This is a big topic, one that could stir up a bit of controversy. When you stop and think about it, so many wars have been fought in the name of God, with people insisting their way is the “right” way while condemning others’ beliefs and practices.
Personally, I find it sad that something meant to bring peace and hope into people’s lives often ends up causing so much division. It feels like we’ve lost sight of the true essence, allowing conflict to overshadow what should be a unifying force.
But because this is such a vast and complex topic, let’s break it down, especially how it ties into Ayahuasca and what people experience during ceremonies.
To note – this blog isn’t tightly structured. I want to share various perspectives, from indigenous views to participants’ stories, as well as my own personal experiences and observations. Hopefully, by weaving these together, we can get a broader understanding.
Key takeaways
- Ayahuasca can offer a deeply personal connection to divinity – it’s not tied to any specific religion or belief system and allows people to explore their own spiritual truths.
- After the Spanish Inquisition, some indigenous groups adopted Christianity, finding parallels between their own beliefs and the new faith, for example similarities between the Virgin Mary and Pachamama.
- At AYA Retreat, the focus is on creating a safe space for personal exploration, free from dogma or religious preaching.
Table of Contents
“For us, all beliefs are welcome. Whether you come from a religious background, follow a spiritual path, or don’t believe in anything at all, that’s completely fine.”
Find out if Ayahuasca is right for you
- Will you be safe physically and emotionally?
- How will you be supported in the ceremony?
- How do the facilitators handle difficult situations?
- How will you be able to process the experience?
- You want change, but will your life be unrecognizable after Ayahuasca?
+ 13 things to consider before drinking Ayahuasca?
Psychedelics vs Entheogens
When discussing substances like Ayahuasca, the term “psychedelics” often comes up. It’s a common word we hear when talking about psychoactive plants. However, a term that’s been gaining more traction in certain circles is “entheogen.” This word holds deeper meaning, reflecting the sacred role these plants play in the cultures where they are not just used but revered.
The word “entheogen” actually has roots in Ancient Greek. It comes from “entheos,” meaning “full of the god, inspired, possessed,” and “genesthai,” which translates to “to come into being.” So, in essence, an entheogen is something that causes a person to become full of divine inspiration or to feel connected to the divine. It’s a powerful distinction that highlights the spiritual and cultural significance of these plants beyond just their psychoactive effects.
The Origin of Ayahuasca
The origins of Ayahuasca are deeply rooted in the spiritual traditions of indigenous peoples, particularly in the Amazon basin. For them, Ayahuasca wasn’t just a drink; it was a way to connect spiritually with the jungle. The shamans, often called Taitas or Mamitas, were the traditional healers or “doctors” of their tribes. Through Ayahuasca, they would commune with the spirits of the plant, the jungle, and other medicinal plants to guide them in healing physical and spiritual ailments. It was a sacred tool, allowing them to access realms of knowledge and understanding far beyond the physical world.
We’ll explore more about how the indigenous view concepts like God and divinity in a later part of this blog, as it’s an important piece to understanding Ayahuasca’s role in the indigenous culture.
Must read blog: Origin of Ayahuasca
From “The Old Bearded Man in the Sky” to the Energy of the Universe: Shifting Perspectives on God
When speaking with people from different parts of the world, it seems like the role of organized religion has generally diminished over the past few decades. Many struggle to connect with some of the flaws and scandals that have emerged, particularly within institutions like the Catholic Church (though we won’t dive too deep into that here).
For those who grew up in strictly religious households, resentment towards God and religion often builds up. If you’ve been raised to believe that every move you make is being judged, that you’re inherently a sinner, and that missteps could send you straight to hell, it’s no wonder many end up feeling disconnected. This heavy sense of being watched and judged can lead to deep discomfort with traditional religious teachings.
The image of God as an old bearded man in the sky, keeping tabs on our every action, feels distant and alien to many people today. It’s a concept that just doesn’t resonate with everyone. However, in conversations with others, there seems to be a growing shift toward ideas like “the universe” or a “guiding energy.” For many, this broader, less personified understanding of divinity feels more relatable and comforting than the strict, judgmental figure they grew up with.
