So I’ve got a bit of a different kind of post today, but one I think would be really interesting to share if you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of spiritual retreats and cleansing rituals as an entrepreneur.
In this post, I’ll be focusing specifically on the plant ceremony I recently tried out, using the cleansing power of ayahuasca on a recent retreat with INME Wellness.
This one is more of a personal account, and I want to add that while this sort of thing might not be for everyone, for me it’s something I really believe will serve me going forward.
What is Ayahuasca?
Before we get started, let me give you a quick overview on what ayahuasca is. Ayahuasca has been used for centuries by indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest for spiritual and medicinal purposes.
Now the active ingredient in ayahuasca is dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which you might already know is a powerful hallucinogenic compound. It’s really important that if you’re going to take this, it’s done in the presence of experienced shamans or facilitators in a ceremonial setting; INME was particularly well-equipped for this. The fact that the ceremonies are led by renowned indigenous shamans and that there’s medical screening, preparation and medical assistance always on site reassured me that I was very much in a safe space to discover the benefits of this powerful plant.
And the benefits linked to it are pretty significant, encompassing physical, emotional and mental healing. According to ICEERS, over 4 million people worldwide have taken ayahuasca at some point in their lives – and that number is growing.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve always believed that how you feel in yourself reflects itself in your business. So if you’re carrying around a lot of emotional baggage and stress, your business will suffer too.
This sense of healing and release is what drew me to want to join in an ayahuasca ritual. I was curious: what could I achieve if I could fully cleanse myself of the negative feelings that weren’t serving me? How would I show up better in my business if my body felt more free?
What is the Ayahuasca Experience Like?
When it came to the retreat and the ceremony itself, I was met with a serene and intimate atmosphere. There was a group of us from about 12 different countries, and they really were just wholesome, lovely people.
There’s always a bit of worry if you bring people together when they might be carrying a lot of trauma and stress, but I needn’t have had any concerns. It all felt so safe and calm, and there was a genuine sense of culture and spirit. These were amazing people who had really given their lives to the work that they do, and it’s so refreshing to come across that.
Now, let’s talk about the main event: the ayahuasca experience itself. Like many, I approached it with a bunch of misconceptions. I thought it would be akin to popping a magic mushroom and seeing the world through kaleidoscopic lenses.
Boy, was I wrong.
Ayahuasca isn’t just a psychedelic trip; it’s a really profound journey into the depths of your own being. And getting there is intense.
We all know that stress is never just a mental burden; it manifests physically, weaving its way into the very fibres of our being, whether it’s worry, shame or trauma. The longer we leave these things unaddressed, the more they’re going to negatively impact our decisions and how we show up in business and in life.
What I felt is that as I took ayahuasca (and it’s horrific tasting!), I could feel it working its way through my body and attaching to any emotional baggage I was carrying within me. Ayahuasca acts as a cleanser, stripping away the layers of negative emotion that no longer serve us.
The purging itself was never going to be glamorous (when it comes to the vomiting, just imagine a scene out of South Park and you get the idea). What followed after was the diarrhoea, and when both are happening at the same time…well, it’s a lot to handle!
However, with each release, I felt like I was shedding more than just physical bodily fluids. It was as if it was acting to literally scrape away years of accumulated trauma and stress, leaving me feeling lighter and freer than ever before.
The clarity that comes after an ayahuasca journey isn’t just about seeing the world differently – it’s about coming back to ourselves from a place of purity and cleansing. And that isn’t just a side effect; it’s our body’s way of saying, “You’re free now. Enjoy the liberation.”
Reflecting on the Ayahuasca Journey
So, what happens now?
Personally, I’ve noticed a significant shift since my retreat. A level of fog that once clouded my mind has since lifted, and I feel like I’ve got this fresh sense of decisiveness and purpose I know will serve me so well moving forward. I’m not so caught up in carrying everyone else’s burdens – instead, I’m fully focused on pursuing my own path with a newfound sense of clarity and conviction.
And that is so freeing.
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it: the journey really isn’t easy and it’s not for the faint-hearted! The ceremonies are long (12 hours to be exact – you’re in this from 7pm to 7am) and the lack of sleep can make you feel a little disoriented afterwards.
But for me, the emotional liberation I experienced really was worth every moment of the discomfort.
The Benefits of Ayahuasca for Entrepreneurs
This whole experience got me thinking about how cleansing rituals like this can serve us as entrepreneurs should we wish to. As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly navigating choppy waters, unexpected challenges, and picking up so much baggage along the way. This can make decision-making hard and our work can really start to suffer.
Ayahuasca, should you wish to join a retreat, offers you a chance to cleanse your mind, clear away the blocks that hold you back and help you return to yourself refreshed. This can help you make decisions from a place of clarity and authenticity in the long-run.
So, if you’re feeling called to embark on your own ayahuasca journey, I’d fully encourage you to explore further. Who knows?
It might just be the medicine your mind and soul needs to thrive right now.
And, speaking of exploring further, I’m pretty excited to announce that I’ll be partnering with the retreat in future to run something special for fellow entrepreneurs. Interested? Drop me a message for more information here or via my Instagram.
Who knows? This could be your call to start something truly transformative.