Preparation for a Sacred Plant ceremony
General Preparation
If you consume brews from sacred teacher plants, it is necessary to prepare for this. You do this preparation on a spiritual and physical level. By preparing for the ceremony you are already tuning in to what is to come during it. It is recommended not to eat certain foods for a few days prior to the ceremony and not to consume alcohol and (recreational) drugs at least three days before the ceremony. For more information about diet contraindications and medication use, see this pagina. We also advise you not to have an orgasm three days before and after the ceremony. The energies that are released during orgasm can be better used during your journey and help you to get the insights clearer during and the days following.
In the days before the workshop try to reduce the hectic pace of daily life and make time for calm and peaceful reflection. Avoid crowds or chaotic environments if possible. Take time for yourself; allow yourself the space needed to get closer to you. Do not absorb too much information from the outside that distracts you from being with yourself (television, advertisement, social media, news, newspapers). Meditate, go for a walk, or read a book. Give yourself the space to make clear for which intentions do you go on your journey.
Intentions
Getting in touch with yourself by drinking a brew from sacred teacher plants can sometimes be overwhelming and perhaps very exciting. Through what you have read about Sacred Plants or stories about the experiences of others you can already create a certain expectation about what the tea will bring you. But it is best try as much as possible to approach this journey without any expectations. Simply be prepared to surrender to what presents itself during your journey - that will make you travel in the best way possible. Trust that what you get is what you need and what you can handle. Be open to what the plants have to tell you. Observe and try to be without judgment. And above all: open your heart and have compassion for everything that comes to you.
It makes sense to take the time before the workshop to get your intention clear. Getting a clear intention without wanting to steer and create expectation is difficult, but having an intention is very important. So, right now, ask yourself what your motivation is to drink Plant Medicine. This can help you to put the experiences and insights you acquire in your journey into the right framework after the workshop. You could ask yourself what you need now in life and what will provide you with a solution, what you desire, or with what you need to be helped with and why at this moment. Specific questions that you have may also function as an intention. Try to put these questions in the theme that goes with them and ask the Sacred Plants for teachings and insights about this theme or situation. Make sure your intention is always expressed in a positive form, i.e. "I want/wish that..." or "Help me with..." and not “I do not / do not want...”
During the Ceremony
Try to focus your attention as much as possible. Be receptive to what the plants have to tell you, be curious and try to surrender to the experience. Release your thoughts and judgments and trust the wisdom of the plant. You are in a safe environment. We are there to help guide and assist you in your journey. Make sure to be aware of the fact that you are traveling and that what you are experiencing in the journey is an experience or memory and that you are not really living it at that moment. Nothing can happen to you during the journey, because you are actually lying on a mat even though you feel as though you are shooting through the universe or have become the memory instead of reliving it.
Stay with yourself as much as possible during the ceremony. Have minimal social interaction with your fellow travelers during the journey. Everyone is in his or her own process and we want to make sure that someone is not removed from their process. After the ceremony and during group sharing, there is the time to share and discuss your experiences. Also try not to go into any distraction and instead focus your attention inside as much as possible. Of course you can always communicate with one of the supervisors at any time if necessary.
Rules during the retreat and ceremonies:
• Mutual respect for each other
• No sexual or aggressive behavior
• The use of telephones or electronic devices during the ceremony is absolutely not allowed
• It is not allowed to make videos and / or audio recordings during the ceremonies and sharings
• We share a house together during the workshop, try to keep the house clean and livable. Clean up after yourself and what ever you used. Help with household chores is also appreciated and sometimes even necessary
