Portland Psychedelic Society

We are a non-dogmatic listening circle centered around the mystical/religious aspects of people’s psychedelic experiences. Our intention is to provide a group process for witnessing anyone who wishes to share an experience for which they’d like support, recognition, understanding, and/or empathy.

We welcome people of all faith traditions, and those with none at all, who are looking to make meaning out of their psychedelic experiences. Given the strife and discord in our world, we believe building community across difference is a path to peace. Our practice is to create safe space to tap into the spiritual wisdom and resources that each person already contains.

The core values of this Circle include:

• Trust and learning from silence
• Sacred hospitality: we practice deep listening with openness to the presence of the Mystery within ourselves and each other
• Respect: we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people including differing faiths, ages, genders, cultures, races, and sexual orientations
• No proselytizing
• No fixing, correcting or advising
• Confidentiality and trust-building since sensitive issues might be explored

About the Hosts:

Anthony Pleetanino is an Interfaith-Quaker chaplain and clinical supervisor at Fireside Project; the nation's first free psychedelic support hotline. His vocational work centers around the use of deep listening, narrative therapy, and creative ritual in order to help individuals and communities make meaning in the midst of life's transitions. He received his Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry, holds a certificate in spiritual direction from the Interfaith Chaplaincy Institute, as well as a certificate in psychedelic therapy and research from the California Institute for Integral Studies. He has served as a night attendant for a phase-3 MDMA trial conducted by MAPS, trained in the clinical facilitation of ketamine, and has written about the application of spiritual care assessment models within the context of psilocybin therapy.

Contact Anthony: apleetanino@gmail.com
Website: www.anthonypleetanino.com

Wendy Cliff is an Interfaith Chaplain who’s served in hospitals, retirement communities, a state prison, hospice, and trained & supported mentors in the foster care system. She’s a graduate of Seminary of the Wild where she immersed herself in environmentally based spirituality and practices, and she holds a Certificate in Trauma and Spiritual Care that guides her work serving people who live with the impacts of various personal, collective, and environmental traumas. Her Master of Divinity and identity as an Episcopal priest are related to her love of how story, ritual, and tangible things can bring us closer to mystery and meaning. Serving on the board of an interfaith council in the Bay Area was one of the favorite roles she’s ever had. A graduate of U. C. Berkeley’s Center for the Science of Psychedelics facilitator training program, she’s currently doing group and individual spiritual direction sessions with people wanting to incorporate practices with the natural world in their spiritual journey.

Contact Wendy: wendydcliff@gmail.com

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Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS) is a donation-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Welcome to the Portland Psychedelic Society Men's Group

As students of the psychedelic domain, we understand that the situation of being in the world requires us to participate in culture in ways that promote interconnectedness and love. This is the consistent understanding these medicines carry with them. In contrast, the cultural message we often experience as men is one promoting insulation and emotional suppression. One of these messages is an invitation toward curiosity and furthering understanding; the other is a coaxing toward severance and self abandonment.

We know from being in touch with our basic humanness that a state of interconnectedness and love is a state of naturally thriving. We know from psychology that repressing that which desires to blossom from within degrades both psyche and physiology. We understand from being networked in relationships that when we’re living in a state of discontent, we radiate negativity to those in our circles of influence, which radiates outward from there.

From this understanding we can see how being told by culture to repress and isolate makes us sick, which leads to the perpetuation of sickness in the culture. We recognize that we must stop being agents of sickness in the cultural system. We must become agents of healing and regeneration. In order for us to become agents of healing for others, we must first heal ourselves, so we embody a position of healing in the world.

It is for this reason that this Men’s Support Group was formed. Those who have experienced psychedelic states know that, as agents of healing themselves, the psychedelic medicines allow us to face with openness the parts of ourselves that we typically close ourselves off to. In a container of safety, this attentive openness facilitates integration and healing. In the same way, by creating a safe container for men to explore the parts of ourselves that we don’t give enough attention to, we can facilitate healing in ourselves, and feed that healing forward throughout our families, communities, and the greater global consciousness. When we take the message of the psychedelic domain seriously and put it into practice, we each become what I call “the psychedelic man”.

