Sitter Advice

[5thAeonFlux]

First, Happy New Year to everyone!

I have (hopefully) one last question before my first aya journey. I am traveling solo but my husband will be in the house as an available sitter. He's experienced with many substances and has tripped quite a bit, but also has no experience with aya. While I plan on being alone, I would be suprised if he doesn't want to stick his head in once or twice to ensure all is well, and I'd like to have him fully informed as to what is within the range of normal physical symptoms from an outsider's perspective. I understand that I may be pretty incapacitated and that auto fight-or-flight response happens with smoked/injected DMT (not sure about aya though),but anything anyone can share beyond that would be most appreciated.

Next time the experience report, good, bad, or failure to fly.

 

[Túpò]

Hey 5thAeonFlux and a happy new year to you too. I am not experienced in aya myself and what it would be like to have a sitter present. but on there I found some information for you regarding a sitter which is very similar to what I would describe my sitters to be but usually a close friend I can trust a lot or family member. This post has a lot of useful information that will fully prepare you for a aya journey, I hope this helps and safe journeying!

Welcome to the DMT-Nexus

-Sitter: Please consider safety, and what works best. My "sitter" is just another person present in the house, who understands what I am doing (shares in the sacrament occasionally), and will offer any support if needed. In well over 100 ceremonies, I have only had to call for my sitter twice; but, for those two times, I was extremely grateful to have someone there. If a person panics and feels tempted to call 911--experiencing the process of death is quite common, but not physically dangerous, though extremely shocking the first time--this is BAD NEWS for everyone, the drinker, the entire entheogenic community and the spirit of Ayahuasca. Please, please, please take care, and do not take the sacrament lightly!!

 

[Guyomech]

The most important thing for a sitter on any journey is to be available without being too much of a presence. He will need to be prepared for the possibility of a dramatic purge, which isn't always fun to watch but if he is in fact experienced, he should be able to understand. You may find that during your comedown you may want to chatterbox a bit, which can be great to have a sitter for, but he needs to resist the temptation to guide the experience. Number one thing is presence: steady, reliable, available, but in the next room. Best case scenario, he won't need to intervene at all.

Happy and safe travels!

 

[The Observer]

The last time I did pharmahuasca, there was another person present, along with my dog.

I found, similar to dmt, a huge aversion to dealing with anyone, as I was so far from normal reality, I couldn't fathom having to try and communicate in any normal fashion.

I would make sure to have a serious conversation with your husband, and tell him to stay quiet (no talking or conversation unless you specifically ask him something), and give you your space. You should mention to him, that just because you may have your eyes open, or may say something, to not respond unless specifically addressing him with conversation/questions.

If he peeks in once in awhile, unless you start the verbal communication, he should know to not talk to you, etc.

It was an incredible experience, but found that trying to deal with anything from our "normal" reality was futile, and beyond that, an undesired activity.

Obviously, this is just my opinion, however, have sworn off having someone around, unless they are very experienced in this realm, and able to stick to the communication groundrules.

Good luck and Much Love.

Observer

 

[Jarl Von Hoother]

sing for him a simple beautiful song if you can sing. He will be okay. just tell him that you love him.

 

[5thAeonFlux]

Thanks! As soon at the timing is right for set and setting, I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[DeDao]

I can say that having a sitter/ not having one sparks a few different things within the experience.

Having a sitter will dis-able MOST from going fully into the experience and your attention will be transferred to the sitter. I find that I start to worry about the other persons state of health. I know, silly, but it's how I am. I have heard this is also a very common effect of having a sitter near by.

Having a sitter will, sometimes make you feel more grounded and is good for bad trips. Especially if they are intelligent and have had similar experiences.

Not having a sitter will allow you to have a more introspective experience and focus more on your mind and your body. If you are comfortable with the experience that you are engaging in, NOT having a sitter is ideal. BUT, note that it is always safer to have a sitter around.

Check this out, listen to every word of this tape, it is truth :

----------------------------------

In conclusion, I recommend NOT having a sitter if possible, allowing you to have a more introspective experience. If you do not feel comfortable with your upcoming experience then have someone trusted and loved down the hall, not completely worried about you but WILL check in every once in a while.

Good luck, bring back love and light.

-DeDao

 

[twofourtwo]

I remember the sitter I asked for my very first trip; a friend of mine, who got visibly bored with his passive role, started plucking a guitar, chit-chatting, asking if I was feeling anything yet etc. :|

Not the best experience. After that, I mostly liked to travel alone. Having a good, qualified sitter at hand is a luxury to be cherished. I wouldn't know whom of my friends to ask for such a favor, unfortunately. I can handle mushroom trips on my own, but taking a new substance I would insist on doing with a sitter present.

Hopefully fate throws one my direction. You're very lucky with a husband like that I guess. (experienced, loving & willing to sit for you)

 

[Guyomech]

I once broke bones during a psilohuasca trip for lack of a sitter... If you plan to go deep, it might be nice to have one around.

But DeDao is right about how it affects your attention. I find that when I vape with others- and they report similar thoughts- right in the middle of the peak I'll be thinking about them. Are they bored? Am I taking too long? Am I making weird moaning sounds? Silly thoughts, because anyone I ever sit with knows what's up and what to expect. But those thoughts do indeed creep in. You need good dialog first so that these worries are addressed beforehand. And during the trip, the less of a presence he has, the better.

 

[DeDao]

Like twofourtwo said, they will ask, unless they know the deal, "is it hitting yet?"

This type of interaction can be very negative for some reason while experiencing something like this. Just read over what people have wrote and make your own decision.

I feel like we have covered the good and bad quite nicely through all of our replies.

Good luck friend.

 

[5thAeonFlux]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, with such good insights one and all. And thank you most for the light and love.

DeDeo- I loved the video- truely beautiful ideas, art and music.

Guyomach- Man, I wouldn't with that on anyone! Definetly something to consider with this new substance, especially since little people depend on me to be in one peice when the sun rises (or ten-ish at least:d )

Twofourtwo- Isn't it strange how even in preparing for such a journey we begin to examine who we have in our lives who can be a faithful friend and support if needed. Just the preparation causes us to begin to open peices of ourselves for inspection and integration. I wish you luck in finding just such a friend.