As a shaman friend once told me because I have a “shamanic” way of seeing. I saw things through medicine that I wasn’t supposed to witness until I was 60.
Things that take a lot of work to integrate.
And yet, I kept wanting to see more.
But there’s an order in everything.
Two years later, I’m still trying to integrate it all… or forget.
That was my path.
But now. I’m much more careful. (And a scared, too.)
This is an absolutely beautiful and relevant message to cut through spiritual materialism and overuse of substances. When there is no integration and constant "use" of medicine it leads to fragmentation and often nervous system collapse. Or an ego trip about how many times you've sat in ceremony. True awakenings aren't filmed for IG. Thanks for this post.
Thank you for sharing this important POV. 95% of the work happens after you leave the ceremony. Proper devotion to integration is everything. Such important words you’re sharing here.
interesting point and something i’ve been pondering on for a few years now! i’d connect all of this to the growth of what seems to as the “cult of being broken” - or this idea of catching ourselves in this perpetual state of brokenness that can only be resolved through enlightenment. And that, in turn, gets flipped into what often becomes this very exclusive, very elitist tribe of people who have the capacity to live in that enlightenment… capacity that is presented as the courage/vision to constantly venture into psychedelics but is actually (and almost always) connected to the financial/socioeconomic access that enables one to do so.
I’ve found enormous healing and insight in psychedelics when they were presented to me as tools, not escapes, and that the powerful insights were meant to be woven into my life, not constantly replayed like a movie or checked into like a theme park. That analogy may be a little harsh, but that’s what i see a lot of in this realm.
Hiiii! Ok- I get why this one is a crowd pleaser and I think this is a really important conversation. I really agree with your general point- that breakthrough and peak experiences should never be exploited or mistaken for the real work. However, I need to push back on a few of your points here. I think your misrepresenting "the medicine path" as a a path that requires psychedelics. In my world, the medicine path is one of integrity and I don't know ANYONE who is truly on a medicine path that uses psychedelics frequently on a regular basis. I also think there's a misunderstanding of what a dieta is- a dieta does not necessarily require the use of psychedelics at all- it is more subtle than a vipasana meditation, and while the dieta itself may only be a few weeks long the process takes years- most of which do not involve any substances at all. It's a commitment to learn from a plant and requires sacrificing a lot of desires for state changes in general.
I think you're using psychedelics as a symbolic of a culture of people who want to state change when things are uncomfortable- and what some people turn to psychedelics for, others turn to other types of peak experiences for. I'm really interested in this conversation in a more broader context- but I think that confusing modern psychedelic misuse with sacred and indigineous traditions is somewhat problematic. I love you for speaking to this and leave you with an open invitation to continue the conversation. xoxo
Yes—the medicine path looks very different for someone living in a big city compared to those living in or around Indigenous communities. There's a lot of confusion between what is truly Indigenous and ceremonial, and what’s actually modern or New Age psychedelic misuse.
The medicine path—whether you call it the red road, the chanku luta, the corn pollen path, or something else—is a way of life. Most people dropping into weekend ceremonial spaces aren’t approaching it from a place of integrity.
For me, the medicine path is powerful. It requires walking in a good way—being humble, helping your relatives, taking care of the earth, of the elders, being in modes of prayer, and yes, supporting and being part of ceremony.
We have to remember: these plants are not just substances. They’re not just psychedelics or “tools.” They are master teachers—here to help us live better lives.
The confusion often comes because many who are just beginning to work with these plants don’t yet understand that the medicine path is not a weekend identity—it’s a lifelong commitment. It’s not something you put on and take off.
I really appreciate this article. These are the conversations we need to be having. I feel I can speak to this with some grounding, having lived and worked with these plants and traditions in Colombia for over 15 years.
As a shaman friend once told me because I have a “shamanic” way of seeing. I saw things through medicine that I wasn’t supposed to witness until I was 60.
Things that take a lot of work to integrate.
