How to become an ayahuasca facilitator?
A guide with 21 not-so-simple steps to getting started as a plant ceremony facilitator
Ayahuasca is a powerful psychoactive brew that is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide. As a result, the demand for well-trained and capable ayahuasca facilitators has increased enormously. At the same time, more and more people feel called to start facilitating. A beautiful development — but how do you actually become an ayahuasca facilitator?
This article is not intended as a manual, but rather as a guide or compass to help you navigate this landscape and point you towards doors behind which you can do your own deeper research.
Whether you are new to the world of facilitating ayahuasca ceremonies or already have experience, this article offers background information, insights and practical tips to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a competent, professional ayahuasca facilitator.
Before we dive into the concrete tips, it is important to create some context about the different ways of working: how you become a facilitator in a traditional Amazonian tribe, how it works in clinical support, in a religious setting, and in the neo-shamanic setting.
Context & traditions
Ayahuasca facilitation takes many forms. Each path is rooted in its own culture, structure and philosophy. Explore the four approaches.
Traditional work
Working with ayahuasca originates from the Amazon, where many tribes consider the brew an essential part of their culture and spirituality. It is important to note that most traditional healers do not only work with ayahuasca, but with many more plants, herbs, and music. In many cases, the shamans function more like doctors than spiritual gurus.
Furthermore, not all indigenous peoples have always been open to the outside world about their training and practices, so it can be difficult to uncover the full picture. Below you will find information about three of the more well-known tribes and how their shamans are trained.
The Yawanawa healer: Pajé
In the Yawanawa tribe of the Amazon, the shaman is called a Pajé. The Pajé is not chosen based on personal ambition, but is instead seen as someone who has been called by the spirits to heal and help. The apprentice Pajé undergoes rigorous training that lasts many years, during which they are initiated into the knowledge and practices of the ancestors and the spirit world.
The training of a Pajé often involves learning healing techniques using plants, music and song, and developing intuition and empathy to understand the needs of the patients. It is a lifelong, full-time dedication to learning and growing as a healer and serving the community.
The Shipibo healer: Onaya
In the Shipibo tribe of the Amazon, shamans are called "Onaya," which means "the one who knows." The Onayas play a crucial role in the traditional healing practices of the Shipibo and are responsible for maintaining the balance between the human community and the spirit world.
Unlike the Yawanawa tribe, where the Pajé is often called by the spirits, an Onaya within the Shipibo tribe is frequently chosen based on family lineage and personal visions. It is not uncommon for an Onaya to inherit the role from their ancestors, with this knowledge being passed down from generation to generation.
The training of an Onaya is a lifelong commitment to personal growth and spiritual development. An aspiring Onaya often begins full-time as an apprentice of an experienced Onaya, learning through visions, plants, dreams and ceremonies. During this training, the apprentice learns how to connect with the spirit world and how to apply various healing methods, such as singing songs (icaros) and using a wide variety of herbs and plants.
It is important to note that non-Shipibo people are not always permitted to participate in these rituals and trainings, unless they have been invited and are part of the community.
The Huni Kuin healer: Txana
In the Huni Kuin tribe of the Amazon, shamans are called "Txana." As with the Yawanawa and the Shipibo, the Txana's role is to heal the community and assist with spiritual and physical issues.
Txanas are chosen based on their personal calling and their relationship with the spirit world. A Txana is often called through a personal vision or dream, after which they decide to pursue the training. This training lasts many years and includes learning to heal using plants, song, dance and other rituals.
A key aspect of the Txana's training is the relationship with the spirit world and the ways in which the Txana communicates with it. This is often learned through personal visions and the use of plants such as ayahuasca and tobacco.
In the Huni Kuin tribe, it is essential that Txanas share their knowledge and skills with the community, so that this wisdom is not lost. This allows younger generations to also take on the Txana role and continue the traditions and healing practices. Training for these young people sometimes begins as early as age five.
Clinical work
Currently, unlike some other countries, virtually no clinical work with psychedelics takes place in the Netherlands. If this changes in the future, it is likely that MDMA and psilocybin will come first, not ayahuasca. That said, there are facilitators who work in a comparable way, so it is important to understand this context as well.
