What Is Integration?

Hello Sacred Wood Eaters,

Welcome to the amazing topic of Integration and thank you for reading this. Do you know what integration is? 

For most of my many years of experiencing psychedelics, I had no clue what Integration was. The word would pop up and I honestly didn’t know. I felt I naturally put the things I learned from my experiences into practice in my day to day life. I was also told once by a Shaman that I may not understand everything I’m being shown in the journey and if I am meant to, I would in time. Just trust. With that being said, we are meaning-making machines, our minds need to know why, how, what, where and when.  Trust is huge and allowing life to flow and unfold isn’t always easy.  

“You need nothing to be happy; you need something to be sad.”

— Mooji —

Integration has many meanings and it looks different for everyone. Integration can be talk therapy, art therapy, massage therapy, cold water therapy, eating healthier, breath work, honest conversations with your loved ones, having more compassion, crying, laughing, feeling and honoring your feelings instead of avoiding with drugs or sex, committing to working out, psychotherapy, apologising to people you love for being a dick, taking responsibility for your life, stopping the blame game, speaking your truth, finally doing the things you love without worrying about what others think, dancing crazy in Walmart, feeling fear and doing it anyway, forgiving those that hurt you, forgiving yourself for hurting others, buying new underwear and socks, smiling at a stranger, doing something that you don’t normally do, showing your love to others, it’s in the recognising of your excuses to not do something that could be really good for you, feeling the magic of hugging a tree, seeing the beauty in yourself, nature and others, really getting that you are always supported and loved, really getting you are beautiful inside and out even if you have a pimple on your nose or have cellulite on your butt, you actually matter and are super important no matter what you have been told, that your poop really does smell bad lol… etc. I could keep going and my fart humor is starting to seep out again. 

Integration is living, crawling out of the hole that you had no idea you were in. You know what they say, a fish doesn’t know it’s in water until you take it out. Psychedelics shed light and love on things about you so that you can see, which is such a gift. Once you see it, you can’t un-see, and it’s all happening for you — so you can be free and live in peace. The biggest theme is honouring you, because YOU are the most important person. So that can look different to everyone.  

Sometimes, we take a few steps back, and it doesn’t always look and feel pretty. We may set out with great intentions to perhaps not drink or stop habits that no longer serve, only to find ourselves back there again. Sometimes we need that reminder of how shitty it feels because we forget. Sometimes we have to be hit pretty hard to really get it to push us forward in a different way. This is just part of your experience. The worst part is when we beat ourselves up with guilt and shame about our so-called “fuck ups.”  This also serves a purpose, too. You get to feel what that feels like. Just know that it’s ok and everything is going to work out. Believing in yourself in those times of sadness and darkness is so important. That’s where the magic and growth is. We are not meant to be perfect, as you have heard before. We are here to learn, and there are NO MISTAKES. 

“If the pain was deep, you will have to let go many times.”

— Yung Pueblo —

Integration is also practicing being in the present moment, which really is the only thing that matters. The past does not exist, nor does the future. Being in the present moment is feeling, seeing, hearing what is happening right now. Then questioning if your thoughts, beliefs and patterns are taking you out of the present moment. This is discernment. What is the truth of now?  

I pray for gentle, kind and loving integration experiences for all of you. Our thoughts are very powerful and creative. If you want to pay attention to the truth of your life, look at your relating to others, look at what your thoughts are, reactions are, beliefs are, how are you really feeling, go there and feel it.  Do you feel peaceful or are you suffering? You have the power to shift everything in your life.  

I love the author Yung Pueblo, his books are short potent poems on each page. Minimal words expressed so powerfully. I feel so fulfilled with only one or two pages. I feel the same with Mooji’s teachings and pointings. There are so many free resources on YouTube as well.

Much love and appreciation for you all!!!  Wishing you a beautiful day.

BASSE

Treenz

Next Zoom integration call is Jan 31 @ 7pm MST

Next Trio of Medicines are Feb 2-4 + Feb 16-18 (spaces available)

Art Therapy Integration Resource — Meet Leslie

Leslie is a Creative Arts Therapist and combines skills using creative and experiential

modalities to assist clients in individual and group settings. Leslie’s approach is

inquiry based and as your companion she works together with you in the relational

space allowing for a rich co-creation to emerge.

As someone who appreciates working holistically with clients, Leslie recently

completed her Psychedelic assisted Therapy certification and works with people

who want to try a different approach to learning more about who they are by using

creative and experiential modalities to understand and integrate their experiences.

Leslie believes there is a rich tapestry of inner knowing with this type of exploring

and having access to different ways of making meaning allows for a deeper and

more expansive understanding of your experience.

Most of Leslie’s education has been completed in Australia through the lens of

experiencing and creating. Leslie is a Masters candidate in Therapeutic Arts with

MIECAT and continues to work with clients in her private practice in Cochrane,

Alberta as well as Online meeting together in the space with curiosity and wonder.

You can find more information about Leslie and how she works with clients on her

website. If you would like to book an intro call, please use Leslie’;s

link here.