Men's Journal recently ran a story entitled "The Dark Side of Ayahuasca" that tries to make the point that criminal activities related to "ayahuasca tourism" including robbery, rape and murder are common and on the increase in Peru. You can read the entire article here:
http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/the-dark-side-of-ayahuasca-20130215
While it is true and very unfortunate that Kyle Nolan died at the Shimbre Ayahuasca Center and other travelers to Peru in search of shaman and drinking ayahuasca have been the victims of violent crime including robberies and rape, the incidence of these tragic stories are actually very small in number and with common sense, thorough research and recommendations from trusted individuals can be prevented. One only needs to search for crime statistics on the FBI's website to see that violent crime is more problematic in our own backyard….. http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases-2011-crime-statistics
The author does state correctly that many people are coming to Peru and other countries where the Ayahuasca "brew" is legal in search of the myriad benefits offered by the sacred plant medicine. However, Kelly Hearn unfortunately takes a wrong turn in concluding incorrectly that " what many of them (ayahuasca tourists) find is a nightmare. " The reality is that the overwhelming majority of travelers numbering in the tens of thousands each year find exactly what they are looking for, and that is answers to their personal issues, healing old emotional wounds, cures for their disease and addictions, confronting and overcoming fears, enhanced and broader spiritual beliefs, expansion of their consciousness and improved personal outlook and relationships with others. The medicine works!
Yes, it is true there are charlatans who are willing to take your money and worse, criminals who will do you harm (like back home in the good ole US), but like any travel to remote parts of the world one must properly prepare. Identifying shaman and shamanic centers as well as getting referrals and testimonials is surprisingly easy. Let's face it, since the large interest in drinking ayahuasca began several decades ago there are literally hundreds of thousands of people who can offer valuable information on traveling to ayahuasca centers and shaman and can make recommendations and suggestions to new travelers.
In my own personal experience as a filmmaker with many questions about our societies ills I came to Peru a year and a half ago looking for answers and shaman to interview for my documentary on shamanism, ancient wisdom and sacred plants (The Path of the Sun www.thepathfthesun.com). I spent weeks inquiring about different shaman, their practices and reputation. I talked to people who had first hand experience, both men and women, some of whom came to Peru long ago and have in that time become shaman/ayahuasqueros themselves. Then I went to visit these shaman, I talked to them personally and only when I had a good personal sense that these individuals where credible, real and provided a safe environment I decided to ingest the sacred brew.
Ayahuasca, and other psychedelics, offer much promise in the treatment of illness, disease and addiction. In the US, at Johns Hopkins and NYU, researchers are actively engaged in the study of these substances and are showing promising results. Why the renewed interest? Well, it never went away, but due to ignorance and prejudice and a backlash from the "unguided" "non-shamanic" use of these teacher substances research funds disappeared. That has now changed…….
Changing public opinion is not an easy task. Personally, my goal as a filmmaker is to influence public opinion through balanced information and education and demonstrate to a wider audience in a positive way the useful benefits of ayahuasca. However, irresponsible journalism that sensationalizes an issue like that found in "Dark Side of Ayahuasca" does damage to the larger cause. While not discounting the fact that people can get hurt when they travel a more responsible and beneficial approach would be to advise how one should travel safely, ingest the brew safely and discuss the benefits and reasons behind the travel in the first place.I personally encourage people to continue their travel to Peru and other countries to drink Ayahuasca. However, please, do your research, do not combine ayahuasca with medications and travel safe……
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