Who Has A Monopoly On The Psychedelic Renaissance?

By Shiri Godasi

Today, just a quick reminder:

NO ONE HAS A MONOPOLY ON THE PSYCHEDELIC RENAISSANCE. 

Read that again.

As this already-controversial field becomes more mainstream - there will be more controversy. There will be as many interpretations and reiterations of psychedelic healing, as there are people. 

It’s your prerogative to choose to be either in denial or acknowledgement of this reality. 

I’m not saying that ethical standards, discernment, boundaries, critical thinking and an overall judicious approach should be thrown out the window.

I’m saying that no one can claim their intention, method, opinion, view etc. to be superior, the gold-standard or the North star the entire industry must follow. 

The psychedelic revival doesn’t belong to any One - 

Not the scientists or researchers
Not the nonprofits or corporations
Not the underground facilitators or chosen leaders
Not coaches, specialists or clinical therapists. 

Not even the tribes, the indigenous or the elders. 

And (especially) not the journalists, sideline commentators and self-appointed gatekeepers,

And/or the enlightened, ethical and moral supremacists. 

I believe Spirit takes many forms. Humans are reiterations of Spirit. The human condition is innately polarized and flawed AF. Every human has a voice, as a right for self expression. We may not understand, agree with, or support that expression. You have a right not to, in all the ways. 

You also have the power to be aware

The privilege to form your own expression

And the responsibility to be a kind human.

Observe, from bottom to top, who are the ones that aim to police these expressions. 

What are their motives. 

Where are they rooted. 

What backgrounds feed their perspective. Tap into their vision - what world do they aim to create? 

And most telling - HOW exactly are they expressing their opinions? 

What methods and tactics are used? 

How objective? 

Are they inciting splitting and violence? 

To what level do they include stories of context and culture? 

And is compassion or Ego-driven toxic righteousness their North star? 

In other words - what world are they creating in the NOW, through their well-intentioned policing actions?

You can choose to question everything. Stay curious. Be discerning and see through love.

You can choose to adopt those psychedelic mega headers of humility, acceptance, forgiveness, compassion and unity. And be strong enough to share your own voice, especially when you observe issues that don’t align with the world you wish to see. Just remember to at the least, be kind. 

You have a right to create your own psychedelic reality in the psychedelic revival (if You don’t- someone else will) but don’t trip - it belongs to everyOne. 

FOLLOW UP UPDATE:

The response for this opinion was extraordinary, and diverse; it was super interesting to learn that some people read it as a dangerous admission/submission to the white/corporate/colonized takeover while others got it as a FUCK YEAH call to action.

To each their own point of reference, based on that which is ripe within.

Unfortunately, there is much injustice in the world right now. The psychedelic community/revival is but a microcosm to these same social issues. What makes You think that the creation of this new paradigm/uprise of an industry will be any different if its initiators and pioneers use the same old soft/malware of those outdated paradigms?

Those who plant the pole establish the new standard.

If clinicians and therapists interject their modality as the framework - we can expect it to be medicalized.

If business people are quick to dominate the field - it will be corporatized.

If researchers and scientists assert information that validates people’s existing opinions - it becomes relevant discourse.

And if the people who see themselves as Shepherds of the new Earth

Those that protest for a more balanced and just world

Translate those slogans into ACTION that DEMONSTRATES

Visionary, novel AND grounded ways

To both erect and uphold psychedelic realities within the CURRENT social narratives (this is key! You cannot exist outside of it right now - first learn the game so You can make up your own rules!)

Then, growing them until they become THE reality -

Then we’ll be able to conclude the psychedelic renaissance lived up to its hype.

Until then, it’s his-story repeating itSelf.

So who is it going to be?

Hopefully You.

Author’s Bio
Shiri Godasi (She/Her) is a teacher, visionary creatrix, depth poet and mother. She is best known for her pioneering methods in the field of psychedelic integration and community bridging, including founding 5 psychedelic harm reduction organizations. She is passionate about creating a decolonized, psychedelic-positive counterculture and empowering others to step into radical authenticity/radical action to co-create a just world. Her professional certification program The Psyched Soul PlaySkool of Integration & Soulpreneurship trains people to become creative system disruptors through expert psychedelic support and heart-centered leadership. Her approach draws from transpersonal psychology, New-Earth sacred commerce, Eastern philosophy and multidisciplinary arts, fusing ancient wisdom with modern practices for a ‘Psyched’ lifestyle.