I've used a few different psychedelics over the years, and unlike the descriptions I often read, I do not do them in groups, parties, during the day, or with technology turned on nearby.

I do the "Terence McKenna Method" - that is, lights off, lying down in bed, in a dark room at night. Close your eyes and let your thoughts carry you.

I was raised Christian, and as a child I remember standing in the pews looking around at all the other people who seemed to be wrapped up in some kind of experience I could not see, or feel, or understand. I looked at them like they were strange-behaving animals, wondering if perhaps I was the one who was strange, because the divine never touched me while I was in church. My prayers were met with silent answers.

Many years later, after studying scientific disciplines at university for over 10 years, I was an atheist. Not a devout atheist, but a surrendered one - because I could no longer summon the energy to defend the doctrines of religious faith I once believed in considering the lack of evidence. I didn't proselytize atheism, for who was I to take away from others that feeling that I had so long searched for?

This was all before I had discovered psychedelics. Then one day, quite by accident (the accident of ignorance) I tried my first dose of mushrooms. The dose was nearly a quarter ounce.

Before that night was over, I had learned what it meant to see your soul spread out into the universe. Or rather, that your soul WAS part of the universe. The mind, the spirit, God, all other spirits of the currently-living and long-dead fanned out like a cornucopia of metaphysical zoology surrounded me.

I came to that place often expressed by mystics where you find yourself in the center of the universe, surrounded by the dome of the infinite. I remember looking "up" with my mind, to be overwhelmed by the utter incomprehensibility of it all. As my mind tried to stare at it, I heard a sound:

"Aaaaahhhhh...."

I shuddered, my skin erupted in goosebumps, and I learned what I believe was the origin of the word

"Awe."

nice post, azure!

It was a long journey for me, I also made it to this 'dome of the infinite' you speak of & it was absolute peace. Since that day I feel a little more more like a cosmic creature; but I've always been one...

that must have been incredible.

Very honest and enjoyable post.

What a beautiful experience. Very happy to hear about it, thanks for sharing. It is wonderful to see people experience the depth of the universe during experiences such as yours and come back better from it.