Your Journey Began Long Ago – Now Our Paths Converge
Consider your intention. Why do you want to experience psychedelics? Why now? Why in a retreat setting with others?
Perhaps your intention is part of a healing process—whether it involves your relationships, your significant other, or your family. Maybe it’s about addressing mental health challenges that make you feel miserable, depressed, anxious, or fearful in social situations.
Or perhaps you seek to explore the mysteries of your existence, sensing that there is more to life than what is commonly believed. Maybe you’re looking for purpose and meaning. After all, what’s life without a vision? Experiencing a sense of purpose can lead to a fulfilling life, even if you can’t fully articulate it to others. It’s enough to know that you have it within you.
We understand that true transformation involves more than just the psychedelic experience. That’s why our retreats incorporate several individual and group sessions both before and after your experience as well as, art expression, yoga, meditation, breathwork, and immersive integration workshops. This seamless fusion of elements creates an enriching experience that guides you towards deep personal growth and enduring change.
I. Application
Complete the form on our website, select your retreat date, options, and additional services, and pay the deposit to secure your place.
Intention is a crucial element of your journey. It serves two important roles. First, it’s not just a metaphor that your journey doesn’t begin now; in your mind, it started long ago. You’ve been preparing, gathering knowledge, and processing it subconsciously. You’re not going to the retreat to get entertained, hallucinate, or party. This is not about hedonism. Your intention creates a mindset: you’re going there with purpose—to expand, heal, and evolve. To recognise your full potential and become all that you can be.
Secondly, intention is a tool for further integration. You’re about to embark on a journey that will take you beyond human descriptive systems, beyond concepts and words. You’ll need a reference point to interpret your experience, something that allows you to make sense of it all.
When you fill out the questionnaire and make a payment, you’re making an agreement not only with us but, more importantly, with yourself. An agreement that says, “I am about to change my life; I am taking a step towards a life of purpose and fulfilment.”
2. Health Assessment
Complete and submit the assessment form we provide, then schedule a call with our psychotherapist to determine if a psychedelic journey is the right decision for you at this point in your life. This information is crucial for us to support your safety and well-being.
Psychedelics are powerful substances capable of temporarily suspending your internal world, including your sense of self. This offers a unique opportunity to realise that you are not defined by your beliefs about yourself, often referred to as the ‘ego’ (though not exactly in the Freudian sense). This phenomenon, known as ‘ego death,’ can be terrifying for an unprepared mind. It may mimic the process of actual death, triggering a strong fear response from our brain’s threat detection system. People often report intense fear and terror, but they usually quickly realise they still exist, albeit in a different way—without their usual sense of self.
Who am I then, you may ask? That’s for you to discover and experience. Words cannot capture this, as language is a construct of the ego, which has just been transcended.
It is crucial to be in good mental and physical health to safely undergo this process. While psychedelics are considered relatively safe, with low neurotoxicity and harm potential (much lower than alcohol and tobacco (Nutt et al., 2010)), it is essential to ensure your current health supports a safe experience. We care about the outcome of your psychedelic journey and invite every participant to work with us in assessing these risks. Is this the right time in your life for such a profound adventure, or should you wait a bit longer?
If you and our psychotherapist/doctor determine there are contraindications, such as concerns about your mental health, don’t worry—it doesn’t mean you cannot attend the retreat. Instead, you may want to consider Psychedelic Preparation and Integration Therapy. Our specialists can work with your psychological issues in the spirit of harm reduction to improve your mental health and better prepare you for the experience.
3. Complete Your Booking
Once approved, pay the remaining balance to confirm your reservation; if your health does not permit attendance, we will refund your deposit or help you explore other possible options.
So, this is it! You’re definitely going to the retreat. Time to arrange your travel tickets and insurance, and start packing your suitcase. Your mind is engaged, and I can almost feel your excitement. You’re about to experience the wonders everyone’s been talking about.
