PREPARATION

Stepping into a plant medicine journey is a significant decision that deserves respect and intention. It's the process of preparing oneself before the plant medicine ceremony, ensuring you're as ready as you can be to engage with the experience in a meaningful, safe, and beneficial way.

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Why is pre-integration important? By readying your mind, body, and spirit, you're able to approach the plant medicine ceremony with an open heart and clear intent, thereby creating a space for deep personal exploration and transformation. It helps reduce anxiety, set realistic expectations, and improve the likelihood of positive, lasting change.

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So, how can you practice pre-integration? Here are a few suggested ways to nurture your preparation:

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Set Clear Intentions  Reflect on what you hope to achieve or learn from the plant medicine ceremony. Writing these down can solidify your objectives and guide your journey. Check out the Wakeful Integration Journal...perfect for preparing, navigating and integrating your psychedelic  experience.

 

Practice Mindfulness  Techniques like meditation, yoga, or breathwork can help you develop a stronger mind-body connection and cultivate a sense of presence. Visit our Integration Tools page where you'll find several recommendations through apps like Insight Timer and Glo. It can be very helpful to practice daily breathwork sessions leading up to a ceremony as a way to start to release any hidden or unconscious feelings or emotions, clearing the channels to optimize the benefits of  the plant medicine. Here is one of our favorite tracks: Breathwork For Healing & Transformation 

 

Prepare Physically  Depending on the type of plant medicine, there may be dietary or lifestyle recommendations to follow. This could include reducing caffeine or alcohol, or adopting a cleaner, more plant-based diet.

 

Embrace Emotional Readiness  Be open to the range of emotions that may surface during the ceremony. Practicing emotional awareness and acceptance beforehand can be very helpful. Begin by observing how you feel throughout each day and paying attention to how you behave. 

 

Educate Yourself  Learn about the plant medicine you'll be working with. Understanding its traditional uses, potential effects, and the experiences of others can provide valuable context. Here are two helpful resources: Third Wave & ICEERS

 

Connect with Community  Speak to others who have undergone similar journeys, join a support group, or find a mentor. Sharing and listening can be a powerful part of preparation. It can be helpful to establish a connection with an integration trained therapist or coach prior to your  experience. There can be a peace of mind knowing that you have someone to call before or after, if needed.

 

Remember, everyone's preparation journey will be unique. Be patient with yourself, and respect your own pace and process. You're laying the groundwork for a profound experience, and each step you take is a meaningful part of your journey.

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