Welcome to Big Psych
Big Psychedelic Symposium 2022

Big Psychedelic Symposium 2022

Big Psychedelic Symposium

Saturday & Sunday, August 13th – 14th, 2022

11:00am – 5:00pm

Join our second annual psychedelic symposium to share knowledge, reflect on experiences, and learn from one another. Our focus this year is bringing together diverse approaches to psychedelic exploration so community has the resources to choose their own path. We are big supporters of cultivating a direct relationship with plant medicines, as to translate and integrate one’s own teachings. Our symposium is a resource for this practice. Trust in your ability to learn, heal, and grow.

Collective progress is supported by acknowledging the many ways of knowing. We support this sentiment by nurturing access to and representations of the cultural, environmental, scientific, spiritual, and communal explorations of psychedelics. Our symposium supports access to alternative careers and lifestyles, decreases drug misinformation, addresses inequities in the psychedelic community, and grows community involvement in sustainable health & wellness practices.

Tickets support our efforts to build a psychedelic community space, including the Minnesota Temple of Plant Medicine!


The Capri Theater

The Capri Theater is an anchor of trust, reliability, and innovation. We want to not only honor the achievements of the Capri as a historic center for community, but highlight the capacity for intellectual conversation and progressive leadership. These conferences have been held in spaces like Cooper Union in Manhattan, New York and Berkley University in California. We want the Capri to be added to this list of names and contribute to hosting these liberating conversations. As our North Minneapolis community is in the process of rebuilding, we want to represent and share our offerings in our community.


Saturday Speakers

*Schedule subject to changeSaturday, August 13th, 2022:
11:00 am – 11:30 amRegistration
11:30 am – 11:45 amOpening
11:45 am – 12:30 pmStig Mycelia: Cultivating a Relationship with Fungi
12:35 pm – 1:20 pmWilliam Padilla-Brown: Understanding the Multidimensional Set & Setting
1:25 pm – 2:10 pmKayla Felten, MSW, LICSW: Psychedelic Considerations for Spiritual Activation
2:15 pm – 3:00 pmIntermission
3:05 pm – 3:50 pmNicholas Powers: The Grassroots Insurgency: How Psychedelic Leaders are Taking-On Systemic Oppression
3:55 pm – 4:40 pmThe Minnesota Cannabis College: From Prohibition to Full Legalization: The Mission of the Minnesota Cannabis College: Marcus Harcus & Tanner Berris
4:45 pm – 5:00 pmClosing

Sunday Speakers

*Schedule subject to changeSunday, August 14th, 2022:
11:00 am – 11:30 amRegistration
11:30 am – 11:45 amOpening
11:45 am – 12:30 pmDennis McKenna: Psilocybin and its Place in Nature (Virtual)
12:35 pm – 1:20 pmReggie Harris: Psychedelic Business: Self Sufficiency & Personal Protection
1:25 pm – 2:10 pmJoseph Mays, MSc: Decolonizing philanthropy and Indigenous reciprocity in the psychedelic space
2:15 pm – 3:00 pmIntermission
3:05 pm – 3:50 pmCommunity Testimonial Project
3:55 pm – 4:40 pmPsychedelic Society of Minnesota: Serving a Diverse Community of Psychonauts:
Jessica Nielson, PhD, Alison Caldwell, Alyssa Nelson, MSW, LICSW, LADC, & Christine McCleave
4:45 pm – 5:00 pmClosing

Saturday Workshops

Saturday Workshops
11:45 am – 12:30 pm, 12:35 pm – 1:20 pm, 1:25 pm – 2:10 pm, 3:05 pm – 3:50 pm, 3:55 pm – 4:40 pm
Poe Yoni
Cannabis as Ritual
Room 1
Sierra Carter & Breath Messiah Zay
By The Zen Bin
Inspired Innovation Holistic Experience:
11:45 am – 12:30 pm: Intentional Breathing & Self Care Ritual
12:35 pm – 1:20 pm: Meditation flow
1:25 pm – 2:10 pm: Creative Expression and playfulness
3:05 pm – 3:50 pm: Music journal 
3:55 pm – 4:40 pm: Art of Resting & Celebrating self 
Room 2
Kristen Paradise, MS, LPCC
Psychedelics: A Journey Through Grief and Loss
Room 3

