Portland Psychedelic Society

Welcome to the Portland Psychedelic Society Men's Group

As students of the psychedelic domain, we understand that the situation of being in the world requires us to participate in culture in ways that promote interconnectedness and love. This is the consistent understanding these medicines carry with them. In contrast, the cultural message we often experience as men is one promoting insulation and emotional suppression. One of these messages is an invitation toward curiosity and furthering understanding; the other is a coaxing toward severance and self abandonment.

We know from being in touch with our basic humanness that a state of interconnectedness and love is a state of naturally thriving. We know from psychology that repressing that which desires to blossom from within degrades both psyche and physiology. We understand from being networked in relationships that when we’re living in a state of discontent, we radiate negativity to those in our circles of influence, which radiates outward from there.

From this understanding we can see how being told by culture to repress and isolate makes us sick, which leads to the perpetuation of sickness in the culture. We recognize that we must stop being agents of sickness in the cultural system. We must become agents of healing and regeneration. In order for us to become agents of healing for others, we must first heal ourselves, so we embody a position of healing in the world.

It is for this reason that this Men’s Support Group was formed. Those who have experienced psychedelic states know that, as agents of healing themselves, the psychedelic medicines allow us to face with openness the parts of ourselves that we typically close ourselves off to. In a container of safety, this attentive openness facilitates integration and healing. In the same way, by creating a safe container for men to explore the parts of ourselves that we don’t give enough attention to, we can facilitate healing in ourselves, and feed that healing forward throughout our families, communities, and the greater global consciousness. When we take the message of the psychedelic domain seriously and put it into practice, we each become what I call “the psychedelic man”.

The psychedelic man understands that the process of integration is a lifelong undertaking that imbues life with meaning. He speaks courageously, listens deeply, embraces humility, and approaches all issues with curiosity. He leads other men toward integration through wisdom, action, and firm but compassionate guidance. The psychedelic man looks at all beings as his brothers and sisters, and thereby takes responsibility for engendering the thriving of all beings. He looks to the entire ancestry of humanity as teachers. He looks to archetypal stories and myths rather than cultural trends for guidance. He understands that a system of support is a prerequisite for flourishing. He lives his purpose and undertakes only what is meaningful. The psychedelic man is the man the world is waiting for us to become.

If this writing speaks to you, or resonates with something deep within, join us at the next PPS Men’s Support Group meeting. We await your contribution.

This meeting focuses on topics that are relevant to mental health professionals including therapists, counselors, doctors, naturopaths, and other related disciplines. Its cohosts are Dr. Brian Pilecki and Joe Eaton.

We alternate between having guest speakers and having an open discussion. This month we will be having an open discussion, so please feel free to bring any topics, news items, questions, or curiosities to be discussed with the group.

We welcome respectful engagement and discourse, and honor this time and space to be a productive discussion for all.

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About the HOSTS:

Brian Pilecki, PhD:

Join me on 2nd Sundays @ 5 pm in collaboration with the PNW Integrative Center!

What to expect -

Are you microdosing?

Do you have questions for those who microdose psychedelics?

Join this community discussion about all aspects of microdosing.

If you're new to microdosing, here are some resources to review, ideally before you attend the event:

🌟 Join The Journey: Psychedelics and Buddhism Meetup! 🌟

Are you intrigued by the intersection of Eastern philosophy and modern psychedelic exploration? Do you find yourself pondering the deep connections between Buddhist philosophy and the transformative experiences of psychedelics? If so, we invite you to become a part of the Psychedelics and Buddhism Meetup!

What's in Store?

Our gatherings are a melting pot of ideas, designed for both seasoned practitioners and curious newcomers. Whether you're a devout Buddhist, a psychedelic enthusiast, or simply a seeker of knowledge, you'll find a welcoming and open-minded community here.

The host will switch off each month choosing a topic from the Buddhist Teachings of their personal practice to share as a discussion topic. Participants are encouraged to explore weaving the discussion topic into their own experiences with psychedelics by reflecting on past journeys and envisioning ways to integrate this truth into future journeys during break out groups.

Our Sessions Include

• Meditation: We open and close each meeting with a meditation session, creating a mindful atmosphere to engage and reflect.
• Engaging Discussions: Delve into fascinating topics such as the history of psychedelics in Buddhist practices, the concept of ego dissolution, and the parallels between meditative states and psychedelic experiences.
• Deep Dive into the Literature: Explore thought-provoking chapters and imagery from books (like Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics) and scientific research.
• Sutra Exploration: Compare the profound experiences described in ancient sutras, like The Heart Sutra, with those reported in psychedelic journeys.

Why You Should Join

Expand Your Understanding: Gain insights that might inform your psychedelic experiences and possibly your Buddhist practices.

Community and Connection: Share experiences and perspectives with diverse individuals who share your interest in these profound subjects.

Mindful Exploration: Approach the topic with a balance of curiosity and respect, grounded in meditation and mindful discussion.

Everyone Is Welcome!

Whether you’re a Zen practitioner, follow another Buddhist tradition, or have no religious affiliation but carry a deep interest in these topics, our meetup is a space for respectful exploration and shared learning.

