Greetings from Brazil! I’m here to spend 4 weeks at an ayahuasca retreat centre to work with perhaps the most potent plant medicine the world has ever seen. You’ll hear about my experiences next month…
In this issue, I write about the connection of integrating psychedelic journey’s with cultivating grounded sensitivity in an unravelling world.
See you on the other side,
Tom
💭 Useful Not True, Derek Sivers, Book
What if there are very few absolute truths? And what matters most is which narratives serve us to live a meaningful life? That’s the essential premise of Sivers’ latest book. It’s a series of concise provocations, inspiring you to think critically about how you navigate this life. So much accessible wisdom in so few words. Shout out to my dear friend and reader Arthur for gifting me this book!
✨ She is a Shaman, Documentary
In preparing for my trip, I stumbled upon an award-winning documentary that focuses on the life of a female shaman at her retreat centre in Peru. It demystifies many of the ideas we have about medicine women, blending the profound with the mundane. It’s freely available here.
“Goals suggest that you can control things that you have no control over.” Grasping for control in an unravelling world is an ongoing changemaker challenge. This article suggests that we should focus on optimising our systems instead of fixating on outcomes. Reflect on your process then trust it and keep going!
💖 Minds Under Siege, Conversation with Dr. Gabor Mate & Naomi Klein
Two of my favourite modern-day thinkers discuss collective trauma. They explore this topic in the context of the genocide in Gaza and how trauma has been weaponised for war. A provocative and insightful watch.
🌱 Changemaker Wellbeing Summit, March 25th
I’ll be speaking at the Future of Good 2025 Changemaker Wellbeing Summit on March 25th. During my 90-minute online workshop, I’ll explore climate anxiety, collective trauma and how to stay hopeful in these times. Would love to see some of you there!
👉 Get your ticket here.
🧘 Circling Community of Practice: Present-Moment Interconnection 🧘
A deep spiral of authentic relating, being in the present moment, exchanging what's happening. Some describe Circling as a "multiplayer group meditation." Together with my dear friend Cameron, we’re co-facilitating FREE biweekly gatherings at our homes in Rotterdam. Our next dates are the evenings of 8th and 30th April.
👉 Join our Whatsapp Group to register your interest.
🍄 Psychedelic Resilience Retreat, May 17th - 18th 🍄
Struggling with the state of the world, never-ending demands of life, and unexpected personal challenges? Us too. This weekend retreat will support you in connecting with yourself, developing your ability to ride the storms, and grounding again in your own strength and resilience.
👉 Learn more and get your ticket here.
Already got plans in May? Save your spot for our next date on June 21st - June 22nd!
The same practices I guide in psychedelic integration also apply for nurturing grounding and meaning while living in our chaotic world.
💫 Integration derives from the Latin word “integrare,” meaning restoration of wholeness. Following the news these days might feel like you’re inside a giant snow globe, being shaken by a world-encompassing snowstorm. Your worldview is falling apart. You no longer feel whole. Intense psychedelic journeys can provide a similar sensation in the days after your experience.
🗻 The solution? Cultivate grounded sensitivity.
In his online embodiment course (highly recommended!), Philip Shephard defines intelligence as grounded sensitivity. In one of his videos, he hits an empty glass vase with a fork, creating a sound that resonates around the room. That vase is an open yet grounded consciousness.
It’s open enough to receive input from the fork (stimuli from our external world). Yet grounded enough to make sense of that input and process it into sound (our feelings, thoughts & actions). By developing your awareness of bodily sensations, you become more sensitive, cleaning the inside of your proverbial vase.
🤯 But sensitivity without grounding is overwhelming.
I know many changemakers who deeply feel the pain of the world. But it’s like a tap gushing with emotions without a pressure valve.
Gabor Mate quotes a study explaining how the kindest and most ‘evil people’ are all highly sensitive. “The more sensitive people are…the more they feel. That means when bad stuff happens, they feel that more and their adaptations become more rigid. At the same time when good things happen, it has a more positive effect on the sensitive person.” He explains that childhood trauma and other environmental factors shape whether that person develops into a demon or an angel, but they all start with a gene of high sensitivity.
🌱 How can we cultivate groundedness?
Groundedness provides the roots that anchor us in the storm of information flow. The tap may be gushing, but it’s flowing through our semi-permeable membrane, without getting stuck or drowning us in the current. In my Psychedelic Resource Bank, I include these five practical suggestions for integrating your psychedelic experiences, which also apply for cultivating grounded sensitivity:
🧘 1. Mindfulness Practices
If you’re new to mindfulness or find it difficult to maintain a practice, start small. Commit to 5 minutes every morning. No exceptions. Try short meditations with Headspace or Calm. Seated meditation was originally for Indian farmers who work on their feet all day. Deep belly breathing and mindful walking are great alternatives if you find sitting down difficult (I’m talking to you, ADHD friends.)
✍️ 2. Embodied Journaling
What emotions are arising in you while reading the news? Where do you notice these in your body? What are you making that mean about yourself and the world? How true are these interpretations? I recommend incorporating a stream of consciousness journalling as part of your daily routine. I do mine after morning meditation, using Word’s voice dictation software.
🎨 3. Creative Expression
Draw, paint or express yourself creatively. I recently rediscovered the child-like wonder of playing with clay (particularly recommended in combination with acid.) Flow with whatever creative expression feels right for you. Maybe that’s writing letters, making music or crocheting? Whatever you choose, remember this is your practice. There’s no external music teacher or parent telling you what’s good or not. Let the judgement go and just play.
🌿 4. Nature Walks
Reconnect with the earth and your surroundings. Notice the subtle difference between walking through nature, or walking with nature. For me, going for a walk in nature normally means catching up with a friend, walking a particular route in a park towards a destination. But as cliche as it is, it’s the journey that matters. Just with nature. No objective and ideally no time constraints. Forest bathing is a classic Japanese practice, nourishing the body simply by being with nature.
💃 5. Body Movement
Yoga, dance, or stretching can help release pent-up energy that accumulates in your body while reading the news. Get a standing desk, stretch when you’re waiting or conversing. We spend far more time stationary than we’ve evolved to be. Blasting my favourite heavy tunes and jumping on my couch is the best way for me to access my anger. Your neighbours can thank me.
🔄 All of these practices come down to being present with yourself. Centering in your body, not in your mind. During my 10-day Vipassana meditation courses, I’ve experienced that thought starts in the body. The mind merely interprets embodied sensations into cognitive thoughts. Sounds kinda crazy, but I experienced it so clearly.
📵 The amount of stress accumulating in our bodies by doomscrolling is immense. Take a breath. Get outside. Be present with your embodied sensations.
🎶 And in the words of REM, you might find that “It’s the end of the world as we know it. But I feel fine.”
Greetings from Rio! Obviously not my photo, but next month I’ll share some with you!
“The times are urgent; let us slow down.”
-Bayo Akomolafe
According to Steve Bannon, overwhelming the media by moving at rapid speed is the POTUS’s strategy to scatter our attention, making us ineffective. Cultivate groundedness while remaining open to the world. Focus on the big picture, without getting lost in the details.
Thanks for reading!
-Tom 💚
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