40 Reasons not to go on an Ayahuasca retreat

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Recently, I wrote a blog post sharing 40 Reasons to go on an Ayahuasca Retreat. But let’s be clear, working with Ayahuasca is not all sunshine and lollipops.

This week, I share 40 reasons not to go on an Ayahuasca retreat. Let’s get into it.

Reasons not to go on an Ayahuasca retreat to do with motivation and readiness:

1. You don’t have the time to commit to yourself

2. You are going because friends recommended it

3. You are going because friends are going

4. You are going just for the experience

5. You don’t really know much about the subject

6. You don’t feel the timing is quite right

7. You’re conflicted about the whole thing

Reasons not to go on an Ayahuasca retreat to do with safety:

8. You’re too scared or apprehensive

9. You are on prescription medications

10. You have been diagnosed with psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar

11. You have heart conditions or other serious physical limitations

12. You don’t have great confidence about the place or people

13. There’s been no medical screening

14. The topic is being treated casually

Reasons not to go to an Ayahuasca retreat to do with mindset:  

15. You are not ready to surrender and let go

16. You don’t want to change

17. You’re unwilling to give up your current dogma

18. You are not ready to see your true self

19. You want to stay completely in control

20. You don’t want to be vulnerable

Reasons not to go to an Ayahuasca retreat to do with the experience:  

21. You don’t want to see sometimes disturbing memories and visions

22. You don’t want to purge physically and emotionally

23. You don’t want to feel challenging emotions

24. You don’t want to face traumatic experiences from the past

25. You don’t want to be confronted by your own limitations

26. You don’t want to witness others experiences

Reasons not to go to an Ayahuasca retreat to do with outcomes:  

27. You may drop many of your friendships

28. You may be unwilling to fulfil expectations from those around you

29. You may leave your job, and lead a radically different life

30. You may need to let go of that which you currently hold dear

31. You may become “one of those people”

32. You may get odd looks as you tell of your retreat experience

Reasons not to go on an Ayahuasca retreat that are tongue-in-cheek (sorry, couldn’t help myself):

33. You don’t want to evolve, and are 100% happy with yourself

34. You already understand everything

35. You feel completely aligned, body, mind, heart, and soul

36. You are in perfect physical, emotional, and spiritual health

37. You know your true purpose and calling, and are joyously working on it

38. You have zero low-level emotions (e.g. guilt, shame, fear, apathy, anger, desire, pride)

39. All of your relationships are harmonious, and you never lose your patience

40. You believe the universe is exactly as it should be

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If you are considering an Ayahuasca or plant medicine retreat, take your time to do the research, find expert practitioners, and have guidance to help you prepare, and to support you with your integration post-retreat.

Wishing you all a big Aloha!