The journey with Ayahuasca does not begin the night of ceremony—it begins the moment you commit to attend. Many members notice changes as soon as they sign up: emotions stir, old memories rise, habits feel heavier, or relationships come into sharper focus. This early process is known as the pre-purge, and it is as much a part of the medicine as the night itself.
Why the Pre-Purge Happens
Ayahuasca works as a mirror. Even before you drink, the very decision to participate begins to shift awareness. You may notice:
- Emotional surfacing — fear, anxiety, sadness, or sudden bursts of tears.
- Changes in relationships — clarity around dynamics with family, friends, or partners.
- Dietary awareness — sensitivity to food, cravings, or the urge to clean up habits.
- Need for space — craving more quiet time, reflection, or privacy.
- Spiritual noticing — synchronicities or meaningful “patterns” that remind you you’re paying closer attention.
None of this is random. It is part of the preparation—the body, mind, and spirit beginning to make space for deeper work.
How to Approach the Pre-Purge
The pre-purge is not a problem to fix but an invitation to practice honesty. Here are ways to lean in:
- Notice what arises — instead of pushing discomfort away, name it. “I feel restless,” “I feel anxious,” “I’m grieving.” This awareness itself begins the release.
- Breathe through resistance — a few slow breaths into the belly can shift how you meet fear or anxiety.
- Spend time in nature — trees, sky, and silence help ground you and remind you of simplicity.
- Move the body — stretching, yoga, or walking helps emotions surface and flow out.
- Journal — writing clears the mind and helps untangle thoughts.
- Seek healthy support — talking with a trusted friend, counselor, or spiritual peer can help put what arises into perspective.
Remember: whatever is avoided now will likely appear in ceremony. The more you allow yourself to face, the lighter and more open you arrive.
Not About Perfection
Some people worry they aren’t “doing enough” before ceremony. The truth is, Ayahuasca meets you exactly where you are. The pre-purge is not about arriving perfect or “fully cleansed.” It is about showing up honest, willing, and open.
Even if you stumble, even if you resist, even if you carry fear—what matters is your choice to be present. Ceremony will work with what you bring.
Our Approach at Two Birds Church
We see the pre-purge as part of ordeal medicine. It asks you to sit with what is uncomfortable instead of distracting or numbing yourself. By practicing this before ceremony, you strengthen the very skills that will help you in ceremony: patience, courage, honesty, and surrender.
This phase can feel unsettling, but it is also powerful. It is the first step of your healing: choosing to see, choosing to listen, choosing to take responsibility.
✨ The pre-purge is your preparation. Trust the process, lean into what comes, and remember—whether gentle or difficult—Ayahuasca begins teaching the moment you say “yes.”