Plants of power healing ceremony

 Navigating the psychedelic experience isn’t always intuitive and takes some practice and skills. Getting comfortable in the space can be the hardest part, as it is so dramatically different from everyday life that it can be overwhelming or frightening. The most important thing you can do is to approach the experience with an accepting attitude and open mind. Similarly, while you’re actually under the influence of a psychedelic, the most important navigation skill is to relax. It sounds simple—too easy, even—but relinquishing your control to the substance, to to resist its powers and just let go and see where it takes you, can be challenging. In fact, you might not even realize you’re resisting the effects. 

“Whenever in doubt, turn off your mind, relax and float downstream.” In fact, every psychedelic expert who has written on the subject has given this same advice in their own words. Rick Strassman, author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule, and the first scientist to resume psychedelic research since prohibition, advises something very similar: “It is only through letting do that we find ourselves making the most progress… this surrender is the crux of a successful journey.”

James Fadiman, in The Psychedelic Explores’ Guide, gives more specifics on how to surrender: “Observe what is going on inside your mind and body, but do not try to control the flow of images and sensations. Allow your mind to take its natural course; relax and observe as your thoughts unfold without any effort. Affirm that all experiences are welcome.” Fadiman’s advice is crucial because it not only recommends relaxing and surrendering to the experience, but it reminds us that we shouldn’t try to control every thought, and just accept and welcome them as they come. However, while you’re journeying, this can be difficult because your mind will constantly try to rationalize everything. Our minds naturally rationalize and judge everything round us—it’s a safety mechanism to keep us alive, os it’s completely unnatural for us to stop doing so, whether we’re on mushrooms or not. 

If you find yourself being overly critical of your thoughts while you’re journeying, try taking a deep breath, closing your eyes, and simply focus on your breathing. In fact, remembering to breathe and doing so deeply and mindfully is the other crucial navigation skill. It can also help yo have music playing. Try focusing on the music while breathing and relaxing your mind. This might also be a good time to repeat a mantra. For example, “Teach me, I’m listening” can help stop rationalizing, judging, and planning everything, and just be in the moment. Another is “Trust, let go, be open.” Before your journey, choose a mantra hat encourages you to be calm, present, and accepting of the experience, no matter what it is. 

A psychedelic experience fosters a deeper look at yourself from a new angle, so being prepared to have painful feelings bubble up is important. You might realize things you haven’t fully dealt with emotionally, like trauma or grief, and it can be challenging but also rewarding. Consider whether you’re in the right emotional state to tackle these issues, and if not, there’s no harm in waiting until you are. 

Journey work can get scary, even if you do have a strong sense of who you are and are in a stable place in your life. Here are a few phrases to focus on to release control to the medicine and go deeper:

• “Trust. Let Go. Be Open.”
• “Trust the trajectory, follow your path.”
• “If you feel like you’re dying, melting, dissolving, exploding, going crazy, etc.—go ahead, embrace it.”

You can try telling yourself one of more of these phrases as a mantra, or even write one down on a piece of paper. If the journey gets dark or if you feel anxiety or fear, it’s encouraged to face your fear. “Look the monster in the eye and move toward it… Dig in you heels; ask, ‘What are you doing in my mind?’ Or, ‘What can I learn from you?” If you can face your demons, a true transformation can occur. The symbolic monster could turn into whatever in their subconscious is troubling them, whether it is an abusive parent, the fear of failure, or unresolved grief or guilt. This transformation is usually followed by catharsis and understanding. What is so important here is the discovery that the monster has meaning and in itself is am invitation to enhanced psychological health and spiritual maturation. Its purpose is not to torment, but to teach.

Another common way a mushroom journey can turn sour is when you get stuck in what we refer to as a “negative thought loop.” This is when you have overly negative thoughts, usually fueled by anxiety, that repeat or spiral into more anxious thinking. Anything to distract yourself can help, which is why preparing some activities and supplies beforehand is a great thing to do. Having things like art supplies, coloring books, nature books or documentaries, fruit, or musical instruments can hep get you our of a negative headspace. Changing the music or the scenery can also help, as can getting up and moving your body through dance, yoga, or just walking around. It’s important not to beat yourself up or push yourself in any way, When you’ve eaten mushrooms, you’re in a very sensitive place, so being gentle and forgiving with yourself goes a long way.

Navigation Skills Summary:

• Be open and accepting to all experiences as they come.
• Relax and let your thoughts flow without trying to control them.
• Breathe deeply and mindfully.

**Excerpt From Your Psilocybin Mushroom Companion, by Michelle Janikian