To sit in a plant medicine ceremony is a sacred opportunity. One that offers a profound window into deeper awareness, sense of self and healing on fundamental levels which we can scarcely access elsewhere. There are a couple key factors, however, that make these ceremonies possible. That allow the space for these deep experiences to unfold. The most important being the medicine itself. The other is those who hold, channel and guide the space and energies that mold the journey for this healing to be evoked. These are the facilitators.
I am not perfect at, nor an expert on facilitation. I am constantly learning. To understand fully the realms of Divine Mother is something I feel we as human beings are not capable of comprehending. I only speak from my own journey and experiences I have witness from the past year and a half of operating in this space. I feel a deeper look into what facilitation truly means is necessary for those who choose to repeatedly sit in these spaces, for those who are newer to facilitation, and for the ones who also wish to step into this role. May this bring a deeper awareness, a sense of safety and security for your future journeys, and a new appreciation for this sacred opportunity to serve.
To facilitate means first and foremost to hold space. This term is often thrown around in many spiritual based gatherings, events and opportunities for healing. But what does holding space actually mean? It is the act of presence, service, support and guidance where appropriate. Holding space means we offer our full attention to witness the process, suffering, awareness and healing of another. That we meet them fully where they are, allow them safety to be there and dive as deep as we have to capacity to hold them. The greater our capacity, awareness and sense of self, the more we can be present for others. Thus to truly hold space in integrity we must also dedicate much time and effort to our own healing so that we become better vehicles for it.
In plant medicine specifically, facilitators are outwardly seen as holding down the material aspect of ceremony. Emptying buckets, handing out tissue, getting water, assisting in movement, and all else participants may require. These are all vital and necessary acts of service in the space. Taking care of the material things allows participants to focus and concentrate inwardly on what they came to do in the first place. The other aspect of this lies in the immaterial, the energetic side. This is where the true role of facilitation comes in.
To hold down the energetic side of ceremony is no easy task. It requires a facilitator to be an anchored and strong conduit, and literal pillar of the space. Holding the force of Divine Mother is one of the most important nuances of this. We cannot truly meet others in their processes, nor know how to help them if we ourselves are not on a similar level. We too must be in communion with the medicine to know how she is working through others and how we can assist or guide.
To hold the force is not something we inherently know, it is taught by the medicine directly. It is a process of which, over time, we are molded by her and our experiences to become who she needs us to be. Because truly, the ceremony space is her temple and we are the caretakers. Facilitation to me is a sacred opportunity to be called to service by Divine Mother herself. To help exercise her will and processes for the healing and betterment of all involved.
Similarly, facilitators must posses the knowledge, capacity and fortitude to navigate this same force. It’s a learning curve of how to show up when you yourself are on the verge of a process, or even being pulled under. For we too must undergo our own healing when those windows present themselves. Regardless, this can still happen if the space and medicine allows it, which is a crucial reason we have multiple people present to facilitate.
It is my belief that those who are called to serve in this way are not chosen by accident. The more sincere you are on your own journey with plant medicine, the more Divine Mother can utilize you to hold space for her processes. She is vastly intelligent, potent and capable and sees into the hearts of those who work with her. The more devoted and serious you are about this work, the more you can prepare and allow yourself to be prepared to serve in her space.
Facilitation, while having it’s goofy, blissful and celebratory moments when the ceremony allows, is not something to be taken lightly. If you are familiar with plant medicine work, you know how much of a struggle it can be. Those sitting are forced to look at very difficult things, form awareness around them, and then gather the strength to either release and or integrate them. This whole process takes delicacy, great effort, energy and resilience. Those who are facilitating these spaces are required to be compassionate, caring, attentive and helpful to the people navigating these journeys. To be aligned in this service is to pay humility and respect to not only participants, but the plant teachers themselves.
To be of service to this medicine and those brave souls willing to heal has been one of the most rewarding things in my life. To see people walk through the door lost, confused, hurt and broken, only to leave more healed, aligned, happy and just a bit more whole is a true gift. A group of strangers coming in leaves as one big family at the end. This is not something you can see so rapidly develop everywhere. If you are ready and willing to answer the call of facilitation, I cannot recommend it enough. It is a true honor to serve Divine Mother and these sacred plant medicines.
Thank you