Spiritual Bypassing in Natural Medicine
Psychedelic therapy and plant medicine ceremonies offer a remarkable opportunity for healing and growth within the realm of natural medicine. Even for those who have previously engaged in recreational psychedelic use, these experiences can lead to transformative moments often equated to years of conventional therapy condensed into a few hours. The profound power available in natural medicine has positively transformed numerous lives. However, amidst these profound journeys, it is crucial to remain vigilant about a potential stumbling block: spiritual bypassing.
Understanding Bypassing in the Natural Medicine Context
Bypassing occurs when we sidestep raw emotions or feelings, choosing instead to embrace emotions considered more 'acceptable.' In the realm of natural medicine, this manifests as spiritual bypassing—a deliberate evasion of present emotions in favor of those deemed more 'spiritual,' such as trust or gratitude.
For instance, if anger arises due to someone causing harm, bypassing in natural medicine might involve choosing to love that person instead. While this may seem noble, it involves ignoring the legitimate anger within. This anger provides an opportunity to explore underlying expectations, dogmas, or boundary issues. Opting to feel something other than your genuine emotion, even if positive like love or gratitude, means missing a chance for internal exploration and healing.
The ultimate goal is to naturally embody emotions, but hastily embracing "love and light" without processing genuine feelings can leave one in a state of spiritual limbo.
Challenges with Psychedelics in Natural Medicine
Psychedelics can potentially encourage spiritual bypassing in natural medicine when entering the experience without the capacity or training to fully engage with one's experience. The psychedelic experience may unveil hidden traumas or suffering protected by defensive mechanisms. These defenses exist for a reason—protecting us because our minds believe we cannot function as intended without them.
The mind inherently seeks safety, often opting for the easiest path: avoiding certain feelings or memories and choosing to feel something positive like love or gratitude.
Unfortunately, many facilitators may unknowingly encourage this behavior. It could be their personal approach to life or a naturally quick transition into a state of love and gratitude within their spiritual and psychological systems. Even the choice of music during a psychedelic session in natural medicine can unintentionally promote bypassing. When the atmosphere is grieving, and a celebratory song begins, the subconscious may adopt the notion that one should feel joyous instead of sad.
This reinforces the idea that avoiding certain emotions is the right way, creating a pattern of avoidance embedded deep within the psyche.
Striking a Balance in Natural Medicine
One might question how to reach the desired states of love, joy, peace, and gratitude when every spiritual tradition advocates for them. Ancient teachings, revered shamans, and modern psychotherapeutic practices, including natural medicine's core principles, emphasize the power of surrender and acceptance.
Modern psychotherapy, such as gestalt therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS), integral to natural medicine's facilitation, teaches that healing involves allowing oneself to feel all emotions fully. Allowing the present experience creates space for what is resisted to dissipate. Immersing oneself fully in the present, without resistance, enables the natural flow of inner healing intelligence.
The psychedelic experience in natural medicine allows our Inner Healing Intelligence to guide us naturally. Surrendering in this beautiful dance creates space for genuine healing, leading us to the purest forms of love, peace, and enlightenment.
Embracing the Present Moment in Natural Medicine
The true essence of our shared spiritual journey in natural medicine lies in embracing the present moment in all its raw and unfiltered glory. As the natural medicine community continues on this path, the commitment is to ensure every individual feels seen, heard, and supported. Together, navigating the intricacies of spiritual landscapes, we strive to ensure that each person finds a unique path to genuine healing, free from the shadows of bypassing.
Navigating the spiritual journey in natural medicine demands awareness, patience, and guidance. In natural medicine, the dedication to embracing every emotion and sensation in its fullest ensures our collective journey remains authentic. By understanding the subtleties of spiritual bypassing and ensuring practices honor the totality of experiences, we pave the way for a future filled with genuine healing and profound transformation.
If you or someone you know is embarking on the journey of psychedelics and spirituality in natural medicine, ensure it is undertaken with full awareness and understanding of potential pitfalls, including spiritual bypassing. Together, let's create a world where every spiritual journey in natural medicine is genuine, transformative, and free from inadvertent harm.
