Ayahuasca and Spiritual Crisis: Liminality as Space for Personal Growth
Anthropology of Consciousness September 1, 2008 Sara E. Lewis 40 citations
Westerners who use ayahuasca in the Amazon without adequate screening face increased risk of psychological distress, yet many also report profound spiritual experiences. These episodes may be understood as 'spiritual emergencies'—crises triggered by transformative spiritual experiences. Ethnographic data on indigenous shamanic initiation and liminality theory can help make sense of difficult experiences, though romantic comparisons to shamans should be avoided. Culturally sanctioned psychotherapy, especially from therapists trained in spiritual crises, can assist Western users in meaning-making. Three case studies illustrate individuals working through different crises after ayahuasca ceremonies.