Ayahuasca is a sacred visionary brew that has been used for centuries in healing ceremonies by various indigenous cultures in the Amazon basin. The beverage is a decoction of two key plants, the ayahuasca vine itself, scientifically known asBanisteriopsis caapi, and the vision-inducing, DMT-containing leaves of the chacruna plant, also known as Psychotria viridis. The […]

Presence. Detached and non-judgmental observation of thoughts and emotions. Living in the moment in full awareness. These are some of the fundamental qualities underlying the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness practice has its historical origins in the Buddhist tradition, particularly Vipassana or insight meditation, which was taught by Buddha himself 2500 years ago. It has since […]

Reviewing The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook, Chris Kilham’s backpack guide to the healing powers of the sacred Amazonian plant brew. My first encounter with ayahuasca was through William S. Burroughs. That is to say, several years ago I read The Yage Letters, which was Burroughs’ collected correspondence with poet Allen Ginsberg as he traveled to […]

Drink ayahuasca and you may see yourself being eaten by a crocodile. You may find a miraculous resolution to a crippling sadness. Or, more likely, you’ll land somewhere in between. Regardless, you will definitely throw up. Author and ethnobotanist Chris Kilham says all of these things have happened to him after drinking this psychoactive Amazonian […]

Fantastic recent (October 2014) presentation by Graham Hancock on the history of psychedelics, their demonization in modern society and his perspectives on ayahuasca. Horizons 2014: GRAHAM HANCOCK “Psychedelics and Civilisation, Light and Darkness” from Horizons on Vimeo. “Psychedelics and Civilisation, Light and Darkness” Graham Hancock investigates the possibility that by demonising and criminalising the use […]