The only thing that kills a demon is love - Mickey Knox

This post contains spoilers of "The Illuminatus Trilogy," Which I think is fair, because it was published in 1975. Nevertheless, be forewarned.

When I was an 18-year-old college freshman, I read Robert Anton Wilson's "Illuminatus Trilogy." I remember sitting on my dorm bed next to my headshop tapestry, getting my introduction to conspiracies and secret societies. In it, many factions fought for humanity's future in ways both subtle and strange. There were double agents and triple agents. People were not what they seemed. Sprinkled throughout it were magical teachings and new-age ideas. An elder character would instruct a newcomer, and I, the reader, was able to receive the lesson as well. It was enlightening, mind-expanding, and I couldn't put it down.

The book got weirder as it went on. I suppose Wilson had a gift for drawing you in at the right pace. About two-thirds through, he dropped a bomb, a revelatory plot twist. He pulled back the curtain. Turns out this battle is bigger than we thought. It's not just being fought on Earth. Behind so much of the 'badness' in the world are these interdimensional beings that feed off the fear and anger of humans. It's in their best interest to keep people confused and upset. It's their food source.

I took a hit off my pipe. Seemed plausible. Explains a lot, actually. And it scared me a little, actually. What if this isn't just fiction? What if that's the world we live in? How do we handle being fear food for demons?

I reported my findings to someone older and wiser, and asked for advice. "I guess we should try to starve them. I guess we should transcend fear. Fear is the mind killer, after all." Yup, they threw in a Dune reference. "I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me." Literary problems require literary solutions.

Contemplating this problem, we discover that all the world's spiritual traditions have wrestled with fear, even if they don't explicitly acknowledge they're battling invisible monsters.

A mystic Christian offered me a bible quote, "Perfect love casts out all fear." It's a good one to have in your back pocket during a psychedelic journey.

In The Bhagavad Gita, Krishna offers the wisdom that we can become fearless and pure of heart through selfless service, devotion, and contemplation of ultimate reality.

In Buddhist iconography, we often see Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with their hands in Abhaya (fear-relieving) Mudra. Shantideva tells us in his guidebook, "All harm and fear in the world comes from clinging to the self". No clinging, no fear.

Even in complicated times, fear and anger are not the answer. Maharajji tells us, "Do what you must do, but never leave your heart."

So just like Maharajii, I can't tell you what to do if, by some strange turn of events, you find yourself surrounded by demons that want to feast upon you. You do whatever you feel like you must do; you're a smart person with a good conscience.

But have no fear.

For example, I don't know if general strikes work. There has been some debate about that. But as I looked at the posters with their admonishments, "no work, no school, no shopping," I couldn't help but think of the founder of Reiki, Usui, and his five principles.

Just for today...

I will not anger,

I will not worry,

I will be grateful,

I will work with diligence,

I will be kind to myself and all beings.

What if the entire country did this one day?

What if you did it, just for today?

Do what you need to do, but don't throw people out of your heart.

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“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Frank Herbert

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The Golden Road

The Golden Road has evolved into a wonderful group of practitioners. The wonderful people who show up share not only their journeys, but the journeys of those they steward. It's become a place of learning, support, accountability, and peer review. Folks are learning some things from me, but they are also learning from each other. We all face unique challenges as we work in this space, and it's great to have a place where we can bring them for non-judgmental feedback and reflection. You're invited. Click here to join!​

Golden Road Masterclass with Otto Maier - How to Hold Psychedelic Crisis - Febraury 23rd, 1pm PST - 4pm EST

In this talk we’ll explore how therapists and guides can hold space not as managers of outcome, but as guardians of process.

There is a growing fantasy within Western psychedelic therapy that healing should be linear, coherent, slow, and titrated. There is a notion that if a journey is difficult or destabilising, something went wrong. I would like to challenge that narrative, and explore how the psychedelic experience - particularly when it descends into chaos, grief, terror, or fragmentation - is often misunderstood and pathologized by modern therapeutic frameworks and wildly disconnected from the intelligence of an accurate and well held psychedelic therapeutic process.

In this conversation, we’ll explore how therapists and guides can hold space not as managers of outcome, but as guardians of process. We’ll speak to the urgent need for symbolic and mythic literacy in integration work - how imaginal material must be witnessed on its own terms, not rushed into meaning or resolution. And we’ll distinguish between true harm and the painful but necessary movements of a psyche in metamorphosis.
​https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-hold-psychedelic-crisis-with-otto-maier-tickets-1982321450822?aff=oddtdtcreator​

The Tam Integration Coaching Training Program - Sold Out!

This cohort is full, and we're now interviewing for the fall session. If you're interested, fill out this form, and we'll reach out soon: https://forms.gle/oB9Xk6RrkDE6xtsV9​

Learn More Here: https://tamintegration.com/psychedelic-coach-training/​

In Person Meet ups

Berkshire Psychedelic Monthly Meetup. Saturday, February 21st, 2-4pm

Our theme for January is utilizing and trusting intuition in psilocybin use. Michou Olivera will lead a short talk and lively discussion about this topic. Then we will have plenty of time to share, commune, and network.

Hosted by Daniel Shankin, Cassandra Purdy, and Michou Olivera

This event will be held at Sweetgrass Botanicals at 635 Laurel Street in Lee, MA 01238

This event is by donation; everyone is welcome. Please pre-register here:

​https://www.eventbrite.com/e/berkshire-psychedelic-monthly-meetup-tickets-1981026513630?aff=oddtdtcreator​

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Philadelphia Yoga and Wellness Conference

February 21st at the Ritz Carlton on Broad Street.

A full day of yoga and wellness with a bunch of my old friends from my hometown.

I'll be offering a Meditation for the Journey workshop, focusing on embodiment of intention.

I'll also be moderating a panel discussion called "How Wisdom Moves: Lineage and the Student-Teacher Relationship.” Featuring Mahan Rishi, Elane Yuen and Pankaj Sharma.

I'm looking forward to having some time to practice with long-time colleagues and associates, and hopefully, you!

Register here! https://www.philadelphiayogaconference.com/​

Disclaimer

Nothing in this email should be considered medical or legal advice. We're not suggesting that you break any laws or do anything dangerous. This email is offered as education and entertainment in the spirit of harm reduction. Consult medical and legal professionals if you have questions.

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