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Consciousness Medicine: Indigenous Wisdom, Entheogens, and Expanded States of Consciousness for Healing and Growth
“Françoise Bourzat has written an authoritative book on guided psychedelic therapy with important lessons for anyone thinking of either guiding or being guided.” —Michael Pollan via Twitter
A comprehensive guide to the safe and ethical application of expanded states of consciousness for therapists, healing practitioners, and sincere explorers
Psychedelic medicines also known as entheogens are entering the mainstream. And it’s no wonder: despite having access to the latest wellness trends and advances in technology, we’re no healthier, happier, or more meaningfully connected. Psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, and LSD—as well as other time-tested techniques with the power to shift consciousness such as drumming, meditation, and vision quests—are now being recognized as potent catalysts for change and healing. But how do we ensure that we’re approaching them effectively?
Françoise Bourzat—a counselor and experienced guide with sanctioned training in the Mazatec and other indigenous traditions—and healer Kristina Hunter introduce a holistic model focusing on the threefold process of preparation, journey, and integration. Drawing from more than thirty years of experience, Bourzat’s skillful and heartfelt approach presents the therapeutic application of expanded states, without divorcing them from their traditional contexts. Consciousness Medicine delivers a coherent map for navigating nonordinary states of consciousness, offering an invaluable contribution to the field of healing and transformation.
A comprehensive guide to the safe and ethical application of expanded states of consciousness for therapists, healing practitioners, and sincere explorers
Psychedelic medicines also known as entheogens are entering the mainstream. And it’s no wonder: despite having access to the latest wellness trends and advances in technology, we’re no healthier, happier, or more meaningfully connected. Psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, and LSD—as well as other time-tested techniques with the power to shift consciousness such as drumming, meditation, and vision quests—are now being recognized as potent catalysts for change and healing. But how do we ensure that we’re approaching them effectively?
Françoise Bourzat—a counselor and experienced guide with sanctioned training in the Mazatec and other indigenous traditions—and healer Kristina Hunter introduce a holistic model focusing on the threefold process of preparation, journey, and integration. Drawing from more than thirty years of experience, Bourzat’s skillful and heartfelt approach presents the therapeutic application of expanded states, without divorcing them from their traditional contexts. Consciousness Medicine delivers a coherent map for navigating nonordinary states of consciousness, offering an invaluable contribution to the field of healing and transformation.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2019
About the author
Francoise Bourzat
3 books15 followersFrancoise Bourzat is a counselor in the San Francisco Bay Area. In collaboration with a lineage of healers in Mexico, she has practiced and guided ceremonies with sacred mushrooms for the last 30 years.
Francoise is the author of the book entitled Consciousness Medicine: Indigenous Wisdom, Entheogens, and Expanded States of Consciousness for Healing and Growth.
Francoise is the author of the book entitled Consciousness Medicine: Indigenous Wisdom, Entheogens, and Expanded States of Consciousness for Healing and Growth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 20, 2022
It is no longer possible for me to give a positive review of this book, even though when I began it I esteemed the author and her treatment of the subject (psychedelic guide work) very highly.
I believe that there is wisdom in these pages, but I can no longer separate that from the frankly terrible revelations that have emerged regarding Mrs Bourzat, her husband, and the methods they have used and trained many other people to use in ostensibly therapeutic sessions with psychedelic medicines.
These very credible accusations include sexual assault, rape, protecting perpetrators of abuse, and a bevy of otherwise highly unethical practices that take advantage of incredibly vulnerable people. Mrs. Bourzat is directly implicated in these acts, and her entire teaching methodology for psychedelic therapy appears to be the fruit of a very awful tree.
If you want to learn more I highly recommend listening to the Cover Story podcast, season one “Power Trip”.
Psychedelic medicine has immense promise for many people; Mrs. Bourzat and her ilk have done immense damage to people who have sought healing and instead encountered fresh trauma. They deserve reprobation not acclaim.
I believe that there is wisdom in these pages, but I can no longer separate that from the frankly terrible revelations that have emerged regarding Mrs Bourzat, her husband, and the methods they have used and trained many other people to use in ostensibly therapeutic sessions with psychedelic medicines.
