Who's the "real shaman"? (Patreon)

First an update - I am still working on the harmaline reduction to THH video.  In concept its pretty simple, and I have all the video showing it step by step, but I wanted to try doing it another (potentially better) way first before wrapping up.  I've also started recording for 2 new projects already.  Regarding this vice video, my initial thoughts were "oh boy, from bank robber, to prisoner, to "shaman" this ought to be good" haha.  But I actually enjoyed seeing a different take on how an aya center can be run.  In the youtube comments for this video, the topmost liked comment is "This is very hard to watch. Ayahuasca is an amazing plant medicine. However, these folks are so invasive, untrained and not shamanic whatsoever. Ayahuasca requires a specific diet prior, proper facilitators and being led by shaman singing Ikeros to help your safe journey. The narrative about what ayahuasca is from these folks point of view is unfortunate. Interrupting people in the middle of their journey and playing pseudo therapist is an insult to the plant medicine and, the entire point of taking Ayahuasca. I have been to Peru worked with the shamanic healers from the Shipibo tribe. I encourage people to embrace Ayahuasca’s healing process- but not with these folks."

I must say, I encounter this type of attitude a lot.  Here's my take:  These guys are no worse, and actually probably better than, most "shaman" out there.  Many so called "shaman" will tell tall tales, and woo woo, and fill people's heads with nonsense.  There is no "mother aya", you will see and feel things that get planted in your mind by others, simple "jedi mind tricks".  Some guy wearing odd clothing blowing smoke and singing for you is only going to help if you believe it will help - its all a head/confidence game, the "shaman" have no magical powers. T. McKenna used to scoff at the idea of having a "guide", he'd say "How can you be guided by someone who has no idea where you've gone off to?" 

I kind of liked the approach shown in this video actually, they are helping guide people toward focusing on the root causes of their anxiety, addiction, or unhappiness.  This is a simple mental trick to bring what is important into the aya experience, without this, some people may not have a deeply meaningful and personal experience.  Some people may not need this, but others do.  Mental preparation is very important for positive outcomes.  You don't need to go to Peru, in fact I would recommend NOT going to Peru, its a country with a lot of thieves and hucksters.  If you feel the need to leave the country at all, I'd go to Costa Rica (beautiful place, inexpensive airfare for many). But you can do it all in the comfort of your own home too if you are willing to do the work and prepare your mind properly (as I describe in my videos).
Some people will do better having someone there to watch over them or hold their hand when needed, especially the first time - that's where an aya center can be useful.  Then again tripping with a group can also be a disaster, and the people around you can ruin the experience (screaming, vomiting, panicking, talking/making noises, you never know what you are going to get, occasionally it has even gotten violent).  I don't view psychedelics as a "group activity" although I have had positive experiences in group settings before.  The power to heal is within you, psychedelics can be a useful catalyst to tap into that power, but it's the power of the human mind that we should be impressed with, not any particular gurus.