Soma might call to you.
She might not.
If she calls to you, listen and heed the call. No one is invited to ingest Soma – you take part in the sacrament of your own accord, taking responsibility for your own self.
Soma is our Mother. Her mycelia cover the earth. When you partake in a Soma ceremony, you are in direct communion with the sacred Mother mushroom. Soma: the spirit of the sacred Mother mushroom. (Soma refers to a blend of mushrooms).
I am there as your watcher and doula. I walk the journey with you, in ceremony with you. I promise to remain present for you for the entire duration of your journey, engaging my senses, my intuition, my knowledge and experience to support you in every way that I can. I am respectful of your process and allow you to experience the fullness of your process, whether that is feeling the grief you have avoided for a very long time, or allowing for joy to bubble up and over into uncontrollable laughter. I will not jump in to rescue you, or interrupt your process, but rather, trust that you will ask for help when you need it, respecting your ability to process what must arise.
As a doula, I have been present for almost 500 women as they prepared to meet their babies in the altered state of labour. I am present for them in their pain, in the joy, in their sadness, drawing on my own spiritual resources and practical learnings to support in any way that I am able to.
I am in tune and attune to the journeyer and work intuitively and with integrity. I will walk with you as you rebirth yourself through your Soma Journey.
Ingesting Soma for entering into an altered state of awareness is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures around the world. In recent years, the use of Soma for therapeutic purposes has become more popular in Western societies.
Preparing for your Soma Journey
Initial Meet: (1 hour)
We meet up in person to discuss a bit more about why you would like to go into this experience. Once you have decided to go ahead with me, you will receive adequate, frequent preparation techniques and information to help you ready yourself for the journey. These are disseminated through whatsapp messages leading up to the journey. The channel of communication is opened and personalised and you may chat to me anytime on whatsapp about your preparation for the ceremony.
Pre-Journey Meet: (2 hours)
Discussion of the secondary form you will fill out (pre this meeting), in more depth. We go deeper into discussion, experience an exercise of “Soma art or poetry” and/or a fear release visualisation using hypnotherapy. This forms part of your intention setting and preparation for the journey day.
Your Soma Ceremony
Soma Journey:(About 6 hours)
These usually take place during the day, from arrival at about 10am until later afternoon (It can also be a planned evening journey if you prefer). We conclude with a warm wholesome soup and bread, fruit and tea (Food preferences to be discussed).
After your session, you will also be given a number of a psychotherapist that you can contact, should the need for therapy arise after your journey – or should you want to connect with her before your journey for a particular reason. We will also continue our communication via whatsapp and I am available to chat anytime. We will also meet for our debriefing session and can set up more visits if needed.
Debrief & Integration
Debrief & Integration Meet: (2 hours)
We will meet and debrief your journey experience and look at your initial intentions and how they were addressed in the ceremony. We also look at ways in which you can continue to integrate the experience into your life, so that the lessons remain long after the journeymaking the intangible, tangible. We can also discuss a second meet if you would like that. Contacts shared for further integration sessions with a psychotherapist.
A Holistic Model for a Balanced Life by Francoise Bourzat (author of Consciousness Medicine)
Francoise Bourzat, a leading voice in the field of psychedelic therapy, has developed a Holistic Model for a Balanced Life that can be used to guide individuals seeking to set intentions for a Soma journey. I work with this model in helping journeyers ascertain their intention for this life changing journey they are preparing for. This model can also help individuals to answer the question Why? Why am I embarking on a Soma Journey?
The Holistic Model for a Balanced Life consists of four interconnected areas: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. By examining these areas and assessing one’s current state in each, an individual can identify areas for growth and set clear intentions for their Soma journey.
In the physical realm, individuals are encouraged to consider questions such as, “What is my current level of physical health? Am I experiencing any physical pain or discomfort? What practices support my physical well-being?”
In the emotional realm, individuals might ask, “What emotions do I tend to suppress or avoid? What emotions do I feel comfortable expressing? Are there any emotional wounds that I need to heal?”
In the mental realm, individuals are encouraged to examine their thought patterns and beliefs, asking questions such as, “What beliefs do I hold about myself and the world? Are these beliefs limiting me in any way? What mental habits do I have that may be contributing to my current state of being?”
In the spiritual realm, individuals may consider questions such as, “Do I feel a sense of connection to something greater than myself? What practices or experiences help me feel connected to the divine or the universe? What is my purpose or mission in life?”
By examining these four areas and assessing their current state in each, an individual can identify areas for growth and set clear intentions for their Soma journey. For example, someone who struggles with anxiety may set an intention to explore the root causes of their anxiety and develop new coping mechanisms. Alternatively, someone seeking a deeper connection to the divine may set an intention to explore their spirituality and sense of purpose.