These very credible accusations include sexual assault, rape, protecting perpetrators of abuse, and a bevy of otherwise highly unethical practices that take advantage of incredibly vulnerable people. Mrs. Bourzat is directly implicated in these acts, and her entire teaching methodology for psychedelic therapy appears to be the fruit of a very awful tree.
If you want to learn more I highly recommend listening to the Cover Story podcast, season one “Power Trip”.
Psychedelic medicine has immense promise for many people; Mrs. Bourzat and her ilk have done immense damage to people who have sought healing and instead encountered fresh trauma. They deserve reprobation not acclaim.
June 18, 2020
Finally finished it! Overall I think this is an amazing book. I recommend it to people interested in psilocybin ceremonial spiritual work and also to those who are looking for some frameworks around how to do good preparation and integration work.
The only reason I took off a star is that there are parts I didn't love:
-The idea that you should be learning from an indigenous tradition in order to work with these medicines (or at least that's how I interpreted her message). While I think this is great for those who have the ability to do so, clearly not everyone can follow that path.
-I found the lists of potential integration activities (ie. to increase your connection to the environment, pick up trash!) to be a little simplistic and tedious.
-I found some of the content repetitive.
The only reason I took off a star is that there are parts I didn't love:
-The idea that you should be learning from an indigenous tradition in order to work with these medicines (or at least that's how I interpreted her message). While I think this is great for those who have the ability to do so, clearly not everyone can follow that path.
-I found the lists of potential integration activities (ie. to increase your connection to the environment, pick up trash!) to be a little simplistic and tedious.
-I found some of the content repetitive.
Want to read
March 27, 2023Ok folks... if you wade through the details, it turns out that what this author is personally accused of is having a "four-year(!) sexual relationship" with a single embittered client, who sued her in 2001. Almost two decades prior to the publication of this book. She also - gasp- didn't immediately disavow her husband, whom she'd been with however long, when he had particularly strange accusations brought against him, by someone she doesn't know / barely knows. Terrible, right? But a far cry from- they were drugging and raping people, together, and lying about it. Which is what it seems like some may have you believe.
As for her screwing a client - how many books are there written by therapists who screwed their clients, there weren't drugs involved, so they might not have felt as used afterwards, and the books aren't as a result "canceled" today? Carl Jung famously f**ked MULTIPLE clients but I don't see a huge campaign to take down Jungian psychology going on (and they weren't even on MDMA!). Psychedelic therapy is a new, experimental field. We have to allow for some human sh*t to go down sometimes and not try and destroy people's whole freakin' life's work and experimental models that could otherwise flower into something that might potentially help a load of people!
The fact that it was a "four-year sexual relationship" (i.e., they supposedly didn't like it, but kept going back, for four years?) really leads me to doubt that the other person involved had no interest, desire or enjoyment of their own whatsoever. Awfully convenient to rebrand the experiences afterwards, sue, and get all their money back (and then some), when she didn't end up leaving her husband for them, and the psychedelic therapy didn't ultimately end up totally making them free of all suffering. Maybe the author even authentically felt she loved this client, who knows - she was probably also frequently on MDMA with them, or whatever else they were taking. As I already said- this type of therapy is new territory, after all.
The therapy and subsequent lawsuit also took place in California - the US state which has the second most lawyers and lawsuits in the country, behind New York. If it weren't in California, would there have been as much of a likelihood or incentive to turn the situation into a lawsuit?
So, can the author, as an author, be forgiven for these OUTRAGEOUS CRIMES against humanity? I don't know because I haven't read the damn book yet, all these reviews are here telling me not to, because she's an evil cult rapist... so, had to look into it myself. Then I found out, kinda seems like it's not that simple! Anyways!
Below is included some more grotesque descriptions of what the husband was allegedly involved in, if you care to know- so, trigger warning.
But, you might be imagining some variation of that is what happened based on the tone of some of the stuff you might hear.
And that this author was personally involved, knew it all along, shielded her husband, helped him rape people, they raped people together, etc, etc. And they had a big psychedelic rape cult. They handed out drugs and raped people together and then covered for each other! Of course! Evil masterminds, disgusting!
