Podcast Summary
Ayahuasca: A Catalyst for Personal Growth and Transformation: Melissa Stengel's inspiring journey from corporate career to working with plant medicines and holistic health, and how Ayahuasca acts as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
The power of plant medicines, specifically Ayahuasca, can significantly alter people's lives, acting as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. Melissa Stengel, a guest on the Illuminated podcast, shared her inspiring journey of leaving her corporate career to work with plant medicines and holistic health. She discovered Ayahuasca through Reddit and was drawn to its healing potential. Melissa's experiences led her to become an integral part of the Soltara Healing Center in Costa Rica, where she uses her technical and managerial skills to bridge the gap between the western world and the transformative power of plant medicines. Ayahuasca, as Melissa described, can create a distinct "before and after" in people's lives, and its benefits extend beyond the realms of traditional medicine. The illuminated community continues to grow, and listeners are encouraged to stay connected through the website and newsletter. Additionally, the podcast is supported by partners like Athletic Greens, a clean, liquid vitamin supplement that aligns with the community's values of healing and holistic health.
Following intuition and taking risks can lead to life-changing experiences: Trusting your intuition and taking calculated risks can lead to unexpected and profound personal growth.
Following your intuition and taking risks can lead to life-changing experiences. The speaker shares a story about how she met someone online and felt an intuitive pull to join him on a journey to Peru for an Ayahuasca ceremony. Despite initial skepticism from her partner, she trusted her gut and went, leading to a heart-opening experience and the start of a new chapter in her life. This serendipitous encounter also had a positive impact on the person she met, leading him to start a tour company and eventually build a center in the Amazon. The speaker had some experience with psychedelics before, primarily through cannabis use. This experience served as a gateway to deeper exploration and ultimately led her to a transformative moment in her life. Trusting your intuition and taking calculated risks can lead to unexpected and profound personal growth.
Profound spiritual awakenings and healing through psychedelic experiences: Psychedelics can lead to spiritual growth and healing, challenging deeply held beliefs and opening new perspectives. Despite stigma and fear, personal growth and a deeper understanding of self-love can result.
Psychedelic experiences, such as those with cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, and Ayahuasca, can lead to profound spiritual awakenings and healing, even for those with a skeptical or atheistic background. These experiences can challenge deeply held beliefs and open up new perspectives on reality and the self. However, the stigma surrounding psychedelics and the fear of losing control can make it difficult for some people to accept or explore these substances, despite their potential benefits. For those who do embark on such a journey, it can lead to a deeper understanding of self-love and a desire to be a channel for love and healing to the collective. In the speaker's case, these experiences were catalysts for personal growth and a sense of purpose beyond her business. Additionally, having supportive family members was crucial in her ability to pursue this journey.
Unexpected experiences can lead to personal growth: Personal growth can come from unexpected places like Ayahuasca ceremonies, but it's unique and unpredictable, depending on individual's perspective and experiences.
Personal growth and transformation can come from unexpected experiences and places. The speaker shares how she felt stuck in her life, with a toxic work environment and a stagnant relationship, leading her to consider moving away. However, instead of finding solace in a new location, she discovered the profound impact of Ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru. Through these experiences, she gained self-awareness, recognized her patterns of self-deception, and formed a deeper connection with her ex-partner. The speaker emphasizes that the transformative effects of such experiences are unique and unpredictable, depending on what one brings to the table. It's important to remember that personal growth is not a linear process and can come from the most unexpected places.
Ayahuasca: A lifelong journey of transformation and self-discovery: Ayahuasca is a transformative experience that affects the mind-body connection, reveals innate intelligence, and can impact future generations through gene expression.
The experience of Ayahuasca is a transformative journey that goes beyond the week spent at the retreat. It's a lifelong process of integration and self-discovery. Ayahuasca acts on the psychoneuroendocrine immunologic network, affecting the mind-body connection for deep physiological healing. The visions or hallucinations are reflections of one's innate intelligence and DNA. Once you embark on this journey, it feels aligned and easier to move forward, even if it involves significant changes in life. The answers and healing are within, and Ayahuasca serves as a powerful mirror to help you see them. It's a profound experience that can lead to rewriting the way your genes are expressed, potentially impacting future generations.
Healing intergenerational traumas with plant medicine: Plant medicine practices like Ayahuasca can provide unique healing for deep traumas, influencing future generations through epigenetics. Western medicine could benefit from incorporating these holistic practices and emphasizing integration for long-term healing.
