(continued – Part 1 here – Part 2 here)
“An Ayahuasca ceremony involves drinking the hallucinatory plant/vine tea blend under the guidance of a respected Shaman, for a long night spent in deep connection to a higher intelligence and an understanding of one’s true self.” Ira Israel
Drinking the tea blend of ayahuasca—meaning “vine of the soul”— is part of the Ayahuasca Ceremony where it deconstructs your mind so that it can be reconstructed in alignment. I was a bit nervous as Mateo began the process of readying me for the ceremony.
I was handed a big cup of the black, goopy tea made from “the dead man’s root,” as they called the vine. I was told it would open my awareness and bring forth my true purpose, as well as purge the body of physical and spiritual toxins (many people physically purge them by throwing up if they haven’t prepared properly). I had eaten a diet of only vegetarian food for two weeks prior the the ceremony and was really hoping I wouldn’t be purging too much. I sat there, dressed in all white as was the tradition of the village, and choked down the entire contents of the cup, feeling the goop slide down my throat each time. Then, I waited.
I waited for mind expansion, for zooming through the stars, seeing alien guides gliding towards me in flowing robes, to have instant universal downloads of everything that was, is, and will come, for something monumental to happen during this reconstruction of my mind.
But nothing happened. NOTHING.
I went to bed that night and slept for 8 hours. I had no dreams, no visions, not even a physical purge (pretty thankful for that, though).The next morning, Mateo said he still couldn’t find me, meaning my spiritual life force. It was still lost, and he had more ‘work’ to do on me. That day, I bathed in herbs and had another manipulation session—this one focusing around my throat and neck. Then, I was given TWO great big cups of the black, gloopy tea. Mateo meant business this time.
That night, I saw who I could be and who I wanted to be. I felt joy in my existence and laughter in my heart. Most of all, I was overflowing with gratitude for the experiences I’d had so far. I knew, in that moment, that every single experience, the good and the bad, had led me to this amazing place where I’d expanded my mind and body.
The ayahuasca ceremony changed my life, or saved my life, really. I stayed in Peru for a while, visiting the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Cuzco, and the High Andes, all of which were highly memorable. I felt that I’d found home, but it wasn’t Peru. Home wasn’t a destination or a place; it was inside of me.
My experiences in Peru helped me understand the responsibility I have over my own life, that my inner world was more important than my outer world. What I and you think matter, as these thoughts create life around us. We all have this immense personal power deep within us.
Since Peru, I’ve kept these ‘truths’ in my heart and live my life with the intent to create what’s in alignment with my purpose. I went to Peru feeling very lost, and I came back awakened, present, and ready to show others the way!