We love those stories don't we? It evokes a strong reaction so it must be true. Of course that's what happened! How foolish we were to trust any experimental institutions as opposed to our time-tested pure-as-gold trustworthy good ol' mainstream approved institutions!
Not to say cults don't happen. Not to say bad things didn't happen. Not to say weird things didn't happen- but its with the husband, and it's unclear what the f**k was going on, and we shouldn't blame the f**king wife. We need more grey, and less black and white in these situations.
When a cancelling happens, no subtleties are allowed, someone's life work can get thrown into the fire, nobody cares. Podcasts, alt-news websites don't care - freaky-deaky psychedelic rape cult is a great story. It plays on a pandemonium that goes back a long ways in cultural memory.
Folks take a whole lot of pleasure these days in their disgust, and finding out such and such transgressed, and now we must shun, shun, shun. A lot gets lost in that mentality
When important things are at stake - like a potentially useful new therapeutic model perhaps? - or someone's life work, or reputation - it's worth it to do some investigative reading with a critical discerning mind, have some compassion, be able to weigh things out, and have the gall to wade through the details of situations before you jump on witch burning bandwagons. Sure, the husband allegedly did some strange stuff. I don't think the wife should be blamed.
source, which definitely seems like it wants to poo-poo psychedelic therapy. It starts out making you believe all this terrible stuff is coming later in the story, but if you read the whole thing and distill it down to the actual occurrences... it just feels disingenuous to me. Like they're desperate for and manufacturing a good story, as journalism is wont to do. And then, of course, everyone loses their minds.
As for her screwing a client - how many books are there written by therapists who screwed their clients, there weren't drugs involved, so they might not have felt as used afterwards, and the books aren't as a result "canceled" today? Carl Jung famously f**ked MULTIPLE clients but I don't see a huge campaign to take down Jungian psychology going on (and they weren't even on MDMA!). Psychedelic therapy is a new, experimental field. We have to allow for some human sh*t to go down sometimes and not try and destroy people's whole freakin' life's work and experimental models that could otherwise flower into something that might potentially help a load of people!
The fact that it was a "four-year sexual relationship" (i.e., they supposedly didn't like it, but kept going back, for four years?) really leads me to doubt that the other person involved had no interest, desire or enjoyment of their own whatsoever. Awfully convenient to rebrand the experiences afterwards, sue, and get all their money back (and then some), when she didn't end up leaving her husband for them, and the psychedelic therapy didn't ultimately end up totally making them free of all suffering. Maybe the author even authentically felt she loved this client, who knows - she was probably also frequently on MDMA with them, or whatever else they were taking. As I already said- this type of therapy is new territory, after all.
The therapy and subsequent lawsuit also took place in California - the US state which has the second most lawyers and lawsuits in the country, behind New York. If it weren't in California, would there have been as much of a likelihood or incentive to turn the situation into a lawsuit?
So, can the author, as an author, be forgiven for these OUTRAGEOUS CRIMES against humanity? I don't know because I haven't read the damn book yet, all these reviews are here telling me not to, because she's an evil cult rapist... so, had to look into it myself. Then I found out, kinda seems like it's not that simple! Anyways!
Below is included some more grotesque descriptions of what the husband was allegedly involved in, if you care to know- so, trigger warning.
But, you might be imagining some variation of that is what happened based on the tone of some of the stuff you might hear.
And that this author was personally involved, knew it all along, shielded her husband, helped him rape people, they raped people together, etc, etc. And they had a big psychedelic rape cult. They handed out drugs and raped people together and then covered for each other! Of course! Evil masterminds, disgusting!
We love those stories don't we? It evokes a strong reaction so it must be true. Of course that's what happened! How foolish we were to trust any experimental institutions as opposed to our time-tested pure-as-gold trustworthy good ol' mainstream approved institutions!
Not to say cults don't happen. Not to say bad things didn't happen. Not to say weird things didn't happen- but its with the husband, and it's unclear what the f**k was going on, and we shouldn't blame the f**king wife. We need more grey, and less black and white in these situations.