Working with ayahuasca in a clinical context requires a different approach than traditional or neo-shamanic work. In a clinical setting, there is more focus on the therapeutic use of ayahuasca and less on spiritual aspects.
Becoming a facilitator in a clinical context requires a degree in clinical psychology. In addition, knowledge and experience with ayahuasca and other psychedelics is needed. It is important to understand how ayahuasca works on the brain and how it may help in treating certain mental health conditions.
Clinical work with ayahuasca requires a structured approach. A treatment plan must be drawn up for the patient, including goals, expectations and evaluation moments. It is important to screen the patient thoroughly for medical and psychological conditions and to be careful with dosing. In a clinical setting, the ceremony is part of a longer therapeutic process.
The difference between clinical work and traditional or neo-shamanic work is the focus on therapeutic use and the absence of spiritual elements. In traditional and neo-shamanic work, there is often an emphasis on evoking spiritual experiences and working from a shamanic, animistic worldview. In the clinical context, it is primarily about the therapeutic effect of ayahuasca and supporting the patient's recovery process.
Religious (Christian) work with ayahuasca
In the Christian variants of ayahuasca ceremonies, such as those of Santo Daime and União do Vegetal (UDV), the plant is considered a sacrament that bridges humans and God. These religious movements emerged from the fusion of indigenous traditions with Christianity and Western influence.
Santo Daime and UDV are both religious communities founded in the 20th century in Brazil. Both groups grew out of traditions in the Amazon region, where drinking ayahuasca plays a central role in spiritual ceremonies and healing. These groups regard ayahuasca as a sacred sacrament that can facilitate inner transformation and spiritual growth.
Both Santo Daime and UDV have their own rituals, songs (hymns) and ceremonies developed by their founders. Both groups have spread to other parts of the world and are currently practised in many countries, including the United States, Canada and Europe.
Santo Daime
Santo Daime is a syncretic religion originating in Brazil that uses ayahuasca ("Daime") as a sacrament. The religion is based on Christian and indigenous spiritual traditions and has a strict hierarchical structure.
There are three ranks within Santo Daime: padrinho/padrinha, mestre and conselheiro/conselheira. Padrinhos and madrinhas are the ceremony facilitators who brew the ayahuasca and guide participants during the ceremony. Mestres are the leaders of the religious community and have the ability to manage the energies released during the ceremony. Conselheiros are advisors with often years of experience as padrinho or mestre.
To become a facilitator within Santo Daime, you often need to have been part of the community for many years and possess deep knowledge of the rituals, songs and symbolism of the religion. You must also have undergone personal growth and development and have the capacity to guide and work with the energies that arise during the ceremony.
No specific training or degree is required to become a facilitator within Santo Daime, but it is important to work under the guidance of experienced padrinhos or madrinhas and to build your knowledge and experience gradually. It is also important to respect the hierarchical structure of the religion and to work within the boundaries of your own rank and responsibilities.
União do Vegetal (UDV)
The União do Vegetal (UDV) is a religious movement from Brazil that centres on the use of ayahuasca ("hoasca") in their ceremonies. Unlike Santo Daime, the UDV is less well known in the Netherlands.
Within the UDV there are various levels of membership and leadership. The highest level of leadership is the Mestre level, which is the ceremony leader. The Mestre level can only be reached after a long period of dedication and training within the UDV community.
To become a facilitator within the UDV, one must first become a member of the community and learn the basic principles and practices of the movement. One must then be invited by a Mestre to participate in advanced trainings and initiations. During these trainings, one learns the various rituals and ceremonies performed by the UDV community and also how to use ayahuasca in a safe and responsible manner.
Neo-shamanic and non-traditional work
Due to the massive global growth in ayahuasca's popularity and the blending of cultures, new forms of facilitation have emerged. These newer approaches combine elements from different traditions, such as shamanism, traditional ceremonies, Buddhism and mindfulness.
A key aspect of these newer approaches is that they tend to focus more on personal growth and spiritual development, unlike the more traditional approaches which are often aimed at healing physical and psychological ailments. These newer approaches are less tied to specific rituals and ceremonial practices from one cultural background, instead drawing on their own broad experience with global spirituality to choose the modalities that suit them best.
