Guiding my first ceremony...suggestions/feedback

[quantagy]

I've partaken 3 times by myself, with good results.
In a little over a month I will be guiding a ceremony with two of my closest friends. Both of them have smoked DMT before, and have had experience with mushrooms as well.
I will be thawing out some leftover brew that's been frozen since mid-June. This was a Monstrously strong
Batch, and I plan on dividing up the remaining 350 ml. into thirds...

Our setting will be a quiet cabin in the woods. We are gathering for a weekend of artmaking.

I'm excited to be introducing this experience to my friends,
But naturally have some apprehension about my ability to guide/console if things were to take a really bad turn for one or both of them. I've referred them to erowid to read up, as well as oriented them to the diet and other preparatory considerations. I Have a chill, introspective playlist to accompany the ceremony.

Would appreciate feedback/suggestions/tips from others who have led ceremonies, things to be mindful of, etc.....


Many thanks...

 

[Global]

A lot of people get scared by the name "ayahuasca" but I feel that if you are capable of getting through a heavy mushroom trip, then you should be fine with ayahuasca. As you probably know, ayahuasca can be heavily sedating and immobilizing, so you'll want to set up your cabin so that there are three nice spots for everyone to post up including blankets (I know it's summer), soft places to sit/lay down, puke buckets, and probably something to play music. The trouble with music is that you want to make sure that everyone is agreed to have it on, and that everyone likes what is playing. It might be in your best interest to collectively make a playlist that everyone can agree on beforehand.

I would use the music as a secret weapon for when/if things go bad to change the energy in the room. If someone is not having a good time, they should be encouraged to hum or sing. The energy can naturally guide the voice. I imagine that is how the ayahuasqueros of old authentically learned their icaros.

Anything that you might want access to should be kept within arm's reach. If you plan on making art, keep everything together near where you plan on posting up.

Lastly, if possible, you might want to be prepared with extra ayahuasca just in case one person underdoses. If someone is really having trouble feeling the effects, it might be a good idea to have some DMT to smoke on site, but remember that less will be needed than usual because of the MAOI effect and synergy from the oral DMT.

 

[quantagy]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I appreciate it....


I thought a lot about the playlist, and selected a mix of rainforest sounds as well as Tibetan bowls.

I hadn't thought about the under dosing potential, probably because the brew I have was incredibly strong the last I took it. Nevertheless, I'll have some changa available should any of us need a nudge!

Thanks, again...

 

[null24]

I bristled at first at the 'guiding my first ceremony' bit, but after reading the post, think i may have misplaced my concern. The idea of a guide is very different from that of a sitter. A guide should either be trained as a shaman, or have experience in psychotherapy,as well as own limitless compassion and empathy and know how to handle crisis with a cool demeanor. That, and they need to be awake and aware, and that's a tall order. Otherwise, you're better off doing it solo if you can't find one of these stellar humans, or alone with friends. I've met people who have yet to peel away the layers of delusion that cover their soul, nor really even try to do so out of fear who think they are capable of leading ceremonies. I feel one cannot lead another out of darkness until they have done so for themselves.
I've met and run away from at least one person recently who really put the sham in shaman with this manipulative power hungry aspect. In fact, I'm quite angry at this individual here in my town ( you know who you are) who lied to me, stole a bunch of my spice, used my name to attract others and is now doing just that, fooling others into thinking he knows something. I washed my hands of the dude and diplomatically warned others to his intentions. That's nether here nor there, just letting you know why my senses are heightened to BS.

I don't think this is what you are doing though, you're just attending, being present, tripsitting, correct? If the people who are attending are experienced and clear enough in intent, and you know them and their characteristics and personalities, and you are going to be unaltered so that you can both pick up on abnormal behaviors and be able to determine the seriousness of such and point to and enact a solution whatever it may be should a crisis arise, if you can be a source for confidence to them, so that they know that if something does happen, you will be able to control a situation, drive a car, talk to an authority, bandage a wound, clean up puke etc etc then more power to you. The power to see hear and interact with love, empathy and compassion.

Go to MAPS.org and read the zendo volunteer manual. It's a guide for the folks who volunteer to run the rock med/ bad trip tents at festivals and has a ton of great info on how to do what your doing.

I'll come back and edit this with some links for you. Good luck, look in your heart, you'll know if you can do this.

