Nature’s Sacred Medicine
A Psychedelic Exploration
An invitation had been consistently arriving in my inbox for a couple of years. Nearly two years ago, I made the decision to RSVP ‘going’ to a medicinal ceremony hosted in a dome, nestled amidst the stunning landscape between a lush forest and an ocean-view point.
As I drove to Metchosin, I coached myself to stay open to this endeavor. After all, I had thought about it extensively, so why back out now? When I parked and started my ascent to find the dome, a sense of excitement welled up within me. It was as if I were about to embark on a journey of self-discovery, venturing into uncharted territory to follow the breadcrumbs to uncover clues about who I truly am.
As the first to arrive, I had the privilege of choosing the best spot inside the dome, which happened to include the only single mattress provided. I brought my own blanket, pen, and journal. As others arrived, a woman with a clear Native Canadian background set up her space next to me, and we exchanged smiles and welcoming nods.
We gathered in a circle, each of us expressing our intentions. As we prepared for meditation, the facilitator began singing angelic, soothing music infused with mantras she had crafted from her years of experience in sound bath ceremonies. The inherent quality of music brings me a deep sense of comfort. With my eyes shut, I began to relax. I pondered my intentions with sincerity and soon surrendered, putting an end to overthinking and overanalyzing.
Over the years, psychedelics emerged as an alternative, leading us to question the justification of the use of drugs with extensive lists of side effects. They may have a crucial role in treating the multitude of mental disorders that afflict us. Under the influence of psychedelics, its been reported that users pause to appreciate the world’s beauty and reconnect with their inner child, gaining fresh perspectives on the strange world we’ve created. However, examining our world and ourselves can be intimidating, sometimes more than we’re prepared for.
I was never a fan of smoking. In high school, I found the idea of smoking and experimenting with weed intriguing, though it didn’t captivate me as much as girls did. I didn’t truly understand the concept of getting high until I started drinking as a way to socialize and deal with the challenging individuals at the Bureau of Customs, with whom I interacted as part of my work at the time. However, I soon found alcohol to be repulsive. I began to wonder if weed had no effect on me, and that’s when I considered that perhaps psychedelics might be a different story.
To start, 2.5mg of psilocybin was sufficient. Following the meditation, we each sipped our tea, which soon began guiding us into different worlds, leading to an altered state of consciousness.
About 15 minutes into the drink, I began to feel like I was ‘floating.’ I could see my body and was aware of my surroundings, but I was also drifting into a sky filled with vibrant colors, like a kaleidoscope expanding and throbbing. I remained fully aware of my intentions, waiting with anticipation. Then, unexpectedly, I began to moan. I couldn’t pinpoint where it came from, but with each swirl of those colors, I involuntarily produced a sound I couldn’t control. The facilitator whispered in my ear, asking me to keep it low, as my moans were distracting to others in their own altered states. This brought me back to reality. It felt like I was a kite, soaring high, and I slowly descended back to earth. I walked on a wire with no concern for my balance.
After the ‘trip’ had ended, for what I thought was almost an hour, I came back with heightened awareness. Toward the end of the ceremony, an opportunity to share our experiences was presented. The effects of the ‘medicine’ continued to influence me for weeks afterward, opening me up even further, deepening my introspection and leading me to perceive things differently.
Returning to my intentions, I wrote, ‘I want to encounter parts of myself I’ve yet to discover.’ While I initially expected to meet younger or older versions of myself, none materialized. I realized that answers may come when I’m ready to receive them. In the end, my journey with plant medicine has been a transformative one. Through the doorways these natural substances opened, I discovered facets of myself I had long neglected. The kaleidoscope of experiences, from vibrant visuals to profound introspection, illuminated the nooks and crannies of my soul. It’s like looking through a special lens that showed me things I didn’t notice before. I’m grateful for the insights it has gifted me.