Aaron Stefansky

Aaron Stefansky is a guide and leader who mirrors his deep trust in life, ayahuasca, and friendship 

through his sincere commitment to the deep inner work. He considers his work with ayahuasca the key to real, lasting change because it allowed him to create deep inner and outer shifts after years of struggling with addiction. He continues to study and follow this path by dieting Master Plants in the Peruvian jungle and Florida. 

Aaron believes that when we come into this world, we are pure and innocent. He offers a path through the inner work that is grounded in trust as well as a sacred space for people to separate their challenges from the truth of who they are. 

What is trust? 

Trust is stepping into your heart and out of analysis. Fear is ok, but we don’t want to let fear be what’s leading us. We get to sit in that fear and let it move through us. By doing that, we come to the realization that we were safe all along. 

How do I know if I am ready for an ayahuasca ceremony? 

If someone is reading this it means they have already been called to drink ayahuasca. Sometimes trust requires a leap of faith, and we can build off of that leap. It’s counterintuitive. Listen to your heart. Sometimes that requires going out of your comfort zone. Do you trust me? This will be good for you. Here’s trust, I’m extending it to you. This work, this medicine, it is going to build your trust. 

We all wish for certain things. But if we keep wishing, at a certain point, we might give up and think, maybe next year. We might think that we’ve tried everything but what’s really going on is that you never stepped out of your comfort zone and put in consistent work. If you’re interested in coming to Tikkun, maybe this is your sign that you haven’t done it all, and the change you wish for requires a commitment. 

Just remind yourself that you want this. It’s not a hard commitment if it’s what you truly want. Put it into practice, practice stepping out of fear and into the light. 

What is your intention behind this work? 

My intention is to bring healing to as many people as possible through doing the deep inner work in a space that is safe, loving, and that goes deep. A space that encourages us to face the darkness. When we face the darkness we can see that it really isn’t so bad. When we actually face it, we can see how much freedom we have, how much light we have. Really, I believe that we are the only thing stopping us from getting what we want in this life. I don’t believe there is a way to bypass the inner work. 

How did you come to ayahuasca? 

Like most people I came by God. I was searching for more. I was struggling with addiction and substances, anxiety and depression, and I didn’t really find anything that helped. I was in and out of therapy for many years, and thought, that’s just who I am, someone who struggles. Through friends and support I found my way to ayahuasca, and it actually helped. 

For me, it comes back to trust. I’ve been through a lot in my life. Trust is something that comes to me often, coming back to the first time I drank ayahuasca. There was so little trust in myself, and I didn’t trust others. I never truly saw it – myself, or life- for how it actually was. When things are difficult, I now know that there are lessons to be learned and that it’s for my own good. The medicine brought out my true self. I know my purpose, I know I’m not here by chance, I know my mission on earth. I have to trust. Without it, there is no foundation. 

What is Tikkun and why is it meaningful to you? 

Tikkun is meaningful to me because of what it really stands for. It’s not just a name, it embodies the healing work. When I think of TIkkun, I really, truly feel that we’re healing the world. We do have a responsibility. We are partnering with God when we are here on the earth to make the world a better place. We do that by becoming more compassionate and more loving. It’s more than just ayahuasca, it’s the deep inner work. Ayahuasca is a powerful tool to guide us through  the deep inner work that follows us after we leave. It isn’t done in one ceremony, it follows us into the world. 

Tikkun has the energy and feel of a place that is sacred and a space that has made me feel that I am safe to move through the most challenging and difficult point in my journeys, a space where I can grow. It is a space that’s filled with love and compassion and people that truly understand this world. 

How do you hold the space for people to do the inner work? 

Safety is the priority. I believe that the deep work can’t happen if we don’t feel safe. It is my intention to hold a space where people feel mentally, physically, and energetically safe. There is an understanding that my container is a safe space with good energy that can handle whatever is coming up for you. 

I see myself as a guide, just like a tour guide. A tour guide has been along the path, they know the ins and outs. You don’t want to miss the secret shop, it’s the best part of the city! I can be the guide to show you the way, however your journey looks, however long it may be, whatever route you want to take, I’m there for you. I am patient. It’s not about me trying to get you to a specific point, because my journey isn’t over either. 

I’ll see you here when you’re ready. What you’re going to get is the space to safely feel and find the parts of you that have been stuffed down your whole life. The space to feel and be able to release any guilt, fear, resentment, anger you may be holding onto. You are going to tap into safety and this space is where we can do it, together.

What can people expect when they come to one of your ceremonies? 

They can expect a profound experience that can help pave a path for real lasting, true change in their lives. An experience that can shift them from a place of “I’m not even seeing what there is to see, to I can see what I can do to improve my life”. 

I feel like I am able to see bits of myself in others. When we come into this world, we are pure, we are innocent. For so many years I felt so ashamed, I was so harsh on myself. I don’t feel like I judge myself anymore, and I feel like that’s what other people feel when I look at them. By allowing people to move through shame without judgement, they begin to realize that they are not the shame themselves. Whether it was your fault or not, whether it was something that was done to you, there is a part of you that is innocent and pure. 

What are you certain about when it comes to drinking ayahuasca? 

I am certain that you always get what you can handle. Never more and never less. I am also certain that with ayahuasca we are able to see the ultimate mirror of truth. Deep truth about yourself in a way where you are able and ready to see it.

Do you have any words of wisdom about preparing to drink ayahuasca? 

When you decide you’re going to drink ayahuasca, things are going to start coming up. Try not to avoid those feelings when they do. Minimize distractions, whether that’s screen time, smoking, or something else. Just feel. The goal is to step into what’s coming up  — by journaling, or by voicing what’s coming up for you with someone you trust. 

Come with an open heart, trust in the medicine, in yourself, the space will allow you to go deep. Take preparation seriously. Prepare mentally and physically. Come with an intention, intention is really powerful with this medicine.