In 2003 I went to Peru to experience the shamanic plant medicine Ayahuasca; around the same time I discovered Integral Naked and got seriously interested in the integral worldview. I know from my own experience that Ayahuasca is a powerful, sacred medicine with great potential for shadow work, spiritual awakening, and deep healing - and that an integral approach is needed to properly contextualize it and bring out its full potential. For the past five years I've wanted to help bring those two worlds together.

Well, now it's happening.

The man who led the ceremonies in 2003, Diego Palma, is creating a healing center in Peru which will take an integral approach to healing and spirituality: Sacred Valley Healing Center will offer “a living synthesis of shamanic plant medicines with eastern spirituality and western therapeutic techniques.” Several people involved in the project are enthusiastic about Ken Wilber's work, and the project overview explicitly mentions Ken and an integral approach.

The four elements of the center are:

• Addiction rehabilitation program for women

• Spiritual retreat center

• Psychotropic medicine plant research facilities

• Community living near the center

My wife Liz and I contacted the healing center as soon as we heard about it and joined the volunteer staff.

If you'd like to know more, please visit the Sacred Valley Healing Center website. The project is still in the early stages but things are progressing rapidly and you are invited to help create this unique integral healing center.

To anticipate a question that's likely to come up at some point: the two sacred medicines that will be used there - San Pedro and Ayahuasca - have a long, venerable history in that part of the world, and are unambiguously legal to use in spiritual and healing contexts in Peru.

namaste,
Arthur

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I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

Hello Arthur, and thank you for starting such a thoughtful thread.

What an amazing way to create harmony, this act of healing others. I hope Sacred Valley does well and is up and running soon!

I have been gaining some understanding in the practice of Reiki and I wonder if there are any thoughts out there on how that energy can be described  in integral terminology?
but, I suppose it doesn't really matter  knowing the name of the car you are driving, as long as it gets you where you want to go.

Thanks, BakerBunny 

People who work with Ayahuasca certainly often experience subtle energies (and entities!), and the medicine is quite compatible with energy work of various kinds, for sure.

You might be interested in checking out Ken Wilber's Excerpt G: Towards a Comprehensive Theory of Subtle Energies.

Here we begin to address the role and nature of energy—gross energy, subtle energy, and causal energy. I have already suggested that mass and energy are aspects of the UR-dimension of every individual being—that is, they represent some of the exterior forms of every individual (and every system, as we will see).

      The problem here might be stated as follows. Given (1) the premodern lack of clarity about the role of matter, and (2) the fact that the ancients therefore pictured subtle energies as fundamentally meta-physical or super-natural; but given (3) the modern understanding of matter as not bottom but exterior, then (4) how can we re-interpret in a more adequate fashion the relation of subtle energies to gross material forms?

      Put simply, because matter is not the bottom of all levels but the exterior of all levels, where does subtle energy fit into this scheme? In the premodern traditions, subtle energy or "prana" was usually depicted as the second level in the Great Chain (e.g., pranamayakosha): it was a level of etheric or astral energy "above" physical matter and energy. But if matter itself is re-interpreted, how can subtle energy likewise be reinterpreted to keep pace with modern and postmodern revelations of Spirit's own unfolding?

Suggested Solution

      The suggested solution in this case comes in the form of three hypotheses, two of which we have seen already, and the third of which deals directly with this issue.

     #1. Increasing evolution brings increasing complexity of gross form. In the Upper Right, for example, we find quarks to protons to atoms to molecules to cells to complex organisms. This increase in complexity of form (via such processes as differentiation and integration) has long been noted by evolutionary biologists. Ervin Laszlo: "Thus, while a new level of organization means a simplification of system function, and of the corresponding system structure, it also means the initiation of a process of progressive structural and functional complexification." I think this "complexification" is fairly obvious and needn't detain us.

      #2. Increasing complexity of form (in the UR) is correlated with increasing interior consciousness (in the UL). This was Teilhard de Chardin's "law of complexity and consciousness"—namely, the more of the former, the more of the latter. As we might put it more precisely, the greater the degree of exterior complexity of material form, the greater the degree of interior consciousness that can be enacted within that form (i.e., correlation of UR and UL).

