FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS AYAHUASCA?
Some of you may have experience with Ayahuasca, others will be interacting with the plant for the first time, but all who come to Maya have one thing in common: a calling from the medicine.
We work tirelessly to ensure that the sacred plants are received in the perfect setting, allowing you to explore this ancient practice in the safe, peaceful and natural environment it requires.
We cook all our own medicine using strict traditional methods and after each cook we plant pieces of the Ayahuasca vine here at Maya.
The name ‘Ayahuasca’ comes from the Quechuan word ‘Ajawaska’ or ‘Vine of the soul’. Ayahuasca has been used for thousands of years by the indigenous tribes of the Amazon for healing, insight, and spiritual cleansing. The Western world often leads us further and further away from our true selves toward a state of unhappiness that lacks fulfilment and purpose. Ayahuasca helps us to find the elements that are missing in our lives, giving those fortunate enough to drink this sacred medicine the sought after sense of direction that has caused its popularity to grow worldwide.
The plant interacts with the psychoÂemotional and spiritual basis of every individual in the ceremony, and is greatly affected by the construct of the setting in which it is taken. The composite affect of your attitude, purpose, personality, mood, and prior experience influence the content of the experiential journey you embark on.
The unrivalled speed of emotional turnaround the process produces suits those experiencing a breakdown of psyche and character who are perhaps unresponsive to conventional treatment.
WHAT PREPARATION NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE A RETREAT?
Two weeks before a retreat we ask you try to eliminate the following:
Alcohol, Western pharmaceuticals, recreational drugs, pork, red meat, high quantities of salt and sugar, spicy foods, caffeine and sex in any form.
Certain drugs and medications have been found to not be compatible with ayahuasca. It is essential to stop taking anti depressants and anti psychotics to give your system sufficient time to remove them from the body, before you begin a retreat. Please consult your doctor if you are in any doubt: you certainly should not suddenly stop taking prescribed medications (including antidepressants) without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC MEDICATIONS TO AVOID BEFORE A RETREAT?
Any medication which has an effect on the serotonin system, including Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (i.e. antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, etc). Combining these medications with ayahuasca can induce serotonin syndrome – far more severely than with foods containing tryptophan, and with potentially fatal results. We require guests discontinue taking SSRI medications under the supervision of their doctor prior to applying for a retreat to allow the system to clear in time. Some of these drugs may cause side effects when discontinued, and plenty of time should be allowed for these to subside. Do not abruptly stop taking any medication without discussing the matter with your doctor.
Please note that the herbal antidepressant St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) also must not be taken within 2 weeks of working with ayahuasca.
Other medications that must be discontinued are decongestants, cold medications, allergy medications, antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, amphetamines (including Adderall), some hypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines (including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine), carbamazipine, methylphemidate (Ritalin), macromerine, phenelanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, asarone/calamus, some asthma inhalers, and diet pills.
Although ayahuasca has not been found to cause psychosis or other psychiatric disturbances, it can be dangerous to those with a history of psychological problems.
Please tell us if you have any history of mental health conditions.
DO YOU OFFER SHAMANIC TRAINING?
If you feel like you have the calling to work with this magnificent medicine, become an Ayahuascero and want to train in Amazonian Shamanism then there is no place better than Maya. Unlike many other centres our training programme has not been altered to suit Western expectations and is as difficult and rewarding as it always has been. If there is a shaman inside of you then rest assured our intense training programme will find him or her.
Our training costs USD$1750 per month and the amount of time it takes to complete really depends upon the amount of time and effort you can dedicate to the process.
The process consists of undertaking many plant dietas, to implement discipline within the student and to also strengthen and deeper your connection and abilities as a shaman.
You will ultimately learn how to protect, hold and shape your own ceremonies. Learning icaros passed down through our great lineage and also receiving some of your own from the plant spirits.
You will learn the healing properties of the plants and the preparation and application of the medicines.
In addition to the above you will ultimately heal yourself along the way and be transformed into a fully-fledged Shaman, ready to help, heal and serve those in need.
Here at Maya we have trained many shamans from all over the world and have many students that are still in the process. We have a great shaman/student support network and we operate as one giant family, united by our goal of helping and healing the world once ceremony at a time.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
International guests would fly into Lima and then catch a domestic flight to Iquitos. We will arrange to pick you up from there. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Iquitos airport, including a stop for some fresh coconuts.
WHAT ESSENTIALS TO PACK?
Head torch and spare batteries Water bottleMosquito repellent (preferably without DEET)Natural soap and toothpasteFlip flops Swimming costume
IS THERE WIFI?
There is no WiFi at Maya and cellphone signal is patchy at best, so if you need to make calls or use the internet, it’s a good idea to buy a Peruvian SIM card in Iquitos for your stay.
We’re always here to help.