The 3 steps of Psychedelic Healing: Integration (part 3)

What is Integration: At the end of a session, our energy reaches its peak, and we experience a newfound clarity due to the neurogenesis effects. The session also facilitates a cathartic discharge, infusing us with fresh energy. However, upon returning to our regular lives, including work and relationships, we notice a gradual decrease in our frequency. This decline occurs because the world we come back to was established on an older "vibration," which tends to draw us back to its lower frequency, much like a tuning fork.

To effectively integrate the positive changes from the session, a crucial third step is necessary: aligning our world with the new and elevated frequency we experienced during the event, instead of allowing the old frequency to dominate us.

Based on my observations, those who excel in integration possess two vital elements. Firstly, they have the necessary tools to maintain a high frequency in various aspects of life. These tools encompass practices such as yoga and Qi Gong for physical well-being, breath-work for managing energy levels, emotional maturity for handling emotions, supportive belief systems for intellectual growth, and a strong spiritual connection with Source.

Secondly, successful integration involves having a high vibration person as a reference point. This individual can be a genuine friend without emotional entanglement, a mentor, a guide, or a coach.

A telltale sign of limited integration is experiencing a fleeting moment of flow after a session, where everything appears to improve momentarily. However, this progress eventually returns to baseline with the same challenges and roadblocks in various areas of life, such as work, relationships, and finances. It's also possible to see progress in one aspect of life while other areas remain unchanged. These situations can be quite challenging because the temporary high may give the illusion of consistent progress, but in the long run, it's crucial to be clear about what is truly changing and what isn't. The tendency for some individuals is to keep seeking another session, which is akin to frequently repairing an old car in the garage. At times, it's necessary to consider a new approach entirely.

A common challenge in the integration process is attachments. People often become attached to certain patterns, belief systems, individuals, or relationships, which can limit their growth. A rule to keep in mind is that you cannot attract more of anything beyond the combined energy of your five closest connections. Hence, it's essential to choose your acquaintances carefully. This includes being mindful of the relationships with family members, such as parents, spouse, siblings, and others. If any of these connections hinder your growth, it's essential to select a relationship model that allows for the maximum flow of love, even if it means creating distance.

The point of no return, where change becomes inevitable and irreversible, is often reached when the discomfort of the current state surpasses the perceived discomfort of change. Until then, most people tend to remain in a state of stasis, experiencing numbness or complacency driven by comfort. This is why yoga is often referred to as the science of discomfort. It helps individuals become aware of the true nature of their comfort-induced numbness by intentionally introducing a certain level of tension or discomfort through practices like fasting, adopting a vegetarian diet, giving up coffee or alcohol, practicing stillness and silence, and more. By embracing discomfort, we can break free from the numbness and initiate meaningful change in our lives.
 

Psychedelic experiences offer an incredible opportunity for rapid personal growth, but they are not necessarily essential for such development. In fact, those who have already begun their inner work before embarking on psychedelic journeys often find the experiences more effective. The allure of psychedelics lies in the seemingly effortless progress one can make in a short span of time. However, the real challenge lies in grounding and integrating that progress, which demands discipline, commitment, and resilience. I have personally learned this over the course of 25 years of inner exploration before delving into the realm of psychedelics.

An analogy can be drawn to the story of a frog in slowly warming water, which doesn't notice the gradual change in temperature until it's too late. Psychedelic work can be similar, creating pockets of temporary well-being that can deceive the individual into thinking they are doing the work, while the underlying challenges in their life continue to escalate unnoticed. It becomes a kind of spiritual shortcut, providing relief and insights without fully integrating or embodying the lessons learned. This situation is particularly common in places of high comfort like California, where embracing discomfort and making difficult decisions becomes the true test of growth. Simply being spiritual might be easy, but achieving embodiment requires confronting the dark side, acknowledging and addressing our shadows.

Carl G. Jung eloquently captured this idea when he said, "No tree can grow to heavens unless its roots reach down to hell." True growth and transformation occur when we courageously explore the depths of our being, both the light and the shadow, and integrate those experiences into our lives.

Los Angeles, August 22, 2023