While these newer approaches to ayahuasca facilitation are growing in popularity, they also face criticism. Some feel that fusing different traditions can lead to superficiality and a lack of respect for ayahuasca's original cultural context. There is a kernel of truth to this, but it also deserves nuance.
Traditional ways of working are fully attuned to the culture they come from. You cannot simply extract the practice from its original culture and context and expect it to produce the same results elsewhere. On top of that, our society is so fundamentally different that other forms of ceremonial work are needed to connect with our culture. This makes for a fascinating quest for the Western practitioner: discovering what works best in today's world.
In the steps below, we explicitly do not follow a traditional or official clinical path, but instead focus on the steps you can take in the Dutch context to become a better ayahuasca facilitator. Of course, this path is different for everyone, so these steps are not set in stone and may not in themselves be sufficient to become a facilitator.
It is also important to emphasise that working with ayahuasca is still relatively new in our society. This means we cannot yet speak of "best practices" — at most "better practices." The information in these steps is based on years of active work within the facilitator community and conversations with hundreds of facilitators and experts.
Inner foundation
The foundation: your calling, your experience, your talent and your knowledge.
You feel the calling
Feeling the calling to become an ayahuasca facilitator is a deeply personal process that cannot be forced or manufactured. It is essential to recognise the difference between a genuine calling and personal desires that are more ego-driven.
A true calling to become an ayahuasca facilitator often stems from deep personal transformation and experiences with the plant. Many facilitators say they feel drawn to be in service of the plant, with deep respect and reverence for its power, and a desire to share its wisdom with others.
On the other hand, personal desires to become a facilitator may be rooted in more ego-driven motives, such as a longing for status and recognition, power, or financial gain. It is important to look at yourself honestly and examine why you feel the desire to become an ayahuasca facilitator.
There are several ways to test this within yourself. One is to ask whether you would still do this type of work if nobody knew it was you — meaning you couldn't derive any status from it — and if you wouldn't be paid for it. If the answer is no, it is probably not a true calling.
You gain a wealth of personal experience
One of the most important things when considering becoming an ayahuasca facilitator is to gain extensive personal experience with the plants before you start guiding others. Having had a wide range of experiences yourself puts you in a much better position to support others during their ceremony and in integrating those experiences into daily life.
Beyond the number of ceremonies, it is also important to try many different settings with a variety of facilitators. By learning about different styles of ayahuasca ceremonies and facilitation, you can develop a broader understanding of what works and what doesn't for different people and situations, and what fits you best.
There is no fixed number of ayahuasca ceremonies you must have attended before becoming a facilitator, but generally it is recommended to participate in at least 50 to 100 ceremonies at different centres. It is important to take the time to go through and understand your own journey before taking on the responsibility of guiding others.
Facilitating ceremonies is a responsibility that must be taken seriously, and taking the time to understand your own journey is essential for providing the best possible support to others on theirs.
You have a natural aptitude for the work
As with any other profession, practice alone is not enough. How good you can ultimately become also comes down to natural aptitude and talent. Skills that are frequently needed include sensitivity to the energy, emotions and needs of others, and being comfortable in potentially chaotic situations (as ceremonies often can be). It is important that you are willing to support people during their inner journey and that you don't shy away from heavy emotions or difficult experiences. Gently fine-tuning to the participant's needs, while standing strong and grounded when necessary.
An ayahuasca ceremony can bring up intense emotions, and it is essential that the facilitator can handle these with compassion and openness. This means not only being able to listen to what people have to say, but also being able to help process those emotions and experiences. As a facilitator, it is important to create a space where people feel safe to express and explore their emotions without judgement. This applies during the ceremony itself, as well as beforehand during preparation and afterwards during integration.
There is also a practical talent that is almost reminiscent of working in hospitality. You are constantly present, you intuitively sense what is needed where, and you make sure you are everywhere at exactly the right time.
Not everyone always needs every talent that helps during a ceremony. Some people are fantastic musicians or work brilliantly with energy, but may not be the best therapists — and vice versa. That's why it is important to always assemble a strong team around you that complements your weaker points.
