What is an Ayahuasca Retreat?
An ayahuasca retreat at the Hummingbird Center is a journey of exploration of other dimensions and spiritual realities under the careful guidance of a skilled ayahuasquero (shaman). It is an opportunity for deep spiritual and energetic growth, healing and insight.
It is a journey into the hidden aspects of ourselves, and an opportunity to release the painful emotional energies of sorrow, sadness, guilt and shame that we may have been unknowingly carrying for many years. The retreat process results in a thorough cleansing of our physical and energetic bodies. It is a chance to examine and free ourselves from false and limiting beliefs.
With a skilled ayahuasquero, it is possible for some to have profound mystical experiences of unconditional love, bliss and joy, a feeling of direct connection with God, the Divine or universal consciousness, or a variety of other manifestations of the mystical.
Structure of an Ayahuasca Ceremony
Before the ceremony begins there is usually some form of energetic cleansing of the space. In the Amazon this is often done using tobacco or “smudging” the space with the aromatic wood Palo Santo. White Sage may also be used for smudging.
The ayahuasquero will sing to the ayahuasca medicine, asking the spirit of ayahuasca to come and heal and protect all participants. The medicine is then served and the lights turned off. Ceremonies are held in darkness to enhance the visionary aspect of the experience.
Most ayahuasqueros will wait in silence a period of time for the effect of the medicine to clearly begin. This quite period may range from 30-60 minutes. They then begin to sing icaros, the protection and healing songs of this tradition. These healing songs are calling to the medicine spirits, asking them to come and heal our brothers and sisters in ceremony. These icaros are given by the spirits themselves during the many years of training it takes to learn to be an effective healer.
The ayahuasquero leading the ceremony first calls in spirits of protection so participants are not troubled by outside negative energies. Singing their icaros, they then call in doctor spirits to begin the cleansing and healing process. For most people, the first two ceremonies of a retreat are mostly about purifying the body, preparing it to receive higher vibrational energies.
Towards the end of our ceremonies, the ayahuasquero will do individual healing work on each person in ceremony, addressing their specific needs. Ceremony is then closed with a song of thanks to God, ayahuasca and the medicine spirits for work they have done on our behalf.
Not Just Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca retreats have much more than just ayahuasca ceremonies. There are a variety of cleansing processes including plant baths, medicinal vapor bath and a mud bath. Additional plant medicines may be prescribed as needed. Those at the center for 2 week to 4 week stays will also do a strict dieta process working with medicine plants prescribed by the ayahuasquero.
Also included are guided meditations, a guided walk through the jungle to learn about the various medicine plants growing naturally on our property. There are two talks about how our belief systems influence our experience of life and how to change the negative beliefs to positive ones. On 12 day retreats there is also a short introduction to shamanic journeying using a drum, without the influence of consciousness altering substances.
Preparing For Ayahuasca Healing
Ayahuasca is a powerful medicine and teacher plant that brings deep multi level level healing physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The powers of this potent healing plant are realized during an ayahuasca ceremony led by a skilled ayahuasquero, the ayahuasca healer or shaman.
During an ayahuasca ceremony the best attitude is to trust the medicine spirits and the process, and know that what ever you are experiencing is simply the medicine healing and teaching you. Before arriving to the center, there are some simple, yet important things one can do to prepare for their time with ayahuasca.
Holding Responsible Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Ayahuasca ceremonies at the Hummingbird Center are led by Don Hector Fatima, a Banco Ayahuasquero of the Campa tribe with over 50 years of experience with the medicine. "Banco" is the highest level of attainment in this tradition and speaks of one with exhaustive knowledge of the medicine and exceptional relationships with the medicine spirits. Due to the rigors of the long term dietas required, bancos are slowly disappearing as few today are willing through the extensive periods of isolation in the jungle required.
The owner of the Hummingbird Center is the lead facilitator, and he has been guiding people through the medicine plant process on a daily basis for over 10 years. Our priority is to provide a safe and sacred space for healing where you can relax into the experience knowing you’ll be well cared for.
Your wellbeing matters to us and at no stage while under the influence of ayahuasca will you be left out on your own.
Working Safely With Ayahuasca
You well being and safety is our priority, both in and out of ceremony. Ayahuasca is generally a very safe substance, but there are a few medical and psychological conditions where its use is contraindicated. Ayahuasca contains strong Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), and there are many medications and herbal supplements that should not be taken with any MAOI, whether ayahuasca or some other substance. Safety at the Hummingbird Center begins with a thorough screening process, and it is very important people are completely honest about their current medical and psychological condition, history, and about any medications they are currently taking.
With few exceptions, we recommend people stop taking all medications at least two weeks before arriving. It is very important to consult with your doctor before stopping your medication, and to inform them of your plans to work with a substance containing a strong MAOI.
What to expect from Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca, The magical visionary medicine of the Amazon. People have said it is life changing, that it helps you to see your true Self, your spiritual nature. That is can heal you of depression, remove blocks that have kept you stuck in ruts in your life. That it is the most beautiful and profound experience of their life. That it was the most horrible experience of their life.
So what can one really expect to experience when they participate in an ayahuasca ceremony? Just about anything. Whatever you may have read about other people’s experience with ayahuasca, your experience is unlikely to be very much like them. There will be some common aspects, but the experience as a whole will be your own, unique. For that reason it is important to try and set aside any expectations one may have about what the experience will be like, and trust and accept what comes.