Perhaps it is prudent to first set the context of this blog. Despite being raised as a Catholic, I am of no faith and neither is Emma. In actual fact, we are both deeply committed to the precepts of science, reason and logic. That said, we both feel a resonance with ‘spirituality’ despite having no faith-based tenets in which to bind us.
Our long and arduous journey to the cloud forests of Tsunki, Ecuador and the shamanic tribe of the Shuar people was motivated by anthropology, in particular the tremendous books of the esteemed anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of ‘The Cosmic Serpent’ and ‘Intelligence in Nature.’ Narby wrote of ancient (and still practiced) shamanic rituals, which formed the bedrock of knowledge, understanding and healing of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon. Indeed, should you read his books (and I sincerely urge you to), he logs hours of conversations with Shamans about how their highly sophisticated knowledge of plants and medicine is derived. The centrifuge of their practice is a plant extract which has many names: the Shuar call it Natem, although it also goes by the names of cipó and yagé (which is the Colombian Amazonian nomclature), but the most widely recognised name for it is Ayahuasca, roughly translated as ‘vine of the soul.’
The Ayahuasca ceremony is an age old tradition where a shaman, through the uses of plants, tobacco (N.B. not the tobacco sold by death merchants such as Benson & Hedges, but actually a pure jungle plant) and music, skilfully guides those present into an alternative state of emotional, physical and sensual conciousness. Emma and I arrived, greeted by his family (11 sons, 4 daughters and their children) who made us feel instantly at home. They insisted on a diet before the ritual, that we could only ingest foods from the jungle, namely plantains (bananas) yucca (like a fibrous potato) avocado and chicha, a fermented drink made from yucca. We were only allowed 2 meals and fasted for the afternoon and evening.
At 7pm, we showered and entered the shaman’s hut,where Miguel (our shaman) greeted us at his alter (which was an array of herbs, potions and medicines) as well as his beautiful family who participate in the ceremony, much like a Christian family would go to mass. He gave the blessing and used shavings of the sacred wood, Palo Santo on the central fire, which had the purpose of cleansing the air with its sweet aroma. Next he prepared a mixture of tobacco and water, which he strained and then poured a small amount into our palms which , along with the family, we inhaled through the nose (the purpose was to clear the sinus pathways and neural networks). In the presence of his children and grandchildren, he gave another blessing to the earth, the plants and the energies that bind and guide us. After this we imbibed the plant extract called ayahuasca and sat around the fire.
My writing skills, nor wit, will not allow me to describe the visions Emma and I saw. In addition, they were of an immensely personal nature and so writing about them would seem contrived. I will say that I saw every aspect of my life; my fears; my dreams; the past, present and future; anxieties; hopes and dreams; and many, many other visions. Whilst listening to the beautiful songs and music of the shaman (where otherworldly harmonics bounced around the hut), we sat together in deep contentment, both of us exploring the innervisions, the realities of our mind and the universe beyond. It was both profound and beautiful. Time stood still and some way into the ceremony, the shaman beckoned us from our journeys to again inhale the tobacco extract, and also to bath in a mixture of plant extracts (Emma said they had eucalyptus and menthol in it for sure), which cleansed the body and opened the pores. It felt like being born again – the extract awoke the all the sense and also had the effect of centering our visions and psyche. This was also the moment where the ceremony ended, and we exited to our living quarters, where we continued to explore the deep visions and power of the extract.
With the effects of the ayahuasca diminishing at around 4am, Emma and I fell into a peaceful slumber.
The next morning we awoke to an immense sense of contentment, harmony and peace. We talked for hours about what we had saw and what we had learned about ourselves and its impact. For many people, this will sound like a load of new-age claptrap. May I be explicit that it is not. This experience was a tremendously deep and emotional journey, where we uncovered truths and concepts which in the rational world, would otherwise not be available (to quote Narby we were ‘defocalised’) Putting it into a coherent concept, imagine you are looking at ‘magic eye 3D image ( like the ones full of dots and colours) If you look at it rationally and in a focused manner, it appears to be nothing more than a serious of unconnected dots and colours. When you defocalise, the image presents itself. This is perhaps the best analogy as to how the visions and experience works (shamelessly cribbed from Narby may I add). This is the central precept of ayahuasca: the images and visions come only when you do not focus; you must literally ‘go with the flow.’
It a strange way, it has brought Emma and I even closer as our understanding of ourselves and our place within this world has heightened qute significantly. It is a moment neither of us will forget, and we count ourselves as incredibly lucky to have been afforded this deep glimpse into the unrevealed world within.
The hut of the Shuar, where we participated in the ceremony.
The Natem or ayahuasca vine growing in the jungle
The start of the ceremony, at the makeshift alter you can see the different plant extracts and the musical instruments which guided our journey.
Special mention to Joe V and Sam V, Dan L, Olly Y for setting inspiring us and showing us the path. You were with us every step of the way and we love you eternally.