Immerse yourself in the history and science
Immersing yourself in the history and science of ayahuasca is extremely important if you want to become an ayahuasca facilitator. There are several reasons why this matters:
Professional knowledge
Legal, educational and ethical: the foundation of your profession.
Understand the legal status
If you choose to become an ayahuasca facilitator, it is crucial to be aware of the legal status of ayahuasca in the country where you work. In the Netherlands, it is illegal to drink and offer ayahuasca. It is important to understand that working with ayahuasca in the Netherlands is against the law, and therefore carries risks.
This may mean, for example, that you need to be careful about how you communicate about ayahuasca, especially publicly. It is important to avoid using terms like "medicine" or making claims about the outcomes of ayahuasca experiences, as this could be considered misleading. It is also worth knowing that working with ayahuasca may affect your banking situation, as it can lead to problems opening a bank account due to the illegal nature of the activities.
It is important to stress that, while ayahuasca is currently illegal in the Netherlands, there are movements worldwide working to promote and protect its legality. It is advisable to stay informed about the legal situation and to keep track of any developments in this area.
Pursue relevant training
Due to the legal status of psychedelics and specifically ayahuasca, there are no accredited programmes you can follow to learn this profession. That said, there is plenty to learn and many training courses that are relevant to the work.
Several courses are offered in the Netherlands specifically aimed at learning to work with ayahuasca. Be careful with these. Quality and intensity vary significantly, and there are no accredited programmes in this field. Such a course alone is not sufficient to start facilitating, but it can contribute to your development.
Below are a number of established training areas that connect well with the work you will be doing.
Preparation and integration
The process of participating in a ceremony consists of at least three parts: preparation, the ceremony itself, and integration. Because this practice is so far removed from how our culture currently operates, preparation and integration are many times more important than in traditional settings, where ayahuasca is often a central part of community life.
Good preparation includes screening potential participants for medical and psychological suitability, informing them about what to expect, hearing their intention and background, and setting clear boundaries and expectations. It is also important to offer therapeutic tools and a conversation for integration after the ceremony.
As a facilitator, it is also essential to recognise risk signals and know when someone is not suitable for drinking ayahuasca. This could be when someone uses medication that may interact negatively with ayahuasca, or when someone has a history of serious psychological conditions.
In the first weeks after the ceremony, it is important to check in with all participants to see how they are doing and whether they need extra help with integration. You can provide support yourself, but also make sure you are part of a broader network of therapists you can refer people to when needed.
Understand power dynamics and projection
As an ayahuasca facilitator, you hold a position of power relative to the ceremony participants. It is important to be aware of this power dynamic and its impact on the participants, but also on yourself as a facilitator. It is essential to understand what this impact is and where potential ethical risks lie.
As the facilitator, you are the authority figure in the setting, which means people will look up to you. This also means you will encounter projection. Projection is the phenomenon where someone unconsciously attributes their own qualities, emotions or thoughts to someone else — both positive and negative.
This can mean that participants attribute all the beauty and lessons they receive from ayahuasca and from themselves to you. This may come with feelings of romantic love, sexual attraction, putting you on a pedestal, or offering extra money. It is crucial to recognise that this has nothing to do with you as a person — it is a projection from the participants onto you in your role as facilitator.
It is important not to exploit this and to help participants keep it with themselves, in order to safeguard the integrity of the work, your own humility, and the safety of the participants. Be aware that love in this context can be complex. You must be very careful about how you show affection and with whom, to avoid unintentionally creating confusion or imbalance.
On the other hand, there can also be negative projections. For example, if someone has had a difficult journey. The participant — and often their friends and family as well — may blame you for this, which can have severely negative consequences.
Finally, you yourself can also project onto participants. It is important to be aware of this and to make sure you have processed your own issues before starting as a facilitator. As a facilitator, it is vital to be in balance and able to separate your own emotions and processes from those of the participants.
Deepening the craft
From theory to practice: assisting, knowing your limits, and ethics.
