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

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The psychotic drowns in the same waters in which the mystic swims with delight.

This is a quote from Joseph Campbell. A classic. It gives us something to shoot for, or rather, swim for.

It helps us realize that the water isn't the issue; it's what we do with it. Not only are we invited to swim, we're encouraged to do it with gusto. Enjoy it, it's the perfect temperature.

Funny thing is, though, none of us were born instinctively knowing how to swim. We needed to be taught by someone who cared enough to do it. We come from a lineage of swimmers. We needed to work on it, and there were moments of fear, struggle, and stress. We probably swallowed some water, did some sputtering.

But we did it, we began to swim with delight. We didn't drown.

And just like it was possible for us to do this in the material world, it's possible for us in the spiritual world as well.

We can swim towards our beloved. Campbell also said that it is the aim of the mystic to be one with their beloved. We swim towards a loving oneness.

But what really makes the difference between drowning and swimming? Between psychosis and mystic revelation?

As near as I can tell, it's the straightness of our minds. I'm not sure how else to say it. Trungpa refers to "Brilliant Sanity," and I think that's a pretty good description. We want the mind to be straight, upright, organized, whole, and wholesome.

We need to train the mind. Lovingly, and with some firmness.

One of my teachers told me in no uncertain terms that ethical behavior was the foundation of spiritual practice.

She said, "You can't break Yama and Niyama, you can only break yourself against them. you can live however you want to live, have fun, but cause and effect are real, and if you continue to ignore yama and niyama, you will eventually find yourself in a foul pit of hell."

Well, shit. That made an impression. Because I knew it was true. I've done some time in the foul pits in my day, maybe you have too. And like it says in that old blues song, "Nobody's fault but mine. If I leave my love behind, It's nobody's fault but mine."

It works on so many levels!

It's not about the water, it's about our ability to swim.

It's not about the world; it's about our ability to move through it in an upright way.

It's not about the experience, it's about the insight that we can glean from it.

It's up to us. We decide how we respond, how we learn and grow.

Reminds me of a similar quote, I bet that Campbell was familiar with it. From the Yoga Spandakarika, "The same phenomenon that deludes the foolish, liberates the wise."

We want to become wise, and to do that, we must become responsible.

In closing, I'm going to offer a hot take on another saying that I just don't care for: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention."

I think it's perfectly possible to pay attention to what is going on in the world, and still maintain a clear head and an open heart. I think it's a very bad idea to outsource our well-being and vibrational state to the government and the news. You can care deeply, without freaking out. You can work on solving the problems of the world from a grounded place. I have faith.

The world needs us in our center. It needs us in our delight, swimming steadfastly towards our beloved.

The Lover and The Beloved Are One

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Nobody's Fault But Mine

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👉 Come Study and Practice with the Tam Community. 👈

🌈 Core Competencies of a Psychedelic Integration Coach - Zoom

Wednesday, August 6th at 8pm Eastern
​Join Here​

Being a good psychedelic integration coach requires you to be a good coach. ‘Psychedelic Integration’ is what we call in the business, a ‘niche’. It’s good to have a niche. It helps us focus on where we put our attention, and who we most want to serve. But the core skills of showing up to be present for someone as they evoke a wiser part of themselves that can see through patterns of sabotage and embody new possibilities, well that transcends niche. It’s something you want your coach to be able to do whether you are talking about psychedelics, relationships, leadership, or anything else. It’s essential.

We’re going to detail what we think make for a decent coach. Some of them will have to do with things a coach should be able to ‘DO’. Some of them will have to do with things a coach should ‘BE’. And while you’re here, you’ll get a little bit of a sense about our coaching program, should that be something you’re interesting in attending. You’ll be able to get more of a feel for what we’re offering, and how you’ll grow as a result.

​https://www.eventbrite.com/e/core-competencies-of-a-psychedelic-coach-with-daniel-shankin-tickets-1514198591749?aff=oddtdtcreator​

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Meditation for the Journey: Autumn Retreat in the Berkshires

September 26-27-28, Plainfield, MA
​Link to Register​

Join a group of like minded explorers

for a weekend of transcendent practice and ceremony

~ Explore the guided somatic practices and visualizations that you can share with your clients.

~ Experience how mantra and sacred sound can deepen somatic awareness and release.

~ Enjoy ceremony in the gorgousness of New England Autumn

~ 15 people max.

What’s included:

• Lodging
• Delicious organic and locally-sourced meals
• Meditation, yoga, dharma talks
• Introduction to guiding Yoga Nidra to support come up anxiety
• Chanting the chakras for somatic awareness and release
• Cannabis ceremony with guided Yoga Nidra
• Drum Journey Ceremony
• Playing in nature/ nature walk
• Hot Tub
• Art making
• Autumn Leaves!

This intensive is designed to create a powerful container for people with emerging spiritual visions. The sessions will offer group members an opportunity to deepen their practice and care for themselves, knowing that they will take what they learn and experience back to their clients and communities.

You will be offered a weekend designed to explore the depths of your body, mind, and consciousness with simple clarity. The curriculum is designed to make you a more centered being as well as a better guide.

We’ll open Friday with some sound healing, exploring how our voice can be used to express and release in ways that support catharsis while maintaining a regulated nervous system. This will lead into our drum led ceremony.

On Saturday, we’ll explore the intersection of visualization and somatics as a wonderful adjunct to a journey. Continuing the theme from Friday, we’ll look at how we support a calm inner environment in through our presence and guidance. This will culminate in our Saturday evening ceremony.

Sunday, as we integrate our experience, we’ll explore how our stories can convey deep universal truths, and how taking our seat as a teacher can provide deep value to our students.

​Link to Register​

Group Coaching and Mentorship- The Golden Road Collective

I have a group offering called The Golden Road Collective.

The Golden Road is a collective of psychonauts, healers, guides, and transformational change agents. We work together to create and embody the visions that have been gifted us in our ceremonies. We’re stepping into a shared future that is mindful, resilient, and committed to the versions of ourselves that we know we can be.

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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​

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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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