statement of beliefs

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WE INTEND to provide for the transformation and evolution of human beings seeking enlightenment in communion with the Divine Creator through the ceremonial and sacred use of Ayahuasca.

OUR PURPOSE is to support and promote the transformation and evolution of human beings and the expansion of global consciousness by communing with the Divine Creator. In order to effectuate our purpose, we shall organize retreats and sacred ceremonies related to the expansion of consciousness and oneness with the universal life source through the sacramental consumption of Ayahuasca, in addition to other guided relaxation, meditative, mindfulness and expansion practices of ancestral origin.

WE BELIEVE that Ayahuasca was manifested through the Divine Creator in order for all humans, regardless of religion, race, sex, or gender, to facilitate communion with the Divine Creator.

WE BELIEVE through the ceremonial and sacred use of Ayahuasca our members are able to access their divinity from within.

WE BELIEVE that Ayahuasca has the power to connect human beings with their true spiritual selves, their divinity within, the universal consciousness, and the source that provides all life. This connection can deepen one’s understanding of the world, their existence, humanity and can help individuals effectively and gracefully navigate the challenges of life they may be experiencing.

WE BELIEVE that Ayahuasca are a powerful spiritual medicine that can help humanity to heal, grow, and connect with our higher selves. We believe that they can be used in a safe and sacred way to bring about profound healing, transformation and elevated levels of consciousness. We believe that the use of Ayahuasca in a church setting can provide a deeply reverent and supportive environment for individuals to explore their inner consciousness and gain insight into the existential meaning of their existence.

WE BELIEVE that many of our experiences has shown us that the sacramental use of Ayahuasca within an appropriate spiritual context is an activity beneficial for the expansion of consciousness and for the purposes of understanding our individual spiritual journeys.

WE BELIEVE our love and connection to all things is enhanced and better understood through the sacramental consumption of Ayahuasca. More specifically, sacramental consumption of Ayahuasca can evoke a mystical experience, where ceremony participants have access to a higher spiritual realm where one can interact directly with the Divine Creator. This higher spiritual realm can become more accessible for humans through the sacramental use of Ayahuasca.

WE BELIEVE that through mystical experiences, we seek and receive answers and guidance to specific and ultimate life questions. Additionally, we believe that mystical experiences unite us through love, compassion, empathy, understanding, and greater connectivity to all life in the universe.

WE BELIEVE the overarching message we receive from the Divine Creator, through the sacramental consumption of Ayahuasca, is that unconditional love is the most powerful force in the universe and is the true essence of the Divine Creator.

WE BELIEVE that the sacramental use of Ayahuasca teach us and empowers us to become more in tune and more related to mother nature. More specifically, we believe that the sacramental use of Ayahuasca restores us to a more symbiotic relationship with nature. As such, we believe that, to the best of our ability and as practicable, we are to conduct ourselves in such a way as to respect and preserve mother nature.

WE BELIEVE and we are aware that the sacramental use of Ayahuasca is a very ancient practice dating back thousands of years. To the best of our ability, we adopt and implement these ancient and sacred practices and ceremonies to be consistent with and honor the ancestors.

WE BELIEVE that ultimately, our spirits return to the same realm accessed through the sacramental use of Ayahuasca. 

 SACRAMENTS

A. AYAHUASCA

Ayahuasca is a tea brewed from a mixture of plants native to the Amazon and South America, capable of inducing highly spiritual non-ordinary states of consciousness. The experience can range from a mild stimulus to extreme visions. Ayahuasca is used as a spiritual medicine and as a way of shamanic communication, in a ceremonial setting under the supervision of an experienced guide or facilitator.

The main ingredient of this sacrament is the ayahuasca vine, Banisteriopsis caapi. The tea itself is also called Ayahuasca (meaning "vine of the soul"). The secondary ingredients are chacruna (Psychotria viridis) or chagropanga (Diplopterys cabrerana) - plants with a relatively high content of the Di Methyl Tryptamine.