And yet, I kept wanting to see more.
But there’s an order in everything.
Two years later, I’m still trying to integrate it all… or forget.
That was my path.
But now. I’m much more careful. (And a scared, too.)
Big yes to this.
My man!
Tysm for articulating the avoidance I keep sensing in ppl who have an identity with medicine seeking and use.
Thanks for sharing this important reminder Zach...
As Ram Dass would say, don't confuse awakening with enlightenment. 🙏
This is an absolutely beautiful and relevant message to cut through spiritual materialism and overuse of substances. When there is no integration and constant "use" of medicine it leads to fragmentation and often nervous system collapse. Or an ego trip about how many times you've sat in ceremony. True awakenings aren't filmed for IG. Thanks for this post.
Wow! Spot on! I could not agree more. Many years of seeing this becoming the truth of this working. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this important POV. 95% of the work happens after you leave the ceremony. Proper devotion to integration is everything. Such important words you’re sharing here.
interesting point and something i’ve been pondering on for a few years now! i’d connect all of this to the growth of what seems to as the “cult of being broken” - or this idea of catching ourselves in this perpetual state of brokenness that can only be resolved through enlightenment. And that, in turn, gets flipped into what often becomes this very exclusive, very elitist tribe of people who have the capacity to live in that enlightenment… capacity that is presented as the courage/vision to constantly venture into psychedelics but is actually (and almost always) connected to the financial/socioeconomic access that enables one to do so.
I’ve found enormous healing and insight in psychedelics when they were presented to me as tools, not escapes, and that the powerful insights were meant to be woven into my life, not constantly replayed like a movie or checked into like a theme park. That analogy may be a little harsh, but that’s what i see a lot of in this realm.
Hiiii! Ok- I get why this one is a crowd pleaser and I think this is a really important conversation. I really agree with your general point- that breakthrough and peak experiences should never be exploited or mistaken for the real work. However, I need to push back on a few of your points here. I think your misrepresenting "the medicine path" as a a path that requires psychedelics. In my world, the medicine path is one of integrity and I don't know ANYONE who is truly on a medicine path that uses psychedelics frequently on a regular basis. I also think there's a misunderstanding of what a dieta is- a dieta does not necessarily require the use of psychedelics at all- it is more subtle than a vipasana meditation, and while the dieta itself may only be a few weeks long the process takes years- most of which do not involve any substances at all. It's a commitment to learn from a plant and requires sacrificing a lot of desires for state changes in general.
I think you're using psychedelics as a symbolic of a culture of people who want to state change when things are uncomfortable- and what some people turn to psychedelics for, others turn to other types of peak experiences for. I'm really interested in this conversation in a more broader context- but I think that confusing modern psychedelic misuse with sacred and indigineous traditions is somewhat problematic. I love you for speaking to this and leave you with an open invitation to continue the conversation. xoxo
Yes—the medicine path looks very different for someone living in a big city compared to those living in or around Indigenous communities. There's a lot of confusion between what is truly Indigenous and ceremonial, and what’s actually modern or New Age psychedelic misuse.
The medicine path—whether you call it the red road, the chanku luta, the corn pollen path, or something else—is a way of life. Most people dropping into weekend ceremonial spaces aren’t approaching it from a place of integrity.
For me, the medicine path is powerful. It requires walking in a good way—being humble, helping your relatives, taking care of the earth, of the elders, being in modes of prayer, and yes, supporting and being part of ceremony.
We have to remember: these plants are not just substances. They’re not just psychedelics or “tools.” They are master teachers—here to help us live better lives.
The confusion often comes because many who are just beginning to work with these plants don’t yet understand that the medicine path is not a weekend identity—it’s a lifelong commitment. It’s not something you put on and take off.
I really appreciate this article. These are the conversations we need to be having. I feel I can speak to this with some grounding, having lived and worked with these plants and traditions in Colombia for over 15 years.