Coming into Relationship with the Mushroom

Dear Ones,,

I am wondering, as psilocybin mushroom use has legal pathways in two states with a third on the way (new mexico), are you or someone you know interested in coming into deeper relationship with this sacred medicine teacher and guide? Perhaps there is a tiny spark in your heart that is drawn in with curiosity, or perhaps your journey has already begun, and there is a desire to come in closer.

After my first big journey, one of my teachers invited me to build a relationship with the mushroom, and honestly, at that time, I did not really know how. She was not talking about more journeys; she was pointing to something different, getting more curious about the energy of this mushroom being - both in The mushroom’s natural form and as she (the mushroom feels very feminine to me) was living in me.

Since that time, I have experienced the sacredness of my relationship with the mushroom grow, receiving her support and guidance outside of journey space in a way that i could not have imagined. This deepening experience is both “with the mushroom”, and with my own True Nature. Feeling that there is no separation.

Here I share with you some ways I have discovered of coming into to greater intimacy with this wise teacher.

In my experience, a key piece to any healthy relationship is connecting with ourselves first. Being able to feel into our own “yes”, “no” and “maybe” - in a clear, self-supporting way. Building our capacity to be present with whatever is arising in us so that we can listen to our own inner, trustworthy knowing. You may do this on your own or invite support. You may even ask the mushroom to begin guiding you in this process. Listen to the answer - the mushroom also has a yes, no, maybe. not yet, not this way, etc. What could it be like to ask her permission to come closer and honor what she says?

You may discover parts in yourself that do not want this, are not ready for this - some protective parts that actually are saying “no” to this desire to connect with the mushroom. With support, how can you meet them, listen, and open? Not with agenda, but with true curiosity?

As you listen to yourself and the mushroom, on your own or with support, inquire into your intention - what do you want in your relationship with the mushroom? What Do you hope to discover, gain or be free of? Spend some time here feeling this deeply, exploring what stories and patterns are woven through this intention. What if what you want is here right now? What does this feel like? Is there anything deeper?

In this process, I have found that journaling, drawing or painting can support listening to what you receive. Perhaps you allow yourself to free write or free draw with no focus on the outcome. Allowing shapes, colors, words, impressions to flow through you, trusting something deeper than the linear mind. What if you create a sacred space for this process to unfold without the need to interpret or give meaning to what arises as it is arising. As with a journey - meaning making can happen later. This is a time for receiving in the heart what wants to flow through, not the mind.

You may also spend time with mushroom imagery that others have created. Once again listening and honoring what you are drawn to and what you are not drawn to., what feels like a “yes” in your heart, and what does not. What is it like to spend time with this imagery, what arises in you?

There are many different strains of psilocybin mushrooms with different energies and qualities, Perhaps you are called close to one or one has shown up in your field. What could it be like to get curious about a particular strain, learning about its lineage and how is has been used by cultures historically?

Another way my teacher invited me into deeper relationship is through the body of the mushroom itself. if you have access to the mushrooms you Are working with (and they are legal where you live) What does it feel like to hold them in your hand? what impressions do you receive? what questions are you drawn to ask and how are the answers received in your heart and body?

With all of this, you may be called to microdose (or you may not - again listening to yourself and listening to the mushroom). If so, this can be a beautiful way to come into relationship, and especially if you are new to this, i invite you to do this with the guidance and support of someone who has walked this path before you. There are many resources available for this.

It has been my experience that relationship building is a vital piece of the process when working with mushrooms and other plant medicine. It can begin any time - weeks, months or even years before you journey, and some folks find that they do not even feel called into a journey - that the spirit of the mushroom works with them in other ways.

I have found that once this relationship begins, it continues to deepen in mysterious ways.

What I have shared here is just a taste. I would love to hear of your experience: How have you come into deeper relationship with the mushroom? How does this continue to unfold in your life?