Q: Aside from the substances themselves, what do you find to be the single biggest factor or determinant in lasting, healing change or growth in the people you work with?
Thank you for the opportunity to answer this important question. In sitting with hundreds of people navigating psychedelic realms, I’ve learned that the synthesis of these experiences doesn’t happen in isolation. Yes, the substances serve as keys to open doors of perception, insight and understanding, but there is a crucial element that leads to true lasting change: community.
The path of self-discovery, particularly when aided by psychedelics, can be akin to navigating a dense and disorienting forest, or a voyage to a distant and deeply personal universe. Upon return, the voyager, whether exhausted or radiant with new insights, needs a place to rest, a sanctuary. This is where community becomes the crucible for the alchemy of lasting change. In these moments, the presence of even a single understanding soul to reach out to can light the way, making the journey not only bearable but illuminating.
Engaging with psychedelics is a powerful exploration that unfolds over time, and having a community to share this with amplifies the healing, embeds the change and ensures growth is not a flash of insight but a continual blossoming of the spirit. Furthermore, a community inspires action — it channels newfound inspiration into collective endeavors, turning personal enlightenment into societal betterment. The healing witnessed within these circles ripples outward, touching families, friendships and, ultimately, the larger community. Psychedelic journeys, though deeply personal, need not be solitary ones.
And let’s face it, traveling in the psychedelic realms is not always peaceful and pleasant. It can leave us feeling untethered at times and occasionally truly traumatized. Psychedelic-friendly communities that include informed systems of care, where people can be open and honest and met with knowledgeable and non-judgmental support, is essential in ensuring safe and effective outcomes in the long term when continuation of care is needed after a challenging or harmful experience.
I am writing this with awareness that many, if not most, people in our society are suffering from a lack of community and support systems to some degree. Many to the extreme. For many, the motivation to experience psychedelics is a desire to heal from earlier wounding due to a lack of family, connection or safety. So, how can people find and join a collective like I outlined above? The answer is we cultivate these spaces of belonging and growth.
We, as guides, knowledge-keepers and space-holders of these realms, share the duty of not just facilitating individual experiences, but of cultivating these sacred spaces where growth can be sustained through connection. After the experiences have ended, our work goes beyond this. It is more than guiding individuals through their psychedelic journeys, embodying compassion, offering our time, listening, learning and showing unconditional love; it is about connecting them with others on similar paths, creating a lattice of support and understanding. We are tasked with more than the facilitation of experiences; we are called to be the architects of community.
By hosting gatherings and workshops and promoting ongoing support groups, we provide spaces not just for sharing knowledge but for essential human connection. Envision a family, by blood or bond, gathered in a circle of support and shared wisdom, where tales of transformation become legends that guide the collective. These gatherings become spaces within which individuals see their own journeys reflected in others, creating a reinforcing cycle of shared vulnerability and collective strength — coming together in pursuit of a common goal: growth.
The role of community also extends beyond those we serve, and allows us, the practitioners, a cocoon of safety, support and accountability, as well. Within this sacred circle, we lean on and learn from each other, ensuring our practices remain grounded, effective and examined. This interconnectedness fosters a culture of mutual care. Having the eyes, ears and input of others on our practice allows us the support and feedback we need to serve with both confidence and humility.
This is my invitation to you. Beyond the realms of psychedelia and the immediate circles you identify with lies a vast community waiting to be realized. Let us weave together this interconnected tapestry of a mindful collective by sharing our vulnerabilities, strengths and shared humanity.
—Mary Casanave Sheridan is a psychedelic coach and ceremonialist. Questions are encouraged: Send to mothermarymyco@gmail.com
This article appears in The Source Weekly January 23, 2025.
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