Our Philosophy at AYA Retreat
At AYA Retreat, we like to say that Ayahuasca isn’t about dogma. We’re not here to push you in any particular direction or impose any belief system. Instead, our focus is on creating a safe and open space where you can connect with the spirit of Ayahuasca in your own way. It’s not about telling you what to believe – it’s about letting Ayahuasca be the guide, allowing the plant medicine to speak to you and teach you what you need to know.
For us, all beliefs are welcome. Whether you come from a religious background, follow a spiritual path, or don’t believe in anything at all, that’s completely fine. We hold space for everyone, with no pressure to conform to any particular belief system. It’s all about your personal experience and journey.
My Personal Journey with Ayahuasca, God and Religion
Growing up, my parents took an interesting approach when it came to religion. They told me I could choose a religion whenever I was ready, without pushing anything on me. They didn’t tell me what I needed to believe, and honestly, I’m really impressed by that. I’m grateful they allowed me the space to explore (or not explore) on my own terms.
For most of my life, I would’ve described myself as agnostic. It wasn’t something I thought about too much. I figured maybe God exists, but I don’t know… I’ve never met Him. I believed there was something – maybe the universe or some higher power – at play, but I wouldn’t say I had a real connection to “it.”
It was through my journey with Ayahuasca that I connected with what I would call the divine spark. Interestingly, this wasn’t something I was actively seeking. I went into the ceremonies looking for healing, guidance, strength, and wisdom. And somewhere along that path, I encountered this divine energy. There’s a quote by Rumi that perfectly sums up this experience for me: “I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.”
At first, I was just happy to have had that connection during the ceremony. But I wasn’t really integrating it into my daily life. It wasn’t until about a year later, during a particularly difficult time, that I got a clear message to surrender more and to start taking time each day to connect with that divinity – whicever word you want to use for it, God, Spirit, the universe. Since then, I’ve been doing better in terms of cultivating a practice with it.
Honestly, it’s been a huge help. It’s like having a big ally with me. It’s taken a lot of pressure off because I don’t have to be in charge of everything all the time. My job is to plant the seed and water it, but it’s the Holy Spirit – or whatever you want to call it – that makes the tree grow. That realization was a big relief for me, because, in all honesty, I have no idea how to make a tree grow! That’s not up to me.
I’ve also experienced so many synchronistic events, so much unexpected support from different directions, that at this point, it feels impossible to say it’s all just from my own doing. From where I stand, it’s clear that something larger is helping guide the development of life.
Again, this is just my personal experience and I’m not here to preach.
People’s Experiences at AYA Retreat with Divinity
At AYA Retreat, we’ve had multiple participants share stories about how they connected with that divine spark – or what they might call God – through their Ayahuasca ceremonies. For some, this connection was something they were actively seeking. They came into the retreat with the intention of exploring their spirituality and finding that higher power. But for others, the encounter with divinity wasn’t something they expected at all. It came to them unexpectedly, as part of the experience, even though it wasn’t on their radar at all when they first arrived.
What’s interesting is how personal and varied these encounters are. Some have linked their experience with divinity to Jesus, while others simply refer to it as “God.” And this connection isn’t exclusive to the Christian faith. Participants from different religious backgrounds have shared how they felt a profound connection with their own representation of the divine, whether that’s from their religion or their personal beliefs.
Religion Does Not Equal God
Personally, I think one of the biggest issues is that some religions, or at least certain interpretations of them, make us believe that the only way to connect with God is through organized religion. The problem with that is, once you introduce human structures, you also bring along human flaws: mistakes, greed, power struggles, and all the imperfections that come with being human.
But the thing is you don’t need organized religion to connect with divinity. You are the vessel for that connection. It’s within you, and anyone has the ability to tap into it directly, without a middleman.
That being said, religion can also be a valid path to God. For many, it’s a framework that helps them find meaning and connection with the divine. It’s important to acknowledge that everyone’s path is different, and for some, religion serves as a beautiful guide.
I realize I’m starting to ramble a bit here – this is such a massive topic, and it’s not easy to sum it up neatly. But I think it’s worth touching on these different perspectives, even if we can’t cover everything in one go.
“In the end, we see this as an expression of personal freedom – the freedom for each person to live out their spiritual truth in the way that feels right to them.”
