Day 1- My Official Introduction To Iboga

This morning started bright and early for me. I had two cups of coffee while writing and reflecting. After checking out, I took a two mile walk around the park and block, then hung out in my hammock until my ride arrived. Matt and his friend Trisha picked me up in Sacramento and Trisha drove us the 1.5 hour drive to our destination. Matt sat in the front seat, and I sat in the rear seat behind Trisha with some luggage and some ceremonial items sitting in the floorboard that were covered with a blanket. I was told what they were and the implication was "dont touch it". Matt was turned in his seat facing me and talked the whole way about the power of Iboga and their stories with the medicine. He spoke of the Spirit of Iboga and how it speaks to him. He referred to the mind as the "house of consciencness ". We first stopped at a gas station. Trisha hopped out, pumped the fuel and paid for the gas, while Matt and I sat in the car in deep conversation about soul hunting and how Iboga works. We drove on to Target and Trader Joe's for food. Trisha shopped, loaded the groceries on the counter, paid for the groceries, loaded them in the cart and pushed the cart to the car while Matt and I followed her standing nearby talking about this omniscient plant medicine that knows exactly what I need to heal. Later that day, Trisha told me that if I was tired of hearing Matt talk, I should just tell him to shut up. We all laughed.

Matt and Christy just recently purchased a class C RV . They had it parked at a campground near the 76 gas station so we headed there to join Christy, their 19 month old son Mason, and Matt's mother Julie. We sat and talked in the RV a bit as they confirmed the go ahead for an early check in.

From there we headed to the Airbnb they rented. It's a beautiful spacious 3 bedroom ranch house in the low mountains, surrounded by large evergreens and a winding creek. There is a large deck on the back of the house, a tree stand, a stone hearth and a wood burning stove. They gave me the master bedroom, because "I'll be needing to be close to the bathroom when I go on my journey. "

They quickly tell me several times over the next hour that this week is all about me and whatever I need or want, I'm supposed to ask for it. I'm not to do anything, just be. I'm here to have nothing to do but reflect. No stress, no work, no agenda. Clear my mind. They asked me what I wanted when they went to the store, I said chocolate cake.

After arriving, I unpacked. I'm going to be here a whole week. I have this huge closet and drawers built into the bathroom. I'm going to use them. Do you know how long it's been since I've had drawers to put my clothes in? 9 months!

After unpacking, I join the group in the living area. Trisha is the cook and she's making turkey sandwiches and salad for lunch. I sit down in the chair. It's about 2 pm. Matt says it time for me to meet Grandfather Iboga. I sat in the chair, tilted my face up, opened my mouth, and Matt dropped about a teaspoon or two of the ground root on my tongue. I chewed it and swished it a bit. I want the full experience, you know. Tasting the herb is part of that experience. What did it taste like? Bitter, dirt-like flavor that wasn't too horrible. The taste bothered me more at 5 and 10 minutes though than it did immediately. By about 30 minutes the taste was gone from my mouth.

They were taking the medicine too and they were getting high on it. I didn't feel that much. I felt more alert, faster mental processing and eventually a little more chatty than normal. That was all I felt. They say that the more you take the medicine, the more it builds in you, and the less you have to take to get high. Supposedly, I took way more than they did but since it's my first time that amount won't affect me much. They call this micro dosing. Dosing in general is not based on weight or a formula. It's based on what Iboga tells Matt to give me.

Trisha grilled a wonderful chicken and vegetable dinner. After dinner, we moved to the living room for a welcome ceremony. They lit a candle. Christy, Trisha and Julie were going to share their stories in that order. Matt brings in a large lit torch made of Akoume wood. It's about 22 inches long and 3-4 inches in diameter and looks like a giant white sage stick. It's made of Akoume wood, tree pitch and pygmy pasteand wrapped in banana leaves. He waves it around the room and around my head. Sparks are falling and Matt is trying to catch them with his other hand or the tops of his feet before they hit the lovely rug below. As he waves it above and all around my head, I'm holding my breath hoping he doesn't catch my hair on fire. The Bwiti music plays softly in the background. The women share their stories, the full herstories of their upbringings, their lives, their deep hurts, abuse, neglect, addictions and failures. Then they share how Iboga transformed them and what their first journey was like. I've been listening to stories all day. I know all the different unique ways that Iboga can work and manifest within me. I think I'm pretty prepared.

So at 10:30 pm, we ate chocolate cake. It was vegan chocolate cake with regular dairy ice cream. I don't really understand that combination at all. I'm wondering if someone is allergic to eggs. Otherwise, i can just assume that Trisha and Julie were really high when they were shopping and it just seemed like a nice idea. Anyway, the cake and ice cream was delicious.

These people are true and special people. I actually had more deep relational conversation today than I can remember in a long time. As Matt says they get to make a living getting high, hanging out with amazing warrior souls, and talking about life all day... and they love it.

Tomorrow is the big day. I'll sleep in because I won't sleep at all tomorrow night. I'll have one cup of coffee and breakfast. Matt and I will discuss my intentions for my sessions. We'll have a late lunch and then rest if I want. The ceremony doesn't start until dark. We're planning to start around 10 pm. They will all be wearing skirts. I can wear whatever is comfortable. Christy is going to do the medicine with me, but she keeps saying that she only wants a little bit of the medicine not the full flood dose. It's funny because they all talk about how wonderful it is, but yet there is a sense of dread for them about going down. They say it is because they knew after gong through it that it was going to be an unpleasant experience. Maybe after I experience it, I'll understand better.

Anyway, tomorrow is now today and as the Bwiti people say, "We only have one prayer, and it is "Thank you for this day".Læs mere