What is Plant Medicine work and Ayahuasca?
Shamanic work with psychoactive medicinal plants involves the use of natural substances that have powerful psychoactive effects on the body and mind. These plants facilitate the exploration of consciousness, as well as personal healing and transformation.
Ayahuasca is a sacred plant used for centuries for spiritual and medicinal purposes. I personally work with Ayahuasca in the tradition of the Shipibo-Konibo people, an indigenous group from the Peruvian Amazon region.
Ayahuasca retreat
Ayahuasca retreats can last from a few days to several weeks. The experience focused on deep cleansing and balancing with the support of the plant medicine.
The participant must follow a strict dietary regimen, which may include dietary, sexual, and social restrictions. The retreats may also include periods of yoga, meditation, sharing, therapy, and other activities to aid in integrating the experience. Ayahuasca is often consumed in nighttime ceremonies under the supervision of an experienced maestro/shaman. The ceremonies are accompanied by icaros chants that help facilitate the connection with the plant and enhance the healing process.
Plant diet
A plant diet (called "dieta" in Spanish or "sama" in Shipibo) is the spiritual and therapeutic practice of isolation and abstaining from ingesting and interacting with certain foods and energies while making an intentional energetic connection with the consciousness or spirit of a specific plant.
The process and restrictions are very similar between an ayahuasca retreat and a plant diet, although slightly stricter and more challenging for a diet.
Who is it for?
Working with Ayahuasca is intended for anyone who wishes to explore their consciousness and undergo a profound personal transformation. It has the potential to be a life-changing experience.
However, this work is not for everyone. First and foremost, it is important to ensure that you are in good physical and mental health. Additionally, you must be ready to embark on a potentially challenging process that requires a strong commitment. People are often "called" to do this work, but please note that there are many other practices that can assist you in your personal development.
What are the potential benefits?
Physical healing: Releasing blocked energies in the physical body; gaining a better understanding of the origins of physical symptoms; improving overall health; and making lifestyle changes :
Emotional healing: Addressing emotional issues and past traumas by accessing suppressed parts of the mind; gaining a better understanding of trauma origins and changing perspectives; reducing anxiety and depression.
Personal development: Overcoming obstacles or blockages that hinder you from reaching your goals and realizing your full potential; developing positive habits and thoughts.
Consciousness exploration: Accessing higher states of consciousness and profound mystical experiences; developing increased self-awareness and awareness of others; cultivating altered states of consciousness and integrating them into daily life.
Embodied spirituality: Rediscovering deep meaning in life and your place in the universe; exploring spiritual questions; transforming crisis into spiritual awakening; developing a broader, interconnected worldview; perceiving subtle realities.
Alignment: Listening more to the voice of your heart; aligning your personal and professional lives with your values and deep aspirations; finding the inner resources to make changes in your life.
How to prepare for healing with Ayahuasca? How to integrate?
This work needs to be conducted in a sacred, safe, and supportive environment. Sets and settings matter. It is important to engage in it under the guidance of experienced and trustworthy maestros and facilitators who can guide the practice and ensure the safety.
Additionally, it is an intense and demanding process. It requires adequate physical, mental, and spiritual preparation, as well as appropriate support during and after the retreat to ensure a proper integration of the experience.
The preparation and integration are as important as the experience itself. Strong commitment from you is essential before, during, and after your retreat to ensure that your healing experience is positive, safe, and lasting.
How can I support you?
I am working as a facilitator at Jakon Rate, a Shipibo-Konibo family-owned and run non-profit organization that aims to support and preserve the culture and ancestral wisdom of the Shipibo-Konibo in the Peruvian Amazon (Jakon Rate website).
My role is to accompany you throughout the process to ensure your safety and well-being and to maximize the benefits of the experience in your life.
I provide support in the preparation, follow-up, or integration of your experience.
1. Before the retreat: Preparation
The preparation session aims to best prepare your body and mind for the experience. It also allows you to reflect on your intentions and commitment to the work, as well as to become familiar with and follow pre-retreat rules/instructions (dietary and sexual restrictions, personal practices, etc.).
2. During the retreat: Facilitation
During an Ayahuasca retreat, the presence of a facilitator enhances the experience. My role is to bridge the gap between the shaman and you, as well as to support you during your experience and ensure your safety.
3. After the retreat: Integration
Ayahuasca is often described as a healing or personal transformation experience that can bring profound breakthroughs of oneself and the surrounding world. However, it can be challenging to comprehend or integrate into our daily lives without a conscious and supported integration process. The integration session aims to facilitate the process of reflection and assimilation of the lived experience, in order to make the most of it in your daily life.
Price
Please contact me personally for price information at [email protected].
I offer special prices for a package (for example for a package of 3 sessions including 1 Preparation session + 2 Integration sessions)
A note on sessions:
- Each session can be conducted Online or in Person, in French or English.
- I am not a psychotherapist or trauma therapist. I will refer you to a specialized therapist in the case that there is a need for more support.
- I will never turn down a client for lack of funds. Please let me know if you need additional financial support, I am happy to offer services at a discounted rate.
