Psychedelic Religious Experience

Jun 8 Wed 8th Jun 2022
2:30pm – 4pm EDT (UTC -04:00)
 
Lecture Room 23, Balliol College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ
 
https://dandelion.events/e/uiu54
Hosted by The Psychedelic Society
Activity Adventures in Awareness
Local group Oxford
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71+ people
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Enquiries to kenneth.shinozuka@balliol.ox.ac.uk
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"The Variety of Religious Experience" is a term that William James coined to describe the multiplicity of humanity's connections to the divine. Psychedelics also serve as an extraordinary channel to the spiritual world. People will often describe their mystical revelations on psychedelics as eliciting a sense of "interconnectedness" and "oneness," yet these broad labels likely miss the subtleties present in each individual's experience. In particular, each person's spiritual insights on psychedelics are likely to have a unique character that is shaped, at least in part, by their own religious background.

 In an effort to shed light on the variety of religious experience on psychedelics, this event will feature a dialogue between a Christian, a Tibetan Buddhist, and a pagan who have all taken psychedelics for spiritual purposes. They will each comment on the role that psychedelics have played in deepening their faith and their knowledge of the sacred. We hope that the discussion will help to reveal the remarkable breadth of avenues through which psychedelics illuminate universal spiritual truths.

A collaboration with Oxford University Psychedelic Society 
 

About the Panelists

 

Nikki Wyrd


Nikki Wyrd is a Director of the charity which runs Europe’s largest psychedelic conference, Breaking Convention. She is the Editor of the Psychedelic Press Journal, runs the Universe Machine publishing house, and also works as a freelance editor for books and papers related to psychedelics, occultism, anthropology, and medicine. Nikki often holds space at retreats and gives workshops centred around ritual practices. She enjoys dancing to psytrance, and as an ecologist, she actively encourages humans to reconsider how they can live in harmony with other organisms. Nikki’s past roles include British Isles Section Head of the Chaos Magic order The Illuminates of Thanateros, Ecology graduate, bass player in an all-women punk band, and a single mother.

Ricardo Rosa, PhD

Ricardo is initiated in Tibetan Buddhism, Andean Q’ero and Amazonian Shipibo traditions, and is an educator and academic researcher, Doctor of Philosophy and Architect. He leads courses and develops programs, and teaches and mentors adults in the creative fields. Additionally, he is a facilitator of group retreats, supporting people to explore their inner potential in a series of embodied practices breaking through barriers and unhealthy patterns.

He is a father of two children, and lives in Oxfordshire

Mark Juhan

Mark has been studying the sacramentality of the relationship between drugs and culture for seven years, having presented his research in Tallinn, Harvard, Breaking Convention and Prague. His interests span theology, philosophy, anthropology and literature and consider the relationship between measurable exteriorities, immeasurable interiorities, ritual and value generation, comparativism and natural theology. 

With degrees from Oxford and Durham, Mark is also a published poet and is about to pursue a PhD in comparative drug culture. His faith has led him to pursue a profession as a lay chaplain, researcher, and toy-demonstrator, gardener, special needs, piano teacher and humanitarian aid worker. He has taught psychedelic philosophy classes in London, conducted reading groups of The Rose of Paracelsus, and helps to conduct the Crossbones Rituals for the Outcast.

 



 

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This event started about 3 years ago

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Feedback on Adventures in Awareness events

4.7/5 from 454 ratings
Participants consistently describe the events as beautifully guided, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that fosters deep sharing and connection. Many express gratitude for the opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences in a safe, non-judgmental space, and feel more connected than ever as a result. The Spiritual Awakening Sharing Circle & Peer Support Group in particular is praised for creating a fertile environment where people can bring, seed, and share their experiences. Overall, these events are lauded for their ability to nurture spiritual growth and community.
10 months ago
I just want to say a massive thank you to Jess and Danny, for the beautifully facilitated event. Both facilitators put heart and soul into their work and ensure that the sharing circle experience is safe, warm, inclusive, welcoming, and full of awe and wonder! A job, well done!
10 months ago
Attending this sharing circle was a powerful experience for me. I got a lot of insights from what others shared and also from the discussions we had during the event and afterwards at the pub. It felt so nourishing to connect with people who find this subject as meaningful as I do. Since the event I’ve noticed feeling quite different to how I was in the days preceding - like an unfolding sense of peace and love. It might not be down to the circle 100% but I do think it has had a significant impact on me. I plan to go back to the circle as often as I can. Thanks to Jess and Danny for facilitating and to everyone else who shared their thoughts and experiences.
10 months ago
This is amazing, safe place to tell about your spiritual journey. Jess is so welcoming and warm. Highly recommend
10 months ago
This is one of my favourite events of the month, the people who come here are so lovely and it is so well organised by the hosts Jess and Danny, I feel very blessed to have found this community. Its really amazing to get to hear different stories and perspectives from the people who gather here, It's wonderful to spend time with everyone in the pub also. I always arrange my schedule around this event and make sure im available for it. Finding this was a big step in the development of my social life, il always be so greatful. Super recommended! ...If you never try, you'll never know, and if you try you'll be so glad you did!
10 months ago
about a year ago
Led by lovely Jessica this was well held, big variety of people present but all kind and friendly. Space to share in pretty much equal time slots which I like a lot having been in/led peer groups a lot myself!
about a year ago
about a year ago
It was beautifully guided, grateful to be able to share and listen to everyone’s perspectives and experiences, makes you feel more connected than ever!
about a year ago
about a year ago