Hi everyone,

I have been thinking lately about what group psychedelic ceremony would be like, and I'd like to hear from anyone who has been a part of a deep ritual with other like-minded individuals.

I tripped with friends in private social situations exclusively when I was younger, but that is not the type of thing I'm imagining. Since turning back to psychedelics it's just me on my own. We talk a lot here at the Nexus about having deep experiences alone, and I am totally on board with the importance of that, but it seems like the possibilities with a group of explorers, in a safe and private setting, each bringing their best intentions and holding the space open for each other, could be incredibly magical.

I'm interested in learning about your experiences, benefits or negatives to group work, and anything else of interest in this area.

Thanks in advance.

Two shared experiences that I can review positively are:

Group pharmahuasca.
A few friends gather in a space that has minimal outside interferences and is physically safe and comfortable. For each participant there is a mattress or couch and a blanket. Initially there may be some quiet background music, but after the medicine has been consumed and everyone prepares to take off on their journey, the music and lights are dimmed. The session proceeds in silence. Silence is broken after all participants have returned, but the atmosphere of stillness is maintained as much as possible, allowing participants to make the transition as smooth and gradual as possible. In a quiet tone, some of the experiences can be related and shared, allowing for better integration of the experience. Tea, dried fruit, nuts and sweets aid the body and senses in a soft landing.
A "light" variation to this substitutes the pharmahuasca with changa. The general ambiance is the same.

Psychedelic bicycle trip.
Outside the city where I live there are some forests and heaths interspersed with asphalt-paved bicycle lanes, allowing for hours of cycling through nature, undisturbed by motorized traffic. I find this scenery the best way to introduce people to psychedelics. When arriving in the forest, mushrooms are consumed at a nice clearing and 15 to 20 minutes are spent there before embarking on the trip. At the moment the mushrooms start subtly taking effect, a highway is crossed on an overpass, signalling a last contact with the busy and nauseating city vibes, followed by the immersion into the living serenity of nature. Then, gradually, the trip starts building in intensity. As the ego is progressively dissolved, cycling always works and is almost effortless. The ever changing natural surroundings provide lots of friendly visual stimulation and distraction from getting stuck in repetitive thought patterns. The alternation between being enclosed in the cozyness of a forest area and then suddenly floating through the open expanses of the heath just is wonderful. Overall, the effects of the trip are of a joyful physical and mental relaxation. The main side effect is that upon re-entering the city, it is just a shock to see how people live there. A good hearty meal and a glass of nice wine is a great way to conclude a glowing day.
It seems to be almost impossible to have a bad trip, even on heavy doses. Again, I find this the perfect way to introduce novices to psychedelics. It can also be done with LSD instead of mushrooms, if you don't object to eight or more hours of cycling.
This is best done on a summer's day, but a nice variation is at that time of season when semilanceata's can be found in the meadows. When halfway the trip twilight falls, the atmosphere can be magical.

Shared experiences that are not really my kind of thing:

Santo Daime church.
I know several people who are members and I've been there myself once. I'm determined to try it at least one more time, but I think it's just not my cup of tea. I find that there is far to little room for the individual in their type of group thing. The people there are mostly kind and sympathetic though. In general, I respect the Santo Daime movement and despite my different opinion, they have my sympathy. They get to deal with all kinds of people who have no experience or reference with psychedelics, so I can understand some of their rules and strictness. The strictness does not seem to apply to their "religion", you don't don't have to buy into it very much other than putting up with it.

Western Shamans.
I cannot speak about all these shamans, as I have too little reference to pass sweeping and generalizing judgement. However the "shamans" that I (sort of) know and also the people I (sort of) know who gravitate towards it and the first hand reports (both positive and negative) that I have heard from visitors to these rituals make me personally somewhat doubtful about the whole thing. My final thoughts below may point at some of my reasons for this.

Shared experiences that I find crap altogether:

Tripping at parties, raves and festivals.
There is no sensible or rational point to it, the setting is about the worst you can get, you are often surrounded by drunks, tweakers and other very ungrounded and irresponsible people. The atmosphere can be very volatile and underneath the manic happiness the despair is sometimes palpable. Altogether not very inspirational. There may be exceptions, but these are IMHO really exceptions.

