Here are a few shots from last night's Ayahuasca Monologues, the 6th annual event originated by Jonathan Talat Phillips. A spin off the Vagina Monologues, the Ayahuasca Monologues is an attempt to bring healing, and transformative, psychedelic experiences "out of the closet" in modern culture. This year we held the monologues at the Santos Party House in Manhattan.
Speaking above is Luis Eduardo Luna, anthropologist and ayahuasca researcher (who discussed the fascinating history of ayahuasca, the very little we know about it, and the important recognition of the loss of knowledge from the destruction of the indigenous populations of the Americas). Other speakers in our line up included Chris Kilham (FOX Medicine Hunter), Hamilton Morris (VICE), Shelly Mars (performance artist), John Sheldon (musician) and Alexandre Tannous (ethnomusicologist).
I spent most of my time helping with the wares and assisting Jeff, our event organizer. With a line out the door and a packed house, it's clear to me that events like these appeal to a diverse demographic. What I'd like to see is events like this one popping up all over the states, and as one woman noted towards the end of the event: Ayahuasca is just one of many possibilities for a monologue series.
Personally, I'd dig one themed around the modern gnostic/contemplative.
Video/audio recordings are likely on their way (we had a great media team), so stay tuned!
If you're interested in starting an event like this in your city, feel free to reach out to me (jeremy (at) evolver (dot) net) and the rest of the Evolver team.
PS: Here's author Steve Beyer from the 2009 Ayahuasca Monologues, "Out of My Mouth There Flew A Spider":
Let me tell you how I became a sorcerer...
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