Bristol PsySocial: Meditation and the Psychedelic State

Bristol Psychedelic Society Monthly PsySocial

We’re extremely excited to launch the first of our Bristol & South West Psychedelic Society Social, aimed to build a community of like-minded souls, share, network, and discuss. 

Grounding together with guided practices, sharing nourishing food, and collectively engaging with fascinating talks and conversations, these socials will be an opportunity to connect deeply and cross-pollinate with fellow consciousness explorers.

This Month’s Theme: Meditative Practices and the Psychedelic State

Exploring the intersections between traditional Eastern spiritual practices, psychedelics, and healing, Dr Xander Stell will be delivering this month’s fascinating talk:  Practising the Jhānas: A field report on the Buddhist path of freedom through altered states of consciousness

What The Buddha called the Jhānas are altered states of consciousness, opened through meditation, that range from pleasant sensations of subtle energy in the body through to states of ecstatic bliss, deep tranquillity, cosmic awareness, and finally, total cessation: what The Buddha called Nirvāṇa or The Deathless. In the written down collections of The Buddha's teachings known as the Pali canon, he repeatedly instructs us that by working with these states of consciousness, a practitioner can attain liberation from suffering.

Unfortunately, this radical and deeply joyful path of freedom has become somewhat deemphasized in the modern pragmatic west, where talk of such experiences can seem baffling. Are these perhaps just the superstitious fantasies of the pre-modern mind? Or is it possible that we moderns are missing out on a pathway to consciousness expansion almost unspeakable in its wonder and its capacity to free?  

Special guest: Dr. Alexander Stell (MC Xander)

Dr. Alexander Stell has practiced the Dharma for over 15 years and holds a PhD in experimental psychology. They have taught, published papers, appeared in newspapers, on radio, TV and given a TEDx talk detailing their work on meditation, emotions of self-transcendence and spiritual growth. In recent years Alexander has moved out of academia in order to focus on their music work and the Dharma.

The rest of the evening will be dedicated to free-form discussion and connection around our common interest - psychedelics!

We will meet at The Gasworks Studio, a beautiful and homely venue located in St. Werburghs, Bristol. We invite you to bring a vegan dish of choice so we can share a scrummy pot luck dinner together. Teas and coffees will be available. 

Schedule

18:30: Arrive

18:45: Introduction and guided meditation

19:15: Food sharing

20:00: In conversation with Alexander Stell (with Q&A)

21:00 Open discussion and socialising

If funds are a barrier to attendance please get in touch with martha@psychedelicsociety.org.uk

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

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

Our facilitators have agreed to our code of conduct. Learn about our procedure for raising concerns

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