Hi there,

Like most of you, I've always been attracted to the bizarre, the unusual, and the mysterious. Three years ago, I began listening to the Psychedelic Salon, following the trail left by others who'd gone looking for the Mystery. Again and again, I heard positive (and often deeply mystifying) reports of the Ayahuasca experience. From the McKennas, from Lorenzo, from a whole host of others. No one I knew had even heard of the Vine, yet I felt drawn to it; called to the experience, or by it.

Eventually, left with no other options, I rolled up my sleeves and decided to learn how to make it myself. After a number of trial-and-error sessions (some frustrating, some alarming), I got everything up and running properly.

I've never been the same since.

I can't believe it exists. I'm grateful every day of my life that it *does* exist. I don't understand it, but I adore it. I can't explain it, but I love to try. Why isn't this experience in headlines five feet high, in every newspaper in the world? This is like finding the Holy Grail in a rummage sale, I simply *can't* believe it.

Since that time, I've had the opportunity to share the experience with others, to see them emerge from the state as I did; amazed, wild-eyed, gasping with wonder. How often are we really *astonished* in life? Surprised, yes. Amazed, occasionally. Yet almost every time I go into that state I return mouth agape, tears in my eyes, stunned into silence by something I have no words for.

And this experience is available to anyone. To everyone. It is our birthright, a reminder of what we are, what we could be. We were not born to toil in the dirt. We were not born to grind one another into the mud in pursuit of material gain. And just knowing that, for me, is worth all the pain that came before it.

And all the other sappy things I meant to say.

To paraphrase McKenna, if this, or any other tryptamine experience, can raise consciousness, then we should put every effort into investigating it. If there is one thing we desperately, achingly need in this world, it's more consciousness. More understanding. More love.

Thanks for being here.

I feel the same way about ayahuasca, and it makes me smile every time I hear about others discovering the miracles available through that magical brew. Let's keep doing our part by exploring and sharing the love with others. Welcome to the nexus. Best of luck in your journeys, and godspeed!