When I separated from the military 2014, I returned home with a lot of trauma from my military service. As years passed I learned about psychedelics in combating trauma and addiction which interested me because conventional therapy was not working. While researching a trip to Peru to sit with Ayahuasca in 2016, I found that Arizona was allowing use of Ayahuasca as a religious sacrament and soon found the Arizona Yagé Assembly.

Leading up to my first ceremony, I spoke with a facilitator on multiple occasions regarding my medical history (to identify contraindications with the medicine), what type of diet I should practice in preparation, and finally setting my intention for my first ceremony. I first sat with this group in 2017. The ceremony was eye opening and difficult for me to understand the complex emotions I felt throughout the night. I spoke with the facilitating shaman/ lead facilitator about what I experienced and he listened and offered advice. I then sat in a circle with folks that wanted to “unpack” their experiences and I felt welcomed and accepted. Given my financial situation (hence Peru is unrealistic for many people), I could not attend a second night and I expressed this to the facilitating shaman/ lead facilitator. He listened and invited me to return and not worry about the donation. I could not sit that second night, but I returned the following weekend for a weekend of ceremony and I am glad I did.

Today, I have sat with this group on multiple occasions and each ceremony I leave with tremendous insights that allow me to grow in life. There is a strong Veteran support network that branches from this church that advocates for mental health treatment after ceremony using VA resources as well. From my experience, Ayahuasca has become a tourist industry in regards to romanticizing trips abroad which again is unrealistic for the average person living in the US. I feel that the Arizona Yagé Assembly has created a safe space where Ayahuasca is accessible to the average person. It’s almost as if Ayahuasca is wanting to expand out from the Amazon and heal the world! Thank you for listening!