Set and Setting for natural psychedelic medicines with Dr. Velázquez.

The question of Set and Setting needs to be clearly described, as this has been stated as one of the most important determinant factors of safety and efficacy during rituals with ancestral sacred medicinal substances, including the short- and long-term outcome from such experiences.

A scientific article could be written about this. Let me know if you wish to participate.

In plain popular lay terms, the set & setting are as follows:

Set: The participants’ intentions that should be sought, discussed, and even prepare to accomplish during the preparation and integration periods. Under Dr. Velázquez’s methodology the set or intention can start to be understood and cultivated as back as one month before the first ceremony.

A comprehensive set of intentions include considerations around the Three Worlds temporal dimensions, and the Four Seasons, four bodies or four functional networks. If you have not taken this theory in detail, Dr. Velazquez will provide you with a nutshell, so you can dive deeply in your intentions, and prime your mind to receive the most teachings and changes possible through the use of this powerfully healing and transformational natural psychedelic substances.

Setting: Refers to the environment in which the rituals and ceremonies take place and includes displays, visual input, sounds, and everything that can stimulate your perceptions and influence your nervous system and body during the rituals and ceremonies. Now, Imagine, connect, feel all your senses; eyes, hearing, smell, taste, tactile.

In most cases where Dr. Velazquez acts as a ceremony guide, the setting consists in nature and natural spaces, where participants are directly in touch with the healing elements of the natural environment and its forces. Especially the Earth, Wind, the Sun, Moon, Stars, and the various animals. Whenever possible, we connect with the Water before, during or after the ceremony, depending on the medicine and dose used. Rivers and oceans are available in Brazil. In Colorado, the water element is most present when it rains.

The guide also has a considerable role contributing to the participants’ fruitful navigation and integration. This is why it is important for them to be well prepared and trained in ancestral and modern knowledge and skills of transmission of this wisdom.

In Dr. Velazquez’s case, she has been training since November 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic) under traditional shamanic, ancestral, teachers; holders of various spiritual traditions that have worked directly with these substances, receiving a spring of ancestral knowledge transmitted for thousands of years, through generations, protected by the guardians of such cultures.

This, together with her scientific, neurological, psychiatric, medical, psychological backgrounds, and various other fields of modern knowledge, allow her to pronounce words, phrases, invitations, and leading statements informed by all those paths. The dysfunctional process detected during the preparation will be encouraged to transformation towards functional excellence during the ceremonies. This is particularly important for those individuals with dysfunctional symptoms, functional disorders such as Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, and any other dysfunctional manifestation, being it spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, inter-relational, professional, etc. Read about functional disorders here.

Considering Dr. Velazquez’s spiritual devotion, movement, active role in society and leadership under the International Congregation of Science and Spirituality, the setting by her offered incorporates spiritual practices of your chosen lineage.

Universalism considers all religions and pathways to the Divine. Since the first ones known to humanity such as Animism and African religions, Shamanism, passing through Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, to bear existential questions and sayings posed directly to the Creator/Creative forces that all sustain, and the Spirit (live molecules and atoms) contained in the plants, fungi, and animals that we use.

Silence is also respected as it allows for individual inner work and inner healing guided and performed directly by the substance. A proportion of approximately 50/50 of silence and human created sounds is intended to be provided, depending on circumstances.

Dr. Velazquez uses spoken words, prayers, songs, and musical instruments; however, she is not a professional musician or singer, and she often invites musicians and singers to take part in rituals with sacred medicines. A percentage of recorded music from various cultures and times could also be used. If you would like to suggest or recommend someone you know to take advantage of the opportunity of practicing their musical on singing skills while partaking in ceremonies, please do so.

The setting also varies, depending on the medicine that is being used. Some examples, from the simplest to the most complex, comprehensive, and psychologically deep:

1. This medicine can be utilized in many different settings. It is versatile. It can be very well combined with meditation, yoga, dancing, enlightening conversations, singing, playing music, creating arts and crafts, poetry, etc.
2. Cannabis: It is also versatile and quite similar.
3. Kambo: Possesses the shortest duration of acute effects and it is quite intense physically. Participants are observed and supported while undergoing the cleansing process. Usually, one or two songs in gratitude to the spirit of the Kambo Frog are sung. Perhaps light rattle or chakapa are used. 
4. Psilocybin containing Mushrooms: Also, quite versatile as you may have heard and perhaps even seen in some television material, including some people using them to party. We strongly discourage this type of behavior, especially if you are seeking healing, understanding and advancement. With us, Mushrooms are used in various settings, specially walking through nature and connecting to the elements, learning directly from them.
5. Wachuma/Huachuma: Another medicine traditionally used for peregrination and communion with nature. This consists of slow, mindful, present walks that along the way include rests, reflection, meditation, prayers, words of guidance, gentle songs, or simply contemplation.
6. Ayahuasca: Used in a ceremonial circle, which can happen indoors or outdoors depending on the weather and the group’s intentions. It is recommended the practice of aligning ritual time with the location of the Sun during a particular season. So, we gather during sunrise, midday, sunset or nighttime.

Finally, when it comes to setting, also consider the location where the events will take place. Perhaps try to review images to become familiar with the natural elements and the facilities if you desire.

As you can see there is a lot of knowledge and information about the factors to consider around set and setting. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, and to personalize the teachings, the preparation, the navigation, medicines, set and setting to your case.

We are at your service.

With love and light,

Yadira.

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Suggested reading: Ayahuasca benefits