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Integration
Integration is a critical aspect of the ceremony healing process. It involves incorporating the teachings and insights gained during the ceremony into your daily life, as well as taking care of yourself and making changes that support ongoing healing. Good preparation including working with intention, following dietary guidelines, and training the mind, is essential for successful integration. It also occurs after ceremony/retreat, as the medicine continues to work and new insights arise. Paying attention to the needs and guidance of the body can be a key part of the integration process.
The effects of medicine do not end when the ceremony or retreat is over. It initiates a long-term healing process within the soul that can take months and sometimes years. The goal of integration is to optimize this healing process. It is likely that challenges will arise after returning home, but these challenges can be opportunities to practice what has been learned and approach old situations in new ways. It can be difficult to balance the integration process with the demands of daily life, such as work, family, and relationships. Integration is the process of taking control of your healing, becoming an empowered individual, and making positive changes in your life. There are steps you can take to support this ongoing healing process.
How to Integrate Your Journey
Follow the Post-Ceremony Diet & Suggestions
The post-retreat dietary guidelines are designed to enhance the effects of ayahuasca healing and are based on traditional knowledge. Following these guidelines is similar to following a doctor's instructions for recovery after open heart surgery. It allows the "stitches" of both physical and spiritual healing to set and for the body to adjust. The dietary guidelines can also act as a catalyst for making changes in line with insights gained during the ceremony. Returning to everyday life can be overwhelming, and following the diet can help us ease back into our old routines and give us time to reflect on the changes that have occurred.
Create a Practice
It is beneficial to set aside time each day to quiet the mind, whether through meditation or simply observing your thoughts while completing tasks. In the early weeks after the ceremony, it may be helpful to actively work on feeling and processing your emotions. This could be incorporated into a meditation practice or be a separate activity. A regular practice, such as yoga, art, journaling, or cooking, that promotes reflection and introspection can also be beneficial. It is important to make time for activities that nourish the connection to the self.
Find a Community
One of the major challenges of integrating plant medicine is the lack of community support. It can be difficult to find people who understand and can relate to the experience, which can hinder ongoing healing. It is helpful to find ways to communicate authentically and to be surrounded by others who are also engaged in similar work. Many people are open to discussing ayahuasca, so it may be possible to find local communities or groups focused on spirituality or personal growth. Connecting with people who were on the same retreat/ceremony can also be helpful.
Be in Nature
Incorporating time in nature into your daily routine can have a calming effect on the nervous system. Even visiting a local park or spending time in your backyard can be beneficial. Engage all of your senses by touching plants, breathing in fresh air, dipping your toes in water, and looking at the sky and horizon. In shamanic traditions, nature is a vital component of healing and is closely connected to the spirits of plants. After participating in an ayahuasca ceremony, it is important to continue to show respect for nature and express gratitude. This can be done by offering tobacco to a tree or plant or simply expressing gratitude.
Take Care of Your Self
To maintain your healing, it is crucial to take care of your body. This includes making healthy choices in your diet, such as reducing your intake of junk food, red and processed meat, and refined and processed flours and sugars, and increasing your intake of vegetables. It is also important to be mindful of your caffeine and alcohol consumption. Exercise, whether it be through activities like yoga, walking, swimming, biking, running, or hiking, or through team sports, can help to improve your physical and mental health. If you are unable to engage in physical activity, try using a sauna or steam room to stimulate sweating and promote relaxation. Remember to be kind to yourself and allow yourself to feel uncomfortable sensations during your healing process.
Need Additional Assistance? Book an integration session
Integrating well is an important aspect of Ayahuasca retreats, but it can be difficult to incorporate these practices into your daily life. Some simple yet crucial habits like meditation, healthy eating, exercise, and spending time outdoors can be challenging to maintain. However, accountability and personalized guidance can make a significant difference in successfully implementing these habits. It's normal to experience continued purging after a medicine experience when suppressed emotions such as fear or anger may resurface. This can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate alone.
It's also common for individuals to feel a shift in how they relate to things after working with medicine. This change can be freeing, but it can also be confusing and challenging. As a result, people may desire to make changes in various areas of their lives, including relationships, friendships, and even jobs. While this process can be destructive, it can also be approached with patience, grace, and curiosity. We are here to support you in navigating these challenges and maximizing your healing. Our facilitators have undergone their own deep journeys and are trained and qualified in helping others with ceremony integration. During a session, you can expect to be listened to with understanding and compassion by someone who has experienced similar challenges. You'll also receive expert guidance to reconnect with your own inner guidance to help you better understand your experiences and uncover any hidden teachings in challenging life experiences. For information on booking a session contact us at Support@Peacefulmountain.org.