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INTEGRATION

The process of your healing and transformation does not end with the close of ceremony. Aim to consider the lessons you have learnt and the information you have received to see how you might incorporate it into your daily life. Doing so and taking action at an early stage leads to authentic growth and rapid change. This might include maintaining a healthy diet, practicing a still mind, connecting to those who will promote your process, taking time for yourself, and engaging fully with the intentions set for your healing journey. 

 

Integration starts immediately after the first part of the ceremony where we allow sharing of one’s insights with the group and each other. Although each person’s life journey is unique there are often similar healing experiences within a ceremony and in sharing we are able to confirm certain information,  clarify parts of our own ceremony and also gain further insights and learning.

 

There is no doubt that upon your return to your normal life, you will face challenges that test your experience with the medicine. I see this as a period where your Higher Being checks to see if we truly did learn the lessons we were taught, to earn the growth that we’ve gained. We will face opportunities where we are at a crossroads between choosing to act as our old self, or implementing those lessons and maintaining the awareness that allows us to choose differently this time. It is a period where we are asked to commit to our change.​

Place your hands into soil to feel grounded. Wade in water to feel emotionally healed. Fill your lungs with fresh air to feel mentally clear. Raise your face to the heat of the sun and connect with that fire to feel your own immense power

 

Victoria Erickson

Recommendations for Integration

 

We advise that you continue the Dieta for at least three more days following the final part of the ceremony. Other suggestions:

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  • Avoid all red meat, alcohol, dairy and recreational drugs for a further two weeks

  • Spicy food and fizzy drinks for one week.

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For your thoughts and feelings

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Our number one recommendation in this arena is to develop and maintain a meditation practice. This can be a more formal sitting practice, or it can be one that involves simply observing your thoughts without judgement while you are performing a repetitive or mentally calming task – yoga, art, dance, writing, even doing the dishes. Anything which allows you to free your mind from the task at hand and allow the space for your thoughts to come and go without attaching to them. It is important to take time for yourself on a regular basis and reconnect with the still mind, the peace within. If feelings come up during this practice, simply allow yourself to feel them, again without judgement from the mind. Continue to nurture the connection to self in whatever way works best for you – the goal is to find what feels good! And to be kind to oneself.

Laughter, song, and dance create emotional and spiritual connection; they remind us of the one thing that truly matters when we are searching for comfort, celebration, inspiration, or healing: we are not alone.

 

Brené Brown

Ideas for communication

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We know that it can be difficult at times to speak with people in one’s life about your journey. After the vulnerability and openness you experienced during your time in ceremony, occasionally it can seem isolating or intimidating to return home to those who haven’t experienced the medicine and who may not be able to understand what you’ve been through. One approach we recommend in skilfully navigating conversations around the medicine is to ask oneself if the person you are about to share with is ready to hear what you are about to share. Then it is important to share in love, connection, and compassion with those loved ones in your life. Reach out, make a call you have been intending to make for some time, or just remind your mother how much you love her.

 

It may also be helpful to find a community that resonates with you. It can be challenging to come to a healing weekend  and be with a group of like-minded individuals, develop authentic and life-long connections, and be in an environment that is as committed to the healing process as you are, and then return to life back home without this level of support. We  recommend seeking a community of people that you can connect with in whatever way serves your process the best – although Plant Medicine is becoming more and more well-known, if you can’t find a community in this arena, try a similarly mindful group such as yoga or meditation communities, or simply maintaining contact with your ceremony brothers and sisters.

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Suggested actions

 

You’ve learned invaluable lessons from your ceremony – now it’s your chance to act on them. The extra awareness provided by your work with your Higher Being is something to be taken seriously and honoured upon your return back home. Taking small steps to change your old habits and negative patterns will continue to propel you along your healing path. Take care of your body with exercise, healthy food, and adequate sleep. Spending time outside, and in nature, is an excellent way to maintain your connection – whether it’s going for a hike or simply catching the sunset, taking time to feel the air, look at the sky, and dig your toes into the earth will help to keep your balanced, centred and connected in the now.

 

Other actions that you can take to help ground, centre, and reconnect to yourself are:

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  • Salt and lavender oil bath

    • Use 1 lb of Epson salts and 23 drops of lavender oil. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with a shower or a second bath.

  • Legs up the wall

    • Get into 90 degree position with your rear as close to the wall as possible, so your legs extend up and straight. Stay comfortably in this position for 4-8 minutes, and then lay down flat on the ground.

    • Please be mindful to not stand up too quickly after practicing this posture. Folks with chronic hypotension should avoid this exercise.

  • Reviewing your notes

  • Adding new notes (updates) to those earlier writings

  • Yin / Hatha / Kundalini Yoga (Find a good studio that teaches this)

  • Meditation / reflection / observation

  • Qi Gong or any form of breathing / moving meditation practices

  • All breathing exercises and connection to the breath

  • Connection to water, being in it, next to it, drinking it …

  • Listening to soothing / upbeat music. Playing instruments. Singing.

  • Gardening – connection to earth

  • Learning new nutritious food recipes

  • Movement and dance

  • Seeking solitude, quiet and still times

  • Laughter and connecting to friends and loved ones

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