As many of you know, in March/April 2008 I went to Brazil along with my husband and son. It was a fantastic trip. The main purpose of the trip, though, was to be a part of a workshop that involved the ceremonial use of the plant medicine, ayahuasca. This medicine has been used by native Amazonians for thousands of years for healing of all types (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.). Each of the 3 ceremonies that I attended during the week was overseen by an ayahuasquero (a type of shaman) and his assistant. They brew the medicine prior to the ceremony, which is done by combining 2 different plants that are native to the Amazon jungle and cooking them together. One plant contains the DMT molecule, which is a naturally occurring substance that floods our brains both at birth and death (and there is a theory that it floods the brain of a woman giving birth as well, but it is not known for sure). The other plant contains an MAO inhibitor that allows the DMT to be absorbed by the stomach and then into the bloodstream where it passes through the blood-brain barrier.

Ayahuasca Experience by Lee V.

I had to surrender any expectations I had regarding my experience. I had allowed the plant medicine to enter me and she had begun her healing work. I felt myself going in deeper, and all of a sudden came face to face with my Goddess. I recognized her immediately, as I have known her all my life. She was beautiful. I was left feeling light, peaceful, and totally high on love.

The journeys showed me that healing happens through presence and that consciousness is in the now, not the past or the future. It told me to feel into my body and helped me open my heart. It showed me my inner being and how I create my reality. And the biggest insight it gave me was that love of self and others is the only answer, 'nothing else BUT love'.

I had recently diverted a trip from India to Brasil after hearing about an Ancient Plant Medicine used by the Amazonians of South America called Ayahuasca. This ´brew´ was used for thousands of years to heal and journey into the unknown to seek universal knowledge and to expand consciousness. I felt a strong desire to search and seek out this natural medicine.