Explore energy work and spirits
An important aspect of becoming an ayahuasca facilitator is exploring spirits and energies. This does not mean you have to immediately believe in spiritual entities or energy fields, but it is important to be open to these experiences of others and to understand how they can play a role in their journey. It can therefore be useful to explore various traditions and methodologies that work with spirits and energies, such as shamanism, Kundalini, Qigong and yoga.
It is important to be both critical and open-minded when exploring these traditions and their practices. Nobody knows how reality truly works and what is real and what isn't. Being sceptical can be valuable, as long as you don't become cynical. Stay open and curious, and try to understand why people use certain practices and what meaning they hold for them.
During an ayahuasca ceremony, people can have intense and sometimes strange experiences, such as seeing entities or sensing energies. As a facilitator, it is important to be able to understand and support these experiences, even if you do not experience them in the same way yourself (though most facilitators do). It is also important to know how to deal with people who become frightened or confused by their encounters with spirits and energies.
In this regard, it is very important to be flexible in your own worldview and beliefs, and not to push your perspective onto others. The plants use the cultural and spiritual beliefs of participants to make certain lessons clear, which can manifest in many forms and stories. Be as flexible as the plant itself.
Assisting
Assisting is a crucial first step in the process of becoming an ayahuasca facilitator. By assisting an experienced facilitator, you can gain the practical knowledge needed to eventually facilitate on your own. It is important to fully immerse yourself in the methodology of the facilitator you are assisting. As Picasso once said: "Learn the rules like a professional, so you can break them like an artist."
It can also be extremely valuable to assist different facilitators, giving you a broader view of the various methods and approaches possible when leading ceremonies. This also helps you develop your own style as a facilitator.
As an assistant, you are responsible for supporting the facilitator and the travellers. You help with things like preparing the space, guiding the travellers during the ceremony, and cleaning the space afterwards. Through assisting, you learn how to create a space where travellers can journey safely and with support.
Know your limits and capacity
As an ayahuasca facilitator, it is important to know your own limits and which types of people you can and cannot guide. You need a clear picture of your own skills and experience to determine which kind of travellers you can help and which are better referred to another facilitator or therapist.
A key part of understanding your own limits is determining the level of trauma you can work with. As a facilitator, you must ensure you have the right therapeutic skills and experience to guide heavily traumatised individuals. You may need to refer to a more specialised therapist or facilitator if you lack the necessary experience.
Besides determining the level of trauma you can work with, it is also important to consider which types of travellers you can best guide based on personal preference and experience. You may be better suited to guide certain people than others because of your own background or experience. Additionally, if you notice that a potential participant doesn't personally connect with you, it can be very difficult to fully be there for them.
It is important not to overestimate yourself and to recognise when a traveller is better off being referred to another facilitator or therapist. The priority is that the traveller receives the best possible care, and sometimes that means referring them to someone who can better meet their specific needs. By knowing and acknowledging your own limits, you protect both yourself and your travellers from unnecessary risks and stress.
Know your responsibility: Ethics and minimum safety standards
As an ayahuasca facilitator, it is crucial to know your responsibilities. This means immersing yourself in the ethical and minimum safety standards that apply to this practice. For example, it is important to never invite someone to a session, but to let them make the choice themselves. You never know what is best for someone else, and it is important that a person makes the decision to participate in a ceremony voluntarily and with full awareness.
It is also very important to be honest in your marketing. It is unethical and dangerous to make false promises or provide misleading information about the effects of ayahuasca. Instead, it is better to be straightforward and clear about what travellers can expect and any risks involved.
Setting your price is also an important aspect of your responsibility as a facilitator. It is important to charge a fair price for your services, while also being considerate of your clients' financial situation. It is unethical to profit excessively from the vulnerability of others. Think deeply about these matters. As an example, it can be highly unethical to ask people to donate after the fact based on the value they received. It sounds nice, but it introduces an additional power dynamic, and people cannot possibly assess how much of their experience came from you and how much from the plants.
Another aspect of your responsibility is supporting scientific research where possible to validate the work. This could involve providing respondents for scientific studies on the effects of ayahuasca and other psychedelics. By contributing to this research, we can gain more insight into how these substances work and their potential therapeutic applications.
