Resources
The Psychedelic Meditation Institute is a community of people interested in psychedelic meditation. You can watch videos, join discussions, and learn how to become a psychedelic meditation instructor. Sign up for the mailing list for announcements of news, upcoming classes, and discussions. https://psychedelicmeditation.org/
The Psychedelic Sangha holds space for Psychedelic Buddhism, a non-traditional approach to Buddhism that values the spiritual efficacy of psychedelics on the Path. Psychedelic Sangha was founded as a spiritual refuge for Buddhistic Psychonauts and Psychedelic Buddhists. https://psychedelicsangha.org/
The mission at F.I.V.E. is to provide the world with a centralized hub for resources and education on 5-MeO-DMT. As this compound continues to grow in popularity, so does the importance of creating a space that brings awareness to the ethics, integrity, and safety of this medicine. The first step to this is education. https://five-meo.education/
The Pattern Project is a collective of mental health researchers, therapists, meditators, and innovators based in Canada. The organization is the first dedicated to exploring the breakthrough potential of combining mindfulness and other practices with low-dose 5-MeO-DMT. Here is the StepWise Protocol for starting with low doses and gaining confidence in higher doses: https://patternproject.substack.com/p/stepwise
Books
As It Is Volumes I and II, by Tulku Urgyen, are excellent books on Dzogchen practice. Tulku Urgyen was one of the most realized Dzogchen teachers to leave Tibet. Three of his sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Mingyur Rinpoche, have continued his teaching lineage. Here is a video of Tulku Urgyen giving pointing out instructions. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YftLXnUCr98 Erik Pema Kunsang recounts his own pointing out instruction by Tulku Urgyen. https://youtube.com/watch?v=s23Fhsak88U
The Circle of the Sun by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol is an excellent text on trekchö and thögal. It contains a concise overview of thögal practice. The translation by Eric Pema Kunsang is out of print.
The Citadel of Awareness by Anam Thubten is a commentary on Jigme Lingpa’s Dzogchen Aspiration Prayer. This book is an accessible description of the ground, path, and fruition of the Dzogchen path.
No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz is an excellent introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS). Search YouTube for “Richard Schwartz IFS” to find many excellent talks, interviews, and IFS sessions.
Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche presents a step-by-step guide to understanding the nature of mind.
Self-Therapy by Jay Early is a clearly written IFS manual for unburdening our parts.
The Teaching on the Four Lamps and Instructions on Divining Luminosity are contained in the Secret Treasury of the Dakinis from the Khandro Yangtig by Longchenpa, translated by Eric Fry-Miller and available on Buddha Visions https://buddhavisions.com/shop/secret-treasury-of-the-dakinis-from-the-khandro-yangtig-longchenpa/
The Teaching on the Four Lamps is available for download from Buddha Visions: https://buddhavisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Teaching-on-the-Four-Lamps-of-Direct-Transcendence.pdf
A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission by Longchenpa, translated by Richard Barron, is Longchenpa’s auto commentary on the Chöying Dzod. It includes the root verses of the Chöying Dzod, Longchenpa’s commentary, and many quotes from the tantras. A Treasure Trove is a poetic, precise, and detailed description of empty luminosity. It is available at http://tibetantreasures.com/.
Buddhist Training
There are many authentic teachers in the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions. Here are a few good examples.
If you would like the full Buddhist training in nature of mind practice, you can study Mingyur Rinpoche's Joy of Living and Path of Liberation curriculums.
The Joy of Living curriculum is three online courses. https://joy.tergar.org/
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Calming the Mind: Recognizing Awareness. Everything is Meditation. Emotional Balance.
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Opening the Heart: Love. Compassion. Joy. Transformation and Equanimity.
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Awakening Wisdom: Analytical Meditation, Innate Wisdom. Multiplicity and Interdependence. Impermanence and transformation. The Self Beyond Self. The Luminous Self. Timeless Awareness.
The Path of Liberation curriculum is the four introductions to the nature of mind. See the Nature of Mind Practice chapter on these. Mingyur Rinpoche explains each introduction in detail and how to practice it. https://tergar.org/what-is-the-path-of-liberation
The Path of Liberation includes pointing out the nature of mind instruction in person with Mingyur Rinpoche. It is worthwhile to receive a qualified teacher's pointing out instructions in person. The in-person transmission of the pointing-out is how the lineage is passed on from generation to generation.
If you already have some Buddhist training, you can receive the pointing-out instruction without any prerequisites at an in-person open retreat with Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Visit his site for his teaching schedule and a member’s area with videos of many teachings and retreats. https://tsoknyirinpoche.org/
Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s Fully Being site explains handshake practice and essence love with more detail about making friends with our beautiful monsters. https://fullybeing.org/
Anam Thubten is an excellent and clear Dzogchen teacher based in California. Here is a delightful brief message. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2WY_x-eDlRw You might enjoy his book, The Citadel of Awareness. For more information, see https://dharmata.org/
Psychedelic Safety
Pharmacology and Drug Interactions of 5-MeO-DMT. You can download the free Five Guide. https://www.spiritpharmacist.com/blog/5MeODMTPharmacology
SSRIs, SNRIs, and other psychiatric medications can diminish the effect of 5MeO and LSD because they compete with the same receptors. Taking psychedelics along with psychiatric medications is generally okay, as psychiatric medicines are often combined.
5MeO binds to the serotonin receptors more strongly than regular DMT, so never take 5MeO with MAOIs, which can result in serotonin toxicity and death. Never take 5MeO in an ayahuasca setting. Taking 5MeO while on lithium can result in seizures.
There are currently no definitive studies about psychedelic use and health. Here is a Nature article that suggests that psychedelic use may be correlated with decreased heart disease (22%) and diabetes (12%). This study suggests that psychedelic use is at least not causing detectable overall harm. https://nature.com/articles/s41598-021-93787-4
