Preparation

-Preparation of the brew

The traditional Shipibo preparation involves a ritualistic visit to the depths of the jungle (involving an 8 hour walk) in order to find the oldest and thickest Ayahuasca vines during a full moon. It is necessary to climb the symbiotic tree from which the vine supports itself and to cut from the top, secondary vines in order to avoid harming the grandmother. The pieces of vine are then carried to the village and held in blessing until sufficient leaves of the chacruna are gathered and cleaned and the brew is prepared during the days of the next full moon during a special ceremony of intent and respect, asking the grandmother to provide its essence and soul to the brew.

Sections of the Ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi ) are then mashed and macerated using a wooden club and boiled with leaves from the Chucruna or Chacruna plant (Psychotria Viridis). It is boiled through the night adding water from a pure source continuously reducing it until everything has been liquefied and has achieved a honey like consistency. A little vinegar is also added to aid dissolution of the mixture but there are no remnants of it in the final brew or tea since it boils away. The resulting brew contains the powerful hallucinogenic alkaloid N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and MAO inhibiting harmala alkaloids, which are necessary to make the DMT orally active. The brew is then purified by blowing mapacho smoke on it with holy intention.

-Preparation for the brew

Ayahuasca is a medicine and a sacrament and thus spiritual realization is the main element in the experience. A thorough purification and cleansing of body, mind, and spirit in a shamanic ceremony with Ayahuasca initiates a lifelong process of rebirth and transformation. Pure and focused intention as well long-term personal commitment, integrity, compassion, respect and courage are necessary to gain full benefits of the experience. Prepare with your diet and abstain from sexual gratification in order to be able to focus and to preserve vital energy necessary for the hardships of your mythic voyage into your soul. Bring a firm intention, determination, a longing for truth and evolution and approach your voyage with sincerity, trust and an open mind and heart. Offer the time and effort required for the Universe and your subconscious to have no doubt that you truly want change and that you trust and believe in the process.

You are always free to interpret and decide about the experience in the future but it is essential that you are truly open during the experience or else you will be sabotaging your own intention.