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THE
HEALING CEREMONIES |
| At
some point during your time in Iquitos or in the Rainforest you will
have the opportunity to attend a healing ceremony held by the curandero,
Don Juan. Ceremonies are held regularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays
for the local people but schedules can be altered if necessary. |
A
ceremony involves meeting, either at Juan's house or out at the camp, at around 8pm and finding a spot to sit and settling in. It is important to arrive before the ceremony begins, out of respect for Don Juan. After some introductions if necessary and perhaps some small talk, the maestro, Don Juan, will pour out the servings of ayahuasca for each person. There is little talking as people begin their personal journeys. |
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Juan
then pours himself a cup of the sacred medicine. Don Juan has drank ayahuasca over 4,000 times. His experience with the spiritual dimension is so extensive, yet he still maintains a student's humility. |
Don Juan, often referred to as 'maestro,' may then speak about ayahausca and the tradition of curanderismo. Some of the participants have most likely begun to feel the effects of the brew they just ingested. Don Juan will then soplay his cup of medicine. Soplaying is a form of whistling and is often done with tobacco smoke. It is a way of putting the curandero's intentions into the brew, which are to heal those present in the ceremony. |
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Ayahuasca cleans out the system of all toxins, and while it may seem unpleasant to vomit, it is accepted as necessary. While Don Juan soplays his cup, some participants may begin to feel nauseous or may have to leave the ceremony to throw up. The beginning of a ceremony is often an unsettling time, as people purge themselves physically, and transition from one dimension to another. |
After saying 'salud' the curandero will drink his cup and join the rest of the ceremony participants as they gradually settle into the spiritual dimension of Ayahuasca.
The lights are turned off and for twenty minutes or so, everyone sits in silence, moving only to get up to vomit or defacate. The beginning of the ceremony is the most intense, as each person comes to terms with their sensations and emotions. |
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Don Juan will usually leave the ceremony during this time. He will walk around outside, making sure that everything is safe and there is no danger. When he has connected with the spirits, he returns to officially begin the ceremony. |
After whistling a beautiful tune, Don Juan then sings an icaro to begin the ceremony. Icaros are healing songs curanderos from the Amazon use to call to the spirits for assistance. Each icaro has a specific purpose and they play an intricate role in the healing process. Don Juan sings the same five icaros to open every ceremony. They immediately create an environment of compassion and love. |
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| Shortly after Juan sings the first icaro, most, if not all of the participants begin to have visions, if they haven't already. These visions often become very vivid and dreamlike. Sometimes more than one person shares the same vision. It is within this visionary dream state that the curandero communicates with spirits and performs healings. |
more
|
The Retreat | The Shaman
| Photographs | The Cost |
Contact Carlos at AYAHUAYRA
to request more information
carlos@ayahuayra.org
