wanderingwoodsmith
Kava Enthusiast
For many of us here at Kava Forums, we use Kava on a daily basis. We go through our daily routines of waking up, having some coffee/mate,(and Kava for many) go to work, come home, and then wind down with a few shells. But there are also many who use Kava as a tool, as inspiration for self-discovery, for spiritual growth, and to ponder the mysteries of the universe.
How do you separate casual use from spiritual use? Here is my personal method, that is still being developed and perfected:
*Note that I gather all needed supplies for my Kava time so I don't have to interrupt my ritual. (Bowls, gloves, prepared, stocking/strainer bag of Kava, hot water, cup of ice, candles etc.)
**My ritual always begins in the evening.
If you use Kava in a spiritual context, I would love to hear about your experiences, your rituals, or your traditions. And if any of you dress in full-shaman attire, donning a drum, stomping around a bonfire while chanting, you get bonus points!!! (I wont lie, I do this myself once in a blue moon
)
How do you separate casual use from spiritual use? Here is my personal method, that is still being developed and perfected:
*Note that I gather all needed supplies for my Kava time so I don't have to interrupt my ritual. (Bowls, gloves, prepared, stocking/strainer bag of Kava, hot water, cup of ice, candles etc.)
**My ritual always begins in the evening.
- To begin, I find a nice quiet place for my little ritual. Preferably outside in a natural setting, but if the weather does not permit it, I usually sit in my bedroom where I can close my door and turn down the lights.
- Pour hot water over Kava strainer so it has a few minutes to soak while preparing the area.
- Light a candle/oil lamp and some nice mellow incense.
- Turn on some music that gets me in the mood to meditate (usually Shpongle, check them out you will love them)
- Close eyes and start kneading the first wash, almost in a trance like state for 10-20 minutes.
- After icing the Kava, I have a few shells back to back; I find a topic to think about, such as the interaction and relationships between plants and animals, or connect all the dots I see and become aware of, and consider how all things connect to one another.
- Then I knead a second wash, turn off the music, and become aware of my surroundings; I sit in silence taking in the view, or sometimes close my eyes and clear my mind, until the Kava is gone, or I feel that I've had enough.
- I end the session by raising the last shell into the air, looking towards to skies, and saying Bula! Drink the last shell, turn on the lights, and as I am cleaning up my mess, I reflect on how the ritual/session made me feel; I carry that glow with me until I go to bed.
If you use Kava in a spiritual context, I would love to hear about your experiences, your rituals, or your traditions. And if any of you dress in full-shaman attire, donning a drum, stomping around a bonfire while chanting, you get bonus points!!! (I wont lie, I do this myself once in a blue moon
)
Last edited:
haha. And shamans from time immemorial have gone on "vision quests" which is this precisely with the inclusion of "dieta" to better facilitate the plant spirit.