The sacrament

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca means "soul climber": a tea of two Amazonian plants, the mariri vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and chacruna leaf (Psychotria viridis), brewed together in a way native peoples have practiced for well over two thousand years. In ceremony, under an experienced guide, it opens four to eight hours of profound spiritual experience.

Understanding the vine

What we teach

What the medicine is

The vine and the leaf only work together. Neither plant alone opens the door. How the ancestors discovered this pairing in a jungle of tens of thousands of species is a mystery every tradition tells its own story about. We receive it as a gift, manifested through the Divine Creator for communion with the divine.

Why we drink it

Our members drink in ceremony to seek answers and guidance to the deepest questions of their lives, to commune with the Divine Creator, and to be restored to love. This is worship, not recreation, and never medical treatment.

What a ceremony is like

Ceremony happens at night, in a held container, with a facilitator present the whole way through. The experience ranges from gentle to visionary. Purging can be part of it; so can the most meaningful hours of a life. Afterward comes rest, food prepared for the dieta, and integration.

Safety and preparation

Ayahuasca contains MAOIs and interacts with many medications, including common antidepressants. Every participant completes a confidential medical intake, full medication disclosure, and the dieta before ceremony. Our Preparation guide walks through all of it.

The dieta is where the work begins

Two weeks of clean eating, clear boundaries, and quiet attention prepare you to receive. The full guide covers food, medications, and the critical final 24 hours.