We’ll send you our preparation handbook and other useful documents. You might also want to hear from other participants about their experiences, ask questions, and meet the facilitators. This is all possible at our monthly meetings called Numinous Ways: Dialogues. These sessions are designed to provide guidance and support for both newcomers and those with prior experience in exploring psychedelics. Held in a secure and confidential setting, these 90-minute sessions offer a sanctuary to discuss, prepare for, and reflect on the use of psychedelics.
4. Preparation
Engage in a one-on-one preparation session via video call, participate in small group video call, take advantage of optional extra sessions, and join monthly meetings with our facilitators and former participants.
It’s completely normal to feel some anxiety or nervousness about the retreat—those feelings are okay. In fact, a bit of anxiety can be beneficial. You’re about to embark on a potentially life-changing journey, one that may bring you face-to-face with profound mysteries of existence. This isn’t something to take lightly, as the substance you’ll be engaging with is a powerful tool that deserves respect.
To help you prepare, we offer a one-on-one online session with your facilitator, where all your questions will be addressed. Additionally, you’ll participate in a small group preparation session online, allowing you to get to know your fellow Numinauts.
Here are some additional ways you can prepare:
• Read testimonials from others who have attended our retreats to get a sense of what to expect.
• Join our webinars on various topics related to psychedelics, led by experts in the field.
• Explore literature on psychedelics and related research. We recommend “How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan and “Psychedelics” by Prof David Nutt.
• Watch the Netflix series based on Michael Pollan’s book.
• Meditation videos: We’ve prepared a set of meditations to support your practice. These are the same meditations we use during our retreats, designed to deepen your experience and help integrate the insights into your daily life.
• Join our Numinous Ways: Dialogues: These monthly online group sessions are carefully crafted to provide ongoing guidance and support, whether you’re new to psychedelics or have prior experience.
• Contemplate further on your intention
Measuring Psychedelic Preparation
At Numinous Ways, we place great importance on the role of preparation in shaping your experience. That’s why, as of February 2024, we’ve introduced an innovative psychometric tool called the Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS). This tool was developed by Rosalind G. McAlpine and her colleagues at University College London.
Psychedelic preparedness is a key focus in psychedelic therapy, addressing not only mental readiness but also the psychological, physical, and social aspects of being prepared for both the experience and its potential outcomes. The PPS was specifically designed to quantify this level of preparedness. During our retreats, we use the PPS to assess how well participants are prepared for their experiences, allowing us to tailor our preparation methods accordingly. So far, the PPS has indicated that 88% of our participants score above 100 points, suggesting a high level of preparedness that should lead to more positive outcomes.
McAlpine, R.G., Blackburne, G. & Kamboj, S.K. Development and psychometric validation of a novel scale for measuring ‘psychedelic preparedness’. Sci Rep 14, 3280 (2024).
5. The Experience
Experience two psychedelic sessions, on-site integration, breathwork, curated meditation, and complementary activities.
You likely already know that a Numinous Ways retreat isn’t solely about psychedelics. It’s about what these substances can facilitate—an encounter with the Numinous and the cultivation of a deep, intimate relationship with the greatest mystery of existence in everyday life. We view psychedelics as tools, among many others, that serve this purpose.
During the retreat, we will introduce you to a variety of these tools, some rooted in ancient traditions and others based on contemporary scientific discoveries. We approach this work as a delicate art, blending ancient wisdom with modern science to offer a holistic path to personal growth and transformation.
Group process
Group process is a powerful tool for growth and healing. While much has been written about the benefits of psychedelic experiences in one-on-one settings, there’s less discussion about how these experiences can be harnessed in group environments.
Sam Bloomfield, our lead practitioner, describes it as the moment when “intrapersonal processes become interpersonal, allowing you to observe these dynamics as they play out between you and others. This awareness enables you to understand and heal them, transforming them back into intrapersonal insights.”
We will help you in decoding the transference and projections that often go unnoticed, helping you leverage the therapeutic power of the group process.
Meditation
What Is Meditation? Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to that question. Meditation is often misunderstood, and each spiritual tradition has its own interpretation and practices deeply rooted in its unique cosmology and ontology. The goals of these practices are always tied to the nature of reality as understood within those traditions.
