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Medications and Health Concerns

By Dan Reynolds on February 14, 2013 in Ayahuasca, Sacred Plants

Those suffering with schizophrenia or other mental or psychotic disorders should not consume Ayahuasca.

If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, or if you are receiving treatment for any health condition, it is advisable to consult your doctor before drinking Ayahuasca. It is also recommended you consult your physician if you are taking prescription medications (including antibiotics).

Medical consultation is essential if you are taking Prozac or another antidepressant that affects serotonin levels. SSRIs (serotonin selective re-uptake inhibitors) such as found in certain antidepressant drugs block the re-uptake of serotonin in the brain. MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) such as found in Ayahuasca inhibit the breakdown of serotonin. The combination can lead to excessive levels of serotonin in the brain. Seek the advice of a medical professional but be aware that SSRI medications typically need to be reduced gradually and can take up to six weeks to clear the body.

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About Mapacho

By Dan Reynolds on February 14, 2013 in Mapacho, Sacred Plants

The spirit of Mapacho is an extraordinary shamanic ally. This sacred tobacco is totally organic. It is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and does not contain any of the toxic additives used in commercial cigarettes. Mapacho is used extensively in Peruvian shamanism (in both Ayahuasca and Huachuma ceremonies). It is used to provide protection for individual participants and for the ceremonial space. It is used to open participants to receive positive energies and seal participants from negative energies. Mapacho is also a powerful means to convey intention.

While acknowledging that many people have an aversion to tobacco smoke, we respectively request those participating in shamanic ceremonies at Dawn of Eden^®, embrace Mapacho as a sacred ally during the course of their ceremonial work.

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Sequencing the Sacred Medicines

By Dan Reynolds on February 14, 2013 in Huachuma (San Pedro), Sacred Plants, Shamanism

As previously observed, working with Ayahuasca and Huachuma is like discovering the “Holy Grail” of spiritual transformation—the proverbial “fast track.” Each of these plant-teachers can play a vital role in one’s personal growth. Properly sequenced, these divine agents of transformation can have synergistic and complementary results.

Among those who have worked with both plants, some might feel initiates should begin with Huachuma since ceremonies with this master-teacher tend to be less challenging. Dawn of Eden® prefers that participants begin ceremonial work with Ayahuasca to obtain the cleansing and purification of the body, mind and spirit that it provides. Such purification is highly desirable before a person endeavors to enter the state of divine communion facilitated by Huachuma.

Moreover, the reader may recall, Ayahuasca helps to restore “wholeness” to one’s soul enabling a better integration of one’s physical and spiritual worlds. This process allows participants an opportunity to regain much of their personal power. Accordingly, working first with Ayahuasca is the ideal preparation for those who plan to engage the grand maestro, Huachuma.

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Finding Home — the Chavín Renaissance

By Dan Reynolds on February 14, 2013 in Chavin, Huachuma (San Pedro), Sacred Plants

As previously noted, as humans we possess an innate evolutionary impulse to evolve—a mysterious spiritual urge to become one with our authentic self. This manifests as the human desire for self-realization and spiritual transcendence but the essence of this evolutionary impulse is that humanity is endeavoring to find its way Home.

The Chavín Renaissance is for those who aspire to be guided Home. Maestro Dan Reynolds leads a privileged few on the spiritual pilgrimage of a lifetime to the “Holy of Holies” of sacred sites, Chavín de Huántar. Here, in the cradle of Andean civilization, Don Dan, El Huachumero, facilitates Huachuma ceremonies of the highest order to bring those in attendance into a state of grace and divine communion.

For most, the Chavín Renaissance is the pinnacle of their spiritual lives. It is a sacred pilgrimage to a spiritual crossroad that separates one’s life into before and after Chavín. This line of spiritual demarcation exists because communing with the divine at one’s full potential for expanded awareness can change a person to the core. Once you experience the sacredness of everything, “sacred” is no longer just another word, and you will never be the same—you will have found Home.

Initiates of the Chavín Renaissance gain the spiritual apprehension of knowledge and truths beyond the human intellect. This often includes a preview (an experiential foretelling), of where humanity is headed in these transformational times. One knows, without question, that humankind is at the Dawn of Eden.

