Emotional Preparation
Psychological Readiness for Your Sacred Plant Medicine Journey
Medicine, psychology, and other restrictive laws have evolved. Why not evolve our relationship with psychedelics?
Ayahuasca often surfaces deep-seated memories, sensations, and imprints, essential for the healing process. Embracing these experiences allows us to confront and ultimately heal from our traumas, which, as Buddha noted, are inherent to life. Everyone’s journey with plant medicine is unique, but it’s common for trauma to emerge, necessitating acknowledgement and healing for personal transformation.
Trauma can manifest in various forms, including emotional triggers, vivid memories, bodily sensations, or behavioral patterns. Recognizing these signs before your retreat is crucial for your preparation. Here are strategies to help you navigate these imprints should they arise:
The plant medicine journey is very different for everyone. However, it is normal and very common for trauma imprints to arise in the process of healing, before, during and after the sacred medicine experience.
These imprints arise in order to be seen, held, and acknowledged by us, so that these imprints can heal, find resolution and we can transform and grow.
Trauma imprints may arise in many forms:
- Emotional (Emotional Flashbacks). This may look like emotional triggers, or intense and disproportionate
- Feelings to certain situations.
- Mind (Memories).
- Body (Somatic sensations).
- Action (Behaviors).
You may start to notice some of these imprints arising before your retreat.
Here are some tips, tools and practices to support you in preparing for your psychological journey if these trauma imprints arise before your retreat:
Tame Your Inner Critic
Encountering uncomfortable memories, feelings, sensations, thoughts, or behaviors can often trigger harsh self-judgment, particularly among those who have endured complex or childhood trauma. This judgment stems from the “Inner Critic” – a persistent voice that critiques, expresses frustration, or disapproves of our actions, bombarding us with thoughts like “you should,” “why didn’t you?” “what’s wrong with you?” or “why can’t you get it together?” Engaging with this critical inner dialogue can trap us in a cycle of shame, hindering our healing journey when faced with trauma imprints.
To navigate through this, cultivating a practice to soften the Inner Critic is crucial. If you already have such a practice, continue to nurture it diligently. If you’re new to this concept, consider exploring the following steps to mitigate the influence of your Inner Critic and foster a more compassionate self-dialogue.
Embrace Mindfulness and Compassion
Mindful Pause
Begin by slowing down. Take a moment to pause and observe. Notice your current thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. This is about being present in the moment, fully aware of your internal state without judgment.
Cultivating Self-Awareness
Aim to become an observer of your own mind and body. Try to achieve a state of neutrality where you observe your thoughts and feelings without criticism or analysis. Recognize when judgments arise and label them as the voice of your "Inner Critic." Acknowledging this can help you move past these thoughts more swiftly.
Deep Self-Compassion Practice
Acknowledge that many of the emotions and patterns you experience stem from past traumas. It’s essential to treat yourself with profound compassion. If you're not familiar with self-compassion exercises, here's one to try: Inhale deeply, visualizing each breath as filled with compassion and love. Let this compassionate energy fill every part of your body, especially any areas of emotional discomfort. As you exhale, release any tension or discomfort you're holding. Continue for 5-10 breaths or as long as you find comfort.
Acknowledging Trauma Imprints
Often, the emotional imprints or memories that surface need recognition to heal. We might instinctively want to ignore them, but acknowledgment is crucial for healing. If you haven’t yet established a method for doing this, consider directing your attention to where you feel the imprint most intensely in your body. You might even place a hand there as a form of acknowledgment, softly speaking to these parts with phrases like “I feel you,” “I see you,” or “I’ve got you.” Such verbal affirmations can lead to a release, a sense of grounding, or a decrease in tension. Allow yourself to relish in the feeling of relief that follows, letting it fully absorb before moving forward.
Reflective Practice and Journaling for Healing
Journaling can be a powerful tool for those healing from childhood trauma or any form of past adversity. Such experiences often leave imprints within us, stemming from our implicit memory—this encompasses emotions, feelings, sensations, and behaviors that reside deep within our somatic memory, often lacking a straightforward logic or rationale.
The act of “naming” these imprints—assigning words to the emotions and sensations we feel—can be a significant step in the healing process. It helps create meaning from these experiences, allowing for a deeper understanding and integration of these memories.
Whether you already have a journaling routine that suits you or are new to the practice and seeking direction, the process of reflection through writing can be immensely beneficial. If you’re unsure where to start or how to structure your reflections, consider exploring the following prompts to guide your exploration:
- What am I currently feeling?
- If these imprints, emotions, sensations, or memories could communicate a message, what would it be?
- What am I discovering about myself through this experience?
- What kind of support do I need right now?
- Who can I reach out to for this support?
- Based on what I've learned, is there any action I need to take moving forward?
These reflections can be a vital part of your healing journey, offering insights that might not surface otherwise. Sharing these insights during your complimentary sessions with a preparation and integration practitioner can further enrich your healing process.
Moreover, we encourage all participants to consider the support of a licensed therapist, both before and after the retreat. A therapist can provide continuity in your healing journey, offering a safe space to navigate your past and assist in crafting a future path guided by the insights and growth achieved through your experiences.
Embrace this practice as a companion on your path to healing, allowing the act of journaling to bring clarity, support, and profound understanding as you navigate your sacred plant medicine journey.