8 preparation questions to ask yourself before ceremony
What do you want to transform and convert within yourself?
What do you want to achieve? Where do you want to go?
How does it feel to let go of some parts of yourself that need to be released in order to achieve this? Can you give yourself space to grieve? How can you hold yourself through this liminal space?
What do you want recover within yourself, in your life, and in relationships?
How do you envision your life after this main chapter of transformation? What is your ideal day?
How does it feel in your body to embody this higher vision?
How can you show up for this future vision in this present moment?
In what ways can you give thanks, or offer gratitude, to your past self and all of the support - in human form or otherwise - that you have received up until this moment? Can you express gratitude for the future support that are yet to be discovered, right now?
For many of us going in ceremony or working with plant medicines or psychedelics, there is usually something linked to desire: a desire to heal something, a desire to gain clarity on an aspect of life, a desire to connect in a certain way. Plant medicines offer us an opportunity to open our hearts and light up something in our minds that pave a new way of feeling, thinking and being.
To get most out of our medicine journey, we need to consciously carve out time and space to reflect on what it is that we desire. Maybe you desire to desire!
If this is something you relate to, it could be worth exploring what it feels somatically to desire freely, without the baggage and narratives that stop you in your tracks for going after what it is that you want. Take some time to reflect on this topic through journaling, meditating or moving with it in a dance practice.
Preparation for ceremony is as important as the journey itself. The more space we give ourselves to the preparation, we can start paying more attention to what it is that we are paying attention to: the preparation. We notice the thoughts and the felt sensations around how we feel about being in ceremony. How do you feel when you think about yourself in the space with the medicine, and in the circle with your fellow journeyers? What sensations come up in your body? We notice the patterns and common themes that we choose to believe, the expectations, the doubts, fears and fantasies.
With this meta-awareness, we are also priming the brain to look for clues and cues within and around us to support us in our preparation process. It’s like we are training the body, heart and mind to align with frequencies around us so we can take hold of all opportunities that maximize our efforts in preparation.
And we know that preparation can greatly help us in achieving what we desire. A simple example is visualizing and mentally rehearsing giving a speech in our mind before we deliver it irl. Importantly alongside this preparation process, we must also remember to hold onto it all lightly. The practice of surrendering, letting go, and trusting allows us to flow and adapt with the energies of the moment.
Participant Info
Please note your safety is important to us.
This program is suitable for people who want to: improve their connection to themselves and others; improve their overall wellbeing; find new direction in life; explore different parts of themselves; and/or explore their subconscious and resolve old trauma.
Unfortunately, as this is not a clinical treatment, we are currently unable to accept individuals into our programs who have active substance use/addiction issues; are experiencing severe trauma, or have psychiatric diagnoses including clinical depression and anxiety disorders, severe PTSD, bipolar disorder, active or recent suicidal thoughts or attempts, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or psychotic breaks, personality disorders, dissociative disorders, or a personal or family history of psychosis. Additionally we cannot accept individuals who will be actively taking psychiatric medications including antipsychotic medications or stimulants, have serious issues with high blood pressure or heart conditions; and/or are extremely physically ill or frail. SSRIs, SNRIs, or mood stabilizers will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
IsLove Retreats are $800 per person.
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