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Greetings Dear Friends! As we arrive into the Dragon’s first breath of Spring, a path for navigating the misty landscape ahead is taking form. An invitation to quiet mind and open the courageous heart is being asked of us as we approach this evolutionary frontier. The time for meticulous plans and clever strategies to navigate life is no longer proving sustainable. This Spring is asking us to learn to live in the Question mark. To find comfort in the discomfort of “Not Knowing” how it’s all going to work out.
This requires the surrendering of “assumed” control.. especially the impulse to manipulate external conditions to fit a sense of safety and comfort. The only thing we can ever truly control is how we respond to an ever-changing world. A renaissance in resonance is thus underway, where maintaining integrity of character and personal accountability will become the north star for exploring intense personal and collective growth. Yet the biggest ask this Spring, is to release the fear.
In the psychedelic journey, as well as the journey of life, fear is often the greatest hindrance from embracing our wholeness. Fear of Acceptance, Fear of Unworthiness, Fear of Change, Fear of the Unknown, Fear of Letting Go, Fear of the Unfamiliar, Fear of Getting it Wrong, Fear of Discomfort, Fear of the Light, Fear of Oblivion and ultimately… Fear of having to face our Fears. How often do we resist change because it requires embracing discomfort without a guarantee of outcomes? Fear creates a powerful illusion of separation from the world around us. What’s “out there” is dangerous to our condition “in here.” Fear is the opposite of trust.
The medicine journey (And life journey!) is an episodic quest to overcome fears in order to create a more confident, empowered and sovereign experience of being. Can we trust we already have everything we need within? Can we trust we are always in the right conditions to learn and grow? Can we trust our gut instinct, intuition and the power of sacred synchronicity to provide the next appropriate steps as and when they are necessary? Can we turn off the mental chatter to become present enough, sensitive enough, and vigilant enough to receive the signs, symbols and universal communication continuously conspiring on our behalf?
These are powerful questions to ponder and energize our walks as we enter into the dance of the Dragon Spring. The medicines remind us of our humanity, our earth stewardship, our tribal heritage, our sacred lineage and our inter-connective nature. Yet it is up to each one of us to put down fear to allow for the space for these powerful gifts to emerge. The path ahead may seem daunting. Yet in the end, what’s more scary? An unknown frontier met with an open and willing heart? Or going back to the same old neurotic known patterns constantly grasping at the world to stop spinning. The choice is ours and I am an ally on the path of letting Go.
Now onto the meat! I hope you enjoy this newsletter filled news, resources and offerings fresh from the psychedelic frontier! And as always, thank you for joining me for this exciting Ride into deeper transformation and healing..
Explore this awesome 11 minute video on the potential origins of human creativity and cosmology dating back to the primate ingestion of psychedelic fungi. Paul Stamets, as the late great Terrence Mckenna before him, demonstrated the very real potential that it was man’s ingestion of entheogenic medicine that stimulated a state of self awareness that created a renaissance in evolutionary thinking, perceiving and experiencing. Done in the super fun After School presentation style – its amazing how much you can learn from this whimsical short on the potential origins of human psychedelic use. Paul Stamets is a mycologist, author and advocate of bioremediation and medicinal fungi. Enjoy!
Recent research conducted by teams from the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London has taken a significant step forward in understanding the therapeutic mechanisms behind psilocybin therapy for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). Their study, published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, reveals that specific psychological experiences during psilocybin therapy, particularly mystical experiences and ego dissolution, play a critical role in the therapy’s efficacy compared to traditional treatment. Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic substance found in certain species of mushrooms, has been the focus of renewed research interest due to its potential therapeutic benefits. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which influences serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to profound alterations in perception, emotion, and cognition. These effects have been hypothesized to contribute to psilocybin’s therapeutic potential.
Stepping into the powerful work of psychedelic healing, coaching and transformation is a deep and personal commitment. It’s incredibly important that you choose a guide & facilitator that genuinely resonates with your core values and sense of safety & care. This vocation is a true lifelong path of devotion. I am honored to share these words from a client of the SpArc, and if you hear the call – I would be honored to support you in a journey of lasting healing and Self Discovery. “Working with Ehren has been an unimaginable progression that all began under his guidance at a Journey of Discovery (JOD) retreat, which started the process of softening my outer shell and gave me complete permission to start letting go and opening up. After a year of continued integration work on these teachings, I was eventually being called to work with Ehren again but on a one-one basis, where I was ultimately seeking voice and surrender. From the start, Ehren’s process was crafted with care and safety that eventually led to a journey that has had deep reaches within my identity and intuitions that I continue to integrate today. Ehren has helped me not only open-up, but he has also guided me to start showing-up in ways that are still unfolding. I am truly grateful that my path has crossed along Ehren’s, his teachings, his wisdom and true friendship has brought a greater knowledge and sense making for me that has had a true impact on my grounding. Thank you Ehren for your service, care and majestic wisdom ~ it has had a deep impact for me and my new path.” – James Linton, Managing Partner JT Morton & Associates.
Spiritual health practitioners “bring unique and specific expertise to psychedelic-assisted therapy,” researchers at Emory University concluded in a recently published study, noting that therapy teams could benefit from including the professionals in their work. “Psychedelic dosing often produces highly impactful, and sometimes challenging, experiences with pronounced effects on spirituality, worldview, and metaphysical perspectives,” wrote authors of the report, published in the journal PLOS ONE. Spiritual health practitioners (SHPs) “may have unique, and uniquely valuable, contributions to support the participant’s wellbeing and helping them benefit” from psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT). As the paper explains, SHPs include those who traditionally served “as chaplains or military settings to provide religiously-based pastoral care to those who share their denomination,” though the term has also come to mean “providing spiritual support for people of any or no religious affiliation.”
Now more than ever, we’re all looking to feel more joy, happiness, and deeper meaning in our lives. But are we looking in all the wrong places? When our sense of wholeness depends on things or people outside ourselves—whether it’s a coveted job, a new house, a lavish vacation, or even a new relationship – sooner or later we’re bound to feel unsatisfied. But how do we embark on this inner journey?
Ehren Cruz is an Anthropologist, CTA & ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Third Wave Psychedelic Certified Coach, Master Ceremonialist, certified Harm Reductionist, Loving Husband & Proud Father of 3 Little Ladies. He is devoted to the healing & actualization in all facets of his life.
The SpArc does not provide psychoactive or controlled substances, nor are we licensed therapists, counselors, or medical professionals. Any information received through our services should be considered for educational purposes and not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. Please use your discretion to ensure our services meet your needs.
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