7 CONTROVERSIAL INSIGHTS ON NEW AGE PLANT MEDICINE USAGE:

Here are insights I gathered along 10 years of experience, study and observation of the modern (ab)use of Ayahuasca & plant medicines:

1. IT TAKES A JOURNEY - of preparation, intention, willingness, devotion and integration + of travelling to meet the plant spirit on its native land and within its cultural body.

2. WORKING WITH A PROPER SHAMAN - to guide + protect you. Traditional shamans are chosen, initiated and trained from birth to navigate the spirit world, and to understand the intricacies of the interaction between human psyche, plant spirit and spirit realm.

3. INTEGRATION - there is no healing/growth without integration; the real work starts after the ceremony. Too many people accumulate ceremonies and experiences without having integrated the teachings of the previous one, ending up only more confused and disembodied. As Alan Watts said, "Once you get the message, hang up the phone."

4. TRADITIONAL VERSUS WESTERN APPROACH - ancestral wisdom + modern psychological input makes perfect. Most of us, because of our Western psyche constitution and modern ways of life, need a deeper integrative approach than someone born and living in the jungle. A traditional shamanic approach combined with an integrative container based on modern psychology guarantees a more profound and efficient work.

5. DISCERNMENT - question your intention, trust your gut feeling, and do your own research. No one knows what is right for you better than you. Working with plant medicine should come from a deep calling, not from following a trend. Set and setting are primordial.

6. REVIVING OUR OWN PLANT MEDICINE TRADITIONS - the plants native to our lands are teachers and masters too, with plenty of wisdom and medicine to spare. Let's reconnect with our roots! Mint, Rose, Vervain, Jasmin, Rosemary, Chamomile, Mugwort... are calling us back home!

7. REVERENCE + RECIPROCITY - instead of wondering "what can I get?" let's ask ourselves "what can I give?" If you choose to work with plant medicine, learn to do it from a place of openness, gratitude and reverence. Always give something back from your Heart - to the land, to the indigenous community, to Spirit...

Thanks for reading me,

With Love,

Iris

"MY JOURNEY WITH AYAHUASCA - From Sitting to Serving" | To watch the full interview, click here.

"MY UNFILTERED, PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH AYAHUASCA" | To read the full article, click here.

To learn more about our upcoming Plant Medicine Immersion Retreats in Ecuador, click here or contact me privately.

If you are struggling with your plant medicine experience integration, know that you are not alone - feel free to reach out ♡