True Self, Inner Child & Ayahuasca – Newsletter 01/2017
The old year has ended, and the new one seems to be moving ahead just as quickly and intensely. Winter has finally arrived for an indefinite stay, inviting us to winter walks, followed by a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and a good book on the sofa.
The coming months will continue what the previous ones began: upheavals, realignments, miracles, and insights. It is a time of ripening – an invitation to face ourselves, to look into the mirror and confront the parts we’ve turned away from until now. To seek the key that unlocks the door to our true self – perhaps long hidden away, perhaps even shamed – simply because it might not fit into what others expect of us.
This is a chance to welcome ourselves – and our happiness – back into our lives. The path isn’t easy. It’s often rocky and uncertain. The new and unknown can be frightening, and so we may cling to familiar misery – not because it brings us joy, but because it feels safe. Even when we intuitively sense this road leads to a dead end labeled “illness and depression.”
Each of us has invisible companions who care for us, guide us, and walk beside us – if we’re open and ready. In my practice, I’m often moved by how much love and care these companions show during a session.
With their support, we can begin our path, curious like a child. It’s a journey filled with gifts (often only recognized later) and sweet fruits that must first ripen before they can be picked. Patience and trust are our provisions. Gratitude is our song.
The “Inner Child”
A little reflection on the above text… What do you feel when you think of your “True Self”? What about your “Inner Child”? Is there a difference?
“Childish,” “Don’t be silly,” “Grow up already” – these are all instructions to banish our Inner Child. To lock it away and throw away the key. To say goodbye to joy, curiosity, play, and wonder – and to begin the serious business of life: conformity. When we speak of the “Inner Child,” we often refer to it as something in us but not truly of us – almost like an external possession. And maybe, in front of others, we even feel a little embarrassed by it.
I believe it’s time to retire the term “Inner Child” and start calling it what it truly is: the True Self. It’s not a part of you – it *is* you.
Ayahuasca
The sacred master plant Ayahuasca is a jungle vine native to the South American rainforest. When brewed with chacruna leaves, it becomes a consciousness-altering potion increasingly featured in the media. Though banned in many countries, it exists in a legal gray area in Switzerland.
Indigenous tribes say Ayahuasca allows them to speak with the gods. The brew seems to lift the veil between worlds, offering deep insights, confronting one with their true self, or helping release inner blockages. But there’s also a “risk”: you may be shown truths you’re not quite ready to face.
Each session is unpredictable – every person brings a unique story, questions, and path. One thing that *can* be predicted: violent vomiting and diarrhea, likely the strongest you’ve ever experienced. There might be a moment when you desperately wish it would just end. The physical “cleansing” varies depending on the dosage and frequency of intake during the night.
Because of this intensity, compassionate and skilled guidance is essential. Participants may be unable to move and need support – even to get to the bathroom.
Ayahuasca is sacred. It’s not just a drink – it’s a ceremony. Problems arise when this sacred plant is stripped of its spiritual context and treated like a party drug. What was healing becomes harmful.
In recent years, Ayahuasca tourism has boomed. More ceremonies, more camps, more self-proclaimed “shamans” looking to profit – some causing serious harm. As with any medicine, there are risks: spiritual overload, allergic reactions, or even trauma if handled without care. Cases like Kyle Nolan’s – a young man who died during a ceremony – are rare but real.
If you’re considering participating in a ceremony, whether locally or in Peru, here are a few tips:
- Recommendations are useful, but trust your gut. Don’t abandon caution or discernment in spiritual excitement.
- Research your facilitator. Meet them if possible, talk to them, feel their energy.
- Beware of “shamans” who claim sexual acts are part of the ritual – walk away.
- Ask how many participants and caretakers are present – and how many toilets.
- Price often reflects whether someone is motivated by heart or profit.
- Ask yourself: Why am I drawn to this? What questions do I seek to answer?
- True shamans don’t usually call themselves shamans. That’s a title given by others.
Done with the right person, Ayahuasca can be unforgettable and transformative. But always treat the plant – and the process – with deep respect.
Here are two documentaries worth watching: *The Shaman of Arosa* (SRF Reporter) and a film by Clemens Cubly, who visited healers and shamans around the globe, starting in the camp of Don Agustin.
Ki & Sound in January
The first monthly Ki & Sound seminar of the year takes place on Saturday, January 28. We’ll focus on stillness and movement, grounding, body awareness, and sound. As always, the final program will be guided by spirit. 🙂
In February, I’ll be with my wolf pack and the animals at the Alaqua Animal Shelter in Florida. The next seminar will take place on March 25.
Wishing you continued days full of wonder and warm hugs. Let your True Self shine and share it with the world – because each of us is precious and unique!
Namaste,
Gerald