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Dying in El Gastor
Can you imagine having to create the universe just to come and die in El Gastor?
Several variations of this "mantra" ran through my head during the first part of my experience. While I was still resisting the idea of dying, this thought brought a smile to my face and helped me relax.
The universe and all its contents were already doing and undoing themselves, and I was getting thoroughly lost. The only guiding thread was the music—vibration at its core, but vibration arranged in a way to be pleasurable for a perceiving consciousness.
Every now and then, my dry lips would sting against each other, briefly reminding me of my body and everything else. The mantra would repeat, bringing a relaxed smile, along with questions about why this doing and undoing of the universe was necessary. Why bother?
Thanks to the music, it was easy to understand this as a process similar to that of a musician transforming vibration into something beautiful. It was a satisfactory explanation for that momentary lapse of reason, and then I was gone again.
But why dying anyway?
The idea of dying is terrifying, especially in our individualistic society where we invest so much energy in developing our sense of self. For me, this manifested some years ago as crippling hypochondria. Mind you, at the time of my experience with Elena, this was no longer the case. Significant personal work had already occurred, but the topic of death remained deeply important to me.
That's why it was so significant when Elena suggested I go on a hike the day before the experience. I ended up on the summit of a small mountain, with vultures circling overhead. They were searching for something to eat, and I was unaware that some part of me was ready to feed them.
Before the experience, it wasn't just this suggested hike that held meaning, but how intently Elena listened to me (no easy task, as I can babble endlessly). I know she truly listened because she provided so many reading recommendations that proved invaluable both in the integration work and my broader personal journey. Elena is one of the most well-read individuals you'll meet, and she delights in sharing her knowledge.
I'm deeply grateful for this experience, through which I achieved what I was seeking. My intentions were simple: silence in my head and a connection to others that transcends words. When we sat together at noon, before drinking the potion, I knew this would be different from my many other psychedelic experiences—there wasn't the faintest trace of anxiety within me because I trusted Elena completely. This degree of trust helped me easily surrender what little remained of myself in the first part of the experience.
A quick trip to the bathroom did the trick—a functional journey to avoid wetting the bed. Afterward, it felt like a small eternity to replace my headphones and blindfold, as closing my eyes was enough to make me disappear. Eventually, I managed to put them back on and peacefully parted ways with my ego. The last bit of consciousness working to control my bladder could finally relax, and with it went my final anchor to bodily sensation.
I won't delve too deeply into reporting what I experienced then, as I feel it would be futile. If you've been there, you know that words are inadequate tools to describe it.
Coming out of it was easy and organic. Eventually, I asked if we could go for a walk, and we were fortunate enough to see an almost full moon shining over the Sierra. But in that moment, I could have found beauty in literally everything.
I cannot express enough gratitude for Elena and everything she shared with me. Her approach to this work is exemplary—she was remarkably clear about boundaries and provided detailed guidance on managing the experience. Her explicit communication style created a container of trust that allowed this transformative experience to unfold naturally.
The integration work continues to reveal new layers of insight, and I find myself experiencing a remarkable surge of vitality. There's an unmistakable shift in my energy that's so apparent, it's even caught my wife by surprise. She often looks at me with amazement, joking that if these are the results, she'll happily send me back for monthly sessions. Her observation makes me smile, as it confirms what I feel internally—a profound renewal that extends beyond the immediate experience into my daily life.
Several variations of this "mantra" ran through my head during the first part of my experience. While I was still resisting the idea of dying, this thought brought a smile to my face and helped me relax.
The universe and all its contents were already doing and undoing themselves, and I was getting thoroughly lost. The only guiding thread was the music—vibration at its core, but vibration arranged in a way to be pleasurable for a perceiving consciousness.
Every now and then, my dry lips would sting against each other, briefly reminding me of my body and everything else. The mantra would repeat, bringing a relaxed smile, along with questions about why this doing and undoing of the universe was necessary. Why bother?
Thanks to the music, it was easy to understand this as a process similar to that of a musician transforming vibration into something beautiful. It was a satisfactory explanation for that momentary lapse of reason, and then I was gone again.
But why dying anyway?
The idea of dying is terrifying, especially in our individualistic society where we invest so much energy in developing our sense of self. For me, this manifested some years ago as crippling hypochondria. Mind you, at the time of my experience with Elena, this was no longer the case. Significant personal work had already occurred, but the topic of death remained deeply important to me.
That's why it was so significant when Elena suggested I go on a hike the day before the experience. I ended up on the summit of a small mountain, with vultures circling overhead. They were searching for something to eat, and I was unaware that some part of me was ready to feed them.
Before the experience, it wasn't just this suggested hike that held meaning, but how intently Elena listened to me (no easy task, as I can babble endlessly). I know she truly listened because she provided so many reading recommendations that proved invaluable both in the integration work and my broader personal journey. Elena is one of the most well-read individuals you'll meet, and she delights in sharing her knowledge.
I'm deeply grateful for this experience, through which I achieved what I was seeking. My intentions were simple: silence in my head and a connection to others that transcends words. When we sat together at noon, before drinking the potion, I knew this would be different from my many other psychedelic experiences—there wasn't the faintest trace of anxiety within me because I trusted Elena completely. This degree of trust helped me easily surrender what little remained of myself in the first part of the experience.
A quick trip to the bathroom did the trick—a functional journey to avoid wetting the bed. Afterward, it felt like a small eternity to replace my headphones and blindfold, as closing my eyes was enough to make me disappear. Eventually, I managed to put them back on and peacefully parted ways with my ego. The last bit of consciousness working to control my bladder could finally relax, and with it went my final anchor to bodily sensation.
I won't delve too deeply into reporting what I experienced then, as I feel it would be futile. If you've been there, you know that words are inadequate tools to describe it.
Coming out of it was easy and organic. Eventually, I asked if we could go for a walk, and we were fortunate enough to see an almost full moon shining over the Sierra. But in that moment, I could have found beauty in literally everything.
I cannot express enough gratitude for Elena and everything she shared with me. Her approach to this work is exemplary—she was remarkably clear about boundaries and provided detailed guidance on managing the experience. Her explicit communication style created a container of trust that allowed this transformative experience to unfold naturally.
The integration work continues to reveal new layers of insight, and I find myself experiencing a remarkable surge of vitality. There's an unmistakable shift in my energy that's so apparent, it's even caught my wife by surprise. She often looks at me with amazement, joking that if these are the results, she'll happily send me back for monthly sessions. Her observation makes me smile, as it confirms what I feel internally—a profound renewal that extends beyond the immediate experience into my daily life.