Hello, I'm in California and am very interested in ayahuasca. I've read up on it for the past 7 years but was never quite in a place where I was ready...as I feel I'm close to being. Please let me know when I can attend a ceremony.
Hi Renee, how beautiful that you're giving this process the time it deserves. You'll know when you're ready. I can't make direct referrals due to the legal status, but I recommend finding some type of psychedelic community (of which there are many in CA, perhaps you'll even find one in your area depending on where you are). Connecting with people there is a great way to get leads to potential guides and ceremonies.
Thanks again, Julia, for your caring openness. Have been seriously thinking about exploring with the mother plant. Can you recommend any reputable guides/shamans that can administer the medicine safely? Am willing/able to travel if necessary. Thanks, and bless you for all that you do.
Ayahuasca is an incredible substance. Makes me believe in God. Not subtle, though! Kicked my ass a few times, in ways that were necessary and good, but incredibly difficult at times. Astonishing that it even exists. Definitely medicine! "Heals by priority," love that.
Thanks so much Chris. I agree - makes me believe in what many call God, even though I'd like to use different language :-) And ditto, this medicine doesn't play around, my ass has been kicked many, many times. Part of the process though - and always worth it, in my opinion.
Hi Julia thanks for this beautifully written letter on the medicine. Do you know where in Europe I can find a reliable shaman who can guide me trough the first encounter?
Hi Art, thank you so much for the kind words. Your best bet will probably be The Netherlands, there are a few retreats around Amsterdam that operate in the legal gray area (you should be able to find them on Google).
Re (1), as with any psychedelic, people with a history of psychotic episodes (including disorders such as Schizophrenia) in themselves or first-degree family members are not advised to drink this medicine (in most cases). Similarly, there are too many unknowns for people with Bipolar to flat-out recommend it.
(2) This is a popular question. Most of the retreat centers are concentrated around Costa Rica and Peru. I like to recommend two retreats: Soltara in Costa Rica (more upscale) or Arkana in Peru (more affordable). You can also search for Aya retreats on Retreat.Guru. (I have a code for Soltara, let me know if you want me to share it)
Southern California (Orange County). Between $2-5K or so depending on what's provided, length, and location, of course. I have a dear friend who lives abroad who is similarly interested and we have discussed perhaps meeting at a such a retreat. Beyond overall safety of place, the most important thing is that the shaman/guide is very experienced.
I like to recommend Soltara in Costa Rica, they work with experienced healers from the Shipibo lineage and place great importance on integration. It's a bit pricier though (if you're interested I have a code that will give you a small discount, let me know). The other more budget friendly place is Arkana in Peru (they have multiple locations though I believe). Will be such a nice experience to do it with your friend!
Thanks very much Julia for this illuminating explanation.
I plan to go on a 5 or 7 day retreat with the medicine in Costa Rica with my best friend this summer. I am considering doing a weekend locally (in Israel) with 2 ceremonies next month, i.e. with spacing of about 5-6 months between the two retreats.
I'd appreciate your opinion on doing this additional, earlier retreat vs. just waiting for Costa Rica. Thanks!
What's your intention for doing an additional retreat beforehand? I think 5-6 months between retreats is sufficient time from an integration perspective.
Personally, I've done plenty of local retreats but am glad that my first experience was in Costa Rica because the retreats there dedicate quite some time to educate and prepare you for the experience (at least the one I went to), compared to local underground ceremonies which usually get straight to the point without much prep / workshops beforehand (at least the ones I know of). Where are you going in Costa Rica?
I'm on a sabbatical year dedicated in part to adventures in self exploration, so I thought of taking advantage of the opportunity for a local retreat that was recommended by someone who lead a sweat lodge that I participated in recently.
I'll have to inquire about the prep at the local retreat - this sounds like an important consideration. Thanks! If you can suggest specific questions or things to look for or watch out for, I'd love to get your input.
In Costa Rica we're looking into Soltara based on your recommendation to Noah here (we're in this together :) )
Thank you so much for your open sharing and giving, Julia.