Finally, it is essential to have all the preconditions in place for a safe and professional practice. This includes having a good location, establishing protocols, being aware of medical contraindications, and all the other matters mentioned in this article. If something does go wrong during a ceremony, it has consequences not only for those directly involved but can also negatively impact the entire field of ayahuasca facilitation. It is therefore of great importance to know and fulfil your responsibilities — not only for yourself and your clients, but for the field as a whole.
Building your practice
Network, sustainability, sacred space and protocols.
Build a network
Building a network is an important aspect of facilitating ayahuasca ceremonies. Beyond gaining practical experience and knowledge, the network you build is a vital source of support and information.
One of the most important people in your network is a doctor who is familiar with ayahuasca and its associated risks and effects. This could be a GP who is available for questions and consultations, or a specialist you can consult in case of emergency. Having a good relationship with a doctor can also be useful when referring travellers for medical advice before or after a ceremony.
Knowing psychologists and therapists is also invaluable, as many people who use ayahuasca are seeking deeper insight and healing from trauma. It can be useful to collaborate with professionals who have experience treating psychological problems and trauma, so you can refer travellers to them when needed.
Building relationships with other facilitators is also important. It can be valuable to collaborate with other facilitators for peer review and supervision, to learn from each other and to exchange knowledge and experiences. You can also organise joint ceremonies and refer travellers to one another when you are fully booked or not the right person to guide them.
Work sustainably and give back to the source
When considering becoming an ayahuasca facilitator, it is important not only to focus on the technical aspects of facilitating ceremonies, but also to understand the origin of the plants and the importance of working sustainably and giving back to the Amazon.
Ayahuasca comes from the Amazon, a unique and fragile environment threatened by deforestation and other forms of human activity. It is therefore crucial to understand the source of these plants and recognise that they are not just a tool for our personal growth and healing, but an integral part of a larger whole.
It is important to learn about sustainable ways to work with ayahuasca and to make sure you collaborate with suppliers, facilitators and assistants who respect and protect the source of the plants. This means, for example, seeking out suppliers who use sustainable cultivation and harvesting methods and who are committed to preserving local ecosystems.
Furthermore, it is important to give back to the source of the plants — the Amazon and the local communities who have used these plants for healing and spiritual growth for centuries. This can be done, for example, by supporting initiatives aimed at preserving local ecosystems and traditional cultures.
Learn how to create a good setting and sacred space
One of the most important aspects of facilitating ayahuasca ceremonies is creating a good setting and sacred space. This encompasses everything from the physical environment to the energy present in the space. Here are some important aspects to consider when creating a setting that supports the participants' experience:
By paying attention to these aspects of the setting, you can create a space that supports the deep experience ayahuasca can offer. It is important to remember that every ceremony is unique and that the setting can be adapted to the specific needs of the group and the individual participants.
Ensure proper documentation and protocols
As an ayahuasca facilitator, it is important to be well prepared for the various situations that can arise during ceremonies. Having the right protocols and documents can help ensure the safety and wellbeing of participants and protect the facilitator against potential legal or medical complications. The last moment you want to be thinking about an emergency is during one. In this section, we will discuss the various protocols and documents that are essential for safely and responsibly facilitating ayahuasca ceremonies.
Mastery & growth
Facilitating yourself, leading groups, and never stop growing.
Let it unfold: Synchronicity
A theme that comes up remarkably often among facilitators is how they naturally found their way into the profession. Travellers appeared on their own, a venue presented itself, the right team members gathered around the facilitator… It almost seems as if the universe (or ayahuasca itself) was conspiring to unfold the path towards facilitation. This phenomenon is known as synchronicity, a concept by Carl Gustav Jung, in which seemingly "coincidental" events consistently occur at exactly the right time and place. It unfolds of its own accord.
Synchronicity can be a sign that you are on the right path and that your calling lies in facilitating ayahuasca ceremonies. However, it can also be a trap to place the entire responsibility for your choices on the universe or fate. It is important to remain aware of your own responsibility and to stay proactive in making decisions and creating the conditions needed to follow your calling.
