AYAHUASCA CEREMONY
On the evening of the ceremony at the Flower of Life Ayahuasca Healing Center, you will not have dinner as part of the preparation. The ceremony begins around nightfall, typically at 7:00 pm.
Participants gather in the ceremonial maloka, a traditional hut, and sit in a circle along the perimeter. Each guest is provided with a mat, pillow, and waste bucket. The shaman, positioned in the center of the maloka, will initiate the ceremony by praying and smoking mapacho, or jungle tobacco, to protect and cleanse the space.
Once everyone is settled, participants are called one by one to receive their portion of the Ayahuasca brew. During the initial ceremony, everyone will receive the same small dose to ensure a controlled and manageable experience for all.
Ayahuasca dosing is highly individualized. Factors such as height and weight are not significant determinants, and a larger dose does not necessarily equate to a more intense experience. In fact, many people find that smaller doses are more effective for them.
After the initial starter cup, you may request a second serving if you feel you need more medicine. In subsequent ceremonies, you have the option to choose your cup size—small, medium, or large. You are always welcome to seek recommendations from the maestros on the appropriate amount for you.
Once everyone has consumed their dose and returned to their mats, the candles are extinguished. The shaman begins singing Icaros, traditional healing songs, usually after 20-45 minutes once the medicine has started to take effect. The shaman will also visit each participant individually to sing personalized Icaros. From there, the experience becomes unique to each individual.
It is required that all guests remain in the maloka until the ceremony concludes. Your facilitators will be present in the maloka to offer assistance, along with additional staff who are available to help guests needing to use the bathroom. Given that the environment will be dark and the effects of the medicine can be disorienting—causing distortions in space and time—it is crucial for your safety that you stay in the maloka. If you need to use the bathroom, staff equipped with flashlights will be on hand to assist you.
Ayahuasca ceremonies can indeed be challenging at times. Vomiting often follows Ayahuasca ingestion, but this purging is considered by many shamans and experienced users to be an essential part of the experience. It is believed to represent the release of negative energy and emotions accumulated over one’s lifetime.
Remember, each person’s experience with Ayahuasca is unique, and it’s important to approach the ceremony with respect and an open mind. The shaman and the support staff at the center are there to guide and assist you through your journey.
