Kambo Ceremony
w/ Stephen Goterch
Tues, Nov. 8th 6-9pm
at The Spirit Room, Lotus Studio in Fargo, ND
Sliding-Scale $80-$160
Seating limited to 10
Private Treatments and Private Locations Available
Email Christopher cwgunlock@openmindhc.com
Details:
***All new participants must complete a health questionnaire before attending the ceremony (email follow up after ticket purchase). You will get a follow up email from both Stephen and Chris with recommendations and possible screening issues. You are also invited to attend a brief zoom call to go over preparation details and answer questions (It's highly recommended all new participants attend).
Kambo is a legal practice, this is not the same as the psychedelic toad venom (bufo alvarious), so you won't get a visionary entheogenic experience. The benefits should not be underestimated, though, this medicine has the ability to dramatically alter a person for the better. Because of this, it is traditionally used in preparation for visionary medicines like ayahuasca and mushrooms.
This group will be limited to 10 for each scheduled ceremony (purchase a ticket to secure your spot). It will be held in Gallery 1 at Spirit Room where participants will gather in circle, get to know each other, enjoy traditional icaros songs, sound healing, sage, and receive Kambo one at a time with personal attention from Stephen and Chris throughout. There will also be Hapé (tobacco) and Sananga offered (both also legal 18+).
No harm or trauma is done to the frogs when collecting their secretion, which is achieved with ethical harvesting. 5% percent of proceeds go to the Matse Tribe of Brazil for the preservations of their land.
IMPORTANT, please read through this contraindications list, we are not responsible for the safety of those that don’t meet these requirements. https://iakp.org/contraindications/
About the Facilitators:
Stephen Goterch has been a proud member of the I.A.K.P, International Association of Kambo Practitioners since 2017. This was an intensive course in Washington State, he had the great pleasure to train under Karen Uma Darke, the worlds most renowned Kambo practitioner. Stephen has facilitated hundreds of ceremonies over the last 7 years.
Please review the official code of ethics all I.A.K.P practitioners abide by:
https://iakp.org/code-of-ethics-and-professional-practice/
Stephen is 15 years into his journey practicing with a variety of plant medicines. It began with his life hitting a wall, physical and mental health deteriorated from chronic stress and a medley of negative coping mechanisms. As soon as he found himself in the rainforests of Peru and Machu Picchu, his life found a new path. Additionally, sound meditation, holistic health/wellness, herbalism, and EMT/firefighting are all apart of Stephen’s education and experience. Read more information about his history, training, and methods at https://indigohealthvoyages.com
Christopher Gunlock, M.H.S.
I work full time as a psychedelic integration consultant, educator and community organizer. My platform, Openmindintegration.com offers psychedelic preparation and integration services from a spiritually-informed harm reduction perspective. I've been exploring and integrating psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and ketamine for 15 years. I served for 2 years as Executive Director at the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota, where I acted as public representative, lead event organizer, media director, and operations administer. I also helped lead the Global Psychedelic Society Group during that time. I hold a Masters in Health Sciences for Integrative Medicine at The George Washington University School of Medicine and a B.S. in Mathematics at the Maharishi International University where I trained in Vedic philosophy and transcendental meditation. I’ve also completed 1 year of training and volunteering for the Fireside Psychedelic Peer-Support Line.
My blogs and photos: https://www.instagram.com/openmindgunlock/
Safety Information:
-Stephen will be screening each participant with a thorough medical questionnaire. The dose of this sacrament will be determined based on these factors. Not being transparent about this could result in great discomfort or worse. Kambo is strong, do not underestimate it.
-No previous experience is needed but a deep respect for the medicine is necessary
-Do not eat food or drink any water before the ceremony.
-Bring a mat or blanket and small cushion, tissue paper, light snacks, and a gallon of water.
-Sage and incense will be burned during the ceremony, let us know if you if have sensitivities.
(Further information will be provided to ticket holders)
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Location:
This will be held in the beautiful Spirit Room at 111 Broadway Fargo, ND 58102. (Further info will be given to ticket-holders)
Tickets:
For Sliding-Scale tickets, use the promo code that meets the value you are able to contribute (before you click "Checkout"): 25%-off code "rate25" and 50% off code "rate50" (also shown before checkout).
Email cwgunlock@openmindhc.com with ticketing or general questions. Email Stephen at indigorizing@gmail.com with questions pertaining to the Kambo.
Get your tickets at least 24 hours before the start time to complete the intake process and do the necessary preparation.
(Read more on Stephen's Website)
The Process:
Each Kambo session you receive builds stronger and more effective from the previous treatment. Kambo works in incremental layers, removing energetic and biological toxins in stages.
After setting up your nest and getting comfortable, small burns the size of an eraser head will be applied to the skin so that the top layer of skin can be removed. This is where the frog secretion will be applied so that it can rapidly enter the bloodstream. These are your "points." This is only slightly painful and brief. The wound will scab over within a day and will leave only a slight discoloration on the skin for a few months after.
For the first phase, we start with a test a single test point to observe any insights about any potential problems or sensitivities that can be easily reversed given the small amount of Kambo applied. We observe how the body reacts in regards to your breathe rate, anxiety, skin reactions, and other sensitivities. Soon after the client feels comfortable with no adverse reactions, we begin to apply the remainder of the secretion to the other points.
The initial effects come on with in one minute of application, as Kambo crosses the blood brain barrier. Patients usually feels the heart beat faster and louder while the body begins to strongly circulate blood flow. Kambo is knows as a Heart Cleanser, strengthening the heart muscle with strong vasodilation to the body. A client then may have minor sweating and flushing as the secretion begins to work within the body.
The second phase of kambo is when the blood pressure begins to drop, while the body is removing toxins into the bile tract. The patient normally will feel nausea and have the early stages of the purge arising. Puffyness in the face and neck often occurs here, but is not a health risk and is normal.
As a practitioner, we then begin to assist with helping the client purge, which is the release of accumulated toxins stored in the bile. The purge is looked at as a sacred release, removing energetic blockages and toxins. The participant also may need to use the toilet, as the body is cleansing itself and releasing toxins through the intestines.
The third phase of Kambo is the rest and recovery. After the sacred purging, the body will begin to regulate with new and improved vitality and circulation. Shortly after the treatment, the client will feel refreshed and rejuvenated going about their daily tasks with a new and improved energy.
Further Kambo information can be found here as well: https://indigohealthvoyages.com/what-is-kambo-treatment/