The main molecule of chacruna or chagropanga is also a neurotransmitter found in all humans and plays a key role in non-ordinary states of perception. This neurotransmitter, called dimethyltryptamine (DMT),is found in the brain, blood, lungs, and other parts of the human body. Scientific study points to the pineal gland ("the third eye" in esoteric traditions), located in the center of the brain, as being the main source of naturally present DMT in human beings. In addition to being found in humans, DMT can also be found in all mammal life and an extensive variety of plant life.

The use for religious/spiritual purposes of Ayahuasca, it has its origin in the ancestral traditions of the native people of South America. It has been used in religious ceremonies, shamanic healings and therapeutic practices for thousands of years. In many ancient cultures the religious use of entheogens has been standard practice since the earliest days of mankind. It is unknown how and when the mixture of these two plants was discovered by indigenous people, although many tribes and shamans have their own mythical stories explaining the origins of the medicine ceremonies.

Some of these traditions have preserved and renewed such practices. This knowledge has been revealed in the present forms of rituals, songs and dances through which the divine beings, the sun, the moon, the stars, the forces of Nature and the whole of the Universe are praised as an act of spiritual elevation.

The ritual of consecration, where the use of the sacramental drink takes place, carries within itself a universal message of peace, unity and love, valid for all the peoples of the earth. If the Eucharistic sacrament of our religious/spiritual rituals is presumably a psychoactive drink, without prejudice, and in the light of the equity that the Law of religious practice consecrates and by a jurisprudential approach. 

Our experience tells us that the use of this sacramental drink within an appropriate spiritual context is an activity beneficial for healing, spiritual evolution, the expansion of consciousness and connecting with the divine nature of ones soul and in turn, positive for the purposes of spiritual quest that we aim for.

B. OTHER SACRED SACRAMENTS

MAPACHO and Tobacco generally:

Mapacho (Nicotina Rustica), a sacred tobacco from Central and south America considered a Grandfather Spirit, offers a powerful spirit of protection and spiritual cleansing. 

It is used in different forms from being smoked in sticks or pipes, consumed orally in the form of a paste called Ambil, or mixed in powder form with other plants to create the sacred snuff.

AGUA DE FLORIDA

Agua de Florida is a sacred cologne used for spiritual cleanse and protection.

SACRED CACAO

Cacao is a plant native to Central and South America that has been used historically by the Aztecs and Mayans for medicinal and ritualistic purposes. Its scientific name

Theobroma Cacao actually means “food for the Gods” and it was believed to have been sent from the heavens as a gift to mankind. Ceremonial cacao is cultivated and prepared in the traditional way so that it retains the spirit of cacao as well as its remedying properties so that it can be used in ceremony.

ACCOUTREMENTS

Founder, Prophet, or Teacher:

Sacred Sanctuary was founded by Norelle Adams, who also serves as the Lead Minister. While there are no specific teachers or prophets, Sacred Sanctuary believes that Ayahuasca can facilitate and serve as both teacher and prophet to those who engage in their sacramental/ceremonial use.

Gathering Places:

At all times, as approved by the Board of Directors, Sacred Sanctuary will retain a location where business of the organization will be conducted, and sacraments will be securely maintained. However, Sacred Sanctuary will be conducting ceremonies and retreats at various properties throughout the United States as approved by the Head Minister. In the event the membership and participation in Sacred Sanctuary continues to grow, the organization may acquire a spiritual center, as approved by the Board of Directors, so as to provide maximum healing, spiritual development, and safety to its members and participants.

Keepers of Knowledge:

Insofar as they are knowledgeable on certain matters, the ministerial leadership team will impute knowledge regarding ceremonies, safety, and spiritual development to the members and participants at Sacred Sanctuary. However, due to their extensive knowledge regarding indigenous beliefs and practices and general knowledge regarding the spiritual elements of Ayahuasca, the primary keepers of knowledge will be the medicine men/women and shamans conducting sacred ceremonies at Sacred Sanctuary.

Ceremonies and Rituals:

The sacred ceremonies conducted by Sacred Sanctuary, shall be conducted in accordance with the dictates of the specific medicine man/woman or shaman conducting the specific ceremony. However, the basic structure of sacred ceremonies at Sacred Sanctuary should be as follows:

a. Opening Prayer- Should include a prayer to the Divine Spirit and a prayer of protection for all participants of the ceremony;

b. Serving of the Sacrament- Should include a blessing of the sacrament, receipt of the sacrament, and consumption of the sacrament;

c. Songs of Prayer- Should include songs of prayer (live or recorded) and chants in accordance with the dictates of the specific medicine man/woman or shaman conducting the ceremony.

