I am on the same page as you, it was almost too intense...

I'm of the opinion that we learn more from things that hurt, or are unpleasant at first. Especially when our perceptions change and we learn to love them.

Ever met a person who you did not get along with, you both hated each other, couldn't stand the sight of? Then, with some mutual understanding and time, you became the best of friends?

The way I've come to integrate Salvia's role in my life, which I'll admit I regretted at some points, is that it isn't something that serves the culture-bound personality. It may have limited benefits for the lower-case "y" you that is defined by your social context, but what Salvia is really for is the wordless, timeless You. It's like it mercilessly chops clean the conditioning, where other substances might gently pull back the veil.

If there's a benefit for the habitual thoughts and behaviors that are required to function in day to day life (which is all that most are aware of as "who I am" ), it's that it's harder to take anything seriously when Salvia reveals how transitory it is. It can be ripped completely away in the blink of an eye with no residue left at all, and the unspeakable Nothing that can be called "awareness" is not affected. In fact, it's shown to be completely untouched by anything that happens in this universe or any other, truly beyond beyond.

This is the perspective which I take back with me from Salvialand, and unfortunately, clumsy language is all I have to frame it.