Sunday Workshops

Sunday Workshops
11:45 am – 12:30 pm, 12:35 pm – 1:20 pm, 1:25 pm – 2:10 pm, 3:05 pm – 3:50 pm, 3:55 pm – 4:40 pm
Yahsmene Butler
Tapping into Your Desired Reality
Room 1
Courtney Osborn
Mushroom Cultivation
Room 2
Sophie Weber
Sacred Symbology of the Womb
Room 3

Tickets

This years symposium will be a ticketed event. Funds go towards conference costs to allow sustainability as an organization, bringing diverse perspectives on psychedelics to Minneapolis, and support our efforts to cultivate a local psychedelic community space. One of our projects is bringing the Minnesota Temple of Plant Medicine to life. The Temple will be part of our psychedelic community space, along with other resources that support multidimensional exploration of psychedelic plants and fungi.


Emcee

Cameron Taylor

Cameron was born in Kansas City, MO and moved to Minneapolis in 1993. He graduated from Minneapolis North High School, and considers himself a Northside native. He is a father, community organizer, podcast moderator, radio personality, world traveler, amateur psilocybin cultivator, and advocate for the decriminalization of plant-based medicine. He’s here to share my personal experience with psychedelics for the promotion of mental, physical, and spiritual health well being. As a menu option to help fight depression, a guide for esoteric knowledge, and a bridge to strengthen community. 


Speakers

Stig Mycelia

Cultivating a Relationship with Fungi

Stig paved his self taught path by learning to cultivate mushrooms in the comfort of my home space before entering the commercial cultivation world at Mississippi Mushrooms. He explored traditional forms of education at the University of Minnesota and concluded that this was not the space for him. Instead, he continued to explore the culture of cultivation as an independent study, and used these pursuits to ground his stance as a psychedelic activist.

Currently, he is studying to become a Master Herbalist at the Midwest School of Herbal Studies. He is also writing a book centered on the interpersonal relationships we carry with fungi. How and why developing this union is critical to working with these medicines. What we as healers, travelers, and activists can gain and learn from this medicine outside of the experience they provide. The traits that come with cultivation help us to facilitate a mutual respect and understanding which instills reciprocal agency between humans and medicine. Understanding and respecting the connections as friends, teachers, lovers, and family we facilitate with our medicine is paramount to community based model of psychedelic healing and rejuvenation.

Talk Description:

CULTIVATION AS A MEANS OF CEREMONY

Stig will be reading an excerpt from his upcoming book, Cultivating a Relationship with Fungi. This book is a culmination of his thoughts and experiences over the last 9 years, from his first taste of mushrooms, to his beginnings of cultivation, to where he stands today. From this book he hopes to express what he’s learned about our fungal friends, his process of cultivation and ceremony, as well as some of the messages he’s received along his journey. Cultivation is his lifestyle. He does not believe he should be criminally institutionalized on the basis of his cultivated relationship with these psychoactive fungi, nor do he believe anyone ever should.

For Stig, healing alongside mushrooms and their respective spirits is a very involved process. It is not just consume, listen, and integrate. But rather a lifelong practice of building and maintaining a functioning relationship with each one’s individuality. Mushrooms are as human as any of us, and they wish to be treated as such, they are a friend, mother, teacher, lover, an elder… In order for mushrooms to help us heal, we must also be willing to help them heal. We must show them our respect and love if we want that in return. There are many ways of cultivating relationships with fungi and Stig will share the ceremony that works for him.

