You may have attended an Ayahuasca ceremony and been captivated by the skill and intuition of the Ayahuasca shaman. Their ability to read the energy of the room and facilitate transformative experiences might have left you wondering about their journey to becoming a shaman. Perhaps you’ve even felt a calling within yourself. In that case, the natural question arises: “How does one become an Ayahuasca shaman?”
In this blog we explore the learnings and virtues involved in pursuing this path.
Key takeaways:
Participating in a high number of Ayahuasca ceremonies is crucial for this path. Personal experiences with the medicine helps to be able to understand and navigate others’ journeys.
Becoming an Ayahuasca shaman requires patience, discipline, and a deep commitment to personal growth. It progresses over years of dedicated practice and self-reflection.
Humility is an important virtue to not misuse favourable power positions that may come up on this path.
The knowledge around Ayahuasca has been passed on for generations. This is not something you can learn on a solely experimental basis but need a teacher with lineage to show you the nuances.
Table of Contents
You need to drink a lot of Ayahuasca…
When I first started on my path with Ayahuasca, I was eager to learn everything about it (and I still am). So, I asked Sergio enthusiastically, “What should I do? How does this work?” He calmly replied, “If you want to learn more about Ayahuasca, you need to drink more Ayahuasca.” This advice made perfect sense to me.
An Ayahuasca shaman can be compared to a doctor in the West, but there is a significant difference. These “doctors” have firsthand experience with their own medicine. Unlike some Western doctors who prescribe medications they’ve never taken themselves, Ayahuasca shamans undergo their own healing processes first. They confront their own struggles, difficulties, and challenges. This means that when they share their knowledge, they aren’t just passing on information from a book; they are sharing insights gained from personal experience. This lived wisdom resonates differently and more deeply with Ayahuasca.
This personal journey is crucial because it equips them with the empathy and knowledge needed to guide others. They understand what participants need during a ceremony because they have faced similar situations and difficulties themselves. This deep, experiential knowledge ensures that they can create a safe and effective healing environment for those they guide.
The need to experience difficult Ayahuasca ceremonies yourself
It’s important to have gone through the difficult moments of Ayahuasca ceremonies oneself. Ayahuasca can wipe out our foundation and leave us feeling confused; the path of Ayahuasca is undeniably challenging. These intense experiences can dismantle our sense of self and reality, pushing us into uncharted emotional and psychological territory.
Once you have navigated these experiences, you are better equipped to support others who are encountering similar challenges. You understand that what they are experiencing is a necessary part of their personal process. They might not see the purpose of their struggles at the moment, but you do, because you have been through it yourself. This firsthand experience enables you to provide the right kind of support and reassurance, knowing that these challenges are integral to their healing journey.
Must read blog: Ayahuasca Intention
Important virtue: Patience
One of the key virtues in learning to work with Ayahuasca is patience. When I asked Sergio what I should do as I was learning, he replied, “You don’t do anything. You drink, you sit down, and you observe.” He explained that trying to help someone who is having a difficult time could result in the energy transferring to you, making the situation more complex. Instead, it’s crucial to allow participants to go through their experiences without unnecessary interventions.
The work with Ayahuasca is nuanced and delicate. Minimal distractions or interactions are necessary during ceremonies to ensure participants can fully immerse themselves in their experiences. Even a simple comment or interaction can disrupt their process, pulling them out of significant moments of introspection or healing. This careful balance is essential for the effectiveness of the ceremony.
Sergio shared how it took him three years of drinking Ayahuasca with his master before she began teaching him. This long period of observation and personal experience underscores the slow and gradual nature of learning in this tradition. Certain aspects of working with Ayahuasca can only develop over time, requiring patience and a deep commitment to the process.
Finding a mentor in a current Ayahuasca shaman
Importance of Tradition and Lineage
When you are on the path of learning Ayahuasca, finding a teacher is crucial. It is important to find a single source or teacher to follow rather than drinking with different tribes and families. This isn’t because one tradition or family is superior to others, but because each has its own way of navigating the energies. Learning from too many sources at once can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when teachings and practices conflict.
Each lineage has unique practices and traditions. For instance, some tribes incorporate tobacco in their ceremonies, while others do not. The specific use of tobacco, such as when and how it is used during a ceremony, varies widely. Understanding these nuances requires consistent learning and practice within a single lineage to avoid confusion.
There are also many complementary medicines to Ayahuasca that can aid in your process. However, you will only get to know them and their proper use as you develop trust with the family or lineage you are working with. This takes time and dedication to a particular teacher and tradition.
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?
The True Teacher is the Medicine
Apart from following a lineage, the true teacher is Ayahuasca itself. It is during the moments when the effects of Ayahuasca are the strongest that the most profound learning occurs. In these states, things start to make sense in a different way. Ayahuasca teaches you how to manage energies, harmonize, play instruments, pray, smoke tobacco, use the waira, and many other practices. The medicine guides you through these processes, offering insights and knowledge that cannot be gained through traditional learning alone.
