Ayahuasca in Shipibo Healing Practice

Sacred Brew

Ayahuasca is the central element of Shipibo shamanism, a sacred brew from the vine Banisteriopsis caapi (translated as 'Vine of Spirits') with the addition of leaves containing DMT (most commonly the chacruna bush). Ayahuasca induces altered states of consciousness (visions) and is used for diagnosis and healing at the spiritual level.

Mother Plant

In Shipibo tradition, ayahuasca is sometimes called 'mother plant' for its wisdom and caring energy. Ayahuasca ceremonies are usually held at night under the guidance of an experienced healer who sings icaros and directs the ceremony's energy.

Energetic Patterns

Shamans explain that icaros (healing songs) with the help of ayahuasca 'weave' special energetic patterns into the patient's aura, eliminating disharmony and disease. Ayahuasca helps 'open' perception so the healer can see energetic blocks and work with plant teacher spirits for healing.

This text is based on personal experience. It is not a universal recipe or an instruction for everyone. It is a set of things that have helped me at different times through difficult moments in ceremonies.

Dark states during ayahuasca happen. Sometimes it is intense fear, sometimes a sense of hostile images, sometimes just a feeling of being pulled somewhere wrong. Usually in such moments inner material that has been buried deep for a long time comes to the surface. The most important thing here is not to fall apart psychologically and to keep contact with the body.

Preparation

It helps to set up a small personal altar beforehand. You can put Aqua Florida, mapacho, incense or palo santo there, as well as anything meaningful to you: photos of loved ones, symbols, icons or images of deities if that resonates. It is a simple anchor to return to when strong turbulence begins.

Before the ceremony

Formulate an intention. It can be very simple, but it is better to avoid vague phrases like "let whatever must happen happen". A concrete request works: about fear, about light, about clarity.

Following the diet is separately important. It really affects the depth and quality of the process. Ideally at least 3–4 days before the ceremony, stick strictly to all guidelines.

When darkness has already taken over

The first thing worth trying is not to lie down and dissolve into what is happening, but instead to gather yourself. Sit up straight, align your back and look straight ahead, not at the ceiling or the floor. Feel the centre of your chest and imagine light spreading from within. No complex visualisations — just a sense of inner expansion. Sometimes a firmer inner stance helps too, when you literally assert your presence and your strength.

Then you can add other supports. Wash your face, hands and crown with Aqua Florida. Smell incense or palo santo. Smoke mapacho if you have it — it often grounds strongly. Sing with the shaman, because icaros stabilise the state well. If possible, ask for rapé — nasal tobacco brings you back into the body sharply and reduces anxiety.

If vomiting comes up, it is better not to resist. Kneel over the bucket and let the body do its work. Very often after that the state shifts radically — from deep minus to deep plus.

You can turn for help to any images that arise in your mind: Christ, Buddha, Shiva, Green Tara or whoever else. Even if you do not consider yourself religious, this often works as a psychological anchor.

Sometimes drinking more ayahuasca helps. There can be a sense of getting stuck in an in-between state, and an extra dose can allow you to move through and into a clearer space.

Gratitude and asking for forgiveness also help. Sometimes it works almost like a mantra: thank you, thank you, thank you.

When you cannot hold your ground

If sitting upright and holding the light does not work, sometimes the opposite approach does. You can lie face down, roughly as in Buddhist prostrations, and fully surrender to the process. No attempt to control, no analysis, just allow everything to happen. In some cases it is this full surrender that releases the inner conflict and the tension goes.

Important points

Do not make inner agreements with dark images or give them any permission to enter.

If difficult states keep recurring, it makes sense to change the space and the shaman. In a traditional Shipibo setting the work is often more stable, provided it is a real curandero and you have recommendations from people who have already worked with them.

All of the above is personal experience. Different things helped at different times. The most important is to keep contact with the body, presence and clarity of attention, even when it feels like total chaos inside.