unansweredquestions wrote:
The first time experiencing something is often the most powerful, i just imagine the effect would be amplified and generally more fulfilling in one of the indigenous places of the substance. worth the extra couple of bucks, no?
everyone has the right to explore their minds the way they see fit.if it is Peru that calls to you then go and answer that call. id suggest doing your research as to where and with whom. ive heard of quite a few friends having lack luster expensive ceremony's in south America. we tend to think because these people that live in the amazon that everyone must be so honest and spiritual. this is not always the case. their will be self titled "shamans" at the airport in Lima trying to get you to buy their ceremony. often they are not trained ayahuasquero and are buying the ayahuasca from other people in town. yes you can buy aya right in the markets btw.
aya is now big money and tourism in peru. this is a place of very little income so you can only imagine the scramble to make a buck with the local residents. you cant blame them but you also dont have to sacrifice your experience to help feed their family's.
my advice would be to either research tons and pay a lot of money to a reputable ayahuasca retreat center. they are usually owned and operated by western white men that employ the local shamans and helpers. the reputable ones have very good ayahuasquero's. usually the ones with a great reputation with the local people. i would have to ad my 2 cents that i question the ethics of some of these centers. they make huge sums of cash and i wonder how much trickles down to the locals. i doubt very much. it seems a bit exploitative to me. not all of them im sure but how can you justify up to $2500.00 for 3-4 ceremonys with lodging in a place that costs pennies a day to survive in. im not discouraging your choice as much as i want you to know all the different angles first. im sure their are wonderful sustainable aya centers out there as well.
when you found one i would encourage you to inquire what type of communtity outreach programs if any their center practice and support.
the other way would be to travel for a good while. weeks if not months. slowly get the feel for the land and people exploring all the different pockets of the amazon river basin. you will find your ceremony. it may be even more special because it wont have costed $1500-$2500 us dollars and possibly be a much smaller setting with local folks as opposed to 20 or so back packers. the "ayahuasca centers" are very expensive. while the local ceremony's can cost you just a few bucks. i will be in Peru and the amazon from 2011-2012 and thats is what i plan to do.
in the mean time i felt i would get the most out of a traditional setting having a good working knowledge and experience with ayahuasca so that is why i have been drinking the past few months.
like i said, there is no right or wrong way to explore yourself and be weary of anyone who tells you different.
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