TL;DR

My particular take on "ritual" is that it should be practical and rational with regard to means and ends. Keep the setting safe, the interaction sympathetic and the rest is just unnecessary distraction or even unhelpful impediment. Some people may prefer to be provided with a contextual narrative, but I think one use of psychedelics is to help one to liberate oneself of such imposed constructs.

Going in with others is just as important as going in solo.
There is a lot to learn from the 'self' and equally as much from others.
Take a good look at what happens to them. How they look. It is indescribable what we look like in this mode.
For example, I have been told I have long pointy ears like an elf, my skin is made out of some kind of pink clay, and my face is carved out. It's hard to explain. I have seen others with these characteristics and with things I can't quite describe but I will never forget. People just disappear with a hyperfold, too. If no one is around have a mirror and a candle ready to see it for yourself.
Anyone who does DMT has to see this for themselves.

Choose your group wisely. Set up everything before hand you will need or want. Comfortable things. Warm things (blankets, firewood if someone is staying sober or not going too deep, etc.) provisions, water, medicine, comfortable and maybe psychedelic attire, any instruments that will be played or sound systems that will be used. Be careful though. You dont just want a bunch of random people playing really poorly at the same time while you are knee deep in hyperspace. Plan it out accordingly. Live music can be absolutely insane though if done right.

Take a look at how other cultures imbibe entheogens ceremoniously.
Where I live I don't have anything like this. It's always been up to us urban dwellers to create something relevant and sacred for ourselves. Whether its a massive sound system on the beach with blacklights and other visual projections, or a fire circle burning by a stream, or some pillows set up in your living room with some crystal bowls, candles, or whatever else. There is an art to sacred spaces. I am an amateur but have seen some absolutely stunning spaces people create for ayahuasca ceremonies. You can really take the design as far as you want to go, or just keep it minimal and natural.

Security is obviously important. In the space and with yourselves. Be prepared for anything including emergencies. You never know what is going to happen.

Buckets are awesome for puking in if you are inside. If you're outside you can just run behind a bush. Make sure people understand the purge. It's really unfortunate when people hold it in and suffer because they think vomiting is disgusting or will be painful or something.

Just some things I could think of off the top of my head.
I have never done an official or traditional ceremony we have always just made our own.
One thing that sticks out to me is the way some Iboga administrators will literally crack open a coconut shell right when the effects come on as its symbolic for "breaking open the head." Also the way masks are used by some, as well as stories or songs at certain times/parts of the ceremony. Having an altar that people can contribute to is also a pretty standard and beautiful thing that can be utilized.

Also things that smell good are great to have around. There is a reason why agua de florida is used for example. Even just a spray bottle with a drop of lavender is great especially if you are out in the desert or something! Good smelling things can literally change everything.

Incorporate yoga and stretching into it before hand.
Practice good posture and asanas like half lotus during the experience.
Body awareness like diet before hand is also something to take into consideration.

Wow, thank you both for the really helpful responses! You've given me plenty to consider. Really more than I could have hoped for.

Developing a relationship with potential partners from the prospects I currently have will be an interesting challenge, but an adventure I am up for. Definitely feeling like something is missing in not having a trusted group to synergize with to go deep.

I remember one time I looked at someone and could see inside of them. Both inside and outside simultaneously but not how you would imagine like in medical books or transparent skin. It wasn't like that.
Their organs looked like some sort of weird claymation.
People take on what can only be described as their "higher selves" for lack of a better term.
Gods, goddesses, aliens, and angels.

Yes, this is definately the hardest part. Try to be pragmatic, it is not likely that you can find a group that is "deep" from the start, if depth is what you want. The depth will grow as you work. Be aware that everyone brings along their own motives and goals.

I would never allow myself to go really deep in a psychedelic trip in the presence of other people. I make way too much noise which would probably freak people out (wailing, chanting, humming)...it'd be enough to scare myself if I was watching.
I feel like people would hold me back from falling into a fully immerse experience and any sound from the outside really spins me out.

