By Udgar Parsons
A couple of days before Thanksgiving, right out of the blue, I was invited to have a journey using psilocybin mushrooms as the psychedelic agent. The experience was in the presence of a guide, whose role was to keep me safe and write down everything I might say during the journey. She took a lot of notes which are very helpful when reviewing what took place.
My interest in becoming a psychedelic facilitator was sparked by this mushroom experience, and would like to invite the community to a presentation this coming Friday, March 29 at 6pm at the Edge of Silence studio.
My intention for my personal journey was to experience the vast spaciousness beyond the limits of our mind and body. This is exactly what happened for me and it was a very profound experience and deeply affected me in a positive way. It seemed like I communicated with my wife, Puja, who died in February last year, and we had a wonderful conversation.
Other people have described a sense of oceanic boundlessness, connection to all things, and feelings of unity and bliss.
For a significant time after the journey, these are the things I have been noticing since:
My investigation, study and training over the last four months has been most inspiring. A lot of research has been done that shows how helpful psychedelics can be in problematic conditions. Usually people have experienced shifts in their consciousness by having a Psilocybin journey, as well as ‘microdosing’ with small amounts of the mushrooms.
A journey has been shown to be life-changing for many people and generally helps them to be more connected to themselves, each other and the world.
Over the centuries, mushrooms have been used by indigenous people as part of their way of connecting to earth and to spirit.
We are fortunate that a new openness is happening to support the use of these gifts from nature to help us not only deepen our spiritual connection, but to handle some of the challenging issues we might be addressing in our lives. Studies have shown that the majority of people who have experienced a psilocybin journey given the right set, setting, and guidance have had a profound mystical or transcendental experience and often significantly have their fear of death diminished.
In these studies, people have reported that it has been one of the more important experiences of their lives. Also, people usually experience a feeling of oneness with all things and with their higher self. The long lasting effects can include an increase in creativity and new thinking, as the medicine opens up new pathways in the brain. It can create profound shifts in our understanding of who we are, and open up new possibilities in our lives.
Studies have shown that psilocybin can help people reduce anxiety and depression, and often buried trauma can emerge in order to be healed.
However, not everybody experiences completely positive effects, as a journey is very individual for each person. Occasionally negative experiences have been reported, but these are usually due to recreational use with an unsupportive setting and incorrect dosage. Generally, having a guide or facilitator can help immensely.
The guide is there to help prepare you for the journey by describing the most common experiences ahead of time, setting an intention, and clarifying the most important components of the journey. During the journey, guide is there to keep you safe, and provide a grounding, reassuring presence. Also, the guide can write down insights or realizations that might emerge, so they can be understood and integrated.
The third stage of the journey is the integration stage, which usually happens the next day. This may include helping to understand images, feelings, or thoughts that may have surfaced during the session. Also afterwards, it’s helpful to review what suggestions might have emerged about improving our life situation and connecting more deeply with ourselves, family, our community and the planet.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that people have been using small doses of mushrooms that helps elevate their mood to feel calmer and more peaceful throughout the day. This is called ‘microdosing’, and it can have a very beneficial effects, especially for people with anxiety and depression.
I regard myself as an ambassador for this wonderful plant medicine, and I am more than happy to connect with anyone who wishes to know more.
You are invited to a presentation about psilocybin mushrooms on Friday, March 29 at 6pm. The event will take place at the Edge of Silence studio, 2839 Cornerstone Dr., #5
Donations for use of the space are appreciated.
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