—"One of the pillars of integrating psychedelics is exploring the relationship we have with death. This is a matter of integrating the reality of death—death in general and your death in particular—into your experience of living.
Integrating death, as a part of the larger integration of your work with psychedelics, is ultimately a spiritual preparation. “There is no fundamental difference between the preparation for death and the practice of dying,” Stan Grof has wisely said, “and spiritual practice leading to enlightenment.”
We believe humanity’s intention in the universe is to embody the experience of understanding, compassion, kindness, peace with the unknown and ultimately unconditional love, and going forth to share it. Enlightenment is what happens when there is nothing left to grasp, nothing left to fear, nothing but love. There may still be questions but there is no grasping for answers. There is awareness. If you open the cracks in awareness there is love.”
Valeria interviews Dr. Ryan Westrum — the author of “The Psychedelics Integration Handbook”
Ryan Westrum, Ph.D., M.A. works as a psychedelic integration therapist in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and through video conference internationally. His primary focus is working with individuals integrating non-ordinary state experiences for healing and personal transformation. He also is the host of The Psychedelic Psychologist podcast. Ryan frequently works with people who are dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, mental illness, stress, trauma, and end-of-life care.
Ryan is available for speaking engagements on a myriad of topics and leads experiential groups, like dream work therapy and psychedelic integration groups; and develops psychedelic integration plans with people through therapy and coaching.
Ryan graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Psychology; followed by a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Adler Graduate School. He received his doctoral degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University.
Ryan is a registered integration therapist for Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He is a practicing therapist in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he lives with his wife two daughters and son.
To learn more about Dr. Ryan Westrum and his work, please visit: healingsoulsllc.com
— This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.