When a cancelling happens, no subtleties are allowed, someone's life work can get thrown into the fire, nobody cares. Podcasts, alt-news websites don't care - freaky-deaky psychedelic rape cult is a great story. It plays on a pandemonium that goes back a long ways in cultural memory.
Folks take a whole lot of pleasure these days in their disgust, and finding out such and such transgressed, and now we must shun, shun, shun. A lot gets lost in that mentality
When important things are at stake - like a potentially useful new therapeutic model perhaps? - or someone's life work, or reputation - it's worth it to do some investigative reading with a critical discerning mind, have some compassion, be able to weigh things out, and have the gall to wade through the details of situations before you jump on witch burning bandwagons. Sure, the husband allegedly did some strange stuff. I don't think the wife should be blamed.
source, which definitely seems like it wants to poo-poo psychedelic therapy. It starts out making you believe all this terrible stuff is coming later in the story, but if you read the whole thing and distill it down to the actual occurrences... it just feels disingenuous to me. Like they're desperate for and manufacturing a good story, as journalism is wont to do. And then, of course, everyone loses their minds.
April 28, 2023
This book is an incredibly wonderful approach for preparing and interacting with "expanded state" experiences. A lot of the wisdom that Françoise shares resonates firmly with my own insights gained from personal experiences. Things like surrendering to the experience, setting clear intentions, and summoning the courage to step into our fears, and the opportunity to do that while in these expanded states.
The main thread of this book is discussing her approach of taking a personal inventory in five all encompassing areas of life (body, mind, spirit, community, and environment) with the lens of identifying imbalances in those areas. These can provide a framework for setting intentions leading into expanded state experiences. She gives a lot of very valuable examples for ways to prepare, how to guide/interpret/navigate during the experiences, and most importantly, how to integrate those experiences and ensure a level of continuity that leads to sustainable growth and healing. The latter is by far the most important part of this book.
Overall, this is one of the best books I've read to give some level of structure to these experiences. I am going to begin doing the inventory to help identify where my current imbalances are, so I can start setting intentions for growth. I recommend this book to anyone seeking expanded states, and especially those seeking to guide them in any capacity.
The main thread of this book is discussing her approach of taking a personal inventory in five all encompassing areas of life (body, mind, spirit, community, and environment) with the lens of identifying imbalances in those areas. These can provide a framework for setting intentions leading into expanded state experiences. She gives a lot of very valuable examples for ways to prepare, how to guide/interpret/navigate during the experiences, and most importantly, how to integrate those experiences and ensure a level of continuity that leads to sustainable growth and healing. The latter is by far the most important part of this book.
Overall, this is one of the best books I've read to give some level of structure to these experiences. I am going to begin doing the inventory to help identify where my current imbalances are, so I can start setting intentions for growth. I recommend this book to anyone seeking expanded states, and especially those seeking to guide them in any capacity.
July 20, 2020
I got this book after seeing it in Tim Ferriss' newsletter. Overall I'd say the book is pretty good. It offers a good overview for tripsittes and other professionals working with psychedelic substances and techniques. I especially liked the questions to help with the intake / preparation.
Despite the many examples for me the book lacked a piece of storytelling. It's a fine guide, but it didn't really inspire me.
In latter chapters I also felt the information could have been presented in a shorter and simpler way. Some advice felt repetitive.
Unlike Tim Ferriss I won't find myself instantly rereading it, but overall I'd say it's a great guide for starting practitioners and a fine reference material for more seasoned ones.
Despite the many examples for me the book lacked a piece of storytelling. It's a fine guide, but it didn't really inspire me.
In latter chapters I also felt the information could have been presented in a shorter and simpler way. Some advice felt repetitive.
Unlike Tim Ferriss I won't find myself instantly rereading it, but overall I'd say it's a great guide for starting practitioners and a fine reference material for more seasoned ones.
