What even is integration and why does it matter?

I feel it is more than okay to not have the answer to why I need integration support. Sometimes integration is about having therapeutic support working through difficult experiences. Or it can be more open-ended and exploratory, a process of questioning of default views. As with any good therapeutic container, whatever is there in the moment is the priority. For those with the integrity, sensibilities and aspirations of a philosopher, mystic, or poet, there is limited support in a field dominated by the individualist psychotherapeutic paradigm of trauma, and the coaching paradigm of implementing habits and goals.

I like to take this ‘why’ seriously as a question, and approach integration in the spirit of philosophical inquiry. Not only is this more fun and participatory, but it also lessens the likelihood of imposter syndrome, so common among psychedelic facilitators and therapists. I don’t have any answers, and my path of integration has always been a practice of not fixing on a view, but remaining open to views. In this way there is room for both an emphasis on embodiment, as well as more cerebral approaches to integration. In short, I care about caring for the depths of psychedelic experiences, not about convincing others of a particular view.

A space to explore content from a journey through multiple perspectives and inquire into any areas where support is needed with making meaningful changes.

I initially trained in the insight meditation tradition with Christopher Titmuss, and have been strongly inspired by Rob Burbea’s ‘ways of looking’ paradigm. I don’t privilege any particular tradition or body of teachings over anyone’s direct experience and practice. However, my practice is deeply embedded in a lineage of Pali canon teachings, and I do not dilute teachings in order to make them more accessible. Stylistically, I enjoy approaching meditation as an artistic craft with a playful, imaginative attitude that can be easily integrated into a bespoke ecology of practices.

My guided meditations are available here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/00jouBwSuuwU5pYj7qyFrU

I am a graduate of the first MTTC (Mindfulness Teacher Training Course) designed by senior dharma teacher Christopher Titmuss, with whom I have been a student since 2014.

In 2023 I received certification as a Psychedelic Practitioner from the Synthesis Institute’s Psychedelic Practitioner Training Programme (PPT).

I was formerly on the Synthesis Retreat team in the Netherlands for three years, where I co-facilitated legal psilocybin retreats for over 300 clients. Since 2016, I received extensive training in providing psychedelic-infomed harm reduction services in festival settings.

No, but I can refer to Awaken the Medicine Within for the highest quality legal group retreats.