Medicine Work

Medicine Work and the Intelligence of Natural and Synthetic Medicines

• The author describes their experience with plant medicine in a ceremony and the complementary nature of their experiences.

• The author emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complementary totality of human potential on both sides of the equation, and the opportunity to choose how to engage with life.

• The author discusses the role of facilitators in holding a safe container for the medicine work process, and the importance of self-discovery, healing, and integration.

• The author mentions the work of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) in promoting the legalization of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, and the success rate of the therapy.

• The author distinguishes between natural medicines (e.g. psilocybin, ayahuasca) and synthetic medicines (e.g. ketamine, LSD), and the intelligence built into the former from an earth-based wisdom perspective.

• The author suggests that natural medicines can imbue a reconnection with earth-based intelligence and appreciation for our role as stewards of the planet, while synthetic medicines can have a more downward focus and be more directionable.

• The author acknowledges the unique therapeutic potential of synthetic medicines, but notes that they lack the same level of built-in intelligence as natural medicines.

• The author discusses the importance of intentionality in medicine work, and suggests that natural medicines may have a specific intention and intelligence in service to that intention.

• The author engages in a philosophical discussion about the evolutionary paths of different species, and suggests that humans ride on the back of culture to adapt and evolve.

• The author questions whether plants are intentionally making toxins to repel predators, or if humans have domesticated plants like wheat to the point where they have domesticated us.

• The author emphasizes the importance of experiential spirituality in addition to intellectual religion, and the need to recognize our shared experience of life and our responsibility to future generations.

• The author concludes that medicine work is a process of self-discovery, healing, and integration, and that the role of the medicine is to catalyze and accentuate the therapeutic relationship in the process.Discussion on Psychedelics, Evolution, Consciousness, and the Meaning of Life

• Psychedelics may have been an evolutionary strategy of certain plants to hook humans for survival.

• Plants have consciousness and intelligence, albeit different from humans, and are oriented towards survival and growth.

• All species on the planet share a base binary differential of the need for safety and survival and the need for growth and evolution.

• The purpose of life is to learn and grow, driven by the primary drive of growth and evolution.

• The laws of physics can be a useful organizing principle, but the question of what put it into motion remains unknown.

• God, as defined here, is knowable and can be seen as the laws of physics put into motion.

• The Axiom of minimizing human suffering is used to organize life and understand physics.

• The human experience is the result of a blind process of evolution, with survival being the primary drive.

• Psychedelics can lift the veil of one's frame of reference, allowing them to see beyond their pain and integrate new perspectives.

• The mystical aspect of psychedelics may be hard to grasp without experiential spirituality.

• Mystical experiences may come from a place beyond oneself with intention.

• The purpose of life is to learn and grow, driven by the primary drive of growth and evolution.