Indigenous Viewpoints on God and Divinity
This part is tricky because there are so many indigenous tribes, each with their own unique perspectives on divinity. I can’t claim to know or accurately represent all of their views, but I’d like to share a couple of powerful conversations I’ve had with shamans and healers that shed some light on their understanding of God and the divine.
Ayahuasca, God and Religion Viewpoint 1:
One shaman I spoke with shared that, in his eyes, the divine spark exists in every living being. He sees it in nature, in the birds, the wind, the trees – essentially, in all of creation. To him, divinity is what breathes life into this miraculous world. It’s the force behind everything we observe, connect with, and create alongside. This divine energy isn’t something separate or distant; it’s woven into the fabric of life itself. We have the privilege of being part of this energy, to observe it, and to interact with it in meaningful ways.
Ayahuasca, God and Religion Viewpoint 2:
Another conversation that really stood out to me was with the grandson of Mama Concha, a sharp and insightful young man from a lineage of 12+ generations of Ayahuasca healers. He was only 16 years old at the time, but we had a long and profound discussion about the healing work his family has been doing for generations. He shared stories of how his father, uncles, and other family members have helped people overcome severe physical illnesses – real, tangible examples of healing that seemed almost miraculous.
What struck me most was his explanation of how the healing happens. He made it clear that it’s not the Taita (shaman) who performs the healing. The shaman calls in the spirits of various plants, angels, and ultimately asks the great spirit – what we might call God – for healing on behalf of the person. There’s a clear distinction: the shaman isn’t the one doing the healing; they’re simply creating the environment for it to happen. The actual healing is in the hands of the divine.
For me, that was such a beautiful perspective. They’re seeing real results, life-changing healings, but they don’t take credit for it. Instead, they acknowledge that it’s the great spirit at work, humbly stepping back and giving credit where it’s due.
He went on to say something that really stuck with me: “You won’t believe it, but there are people out there who don’t believe in God.” I couldn’t help but laugh a little, because of course I know people who don’t believe in God. But the way he said it made me realize how far outside his paradigm that concept was. For him and his family, God is not just a belief – it’s a lived experience, something so deeply integrated into their daily lives and healing work that the idea of someone not believing in God was almost incomprehensible.
Religious Elements in Colombian Ceremonies
Colombia is a deeply Christian country, a legacy that traces back to the time of the Spanish Inquisition. There are countless stories tied to this period, many of them filled with pain and suppression as indigenous beliefs were forced underground or blended with the newly introduced Christian faith.
At some point, many indigenous groups adopted Christianity, finding parallels between their own beliefs and the new faith being introduced. When the Spanish spoke of the Virgin Mary, the indigenous responded by saying, “We know her – she’s Pachamama,” the spirit of Mother Earth who nurtures and sustains all life. Similarly, when the Spanish spoke of Jesus, the indigenous saw connections to the spirit they honored through the use of tobacco, which, in their worldview, represents light, healing, and the energy of the sun.
I know that might sound a little far-fetched to some, but I’m simply sharing what has been shared with me over time. Many tribes, in their own way, have integrated aspects of Christianity into their spiritual practices, making it part of their expression of faith.
Interestingly, when foreigners come to ceremonies in Colombia, some feel a sense of sadness when they see that the indigenous people are practicing Christianity. There’s often this sense that the indigenous have “lost” or “abandoned” their traditional beliefs. I’ve felt that way myself at times. But over the years, I’ve come to see that this is just a different expression of their beliefs, not necessarily a rejection of their heritage.
Sergio has noted that a few hundred years ago, the Spanish were troubled because the indigenous didn’t believe in Christ. Now, it seems, some visitors are troubled because they do believe in Christ. It’s almost ironic, really – it seems impossible to make everyone happy.
In our ceremonies at AYA Retreat, there are very few Christian elements. Sergio is sensitive to the fact that many Westerners who seek out Ayahuasca are looking for something outside of organized religion, so Christian elements are not a major part of what we do. However, Juan Fernando occasionally includes some Christian prayers, either before the ceremony or sometimes during it.