Solo is for the serious. (most times)

It's great to feel so excited at the prospect of something, yet a the same time totally relaxed and in no hurry. I just feel sure good things are ahead.

House, the imagery you weave into your posts is really beautiful and only peaks my interest that much more. I started reading a book recently that has a lovely description of a shared aya ceremony. That story got me really meditating on what a special connection is it to share this sacred place with others, and brought me to asking here. It's a real gift to weave inspiration into written words.

Thank you!

What book are you reading?

I just remembered the time my friends and I sacrificed a monkey...

After a night of good medicine the sun came up and we could see how dirty we all were.
I spent half an hour writing LOVE in the sand on the beach in HUGE letters. People up on the cliff were cheering me on. I made an angel in the sand in the O like one would in the snow. It was like 50 degrees and foggy but I had my shirt off no problem. I sat inside of the O and meditated full lotus- I had a vision of chaos assemble itself as the Sri Yantra and then dissipate. Then I realized I was freezing and ran back up the cliff.
When it was all said and done we cleaned up the camp and concluded the experience.
I had this pink monkey stuffed animal that was tied to my pants for some reason. I don't know how it happened... but we all sacrificed the damn thing. Ripped it to shreds. Put its head on a stick and marched back into the tiny toy house civilization from which we came.

You're welcome.

Emily Virosa Good stuff...

You had me worried there for a minute...lol. That sounds incredible. I definitely feel the finding a natural space way away from possible trouble as a location. It seems like even the sober headspace shifts surrounded by timeless beauty.

OneEyeAscension, I appreciate your input. We must have crossed posts yesterday as I didn't see your's until now. I'm with you in that so far all of my deep experiences (set aside an unsuspecting heroic dose of cubensis in my formative years) have been solo, but I'm intrigued by the possibilities with a small serious group.

I know its still alone physically, but I'm looking forward to the SHE. Its great we all have huge cue in the sky to hit our marks, and I'm happy to know other Nexians will be there.

Not to derail, but im really curious about this? Out of all these years of smoking dmt, ive never did the candle/mirror setup.

What was your experience with this setup like? You got me curious

This is where language gets in the way. I did my best to explain above but it's very difficult. I can only urge you to see for yourself! DO IT! One thing I didn't mention was the fire-like nature of everything after coming back. Both myself, others, and the room I come back to moves just like fire does. I find this very interesting. There is something about fire, I know its dangerous, but it goes hand in hand with hyperspace. Also there have been times where I look at myself or someone else and they are no longer there. The space that they occupied in the room is there but they are gone. It's odd.

I can't wait for the SHE!

As it was so aptly put, You are doomed to live out the consequences of your own taste... And if you don't have good taste, then god help you.

Of course there are bad times to take psychs, but that has nothing to do with the occasion... But rather the fact that you chose the wrong party. Not everybody is out to rage and get f***ed up.

Maybe you just need better friends. Ones who can take shared responsibility of the vibe, and who are responsible for themselves. There are realms only acessible through the love shared between many people, in the moment... In fact, these have been among the the most inspiring moments of my own life.

Or maybe you just need to find better parties... Or cultivate better taste.

No offense meant, it's just my opinion based on my experiences. Sure there are nice parties, I've been to some. The best one served no alcohol. In my opinion the nice ones are, again in my limited experience, unfortunately exceptions.

Personally, I don't have much experience with taking entheogens in a group setting, though I would like to explore this at some point. But I have had some incredible experiences taking entheogens in a one-on-one setting. I have found this sort of two-person ritual to have immense potential for human/spirit connection as well as some possible therapeutic potential. Doing this with a very close friend, a family member, or a significant other can produce a very powerful bonding effect. I imagine the same might be true, to some extent at least, in a smallish group setting.

BANG! Right there: the greatest potential first sentence in any novel in history! An epic novel that will shatter time and space like an eggshell. Now get to writing!

This totally resonates with me. It seems like if you're doing it right, it would go without question that participants would foster a kind of psychic link, or at the very least a deep understanding of something sacred and special shared only amongst members. There's a spiritual intimacy in the kind of trust that would be needed to let go deeply to express the ineffable in a space shared with friends.