PILLARS OF AYA
What is soma/ayahuasca
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (https://maps.org/) (MAPS), ayahuasca’s medicinal properties are most commonly derived from Banisteriopsis caapi, a vine containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and the leaves of Psychotria viridis, or other plant containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). It’s believed that the DMT found in ayahuasca activates the DMT naturally found in a person’s pineal gland.
It’s important to respect the use of the plant, and Indigenous people who have used it for centuries, as they understand the healing qualities. Ayahuasca is considered medicine, and should not be used recreationally or without the supervision of practiced healers who have worked with the plant and received initiation.
There are many paths to healing and working with plant medicine so in the end there is no right or wrong way to your journey. Your intuition is often your best guide when deciding whether you feel safe with a certain facilitator or retreat. At SOMAYA we are happy to answer any question you may have before making a decision to work with us and our facilitators. Ayahuasca or soma have roots that expand all over the world. Many misconceptions about plant medicine exist because the majority of westerners have been initiated into Shipibo Indigenous tradition. While this is a rich well known culture it’s important to recognize the many tribes and cultures that have their own rituals and way of working with plant medicines.
SAFETY
• Somaya has an intense screening process
• Small group size of 8 or less participants
• Qualified staff to meet each participants needs
• After retreat follow up care
SCREEN AND INTAKE FORMS
As part of the retreat reservation process all our participants will be required to complete our psychological and physical health form. Our shaman and staff doctor review all forms before making final decisions.
VIDEO CHAT
After your form are reviewed and completed we will set up a one on one call to help build a connection and manage expectations from the journey ahead.
Mind Preparation
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Respect
Ayahuasca is a potent entheogen that should be approached with reverence, humility, and respect. Commitment to preparation activities can also demonstrate passion, discipline, and integrity, which is the optimal mindset for addressing this inner work.
Set Intentions
Some people set an intention to define what they hope to learn or resolve from the experience. Setting intentions may be a powerful and centering experience.
Manage Expectations
You may have heard or read about people’s life-changing discoveries and visual in ceremony by now. Our brains love to get attached to these stories, so when we go to a ceremony for the first time, we often have a lot of expectations. Do yourself a favor and let go of what you want to happen and what you think will happen.
Surrender do not resist
Ceremony experiences come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Ceremonies involving cleaning, learning, sensation, and non-ordinary states of consciousness have been recounted by several. Ceremonies can be focused on one or all four, or possibly include other types:
Cleaning
Purging, peeing, defecating, sobbing, watering eyes, yawning, sighing, stretching, posturing, shaking, and changes in body temperature are all ways that ayahuasca can “cleanse” the body of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pollutants or blocks. Realize and have faith that these are helpful and restorative steps.
Doom Loop
Your ego, or sense of self, and your approach to life are products of the beliefs you were raised with. The ego would rather have its way with your mind and actions. Confronting one’s pride and defense mechanisms isn’t always easy. You can get through this if you just give in, let yourself be helped, and give thanks. This could be a chance to change the way you interact with yourself, other people, and the world.
Feeling
Ayahuasca can also induce emotional experiences that must be finished. You can experience guilt, anxiety, humiliation, and wrath in response to memories or even with little context. When intense emotional states arise, stay present. Breathe. Put some effort into it. Unlike in the previous setting, you are now in a safe place to completely experience this feeling.
Non-Ordinary States Of Consciousness
These new states included visual phenomena (such as patterned lights, geometric patterns, and animals), profound comprehension and insights, and emotions of oneness.
Mind Games
Keep in mind that your thoughts and desires can get in the way of the ceremony and your spiritual growth. Your thoughts can also color your perceptions and steer your strategy. Messages can be real or they can be a way to trigger a feeling that has to be processed so that you can take the next step toward self-actualization. It is your lesson, so you should ask yourself, “What am I trying to teach myself with this message?”
Reclaim Your Right To Feel
So, how can we reclaim our emotional health and balance?
To reclaim control over our emotional nature, we must first empty our suppressed feelings and completely let go. Secondly, we must learn healthy emotional expression and practice it in order to build new behavior. Third, we must set a good example and inspire others to do the same.
Emotional Healing
What will you receive if you are willing to release your emotional baggage?
* self-empowerment * mental, emotional healing * considerably reduced stress, relaxation * authentic expression * stronger relationships * ease and confidence in navigating emotional states * open heart, receptivity
Soul Talk
Lean in to the messages even if it causes pain and suffering
When things get really hard remember your intentions focusing on your breath
Remind yourself this is medicine
Listen to music or say mantras to your self
Stay curious ask questions
Connect and develop a relationship with the plant
Diet
Diet plays a role in your journey please download our pdf files to learn more
Medication
Most medication interfere with the journey please download our pdf file to learn more
CEREMONY GUIDELINES
- Stay focused on yourself listen to the sounds of the sacred space
- Don’t help others, there will be staff that can do that
- This is a brave space which is different than safe space
- Keep eyes closed, it helps go deeper into your journey
- When you feel ready to puke there will be a bucket nearby
- Dose is split into two cups but you are always free to ask for more
- Stay in the ceremony space, do not wonder for too long
- Don’t be scared to ask for help
- Trust the process, trust the medicine
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