The Power of Intention: Preparing Your Heart and Mind for Ayahuasca

In the world of spiritual practice, few things are as consistently meaningful as intention.

Intentions are the guiding compass of the inner journey. They are heartfelt declarations about what matters to us: what we are ready to release, what we are open to receive, and what we wish to understand more deeply. Whether we’re entering meditation, breathwork, a life transition, or an ayahuasca ceremony, taking the time to pause and form a clear intention creates a purposeful setting for the experience.

At Rythmia, the role of intention is at the very heart of the healing journey. From the moment you arrive on-site, you are gently guided to begin reflecting on your intentions. Whether it’s walking the labyrinth in silence, journaling by the pool, or simply taking quiet time to yourself, the process begins even before you enter the maloca for your first ceremony. You are encouraged to ask yourself: What am I truly here for? What patterns am I ready to look at more honestly?

While there are many different intentions that may arise, at Rythmia, we work with three core ones during ayahuasca ceremonies:

• Show Me Who I've Become
  
• Merge Me Back with My Soul at All Costs
  
• Heal My Heart
  

These three foundational intentions create a framework for deep inner reflection. They help reveal the stories we carry, the parts of ourselves we may have disconnected from, and the emotional wounds that continue to affect how we live and relate to others. And while you’re encouraged to bring other intentions into the ceremonies—such as those related to relationships, physical healing, or clarity about life direction—it’s important to remember that ayahuasca is a profoundly intelligent medicine. It meets you exactly where you are and brings forward what you need, even if it’s not what you expected.

Intentions are not demands; they are honest reflections of where your heart is. They help bring structure and focus to the experience. In the context of ayahuasca, intention-setting is less about directing the outcome and more about entering the ceremony with humility and self-awareness. The medicine responds to your sincerity and openness.

You may find, for instance, that your intention to “heal a relationship” brings you insight into an old memory or limiting belief you hadn’t been aware of. Or that your desire to “release fear” helps you feel a deeper sense of safety and connection than you’ve known before. This is the nature of the work. It is deeply personal and rarely linear.

Setting an intention also gives you something to return to during the ceremony. When the experience becomes intense or challenging, returning to your intention—and to your breath—can help you find your footing again. It becomes an anchor when things feel uncertain.

Outside of ceremony, intention-setting continues to be a valuable tool. It can bring clarity and meaning to daily actions. When we start the day with a simple statement like, Today I choose patience, or I want to stay open-hearted, it shapes how we move through the day. It doesn’t require hours of practice—just a few moments of honest reflection can make a difference.

At Rythmia, the Thursday night yagé ceremony is a special opportunity to voice your intention to the healers. You can share your current life circumstances and what’s on your heart. The healing team listens closely and holds what you share with care and understanding. You are not alone in your process. This fourth and final ceremony night is one of the most powerful nights of the week.

Ultimately, the most important part of intention-setting isn’t how perfectly you phrase it—it’s how true it feels to you. When you approach the process with sincerity and self-awareness, you open yourself to receiving exactly what you need.

So take your time. Walk the labyrinth. Sit quietly in the gardens. Let your thoughts settle and allow your inner voice to come forward. Ask yourself:

• What am I ready to let go of?
  
• What am I ready to welcome in?
  
• What is my heart asking for?
  
  

In ceremony, your answers may not come in the way you expect. They might arrive in the form of a feeling, a release, a memory, a consultation, a vision, or a new way of seeing yourself or others. Trust that the medicine knows what is most needed.

And when you return home, continue listening. Your integration journey is just beginning, and intention can guide you every step of the way.

In the end, your intention is a way of checking in with yourself. It’s a simple but powerful step toward healing.

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Take the First Step Toward Healing

Learn more about Rythmia’s transformative ayahuasca ceremonies and how we support your healing journey. 

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