Ayahuasca Reading List: Essential Books to Prepare for Your first Retreat
If you’re gearing up for an Ayahuasca retreat at LaWayra, or simply curious about this transformative South American brew, diving into some essential readings can enhance your understanding and make your experience all the more profound.
I prepared a reading list for you and I will separate it in 2 parts. Books I have read and books I am planning to read.
None of those books are mandatory to have read before your first ceremony, but reading some might allow you to be better versed in psychedelic lingo and history.
Books I have personally read and recommend you to read too.
- It Didn’t Start with You by Mark Wolynn – is an amazing guide to understanding how trauma you might be carrying could be intergenerational. And Ayahuasca is great at resolving issues like that.
- The Power of now by Echarte Tolle is an amazing manual on mindfulness which will help you greatly in accepting what Ayahuasca is giving you and not what you want Ayahuasca to give you.
- The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
A very entertaining book and the only one in the list that is fiction. However it describes very well a reality full of synchronicities which Ayahuasca unlocks. It is a spiritual adventure book.
- In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté. Exploration of addiction and how it is driven by Trauma. Very useful for anyone coming to Ayahuasca with an intention to get rid of addiction. Even though Gabor does not speak about Ayahuasca in this book he is an avid fan of the medicine.
- Consciousness Medicine by Françoise Bourzat
An overview of indigenous wisdom, entheogenic healing, and expanded states of consciousness. - Road to Eleusis by R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann, and Carl A.P. Ruck
A dive into the Eleusinian Mysteries and the possible use of hallucinogens in ancient Greek rituals. Makes you ask some very important questions about connection between spirituality, religion and psychedelics
- The Harvard Psychedelic Club by Don Lattin. Fun book on recent history of psychedelic especially LSD and the psychedelic movement in the 1960s.
- Running on Empty by Jonice Webb
– Unveils the effects of childhood emotional neglect and provides strategies for healing. - The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley. One of the first books on psychedelics. A true classic. By one of the most influential writers of the era Huxley’s experiences under the influence of mescaline, exploring human consciousness.
- How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan – Investigation on the medical and scientific revolution around psychedelic drugs and their impact on consciousness.
- Psychedelics and Psychotherapy by Tim Read An exploration into the use of psychedelics in therapeutic settings.
- The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk – Highlights how trauma affects the body and brain, presenting new paths for recovery.
Books I have not personally read but that are on my to read list:
- The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge” by Jeremy Narby – A deep exploration of Ayahuasca’s ancient traditions and its mysterious connection to DNA and indigenous knowledge.
- One River: Explorations and Discoveries in the Amazon Rain Forest” by Wade David – A journey through the Amazon, delving into the traditions, plants, and cultures that cherish Ayahuasca.
- Singing to the Plants: A Guide to Mestizo Shamanism in the Upper Amazon” by Stephan Beyer – This book offers an in-depth look at the relationship between healers, spirits, and the plants used in Ayahuasca ceremonies.
- The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook: The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying” by Chris Kilham – A practical guide providing firsthand accounts, insights, and tips for those looking to embark on the Ayahuasca journey.
- Ayahuasca: Soul Medicine of the Amazon Jungle by Javier Regueiro – A personal account that discusses the transformative powers of Ayahuasca and its potential for healing and spiritual growth.
- The Fellowship of the River: A Medical Doctor’s Exploration into Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine by Dr. Joe Tafur MD. A unique blend of modern medicine and traditional Ayahuasca practices, exploring the deep connection between mind, body, and spirit.
Delving into these books will provide you with a more profound understanding and appreciation of the Ayahuasca experience. And remember, while knowledge is valuable, Ayahuasca’s true essence is often felt deeply within, beyond the pages of a book.
For a closer look into the journeys of those who’ve chosen the path of Ayahuasca at LaWayra, take a moment to read our Google reviews or view video testimonials on our Instagram.
Ready to immerse yourself in the experience? Book your retreat here.