Overall, the Holistic Model for a Balanced Life provides a framework for individuals to examine their lives and identify areas for growth, which can help them form clear intentions for a Soma journey. By setting intentions in this way, individuals can increase the likelihood of having a transformative and healing experience.
Preparation Phase:
a. Intention Setting: Set an intention for your journey. This intention should be a clear and concise statement of what you hope to achieve from the journey. This intention can be anything from spiritual growth, personal healing, or a desire to gain insight into a particular issue or question.
b. Psychological Preparation: It’s essential to prepare yourself mentally for a Soma journey. You should be in a calm, relaxed state of mind, and avoid stressful or emotionally charged situations before your journey. It can be helpful to meditate or engage in other calming activities like yoga or breathing exercises before the journey.
c. Environmental Preparation: Choose a safe and comfortable environment for your journey. This environment should be free of distractions and should allow you to feel safe and secure. Ideally, the space should be dimly lit, with comfortable seating, blankets, pillows, and water nearby.
d. Dietary Preparation: You should avoid consuming alcohol or other drugs, including caffeine and nicotine, in the days leading up to your journey. Additionally, it’s recommended to follow a simple and healthy diet in the days leading up to your journey. Some people find it helpful to fast before the journey. I encourage this too.
Soma Journey:
a. Set and Setting: The set and setting of your Soma journey are critical to your experience. I ensure that you’re in a safe and comfortable environment. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in a positive and relaxed state of mind.
b. Journey Experience: The experience of a Soma journey can vary greatly from person to person. It’s essential to surrender to the experience and allow the Soma to guide you. Repeat to yourself: I am willing. I am willing. I am willing to see…
During the journey, you may experience intense emotions, vivid visuals, and altered states of consciousness.
c. Safety: It’s important to have a doula, guide or watcher present during your journey. They should be someone you trust and feel comfortable with, and who has experience with psychedelics. My role as a Soma Doula is to ensure your safety, provide support, and help you navigate any challenging experiences that may arise. I have a referral for a psychologist before and after the Soma Journey.
Integration Phase:
a. Reflection: After the journey, take some time to reflect on your experience. This can be done through journaling, meditation, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist. I will always be available to discuss your experience – indeed it is part of the process I offer for integration. Reflecting on your experience can help you gain insights and integrate the lessons learned from the journey into your daily life.
b. Self-Care: It’s essential to take care of yourself after a Soma journey. This may include getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in self-care practices like yoga or meditation.
c. Integration Practices: It’s recommended to integrate the lessons learned from the journey into your daily life. This can be done through practices like mindfulness, meditation, or therapy. Additionally, you may find it helpful to connect with others who have had similar experiences or participate in group integration sessions.
There are several methods of integration that one can use to help incorporate the insights gained during the journey into daily life. These methods include:
- Journaling: Journaling is a powerful tool for processing and integrating the experiences gained during a Soma journey. Writing down thoughts, feelings, and insights can help solidify the lessons learned and make them easier to recall in the future. Regular journaling can also provide a useful record of progress and personal growth over time.
- Meditation: Meditation is an excellent way to integrate the insights gained during a Soma journey. It allows you to quiet the mind and reflect on your experiences without distraction. Regular meditation can help to deepen your understanding of the insights gained during the journey and promote a sense of inner peace and clarity.
- Artistic Expression: Artistic expression is a powerful tool for integrating the insights gained during a Soma journey. Painting, drawing, sculpting, or any other creative endeavor can help to process the emotions and experiences of the journey in a visual and tangible way. Artistic expression can also provide a powerful means of self-expression and personal growth. Creating something tangible to look back on can serve as a powerful reminder of all the learnings gained from your Soma Journey.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a practice that involves being present in the moment and fully aware of your thoughts and feelings. It can be an effective method for integrating the insights gained during a Soma journey into everyday life. Practicing mindfulness can help you to stay focused on the present moment, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of calm and clarity.
- Therapy: Therapy can be an excellent way to integrate the insights gained during a Soma journey. A trained therapist can help you to process the experiences of the journey and provide guidance on how to incorporate the insights gained into your daily life. Therapy can also provide a safe and supportive environment for exploring the emotions and insights that may have arisen during the journey.
- Community Support: Connecting with others who have had similar experiences can be a valuable way to integrate the insights gained during a Soma journey. Community support can provide a sense of belonging and validation and help to reinforce the lessons learned during the journey.
During the journey, surrender to the experience and allow the Soma to guide you. After the journey, take time to reflect on your experience and integrate the lessons learned into your daily life through self-care practices and integration practices like therapy or mindfulness. It’s important to approach Soma with respect and reverence, and to remember that they can have profound effects on the mind and body. With proper preparation, guidance, and integration, a Soma journey can be a transformative and healing experience.
More details will be provided upon booking with me.
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