We human beings are spirit made physically manifest. Our connection with spirit is inescapable, as we all have that spark of divinity within us. However, our connection with spirit has been overshadowed by the materialism of this physical existence. The desire to restore that lost connection is clear. Many organized religions have recognized this desire and offered a connection, often through controlled processes involving dogma, ceremonies, scripture, and worship. These organized religions are not always designed to connect individuals with their inner divinity; rather, they may serve as a means of control and generating economic allegiance to the organization. No power or wealth is derived from fostering individual enlightenment. The pursuit of power has led to violence, persecution, cruelty, and death in the name of holy prophets or deities throughout history.
Parallel spiritual practices have existed across different cultures, generally promoting connection with our individual inner divinity. Many of these practices involve the use of medicinal plants to induce non-ordinary states of consciousness, allowing individuals facilitated access to their inner divinity. This includes mescaline in the forms of peyote and huachuma (San Pedro Cactus), DMT in ayahuasca, Bufo Alvarius venom, and synthetic forms that are smoked. Many ancient cultures are believed to have used hallucinogens from Ergot Fungus, later synthesized into LSD by Albert Hoffman, along with Psilocybin and Amanita Muscaria.
These cultures have often been suppressed by powerful organized religions and labeled heretical for deviating from established beliefs, dogma, and practices. Yet, they have persisted, maintaining the connection with natural, medicinal entheogens to foster spiritual and emotional intelligence.
In the United States, our culture has started to embrace these entheogens as paths to spiritual enlightenment and emotional intelligence. Psilocybin mushrooms, in particular, have emerged as a powerful tool, legalized in many states for therapeutic use, as well as in other nations. Studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in treating PTSD and treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. This resurgence of ancient wisdom comes at a time when humanity has a clear need for it. My hope is that this can help heal many and promote a new direction. Let's cross our fingers.
P.J. O'Malley 5 Sept 2025
P.J. O'Malley is a guest writer and friend of FOREST FLOOR. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect or represent the belief systems of FOREST FLOOR the business entity.