Traditional plant medicine practices, like Ayahuasca, can provide powerful healing for intergenerational traumas that may not be fully addressed through Western medical approaches. Epigenetics show that these traumas can be passed down, but with plant medicine experiences, individuals can heal and influence future generations. The Western medical model could benefit from incorporating these holistic practices into their approach. The integration work following these experiences is crucial for long-term healing and should be emphasized. As a survivor of breast cancer, the speaker believes in the balance between Western and Eastern medicine, but acknowledges the unique role of plant medicine in addressing deep traumas. The integration process can be challenging but rewarding, with long-lasting effects. Soltara, a retreat center focused on Ayahuasca experiences, emphasizes the importance of integration and offers support for individuals in their healing journey.
Understanding the importance of our bodies in overall wellbeing and healing: Trauma affects both mind and body, leading to disconnection and potential health issues. By becoming more embodied, we can address root causes and live more fulfilling lives.
Our physical bodies play a crucial role in our overall wellbeing and healing process, often being overlooked in favor of mental and cognitive approaches. Trauma, for instance, affects not only our minds but also our bodies, leading to incomplete stress response cycles and compounded trauma. This disconnection from our bodies is reflected in society's collective lack of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Ignoring the body's signals can result in injuries and diseases. By becoming more embodied and attuned to our bodies, we can better understand and address the root causes of our health issues and live more aligned, fulfilling lives.
Listen to your body and set boundaries: Recognize signs of burnout, prioritize self-care, and heed your body's wisdom to live a sustainable and healthy life
It's essential to listen to your body and set boundaries to prevent overworking. The speaker shares her personal journey of working too much, leading to burnout, and the importance of self-care and letting go. She emphasizes the need to prioritize self-care, such as morning routines, and learn to be grateful for the body's wisdom instead of being angry with it. Overworking not only affects physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. It's crucial to recognize the signs of burnout and take action before it's too late. The body is wise, and its messages should be heeded to live a more sustainable and healthy life.
Separating mind and body for effective healing: Practice somatics to separate mind and body, allowing emotions to be felt without judgment and enabling the body to release and heal. Prepare for Ayahuasca ceremonies with a dieta to connect more easily with the medicine.
Our minds have a tendency to attach meaning to emotions and body sensations, often leading to unnecessary stress and hindering the natural healing process. Somatics practice, such as purging through movement or ceremony, can help separate the mind and body, allowing emotions to be felt without judgment and enabling the body to release and heal. The dieta, a preparation period before Ayahuasca ceremonies, is not about deprivation but rather allowing the body to connect more easily with the medicine by removing distractions like alcohol, sugar, and processed foods. By practicing mindfulness and allowing emotions to be felt without attaching excessive meaning, and by preparing the body through a dieta, we can facilitate a deeper and more effective healing experience.
Supporting the body and spirit through diet and plant medicines: Eating gently and avoiding dense foods supports body's openness to receive medicine. Confronting hidden issues and addictions through diet and plant medicines can lead to healing.
The diet and plant medicines used in healing practices are not about deprivation or limitation, but rather about tending to one's spirit and body in a gentle and neutral way. Certain foods, such as red meat, pork, highly fermented foods, highly spiced foods, and overly ripe foods, can be dense and difficult for the body to process, making it important to eat in a way that supports the body's openness to receive medicine. For some individuals, following this type of diet can also bring up hidden issues or addictions, allowing them to confront and work through these challenges. Additionally, the use of substances like cannabis can be a crutch, and developing a ritualistic and reverent approach to their use can help individuals understand their relationship with these substances and use them in a more mindful and medicinal way. The growing recognition of cannabis and other plant medicines as legitimate forms of therapy is leading to the development of new institutions and practices that support their use as tools for healing and self-regulation.
Expanding the psychedelic movement with respect and science: Soltara bridges traditional use and modern science, respects indigenous roots, and fosters a more inclusive approach to psychedelics through collaborations and research.
The current psychedelic movement is different from the past, focusing more on the medicinal value and traditional use of these substances, rather than cavalier experimentation. Soltara, a company in this field, emphasizes maintaining connections to the indigenous roots and respecting the spiritual significance of these plants. They also bridge the gap between tradition and science by working with healers, psychotherapists, and supporting research institutions. Their efforts include supporting indigenous voices, studying the effects of Ayahuasca on gratitude and connectedness to nature, and working with veterans. Overall, the psychedelic movement is expanding, and Soltara aims to contribute by fostering a more inclusive, respectful, and scientifically grounded approach.
Prioritizing Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Giving Back in the Psychedelic Healing Community: Support underrepresented communities and the Amazon rainforest by prioritizing accessibility, inclusivity, and giving back in the psychedelic healing community. Acknowledge historical context and make conscious efforts to avoid repeating past mistakes. Normalize the conversation around trauma and reduce shame to improve health outcomes.
