The Preparation for a Psychedelic Shamanic Journey
Stepping Mindfully Into Your Psychedelic Shamanic Journey
In recent decades, there has been significant buzz around psychedelic medicine—both positive and negative. Many people who entered the psychedelic realm were not ready for it and experienced what some call a bad trip. Irresponsible use of strong ancient psychedelic medicine can go horribly wrong.
Psychedelic Medicine is a powerful tool, and you must learn how to use it.
I want to guide you toward a mindful and gentle approach to reduce the risk of emotional or physical harm, and it all begins with preparation.
When you feel ready for this intense next step and Mother Ayahuasca is calling to you, or other shamanic medicines like Peyote or Iboga, the quality and outcome of your trip all come down to the preparation.
I would even go so far as to say your psychedelic journey begins as soon as you set your intention to go on this inner journey.
How do you prepare mindfully for a shamanic psychedelic trip?
The preparation work should start no later than 3 weeks before the psychedelic event, but it can begin as early as 3 months prior.
1. Body & Health Check
When you go on such an intense healing journey you want to make sure that you are generally healthy. Go to your doctor and get your blood work done, check your liver and kidneys in particular as these organs have to work really hard to digest this intense medicine. Especially when it comes to substances like Iboga, this is a crucial point.
2. Get your Mind ready
A psychedelic shamanic flood dose is a lot to take in. Make sure that you do your homework.
Meditation
Meditate for at least 15 minutes immediately after waking up; you can still be in bed. Meditate for another 15 minutes before going to bed.
The quality of morning meditation will be much better as your monkey mind is not super active. Evening meditations will feel more challenging, especially in the beginning.
You don’t need to know much about meditation or follow specific instructions. All you really need to do is find a comfortable seat (a chair is also okay), ensure your spine is upright to not block your body’s energy, and then close your eyes and focus on your breath.
When thoughts come up, acknowledge them but let them go. Everything else will come with practice. Relax and breathe. If you have a hard time with this, you can start with concentration exercises. My favorite is counting down from 100 to 1. Every time you lose count because thoughts intrude, you have to start over from 100. It is a great technique to learn to focus and calm your monkey mind.
The Journal
Start a daily journal where you write down your emotional process and all the thoughts that come up. Take at least 15 minutes a day for this task.
Here are some suggestions for you:
Write down what you like about yourself and what you would like to change.
Write down what you love about your reality, the people that surround you, and what you would like to change.
What are your deepest fantasies and dreams?
What are the patterns that run in your family? The good ones and the bad ones.
Which patterns did you copy from your early environment?
What are the questions that you would like to have answered about yourself, the reality that you live in, and/or about the universe and your existence?
Who are you now, and who would you like to be?
3. Diet
Eat as healthy and organic as possible.
Research and explore the ideal diet for the preparation period. Depending on the substance you choose, different diets may be required. Ayahuasca requires a special "Dieta." Do your research. Keep your body clean and fit.
When it comes to psychedelics, it's widely recognized that alcohol is not helpful and can even pose dangerous contraindications with these substances. My advice is to completely abstain from alcohol, at least during the preparation period and some weeks after the psychedelic experience, if you're not ready to quit altogether.
If you are taking Western medication, please talk to your doctor to ensure that you do not risk any contraindications.
One of the most dangerous combinations that I know of involves antidepressant medications and psychedelic shamanic medicine; in some cases, this combination has led to fatal outcomes.
That is why it is crucial to do your own research. You can minimize the risk with proper preparation and a better understanding of these alternative treatments.
4. Fasting For The Mind
Your mind is like a sponge, soaking in all the information you receive throughout the day. Your thoughts are shaped by this input.
If you truly want to explore your inner mind without distractions during your trip, it's wise to avoid watching TV for at least 3 weeks.
No TV-series, no mainstream news, no movies, no radio.
To stay informed, you can still read the news, but limit it to no more than 5 minutes a day.
Focus on your essence, your mind, and your spirit. Everything else is merely a distraction.
Keep your mind calm and shielded from the outside world.
Minimize social contact and spend time only with people who uplift your spirit and understand the journey you're willing to pursue. Even better, spend as much time as you can in nature, alone.
Listen to the sounds of nature, connect with it, and feel its presence.
Helpful Items to Bring to Your Psychedelic Shamanic Event
Set a clear intention for this trip! The INTENTION is the KEY!!!!!!
Comfortable clothing (Ayahuasca: white clothing, Iboga: one black outfit and one red outfit)
Pictures that have meaning to you or other personal items for reflection
Prepared questions (don’t expect them to be answered in the way you might want)
Water bottle
Journal and pen
Any specific items recommended by event organizers
The organizing team will likely provide a bed, blankets, and buckets for vomiting. Don’t be afraid of showing your ugly vomiting side. It is part of the journey and it will help you to let go. It is all part of an intense healing journey for your mind and body.
I don’t want to go deep into what you should do during the trip but I want to mention this. Have trust. Let go of control. Trust the spirit of this intense plant medicine to guide you.
After the trip, ensure you take care of yourself and avoid falling back into old negative habits. The aftercare following a psychedelic journey is crucial. The journey doesn’t end when the substance leaves your body; it continues for weeks and months as your mind processes the experience, which can be quite profound.
Please check out Travis and my podcast: "Psychedelic Aftercare."
I had never felt in danger and I never experienced a bad trip but I always took my preparation time very seriously and I have no need for western medications anymore. I would describe my being as healthy and fit. Each psychedelic shamanic journey helped me to transform to a new and kinder self. I am very grateful for my journey and I am very curious where this journey will take me. - Alina Pitt
This journey is nothing for the weak, it is a challenging journey but I am here for you, as your friend.
We are in this together.
Much love.
Namasté
Alina
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Make sure to have a look at my microdosing guide incl. the standard protocol calendar here.
Disclaimer
The links in this article may include affiliate links, links to paid subscriptions, and links to digital products.
I am not a doctor. This is not health advice. Please do your own research and always talk to your GP. Thanks.