JW: District 216 Notes

 8/9/2023

The Art of the Trip

Panelists: Andy Clark, Michael Gilbert, Suzanne Austin

Comments:

• An important factor of safety is Set & Setting
• when trip is solo, set up an agreement with a friend to call if needed
• create safe environment, comfort, water, clean diet prior to trip ... lots of resource suggestions available
• television: planet earth
• make it a party for one
• Integration is key ... what do you do when you get back?
• Michael: On the spectrum of therapeutic to recreational usage, there is an area of self-therapeutic which is less discussed
• Constants: vibration, connectedness, oneness
• MDMA is a lonely drug, prefers company, non hallucinogenic, more empathic
• uses a digital voice recorder to journal
• Importance of setting intention and personal agency
• Andy: Life doesn't have to mean anything.
• Don't believe everything you think
• If an external entity arrives, bring it closer. be curious
• medicine illuminates, find the teacher within
• there are no bad trips, just challenging experiences
• questioned by audience member speaking about people with mental health issues
• Don't sightsee in hell
• Trust inner guidance system
• The plant speaks in metaphor and symbols, has surprises, let it develop
• Suzanne: integration can happen over years
• Journaling as part of integration

Resources mentioned:

• Session games people play - brochure - highly recommended
• SB Psychedelic Integration Circle Meetup - monthly
• Psychonaut wiki
• Erowid ... documenting the complex relationships between humans and psychoactives
• The Nature of the MDMA Experience and Its Role in Healing, Psychotherapy, and Spiritual Practice by Sophia Adamson and Ralph Metzner
• Book: The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys Paperback by James Fadiman