Reclaiming Spirituality

Reclaiming Spirituality: What I’ve Learned from a Year of Psilocybin Retreats

After a year of guiding psilocybin retreats here in Oregon, where I legally provide psilocybin services, I can say that the experience has been nothing short of transformative—not just for the participants but for me as well. Sitting with 20-24 people on a monthly, and sometimes bi-monthly, basis, I witness profound healing, connection, and growth. And there’s one undeniable truth I’ve learned: psilocybin is a deeply spiritual experience.

When I say “spiritual,” I know this word can bring up all kinds of associations, both positive and negative. For many, spirituality has been muddied by a history of repression, judgment, or rigid dogma. But in the context of psilocybin work, spirituality has nothing to do with any single tradition or set of beliefs. Rather, it refers to an awareness of the “more”—that energy, that essence, that connection to something beyond the tangible, physical world. It’s about the universe, nature, spirit, intuition, and that gut feeling we all know but can’t quite explain.

What Is Spirituality in the Context of Psilocybin?

Spirituality, as I’ve come to understand it, is about connecting with something greater than ourselves. It’s that universal energy, that “other” we feel when we’re completely present in nature or experience a powerful moment of intuition. Think about it: how often have you said, “I just felt it in my gut,” or noticed the hairs on your arms stand up for no obvious reason? These are glimpses into the “more,” the experiences that remind us there’s a dimension beyond the purely physical.

Through psilocybin, we tap into this dimension directly. This “more” might be felt as a connection to the universe, to god or goddess, to nature, or simply to the collective human experience. It’s an awareness that transcends words and explanations, and in psilocybin work, this awareness often expands beyond anything we could imagine.

The Healing Power of the Spiritual Experience

When participants in psilocybin retreats tap into this spiritual space, they often describe a sense of returning to their true self—a part of themselves that is deeply connected, wise, and intuitive. They may feel as though they’ve reclaimed something that was lost or forgotten. In the safety of this spiritual space, they connect with emotions, insights, and parts of themselves they may have been disconnected from for years. For many, this journey of reconnection is a healing experience that transcends anything they’ve encountered in traditional talk therapy.

Psilocybin provides an opportunity to shed layers of conditioning, fear, and doubt, allowing participants to see themselves and their lives from a place of profound clarity and compassion. However, it’s important to remember that psilocybin isn’t necessary to connect with this spiritual side of ourselves. Every one of us has access to this deeper wisdom, whether through mindfulness, nature, meditation, breathwork, or simply listening to our inner voice. Psilocybin is one path, but by no means the only one.

Reclaiming Your Own Spirituality

One of the most beautiful things I’ve learned through this work is that spirituality is deeply personal and accessible to everyone. You don’t need psilocybin, a specific belief system, doctrine, or background. Spirituality is about reclaiming the essence of who you are and tapping into your inner wisdom, intuition, and connection to the world around you. Psilocybin can be a guide, but the “more” is always available to you in many forms.

Through psilocybin and other practices, we’re reminded that there is so much more to our experience than what we see, hear, and touch. We’re invited to look beyond the daily grind and to explore a reality filled with meaning, connection, and love. I encourage you to tap into this space and reclaim your spirit, your intuition, and your wisdom beyond the physical world. It’s a journey of discovery that offers endless possibilities.

Happy healing, dear ones. The journey to reclaim your spirit awaits, and it’s one of the most rewarding paths you’ll ever take. Embrace the “more,” with or without psilocybin, and let it guide you toward a life of deeper meaning, connection, and joy.