A WondeJunkie Ryan Anderson

Conserving relationships between humans and plants is crucial for the well-being of both

Empathy and collaboration are essential in healing the wounds caused by social and environmental issues

Informal education and mentorship can be powerful tools for learning and personal growth

The war on drugs has had unintended consequences and has led to the exploitation of indigenous cultures and plant medicines

The revival of interest in psychedelics should prioritize the rights and traditions of indigenous communities

Plant patenting raises ethical concerns and threatens the rights of farmers and indigenous people Traditional plants, and spiritual ceremonies can provide valuable insights and understanding of oneself and one’s mind.

Accepting and embracing our true selves is essential for personal growth and overcoming suffering.

Contemplative practice and creating spaces for stillness and reflection can help us face and heal from painful experiences.

There is a need for peace and reconciliation in the world, and it requires individuals to take responsibility and work towards it.

This conversation is a heartfelt and intimate exploration of Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler’s life path and her work in the field of death and dying. I met Sanchi Reta through her brother Don Howard Lawler. They both became very close to me and have had a huge impact in my life. I felt it was important to share her essence through this recorded conversation. Sanchi Reta shares her journey of  beginning with her grandmother’s role as a midwife and death helper in rural Kentucky. She then discusses her own experience with advanced breast cancer and how it led her to deep spiritual work and training in Zen Buddhism. Sanchi Reta also shares her encounters with ayahuasca and how it influenced her understanding of death. The conversation highlights the importance of accepting death and being present with the dying process. The conversation explores the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of embracing our particularity while recognizing our interconnectedness of everything. It highlights the importance of being present, curious, and open to new experiences. The conversation delves into the themes of love, appreciation, and grief, emphasizing the need to grieve and feel deeply in order to fully experience life.

Summary

Barbara shares her journey of spiritual exploration and personal growth, starting from her childhood experiences with dreams and conversations about the universe with her father. She pursued studies in various areas, including culture, religion, and dream work. Barbara eventually met Stan Grof and trained with him in breathwork. She then focused on the field of thanatology, studying death, dying, grief, loss, and bereavement. Throughout her life, Barbara has been driven by a desire to serve and help others minimize suffering. Barbara shares her journey of self-discovery and transformation. She talks about reclaiming her name and the birth of her authenticity. Barbara also discusses feeling different from those around her and the influence of her parents’ expectations on her identity. Barbara emphasizes the importance of connecting with something bigger than oneself and the power of love and service. The conversation explores the power of breathwork and the role of the sitter in facilitating transformation. It highlights the importance of breathwork as a tool for healing and the impact of Stanislav Grof’s work in bringing it to the West. The conversation also delves into the concept of God and the idea that God is not separate from us but is present in everything. It discusses the role of choice and willpower in personal transformation and the importance of taking responsibility for our lives. The conversation concludes with a discussion on grief and the need for community support and vulnerability.

In this conversation, Robert Forte discusses his deep dive into the phenomena of sacred plants and psychedelics, as well as his involvement with key figures in the psychedelic renaissance. He highlights the importance of understanding history. Forte also shares his critical perspective on the mainstream narrative of the psychedelic Renaissance and the commercialization of psychedelic drugs. He delves into the influence of the CIA and big corporations in the field of psychedelics as well as the dark side of American history represented by figures like Alan Dulles. The conversation explores various themes, including the influence of Nazi intelligentsia, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, weapons of mass distraction, the education system and social engineering, Solomon Ash’s experiments on conformity, the power of individual influence, and the healing potential of psychedelics. The chapters delve into the historical context, societal implications, and personal experiences related to these topics. The conversation explores various themes related to the psychedelic movement, including the integration of psychedelic experiences, psychedelic evangelism, the narrative of psychedelic history, the negative aspects of the new psychedelic movement, the impact of MKUltra, the loss of control of democracy, the influence of the CIA in the music industry, corruption in Indian mysticism and yoga, and the importance of appreciating the miracle of life.

Takeaways

The study of history contains both the best and worst aspects of humanity.
The psychedelic Renaissance has been influenced by various elements, including healing, control, transformation, spirituality and profit.
The CIA played a significant role in introducing psychedelic drugs into modern society, with some individuals within the organization having different agendas. MkUltra -operation mind control is one of the many programs that were created to influence the culture.
Understanding the post-World War II era and the formation of the CIA is crucial to comprehending the current state of psychedelics. The formation of NASA and the CIA involved the recruitment of defected Third Reich Nazis, highlighting the influence of Nazi intelligentsia on post-war institutions.
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World serves as a cautionary tale about a future society controlled by a small elite through social engineering and the use of a drug called soma.
The attention economy, driven by social media platforms like TikTok, has led to an epidemic of mental health issues, particularly among young people.
Solomon Ash’s experiments on conformity reveal the tendency of individuals to defy their own senses and conform to group opinions, highlighting the importance of cultivating an internal locus of control.
The education system has been designed to promote compliance and obedience, often neglecting the development of critical thinking and individuality. John Taylor Gatto Describes this in many of his books including Weapons of Mass Instruction.
Psychedelics have the potential to enhance creativity, gain insight into oneself, and facilitate healing, but their effects are influenced by the environment, set and setting as well as the individual’s personality.
The psychedelic movement has both positive and negative aspects, with some individuals using psychedelics to promote personal growth and others exploiting them for power and control.
Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic