I’ve been associated with ayahuasca since 2014, having drank at a couple Peruvian-owned retreat centers in 2014 as well as with various shamans in 2018, both in Peru. More recently, I’ve been drinking ayahuasca with churches/centers in Colorado.

It would be amiss if I didn’t recommend Ahavah Gardens considering how many times I’ve sat with them. What primarily draws me is the positive energy I find present in the ceremony location and the people helping and facilitating. I have sometimes said that I drink ayahuasca for the day after. By that I mean, I drink it for the day of integration and connection with other participants (which I find healing). For me, the positive energy I feel in the location and the people are what make the day after what it is. I have sat with other groups that have made me feel rushed or rejected during integration.

The ceremony itself is a mix of traditional and non-traditional elements. They play percussive instruments, have a guitarist that plays and sings various songs, play popular recorded (ayahuasca-)ceremony music, as well as play singing bowls. They offer gentle yoga and a halo salt bath the day in-between ceremonies. They provide healthy food and drink: fruit, granola, vegetable soup, salad, teas, coconut water, etc.

I’ve witnessed a few participants being helped through difficult moments and believe that the ceremony facilitators have a talent for helping in those moments. The ceremony is initiated with a high degree of respect. They use smoked mapacho to provide a layer of protection. And offer hape and sananga to participants. The facilitators use Reiki to move energy.

There’s potential for criticism if you’re looking for something fully traditional, i.e. a Peruvian (or South American) shaman singing icaros all night long, shacapa shaking in hand, variously sucking out magic darts and blowing mapacho. But, if you’re willing to allow some fluidity into your idea of an ayahuasca ceremony, are willing to see the possible similarities between Reiki and the (pulling and sucking) techniques of the traditional shaman, and believe you’ll benefit from a group of loving, good-hearted people providing help and positive energy in medicine space, then this ceremony is for you.