William Padilla-Brown

Understanding the Multidimensional Set & Setting

Founder of MycoSymbiotics, William Padilla-Brown is a MultiDisciplinary Citizen Scientist practicing social science, mycology, phycology, molecular biology, and additive manufacturing. William is passionate about the myriad uses of cannabis, especially its psychoactive resin. William is constantly in the mix of Contemporary Ritual in a nuanced modern Urban Shamanism, spending his time vlogging for social media, writing, contributing for Fungi mag, researching, rapping, singing, and loving his Beautiful Lady Lydia and their son Leo. William holds Permaculture Design Certificates acquired through Susquehanna Permaculture and NGOZI, and a Certificate from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences for completing their Algal Culturing Techniques Course. William wrote the first books in English on Cordyceps cultivation. William regularly teaches k-12 classes around the United States, for universities including Cornell’s Small Farms Program, private clubs, and events, as well as offers private consultations. In 2021 William’s research has been sponsored by MUDwtr, and affiliated with Mydecine, Oxford Nanopore, MiniPCR, ExtractCraft, and OmegaBiotek. William and his work have been featured on Fantastic Fungi, VICE, Buzzfeed, The Verge, Outside Magazine, Civil Eats, Public Goods, The Book “One Earth” , and much more.

Talk Description:

William will dive deep into set & setting, beyond our immediate environment, like our room or home. The multidimensional set and setting encompasses the ideologies, belief systems, resource distribution, frequency emissions, and ecosystem within the society or community that we live in.

Kayla Felten, MSW, LICSW

Psychedelic Considerations for Spiritual Activation

Kayla Felten, MSW, LICSW (she/her) has been an advocate for religious trauma and spiritual abuse survivors throughout her career, which has brought her to psychedelic assisted psychotherapy work as an additional focus to support those in the process of reclaiming inner peace, relational harmony, autonomy, pleasure, and identity. Kayla was initially invited to facilitate support groups for survivors of spiritual abuse due to abuses of power taking place in plant medicine and yoga contexts. This work allows her to bring her focus full-circle in taking inventory of the spiritual power dynamics in the therapeutic relationship, particularly when inviting medicine into that relationship. As a clinical social worker, I am able to provide Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for individuals, as well as offer KAP groups for those seeking support as they navigate their own unique path to inner peace and relational harmony. Kayla currently offers KAP and integration support at the Institute for Integrative Therapies (iit-mn.com) and offers integration circles for trauma survivors with the Reclamation Collective.

Talk Description:

Kayla Felten, LICSW (she/her) will be speaking from both personal and professional experiences along the intersections of religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and integrating psychedelic experiences into personal spirituality. With experience working as a psychedelic therapist with the Institute for Integrative Therapies, as well as co-founding the Reclamation Collective, an advocacy organization for survivors of religious trauma & spiritual abuse, Kayla will be offering considerations for both psychedelic practitioners as well as folks seeking spiritual activation and healing alongside medicine to hold space for autonomous spiritual expression.

Nicholas Powers

The Grassroots Insurgency: How Psychedelic Leaders are Taking-On Systemic Oppression
Dr. Nicholas Powers is a poet and novelist, Associate Professor of Literature and Journalist. He speaks regularly on psychedelics, politics and art. His writings have appeared in Lucid News, Double-Blind, Truth-Out and the Indypendent. His first vampire novel, Thirst has just been published by Upset Press.

Talk Description:

In this talk, I profile numerous front-line healers using ketamine and other psychedelic chemicals in abandoned communities. The overall frame is how BLM and the call to “Defund the Police” needs an additional vision, which is how do poor, working-class neighborhoods of color, heal intergenerational trauma in order to realize our freedom? 

Marcus Harcus

MNCC Panel Moderator: The Mission of the Minnesota Cannabis College

Marcus is a loving family man, writer, organizer, non-profit lobbyist, social entrepreneur, nature lover and traveler from North Minneapolis. Love, freedom and peace are his core values, so he lives his life in alignment with them. He has worked mostly in the non-profit sector on a wide variety of issues including youth development, community development, education policy, housing policy, workforce policy, etc. For the past seven years, he has lobbied for the full legalization of Cannabis in Minnesota, and now advocating for decriminalization of sacred mushrooms and all entheogenic plants. He’s launching #SacredHighdeas this summer.

Panel Description:

This panel presentation will explore the impacts of the War on Drugs in the State of Minnesota and ask “what’s next?” in terms of restorative equity and cannabis legalization. Hear from two board members of the Minnesota Cannabis College on the organization’s mission and how they hope to be an important component in our state’s transition to a fully legalized cannabis industry. Come with questions about the road ahead for cannabis entrepreneurs or just come to learn about what work is being done today to prepare for the cannabis industry of tomorrow.

