What is the ideal mindset for a psychedelic journey? I would say the best approach is that of the explorer.<\/p>\n
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So. what does it mean to be an explorer?<\/p>\n
Openness<\/h2>\n
A good explorer is open to possibilities of experience. When an explorer goes into a new territory or land, they need to remain open minded, letting go of pre-judgments or expectations, if they really want to learn about the landscape, terrain, peoples or culture. Having a fixed idea of what something should be or look like limits the possibility and potential to see it in other ways. This limits the potential for what can be learned in an experience.<\/p>\n
For example, if you have a very specific idea that you should feel love and joy and understanding but in fact you feel fear and sadness, then you may get caught in thoughts of \u201cthis isn\u2019t what its supposed to be, its not what I signed up for\u201c and miss a great opportunity that the fear and sadness presented.<\/p>\n
Upon encountering the unexpected in a new place, whether it may be shocking or disappointing, a good traveller doesn\u2019t judge \u201cthat shouldn\u2019t be there\u201d, they openly accept.<\/p>\n
Being at war with what is actually arising is not the way. Being open to and accepting what comes up allows you to work with what is there. This is where I trust comes in.<\/p>\n
Trust<\/h2>\n
Trust that whatever comes up is part of the experience you are supposed to have. Psychedelics are amplifiers for consciousness meaning they bring up what is deep down inside you. They will pull up things from your subconscious to your conscious mind. So trust that whatever arises in the session is something that is deep within you and is an opportunity for you to know yourself more deeply.<\/p>\n
Curiosity<\/h2>\n
Any good explorer is curious about the terrain they are exploring, their surroundings and the situations they find themselves in. Curiosity brings attention to detail and is the bedrock of a deep learning. Curiosity brings a wonder to things and a richer and deeper experience.<\/p>\n Anything that arises in a psychedelic session can be looked at with a curiosity. For example, say you start feeling annoyed. Perhaps there is some noise coming from your neighbors that you haven\u2019t planned on being part of your experience. Curiosity can transmute this feeling of annoyance and irritation to an object for investigation. You can then ask:<\/p>\n OK, why do I feel annoyed about this sound? What am I believing that causes me to be annoyed? How do I know I feel annoyed? How does it feel in my body? What sensations arise in my body? What is this felt experience of being annoyed?<\/p>\n Maybe it could be a feeling of worry and perhaps thoughts come up like \u201coh no I took too much, this is too strong for me, I can\u2019t handle this\u201c. Again, after recognizing this you can investigate with a curiosity:<\/p>\n What is this feeling of worry? What is it I\u2019m believing that makes me worry? How do I feel this in my body?<\/p>\n Dig in to those sensations. Really look at them. What is their substance? What is their tone or colour?<\/p>\n\n
\u201cLook the monster in the eye and move towards it\u2026\u00a0Dig in your heels; ask, \u2018What are you doing in my mind?\u2019 Or, \u2018What can I learn from you?\u2019 Look for the darkest corner in the basement, and shine your light there.\u201d<\/h5>\n