10 Questions to ask your Ayahuasca Ceremony or Retreat Leader
Choosing a shaman, Ayahuasca ceremony leader, or retreat center is an important decision and it is wise to ask the right questions. Doing so will help ensure that you have a safe, healing, and transformative ayahuasca experience, and aid in avoiding potentially dangerous or harmful situations and undesirable outcomes.
The Ayahuasca state greatly increases our suggestibility, making a safe, therapuetic container for ceremony essential.
To get you started, here are 10 essential questions to ask before choosing to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony or attend a retreat:
How long have you/ceremony leader been working with ayahuasca and in what capacity?
What type of training or certification do you have? What training or certifications do the other facilitators and staff have? Are there any staff trained in first aid or psychotherapy?
Do you offer any preparation guidelines and screening prior to the ceremony, such as diet and medication restrictions?
What is your approach to healing through ayahuasca journeying?
Have you ever encountered any serious mental health or psychological issues during a ceremony that you had to address?
Are there any potential risks that I may not be aware of before participating in an ayahuasca ceremony with you or at this center?
Do you provide integration support pre or post-ceremony?
Is there anything else I should know about your particular style or tradition of leading a ceremony or retreat?
How many people will be in the ceremony? How many facilitators or support workers?
Does the center practice ethical standards with regards to plant medicine harvesting, use, and spiritual teachings?
Why ask questions?
Making sure you feel safe and comfortable with your chosen ayahuasca ceremony leader is essential in creating a trusting connection that is conducive to an opening up to the Ayahuasca experience. By asking plenty of questions beforehand, you will have more opportunity to feel into your intuition, to help you discern the right shaman or ceremony leader for you. By taking the time to ask yourself the right questions and having honest conversations with potential shamans or facilitators, you can be confident in making an informed decision about who will lead your journey.
Intuition can be a powerful tool and an invaluable guide, but it should not be relied on solely. While trusting your intuition is important, it is also essential to research reviews and experiences that others have had with the shaman or ceremony leader or center prior to engaging in Ayahuasca ceremonies. This will help ensure that you are in a safe space where your well being is respected and taken seriously. Additionally, having an understanding of what to expect during the ceremony can help you make informed decisions while under the influence of altered states of consciousness.
These questions are not a checklist that the right shaman needs to tick all the boxes of. Instead, they are a guideline for gathering more relevant information, and to give you the opportunity to more accurately judge their character and reliability. We shouldn't expect perfection in those who serve Ayahuasca, but we can certainly watch for wholesome qualities like humbleness, patience, presence, compassionate care, and respect for indigenous traditions.
Questions your Ayahuasca retreat center organizer or ceremony leader should be asking you.
When considering attendance at an ayahuasca center, it is important to not only ask questions for yourself, but also to be aware of the questions they should be asking you! Here are a list of questions that you may be asked, and remember that answering honestly and openly is important to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved.
Have you taken any medications or drugs, including prescription and/or recreational drugs, that could interact negatively with Ayahuasca?
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
What is your primary motivation for participating in this ceremony?
What is your past experience, if any, with using psychedelics?
Do you suffer from any physical or mental health conditions (including dietary restrictions) that could potentially influence your experience or participation?
Are you taking any medications or supplements before, during, or after the retreat?
Do you have a trusted friend or family member who can be contacted in case of emergency?
Have you ever experienced flashbacks due to previous use of psychedelics or other substances?
How familiar are you with the code of conduct and safety procedures of the retreat center or organizer?
What do you hope to gain from the ayahuasca experience?
The importance of Patient Screening for Ayahuasca Retreats and Ceremonies
A patient screening process for ayahuasca retreats and ceremonies is an important measure of respect for risk and due diligence. It allows the retreat organizers and facilitators to determine if a participant is suitable for the experience, assess any health risks or concerns, and make informed decisions about who will be admitted. This helps to create a safe environment where participants can embark on their journey with peace of mind.
Screening also serves to ensure that those taking part in ayahuasca ceremonies are doing so out of genuine interest and with respect for its profound effects, rather than just looking for a quick fix or thrill. Ultimately, it demonstrates that the organizers take seriously their responsibility to care for all participants during the ceremony and have taken necessary steps to minimize potential risks.
The absence of detailed screening can also be argued to suggest a lack of care; or even negligence. Without such screenings, the facilitators will have little information on which to base their decisions as to which participants should be admitted or not, as well as how to handle adverse situations if they do arise. This could mean that those with certain health risks or conditions or who are taking contraindicated medications are accepted without being adequately informed or prepared, potentially putting them in harm's way.
