Sacred Roots Spiritual Community

"By psychological work we are changed. In spiritual work we are revealed: we manifest our inner wholeness in conscious daily life."
— David Richo

What is a Relateful Gathering?

Introduction: Drop into your experience. Connect with yourself at this moment through a brief (sometimes just 5 seconds) meditation.
Group exploration: Discover as a group what it’s like to be together. This is less structured and more of a co-creation. Connect, laugh, jump around, sit silently, lean into an edge, share a boundary: there’s no one “right” way to show up.

If you feel lost, I’m excited. I’d love for you to show up just having some sense that this is where you want to be. However, if you do want a more practical description, keep reading. Here are some guiding principles for creating more mindful and nourishing connections I’ve found helpful:

Principles

Beginner's Mind
“Instead of sitting with someone and thinking you know what you, them, or the relationship will be like… you pay attention. See it with fresh eyes. Drop your preconceived ideas and just look clearly at what’s in front of you. Pay attention to your experience clearly and freshly. When you notice preconceived ideas arise, thinking you know how it will be… just notice that.” - Leo Babauta

Notice what it's like to be you right now
What are you already aware of? What do you notice in your body? This could be a specific sensation, like a tightness in the gut. It could also be a lack of feeling. What do you notice emotionally? Mad, sad, glad, shame, or whatever way of describing it feels the most true for you. What thoughts do you notice? This may include ideas, hopes, art, connections to other areas of your life, or even resistance to noticing: the list is endless!

Bring what ya got
Reveal your internal experience and give others a chance to see you. If you’re excited, let it out. If you’re embarrassed, describe what it’s like. If you feel a resistance to share your internal world because you don’t trust us to receive it, you can share that! Silence or stillness are also a powerful choice of expression. By sharing who you are in this moment you are also reinforcing that you are worthy of being in a relationship just the way you are.

Be with the other in their world
Explore the subjective experience the other person is having. Reflect or rephrase their words and let them expand on their experience. If you’re curious about something, feel free to ask. Reflect how you see them showing up, whether that’s as animated, calm, or indifferent. Seek to connect with what they value or love.

“When a person realizes he has been deeply heard, his eyes moisten. I think in some real sense he is weeping for joy. It is as though he were saying, "Thank God, somebody heard me. Someone knows what it's like to be me” ― Carl R. Rogers

Follow Aliveness
Trust your experience. Just as a tree moves towards the sunlight, we naturally move toward connection, growth, and aliveness. This may look like sharing what feels edgy or important. It also may look like setting a boundary of what you are available for. Or it may look like dancing and inviting others to join you!

These are more intentions than laws, and part of the invitation is to discover your own principles for relating. Who knows: your experience or insight may cause me to update these principles!

Join this safe, confidential small group to explore our experiences with Psychedelic medicines.

We have several experienced guides who are available to answer your questions about Psychedelics and to help you integrate & understand your own experiences with people who understand the inner landscape of the mind through their own Psychedelic experiences.

This group is open to anyone interested in Psychedelics and is an ongoing offering to support the community as these amazing compounds emerge more readily in our culture.

The main facilitator is Jennifer "Bodhi" Holley - a licensed and trained Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist with over 25 years experience with Psychedelic medicines in many cultures.