Unveiling the Truth: Common Misconceptions About Ceremony
Ceremony is a sacred space—one of healing, transformation, and deep connection. It is an ancient practice that goes beyond the physical act of sitting in a circle, drinking a brew, or receiving a medicine. It is an opportunity to step into a space of reverence, to listen deeply, and to surrender to the wisdom of something greater than ourselves. Whether it’s a Velada, Ayahuasca, Kambo, Rapéh, Sananga, Cacao, San Pedro, or Changa ceremony, each carries its own unique spirit, intention, and purpose.
These traditions are not new; they have been practiced for generations by those who honor the plants and the teachings they bring. Each medicine has its own way of working, and the experience is never just about the substance—it is about the connection it fosters within and around us. Some ceremonies invite deep introspection, others clear stagnant energies, and some open the heart to love and connection. But all, when approached with respect, offer a chance to realign with the truth of who we are.
However, because of the growing interest in these sacred traditions, many misunderstand what these ceremonies truly offer. Some enter with the expectation of instant enlightenment, while others may feel fear based on misconceptions or misinformation. The truth is, ceremony is neither a shortcut nor a guarantee of bliss—it is a process, a relationship, and a practice of trust. To truly receive what these experiences have to offer, we must come with an open heart, free of rigid expectations, and with deep respect for the lineage and wisdom behind them.
Let’s take a moment to explore and clarify some of the most common misconceptions about ceremony, so that we may step into these spaces with humility, awareness, and a true understanding of their sacred purpose.
Misconception #1: Ceremony Is a Quick Fix
One of the biggest misunderstandings is that a single ceremony will instantly resolve all struggles or provide immediate enlightenment. While deep insights and healing can arise, true transformation unfolds over time. Ceremony is not about escaping life’s difficulties but rather about learning how to walk with them differently.
Healing is a journey, not a destination. The lessons and clarity that emerge in ceremony are like seeds planted in fertile soil—they require patience, care, and conscious integration to grow. Some shifts may be felt immediately, while others reveal themselves slowly in the way we think, act, and respond to life’s challenges. True change happens not in a single night but in how we carry the experience forward with awareness and intention.
Misconception #2: It’s Just About the Medicine
The plants, brews, and tools used in these ceremonies are powerful, but they are not the experience itself—they are guides. The real journey is within. Ceremony is about intention, presence, and surrendering to the process. The medicine may open doors, but it is up to each person to step through with courage and awareness.
What unfolds during a ceremony is not solely the work of the medicine—it is the meeting of spirit, intention, and the willingness to listen deeply. The real transformation does not come from the substance alone but from the relationship we cultivate with ourselves in the process. The insights we receive are only as valuable as the way we choose to honor and apply them in our daily lives.
Misconception #3: Every Experience Must Be Blissful
Many enter ceremony expecting only visions of beauty, euphoria, or cosmic revelations. While moments of deep love and connection are possible, ceremonies can also bring discomfort, shadow work, and emotional release. Growth often comes through facing what has been hidden, not just through moments of light.
Just as nature moves through cycles of day and night, so too does healing. Not every experience will be filled with peace and clarity—sometimes, it asks us to face the parts of ourselves we have avoided. This is not a sign of failure but an invitation to grow. The most profound healing often comes from sitting with discomfort, allowing it to be seen, and meeting it with compassion rather than resistance.
Misconception #4: The Facilitator or Shaman Holds All the Power
While experienced facilitators create a safe and sacred container, they do not "fix" or "heal" anyone. They hold space and guide, but the true work happens within each participant. Healing is not something given; it is something awakened from within.
The role of a facilitator is not to control the experience but to support and protect the sacred process. True power lies in each individual’s willingness to surrender, trust, and do the work required to integrate what is revealed. No one outside of us holds the key to our healing—it is a path we must choose to walk ourselves, with guidance but never dependency.
Misconception #5: Ceremony Ends When the Night Is Over
The hours spent in ceremony are only part of the journey. True integration happens in the days, weeks, and months that follow. Reflection, daily practice, and honoring the insights received allow the experience to take root in everyday life. Without integration, even the most profound ceremonies can become fleeting moments rather than lasting transformations.
The real question is not just what happens during the ceremony, but how we embody its wisdom in our relationships, choices, and daily practices. Integration may look different for everyone—some may find healing through journaling, meditation, or nature, while others may be called to shift old habits or patterns. What matters most is allowing the experience to inform our lives in a meaningful and intentional way.
Misconception #6: Ceremonies Are Just Another Psychedelic Experience
Some see these sacred traditions as just another way to "trip" or chase altered states. But these ceremonies are not about entertainment or escape—they are ancient, intentional, and deeply rooted in respect for the plants, spirits, and wisdom they carry. Approaching them without reverence misses the depth of their purpose.
To walk this path is to enter into a sacred relationship with the medicine, the lineage from which it comes, and the wisdom it carries. These traditions are not recreational but ceremonial, designed to heal, teach, and reconnect us with something greater than ourselves. When approached with respect and sincerity, they offer far more than just an experience—they offer transformation, understanding, and a deeper connection to the mystery of life itself.
Misconception #7: Everyone’s Journey Will Look the Same
Each person’s experience is unique. While some may have vivid visions, others may feel more grounded, experience emotional purging, or simply find a deep sense of peace. There is no "right" way to receive what ceremony offers—each path is personal and perfect as it is.
Comparing experiences can create unnecessary doubt or pressure. The medicine gives us what we need, not necessarily what we expect. For some, healing comes through deep introspection, while for others, it is found in silence or subtle shifts in awareness. Trusting the wisdom of the experience—no matter how it unfolds—allows each person to receive the gifts that are meant for them in their own perfect timing.
Honoring the True Purpose of Ceremony
At its core, ceremony is about connection—to oneself, to the earth, to spirit, and to something greater than the individual. It is a remembering, a returning, and a space of deep reverence. It is an invitation to step beyond the noise of daily life and into a place where truth reveals itself, not through force, but through surrender.
Ceremony is not just about healing the wounds we carry, but about recognizing the wisdom that has always been within us. It is a space where we are held, not just by the facilitators or the medicine, but by the unseen forces that guide our path—our ancestors, the spirit of the plants, and the deep intelligence of nature itself.
By approaching ceremony with humility, we acknowledge that we do not come to demand answers but to listen. With respect, we honor the traditions, the facilitators, and the sacred medicines that have been used for generations. With openness, we allow ourselves to receive not just what we want, but what we need.
The true gifts of ceremony do not end when the night is over. They continue to unfold in the way we move through life, in how we nurture our relationships, in the love and presence we bring to each moment. Ceremony teaches us that healing is not a destination but a way of being—one that calls us to walk in harmony with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.
By carrying the wisdom of ceremony forward, we honor not only our own journey but the greater web of life to which we all belong.