Tanner Berris

MNCC Panelist

Tanner Berris is an educator, activist, and author of a forthcoming book on the history of cannabis in Minnesota. He is also the co-founder of the Minnesota Cannabis College, a nonprofit dedicated to equitably supporting individuals seeking careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in the state’s legal cannabis industry.

Dennis Mckenna

Dennis McKenna has conducted research in ethnopharmacology for over 40 years. He is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute, and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca. He is the younger brother of Terence McKenna. From 2000 to 2017, he taught courses on Ethnopharmacology and Plants in Human affairs as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. He emigrated to Canada in the spring of 2019 together with his wife Sheila, and now resides in Abbotsford.

Since 2019, he has been working with colleagues to manifest a long-term dream: the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy, a non-profit organization founded in the spirit of the ancient Mystery Schools and dedicated to the study of plant medicines, consciousness, intelligence in nature, preservation of indigenous knowledge and a re-visioning of humanity’s relationship with Nature. Dr. McKenna is author or co-author of 6 books and over 50 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Virtual Talk Description:

Psilocybin is a psychedelic tryptamine alkaloid, a member of a larger class of psychoactive tryptamines that include substances such as DMT and 5-Methoxy-DMT. Psilocybin and its congeners occur in over 200 species of Basidiomycetes, the class of fungi that includes mushrooms, and in a few other fungal species. Psilocybin and its congeners are unique in being the only phosphorylated indoles  found in nature. They are not known outside the fungal kingdom although many other tryptamines are widespread in plants, animals and fungi.  This lecture will discuss the chemistry and pharmacology of psilocybin, its phylogenetic origins, biosynthesis, and some current biotechnological approaches to the industrial production of psilocybin. On the speculative side, it will discuss its possible function in ecosystems as a kind of eco-neurohormone interfacing with insects and higher primates including humans. Its probable  role as an evolutionary catalyst and symbiotic partner with human species contributing to the emergence of consciousness and language in the hominid lineages will also be discussed. 

Reggie Harris

Reggie has over a decade of political campaign experience ranging from city council races to presidential elections. On the West Coast Reggie worked on a local level to replace police with guidance counselors in Oakland public schools with the Black Organizing Project in West Oakland. More recently he managed the western and southwestern state campaigns with Color of Change PAC that turned the state of Nevada blue. 

Reggie has consulted with the largest mushroom cultivators in the world. He has worked with the largest cultivators in The Netherlands and has recently advised in the establishment of the largest commercial mushroom farm and state of the art testing lab in Jamaica.

Over the past two years, Reggie has established Oakland Hyphae which hosted the Psilocybin Cup, The Oakland Psychedelic Conference, and The California Psychedelic Conference which were the most impactful psychedelic events in that time span. He is a co-founder of Hyphae Labs which is leading the industry in psychedelic mushroom potency testing. Reggie has also founded Hyphae Nootropics offering adaptogenic medicinal fungi from Cordyceps to Lion’s Mane. Reggie is a strong advocate for who he calls, “the little guy” or the “legacy plant medicine workers”. It is Reggie’s goal to create barriers of entry to prevent big money interest groups from the same industry take over they did in cannabis. Ultimately he aims to protect the legacy plant medicine workers from corporate vultures.

He also has over 10 years of domestic experience in the US cannabis industry. Reggie is a member of the Advisory Board for Decriminalize Nature and is active and passionate in The Movement for Black Lives and an abolition of the police state.

Talk Description:

This talk will use real life examples from Reggie’s experience navigating the world of psychedelic business. Reggie will outline how to protect yourself in the business world, how to do well while doing good, business & reparations, and reinvesting in community.  