The psychedelic man understands that the process of integration is a lifelong undertaking that imbues life with meaning. He speaks courageously, listens deeply, embraces humility, and approaches all issues with curiosity. He leads other men toward integration through wisdom, action, and firm but compassionate guidance. The psychedelic man looks at all beings as his brothers and sisters, and thereby takes responsibility for engendering the thriving of all beings. He looks to the entire ancestry of humanity as teachers. He looks to archetypal stories and myths rather than cultural trends for guidance. He understands that a system of support is a prerequisite for flourishing. He lives his purpose and undertakes only what is meaningful. The psychedelic man is the man the world is waiting for us to become.

If this writing speaks to you, or resonates with something deep within, join us at the next PPS Men’s Support Group meeting. We await your contribution.

I am excited to announce that I will have a special guest speaker for April's Meetup: Amory Jane. She will be discussing the topic of "Sex and Psychedelics" See attached bio for more about her.

Psychedelic Paths to Wholeness is a monthly gathering focused on exploring the intentional use of psychedelics for personal and communal healing, growth, and expansion.

This group provides a supportive space for individuals to share their experiences, ask questions, and explore the transformative potential of psychedelics. Our discussions will also focus on how psychedelics can foster connection, heal inherited and ancestral traumas, and inspire peaceful activism to create positive change in our world.

Whether you are new to psychedelics or have been a long-time explorer, all are welcome.

📣 PLEASE READ: we have several important announcements, disclaimers, and attendee agreements that we go over at the beginning of every meeting. It is important that everyone attending this meeting be present for this so that they can agree to the group rules. This will usually take place by 6:10pm. No one admitted after this time. This is to protect everyone's privacy and respect people's time. Once we set the container, latecomers are a disruption. You can leave at any time, but please don't arrive any later than 6:10pm. Thank you for your understanding. 🙏♥️

Ofer is a trauma-informed certified wellness coach, relationship coach, parts work facilitator, and somatic healing practitioner. They are dedicated to helping people find healing, growth, and transformation in their lives. As someone who has experienced the transformative potential of psychedelics first-hand, Ofer has become a passionate advocate for their use in helping others.

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Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS) is a donation-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Gather monthly to explore where our Autism, Neurodiversity and Psychedelic experiences meet, as well as how each plays out separately in our lives.

In many circles talking about autism, neurodiversity or psychedelics can be awkward or even taboo. This is our space to explore and share, unmasked. Come as you are, with your fidget toy, your quirks and special interests, and all that is uniquely you. This is an inclusive group where all are welcome, including allies.

We'll start each meeting sharing guidelines to help us co-create our meetups with comfort and flexibility, knowing that our guidelines will evolve over time. Then we'll have brief check-ins to help us get to know each other. Following will be time to chat about the topics anyone would like to discuss. Our shared purpose is to allow us to come together, be our authentic selves, and connect with others who can relate to many of our own experiences.

Suggestion - Bring some paper or a journal, and a pen, to jot down thoughts during the meeting while another person is speaking, so you remember all the brilliant thoughts you had on the topic when you get a chance to speak at the MeetUp! From experience the thoughts will spark. ;)

Our meetings are monthly online, and we are adding in person events 1-2 times a year, in addition to the monthly online MeetUps. In person events announced at the online meetings as they are planned.

(Please avoid fragranced products at our occasional in person meetings to support those with sensitivity to smells. We'll do our best to find in person meeting locations with decent lighting, and low levels of auditory distractions. Suggestions welcome on locations too!)

About the host:

Be Friend is an ordained minister in a non-denominational "church without walls" for over 16 years, a late diagnosed autistic woman, and an advocate who is steeped in the newly legal psilocybin ecosystem in Oregon. Currently she is in the middle of starting up a psilocybin service center, and an adjacent retreat center. She's been involved since Nov. 2022 with grassroots advocacy, encouraging our state's legislators and the Oregon Health Authority to improve the rules for the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act (OPSA).

Be has also been part of the Autistic Psychedelic Community (APC) for quite a while now and has witnessed and experienced how coming together to chat about being on the spectrum and psychedelics, can be a powerful community building space. So when Aaron Orsini (the co-founder of the APC, and author of Autism on Acid) asked Be to connect with PPS to get a group going in Portland, she jumped at the chance.

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Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS) is a donation-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.