This book presents an overview of ayahuasca, reviewing what we know (and don’t) about its origins and traditional uses, its healing properties and its impact as it spreads and diffuses through our spiritually impoverished postmodern world. We offer it as a guide for those who wish to explore this area, as well as for those who already belong to the ayahuasca community and want to consider the historical origins and political implications of these practices. We also ask questions about cultural imperialism, gender, and commerce as it relates to the spread of plant medicine and the exploration of shamanic realms. Generally, ayahuasca is having a tremendously benevolent impact on our culture. But there are areas of ambiguity in its dissemination that must be acknowledged. This book seeks to address those areas as well. Through the gift of this medicine, there is a great opportunity for people of Western cultures to define a different relationship to the natural world while forging a new partnership with indigenous communities who are the traditional guardians of the world’s largest forest. This will only be possible when we recognize, as Benki says, “ estamos nessa juntos – we are in this together.”