Want to read
October 17, 2021I have not read the book, yet I feel compelled to share that the author, Francoise Bourzat, is likely a serial abuser of her clients. An ex-partner inflicted on me many of the psychedelics-enabled narcissistic abuses mentioned here and, like the author of the shared article, I was left profoundly traumatised. Please, do not take advice about emotional health from someone guilty of gross emotional abuse. They are the very worst kind of guru, the complacent narcissist who truly believes that they can do no wrong and so will shamelessly, joyfully, pitilessly destroy all of your self-worth.
April 30, 2021
I’ve read this book twice, which is why it took me so long to read. Once I read it freestyle, reading parts that interested me, and then I read it cover to cover.
I love Francoise, she deeply embodies the therapeutic and transformative potential of psychedelics. She leads with wisdom and love in the emerging field of psychedelics. Many business and pharma people are rushing to build psychedelic companies based on capitalist values which brought us to our need for healing. Francoise is the torch bearer for those who know better. Her work is thorough, rooted in years of training as a psychotherapist and her own work with psilocybin mushrooms and the Mazatec people of Mexico.
This book is ideal for anyone interested in using psychedelics for healing and growth. The book is a holistic and practical guide for how to safely and effectively use psychedelics for healing and growth. A must read.
I built a website based on this book and a few other important texts concerning the use of psychedelics for healing and growth, I invite you to check it out: www.howtousepsychedelics.com.
Much love.
I love Francoise, she deeply embodies the therapeutic and transformative potential of psychedelics. She leads with wisdom and love in the emerging field of psychedelics. Many business and pharma people are rushing to build psychedelic companies based on capitalist values which brought us to our need for healing. Francoise is the torch bearer for those who know better. Her work is thorough, rooted in years of training as a psychotherapist and her own work with psilocybin mushrooms and the Mazatec people of Mexico.
This book is ideal for anyone interested in using psychedelics for healing and growth. The book is a holistic and practical guide for how to safely and effectively use psychedelics for healing and growth. A must read.
I built a website based on this book and a few other important texts concerning the use of psychedelics for healing and growth, I invite you to check it out: www.howtousepsychedelics.com.
Much love.
July 1, 2023
This book was recommended to me by my therapist after I told her I was interested in psilocybin for its benefits in reducing anxiety and depression. It definitely catered more towards therapists and healers looking to develop the unconscious mind through different mind-altering techniques (mushrooms, drum circles, sweat lodges, silence retreats, etc.)
Although I’m not a therapist, reading this allowed me to see the expectations, patience, and benefits of consciousness medicine through not only psilocybin. I think it’s a great read if you’re interested in using this style of therapy and how to navigate it and respect it.
Although I’m not a therapist, reading this allowed me to see the expectations, patience, and benefits of consciousness medicine through not only psilocybin. I think it’s a great read if you’re interested in using this style of therapy and how to navigate it and respect it.
April 16, 2021
Bourzat's book is a thorough guide that walks healers through most matters that may arise during the preparation, sitting, and integration of an entheogenic experience. A future edition would do well to include antioppressive practices as it relates to "connectedness to a greater whole" and specifically reflect upon the following questions: When might it NOT be "appropriate" to physically visit the sacred lands and spaces of another culture? How might a healer help support a journeyer who experiences daily systematic oppression such as racism or socioeconomic pressures? What options exists to increase accessibility to entheogenic experiences, and what is the duty of the healer in furthering accessibility on a societal level?
March 28, 2020
This one is part of my theme starting with Michael Pollan’s “How to Change Your Mind.” I wanted to like it, but it was pretty dense and not terribly engaging, which was disappointing because I think the information contained in the book is valuable. It’s probably more geared as a primer for those interested in becoming “guides” than for general consumption, so if you’re interested in that, this could provide some insights for you. But if you’re going to be reading it as general interest, maybe skip it.
March 16, 2022
This is a wonderful book written by a skilled therapist and practitioner obviously well practiced in the arts of psychotherapy, plant medicine, psychedelics and supporting people in expanded states of consciousness.
I especially like how the author covers all the necessary elements one expects to find in a psychedelic psychotherapy book, yet goes deeper by adding knowledge from native shamanic traditions, while keeping the professional narrative through it all.
Highly recommended!