Joseph Mays, MSc

Decolonizing philanthropy and Indigenous reciprocity in the psychedelic space

Joseph Mays, MSc, received his Master’s in Ethnobotany from the University of Kent upon researching responses to globalization by indigenous Yanesha of central Peru. After graduating with biology and anthropology degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, he conducted an ethnobotanical survey in the Ecuadorian cloud forest and published a medicinal plant guide for the Jama-Coaque Ecological Reserve. His conservation work emphasizes how cultural-conditioning influences approaches to biocultural sustainability, and the importance of ground-up structures that emphasize local agency and challenge conventional philanthropic models in attempts to support Indigenous autonomy and biodiversity. Joseph is Program Director of Chacruna’s Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative of the Americas (IRI), where he conducts research and builds connections with Indigenous communities throughout the Americas to support Chacruna’s mission of increasing cultural reciprocity in the psychedelic space. Joseph’s activities as IRI Program Director include raising unconditional funding for 20 Indigenous community organizations with strict adherence to the parameters determined by its partners, presenting at conferences and universities and publishing articles that explore reciprocity, biocultural conservation, plant medicines and Indigenous rights, and engaging with Indigenous and local stakeholders on their own terms to provide on-the-ground support and ethnographic and audiovisual materials.

Talk Description:

This talk looks at the use of “reciprocity” in response to the colonial structures of increasingly globalized plant medicine spaces and evaluates new models that confront the disempowering dynamics of conventional philanthropy. We address issues surrounding disparate participation in the so-called “psychedelic renaissance” between the Global North (GN) and Global South (GS), focusing on Indigenous peoples’ status in a psychedelic ecosystem consisting of diverse stakeholders with different ontological frameworks. This talk analyzes political, economic, ecological and cultural relationships to better understand what reciprocity means, taking a biocultural approach to pursue effective advocacy and education. Partnerships between investors in the GN and GS communities often re-create and reinforce exploitative dynamics; we discuss the implications of impoverished economic settings where cultural resources are commodified, considering the inherent limitations of capitalist market-based models for access and benefit sharing, whether non-profit, corporate or non-governmental organizations. As psychedelic research grapples with the relational world of diverse beings Indigenous plant medicine refers to, we offer the Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative Program as a modest and mindful exercise to explore the possibilities of decolonization in psychedelic spaces. We invite enthusiasts, researchers, activists, and philanthropists to join us in these critical reflections, moving away from cynicism and helplessness towards embodying reciprocity in all that we do.

Community Testimonial Project

We are documenting local psychedelic stories to represent the motivation to decriminalize entheogenic plants & fungi at the city and state level. If you would like to participate, come prepared with a 90 second story on your relationship with psychedelic plants & fungi.

Jessica Nielson, PhD

PSMN Panel Moderator: Serving a Diverse Community of Psychonauts

Jessica Nielson, PhD, is a neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher at the University of Minnesota. Jessica is the principal investigator of the first psilocybin clinical research study in Minnesota, and is the Executive Director of the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota (PSMN).

Panel Description:

People engage with psychedelics for a variety of reasons. Some seek out psychedelics for their healing potential, while others use them for connection to their own spiritual practice. Others may be experimenting with different states of consciousness to explore their own minds, while others may take them for recreational purposes. This panel will discuss the diverse types of Psychonauts in our community, and how the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota provides support, education, and events that try to cater to the variety of ways in which people are building community around psychedelics.

Alyssa Nelson, MSW, LICSW, LADC

PSMN Panelist

Alyssa Nelson, MSW, LICSW, LADC is a trauma therapist trained in Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP) and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Alyssa serves as secretary of the Board of the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota (PSMN) where she co-hosts the psychedelic practitioner and trauma survivor support groups. 

Christine Diindiisi McCleave

PSMN Panelist

Christine Diindiisi McCleave is an Indigenous scholar and activist and an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Ojibwe Nation. She is the former CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition where she helped write and introduce a bill for a national truth and healing commission in the U.S. She is currently a doctoral student in Indigenous Studies at University of Alaska Fairbanks with a focus on using entheogenic plant medicines to heal Indigenous historical trauma. Her Master’s thesis covered the spectrum of spiritual practices between traditional Native spirituality and Christianity and Indian activism today. She is a member of the board for the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota. 


Workshop Hosts

Poe Yoni

Cannabis as Ritual

Poe Yoni is a budding herbalist, poet and hand-crafter. She follows Spirit when it comes to self expression and creativity. In the Summer of 2018 she released her first collection of poetry Before the Jade Grew which was created using paper she made by hand. Poe Yoni opened Pyoni Apothecary during Black History Month of 2021. Pyoni Apothecary is a space where she sells Herbal Medicines in order to connect people to the healing they are seeking.