It is therefore advisable not to rely solely on synchronicity, but also to take concrete steps in developing your skills as a facilitator and setting up a safe and responsible practice. This way, you can build a solid foundation from which to follow your calling and carry out the work as a facilitator in a professional and responsible manner.
However, if you find that you really have to force things and put in a lot of effort for very little result, perhaps that is a sign that now is not yet the time for you to start facilitating on your own.
Know the strength and quality of the brew
Testing the brew before giving it to your participants is a crucial step. Because you are working with plant materials, every batch of ayahuasca is unique and the concentrations of DMT, harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine can vary significantly. That is why it is important to always drink it yourself first to assess the strength of the brew.
By testing the brew, you can determine how much participants need for an effective dose without taking too much. It is also important to use the right amount of ayahuasca, so that participants don't get too little and have an unsatisfying experience, or too much and have an overwhelming and potentially traumatic one.
Before every journey, make sure to reboil the brew. This ensures that any bacteria or alcohol from fermentation are removed.
One-on-one or two-on-one facilitation
Once you have gained enough experience as an assistant and all the knowledge, skills and preconditions for a safe journey are in place, you can start thinking about facilitating on your own.
When you are ready to start facilitating, it is important to prepare yourself well and not take overly large steps right away. A good starting point can be one-on-one sessions, or two-on-one sessions where you facilitate a single traveller together with another facilitator.
This offers several advantages. First, as a facilitator you can give better attention to the personal needs and questions of the traveller. It also gives you the opportunity to develop yourself as a facilitator and build experience. You can experiment with different techniques and methods and discover what works best for you and the traveller.
Facilitating groups
Facilitating groups is a major responsibility. Before you start facilitating groups, it is important to ensure you have enough experience with guiding individuals and that you know yourself well. Once ready to work with groups, start small and let it grow organically.
When facilitating a group, it is important to make sure all preconditions are in order as discussed in this article. Ensure that all participants have been properly screened and that they are familiar with the rules and protocols.
As a group facilitator, it is important to create a safe and supportive atmosphere. This means you need to be able to manage group dynamics and ensure that group members respect one another. It is also important to be able to resolve conflicts and channel the group energy towards positive outcomes.
Another important aspect of facilitating groups is the ability to direct and guide the group's energy. This may mean leading certain rituals or ceremonies, or guiding specific exercises or meditations. It is important to find the right balance between structure and flexibility, so the group feels safe and supported while also having the space to grow and explore.
Keep doing your own work
Facilitating ayahuasca ceremonies can bring about profound personal growth and development, which makes it all the more important to keep doing your own work. This means continuing to journey yourself and maintaining your own therapy, so that you keep developing and growing.
When you are guiding others on their journey, it can be easy to neglect your own growth. But it is important to remember that your own inner work is essential to remaining a good facilitator. You must keep developing yourself, both personally and professionally, in order to continue growing and to keep your ego in check.
So keep journeying yourself, even if it's only once a year. It can help refresh your own experiences and insights, so you can continue developing new perspectives. This can help you stay connected to the work you do and keep you motivated to help others on their own journey.
Additionally, it is important to go to therapy or continue going. As a facilitator, you may encounter vulnerabilities and shadow sides that you need to keep exploring and integrating. This is especially important in this type of work because of the power dynamics and projections that arise.
So keep working on yourself, keep journeying and keep learning. Self-development is the key to becoming and remaining a good ayahuasca facilitator.
Conclusion
It is crucial to work as an ayahuasca facilitator in a professional and safe manner. This is important not only for the safety and wellbeing of participants, but also for the field as a whole. Working according to ethical and minimum safety standards will contribute to legitimising this work and moving towards legality.
As a field, we must be aware of the impact that a single incident can have on everything. It is important to know and acknowledge our responsibilities, and to work according to the best practices available. By doing so, we will make a positive contribution to the development of the field and open up the possibility of offering this healing power to more people.
If we create a professional and safe working environment and work towards legitimising our practice, we can make the benefits of ayahuasca accessible in a responsible and sustainable way to everyone who feels the calling. Let us take our work seriously and strive for a safe and professional field for everyone who stands to benefit from the potential that ayahuasca offers us.