Facilitation is an art—one that requires patience, humility, and a deep commitment to service. Whether guiding people through transformative experiences with sacred medicines or creating safe and supportive spaces, facilitators play an essential role in helping others on their healing journeys. In a recent webinar hosted by Colibri Garden, Mags and Ivaylo, both experienced facilitators, shared their insights on stepping into this work, the core principles of facilitation, and the challenges of working with indigenous elders. This article explores their perspectives, providing a comprehensive guide for those who feel called to this path.
The Journey to Facilitation
For both Mags and Ivaylo, the journey to becoming facilitators began with personal healing. Ivaylo’s story is deeply rooted in his experience with grief and depression following his mother’s passing. After years of struggling with anxiety and a sense of disconnection, he found Ayahuasca, which became a powerful tool for his healing. His transformative experience sparked a desire to help others navigate their own struggles, leading him to organize retreats and ceremonies with indigenous medicine families.
Mags, on the other hand, discovered sacred medicines after moving to Colombia in 2018. Having previously explored psychedelics in a recreational setting, she attended her first Ayahuasca ceremony in 2019 out of curiosity rather than a specific need for healing. However, the experience left a profound impact on her, leading her to attend more ceremonies and eventually step into facilitation. Through her work with Colibri Garden, she now helps others integrate their experiences with plant medicines, offering support before, during, and after ceremonies.
Core Values of Facilitation
Facilitation is not just about leading ceremonies—it’s about holding space for others in a way that prioritizes safety, integrity, and respect. According to Mags and Ivaylo, the following are some of the most critical values for facilitators:
- Humility – A facilitator should never seek attention or recognition. The role is to support others, not to be the center of the experience. It is essential to keep personal ego in check and remember that facilitation is about service.
- Integrity – This does not mean being perfect, but rather being honest about where you are on your journey. Facilitators should represent themselves authentically, acknowledge their own limitations, and continue their personal healing work alongside others.
- Safety – Creating a safe environment is paramount. If participants do not feel safe, they will struggle to surrender to the process. Facilitators must maintain a calm and regulated presence, even in challenging situations, to ensure participants feel secure.
- Respect – Every participant comes from a unique background, and facilitators must honor their individual journeys. This includes respecting different belief systems and ensuring that ceremonies remain inclusive and welcoming.
- Leadership – True leadership in facilitation means putting others first. Facilitators should be the last to eat, the last to rest, and the first to serve. Their role is to make sure participants are well taken care of before considering their own needs.
Getting Started as a Facilitator
If someone is interested in becoming a facilitator, the first step is to immerse themselves in the work. This means attending ceremonies consistently, learning from experienced facilitators, and offering help where needed. Ivaylo emphasized that helping out in a ceremony is not about seeking the most visible role but about doing whatever is required—whether that means tending to the fire, cleaning, or assisting participants through difficult moments.
Patience is key. Many people attend a few ceremonies and feel called to serve medicine immediately, but this is a lifelong journey. Learning from elders, developing a deep relationship with the medicine, and gaining experience in a supportive role are crucial steps before stepping into leadership.
Another essential aspect is having a mentor. A mentor provides guidance, helps navigate challenges, and offers feedback to refine facilitation skills. This relationship is invaluable in ensuring that facilitators continue to grow in a grounded and responsible way.
Ethical Boundaries and Common Mistakes
Facilitation comes with significant responsibility, and there are ethical considerations that must always be upheld. Some of the most critical boundaries include:
- Maintaining Professionalism – Facilitators should avoid engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with participants. Being in a leadership position can create power dynamics that make it difficult for participants to discern genuine feelings from the emotional vulnerability that comes with ceremony work.
- Prioritizing Participant Well-being – Not everyone is ready for a plant medicine experience. It is crucial to screen participants carefully, ensuring they are physically and mentally prepared. If there is any doubt, facilitators should be willing to say no and guide the person toward alternative healing methods.
- Avoiding Manipulation – Facilitators should never pressure participants into ceremonies or use fear-based tactics to encourage them to join. The decision to participate should always come from a place of personal readiness, not coercion.
- Respecting the Medicine and Tradition – Sacred medicines come from indigenous traditions that must be honored. Facilitators should not alter ceremonies to fit personal preferences or commercialize the experience in ways that diminish its spiritual integrity.
Working with Indigenous Elders
One of the greatest blessings in facilitation is the opportunity to work with indigenous elders who have carried these traditions for generations. These elders bring deep wisdom, but working with them requires cultural sensitivity and respect.
Ivaylo highlighted the importance of observing and learning rather than expecting direct instruction. Indigenous elders often teach through experience rather than structured lessons, so facilitators must be patient and attentive. It’s also essential to recognize cultural differences—some elders may not express praise or validation in the way Westerners expect, but their acknowledgment comes through subtle actions rather than words.
Another key consideration is reciprocity. Westerners benefit immensely from indigenous knowledge and traditions, so it is important to give back in meaningful ways. This does not mean assuming what a community needs but rather listening and supporting their self-determined goals. Whether through financial contributions, resource donations, or advocacy, facilitators must ensure they are giving as much as they are receiving.
The Future of Facilitation
As plant medicines become more widely known, the role of facilitators is evolving. While traditional ceremonies remain foundational, there is a growing need for integration support and guidance in non-traditional settings. Western facilitators play a crucial role in bridging the gap between indigenous traditions and modern lifestyles, helping participants apply their experiences to daily life.
However, there is also concern about the commercialization of sacred medicines. The hope is that facilitators continue to honor the traditions from which these medicines originate, ensuring that their work remains aligned with the ethical and spiritual principles that have sustained these practices for centuries.
Conclusion
Facilitation is a path of service, requiring dedication, humility, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Those who feel called to this work must approach it with respect for the traditions, a willingness to learn, and an unwavering focus on the well-being of participants. As sacred medicines continue to expand beyond their indigenous roots, facilitators have a profound responsibility to uphold their integrity, ensuring that these powerful healing tools remain accessible in a way that honors their origins and their transformative potential.
For those who feel drawn to this path, the message is clear: Walk with patience, humility, and respect. The world needs facilitators who are truly in service to the medicine and the people they support.
