Power, Privilege & Consent in Psychedelic Spaces

This shared circle enquiry for up to 12 people, is a space to openly discuss the issues of power, privilege and consent in psychedelic spaces, and process how we may have been personally affected, and perhaps create a space for shifting the psychedelic culture in a more positive direction.  

Context

The healing potential of psychedelics derives partly from their capacity to blur boundaries, shift existing perspectives and induce highly altered states of consciousness. These states can be full of wonder, awe, love and curiosity, and the kind of mystical experiences that lead some people to totally transform their relationship to life. 

From one perspective the psychedelic space is intentionally inducing a regression to a child-like perspective on reality - open, free, adaptive,  and inherently vulnerable. 

Whilst the scientific community seeks to confirm the undeniable evidence for their healing potential in the formal medical model, countless ‘underground’ ceremonies and therapists operate with the promise of accelerated healing and spiritual experience for many who have lost hope in mainstream alternatives. 

The shamans, healers and therapists who work in this area are by definition unregulated by any formal accountability or institution. Whilst we are confident that many of them are operating with incredible integrity and the best of intentions, bravely charting new ground for what we hope will be a new age of psychedelic-assisted healing, all too often accusations have come to light regarding abuses of power. This can be either through manipulating those around them whilst under the effect or after effect of a psychedelic space, or in sexual misdemeanours that take advantage of their perceived status and the altered states of consciousness amongst participants.

Additionally, ‘burner’ style festivals and gatherings make liberal use of psychedelic substances alongside invitations to experiment with alternative forms of power, relationship and intimacy such as a non-hierarchal organising, gift economy, public nudity, non-monogamy, and open relating. 

Whilst these can offer optimistic alternatives to what has been seen as the failure of existing institutions such as patriarchy, monogamy, capitalism, representative democracy, their very nature as radical and experimental spaces can make it harder for people to navigate their own boundaries and their ability to give and receive informed and lasting consent, sexual or otherwise. 

This vulnerability is especially present for those less acquainted with psychedelic spaces and can create a natural and often unacknowledged hierarchy between those who have become familiar with the language and norms of these subcultures and those that are entering them for the first time. Additionally, there is little to nothing stopping anyone from distributing psychedelics with self-appointed status signifiers such as shaman, healer, priest or priestess. 

Our Intention
 

Our hope is to create a space to openly discuss and process these issues, acknowledging the harm and hurt that has transpired in psychedelic spaces without wishing to discount the incredible healing, connection and liberation that they can offer for many. 

Because of the sensitive nature of the topic, and with a desire to maintain a safe space for all experiences, spaces are limited to just 12 people for this initial offering. 

• We hope to ask, what norms might we develop in psychedelic culture around power and consent?
• How are we to best support victims of abuse and harm, intentional or otherwise?
• How can we responsibly respond relate to those accused in the light of restorative justice? 

No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you need a scholarship space please get in touch with amir@psychedelicsociety.org.uk 

About the Space Holder

Josephine Davies currently teaches at the Existential Academy, also known as the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, set up by Professor Emmy Van Deurzen, herself inspired by R. D. Laing, where she facilitates groups for people to explore areas of their lives that are difficult to explore elsewhere. This includes subjects considered taboo, such as abuse, incest, and rape, but also includes themes outside of the 'norm' of mainstream society, such as the place of ritual, death, meaning/meaninglessness, and spirituality.

Her interest is in helping people find a greater degree of freedom and creativity in their lives.

She is additionally a composer, improvising musician, and an existential psychotherapist, coach and lecturer.

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For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

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