I especially like how the author covers all the necessary elements one expects to find in a psychedelic psychotherapy book, yet goes deeper by adding knowledge from native shamanic traditions, while keeping the professional narrative through it all.
Highly recommended!
July 26, 2019
So, you want to expand your consciousness
This book is, arguably, one of the most insightful books on expanded states of consciousness. It is thoughtful; it is thought-provoking, it is inspiring, It is a book I wish I had been available when I first began my journey into expanded states of consciousness.
This book is, arguably, one of the most insightful books on expanded states of consciousness. It is thoughtful; it is thought-provoking, it is inspiring, It is a book I wish I had been available when I first began my journey into expanded states of consciousness.
September 7, 2022
Welp, sucks that you can trust no one in this world.
February 21, 2023
As stated in some other reviews, the rating of 1/5 is based on current accusations of ethical misconduct by Francoise Bourzat and her husband Aharon Grossbard. (links below).
https://medium.com/@willhall/psychede...
https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/gro...
I pondered this rating a lot, and ultimately concluded that these ethical concerns fundamentally undermine the content of this book and draw into question the overall credibility of the author and her writing. There is no question that the author is experienced and knowledgeable on the exploration of expanded states of consciousness, but every point made is marred by an asterisk of what is not being said, and to what end she is engaging in these practices if she been a participant in repeated misconduct.
As a review of the book aside from these allegations, I do feel that there is strong information presented on the necessary considerations for use of psychedelic medicine, and the potential that these medicines have in addressing many of the difficulties that we face. However, I found that this book felt unedited, repetitive, and somehow vague despite the repeated exploration of a few key themes. Though the author speaks from a perspective of strong connection to Mazatec Indigenous traditional practices, her writing comes across at times as braggadocious in just how profoundly deep this connection is, and seems to ascribe the appropriation of Indigenous practices to our society while somehow wholly excluding herself from this evaluation.
My review for this book, ethics concerns aside, would have been 3.5/5, as I feel it provides a strong overview of basic information, while failing to provide any in-depth exploration and instead just reverting to general sentiments about connectedness. Considering the ethical concerns, I would strongly recommend looking for other resources on this subject, as I do not feel that this book contains any particular wisdom that cannot be found elsewhere.
https://medium.com/@willhall/psychede...
https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/gro...
I pondered this rating a lot, and ultimately concluded that these ethical concerns fundamentally undermine the content of this book and draw into question the overall credibility of the author and her writing. There is no question that the author is experienced and knowledgeable on the exploration of expanded states of consciousness, but every point made is marred by an asterisk of what is not being said, and to what end she is engaging in these practices if she been a participant in repeated misconduct.
As a review of the book aside from these allegations, I do feel that there is strong information presented on the necessary considerations for use of psychedelic medicine, and the potential that these medicines have in addressing many of the difficulties that we face. However, I found that this book felt unedited, repetitive, and somehow vague despite the repeated exploration of a few key themes. Though the author speaks from a perspective of strong connection to Mazatec Indigenous traditional practices, her writing comes across at times as braggadocious in just how profoundly deep this connection is, and seems to ascribe the appropriation of Indigenous practices to our society while somehow wholly excluding herself from this evaluation.
My review for this book, ethics concerns aside, would have been 3.5/5, as I feel it provides a strong overview of basic information, while failing to provide any in-depth exploration and instead just reverting to general sentiments about connectedness. Considering the ethical concerns, I would strongly recommend looking for other resources on this subject, as I do not feel that this book contains any particular wisdom that cannot be found elsewhere.
December 16, 2022
Just finished this book. started it about a year ago. When Françoise Bourzat was on Tim Ferriss' podcast and talked about surviving her trauma as a young adult. I was immediately captivated. Her storytelling and apparent processing of the unbelievable trauma she went though inspired me, I immediately bought the book. And I was quite impressed with her approach to the whole thing, she did a great job talking about and splitting out a comprehensive theory of all the components of our lives and how spiritual growth can interact with them, as well as how her experiences informed her personal growth and development through processing the trauma she experienced.
