is called a Guide who provides both physical and spiritual assistance during the ceremony.
Journeys
Every Ayahuasca journey is unique, some are blissful, some are difficult and some are a combination of the two – but they all leave a mark.
Before every journey it is beneficial to think of your Intentions, are there specific issues you want to deal with, traumas you want to heal or questions you want answered.
But it is a well known fact that Mother Ayahuasca doesn’t give you what you want – she gives you what you need!
And furthermore, Ayahuasca journeys are usually intense, but Mother Ayahuasca will only give you as much as you can handle. It may be difficult, it may stretch you to the end of your abilities but it will always be enough for you to handle.
People who have gone through Ayahuasca ceremonies report that after the ceremony they feel more connected to themselves, the people around them and the universe. The effects of the ceremony can be felt for a long period of time after it’s done and for many people, an Ayahuasca ceremony is a life changing experience.
When should I join an Ayahuasca retreat?
If you’re reading these words, you’re definitely interested in an Ayahuasca retreat.
There is no preferred time or state of mind to join one. Many people report that they book an Ayahuasca retreat when they feel Mother Ayahuasca calling them. When they start hearing the word Ayahuasca again and again in their surroundings or when it resonates more and more every time they think about it.
There is no one correct answer to the question when to join a retreat, if you’re ready to take the plunge for the first time or if you’ve already experienced the healing powers of Mother Ayahuasca and feel that it’s time to take another step forward – you will know it’s the right time.
