Intrigued by the potential therapeutic benefits and satisfied that the health and safety risks were acceptable (see Mother Ayahuasca: “Trip” Report, Part I), I committed myself to “do the experiment”.
And so, I googled “Ayahuasca retreat” and discovered a range of providers of various flavors in exotic and not-so-exotic locations all around the world.
Based on the balanced consideration of cost, schedule, location, travel time, accommodations, and my taste for adventure, I contacted a provider in Latin America that appeared to be knowledgeable, experienced, reputable, and well-organized. After a handful of prompt email exchanges (a big confidence booster, by the way), I sent them a deposit to do three “ceremonies” over the course of a week in the summer of 2016.
And so, the stage was set… as I committed myself to do the experiment in earnest… not merely to take a “trip”, but to approach the experience as both adventurer and scientist… giving my skepticism and open-mindedness their full force to keep each other honest… and with the sincere intention to allow the experience to speak for itself.
Learn more… Mother Ayahuasca “Trip” Report, Part III (The Setting)