What happens during an Ayahuasca ceremony?
If you’ve never partaken in an ayahuasca ceremony this is probably a big question you have running around your head. Your mind is possibly jumping to all kinds of scenarios and the countless stories online are no doubt helping it along the way.
Practically speaking, knowing how a ceremony runs and what to expect physically can go a long way to putting you at ease and making you feel safe. It can also alleviate feelings of social anxiety or embarrassment you may be carrying about ‘doing the wrong thing’.
At Sowa Soma, having a pre ceremony talk through, is an important part of what we do. It also gives the opportunity for us to ask questions around personal consent and be clear on people’s boundaries pre ceremony. Someone may not wish to be touched, another may not wish to have tobacco smoke blown on them, as examples. From an ethical stand point this is essential and is underpinned by one of our four core values, respect.
Many people will be carrying fears or have questions about what happens if (insert blank)?
To allay those fears and arm people with knowledge and as much reassurance as is realistic, creates a sense of security pre ceremony. When we work with Ayahuasca we are always stepping into the unknown and it can be uncomfortable on a scale that ranges from nervousness to unimaginable terror.
Creating safety and security as we go into ceremony means we create surrender. And when we surrender to the medicine, we experience healing and magic beyond our expectations.
So what does happen?
Pre ceremony we will offer:
A floral bath
A pre ceremony talk with Q+A
A space to make an offering to the land we are on
A period to align and clarify your intention for drinking
Typically when we enter the ceremony space we are allocated a mat or personal space within the circle, some ceremonies prefer you to be seated, some standing, with us you have a mat to lie on, giving the option to sit or lie. This is typical for ceremonies under the Shipibo lineage.
Once everyone is in the space there is usually a pause between the last arrival and anything happening. The last thing we want to be doing when we start a ceremony is rushing. Everything done in its own time and when the spirits of the plants guiding the ceremony decide a suitable starting point.
There may then be some singing or icaros to the medicine and some cleansing songs, prayers or rituals. Individual participants will also receive a cleanse or soplay with mapacho (nicotine rustic) or wild raw tobacco. This is usually followed by the first cup of Ayahuasca. At Sowa Soma people come and receive in turn before going back to their mat.
A full cup of medicine is not always necessary for everyone. Those who have exaggerated levels of anxiety are encouraged to drink a smaller dose to begin and layer the medicine to prevent overwhelm. Likewise, anyone who feels they have heightened levels of sensitivity can drink a smaller dose to calibrate where they are at. A wise man once said ‘you can always drink more, but you can’t drink less.’
Once everyone has drank there is a period of silence, save for the sounds of the jungle. Candles are also blown out and the space surrenders to darkness. This gives the Ayahausca time to work through the body and be digested. It can take anywhere from ten minutes to two hours for the medicine effects to start being felt. There is no space for conversation once the medicine has been served, save for participants asking for help or assistance with something.
As the energy of Ayahausca becomes stronger in the space the opening icaros will begin. These are chants and songs that are sung to begin moving the energy in the space and the individual participants. They assist the cleansing process and are often sung and directed by the plants themselves, but through the person holding the ceremony who is used as a vessel.
These songs have an energetic signature and direct the energy for the purpose of healing and cleansing. There’s also something to be said for drinking this medicine deep in the jungle, the healing vibrations and sounds that come from ‘madre selva’ during ceremony are not to be underplayed.
At some point a second dose of medicine will be offered, this is usually between one and two hours into the ceremony. Again a full cup is not always necessary and smaller doses are made available. Another teacher of ours will say. ‘If you can hear a second dose is offered and you can move, then go and get a second dose, no matter how small. Ayahuasca rewards courage.’
A third dose is sometimes offered to individuals but very rarely needed.
After the second dose the icaros and the medicine move into full swing and the effects become stronger. The effects include visions and enhanced sensory experiences be they audio, visual or felt. It’s here we enter the unknown and work with whatever energy ayahuasca brings forward for us to work with.
This can often involve purging physically either vomiting or excreting energy. Purging can also include, singing, shaking, laughing, crying, dancing to name a few.
At these heightened energetic states the songs and icaros guide the energy in the room and help the space navigate what has been surfaced.
Ceremonies can last anything between 4 -8 hours depending how the dosage is measured and given out. As a ceremony draws to a close, candles may be relit, instruments may be played and sometimes participants are invited to sing. There is a gradual ‘returning’ before the ceremonial space is closed.
Once the space is closed we check in with everyone to ensure they are ok and ready for sleep. If some people need to talk then we give space for that and offer warm tea and fruit if people need something for their stomachs.
The following day we always hold an integration circle where people have the opportunity to speak about their experience and ask questions. The integration process does not solely belong to the following morning. It is now a lifetimes work to integrate the lessons and healing of Ayahuasca. This is the consummate act of reciprocity with Ayahuasca. To live how she teaches us to live as we take our ceremony forward into the ceremony of life.