EDIT: okay, so my mobile refuses to log in and let me copy the URL of anything MAPS. Maps.Zendo. Google.

This book is a good resource as well, but again, no web link: The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys" by James Fadiman

 

[quantagy]

Wow, great! Thanks for the links....

Yeah, maybe "guide" was the wrong word. I'm not looking to heal or lead an expedition into the Akashic record or anything. I just want to make sure I can provide a comfortable atmosphere and be ready to support either of them should any difficulties arise. I've introduced them both to mushrooms, DMT, and salvia, and so there is good energy and a lot of trust between us.

I will be taking a small amount relative to both of them. The brew, as I said, is leftover from a batch made in June, and the dose I took then was far far too strong (smeared across the universe). So I'm more or less cutting that by a third. It's been in my freezer, but everything I've read about freezing brew has said the potency won't be affected...

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Redguard]

Null gave some really good advice, the only thing I can add to what he gave you, is that if you can play a particular instrument, it will probably suit the mood far better then any actual recording of music. That is if you're any good . My friends love it when I bust out my classical guitar.

 

[quantagy]

Null gave some really good advice, the only thing I can add to what he gave you, is that if you can play a particular instrument, it will probably suit the mood far better then any actual recording of music. That is if you're any good . My friends love it when I bust out my classical guitar.

Would love it if I played an instrument, however that is most definitely not where my talents lie....

I tried to make a playlist that's mostly nature sounds, accented by Tibetan singing bowls...each singing bowl track corresponds to a chakra, and then I close the set with some uplifting Kirtan....

 

[Redguard]

Null gave some really good advice, the only thing I can add to what he gave you, is that if you can play a particular instrument, it will probably suit the mood far better then any actual recording of music. That is if you're any good . My friends love it when I bust out my classical guitar.

Would love it if I played an instrument, however that is most definitely not where my talents lie....

I tried to make a playlist that's mostly nature sounds, accented by Tibetan singing bowls...each singing bowl track corresponds to a chakra, and then I close the set with some uplifting Kirtan....

I'm sure that will help promote a very relaxing experience for you and your friends for sure. Check out the ayahuasca forums, it's a great resource and has a lot of information regarding setting up a ceremonial space.

 

[travsha]

"Guide" makes it sound like you are taking responsibility for them.... I would be very clear that you are not ready to do that and make sure they are up to taking care of themselves. I think that is the safest option - if they arent ready to take responsibility for themselves in ceremony then they shouldnt drink with you because 3 ceremonies is nowhere close to enough to be able to really guide others in ceremony.

I've seen shamans who have been drinking for 30 years get laid out by the medicine and need help from another shaman before. Ayahuasca can really surprise you and take you deeper then a lot of people expect. I've also seen someone puke for 5 days after a single ceremony - ceremony doesnt always end in 5 hours, so if you claim to be a guide you are taking responsibility for situations like this that may arise. BTW - the person who puked for 5 days was very scared about their physical health - so things can get a bit scary sometimes, and I dont think you want to feel responsible for anything like that....

I think it would be best if everyone takes responsibility for themselves just because all of you basically have no experience. If someone needs help and another person feels able to help them, then great! Still create the best environment possible and do all of that, but dont make it seem like you can pull them out of trouble if you really wouldnt know how....

 

[quantagy]

"Guide" makes it sound like you are taking responsibility for them.... I would be very clear that you are not ready to do that and make sure they are up to taking care of themselves. I think that is the safest option - if they arent ready to take responsibility for themselves in ceremony then they shouldnt drink with you because 3 ceremonies is nowhere close to enough to be able to really guide others in ceremony.

I've seen shamans who have been drinking for 30 years get laid out by the medicine and need help from another shaman before. Ayahuasca can really surprise you and take you deeper then a lot of people expect. I've also seen someone puke for 5 days after a single ceremony - ceremony doesnt always end in 5 hours, so if you claim to be a guide you are taking responsibility for situations like this that may arise. BTW - the person who puked for 5 days was very scared about their physical health - so things can get a bit scary sometimes, and I dont think you want to feel responsible for anything like that....

I think it would be best if everyone takes responsibility for themselves just because all of you basically have no experience. If someone needs help and another person feels able to help them, then great! Still create the best environment possible and do all of that, but dont make it seem like you can pull them out of trouble if you really wouldnt know how....

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback....

The issue of taking responsibly for ourselves will definitely be discussed beforehand.