      #3. Further—and this is the connecting hypothesis— increasing complexity of gross form is correlated with increasingly subtlety of energies. As evolution proceeds to more and more complex gross forms, the increasing degree of gross complexity is accompanied by subtler and subtler corresponding (or signature) energy patterns. Since we are at this point focusing on individual beings, we have this: increasing evolution brings increasing complexity of gross form (in the UR), which is correlated with an increasing degree of consciousness (in the UL), and, in the UR itself, a subtilization of corresponding energies. Thus, instead of interpreting higher levels as being essentially divorced from gross matter or gross form, the complexification of gross form is the vehicle of manifestation for both subtler energies and greater consciousness. ¹

      If those connecting links hold, that would be the third major step in the move from premodern metaphysics to integral post-metaphysics, a move that, I believe, retains the enduring truths of the great metaphysical traditions but without what appears to be their outmoded interpretative frameworks. But that brings us to the end of this brief introduction and to the beginning of the main discussion of an integral theory of subtle energies. - Ken Wilber, Excerpt G: Towards a Comprehensive Theory of Subtle Energies

Ends on kind of a teaser, eh?  I'm looking forward to reading more from Ken on this topic.

spiral out,
Arthur

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I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

Your tea cermonies sound fantastic, Adastra.  Do you guys have silent retreats?  I'm not sure, but I think I have a good idea what Ayahuasca feels like because I'm always following your posts about it.  It probably reminds me of the early instances of taking mushrooms, but maybe I'm making a brass comparison.  If I was really concerned all that much about the people in South America, I'd probably send my little sister back there where she was going through shamanic experiences, and visiting Peru, too.  A good question might be does language and poetry not have an effect on consciousness in some sort of mind-altering mood that causes us to rethink our emersion in the calmness and clarity that you say brings us to a peaceful state of mind?  I'm happy to be the court-jester applying a little entertainment when I'm not qualified to discuss my experience.  We are perfect together today, no??  (By the Way, I've done the "Integrally Spiritual toe Healing in Perrrru" thing before but probably without as many r's I know ya' remember that ocean)

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"Ω =∞x∞^∞" - Wayne Teasdale

     In the Upper Right, a most important factor, patterns, I'm sure, circle and spiral out, but two particles together on a molecule chasing eachother round-and-round...

 

Particles seperate but are connected by a single string,

 

what happens when the string dissapates?

 

The particles still bright?  One Particle alone, Why and What depth?

 

In the Upper Left

 

The reasons for the particles journey plays out.  They form a molecule because of attraction, They pull-apart because a direct line between them creates a most solid boundary, the line of attraction dissaperates because, well, there are too many lines and circles and spiral-spinning, the particles stands alone but in a certain setting or stage

 

In the Lower Right

 

a molecule becomes a part of much more organized system like a heart.  The chemical and spiritual aura blast contained within reveals a pluralistic order of concious evolution, balancing, remembering, and driving ever-forward until one heart relates quite just so to the other

 

In the Lower Left

 

becomes more like the place in which the setting is encased.  The distinctive value of say female to male or perhaps agent to orange dips and suavely swerves and basically manifests as a mystical presence which can be sensed, a emminant release, a vibrancy attained, a call to motion, and the simplest purest noisomeness.

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"Ω =∞x∞^∞" - Wayne Teasdale

Anybody interesting in the actual topic of this thread, please contact me privately or in the similar thread Sacred Valley Healing Center, which is in a moderated integral forum.

namaste,
Arthur

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

this is interesting. with some good to and fro in the comments from those skeptical and disenchanted with the scene, and others in support :

http://www.realitysandwich.com/ayahuasca_monologues

Castel:

this is interesting. with some good to and fro in the comments from those skeptical and disenchanted with the scene, and others in support :

http://www.realitysandwich.com/ayahuasca_monologues

Thanks so much for that link, Castel!  I've only skimmed some of the comments so far, but your assessment appears to be accurate.    I notice someone there linked to video material from the first Ayahuasca conference.

It's great that Integral Naked guest Alex Grey will be at the 2nd conference.  I have enjoyed his dialogs and other material here, and I loved the book he co-edited with Alan Hunt Badiner, Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics - it's full of stunning artwork and a well-balanced array of essays, interviews etc. on the topic. 