In the end, we see this as an expression of personal freedom – the freedom for each person to live out their spiritual truth in the way that feels right to them. Again, our goal is not to convert anyone to any particular belief, but rather to create a space where people can connect with the spirit of Ayahuasca and let whatever is meant to develop within them unfold naturally. If that connection touches on divinity, that’s beautiful. If it leads somewhere else, that’s just as beautiful.
Ayahuasca Religions: For Example Santo Daime
One example of a religious organization that incorporates Ayahuasca into its practice is Santo Daime. In their ceremonies, Ayahuasca is used as part of their Mass and serves as a way to connect with God. This is a separate organization that has developed its own unique way of expressing faith through the use of the plant medicine.
Santo Daime was founded relatively recently, in the 1930s, which is quite new when you consider how long Ayahuasca has been used by indigenous peoples. What’s important to understand is that Santo Daime is just one interpretation of how Ayahuasca can be used. It’s not representative of Ayahuasca as a whole, but rather a particular way of integrating it into a religious framework.
If you’re interested, you can learn more about Santo Daime at santodaime.org.
It’s also worth mentioning that in the United States, there is a legal loophole that allows Ayahuasca ceremonies to take place legally if they are conducted within a religious context. However, as I haven’t participated in these ceremonies myself, I can’t provide a first-hand description of what they’re like.
Opinion: The Origin of Religion…
If you’ve ever experienced an Ayahuasca ceremony yourself, you’ve likely felt the magic of it—the deep sense of connectedness, the overwhelming awe, and even moments of bliss. In my opinion, it’s not a stretch to imagine that such “psychedelic” experiences could have played a role in the formation of early religions. The profound sense of comprehension and connection to something greater, which often comes in these states, could easily have been attributed to God or divine forces. Over time, of course, religious practices developed and were shaped by various influences – some preserved, others suppressed or altered.
There are even people who suggest that the burning bush Moses saw when he connected with God was, in fact, the Acacia tree, which contains DMT—the same psychoactive compound found in Ayahuasca. While this is a fascinating theory, it’s one of those ideas that opens up a whole new conversation on the possible links between ancient religious experiences and plant-based psychedelics.
Again, this is a topic that could easily be a blog on its own!
Conclusion
I hope this blog has given you some valuable insights into how Ayahuasca connects with divinity, God, and religion. It’s a vast topic, but hopefully, these perspectives have sparked some thoughts or curiosity.
Once again, I want to emphasize that Ayahuasca isn’t about dogma. You don’t need to subscribe to any particular belief system to experience its profound effects. At AYA Retreat, no one is preaching which path you should follow or what you should or shouldn’t believe.
This journey – whether it’s spiritual, personal, or something else entirely – is yours to make, in your own time. It’s a deeply personal decision, and there’s no rush or pressure. Whenever you’re ready, Ayahuasca is simply there to hold space for whatever unfolds.
FAQs
Do I need to believe in God or follow a specific religion to experience Ayahuasca?
No, you don’t need to adhere to any particular belief system to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony. Ayahuasca is not about dogma, and at AYA Retreat, we don’t push any religious or spiritual beliefs. The experience is deeply personal and can vary widely from person to person. Whether you have a religious background, consider yourself spiritual, or have no beliefs at all, Ayahuasca is about connecting with yourself and whatever unfolds in the process.
How does Ayahuasca relate to divinity or God?
For many people, Ayahuasca brings a sense of connection to something greater, whether that’s described as God, the universe, or simply a divine spark. This experience is often deeply personal and varies depending on your own beliefs or intentions. Some connect with their interpretation of divinity, while others may not have a spiritual experience at all. Ayahuasca offers a unique space for each individual’s journey, without imposing any religious framework.
Why do some indigenous people incorporate Christian elements in their Ayahuasca ceremonies?
In Colombia and other parts of South America, many indigenous people have adopted elements of Christianity, often blending them with their own traditional beliefs. For some tribes, there are parallels between their spiritual figures (like Pachamama, the spirit of Mother Earth) and Christian figures like the Virgin Mary. While this blending of traditions may feel surprising to some, it’s simply another way of expressing their deep connection with the divine. However, at AYA Retreat, our ceremonies generally avoid religious elements, allowing each person the freedom to connect in their own way.
