I nearly lost my sanity on a weekend "shaman's" lounge room floor.
Surrounded by 30 strangers, I had no idea the danger I was in β or that this experience would eventually lead me to years of rigorous training under Maestro Don Howard Lawler, who later formally initiated me in 2017 to conduct ceremonies.
Today, I continue my apprenticeship under Maestro Banco Ayahuasquero Don Rober Acho Jarama, honoring the traditional path that saved my life after my suicide attempt in 2010.
After nearly two decades in these sacred traditions, I've witnessed both life-changing healings and devastating psychological damage.
The difference often comes down to what you know before you begin.
Every month at Ancient Ceremonies, we turn away people seeking these medicines for the wrong reasons.
These aren't recreational experiences β they're powerful healing technologies that demand proper respect and preparation.
The dangerous credential gap: how to verify if your guide has legitimate training
Why ceremony size determines safety: (and the exact number that puts you at risk)
The geographical truth about Ayahuasca that most centers won't tell you
How to know if you're actually ready for this work (most people aren't)
The preparation protocols that separate healing from harm
Unlike static PDFs, this guide is delivered as a live Google Doc that I personally keep updated with the latest safety information and insights from my ongoing training.
As the plant medicine landscape evolves, you'll always have access to the most current protective wisdom.
You're seeking genuine healing rather than just an "experience"
You've tried conventional approaches with limited success
You're facing significant life challenges or seeking deeper clarity
You value authenticity and traditional practices
You prioritize safety and want to approach this journey responsibly
You're willing to do the necessary preparation work
You're treating plant medicines like a "bucket list" experience
You're collecting ceremonies like "Pokemon cards"
You're looking for quick fixes without doing the inner work
You're primarily interested in the visionary aspects rather than healing
You're not willing to follow traditional protocols and preparations
You view these practices as recreational or purely experimental
This information comes directly from my ongoing training in traditional Peruvian lineages β the same wisdom that helped my wife heal from breast cancer and has transformed hundreds of lives.
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"Remember, these aren't just guidelines β they're protective wisdom from my maestros and my own journey from the edge of death to becoming an initiated curandero still walking the path of apprenticeship. What you don't know can literally destroy your mental health." - Rodolfo