As promised, here’s my experience with Ayahuasca

I looked so much forward to my trip into the jungle and getting to know Mother Ayahuasca, but at the same time I told myself not to have too many expectations.

You know? 
When you have a lot of expectations and later on you’re so disappointed?

I wanted to go in with an open mind and not have preconceived ideas.
Really a difficult thing to do, but at least I was conscious about it and tried not to have too many expectations.

The place was absolutely gorgeous in a simple way. 
We had everything but not to a luxurious standard.
Just comfortable. Just perfect.

If you’re into cold showers this was great too. 
If not, you’d had to wait until the afternoon and then the water in the reservoir would be warm enough to wash your hair comfortably

Food was great although without salt, fats or sugar but delicious enough.
Staff was great, kind and very helpful.

Then the ceremonies; that was different stuff.

The first ceremony we had was on the morning after our arrival and we went to make the Ayahuasca brew. 
The shaman cut the Ayahuasca vine and we already tore up different kinds of leafs on the afternoon we arrived.
We thought about our intentions and we dedicated them to the leafs.

We smoked mapacho (Peruvian tabaco) during this ceremony.
And although I’m against smoking and I really don’t like it, Mapacho is not detrimental to your health, there are no chemical compounds in it, so it is fine to be smoked.

Then we were sent into the jungle to find a spot to set our intention to the four directions, to the earth, the heaven, and into our heart, while blowing out the mapacho.

We also had to throw a handful of the leafs into the brew and set our intention again.

When we had smoked enough mapacho, we could then bury it or throw it into the fire to give it back to the earth or to Mother Ayahuasca in gratitude.

That same night we had our first Ayahuasca ceremony. We had our last snack which was fruit and herbal tea at 4pm and then after 6pm we couldn’t eat anything more.
At 7pm we were supposed to be in silence and at 8pm the ceremony started.

We had our first cup of Ayahuasca.

Which wasn’t too bad on the first day but the brew got more and more fermented on the days after, so every time it got stronger and stronger.

What you go through during the night is kind of hard to explain. 
Also, everybody goes on their own Journey.

Some may cry, some may sweat, some may purge or whatever comes up in the body. 
It’s a way to cleanse and all that comes out should be welcomed.
Some have visions, some have paranoia, some see beautiful colours, some have a conversation with Mother Ayahuasca, some have beautiful insights, some heal trauma.

Sometimes it’s nice, sometimes it’s rough, or extremely rough.

Therefore it’s SO important to have good guidance. 
To have an experienced shaman by your side.
Also, to have a good team around you. To help you, to support you, to bring you down when needed.

I really want to insist on this part.
If you’re planning on working with plant medicine, find a good and acknowledged center.
It’s getting more and more popular so there are a lot of people who aren’t qualified. 
Be aware!

We also had a Bombinsana ceremony halfway and I absolutely loved that. 
The brew was much easier to drink and was sweet as well. They make it with flowers and they also use some honey. It’s fermented and it has some alcohol, but it’s good for the taste buds.

The ceremony is sweet in another way as well, because it opens your heart.
It makes you feel connected to the people around you and we hugged just sooooo much that evening.

Something I really craved at that time. I really missed my morning hugs.
The ones my daughter and I give each other first thing in the morning.

Then we still had ceremony 3 & 4.
The brew was getting stronger and stronger and I lowered to half a cup.
Again, different nights, different experiences.

Was it like I thought it was going to be?
Absolutely not!

Do I regret it?
Absolutely not!

Was it challenging and difficult?
Hell yes!

Did I get a lot out of it.
Absolutely!

I’m still in the process of integrating the lessons of Mother Ayahuasca and therefore I’m double grateful that I’m still traveling in Perú. Culture is completely different and to have an open heart is easy here.

I also have time to think, to revise and to think about how I want to be when I get back, what I want to do and where I want to go with my life.
Difficult and big issues these are, so I have a lot to do.

I can multitask here however, something I normally don’t recommend.
Enjoying Perú and working on myself!

Hope you enjoyed reading and I want you to know that bit by bit I’m going to take some work on.

Do you have any health or breathing related issues, book one of the few spots I have available for now.

If you can’t find your spot (I only open 1 week ahead) you can always write an email to: info@business-healthy.com

With love & health,
Monique