Workshop description

In this workshop we will learn how to create ritual within our uses of CBD infused products with the help of Lily Springs Farms’ magical hemp crops. Oftentimes we use Cannabis as an escape or a reliever of some sort. No shame in that! Sometimes we need to take a short break to come back recharged and full of gratitude. There’s always more we can learn and share about Cannabis. In addition to that, we should make time to fully honor this sacred teacher when we can. All living beings enjoy being appreciated and Cannabis is no exception. This workshop will be streamlined to match the desires of those who attend, making each workshop unique.You’ll be receiving an email with more details from me over the Summer.

This workshop is for those looking to expand their relationship with Cannabis with some hands on learning. It is for those who are open to talking about the complexities of this sacred plant, and their relationship with humans throughout the ages. We will discuss the good, the bad and the absolutely racist events in history that have led to the mass incarceration of Black and Brown people since the 1960s. We must simultaneously hold space to appreciate the Medicinal and culinary ventures we will soon be able to take, while also acknowledging the families who have been wrongfully torn apart over the very same plant. We will also hold space for laughter and your favorite Cannabis Infused moments as well! I look forward to connecting with y’all and seeing where Spirit takes us during this Cannabis As Ritual Workshop!

Courtney Osborn

Mushroom Cultivation

Myco-Operative is a start up Mycological Research company located in North East Minneapolis. Recently Myco-Op has been assisting in the first U.S. grown Beefsteak mushroom! (Fistulina Hepatica). Myco-op has been culturing Minnesota mushrooms for cultivation and preservation purposes the last few years. Myco-Op is also exploring new ways of mushroom extractions for supplemental purposes. 

Workshop Description

Courtney Osborn, lead Mycologist and founder of Myco-Op will be hosting a workshop educating methods of low tech and low cost mushroom cultivation. This workshop is beginner friendly. Questions welcome!

Yahsmene Butler

Tapping into Your Desired Reality

Yahsmene Butler is an intuitive healer, creator and self-proclaimed philosopher committed to discovering the exact process of how one’s thoughts manifest into reality. Through practices like EFT Tapping, meditation, visualization, subliminal programming, rituals and more she believes anyone can harness their limitless potential to consciously manifest their desired reality.

Workshop Description:

Have you ever been stuck in a loop of negative thinking? Feeling like no matter what you do, you just can’t turn that aggravating, anxious or pessimistic voice off in your head? If this sounds like something you’ve experienced, then you need to know about Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping.

EFT tapping is the practice of physically tapping on acupressure points in the body. This helps process your emotions through your nervous system, clearing away stagnant energy in the body. Many people report feeling an immediate release from this short and easy practice.

This workshop will cover what EFT Tapping is, the benefits, why it works, and how you can start tapping in your own life – as soon as today!

Kristen Paradise, MS, LPCC

Psychedelics: A Journey Through Grief and Loss

Kristen is a psychedelic assisted psychotherapist at the Institute for Integrative Therapies (IIT). Her work in mental health began with Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS), assisting children and families in forming closer bonds with one another. Upon graduating, she began out-patient psychotherapy with a specialization on gender identity related concerns, as well as working through grief and loss.

Death is not an aspect of life, that Kirsten sees as the end, but as a transitional part of our human experience. She advocates for the incorporation of healthy conversations about death, and about the emotions that can be attached to it. Kristen is also a certified end of life doula, holding space for dying persons, and their loved ones. One aspect of working with psychedelic medicines that Kristen is passionate about, is the use of psychedelic medicines, in end of life care, and how they can tremendously benefit persons who are struggling with death anxiety, or coming to terms with a terminal diagnosis.

One of the main intentions of her work in mental health, is to assist individuals with feeling less alone in this world, and finding peace from within, so that it can be spread externally in one’s life. Through the process of Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP), it is her hope that those who have struggled to find something that works for them, are now able to work through some of the aspects of life, that may be blocking them from reaching their personal goals.

Workshop Description

Provide education on the use of psychedelic medicine to process grief and loss.

The differences between death, grief and loss. What each means, and through this,
identifying how to process and manage.