It's crucial for individuals and organizations in the psychedelic healing community to prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, and giving back, especially to underrepresented communities and the Amazon rainforest. The conversation around trauma and healing is becoming more mainstream, but it's essential to remember that most people have experienced some form of trauma. Organizations like Jesse Gould's for veterans and trauma groups are making a significant impact by providing free access to psychedelic therapy. However, it's important to acknowledge the historical context of colonization and exploitation in the psychedelic space and make conscious efforts to avoid repeating those mistakes. Additionally, supporting indigenous communities in the Amazon, who are the best protectors of the rainforest, is a crucial aspect of giving back. Normalizing the conversation around trauma and reducing the shame associated with carrying the burden of trauma can lead to better mental and physical health outcomes.
Exploring Healing Through Ayahuasca: A Transformative Journey: Untreated trauma can be harmful, but Ayahuasca can offer transformative experiences with proper preparation and a safe environment.
Untreated trauma can be dangerous and stressful on the system, potentially leading to brain injuries if left unresolved. However, there are various modalities and ways to explore healing, such as Ayahuasca, which can provide transformative experiences if approached safely and responsibly. It's essential to ask the right questions and ensure a safe and professional environment before embarking on such a journey. The experience of Ayahuasca can be life-changing, leading to personal growth and expansion, much like an orchid growing out of a tree's branch, seemingly impossible but beautiful and possible. The journey may involve facing deeply rooted beliefs and patterns, but with the right support and intention, healing and transformation are possible.
Embracing Abundance and Self-Love for Personal Growth: Embracing abundance goes beyond material possessions, it's about self-alignment, nurturing inner child, and holding space for self and others. Radical self-love is crucial for this journey, leading to increased energy, inspiration, and fulfilling life. Skills to hold space can be learned for ongoing self-compassion and growth.
Embracing the concept of abundance can lead to personal growth and collective alignment. Abundance goes beyond just having material possessions; it's about being in alignment with oneself and others, which can lead to increased energy, inspiration, and passion. Radical self-love is also crucial for this journey, as it allows individuals to hold space for themselves and others while nurturing their inner child. This process of self-discovery and self-love can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Additionally, holding space for women and their unique needs is essential, as they often carry a chronic low level of stress and require support. The skills to hold space for oneself and others can be learned, and the integration of these practices can lead to ongoing self-compassion and personal growth.
Releasing Harmful Narratives: Recognize and validate past experiences, but also be open to letting go of old narratives that no longer serve us. Practice daily grief work to fully feel and process emotions, including sadness, and apologize to ourselves for past hurt.
Our past experiences and narratives, even if they served us well in the short term, can become harmful if not acknowledged and released. The speaker shared how she had carried a narrative of self-disappointment from her teenage years, which pushed her to work harder but eventually manifested in negative ways. During a ceremony, she was able to recognize this narrative as a tool that no longer served her and let go of it, leading to a profound sense of release and lightness. It's important to recognize and validate our past experiences, but also to be open to letting go of the ones that no longer serve us. Another practice that can help with this inner child work is a daily grief practice, allowing ourselves to fully feel and process our emotions, including sadness, and apologize to ourselves for any past hurt or unmet needs. It's essential to normalize and validate these emotions, as feeling sad is a natural part of being human. Overall, the journey of self-discovery and healing is a continuous one, and it's important to be gentle and compassionate with ourselves along the way.
Melissa's Gratitude for Her Supportive Team: Melissa's personal growth and healing journey with plant medicine was significantly influenced by the support of her team at Soltara Healing Center. She encourages those considering plant medicine to explore their traumas and seek healing, and highly recommends Soltara.
The success and personal growth experienced during Melissa's journey with plant medicine at Soltara Healing Center was largely due to the support of her incredible team. She expressed gratitude for crossing paths with them and admitted that she was glad she didn't know what she was getting into before starting the journey. Melissa shared that she ran on inspiration for a long time and then mixed it with hard experience, which led her to be more committed to the process. For those considering plant medicine, Melissa highly recommends Soltara Healing Center and encourages people to explore their traumas and seek healing. She acknowledges that psychedelics may not be for everyone, but for those they are, she wishes them good luck. Overall, Melissa's experience emphasizes the importance of community and support in personal growth and healing. If you're interested in learning more or connecting with Melissa, be sure to hit subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a friend. In the show notes, you'll find links to connect with Melissa and receive discounts on certain services.