It'll be next week sometime before I have a chance to really check this material out, but I'm looking forward to it. 

cheers,
Arthur

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

oh thank u arthur u are such an excellent resource

we are blessed to have u here

 

fairyfaye:

oh thank u arthur u are such an excellent resource

we are blessed to have u here

Thanks, Fairyfaye.  I do like connecting things and people together. 

spiral out,
Arthur

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

i'd LOVE to try that ayahuasca .. and the setting u describe sounds like a good place to do so

 

Arthur:

I applaud the work you are doing. By the way, have you thought about filming a documentary weaving the traditional shamanic work with the Ayahuasca and the modern mechanisms of shadow work? I would love to watch that. It could be a real eye opener.

You mention that "Ayahuasca is a powerful, sacred medicine with great potential for shadow work, spiritual awakening, and deep healing." 

Can I ask you to be more specific about this? What exactly happens and how is it that this in any way promotes shadow work, spiritual awakening or deep healing?  

I am kind of skeptical about the notion that anything that is of importance to human health and development can only be found only in the Andes. Or to put it another way, I am kind of skeptical about the notion that one needs to go to the Andes to learn anything that matters.

And I am really skeptical about the value of any kind of psychotropic drug to do anything for us that was meant to be done or that is useful.

I may be wrong.

Hi, Schalk

Thanks for your interest!  You ask some great questions, which unfortunately I don't have time to go into very deeply right now - I'm on a weekend retreat with Gangaji at the moment.  (I'm also on a slow, slightly dodgy internet connection.)   So I'll briefly address some of that and I can say more later.

One thing I would say is that Ayahuasca is merely one tool among many, and it is certainly not necessary.  There is nothing that can be achieved by drinking Ayahuasca that cannot be achieved in other ways, and most people are just not drawn to do that kind of work.  However, it is a very powerful technique for people who are attracted to this kind of shamanic/entheogenic work.   And of course, like everything else, it greatly benefits from an integral embrace. 

Anyway, I'll finish by quoting a small report I wrote about the retreat I did in Peru in 2003.  Next week I can answer your questions in more detail.

cheers,
Arthur

Ayahuasca Retreat In Peru

Here in Vancouver it is easy to get the materials to make Ayahuasca, the potent plant based brew used by indigenous people in the amazon for millennia for healing and spirit journeys. However, wanting to go closer to the source for my introduction to this plant teacher, I recently traveled with two close friends to attend an Ayahuasca retreat in Peru. The retreat took place at the Corto Maltés Amazonia Lodge, on the banks of the Madre de Dios River. We were surrounded by the amazon rain forest, with its amazing diversity of plant and animal life. Being away from the stress and distractions of modern life was healing in itself and definitely enhanced the experience. There were no media available during the retreat, and not knowing what was happening in the outside world helped me to realize that everything important was happening right there – it was the inner work we were doing that really mattered. The Ayahuasca experience itself is hard to describe; it felt something like dreaming or dying.

The Ayahuasca session is a crucible in which psychological and spiritual processes occur at a much greater level of intensity than is typical in everyday life, enabling one to learn rapidly and deeply about life, mind, relationships and spirit. Members of the group reported a wide variety of experiences. Some people had visions, for others the trip mostly involved their thought processes or emotions. One person felt she was dying, surrounded by white light, her body dissolving into nothingness. Another reported feeling enlightened in the present moment, for the first time – after years of serious Zen meditation. A few people battled inner demons in one way or another. One person felt that Ayahuasca was essentially an artificial alteration of his perceptions, though most people felt that Ayahuasca revealed deeper truths about life. Each person had a unique experience, in fact each session for each person was unique.

We did three sessions altogether. Each time we would gather in the dining area of the retreat center, with a pillow, blanket, water, and whatever else we would need for the overnight session. We would walk together down a dark path into the forest, lit by small torches about every two to three meters. We gathered in a special building called a malocha used only for Ayahuasca sessions. Diego, the leader of the group, would say some prayers, and then one by one we would go to him to receive the medicine. When the Ayahuasca started to take effect, Diego would begin to chant and play his guitar. His beautiful chanting was very soothing and centering, and was a valuable and helpful part of the sessions.

