So, I heard about this ayahuasca retreat thing near Kansas City and, man, was I curious. I’ve been feeling kinda stuck lately, you know? Like I needed a big change, a real shake-up. I’d read a bit about ayahuasca, how it can help you see things differently, deal with old baggage. It sounded intense, but also maybe exactly what I needed.
First, I had to find a place. I looked around online, trying to find something close to Kansas City. It wasn’t super easy, there are rules and stuff about this stuff, you know? But I found some info about retreats in the area, places that seemed legit and safe. There were a few options, some more group-focused, others more private, for like, just you or a couple of people. I was looking for a private retreat because I am a little bit shy when in a group. I needed a quiet and cozy environment. I was thinking about going with my wife, so I decided to contact them to see what they offered.
After I got their reply, I found the prices weren’t cheap. But I figured, this is an investment in myself, right? I picked a place that felt right, a smaller, more personal retreat. It was important to me that the people running it knew what they were doing. Safety was a big concern, obviously.
Getting ready for it was a whole thing. I mean, you can’t just show up. There are guidelines about what to eat, what to avoid. It’s all about getting your body and mind in the right state. It was tough, I had to cut out a lot of stuff I enjoyed, but I stuck with it. It felt like part of the process, preparing myself for something big. I went to their place with my wife. The shaman gave us some specific advice that might help us to get ready for the retreat.
Then, the retreat itself. We drove out to this place, a bit outside the city. It was peaceful, quiet. The folks running it were calm and reassuring. We talked about what we were hoping to get out of it, our worries, our hopes, like that. It felt good to get it all out.
The ceremony, well, that was something else. I’m not gonna lie, it was intense. Drinking the ayahuasca, it’s not exactly pleasant. And the effects, it’s a rollercoaster. You see things, feel things, stuff you’ve maybe buried deep down. There were moments of real fear, confusion, but also moments of incredible clarity. Like, suddenly understanding things about myself that I’d never really seen before. The shaman and the facilitators were there to guide us, to make sure we were safe and to help us process what we were going through.
- Facing the Fears:
There was this one point where I felt like I was confronting all my fears, all the things I’d been avoiding. It was overwhelming, but also kind of liberating. Like, by facing them, I was taking away some of their power.
- Connecting with Something Bigger:
I had these moments where I felt connected to something bigger than myself, you know? Hard to explain, but it was like this sense of oneness, of being part of something vast and ancient. It was beautiful and kind of overwhelming.
- Seeing Myself Clearly:
It was like a mirror was being held up to me, and I was seeing myself, flaws and all. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was honest. It helped me understand some of the patterns in my life, the things I needed to work on.
It wasn’t a magic fix. I didn’t walk out of there a completely new person. But it was a starting point. It gave me a new perspective, some tools to work with. I started meditating more, and to be honest, I still meditate every morning now. Trying to be more mindful, more present. I’m still processing the whole experience, to be honest. It’s the kind of thing that sticks with you.
Would I recommend it? I don’t know. It’s a big decision, and it’s definitely not for everyone. It’s intense, challenging, and can be really tough at times. But for me, it was worth it. It shook me up in a good way, helped me see things differently. If you’re feeling called to it, do your research, find a safe and reputable place, and go into it with an open mind and heart. It might just change your life, like it did for mine. It was definitely worth the money and time.
