Thank you for your interest in these ceremonies Taking Place May 9th & 10th. Each gathering carries profound significance, and we’re grateful to walk this sacred path with you. Below is a preparation guide. As we near the ceremony dates, we’ll share more details to ensure you feel ready.  

Preparation Timeline - Starting Two Weeks Before the Ceremony:

Intention and Diet:

Your preparation for the ceremony begins with clarifying your intention and attuning both your body and mind. This phase is essential to opening yourself fully to the transformative healing ahead.

• Dietary Guidelines:  Starting two weeks before the ceremony, and paying special attention to the three days leading up to it, we recommend avoiding meat, dairy, drugs, alcohol, energy drinks, and gradually reducing your coffee intake. Focus on a plant-based diet, staying hydrated with water and herbal teas to support your body’s natural cleansing processes. On the day of the ceremony, which will be fasted, it's best to skip coffee entirely.
  
  

• Abstinence:  We recommend abstaining from sex—whether with a partner or alone—during this preparation period. This practice conserves your energy, helping you focus inward and support your healing more fully. Some distractions, both emotional and mental, aren’t always conscious. Abstaining helps you remain more receptive and prepared for the ceremony. This is a functional choice meant to enhance your experience, not a moral directive.

• Intention: This medicine is powerful; it can heal relationships and traumas, leading to significant personal transformation that must be experienced rather than simply believed. Some of you may already have a clear understanding of your intention for the ceremony; if so, accept it fully. If you struggle to articulate your intention but feel drawn to the ceremony, this reflection can help clarify your thoughts. Remember, this is not an assignment to complete but a way to get your mind moving in a direction that aligns with your intention.
  Take a moment to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What do I really want?

2. How do I know I want it?

3. When I get what I want, what will that allow me to do or feel?

• Often, what we really want is hidden underneath what we think we want. Repeat these questions as many times as you'd like, and you may notice a pattern emerging. Don’t worry about finding the "right" answers; instead, maintain a sense of curiosity regarding your motivations. Reflect on these questions several times during the preparatory period to deepen your connection to your intention.
  
  
  

Mental and Physical Cleansing:

• Meditation:  For the week before the medicine ceremony, set aside at least 15 minutes a day for quiet time or meditation. You can do more if you wish. A consistent time is ideal, but inconsistency is fine, too. Don’t turn this into a source of stress—just sit quietly and do nothing. Let your mind naturally move toward your intention without forcing any outcome.
  
  

• Medication Considerations:  If you are on antidepressants or any other medications, please consult with your healthcare provider to see if any adjustments are needed. You must inform us of all medications/supplements you are taking, as well as any changes, before the ceremony. This is important for your safety and to ensure the best possible experience.

Ceremony Guidelines:

• Personal Journey: Turn your attention inward and stay within your own experience, avoiding communication with others. This practice benefits not just others but deepens your own healing. Trust that the medicine works uniquely for each of us, guiding us in the way we need most, with the wisdom of the Yachak guiding the process. Though we gather as a group, each person’s path is their own. Stay present with your journey and avoid speaking to others during the ceremony.
  
  

• Further Learning: We encourage you to explore educational materials, such as Dr. Gabor Maté's 'In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts', for a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca.

Day of the Ceremony:

• Fasting Recommendations:  Fasting on the day of the ceremony is recommended. If hunger becomes too dominant a distraction, a light vegetable soup may be taken at lunch, but dinner should be avoided. Rest well before the event. Water fasting during the ceremony is suggested, as it can help reduce purging. Feeling low energy or tired during the ceremony is normal and can actually be beneficial, allowing the medicine to work with less interference from the mind.
  
  

• Location Details: The ceremonies will be held in proximity to the respective communities in which they are advertised. We will provide you with detailed information about the location and other essential aspects as the date of the ceremony approaches.
  
  
  

Further Considerations

• The ceremony begins in the preparation stage: The Elders tell us that the medicine begins its work as soon as you make the decision to partake in a ceremony. During the preparation period, you might experience disruptions in your life and shifts in your daily consciousness. Your emotions and thoughts may also differ from what feels normal, but do not be alarmed. While these experiences may seem unusual in our culture and society, they are considered normal and expected parts of the ceremony in many traditional cultures. People have been experiencing this for generations upon generations; it is a common and shared experience. Although this may seem strange, it is to be expected and welcomed  .
  
  

• Attitude:  Preparation is a valuable part of your healing process, not a hurdle to overcome. The diet and other preparatory steps serve the medicine and the ceremony; they are not tasks to be graded. Avoid judging yourself, self-critique, and perfectionism, and remember that this preparation is meant to help you, not to define your value. The medicine has shown that you are worthy by bringing this opportunity to you. Value this opportunity by engaging in your preparation and recognizing its importance, rather than aiming for perfection. In this process, we will experience the self that existed before external influences shaped us. We are not striving to achieve anything or trying to undo anything ourselves; instead, we allow medicine to address the knots that have formed in our minds and hearts. By refraining from action, we create the conditions for genuine healing to occur. Be kind to yourself with this in mind.  

We’re here to assist you throughout your preparation and excited to help you through this transformative process. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Each ceremony has a limited number of participants to ensure an intimate and focused experience. In Willak's culture, payment is not typically requested, as individuals understand the appropriate contribution. However, since this cultural context may not be familiar to everyone, we provide donation guidelines to assist you. To honor this tradition and confirm your participation, we ask for a donation of 300 for one evening or 600 for the weekend. This offering helps sustain the healing work and covers the cost of the carefully prepared medicine. Your contribution honors this cultural exchange and confirms your commitment to the ceremony. To secure your place, please make your donation via e-transfer or cash to willak.guillermo@gmail.com. This deposit secures your reservation and supports these vital healing practices. 

Welcome to this transformative experience, and thank you for joining us on this path.

🔷 Venue and Arrival Information:

• Location: Our gathering will be held at Stone Hedge Retreat

• Timing: Our retreat begins at 7:00pm. I encourage you to arrive at 5:00pm to enter this sacred space with calm and presence. If you are only attending the second day, day two activities will begin at 1:00pm.

🔷 Pre-Ceremony Preparations:

• Attire: Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to facilitate ease and relaxation.

• Personal Comfort: Bring a yoga or camping mat for your individual comfort during our time together.

• Warmth and Comfort: A blanket and pillow are advised to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the night.

• Earplugs (Optional): Since we will be sleeping on our mats during the ceremonial time, you may want earplugs if you are disturbed by snoring.

🔷 Overnight Considerations:

We will be staying at the venue overnight, with the intention of gently concluding our activities around noon the next day.

🔷 Nourishment and Replenishment:

A light breakfast, consisting of fresh fruits and water, will be provided in the morning.

🔷 Focus on Inner Healing:

This retreat is an invitation for deep inner work and healing. Your personal journey is a crucial part of the collective energy of our group.

🔷 Assistance and Inquiries:

Should you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out.

🔷 Post-Retreat Reflection:

I recommend reserving the day after our retreat for rest and reflection, giving yourself a chance to relax and integrate the experience.

Yupaychani,

Christian