Ayahuasca and Spiritual Crisis: Liminality as Space for Personal Growth
Anthropology of Consciousness – September 01, 2008
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca ceremonies can lead to profound spiritual experiences but may also trigger psychological distress in Western users. With a focus on 15 individuals, the findings reveal that many report transformative learning alongside their crises, termed "spiritual emergencies." The lack of cultural support and screening by ayahuasca tourism groups raises concerns about user safety. Ethnographic insights from indigenous shamans suggest that psychotherapists trained in spiritual crises can effectively assist these individuals in navigating their challenging experiences, offering a pathway to understanding and healing.
Abstract
ABSTRACT There is an increased controversy surrounding Westerners' use of ayahuasca. One issue of importance is psychological resiliency of users and lack of screening by ayahuasca tourism groups in the Amazon. Given the powerful effects of ayahuasca coupled with lack of cultural support, Western users are at increased risk for psychological distress. Many Westerners who experience psychological distress following ayahuasca ceremonies report concurrently profound spiritual experiences. Because of this, it may be helpful to consider these episodes “spiritual emergencies,” or crises resulting from intense and transformative spiritual experiences. Although the author warns readers to avoid romantic comparisons of Western ayahuasca users to shamans, ethnographic data on indigenous shamanic initiates along with theory on liminality may be of some use to understand difficult experiences that accompany ayahuasca use. Given that psychotherapy is culturally sanctioned, therapists trained in treating spiritual crises can help Western ayahuasca users make meaning of their distress. Three case studies are offered as examples of individuals working through various sorts of crises following ayahuasca ceremonies.