Have you ever wondered why some meditation traditions emphasise being in the “here and now” or focusing on body sensations? How does this relate to the non-locality and timelessness often encountered in psychedelic experiences?
During the retreat, we will guide you through a series of meditations specifically curated to enhance your psychedelic experience and facilitate its integration. Psychedelic experiences can offer a fresh perspective on meditation, potentially transforming your practice and deepening your connection to the Numinous. You may find that your daily meditations yield deeper insights and more profound transformative results.
Creative Expressions
Language is one way we try to understand and make sense of the enigmatic psychedelic experience, but it’s not the only method. Creative expressions, such as drawing, painting, and other artistic forms, engage different regions of the brain and offer alternative ways to process and integrate these experiences.
Creative, non-linear expression has been a fundamental aspect of human culture throughout history. However, many of us have been conditioned to believe we aren’t creative or artistic—that we can’t sing, dance, or express ourselves artistically. At the retreat, you’ll discover that you can awaken the artistic spirit within your psyche and tap into a wellspring of creativity you may not have known existed.
Body Work
Imagine how you would feel and how your life would look in a perfectly healthy body. While perfection may be unattainable—our bodies often bear the marks of trauma and unhealthy habits—we don’t need perfection to fully experience life.
At the retreat, you will use your body as a tool to reconnect with yourself, rediscovering the simple joy of being alive. We’ll tap into the pleasures that a healthy body is meant to enjoy: the sensations of breathing, seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and feeling. You’ll learn to better listen to, understand, and respond to the messages your body is constantly sending and receiving. By engaging with your physical self, you can move beyond limiting thoughts and access greater freedom and creativity. Let’s dance!
Nature connection
Our attention is the most valuable resource we possess as human beings. Unlike material things or even time, which may not be as solid as we perceive them to be, our attention is finite and irreplaceable. We invite you to reconsider where you direct your attention. Which activities drain it, and which ones nourish it? You likely recognise that digital technology often falls into the former category rather than the latter. Social media, television, streaming platforms, and video games consume your most precious asset—your attention.
We invite you to take a break from the disconnecting effects of technology and city life and to reconnect with the natural world. Immersing yourself in nature can help you feel more resourced, grounded, and alive, reminding you of your deep connection to all living things. By observing nature, we not only learn about the way of life but also gain insights into ourselves. In this immersion, we reconnect with our own life force, reclaiming access to the creativity and resilience that flows through all of life.
Music
There’s no need to convince you of the vital role music plays in the healing process. In many American traditions, ayahuasceros and curanderos use music and special vocalisations, known as icaros, to guide individuals through their psychedelic experiences. At our retreat, you won’t just listen to music—you’ll experience it. The music is carefully curated to support your journey, often reaching into the deepest corners of your mind to unearth long-forgotten emotions and memories in need of healing and care.
At times, the music will transport you to mysterious realms within the universe, where you may encounter equally mysterious beings that seem to have an existence independent of your own. On other occasions, it will help you reconnect with your inner healer—the mysterious force within you, waiting to be invited into your life.
During a psychedelic experience, music takes on a life of its own, it becomes a psychopomp, guiding you through your journey. A carefully curated playlist can help you unlock the celestial harmonies that dwell within your psyche.
Breathwork
Breath is life, and conscious breath unlocks life’s full potential. In our breath workshop, we invite you to explore the profound power of your breath in fostering healing and insight. Many people report experiences similar to psychedelics after just an hour of intense breathing, discovering it to be a valuable synergistic tool they can integrate into their daily lives.
For many, breathwork also becomes a way to learn how to surrender to the psychedelic process. We harness the power of this simple yet profound tool to help you experience the ultimate freedom found in complete surrender. This is one of the many paradoxes of the psychedelic journey—there is a deep sense of liberation in letting go, and you can achieve this with nothing more than your breath. It’s truly incredible.
