Relational Processes in Ayahuasca Groups of Palestinians and Israelis.
Frontiers in pharmacology January 1, 2021 Leor Roseman, Yiftach Ron, Antwan Saca et al. 39 citations
Ayahuasca ceremonies involving Palestinians and Israelis can foster peacebuilding through intersubjective and intercultural relational processes. Analysis of 31 in-depth interviews identified three types of shared experiences: unity-based connection, where participants felt a sense of shared humanity that dissolved national and religious identities; recognition and difference-based connection, where awe and reverence arose from encountering the other culture's music or prayers; and conflict-related revelations, where personal or historical traumatic elements of the conflict emerged in visions triggered by the presence of the other. These findings suggest that psychedelic ceremonies may contribute to peacebuilding not only by dissolving identities but also by enabling shared spiritual experiences and revealing links between personal psychological states and the broader sociopolitical context.