Oh awesome! If you're booking Soltara I have a code ("findjules") in case you want to save a little money :)
Re. local retreat, I recommend connecting with the lead shaman over the phone to get to know them a little. Here are a few good questions to ask:
- how long have you been serving the medicine and how long have you been drinking? how many people have you served over the years?
- where did you apprentice?
- can you describe your ceremony style? (Western vs traditional vs mix etc)
- how big are the groups? what's the helper:participant ratio?
- any of the questions you asked me about how this compares to ceremonies in CR and what they recommend for you
Usually after this you will have a good feeling about whether this feels like something you feel pulled towards or not, and then I would just sleep on it and trust your gut. If you feel called you will know :)
I've got 2 additional follow-up questions if it's OK to trouble you with them.
Soltara has 2 locations in Costa Rica (Playa Blanca and Sugar Beach). Do you know if one of them is preferred over the other in terms of the ceremony or in terms of other parameters (setting, access, service, overall experience etc.)?
On the practical side, my friend and I are also wondering about the timing of the retreat (7 nights) within the context of a 2-3 week trip such that we have time to sightsee and to allow for the unknown state of mind each of us will be in after the retreat. If you have any insights about timing and planning the before and after, that would be very helpful as we move forward in booking the trip.
I don't think there's a big difference between the two Costa Rica locations - I know that they also have a new Peru location (not sure if it's open yet) that's a bit more rustic. I would check which one was the first site and probably pick that one.
As for timing, I would ideally plan for some relaxation the week before but especially the week after the retreat. So sightseeing perhaps before, and if you can find a nice beach town afterwards I think that would be ideal to have a few days by the ocean to just integrate, without much of an agenda :)
Hello, I'm in California and am very interested in ayahuasca. I've read up on it for the past 7 years but was never quite in a place where I was ready...as I feel I'm close to being. Please let me know when I can attend a ceremony.
Hi Renee, how beautiful that you're giving this process the time it deserves. You'll know when you're ready. I can't make direct referrals due to the legal status, but I recommend finding some type of psychedelic community (of which there are many in CA, perhaps you'll even find one in your area depending on where you are). Connecting with people there is a great way to get leads to potential guides and ceremonies.
Thanks again, Julia, for your caring openness. Have been seriously thinking about exploring with the mother plant. Can you recommend any reputable guides/shamans that can administer the medicine safely? Am willing/able to travel if necessary. Thanks, and bless you for all that you do.
You're very welcome. Where are you located Noah and what's your budget?
Ayahuasca is an incredible substance. Makes me believe in God. Not subtle, though! Kicked my ass a few times, in ways that were necessary and good, but incredibly difficult at times. Astonishing that it even exists. Definitely medicine! "Heals by priority," love that.
Thanks so much Chris. I agree - makes me believe in what many call God, even though I'd like to use different language :-) And ditto, this medicine doesn't play around, my ass has been kicked many, many times. Part of the process though - and always worth it, in my opinion.
Hi Julia thanks for this beautifully written letter on the medicine. Do you know where in Europe I can find a reliable shaman who can guide me trough the first encounter?
Hi Art, thank you so much for the kind words. Your best bet will probably be The Netherlands, there are a few retreats around Amsterdam that operate in the legal gray area (you should be able to find them on Google).
Thanks very much .. will look it up
Love this read! I have two questions:
1. What are the risks of taking Ayahuasca? Is there anyone who (spiritually/physically/demographically/depending on medications) shouldn't take it?
2. Where can we find reputable retreat experiences?
Thanks, Rebekah!
Re (1), as with any psychedelic, people with a history of psychotic episodes (including disorders such as Schizophrenia) in themselves or first-degree family members are not advised to drink this medicine (in most cases). Similarly, there are too many unknowns for people with Bipolar to flat-out recommend it.
