Day 2: Preparation for first Ayahuasca ceremony

Wow. Just wow. Last night we all convened in the main meeting area where we each started preparing the Ayahuasca brew that we will later consume. We started off by meeting the other three Maestro’s of Ayahuasca and as we were given three of the primary active plant ingredients and a bowl, don Howard explained each of the plants properties and their role in the Ayahuasca brew. We each had to break up and mulch the leaves as finely as possible until our hands were green and, as don Howard said, we could smell green too. Safe to say, I know exactly what green smells like now.

Afterwards we each took a turn at hammering down on the Ayahuasca vine to split it open in preparation to be brewed the next day (today). It is a sturdy vine and it smells like nature, if that makes sense. I should also mention that as it was getting dark the sounds became noticeably different to the sounds we hear during the day. The nocturnal creatures of the Amazon…well no, I take that back. All creatures of the Amazon sound amazing.

After listening to don Howard discuss Ayahuasca, healing and shamanism at great length we could ask some questions before we made our way to dinner. The food here is still in accordance with La Dieta but it is hearty, yummy and filling. During dinner time most of us discussed our trepidations and anticipations but the overall vibe was very positive and encouraging. Everyone I’ve met and talked with so far seems to be on the same page and I can’t get over how impressed I am at the people I’ve met. Definitely lifers right there.

After dinner there was much conversation and then time for bed. I pretty much crashed straight away but not before putting ear plugs in and an eye mask. Fortunately I did since the birds who appear to wake at dusk were going absolutely wild and I missed the whole thing. One thing I should mention though is when I went to the bathroom at around 3:30-4amish…it was pitch black. I’ve never been in such darkness before! Not a street light or lamp or ANYTHING in sight…in was a pure, pitch black.

During breakfast this morning as we sat out on the front veranda overlooking the river, there was a lovely tropical rain that was eerily silent and just a pleasure to witness. Shortly thereafter we made our way out into the “kitchen” which was a brief walk away from the main part of the sanctuary, through the jungle where there was an open hut and chairs waiting for us. There was a brew boiling over a fire where the leading Maestro (don Rober), his wife who is a Maestro in Bobinsana and their son who just completed his shamans apprenticeship and was working towards Maestro (they will all be conducting the ceremony tonight) had prepared the area for us. As we all huddled under the hut since it was still pleasantly raining outside, don Howard begun to explain to us the misuse and sacred use of the tobacco plant, its role in shamanism and how we were going to use it. We were each given a cigarro (a thick cigarette-like roll with Amazonian black tobacco in it) and given instructions on how to use it, i.e. don’t smoke it.

 We took a mouthful of smoke in our mouths and blew it out in a specific manner in each direction around us (similar to a banishing ritual/LBRP  for those who might know), to the ground (earth), to the sky (spirits) and then towards ourselves. After this, it was time to add in the plant leaves we had all mixed up the night before into the boiling cauldron that was simmering over the fire. He gave some of us extra plant extracts that to add (in noticeably fewer quantities) and he showed us to blow the smoke on plants before adding it to the cauldron. We then each took some of the leaf mulch from the night before, blew smoke on it, added it into the cauldron and finally ourselves blew smoke into the cauldron to add a little part of us too. I didn’t really take any pictures during this time because it was a time of great reverence – we were all asked to focus on the now and our intentions and put that energy into what we were doing.

Once we completed that, don Howard and his Maestro blew smoke on each of us individually (sort of like a blessing). It was then time for them to sing ceremonial songs (Icaros) to us, another time of great reverence and meditation. During this time, I (and I think most others) closed their eyes and simply listened to their singing while occasionally taking a mouthful of cigarro puff. During the first song I started weeping profusely – it’s really difficult to explain why but I was just overwhelmed with emotions and obviously overwhelmed at everything that is happening. This is intense. This whole experience is really, really intense and I haven’t even taken Ayahuasca yet.

I suppose I was crying because I was just so immersed in their singing and I realized how pure it was. It sounded so ancient and so beautiful that I become beyond grateful that I am fortunate to have this incredible experience. They were tears of profound joy but also of profound sadness.

We were then blessed again and listened to don Howard talk some more until it was lunch. Lunch out on the front veranda and more conversation about our experience tonight. Lunch was our final meal for the day so we ate heartily. We will have a light snack very soon and then I think it’s another workshop. Our first Ayahuasca ceremony is tonight at 9:30 and I’m uh…yeah. I’m all the emotions, really. But I’m ready for it.