Dream Work
What is a dream? Some see it as a by-product of the brain’s night-time activity, merely a “garbage” of neuroelectric processes. Others consider dreams the “royal road to the subconscious.”
Our observations suggest that there are common elements shared between the landscapes of psychedelic and dream states. Experiences from a psychedelic state can surface in your dreams, and vice versa. We believe that working with your dreams can be a powerful tool for personal development, and that psychedelic experiences can enhance your dream recall, making them more vivid and insightful.
Some people even experience lucid dreaming—a state where you are aware that you are dreaming and can actively engage with the dream. This unique state can be a valuable opportunity for deeper self-discovery.
Other Tools
At Numinous Ways retreats, we introduce various tools and methods to help you connect with the Numinous and explore the deepest mysteries of existence. We invite teachers from diverse traditions to share their unique practices—their own numinous ways. These practices may include drumming, fasting, silence, other forms of sensory deprivation, sweat lodges, poetry, storytelling, music, and dreaming. There is a fascinating world out there, with countless numinous paths to experience it.
5. Integration and Beyond
Participate in a one-on-one integration video call, small group integration session, optional additional integration sessions, free monthly meetings with our facilitators and former participants, webinars, and enjoy community membership.
Why don’t we need to integrate yesterday’s lunch, but integration is so important when it comes to a psychedelic experience?
Well, your lunch from yesterday is an experience for which you have a plethora of concepts to describe and represent it within your perceptual system. In the seemingly simple idea of ‘yesterday’s lunch,’ there is a system of intrinsic codes related to our everyday functioning. For example, it involves the concept of time: it happened yesterday, likely around noon. This places the event within your lifetime, making it understandable in relation to other events. It automatically connects to our perception of time as a linear process with a past, present, and future.
It also relates to our biological need for energy and the social norms that dictate how these needs should be met—such as the frequency of meals, the number of calories, the types of food typically consumed, and many other cultural, biological, and functional codes.
All these codes are triggered when we refer to yesterday’s lunch. They are the result of extensive training we undergo in early childhood. We use these codes every day; they drive our perception, populate our internal world, and are constantly manipulated by our brain to predict the outcomes of our actions.
Did you know?
Only 10% of the information that reaches our visual cortex comes from our eyes. The rest comes from our memory. This means that what we experience on a daily basis is largely shaped by what we’ve learned about reality rather than what is actually out there.
Look at this picture: square A is the same shade of grey as square B. It might not seem that way, but your brain perceives them differently because it has learned to expect a difference caused by the shadow. In reality, they are identical.
The psychedelic experience is different. The ‘ego death’ collapses the system of representations in your brain, liberating your perception from social conditioning. This allows you to briefly experience reality as it is—unmediated, raw, and rich beyond comprehension. You experience the world without the survival-driven filters imposed by eons of evolutionary adaptation.
After the trip, you need to use normal, everyday concepts and codes to make sense of what you’ve just experienced. You have to simplify these otherworldly experiences into concepts familiar from everyday life, often relying on drastic simplifications, approximations, metaphors, and analogies to describe the ineffable. And this is not an easy task—it’s much, much more complex than describing yesterday’s lunch.
Do we see reality as it is?
To delve deeper into how our evolution shapes and narrows our everyday perceptions to enhance our chances of survival—while simultaneously deceiving us about the true nature of reality—watch this TED talk by Donald Hoffman.
It is not surprising then that the psychedelic experience can cause an ontological shock. Such an experience can profoundly change our worldview—our understanding of what is real and what exists. In other words, it alters our metaphysical beliefs, the assumptions we use to explain reality. This shift can lead to a fundamental change in how we perceive life, death, and the meaning of existence. It also impacts how we understand ourselves, who we are, and our psychological challenges.
To integrate such a fundamental transformation, we need to make a concerted effort. That’s why our retreats incorporate formal integration and preparation sessions, as well as art expression, yoga, meditation, breathwork, and immersive integration workshops. This seamless fusion of elements creates an enriching experience that guides you towards deep personal growth and lasting change.
