It’s no secret that Ayahuasca is becoming an increasingly popular psychedelic substance to work with. It can also be one of the most intense.
As with any psychedelic experience, it is important to integrate after an Ayahuasca journey. This is particularly important for Westerners who may be approaching this indigenous practice from a very different perspective, set of social conditions, and cultural traditions.
Hopefully, you approached Ayahuasca with respect, intention, and connection to the communities that have developed and kept these practices across the centuries. In that spirit, we also think it is important to acknowledge that indigenous traditions typically do not treat (or even conceive of) integration as a separate and distinct part of the practice. We encourage you to adopt this approach and think about your integration holistically.
Holistic Integration
There are a few steps you can take to help.
First, resist the temptation to take all aspects of the experience literally. It is important to approach Ayahuasca with caution and discernment and to consider the ways that insights and “tells” reflect your inner world.
In cultures with traditions of working with plant medicine. There is deep respect for these experiences--they are treated as a normal part of life and respectful attention is given to elders with experience with these medicines. Westerners or those in the Global North often lack these cultural and social frameworks making it critical to take time, be intentional, and develop discernment.
Don’t quit your day job!
Learn from elders and fellow journeys
Next, you may want to learn from others which can help you develop discernment and self knowledge. Whether you are looking for a comprehensive review, an anthology of myths, hymns, and texts, or a study of Ayahuasca use in North America, the MAPS Bookstore has resources for you.
You can also hear a variety of fascinating discussions on Ayahuasca and other plant medicines from the Psychedelic Science stage in Denver by joining PS2023: The Virtual Trip.
Embrace Community
Integration circles, peer support, integration specialists…there are many resources for finding others who have been through their own experiences with Ayahuasca or guided others on the journey.
If you find yourself integrating with others, remember to listen respectfully and try to avoid inserting yourself into the experience.
And please consider working with a trained guide or someone with extensive, tradition-informed, experience with plant medicine.
Express yourself
It can be very helpful to express aspects of your experience in words or images. This critical component of integration can occur through journaling, artistic activities, or conversation with others. Not sure where to start? The MAPS Integration Workbook has over 35 artistic activities, reflections, and writing prompts that you can choose to use to help inform your integration work.
Ayahuasca can be magical. It can also be challenging. No matter your experience, we hope that you bring intention not only to your planning but to your integration if you choose to work with this powerful sacred medicine.
Need Help Getting Started?
The MAPS Integration Workbook provides exercises, practices, and structure that you can use and customize to help you build a holistic approach to your integration journey.