In conjunction with the ceremonies and rituals, Sacred Sanctuary will also hold post-ceremony integration meetings, the purpose of which is to assist members and participants in integrating the spiritual insights gained during ceremony into their everyday lives. This practice assists members and participants in effectuating positive changes in their lives and consequently raise the vibrational frequency of the world at large.

Preparing for Ceremony:

Before entering a ceremony wherein Ayahuasca will be the sacrament, it is important for the participants to prepare themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually with the intention of love, protection, high vibration, positive energy and intimate prayers for healing and transformation. These following guidelines and questions support our members and ceremonial participants in this phase before the actual ceremony. The questions listed here helps members and ceremonial participants reconnect more to themselves and can assist in identifying their intention more clearly. Sacred Sanctuary provides preparation guidelines to be distributed to the participants prior to ceremony. Some of the guidelines includes:

Mental & Spiritual Preparation: Setting your intention

Physical Preparation – The Dieta 

Mental and Emotional Preparation

Spiritual Preparation

Integration

Ceremonies occur in compliance with dietary and lifestyle restrictions, including abstaining from alcohol and the use of drugs and alcohol in the days leading up to ceremony. Sexual intercourse is also discouraged for several days in advance of ceremony. Sacrament is also always maintained consistent with a diversion prevention plan to ensure that no Sacrament is diverted from a religious purpose. During any ceremony involving Sacraments, we will have on hand individuals trained in basic life support, at a minimum to ensure safety. All participants and members are properly screened to ensure they do not have medical or mental health contraindications with the Sacrament. Membership is open to all adults interested in joining our community who either agree with our doctrine or who are open to the possibility that our spiritual practice is right for them.

Structure of Organization:

Sacred Sanctuary has the following structure to its organization: 

Lead Minister:  Responsible for general oversight of the organization as a whole, oversight of individual sanctuaries, and oversight of safety guidelines and standards.

Associate Minister: In order to be an Associate Minister, an individual must have a deep understanding of the principles and beliefs of Sacred Sanctuary, a deep and wide understanding of the sacred use of Ayahuasca, have strong knowledge of the world within, have an intimate understanding of the spiritual teachings of Ayahuasca and live by those principles, and shall maintain integrity in all areas of life to the highest standard possible.

An associate minister is required to live in a way that inspires the community at Sacred Sanctuary. They must also embody the highest standards within all areas of their personal and spiritual lives. Finally, an associate minister must represent Sacred Sanctuary in a manner that maintains trust, honor, and respect from everyone inside and outside the community.

Associate ministers may be responsible to lead group service with prayer, meditation, and teachings from various approved texts or writings and teachings that are in line with Sacred Sanctuary foundational principles. They are also responsible for seeking out and creating deep connections with members and participants. Associate ministers must endeavor to continue to educate themselves through prayer, meditation and ceremony as well as texts, classes, and connection with spiritual leaders, participants, members. 

Associate ministers are expected to further their education through traditional means, as well as learning from the sacraments themselves, such as participating in a dieta with a traditional healer.

Facilitators: 

Due to their intimate knowledge of and experience with conducting ceremonies, Facilitators are responsible for holding space during ceremony and providing assistance and/or guidance to members and participants during ceremony.

Holidays:

Sacred Sanctuary honors Mother Earth and acknowledges the quarterly solstice with reverence. As all holidays are times of celebration and promoted unity within a community, members are encouraged to participate in all other holidays which their consciousness dictates they participate in.

Substance Handling and Records:

 Sacred Sanctuary shall maintain strict requirements as it relates to sourcing, storage, substance handling and record keeping. The requirements shall be promulgated with the goal of preventing controlled substances being diverted from religious to non-religious use. To this end, only the Head Minister and Ministers are to have authority to secure and prepare the sacrament for ceremony. Additionally, the Board of Directors will enact an appropriate record keeping system whereby all controlled substances are accounted for at all times.