Sacred Ceremonies
Our Sacred Ceremonies primarily revolve around our sacrament Ayahuasca. These sacred ceremonies take place in a specifically designed space at our Church in Anna, called a Maloka. On occasion, for larger ceremonies, we may rent an additional space. These larger ceremonies take place on designated holidays and are restricted to members who have previously participated in smaller ceremonies. Each sacred ceremony deepens members’ connection to spirit and their inner truth, building on lessons shared during Sunday church services to foster spiritual growth and continuity.
During our Sacred Ceremonies, members embark on a transformative spiritual journey, with Ayahuasca as the central sacrament. The ceremonies, lasting a minimum of six hours, integrate diverse techniques to facilitate profound introspection, surrender, and self-discovery. Participants are guided by dedicated Church staff members who ensure a safe and supportive environment throughout the experience.
The Role of Preparation and Tradition
Integral to the Sacred Ceremonies are our dietary practices, which reflect reverence for the body and spirit. We ask all participants to follow a strict vegan diet in the days leading to and following the ceremony. This dietary preparation aids in cleansing the body, calming the mind, and enhancing receptivity to the subtleties of the experience.
Our ceremonies harmonize the practices of Two Birds Church with the ceremonial traditions of the Shipibo people of South America, who hold a profound spiritual connection to Ayahuasca. One key aspect of these ceremonies is conducting them in complete darkness. This environment eliminates distractions, fostering an intimate and immersive journey inward. The absence of external stimuli allows Ayahuasca to guide participants in revealing the truths within themselves, provided they are open to seeing and embracing them.
Confronting the Shadow and Embracing Responsibility
At Two Birds Church, we believe that healing begins with radical self-responsibility. Ayahuasca, as a heart-opening teacher, invites participants to confront fears, discomfort, and deeply buried aspects of themselves—not as something external to be feared or avoided but as parts of their inner landscape yearning for acknowledgment and integration. By choosing to face these truths directly, rather than attributing them to external entities, energies, or forces, participants reclaim their power and take ownership of their healing journey.
This grounded approach challenges fear-based beliefs and superstitions, offering a path of courage and clarity. It encourages participants to sit with their discomfort, trusting that within these challenging moments lies the potential for liberation and transformation. The ceremonial space is designed to help members see that healing and growth come from within, guided by Ayahuasca’s teachings but ultimately rooted in their own willingness to embrace the process.
The Journey Within
Our ceremonies create a sacred space where participants face suppressed emotions and unexamined patterns often masked by distractions like substances, media, or external blame. In the darkness and silence of the Maloka, these aspects of the self are allowed to surface, be witnessed, and ultimately released. This process helps participants shed patterns of fear and disconnection, grounding them in a deeper truth of interconnectedness and inner wisdom.
Participants are asked to remain within their individual spaces—known as “staying on the mat”—a practice that ensures safety and honors the sanctity of each person’s journey. Each mat becomes a personal sanctuary, free from external disruptions, where participants can fully engage with their introspective voyage.
The Role of Sound and Silence
Music is an integral element of the ceremony, with soundscapes curated to guide participants through their emotional and spiritual landscapes. Drawing inspiration from traditional South American icaros, as well as healing songs from various cultures, we create a deeply resonant experience tailored to the needs of our community. Flutes, singing bowls, chimes, and other instruments are intentionally incorporated to enhance the journey and foster connection, release, and self-discovery.
Equally significant are moments of silence, which provide participants with the opportunity for profound introspection. Silence, like darkness, removes external distractions and allows participants to hear the voice of their inner truth. These quiet moments, while sometimes challenging, are essential for self-discovery and healing, offering space for deep insights to arise.
The rhythm of the ceremony alternates between these periods of silence and the soothing guidance of songs and sounds. This ebb and flow mirrors the cycles of life, gently guiding participants through moments of surrender and renewal. The music and silence together remind us of key spiritual lessons, like the power of forgiveness and the grace of surrender.
Sacred Release and Transformation
Each ceremony centers on the theme of release, which can manifest in various forms—purging, crying, laughter, or stillness. Participants are encouraged to honor these moments as part of their healing, while refraining from unnecessary talking to maintain the sacred environment. By respecting the ceremonial space, participants support both their journey and the journeys of others.
Ayahuasca leads each participant on a deeply personal and introspective journey, fostering connection to the divine and revealing the love and wisdom within. This is not a theoretical understanding but an experiential realization—a direct encounter with the divine essence that resides in us all. By releasing traumas, outdated patterns, and beliefs that no longer serve us, participants open themselves to the boundless love and grace of the divine.
Through this sacred process, Two Birds Church offers a transformative space for healing, self-discovery, and spiritual growth, empowering members to carry these lessons into their daily lives and into the world.