These are strong recommendations to complement your journey. Note that all Dieta or Diet differs based on the Shaman/ Facilitator facilitating the Ceremony. 

 

A Dieta/Dieta is either given to you by the Shaman or the plant directly speaks to you through meditations, dreams, etc. These practices naturally came to me throughout my connection with the plant. I recommend a Dieta encompassing the Alchemy of Mind/ Body/ Spirit.

 

Meditation

 

Meditation is recommended at least three days before the Ceremony to connect with yourself internally, emotionally, and spiritually. Simple forms such as breathing meditations or listening to meditation music benefit the mind and the nervous system. You can quickly go on youtube and find beautiful meditation music. 

 

Nature Meditation: Getting out in Nature is beneficial before working with the plant. Take a walk, go to a body of water, sit underneath a tree, and be with the medicine of her. Please familiarize yourself with the sounds of insects, birds, and the elements as it calms the nervous system.

 

Silent Meditation: Learning to give yourself space for quiet reflection I find necessary. Journal, write, and I highly recommend not talking to everyone about your Ceremony. People live in their projections and perspectives and will feel obliged to insert their opinions into your process. If you have a mentor/ guide/ therapist who knows your spiritual journey, those connections are suitable for discussing your process. 

 

Body

 

Yoga/ Tai Chi/ Qui Chong are powerful practices to get into the body and feel where you hold energy as the movement transmutes it. Whatever energy we bring into the Ceremony may become elevated working with the medicine. It's essential to come into the Ceremony as clean as possible. I highly recommend doing a practice 5-7 days before the Ceremony. If you don't have regular practice, you can quickly go to Youtube and look at videos to follow along with.

 

Rest as much as possible: Getting a good night's rest before the Ceremony is essential so you can stay alert and awake even as you journey.

 

Food: Vegan and Vegetarian diet is strongly recommended, along with avoiding processed foods, spicy foods, ripe fruits, avocados, citrus foods, and garlic at least 2-3 days before the Ceremony. I would strongly avoid carbohydrates such as spaghetti, cakes, and refined flour. Also, do not consume much sugar. 

 

If you desire meat, I vigorously recommend not eating red meat, especially pork. Fish is okay but not very fatty. You can also eat eggs and yogurt.  

 

2-3 days before the Ceremony, avoid consumption of alcohol, coffee, black tea, or green tea.

 

It is strongly recommended to fast on the day of the Ceremony, drinking lots of water. If you want to eat something, give yourself at least 8 hours before the Ceremony; fruits and vegetables are preferred.

 

MEDICATION/SUPPLEMENTS

 

It is strongly recommended that you are completely off all medications/supplements before the Ceremony. If you are on any psychotropic medications, please consult with your doctor.

 

SPIRIT

 

What is your Spirituality? It's one of those questions that are important to ponder. Having no spiritual foundation may create confusion in the Ceremony, causing one to feel conflicted and psychologically imbalanced. Ayahuasca is considered the vine of the Soul for a reason. It gives one an experience of connecting to your authenticity and vibration, which is layered in so much wisdom. Trying to figure out everything during the Ceremony can create anxiety. However, when you have a spiritual practice, it grounds you in the present moment, and you remain open and curious. 

 

If you come from a place of rediscovering what spirituality means to you, Ayahuasca has a great way to help you refine your spiritual practices. Recommendations like Yoga and Meditation can be utilized as a Spiritual anchor as you rediscover your Soul.

 

AFTERCARE/ INTEGRATION

 

When coming out of the Ceremony, one of the primary keys is Integration. It is an essential process because psychologically, the mind wants to figure out what happened and why and is looking for a narrative to latch onto again. However, spiritually you went through a transformation, and the language of that is not of the mind but of the Soul. 

 

Working with the Psychology of the Minds for over 20 years in the Mental Health Field, I consider this piece an essential component. Everyone integrates differently, and Integration is not complete but rather an unfolding. 

 

I like to offer one follow-up Integration as part of participating in the Ceremony. Additional sessions with me or other Qualified Earth Medicine Integration Coaches trained in the Ecology Clinical Shamanism Institute are available.

 

I also recommended gradually adding sugar, spices, and processed foods to your diet as the body is still integrating. Drink lots of water as well.