Our long and arduous journey to the cloud forests of Tsunki, Ecuador and the shamanic tribe of the Shuar people was motivated by anthropology, in particular the tremendous books of the esteemed anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of ‘The Cosmic Serpent’ and ‘Intelligence in Nature.’ Narby wrote of ancient (and still practiced) shamanic rituals, which formed the bedrock of knowledge, understanding and healing of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon. Indeed, should you read his books (and I sincerely urge you to), he logs hours of conversations with Shamans about how their highly sophisticated knowledge of plants and medicine is derived. The centrifuge of their practice is a plant extract which has many names: the Shuar call it Natem, although it also goes by the names of cipó and yagé (which is the Colombian Amazonian nomclature), but the most widely recognised name for it is Ayahuasca, roughly translated as ‘vine of the soul.’
The Ayahuasca ceremony is an age old tradition where a shaman, through the uses of plants, tobacco (N.B. not the tobacco sold by death merchants such as Benson & Hedges, but actually a pure jungle plant) and music, skilfully guides those present into an alternative state of emotional, physical and sensual conciousness. Emma and I arrived, greeted by his family (11 sons, 4 daughters and their children) who made us feel instantly at home. They insisted on a diet before the ritual, that we could only ingest foods from the jungle, namely plantains (bananas) yucca (like a fibrous potato) avocado and chicha, a fermented drink made from yucca. We were only allowed 2 meals and fasted for the afternoon and evening.
At 7pm, we showered and entered the shaman’s hut,where Miguel (our shaman) greeted us at his alter (which was an array of herbs, potions and medicines) as well as his beautiful family who participate in the ceremony, much like a Christian family would go to mass. He gave the blessing and used shavings of the sacred wood, Palo Santo on the central fire, which had the purpose of cleansing the air with its sweet aroma. Next he prepared a mixture of tobacco and water, which he strained and then poured a small amount into our palms which , along with the family, we inhaled through the nose (the purpose was to clear the sinus pathways and neural networks). In the presence of his children and grandchildren, he gave another blessing to the earth, the plants and the energies that bind and guide us. After this we imbibed the plant extract called ayahuasca and sat around the fire.
My writing skills, nor wit, will not allow me to describe the visions Emma and I saw. In addition, they were of an immensely personal nature and so writing about them would seem contrived. I will say that I saw every aspect of my life; my fears; my dreams; the past, present and future; anxieties; hopes and dreams; and many, many other visions. Whilst listening to the beautiful songs and music of the shaman (where otherworldly harmonics bounced around the hut), we sat together in deep contentment, both of us exploring the innervisions, the realities of our mind and the universe beyond. It was both profound and beautiful. Time stood still and some way into the ceremony, the shaman beckoned us from our journeys to again inhale the tobacco extract, and also to bath in a mixture of plant extracts (Emma said they had eucalyptus and menthol in it for sure), which cleansed the body and opened the pores. It felt like being born again – the extract awoke the all the sense and also had the effect of centering our visions and psyche. This was also the moment where the ceremony ended, and we exited to our living quarters, where we continued to explore the deep visions and power of the extract.
With the effects of the ayahuasca diminishing at around 4am, Emma and I fell into a peaceful slumber.
The next morning we awoke to an immense sense of contentment, harmony and peace. We talked for hours about what we had saw and what we had learned about ourselves and its impact. For many people, this will sound like a load of new-age claptrap. May I be explicit that it is not. This experience was a tremendously deep and emotional journey, where we uncovered truths and concepts which in the rational world, would otherwise not be available (to quote Narby we were ‘defocalised’) Putting it into a coherent concept, imagine you are looking at ‘magic eye 3D image ( like the ones full of dots and colours) If you look at it rationally and in a focused manner, it appears to be nothing more than a serious of unconnected dots and colours. When you defocalise, the image presents itself. This is perhaps the best analogy as to how the visions and experience works (shamelessly cribbed from Narby may I add). This is the central precept of ayahuasca: the images and visions come only when you do not focus; you must literally ‘go with the flow.’
It a strange way, it has brought Emma and I even closer as our understanding of ourselves and our place within this world has heightened qute significantly. It is a moment neither of us will forget, and we count ourselves as incredibly lucky to have been afforded this deep glimpse into the unrevealed world within.
The hut of the Shuar, where we participated in the ceremony.
The Natem or ayahuasca vine growing in the jungle
The start of the ceremony, at the makeshift alter you can see the different plant extracts and the musical instruments which guided our journey.
Special mention to Joe V and Sam V, Dan L, Olly Y for setting inspiring us and showing us the path. You were with us every step of the way and we love you eternally.
Sounds like you're having a great trip. Wish I could join you. Keep up the great posts - really look forward to them.
ReplyDeleteSeems like amazing skunk out there better than what Rebs use to get us. Joking aside I am glad that you're enjoying wonders of the world.
ReplyDelete