I read Mandy’s interview and didn’t, as I recall, really detect any bias towards or against the teacher plant ayahuasca from her. She seemed to be questioning to enable a voice to the musician’s experiences with this sacred teacher plant.
Have you, Victoria Carter, ever sat in circle with this teacher and experienced the teaching or are you speaking in your letter from hearsay?
I defend the right of native people to pass on their teaching to us and, although I have never received teaching from this plant or sat in ceremony with this teacher, I also defend the right of those who would choose to receive this teaching to do so.
To label this plant a drug and to liken it to heroin is to speak fear and ignorance.
I would say to anyone who may be deciding about this path, keep an open mind, listen to what others have to say who have sat in circle and received teachings. Listen carefully to the messages in your own life and of your own body, and make up your own mind if it is for you or not.
We are unique beings with unique paths to follow and only you know truly what is good for you.
So respect to sacred teacher plants and ceremony.
May we all learn to respect each others ways and share the knowledge of the Earth and the teaching of all the beings inhabiting this blue watery planet.
With respect to those who sit in sacred ceremony with this plant, whoever you are.
MatiJo Beams, Byron Bay
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
