Welcome to this Week's Edition of Red Things on Tuesday.

One of the most beautiful things about the psychedelic experience, one of the most healing things, is that it reminds us that everything is deeply interconnected. We realize that we’re not alone, that we never have been, and we never will be. So much love and intention has gone into creating the conditions that have made our lives possible, since the beginning of time, right up to this precious moment. We’re all in this together, in ways we can only barely comprehend.

I don’t know about you, but there is nothing that helps me feel into this truth more than music. There is a conceptual knowing, and then there is the feeling of it in one’s bones (the kids they dance and shake their bones!) It’s possible to yap about it all day, while being totally disconnected from it. We all know this.

And for me, there is no music that helps me feel into this truth than the music of The Grateful Dead. It’s been the soundtrack of my life and the soundtrack of my lifelong psychedelic journey. I’d cut school with my buddy to listen to The Dead on cassette with a headphone splitter. We’d sit on a bench in the park and stare at trees and simply be a part of it all. We experienced that interconnection, early and often.

Learning of Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh’s passing on Friday was heartbreaking.

The first time I saw Phil I was 16. It was 1992. I didn’t know what was going to happen when Jerry died in 95, but Phil did. He modeled the way perfectly. He called together his Friends. Who is better to enjoy music with than Friends? It didn’t hurt that his friends are some of the most brilliant improvisational musicians in the world. At those late 90s shows at Warfield, and those tours with Bob Dylan, Phil and Friends offered us a perfect environment of song sense and color in which to deepen our relationships with our own friends, while exploring the boundlessness of our own consciousness. Boy, did I dance my ass off at those shows. I learned so much at those shows. At that point in my life it was safe to say he was my greatest teacher. His bass guided my often untethered mind back to what was good and true, connecting me back to love and clarity and purpose. There were initiations there, aplenty.

In the summer of 2000, at the Gorge shows, I quit drinking. Probably saved my life. The message, the words came through the music. Phil channeled that. Warren helped, too.

About a decade later, Somya and I were lucky enough to move within Kayaking distance of Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael. We chose the apartment over some arguably cuter alternatives just for that reason. It was fun to wave to Phil from the water.

Terrapin Crossroads was a gift. Phil and Friends became Phil and the Family band. A beautiful variation on the theme. The first time I ate a meal there, I saw a long-haired young man, probably a teenager, probably autistic, dancing in the dining room…to no music. My eyes got misty. How beautiful it was to have an environment so safe, so open, that this was fine. Totally normal. That’s what Phil and his Family Band created. We could be ourselves, at brunch. We could dance freely, sometimes to no music, sometimes to tunes played generously by world class musicians, for free! Eat a dessert as he played with Neal Casal in the bar or a taco in the park with Robin Sylvester. Magical. May they rest in peace as well. The Terrapin years were so special. Thank you, Phil.

Of potential historical interest, Terrapin Crossroads was where we went to hang out after the very first in-person Tam Integration Circle in 2018.

also of note... there were selections from "Fallout from the Phil Zone" on my playlist for the birth of the kids.

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You never know when it’s going to be the last time. When the last time you’ll carry your sleeping kid in from the car. The last time you’ll see that relative. The last time you’ll see your favorite musician with your best friends. Impermanence makes these moments special, poignant.

The people that I’ve gone to see shows with will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s been bittersweet to have a reason to reach out and have calls. Beautiful to be able to reminisce and share somewhat hazy memories of our times together throughout the years. Wonderful to remember our deeper connection.

I don’t mean to make Phil’s about me. I didn’t know him. Lucky enough to shake his hand a couple of times & say great show, man. But I can’t help but think of so many moments where I grew & healed, where I fell in love, & he was there, laying down the path. I learned so much from you Thank you, Phil. I learned so much just watching and listening to you be you. May the four winds blow you safely home.

Please feel free to share your stories with me!

DeadHeadLand

Brian was the ultimate regular at Terrapin Crossroads, and was kind enough to constantly stream shows through his youtube channel. This is one we were at from February 2020.

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Grateful Dead Tattoo Book

My pal Salem, who hosted 'Bolt Day' at his tattoo shop for many years on Jerry's Birthday is releasing a Grateful Dead Themed Tattoo Book. You can order it here.

Bill Kreutzmann's Favorite Jams

If you don't know where to start, you can start here. Billy is one of the Dead's Drummers. He released this playlist to help promote his book, Deal, which i've really been meaning to read.

An Interview with Phil

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Small Group Work with Daniel - The Golden Road

We've started a group offering called The Golden Road. (Which coincidentally was named after a Grateful Dead song)
It's a chance to receive teaching, mentoring on your personal or professional practice, and group coaching with Daniel. There are also group meditations and monthly special guests. You can join at any time. Learn More Here​

This month in the Golden Road, I will be offering a class on Awareness Mapping.

Monday, November 18th at 7:30pm Eastern Time.

Awareness Mapping is a tool I share with my coaching trainees. It is an excellent way to take inventory of a situation.

Awareness mapping recognizes that most of the time we are bringing our past into the present with us. This Unconscious and choiceless process creates suffering for ourselves, keeps us from being present, distracts us from what is important, and sabotages our chances of creating the life that we want.

The resourcing meditation portion of the practice gives us a chance to ground, center, and presence.

Awareness mapping shows us quite clearly how the world appears different when we're in a more centered space. We practice this regularly in a formal way so that we have a better chance of doing it when we are activated.

We offer this to our clients to show them how to move out of ‘neurosis’, as Singer calls it, and into our truer self.

Since people are generally seeking psychedelic support because of variations of this neurosis, this complementary practice makes a lot of sense. It gives people a chance to develop something lasting that will serve their preparation and integration long after their work with you.

There are two ways to take this class

1. By joining the Golden Road, which includes weekly meditations and coaching. Click here to join.
2. By just registering for this class on it's own. Click here to register.
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Art in the Psychedelic Rennaisance with Martin Bridge - Free Community Meeting

Thursday, November 14th at 8pm - Link​

In this talk we will explore the potential of the arts to aid our growing psychedelic community through advocacy, aiding the journey and integration work.

Martin is an Animist, Artist, Educator, Permaculture Designer and Mycophile who lives, creates and grows in the hills of Western Mass. To see his work visit www.thebridgebrothers.com​

Links to All Integration Circles

All Donation-based Circles

https://tamintegration.com/psychedelic-integration/​

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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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