However, there is a fine line to be aware of. Sometimes, you might think it is the medicine teaching you, but it could actually be your ego trying to prove to yourself or others that you are more advanced than you really are. Recognizing this distinction comes with experience. The more you drink Ayahuasca, the more you will notice these subtle but significant differences.
In my personal opinion, learning how to share Ayahuasca is not something you “acquire” in an 8-week stay in the jungle, or even in one year. There is obviously a lot of money to be made in this field, but I don’t believe this is the correct path. Ayahuasca ceremonies can be highly variable, presenting many different and often challenging situations, such as dealing with aggressive participants. It’s not possible to be fully prepared for all of this in such a short period.
Must read blog: Hearing the Ayahuasca call
The Medicine Picks Your Path
Important virtues: Strength and Discipline
Embarking on the path of an Ayahuasca shaman requires immense spiritual and physical strength, as well as discipline. You will need to drink Ayahuasca on a monthly basis, anywhere between 3 to 10 times. This alone is challenging, given the long nights, lack of sleep, and the intense emotional processes involved. The days following ceremonies are often marked by heightened sensitivity, yet you must continue with your responsibilities, offering attention and support to participants.
Personal Sacrifices
This commitment often means missing personal events, such as birthday invitations, to stay true to your path. As mentioned earlier, the most profound learning comes when Ayahuasca is at its most intense. It’s crucial to say yes to your teacher’s requests, no matter how challenging. Taking that first step allows Ayahuasca to respond, enabling you to do what is necessary. This requires a high level of concentration and willingness.
Fortitude
Saying no to requests indicates to Ayahuasca and your teacher that you are not yet ready for its teachings. It’s not about pressuring anyone into something they aren’t prepared for, but rather understanding the commitment required to become a good Ayahuasca shaman. The path demands consistent effort, resilience, and a deep dedication to learning and personal growth.
Must read blog: Spiritual ego after Ayahuasca
So, how do you become an Ayahuasca Shaman?
So, lots of words, but how do you actually become one? What do you need to do today to become an Ayahuasca shaman? First, find a family, lineage, or tradition that you connect with. This connection is crucial as it forms the foundation of your learning and practice. Establish and build trust with the family or lineage, which is vital for your acceptance and deeper learning within the tradition. Gain the commitment from the medicine giver that they want to teach you. This involves showing your dedication and willingness to learn and follow their guidance.
Commit to drinking Ayahuasca for an extended period, typically over many years (5+ years, participating in 40 – 100+ ceremonies a year). This experience is necessary to deeply understand and connect with the medicine. Continuously work on yourself, striving to bring harmony into different areas of your life. Personal growth and self-improvement are essential to becoming an effective Ayahuasca shaman. This path requires a long-term commitment, discipline, and a willingness to undergo profound personal transformations. The journey is demanding but deeply rewarding for those who are dedicated to it.
Ayahuasca Shamanism: Accessible and Inclusive
Open to All
Anybody can become an Ayahuasca shaman if they follow the calling of the medicine and the path of their hearts. While the wisdom of the indigenous people, who have been guarding this knowledge for centuries, is crucial, the path is open to all who are dedicated. You need a teacher and the guidance of those who have deep-rooted experience with Ayahuasca, typically found within indigenous traditions. This mentorship helps to ensure that the practice is respected and the knowledge is passed down responsibly.
To become an Ayahuasca shaman, non-indigenous individuals must commit to the same rigorous training and spiritual discipline. This involves building a strong relationship with a mentor from an indigenous lineage, participating in numerous ceremonies, and integrating the teachings into their lives. The process requires humility, respect, and a deep dedication to both personal and communal healing. Through this path, anyone can connect with the profound wisdom of Ayahuasca and become a shaman, honoring the traditions while contributing to their continuation.
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Conclusion
If you want to become an Ayahuasca shaman, the key is to drink more Ayahuasca. The medicine itself will open your path if this is truly meant for you. Avoid falling for courses that claim you can become a medicine giver in a short period of time. Becoming an Ayahuasca shaman requires a deep level of maturity and understanding that is only developed over years of dedicated practice and personal growth.
This path demands a long-term commitment, humility, and the willingness to undergo profound personal transformations. Trust in the process, find a reputable teacher, and integrate the teachings into your daily life. With time, patience, and dedication, the journey will reveal itself, guiding you towards becoming a true Ayahuasca shaman.
FAQs
Beware of quick-fix courses or programs that promise to make you a shaman in a short period. True expertise in Ayahuasca shamanism requires time, maturity, and genuine connection with the medicine. Quick courses may lack the depth and wisdom necessary for authentic practice.
Becoming an Ayahuasca shaman is not exclusive to the indigenous peoples, and is a personal journey that transcends cultural boundaries. However, it is necessary to learn from a teacher who has learned from indigenous elders to gain the wisdom of the indigenous who have been guarding this knowledge for centuries.
Becoming an Ayahuasca shaman typically takes many years of dedicated practice and learning. Most committed practitioners spend at least 5+ years, participating in 40-100+ ceremonies annually. This extensive experience is necessary to deeply understand and connect with the medicine.
