The Experience
THE PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL CEREMONY
The physical and visionary effects of Iboga are different for everyone. This highly intelligent plant delivers a very personal experience based on your body chemistry and brain pathways, addressing the exact areas that need attention and healing. Healing with Iboga happens on a physical, spiritual, and mental level. As with any natural healing, there is a scientific and a spiritual explanation for the experience. These are different perspectives on the same truth, are not mutually exclusive, actually they support one another in understanding the effects of plant medicine.
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The Psycho-Spiritual Ceremony is a spiritual journey to heal the mind. Developed by the Bwiti to support healing and provide structure to the Iboga journey. The psycho-spiritual differs from the initiation and rites of passage ceremonies in the sense that it is purely focused on individual healing, rather than tribal integration.
We were taught how to carry guests through the psyho-spiritual retreat in an 8 day format by our teacher, Moughenda Mikala, 10th Generation Bwiti Shaman. He developed this formula specifically for working with westerners/people from outside the village. He instructed us not to add anything and not to take anything away from the structure of the week, and we have remained focused on offering
the psycho-spiritual ceremony in this way.
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During your 8 day stay, you will participate in 2 Iboga ceremonies. Having two ceremonies during your retreat is extremely important to the success of your healing experience. The first ceremony is often a mental and physical detox. This journey clears your mind and body, clearing out the files in your brain, and cleansing your body on a cellular level. This first meeting with Iboga also allows you to introduce yourself to the medicine, begin to understand how it feels and works, and prepares you for a deeper dive.
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For the second ceremony, guests often arrive at the fire having released any natural fear they felt before the first ceremony, feeling ready to go deeper and do the work of finding their soul. Having adequate rest in between ceremonies, knowledgable providers for counseling and support, nourishing meals, and a peaceful setting are all pillars of a successful Iboga retreat.
AROUND THE FIRE
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Just after sundown, our team and participants gather around the fire in the pristine nature around the center. We utilize Bwiti music and philosophy to ceremonially present the plant as we discuss traditional strategies for living a healthy, happy life.
The provider gives each person Iboga in the form of high quality pure Iboga root bark straight from our shaman and sister village in Gabon, Africa. It is in the form of a dry powder on a spoon. It has a bitter taste, and guests are welcome to use water to wash it down. Dosage is different for each person, and is a large part of our training. You can read more about dosage on our FAQ page.
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After ingesting the medicine we continue to be present with the fire, discuss the Bwiti principles, and encourage everyone to feel free to communicate how they are feeling. Our teacher says that 70% of the healing happens around the fire, while sharing the wisdom of the Bwiti teachings and connecting to their own spirit.
After about 1 hour most begin to feel a bit heavy like they would like to lay down. At this point a member of our team will lead you to the temple area where we have prepared mattresses for each participant.
IN THE TEMPLE
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The temple is a place where the spirits are gathered, the Bwiti altar is built, with traditional tools, other important plants and barks from Africa, candles, and items of protection. Bwiti music, which we have recorded live in the village and which was created specifically for healing, plays throughout the night, acting as a guide and signpost for the soul's journey.
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At Iboga Medicine you will never be alone for the duration of your experience. From the time we circle up through the following day you are being attended and guided by our trained professionals.
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Iboga is different for everyone, but there are some common themes that present during the ceremony. Some but not all experience physical detox, such as throwing up or sweating. Iboga is a powerful bitter and works with your body to cleanse away harmful toxins and blockages. If something comes out, it needed to be out, and in the days following many describe a feeling of internal cleanness and lightness, a body chemistry re-set on the deepest level. These moments of physical healing can clear the body of disease, and we have witnessed profound healing especially with MS, Parkinson's, Fibromyalgia, and other chronic conditions.
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As the visionary effects begin to set in, most of the insights come from within, with eyes closed. This can present as a sort of "screen" or "movie" in the minds eye which often addresses life events, triumphs and traumas we have experienced, and how they have shaped the way we make decisions. Connecting the dots between our early childhood and adolescent experiences, with how we react to situations, how we see ourselves, and our world view. This knowledge empowers us to make change, knowing the truth of ourselves and where our behaviors come from is key to breaking these patterns and moving forward in our lives.
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During the night you will participate in a guided journey with your provider, in which they will help you to receive answers to any questions you have about your life, and also help you to reconnect with your soul and life purpose. The goal of the psycho-spiritual Iboga ceremony is to reconnect with your soul, and rebuild the bond you have with yourself, restoring your sense of presence and gratitude.
The effects of Iboga are strongest during the night and start to
subside as the sun rises.
AFTERCARE
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As the sun rises you will be guided back to your private room where you spend most of the day resting and integrating their experience. The medicine is still very much with you this day and we encourage everyone to take this time and be present with what they are receiving. We will bring you fruit and food and check on you every hour.
Our staff is always available if you would like to talk, and of course everyone is always welcome to join us in the common area. Sensitivity towards our guests is absolutely crucial on this day, everything discussed and experienced should be guided by a Bwiti provider, and we take protecting your peace very seriously. On integration day, the nueroplasticty of your brain is very high, and beginning to template positive self talk and implement the Bwiti tradition is the goal of these fragile, beautiful hours.
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