For me Ayahuasca brought up whatever I needed to experience in the present moment. I found it to be a very harsh teacher. Whenever I tried to resist what was being shown to me, the experience would become more intense and unpleasant – one of the central lessons for me is that it is better to let go, to surrender to the experience. Some concepts that I had understood in an abstract way I experienced at a much deeper level. One of these concepts is impermanence. I had grasped that concept on a superficial intellectual level, but didn’t really understand it. During my first and third Ayahuasca sessions, I entered into states of intense suffering that I was absolutely convinced would never end – even death would not release me. Yet those states did pass. At another point I found myself spontaneously breathing out love into the world. It was a subtle experience but very distinct. This is something I had practiced in the past, but which I hadn’t really felt before. What had been an intellectual exercise before became an experiential reality during the Ayahuasca session. Since then I’ve occasionally been able to practice this technique and genuinely feel it. Ayahuasca also helped me to see that a great deal of what I experience is a projection of my mind, which interferes with my ability to see the world – inner or outer – with clarity. I had read and thought about being centered and experiencing the moment as it is, without trying to grasp or resist. Under the influence of Ayahuasca, this quality of mind is vitally important, and I believe I am now more capable of manifesting that quality in daily life.

In the second session one of my friends was having a very intense, difficult time, and at one point all of us gathered around her and were chanting for her. It felt wonderful to be part of a circle of caring, giving love and attention to a friend in need. During the first session I had a very difficult time, and others helped me; now I found myself on the other side of that equation and it felt wonderful to take that role for her. During the third experience, when I was suffering intensely regarding karma from past actions - basically feeling emotions I needed to feel but had always avoided - I feel I was “burning karma,” doing some of the suffering I needed to do. I feel clearer now, as if my karmic load has lightened a bit. (For those who prefer psychological jargon: I achieved a cathartic release of repressed emotion.)

No matter how difficult the session was, when the effects started to wear off – when I was no longer tripping – I felt happy and centered. So glad to be alive, to breathe, to be in this space with people I love. This, for me, is a wonderful aspect of the Ayahuasca experience. First I go through the difficult part, then I feel wonderful – it’s the exact opposite of taking a drug, feeling good for a while, then experiencing some sort of hangover.

It seems to me – I can't stress this enough - that the best way to do Ayahuasca is in this sort of ritual setting. The medicine can teach a lot about relationships, and how to give and receive love. Sharing the experience with my fellow travelers afterwards was as significant as the Ayahuasca session itself. The chanting and singing were important aspects of it and the opening and closing of the ceremony helped to put the experience in context. I believe that Ayahuasca, used properly, can be a catalyst to accelerate personal and spiritual growth. You still have to go through your process, but this medicine can speed things up. It shows you what you need to work on and puts you in a state where you can do some intense learning. Ayahuasca, in my experience, works very well in the context of an ongoing spiritual practice such as meditation. I would recommend the Ayahuasca experience to anyone who is seriously interested in spiritual or psychological work. More information about the particular retreat that I attended may be found at http://www.Ayahuasca-wasi.com.

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I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

fairyfaye:

i'd LOVE to try that ayahuasca .. and the setting u describe sounds like a good place to do so

 

I highly recommend doing a retreat with Diego in Peru if you have the means to do so. 

namaste,
Arthur

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

Arthur:

I would like to thank you sincerely for sharing the passages above concerning the Ayahuasca Retreat. I asked a simple question and you provided an absolutely "spot-on" piece of material in response.

In all honesty, I do not know that there has ever been a more exquisite, concise and truthful exposition written concerning an altered state session. Your words are soaked with authenticity, honesty and lucidity.  

I appreciate your comment that the Ayahuasca session is a crucible that allows processes to happen at greater intensity. A crucible! Nice.

Your point about Ayahuasca requiring you to do the work first and then letting you repose in ease later as compared to drug use in general which titillates you for free and then makes you pay later is a brilliant distinction.

Reading your words about impermanence evokes the very truth you address.

I feel honored for having asked the question.

Thank you. And best wishes in your work.