🫠 Psychonaut POV

Welcome to Tricycle Day. When it comes to integrating the latest psychedelic news and views, we’re your guide. And everyone knows integration is the most important part. 🤝 

Shiri Godasi is known today as a pioneer of psychedelic integration coaching. But when plant medicine first came into her life, she couldn’t find any resources to support her journey. Like many visionary entrepreneurs, she began by scratching her own itch.

We spoke to Shiri about her unique perspective on psychedelic integration, the inherent danger of the standard model, and what goes into becoming an exceptional guide for others.

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Why did you decide to become an integration teacher and consultant?

I became a professional in this field because I realized that there were no integration resources available when I was a relatively inexperienced psychedelic and plant medicine user. Since I needed these tools myself, I decided to contribute to the development of this niche industry and offer the tools to my community.

Admittedly it was a little like putting the cart before the horse because I started offering services when I was still in need of them as well. But I used myself as a guinea pig, and my body of knowledge and personal experience grew together.

What are the most common things people get wrong about psychedelic integration?

I hesitate to say that people get it wrong, as integration is a relatively new field and is mostly based on subjective experience. However, I can speak to what is true for me. I believe that there is room for a variety of opinions and modalities in integration.

The modality that I adhere to is that integration is a lifelong process with ebbs and flows, different stages, and depth that is determined by one's willingness to surrender to the experience. While some integration coaches offer a preparation session before and an integration session after, the danger of that approach is that it sends the message that the integration process ends after a single session. I believe in a version of integration that leaves space for the mystery to unfold and allows you to go deeper into the process.

Should the integration process differ based on the purpose or intention of the trip?

Absolutely, intentions are crucial in the integration process. When working with clients or anyone interested in a psychedelic experience, one of the first questions I ask is, "what are your goals?" Understanding what someone hopes to achieve from the experience is essential. It's important to distinguish between intentions and expectations, as they can certainly differ. Depending on one's intentions, whether it be to heal trauma, grow personally, achieve creative aspirations, or find truth or clarity, different strategies and methods may be necessary to help them achieve their goals.

Can you offer any practical tips for a novice who is considering their first psychedelic experience?

I see integration as beginning before the psychedelic experience even happens. It starts the moment someone considers going into a ceremony. They begin to integrate the medicine into their lives by doing research and thinking about what medicine to take, how much of it, and where to do it. Preparation is key for minimizing risks and amplifying benefits. It's like an insurance policy against “bad” or difficult trips. Everyone should prioritize preparation, especially those who are new to the experience.

Safety is always a priority, so any prior medical conditions or pharmaceuticals should be cleared before engaging with a psychedelic substance or choosing an appropriate dose. After that, goals should be set. Whether you want to flow with the experience or you have specific intentions, remaining curious and mindful of how to engage with the medicine is key.

Preparation also provides the opportunity to learn the skill set of psychedelic navigation, or “psyset,” which involves dozens of personal agency tools to deepen your dialogue with the medicine, dispel any challenging moments, and become your own shaman, healer, and facilitator. Anyone can learn these skills. I teach them in my Integration Therapy Master course.

In your view, what does it take to be an effective integration specialist?

Firstly, it is essential to have personal, long-term experience with psychedelic engagement and, specifically, in integration of these experiences. This means at least a year of personal study, working with the medicine, and undergoing an intentional, intimate integration process. For professionals-to-be, integration that is witnessed and supported by a teacher is optimal. This can’t be learned just by watching videos or reading books; it requires first-hand experience. In my certification program, we have a year-and-a-half-long curriculum where participants go through the integration process themselves and learn how to coach through direct experience.

Secondly, having a skill set is also important, which means understanding not only the psychedelic experience and harm reduction, but also how to coach. Specifically, we practice transpersonal coaching, which is a multidimensional and shamanic form of coaching. Being able to coach in this way is essential when working with psychedelics and providing professional services. There is a whole body of theory, knowledge, psychology, and methodology that needs to be learned to provide proper ethical integration support.

Lastly, there’s one factor that can neither be taught nor learned. Each of us has a soul code, a certain hardware that we are programmed with as spiritual beings walking the planet. Some people have the healer archetype within them, and it longs to be expressed. When they encounter the medicine, it will awaken certain modalities, languages, and secrets within them that other people may not be able or ready to receive. Ultimately, serving as an integration guide at the highest level comes down to personal experience, a professional skill set, and an alignment with one's dharma.

Want to learn more from Shiri? Check out all her free downloads and join her Psychedelic Integration Therapy Master Program. Take 20% off your tuition with code MAGIC20.

That’s all for today. Before you head off, don’t forget to share, rate, and review Tricycle Day below. Catch ya next time, Cyclists! ✌️

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.