🌌 Embrace the journey of mind-expanding discussions and spiritual growth. We can't wait to explore the synergies of Psychedelics and Buddhism with you! 🌌

RSVP Today and be part of a unique exploration that bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary psychedelic insights. See you there! 🙏🌺🍄

About the Moderator

“Wholeness is not achieved by cutting off a portion of one's being, but by integration of the contraries.” ~Carl Jung

Rainbow Integration Circle is a space for gender and sexually expansive folx (2SLGBTQAI+) to come together, heal, share, learn, grow, process and integrate our experiences with psychedelics and entheogens, in community.

Hosted by AveryDeane le’Swift , a community member steeped in experience both in the realms of psychedelics as well as holding healing spaces. Please reach out directly to AveryDeane with any questions or accessibility needs.

Anyone who joins the circle will be asked to hold a container of confidentiality as we collectively create a space for our community to come together, process, learn, and heal.

We will begin with the intention of supporting each one to integrate past experiences, and all are encouraged to join regardless of where you are on your path and exploration of entheogens/psychedelics. Depending on the time remaining the conversation will be open up to questions and collective discussion on topics of interest provided by the group.

This is not a space to solicit or distribute substances. Please respect the delicate nature of these spaces and help us protect our ability to gather and honor the grounds on which we are allowed to do so.

Doors open at 6:25, please arrive by 6:35 as the room will be locked once we open the circle. We will start with our process of creating safe space and it's best if everyone attending is there to do this with the collective. Please message the organizer if you are going to be late.

Gather monthly to explore where our Autistic and Psychedelic experiences meet, as well as how each plays out separately in our lives. In many circles talking about either autism or psychedelics can be awkward or even taboo. This is our space to explore and share, unmasked. Come as you are, with your fidgety toy or energy, your quirks and special interests, and all that is uniquely you. This is an inclusive group where all are welcome! Allies welcome.

**Our meetings are monthly online, and we are adding in person events a few times a year, in addition to the monthly online MeetUps.

Each meeting will have space for a specific topic to be discussed, which may be assigned in advance or co-created by the participants in that meetup. Feel free to send in topic ideas! Guest speaker ideas are also welcome.

We'll start each meeting sharing guidelines to help us co-create our meetups with structure and flexibility, knowing that our guidelines will evolve over time. Then we'll have brief check-ins to help us get to know each other. Following will be time to chat about the topic of the day, which enables those who like a prompt to share and find commonalities in experiences with everyone attending. All of this with the purpose of allowing us to come together and be our authentic selves, and connect with others who can relate to many of our own experiences.

(Please avoid fragranced products at our occausonal in person meetings to support those with sensitivity to smells. We'll do our best to find in person meeting locations with decent lighting, and low levels of auditory distractions. Suggestions welcome on locations too!)

Bring some paper or a journal, and a pen, to jot down thoughts during the meeting while another person is speaking, so you remember all your brilliant thoughts you had on the topic when you get a chance to speak at the MeetUp! From experience the thoughts will spark. ;)

About the host:

Be Friend is an ordained minister in a non-denominational "church without walls" for over 16 years, and is also a late diagnosed autistic woman, who is steeped in the newly legal psilocybin ecosystem in Oregon. Currently she is in the middle of starting up a psilocybin service center and grow, and also a retreat center. She's been involved since Nov. 2022 with the Oregon Psilocybin Services Collaborative Community (OPSCC), the grassroots advocacy group amplifying individual voices and asking our state's legislators and the Oregon Health Authority to improve the rules for the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act (OPSA).

Be has also been active with the Autistic Psychedelic Community (APC) for quite a while now and has witnessed and experienced how coming together to chat about being on the spectrum and psychedelics, can be a powerful community building space. So when Aaron Orsini (the co-founder of the APC, and author of Autism on Acid) asked Be to connect with PPS to get a group going in Portland, she jumped at the chance.

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Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS) is an all volunteer run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donation-based organization

The Veterans' Psychedelic Discourse is OPEN TO ALL. We discussed it and wanted to include anyone interested in veterans issues and supporting vets. You do not need to be a veteran to join our events.

This group alternates between discussion, presentation, and guest speaker, usually followed by a question and answer period.
Please join us to meet new friends, create a community, and find the others.

Your Hosts:

Brian
Brian is a Marine Corps veteran who served from 2000 until 2005 with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. He was diagnosed with service-connected PTSD in 2011 and spent a decade seeking treatment through medication and talk therapy without much progress. In 2020, he began to utilize meditation and mindfulness to begin processing the trauma that he had experienced. After months of fruitful progress, he had a life-changing experience after utilizing plant-based medicine in coordination with meditation.

Alex
Alex is a Marine Corps veteran who practices Hemi-sync meditation with plant medicine. After being discharged from service with the diagnoses of PTSD and depression, Alex tried modern Western medicine techniques and treatments but felt they were lacking in their healing power. He was then introduced to Hemi-sync by a fellow Marine veteran, and together, they developed their own system of healing that has had a uniquely beneficial impact on both of them.

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Portland Psychedelic Society (PPS) is an all-volunteer run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donation-based organization.