In today’s episode I am joined by my dear friend Akasha Kimeya to discuss the very important topic of the abuse that can happen in ceremonial shamanic spaces when the leaders in theses spaces are out of integrity. Akasha details some of the experiences she had in what some people would call a plant medicine cult. She describes her traumatic first experience sitting with Ayahuasca and the time she spent living in this community. Akasha shares the conflicting feelings of having beautiful experiences of connection with others in the community while also navigating the darkness and the narcissism of the head facilitator that lingered just under the surface.
Akasha gives some tips on how to spot red flags in plant medicine facilitators and how to find a ceremonial space that is safe and held in the highest integrity. We also discuss the dangers that can happen when you put someone on a pedestal that makes you unable to see abuse while it’s happening. We talk about the importance of self awareness in positions of leadership and the ways that the ego can take control when someone is lacking that self awareness.
We also talk about people being attracted to these cult-like spaces due to the lack of connection and community that so many people experience. When you add plant medicine to the mix, these situations can easily get out of hand and being new to the medicine can amplify the potential of abuse when you don’t know what a safe container is supposed to feel like. We also detail the ways that people who have already experienced narcissistic abuse or other traumas are more susceptible to these kinds of situations because there is an aspect that feels familiar.
This is such an important episode and I’m so excited to be sharing it with you all. While the topic today is rather serious and heavy, Akasha and I still find a way to make it fun and even share some laughs throughout the episode.
I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode and if you do it would mean so much if you could leave a review on whatever podcast platform you are listening on.
Blessings Medicine Fam 🪶
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