(2) This is a popular question. Most of the retreat centers are concentrated around Costa Rica and Peru. I like to recommend two retreats: Soltara in Costa Rica (more upscale) or Arkana in Peru (more affordable). You can also search for Aya retreats on Retreat.Guru. (I have a code for Soltara, let me know if you want me to share it)
Hope this helps!
Southern California (Orange County). Between $2-5K or so depending on what's provided, length, and location, of course. I have a dear friend who lives abroad who is similarly interested and we have discussed perhaps meeting at a such a retreat. Beyond overall safety of place, the most important thing is that the shaman/guide is very experienced.
I like to recommend Soltara in Costa Rica, they work with experienced healers from the Shipibo lineage and place great importance on integration. It's a bit pricier though (if you're interested I have a code that will give you a small discount, let me know). The other more budget friendly place is Arkana in Peru (they have multiple locations though I believe). Will be such a nice experience to do it with your friend!
Thanks very much Julia for this illuminating explanation.
I plan to go on a 5 or 7 day retreat with the medicine in Costa Rica with my best friend this summer. I am considering doing a weekend locally (in Israel) with 2 ceremonies next month, i.e. with spacing of about 5-6 months between the two retreats.
I'd appreciate your opinion on doing this additional, earlier retreat vs. just waiting for Costa Rica. Thanks!
Hi Lee!
What's your intention for doing an additional retreat beforehand? I think 5-6 months between retreats is sufficient time from an integration perspective.
Personally, I've done plenty of local retreats but am glad that my first experience was in Costa Rica because the retreats there dedicate quite some time to educate and prepare you for the experience (at least the one I went to), compared to local underground ceremonies which usually get straight to the point without much prep / workshops beforehand (at least the ones I know of). Where are you going in Costa Rica?
Sending love, so excited for you!
I'm on a sabbatical year dedicated in part to adventures in self exploration, so I thought of taking advantage of the opportunity for a local retreat that was recommended by someone who lead a sweat lodge that I participated in recently.
I'll have to inquire about the prep at the local retreat - this sounds like an important consideration. Thanks! If you can suggest specific questions or things to look for or watch out for, I'd love to get your input.
In Costa Rica we're looking into Soltara based on your recommendation to Noah here (we're in this together :) )
Thank you so much for your open sharing and giving, Julia.
Oh awesome! If you're booking Soltara I have a code ("findjules") in case you want to save a little money :)
Re. local retreat, I recommend connecting with the lead shaman over the phone to get to know them a little. Here are a few good questions to ask:
- how long have you been serving the medicine and how long have you been drinking? how many people have you served over the years?
- where did you apprentice?
- can you describe your ceremony style? (Western vs traditional vs mix etc)
- how big are the groups? what's the helper:participant ratio?
- any of the questions you asked me about how this compares to ceremonies in CR and what they recommend for you
Usually after this you will have a good feeling about whether this feels like something you feel pulled towards or not, and then I would just sleep on it and trust your gut. If you feel called you will know :)
I've got 2 additional follow-up questions if it's OK to trouble you with them.
Soltara has 2 locations in Costa Rica (Playa Blanca and Sugar Beach). Do you know if one of them is preferred over the other in terms of the ceremony or in terms of other parameters (setting, access, service, overall experience etc.)?
On the practical side, my friend and I are also wondering about the timing of the retreat (7 nights) within the context of a 2-3 week trip such that we have time to sightsee and to allow for the unknown state of mind each of us will be in after the retreat. If you have any insights about timing and planning the before and after, that would be very helpful as we move forward in booking the trip.
Many thanks!
I don't think there's a big difference between the two Costa Rica locations - I know that they also have a new Peru location (not sure if it's open yet) that's a bit more rustic. I would check which one was the first site and probably pick that one.
As for timing, I would ideally plan for some relaxation the week before but especially the week after the retreat. So sightseeing perhaps before, and if you can find a nice beach town afterwards I think that would be ideal to have a few days by the ocean to just integrate, without much of an agenda :)
Great. Thanks so much for the excellent suggestions and the Soltara code!