Some shamans will take any candidate who pays the tab to Chavín thus exposing this Holy site to the negative energy many individuals are carrying. Additionally, the temple grounds are exposed to the negative energy of a fair number of tourists. In short, the sacredness of this site is being compromised and is in need of healing. For that reason, Dawn of Eden^® has a commitment with our jaguar allies to only take candidates they have screened and deemed to be “properly prepared”. At a minimum, this typically means “cleansed and purified” by first working with Ayahuasca but our jaguar allies are also able to tell if a prospective candidate is compatible with our work with Huachuma. This “screening” is of great value because one person with bad energy or one person who is not compatible with the plant-teacher, Huachuma can ruin the experience for everyone.

At present, while we are engaged in the process of healing the energy of Chavín, our jaguar allies have restricted our trips to Chavin to include only members of the Jaguar Brotherhood or members of our newly founded, Dawn of Eden^® church. Dawn of Eden^® is the only church in Peru specifically sanctioned to work with the sacred plants, Ayahuasca and Huachuma).

To learn more about the Chavín Renaissance and our transformational pilgrimages to Chavín, visit The Chavín de Huántar Gallery.

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The Role of the Shaman

By Dan Reynolds on February 14, 2013 in Sacred Plants, Shamanism

Shamanism has been practiced in one form or another around the globe and throughout history with shamans acting as intermediaries between the natural world and the world of spirit. The term has a broad context and covers many spiritual traditions.

Most shamans are “called” by spirit to apprentice this healing art form. Though, in reality, this calling is more of a divine directive (bad things happen in the lives of would-be shamans who don’t answer the call). A shamanic aspirant must face grueling challenges and many tests before some form of spiritual initiation transforms the initiate and bestows his or her “Don” (spiritual gifts).

Years of disciplined training are usually then required for shamans to develop and master their gifts. Thereafter, shamans function as the spiritual mediators they have trained to become as they pursue their work in the ancient healing arts. It is important to acknowledge the actual power for healing and personal transformation comes from spirit. The role of the shaman is the between-worlds middleman that has been initiated by spirit and bestowed certain gifts such that he or she might be of service to humanity.

It is difficult to gauge what level of gifts or powers a shaman might possess by their age or cultural origin. Shamans are often chosen by spirit precisely because they have lived many lifetimes engaged in the shamanic arts. With proper training, or, on occasion, initiatory ceremonies of the highest order, they are able to resurrect their ancient skill sets in their present incarnation. We specialize in such “resurrection” ceremonies as part of our work in service to humanity during these transformational times.

Be Wary

The phenomenon known as Ayahuasca tourism has changed the landscape when it comes to finding a legitimate shaman. Ayahuasca is a sacred plant imbued with a living spirit. It should be revered, but it is frequently profaned.

Oftentimes brujos (shamans that use dark powers to inflict harm) will entice individuals into ceremony, principally for monetary gain. The threat is greater for women as they also risk sexual molestation. Others use brujeria to keep participants coming back. This abhorrent practice, typically driven by ego or greed, is at cross purposes with spirit. There are serious karmic consequences for this disgraceful violation of free will. Nonetheless, this shameful practice is widespread.

One should be leery of shamanic centers that operate in the shadows (without licenses and permits so they can avoid paying taxes). Some may use legitimate shamans but the integrity of such organization is highly questionable. When it comes to the prospect of finding a shaman you can trust, it is essential you follow your intuition as failing to do so is like ignoring advice from spirit.

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The Ayahuasca Purge

By Dan Reynolds on February 14, 2013 in Ayahuasca, Sacred Plants

Ayahuasca is frequently referred to as “La Purga” for its renowned transcendental purgative effects. Most “first timers” dread the purge but it is largely through this crucial process that Ayahuasca works her magic. It is the cleansing and purification process necessary to rid the mind and body of toxins and the negative, low-frequency energies that are otherwise blocking one’s connection to spirit.

The purge is more than a physical release; it’s an emotional, spiritual and psychological release as well. This life-changing process can result in a jettisoning of excess mental and emotional baggage and the elimination or re-alignment of debilitating belief systems. Diarrhea or profuse sweating can also be part of the purge.

Participants quickly grasp that aspects of their “little self” (their ego) that no longer serve them are being banished to a purge pail. This process of discarding negative or debilitating aspects of one’s little self is precisely what enables one to come into a greater alignment with their true nature, their authentic Higher Self. Chronic depression, addictions, anger issues, and a multitude of fears, anxieties and limiting belief systems can be vanquished in a single ceremony. For some, a few Ayahuasca ceremonies can be the equivalent of ten years of psychotherapy or disciplined meditation.

Purging may be part of every ceremony but the first ceremonies are typically more challenging in regard to this aspect of the work. As the elimination of the dense, low-frequency energies progresses, one gains greater access to a higher-frequency connection with the divine.

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