My first psychedelic experience induced in me epiphanies so profound that I wondered if it was possible to obtain them in my everyday life. This is where my integration process first began — a seed of thought that would later blossom into the physical world.
Einstein explains this scientific phenomenon:
“Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.”
Months later going into my second psychedelic experience I was prepared to take notes to try and capture the essence of this ineffable dimension (This inspired The Psychedelic Trip Journal).
Psilocybin, a natural psychedelic element found in hundreds of fungi, has been used for thousands of years in medicinal and ceremonial settings. The current popularization of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) brings with it ancient wisdom containing practical life lessons if we’re willing to listen. Here are eleven.
1. How to Change Our Mind
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
Michael Pollan could not have chosen a better title for his book How to Change Your Mind: “What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.”
Pollan’s book title gives insight into the extraordinary potential of psilocybin and other psychedelics which can help us:
2 years after my first psychedelic experience, in 2012, I traveled to Venezuela on a mission trip. Up to that point I had only taken magic mushrooms 3 or 4 times.
I’ve never craved psychedelics. I’ve always appreciated them with a deep reverence after my first experience.
Anyway, looking through photo memories, I can see my charisma and trusting presence. I wonder if psilocybin makes us more of who we are? But do believe that it can awaken the Soul.
As I’ve gotten older, some of my trusting presence has faded or hidden. I think it’s still within me. Many people have mistaken my carefree presence as naive and weak, but now that it’s not as strong within me, I realize this was a strength.
I didn’t need or use any drugs during this trip. I really was high on life, and have been high on life much of my life. I had little to no anxiety, no worries, just carrying a deep trust I had for life, God, the Universe, which my psychedelic experiences made complete. I understood that everything in life was unfolding perfectly, trusting it without a doubt, which I believe is what allowed me to live so completely in the present moment, overflowing with life.
I was in a state of trust, and would like to practice trusting life again. I think as we age and experience inevitable moments of suffering, we trust less, we’re in our heads more, we miss out on joys otherwise to be had today – holding onto pains of our past or worries of our future. It’s not easy.
My once in a blue moon psychedelic experiences often return me to that state of trusting presence. My hope is that it can do the same for others, and that we can carry some of that trust into our daily lives.
I know several factors impact the experience – that the psychedelic experience is unique to the individual. Maybe the experience brings out more of who we already are, but maybe it can do more than that with the addition of a spiritual practice, or other practices. The presence of genuinely supportive people makes a difference.
I see this in reflection as I’m currently not in the all-around great shape I had been in most of my life, and not just physical shape but mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial — I’m still paying student loans but at the time it felt like free money. Haha.
Life is constantly changing. I’m not in the ideal shape I used to be in, but I’m happy with who I am and where I’m currently at. I accept myself, (I try to!), as I simultaneously (try to) take actions toward a more ideal future. Imperfect progress is a way toward progress, and I do imagine a better future, although 2020 hasn’t made it easy.
I hope you and yours are well.
I know that psilocybin alone isn’t the answer, though it is nice hearing about its decriminalizations and medicinal legalizations. I think it will help many people in the long run.
1—There are different strands of magic mushrooms. Since it’s mostly illegal, you will likely not know how strong the mushrooms you have are, and what effects they might have. So it’s best to begin with a low dose.
I prefer higher doses, but for microdosing begin with .1 or .2 grams. You most likely won’t feel anything. Even at half a gram you might not feel anything. So begin low, then go from there.
If you don’t want to feel anything, continue with the .1 or .2 grams. If you want to feel some effects, go to 1 gram, and if you want the whole experience, take 3.5 or more grams.
Remember, each person reacts different to psilocybin. If you are taking other medicine, your medicine may effect your trip — whether it makes you not feel anything, or makes you feel something different, it just depends.
Safe bet is to begin with a small amount and go from there.
Anyway I think psychedelics are basically harmless. For me, they have been more than harmless. They have been extremely beneficial, helping me come to accept parts of myself I didn’t like before, increasing my self-awareness, raising my critical thinking skills, and deepening my spirituality.
The education system, and maybe family members, have taught you and I that “All drugs are bad, mmkay”, but that’s not true!!! Some drugs are bad, but some drugs are better than good, like psilocybin.
You might not feel some of the awesome effects of psilocybin if you are microdosing, but if that’s what you want, start with a small amount and then go from there. I’m excited for you.
Part One prepares you for foreseen factors, protecting you from a bad trip and preparing you for an optimal experience.
Part Two is filled with activities to help ground yourself and enhance your experience. If you’re having a bad trip this section helps shift your focus. If you’re having a good trip this section gets you more in the zone of the present moment — being completely here now.
Part Three is a section of reflection. A place to write and draw what you experienced throughout your psychedelic journey.
When it kicked in it took me to this innocence feeling of childhood. I felt like a kid. I was drawing butterflies in my notebook. What I wrote wasn’t legible but from what I could grasp it said you are beautiful, you are the butterfly and I drew some butterflies next to it.
When I peaked I could close my eyes and see myself ascending through the universe. My soul was flying high through the entire universe. I was just a spirit my physical body didn’t exist.
I felt like I could touch the fabric of the universe and become one with it. I could see the universe and the stars. I cried many tears of joy and pure euphoria.
Then the heavy emotions kicked it. I was coming face to face with my shadow. I felt like I had a fever. I was so cold I was shivering. I became a snake.
I was a snake all night shedding skin and rising above the many deaths that took place.
I felt like I died multiple times. In the process of dying I saw the hindu goddess kali right in front of me. She is the goddess of death, also associated with feminine power and sexuality. she was there throughout my process of death and rebirth. I felt a bit uncomfortable. I didn’t want to face the trauma that was being shown, but there was no way to avoid it. After I faced it, she left. And that’s when the hindu god Ganesh appeared. He is known as the God of beginnings and remover of obstacles.
I started slowly coming down and just felt like my chest was going to burst open with all the love and gratitude within my heart and I’m still feeling that way the day after. I’m currently in a world of my own made out of the love and gratitude in my heart. It’s just utter bliss. Cheers to Mother Earth for always providing the resources to help us heal, mind, body and spirit. May We honor her, love her and protect her. -Lenissa Milagros
