As resident bearer of bad news...
From the site: "LAS VEGAS (CN) - A man drugged with ayahuasca drowned on a "guided meditation" during a "personal growth retreat" led by a "hypnotherapist, minister, licensed spiritual health coach and author," his mother claims in court."
another sad story here

Stupid people die all the time.

seriously?

Thats a pretty negative statement to be making don't you think? Seems to me that you didn't even take the time to read the article.

Thank you for posting this article null. This kind of thing goes to show what happens when irresponsibility and psychedelics are mixed. Proper education is extremely important, I only hope that this kind of thing does not continue.

You don't drug a man with ayahusca. the man took ayahuasca himself.

It sounds to me like the retreat offered it as part of their ceremony, they just arent wanting to take the rap for it. You dont just dose aya and go some place where they have no idea that your on something. This sounds a lot like the death in SA where the kid was found along side the road dead. Why are people being so negligent when dosing people with psychedelics? Lack of EDUCATION. This is exactly why taking entheogens in the comfort of your own home should sound much more appealing to psychedelic users or future users of such. With a trip sitter of course.

And just after that, someone always becomes Bill Hicks.

Guys and gals let's stay on topic and not argue with each other!

I doubt one thing, many times people go to meditation retreats right after release from psychiatric clinic, sometimes forced by family members or patient himself. Meditation retreats are actually stressful and counterproductive for people with unstable mind. It can results to bring the psychosis back and the emergency is called and they are back to the clinic. Many people have idealistic idea of treating serious illnesses by "natural and alternative" ways.

I doubt that he drown from lack of motor function, since motor function is impaired with high dose, whic I doubt was administered and last short time. I think he committed suiside after the treatment that increased his psychosis. DMT as many others does provoke panic and desperation and if one is already vulnerable....

This is very unfortunate and sad. Wonder how the courts are going to,rule and what defence is going to be presented.

Really really unfortunate - for all parties involved.

I don't want to imply anything as we do not know the circumstances of how he drowned in the lake, BUT... if I was going on an aya retreat OR vaporizing some at home, if I put my trust in a sitter (or shaman) to look after me while under the influence, I would expect them to keep me away from lakes, tall buildings, busy roads, anything that could get me or others in trouble. However saying this, I certainly do not want to condemn Bonnie Serratore without hearing the details of what actually transpired. Maybe she tried to stop him but he overpowered her and ran into the lake..? we simply don't know yet

Either way.. not the sort of publicity we need

I second that emotion.

With the growing popularity of aya and DMT, I think there will, sadly, be more cases like this, of people playing shaman, of ill informed people taking this stuff having done little to no research.

I've rarely done DMT with others, I definitely prefer the safety and comfort of my own room (which is painted and decorated specifically for DMT use); I don't need a shaman. That said, if I had the means, I'd love to go to Peru or somewhere and partake of a tradition aya ceremony, I'd love that. But I would research the puck out where I went and who the shaman was, his reputation, first hand accounts, all that.

Poor fella, sad to see one us, even a pup, go down like this.

I don't understand the diminutive qualification.

I've noticed that most of the Aya-related mishaps in the past few years have occurred under the supervision of someone who claims to be a 'master shaman', as did this Bonnie Serratore.

If your ceremonial facilitator is declaring themselves to be a 'master shaman', then don't walk, RUN in the opposite direction.

If you are a ceremonial facilitator claiming to be a master shaman: sorry, you're not.

a true master shaman would never be so tacky & demonstrative to identify him/herself as such.

Master Ayahuasca & Cannabis Shaman Hamilton Souther



I listened to part of one of his ceremonies where he sang with a drum and what not.

I cant link good.

What I'm seeing here is that a person in a position of trust and authority took a highly intoxicated person swimming, and lost control of the situation. It's a simple and ugly equation.

You're in Las Vegas so you take Ayahuasca and die.
Ok, cool story.

Hamilton Souther is not just an ordinary Shaman,
NO!
He is a MASTER SHAMAN
Respect, please !



Now repeat loud, slow and clear yourself:
Hamilton Souther is MASTER SHAMAN

Now relax and 1 x deep breath,
+ hug yourself.

Nice !
Everything is going to be alright now.

Oh, Lordy Lordy! I'd run the other way, straight to my basement wonderland where the only master is me.....over my lovable dog and over nothing and no one else. If I call anyone master, it better be YODA, and I better be tripping.

Amen brother... they're kidding themselves.. met plenty

So... how do you find a master shaman if none of the true one's say they are?

You will know them by their works.