Work to gain distance and perspective on your ego, recognizing its patterns and influence, so you can choose not to always identify with or listen to its ’tricks.’ This allows for greater freedom from its constant demands, similar to what can be learned in psychotherapy or through meditation.
Approach drug use, including psychedelics and alcohol, with clear intention and surround it with ritual. Using substances in a ritualistic, rather than wanton, way can be protective and prevent problems, drawing lessons from cultural rules and indigenous peoples.
Recognize that there are risks involved with psychedelics and some people should avoid them. Ideally, you should be qualified by a professional to undertake a high-dose experience.
If considering psychedelics, seek a guide to diminish risk and increase benefits. They will help optimize set and setting, prepare you by discussing intentions and history, provide a supportive presence during the experience, and assist with integration afterward to help you interpret and apply insights to your life.
Before using psychedelics, optimize your mindset by setting clear intentions and purpose beyond thrills. Choose a physical environment that is conducive to a positive experience (e.g., nature rather than busy streets) to avoid challenging trips.
If considering a high-dose psychedelic experience, do not do it alone. Instead, ensure an elder or someone experienced (‘who knows the territory’) is involved, drawing from indigenous wisdom.
For the safest and most legal way to experience psychedelics, enroll as a volunteer in clinical trials for conditions like depression, OCD, eating disorders, alcoholism, or basic research. You can find trials by searching government websites for available studies and applying.
If seeking a psychedelic guide in the underground, network by asking around your contacts until you find someone who can provide an introduction.
After a psychedelic experience, seek out integration therapists who can help you process and understand what happened. These professionals work with you after experiences but do not administer the substances.
If you’ve had psychedelic experiences, recall and use perplexing imagery from those experiences as a visual mantra during meditation. This can help you return to a state of focus and enjoyment in your meditation practice.
Try abstaining from caffeine for a period, even if you plan to resume consumption, to understand the powerful role it plays in your daily life and consciousness. This personal experiment can reveal your default state of consciousness.
Be mindful of your caffeine intake, as it can be problematic if it makes you jittery, if you consume excessive amounts (8-10 cups daily), or if it interferes with your sleep.
Non-Native Americans should refrain from using peyote due to its scarcity and its profound importance to Native American communities. This is advised as a gesture of respect and recognition for how much has been taken from indigenous peoples.
Do not grow opium poppies with the intention of ingesting them as a drug, as this is a serious federal crime. Knowing that the plant can become a drug makes its cultivation for that purpose illegal, risking severe legal consequences.
You can legally grow San Pedro cactus in your garden. However, do not process it into mescaline tea, as that would be illegal.
Download the 10% Happier app to practice meditation, learn skills for compassion, difficult conversations, and pausing, and access ad-free podcast episodes, courses, and sleep meditations. The app allows seamless transition between listening to the podcast and practicing meditation.
Download the new ‘10% with Dan Harris’ meditation app to access guided meditations for stress, anxiety, sleep, and focus, engage in weekly live Zoom community sessions, and listen to ad-free podcast episodes. A 14-day free trial is available at danharris.com.
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