Additionally, it could lead to people taking part in the ceremony who do not have sincere appreciation or respect for its effects, creating an environment that is not conducive to personal growth and spiritual exploration, and possibly having a negative impact on others experiences.
Ultimately, while patient screenings are necessary for ensuring safety and integrity during ayahuasca ceremonies, a lack of such processes carries its own risks and should be avoided whenever possible.
'Red Flags' to watch out for when choosing a retreat center
When searching for a safe and ethical ayahuasca center, there are certain ‘red flags’ that should prompt further scrutiny. These can include centers or facilitators who:
Offer ayahuasca treatments without medical assessments or participant screenings
Do not ask about your intentions or reasons for taking ayahuasca.
Do not provide clear information about the contents of their medicine and risks associated with their ceremonies and other plant treatments.
Encourage unsafe practices such as taking ayahuasca in close proximity to other psychedelic ceremonies, such as 5-MEO DMT, or adding tobacco or Toe' to their Ayahuasca.
Lack evidence of formal training or experience in running ceremonial spaces
Lack evidence of trauma sensitivity and awareness.
Emphasize the strength of visions and visionary experiences, and generally focus on the psychedelic effects over other aspects of the experience.
Make grandiose claims about spiritual transformation, enlightenment, or miracle healing.
Have histories or reputations of unsafe practices, patient abuse, or other ethical or moral concerns.
Speak their personal subjective beliefs as universal objective truth or fact.
Dismiss concerns, avoid answering questions directly, or get defensive when questioned
It is important to be aware of these potential warning signs before entering into any form of ayahuasca ceremony, as they can indicate an environment that might be irresponsible, unduly risky, or simply unsuitable for your personal needs or comfort.
Toxic Power Structures in Ayahuasca Circles and Spiritual Communities
Sexual assault and misconduct is unfortunately not an uncommon occurrence in Ayahuasca circles due to the unregulated nature of these circles, which makes them prone to unhealthy power dynamics due to the lack of professional expectations. Reports of sexual assault as well as emotional and spiritual manipulation, and gaslighting have been documented globally. Individuals participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies must take caution and be aware of their own behaviour, as well as that of the facilitators, other participants, and any other people around them. It is essential that facilitators set clear expectations upfront with regards to acceptable behaviour to create a safe environment for all involved.
Toxic power structures can arise in any group setting, but they are particularly prevalent in spiritual circles and ayahuasca ceremonies. Often times, those in positions of authority within these groups will make use of manipulative techniques in order to exert control over their members. Such techniques may include creating hierarchical structures based on individual achievement or ‘level’ of enlightenment, as validated by those atop the hierarchy. Playing mind games to make people feel inferior, like dismissing or light-washing legitimate concerns or negative/challenging experiences is also common. Another example is highlighting any differences between members in order to encourage conformity of beliefs and narratives, and submission to those in positions of power. Spiritual bypassing, gaslighting, and creating an air of having higher access to spiritual wisdom are common toxic traits in spiritual communities and plant medicine circles.
Spiritual bypassing is a term used to describe the misapplication of spiritual practices and beliefs in order to avoid dealing with one’s own emotional challenges. It can involve an individual relying on quick-fix solutions, such as love and light affirmations or positive thinking, as a substitute for confronting underlying pain or trauma. Other forms of spiritual bypassing include using meditation or rituals like ayahuasca as a means of avoiding difficult feelings, or turning to substances like psychedelics as a way to escape reality or enforce a preferred reality. While some may argue that this type of behavior offers short-term relief and respite from the challenges of life, it can prove ultimately damaging if not addressed in a more holistic manner. This is especially true for people who are in positions or power or leadership within psychedelic or spiritual communities and plant medicine circles.
Sometimes individuals participating in Ayahuasca circles can be exploited for financial gain, or coerced into doing things they are not comfortable with. Additionally, many leaders of spiritual communities have been accused of sexual misconduct or abuse due to their excess power and ability to influence patients during states of increased suggestibility. Therefore, it is important that those engaged in spiritual practice remain aware of potential toxicity within any group so as to avoid being taken advantage of in the name of spiritual growth, and so that participants can look out for each other in Ayahuasca communities.
Found the right center? Read: Red Flags in Ayahuasca Retreat and Ceremony Leaders, or watch the video below.