Patients need to move through the acute grief phase, prior to engaging in medicine work
for healing, either group or individual.

Preparation and Integration are required for this process.

Setting intentions are imperative.

Death Café style conversation with attendees.

Q&A through organic discussion.

Trust of the medicine, as well as the therapeutic guide are necessary to the process.

The Zen Bin

Sierra Carter

Sierra Carter, the founder of The Zen Bin – is a divine source of God who inspires creative purpose by cultivating experiences that heal the soul. Carter’s creative go-getter demeanor has allowed her to discover success on her own terms – while she balances being boss, a lightworker, a holistic leader, music executive and entrepreneur. Everything she does is for Gods Kingdom. 

Workshop Descriptions

Intentional Breathing & Self Care Ritual

Create a deeper connection and intention to the breath that gives us life. Allow yourself to be inspired by your own essence and ability to be breathe and progress. Life is a journey not a destination. Use your breath and self care to embody more of your most authentic self. 

Meditation flow 

An opportunity to connect deeper to your body, mind and spirit in flow and movement. Understanding the importance of ebb and flow, yin and Yang, right brain and left brain. To flow into our most authentic self. 

Music journal 

A journal experience using music sounds and words to get deeper into our souls presence of existing and being. Immerse yourself in the now by Letting go of the past and recreating the future by your own pen and paper. 

Art of Resting & Celebrating self

Learn the beauty and art of resting and relaxing. The better you rest the better you relax. You are your greatest asset. Celebrate all of your journey. Learn to radically accept and love more of yourself. Create affirmations for your soul.

Breath Messiah Zay

Breath Messiah Zay, a holistic mentality, spiritual and inspirational coach. Who strives to serve the community and world through loving our experience and presence. He uses breath and meditation as a foundation of his practice, understanding that the most precious thing in life is our breath. He has worked with many professional athletes and amazing people. His love to show others the transformational abilities and powers within ourself and at our fingertips.

Workshop Descriptions

Intentional Breathing & Self Care Ritual

Create a deeper connection and intention to the breath that gives us life. Allow yourself to be inspired by your own essence and ability to be breathe and progress. Life is a journey not a destination. Use your breath and self care to embody more of your most authentic self. 

Creative Expression and playfulness

A creative experience to tap into the flow of child like play and being. Using your imagination and emotions to create something beautiful and enjoy deep belly laughter. 

Art of Resting & Celebrating self

Learn the beauty and art of resting and relaxing. The better you rest the better you relax. You are your greatest asset. Celebrate all of your journey. Learn to radically accept and love more of yourself. Create affirmations for your soul.

Sophie Weber

Sacred Symbology of the Womb

Sophie’s work centers on weaving webs of divine feminine wisdom into our cultural consciousness. Currently, Sophie hosts women’s circles and is in the process of opening Tap In, a restaurant & community space that explores ways to breathe spirit into community.

With time, Sophie is building the experience to guide mushroom ceremonies with the intention of connecting with and healing both the physical and energetic womb.

Workshop description 

This workshop will begin with a meditation on our personal relationship with the cosmic womb, leading into a discussion of the primordial womb of creation and feminine symbolism used across cultures. From there we will discuss if/how the sacred symbology of the womb space has come through in our visions with plant medicine and how both the psychedelic experience and the womb invite us to birth, transform, and dissolve through life.

We will explore various womb imagery such as neolithic symbols, the sacred triangle, cervical cosmic eye, the womb as the holy grail, the great yoni doorway, ascending and descending womb portals, the sacred mound, and other symbols such as the labyrinth, spirals, and circles.

Together we shall celebrate our mystical feminine darkness – pregnant with infinite possibility – that births Light into being. Descending into the void in order to rebirth. Exploring our connection to womb consciousness while we deepen our healing journeys and connection to Self.


Sponsors

Syx
Scorpio
Kimmy
Alexander
Tanner
McKenna

Volunteer

Symposium Volunteer 2022
Volunteers will receive a free symposium ticket and food voucher for the day they are not working!

Vending

Psych Mic Vendor
$20 Vendor Fee The vendor fee includes a space to table and sell products at the Psych Mic. Vendors are responsible for set up, take down, and bringing own materials. Tables and chairs are provided.