After my journey down into the jungles of the Amazon in Peru
and participating in 5 Ayahuasca healing ceremonies with
Shamans (see story ‘Ayahuasca Journey’ below) – I had asked
God-Spirit for something more accessible for westerners to be
able to interact with Ayahuasca in a truly supportive healing
environment that wouldn’t be too foreign or alien for them.
I came across a quote by an Argentinian psychologist who
works with healing people with Ayahuasca where she said:
“We wanted to take the plant out of the insectoid terrors of
the jungle, and away from the heavy male energy of the
Shamans.”

That clicked for me…a way for Ayahuasca to
spread Her work more easily.
Here’s some thoughts by a 20 yr old woman about her
experiences with Ayahuasca -
“Throughout the seminar there was a lot of communication
among the participants that forged a strong bond between us,
and allowed me to really develop my interpretation of the
completely overwhelming ayahuasca experience. For me, the
seminar was a transcendent mingling of historic, contemporary,
and futuristic worlds. It created a context in which an
ancient medicine could be used by non-indigenous people in a
way that was not separate or alien from our lives in the
current world. The nature of the sacrament induces a feeling
of unification with the human experience across the ages, and
the power of the jungle reminded me of geologic time and the
newness of the human species. The basic themes of the seminar
- healing, growth, connection with divinity, and
self-discovery – as well as the ceremonial atmosphere we
created, respectfully connected us with the ancient use of the
plant. Building on this traditional basis, the discussions we
had as a group, the structure of the ceremony, and the
lectures and activities provided were decidedly modern. We
discussed astrophysics, the Internet, relativity theory, drug
policy in the United States, shamanism, the Mayan calendar,
extraterrestrial life, time travel, our inner children, our
psychological struggles, our experiences of joy, and more.”

Want to ‘SEE’ What Taking Ayahuasca is like? – Watch this clip
from the movie ‘Blueberry’ (aka ‘Renegade’):

http://www.sedonasoulcounseling.com/mp3/Aguaruna-Jaime.mp3

While it’s impossible to show the beyond time and ‘liquid space’ of
Ayahuasca Ceremonies on a flat movie screen – this is the best
depiction of what occurs during actual Ayahuasca Ceremonies
that we’ve found. Watch for the ‘Vision’ sequences in this
clip – not so much the heavy drama ‘warrior’ parts between the
two men. You will actually have these types of ‘Visions’
during a Ceremony and as the clip shows they are both
‘Heavenly’ and ‘Hellish’. Ayahuasca has the uncanny ability to
show you exactly what you have inside you – with care, and
somehow knowing all about you – showing you that which your
soul is ready to look at. You are not overwhelmed – but
respectfully guided to see that which you want to and need to
see for your souls evolution.

Tobias Lars BS, MBA, Mensa – is a ‘Soul Counselor’ from
Sedona, AZ – www.SedonaSoulCounseling.com <http://www.sedonacounseling.com> . He is the author
of the book – ‘Listening to The Sun’. After having started 2
international trading companies he now devotes his time to
spiritual healing work and Eco Spiritual Travel Adventures
with www.SpiriTravel.com <http://www.SpiriTravel.com>

An excellent analysis of this issue can be seen on the Quantum Life Bodyworks website, in an article titled: “Peru declares ayahuasca part of cultural heritage.” The author of the article bring up two excellent points. One, regarding the gender of ayahuasca, and the other on the more obvious idea of whether visitors should be denied an ayahuasca experience in Peru.

One aspect of the announcement, however, which is of concern for me personally is the use of the word “patrimony”. For me it seems quite at odds with legislations pertaining to a plant regularly referred to as La Madre or La Abuela (mother or grandmother). Whilst I enter ceremonies with the utmost respect for the traditions of those who hold them, I believe that Ayahuasca has clearly moved beyond a construct of indigenous, jungle usage, and that the manner in which new cultures of Ayahuasca usage develop should not be limited by the limited world views of a particular patriarchy. I feel that Ayahuasca herself will determine how and when these new modes of working unfold, but any attempts to control the usage of Sacred Medicines should be diligently examined by all who care for the freedom and evolution of human consciousness.

Just as there are naturally going to be conflicts between tourism and sustainability, it is also inevitable there will be conflicts between tourism and culture. It is our hope the government of Peru will not go too far toward the “drug-war” mentality that prevails in Washington at the moment, with regard to ayahuasca.

Cusco is the gateway to Macho Picchu, where this writer has experienced a hallucinogenic ceremony with a beverage made from the San Pedro cactus, and not from the ayahuasca vine. It is more likely, it seems to me, that the two actors are more likely to encounter San Pedro than ayahuasca if indeed they are going to Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Of course, this does not rule out the possibility that there may be a shaman leading an ayahuasca ceremony in Cusco or Machu Picchu. It just seems more likely that, if they’re going to Peru for the purpose of an ayahuasca experience, it’s more likely they’d be heading for the Amazon.

We know that Harrelson has a history of being a cannabis activist, for which we applaud. It was also widely publicized that Wilson recently attempted suicide. It therefore is speculated that Harrelson may be taking Wilson under his protective wing to help get his head sorted out. A journey into Peru’s Sacred Valley and a meeting with a curandero seem like positive steps in that direction.

One hopes the news media will not let this interesting story fall through the cracks. Should ayahuasca be a positive ingredient in Wilson’s getting back on a more constructive path, it would be a good thing for the rest of the world to hear about.