Then I had a bunch of huge personal spiritual breakthroughs and set the book aside for a while and before picking it back up the alegations surfaced... turns out she (and the rest of her organization) had been sheltering/protecting her husband, Aharon Grossbard. The allegations are upsetting and detailed as he routinely abused followers/clients within their therapy/integrative practice circle. They not only sheltered the abuser but worked to belittle and defame the accusers/victims significantly in the media. This left a bad taste in my mouth.
Then started reading it again and I'm trying really hard to not see through that lens, but, boy, is it hard to not read her as pretentious, overly relying on our culture's import of indigenous wisdom, and just generally unscientific and self-important. So hard to make any kind of generalized assessment of this book. For me guess l'd say she did an interesting job parsing out a spiritual component system and if you want to look into that it's interesting otherwise, l'd pass on the book.
Then I had a bunch of huge personal spiritual breakthroughs and set the book aside for a while and before picking it back up the alegations surfaced... turns out she (and the rest of her organization) had been sheltering/protecting her husband, Aharon Grossbard. The allegations are upsetting and detailed as he routinely abused followers/clients within their therapy/integrative practice circle. They not only sheltered the abuser but worked to belittle and defame the accusers/victims significantly in the media. This left a bad taste in my mouth.
Then started reading it again and I'm trying really hard to not see through that lens, but, boy, is it hard to not read her as pretentious, overly relying on our culture's import of indigenous wisdom, and just generally unscientific and self-important. So hard to make any kind of generalized assessment of this book. For me guess l'd say she did an interesting job parsing out a spiritual component system and if you want to look into that it's interesting otherwise, l'd pass on the book.
October 24, 2019
What a book... I'm glad this has been written but there is also sorrow about such a tool not being easily available until now. Keep in mind that it is written for guides and not users, though I found it highly useful just for my own sake.
The book's main focus is preparation and integration, but it also shed light how to interpretate a journeyers experience. I have a few friends who got lost and confused because they lacked vital information this book would have offered if it was only written 10 years earlier. (Whoever travels without a guide needs two hundred years for a two-day journey -Rumi).
I think the author writes in an easy to understand, yet profound and precise way. Her wisdom shines light on very difficult concepts making it's content both relatable and insightful.
If you are unsure if this book is relevant for you, check out the chapter's title. It describes very well what to expect from this book.
Thank you Françoise Bourzat <3
The book's main focus is preparation and integration, but it also shed light how to interpretate a journeyers experience. I have a few friends who got lost and confused because they lacked vital information this book would have offered if it was only written 10 years earlier. (Whoever travels without a guide needs two hundred years for a two-day journey -Rumi).
I think the author writes in an easy to understand, yet profound and precise way. Her wisdom shines light on very difficult concepts making it's content both relatable and insightful.
If you are unsure if this book is relevant for you, check out the chapter's title. It describes very well what to expect from this book.
Thank you Françoise Bourzat <3
November 7, 2020
A very comprehensive guide for those seeking to guide or be guided on a journey of consciousness expansion. Francoise has a strong resume of personal healing, psychological training and experience with indiginous practices of consciousness expansion. Drawing on her experience with sweat lodge healing, dance, somatic therapy and movement practices and mestizo mushroom ceremonies Francoise has pulled together a holistic model to support the process of preparation for, support of and integration of consciousness expanding practices ranging from Holotropic breathwork, dance therapy to psychedelic medicines. I found the book to be very solid and comprehensive, although a bit repetitive. I recommend for any who want to thoroughly prepare for guiding others in the experience and integration of consciousness expanding interventions.
January 30, 2021
In ways this a a hard book to read during a pandemic while sitting in lockdown. There is so much reference to the importance of relationships, community and being in nature - all of which are extremely limited right now - for our physical and emotional wellbeing.
This is a book though that I wish I had read 10 years earlier. As a "journeyer" or as a guide, there is so much practical tips for preparation for a consciouness altering experience. However the most valuable content for me at least was the model on integration after the experience - how to pick out aspects of the experience that stood out and how to use them in the integration process to continue healing and receiving insights. This will surely be an invaluable handbook to have next time I'm lucky enough to embark on such an experience!
This is a book though that I wish I had read 10 years earlier. As a "journeyer" or as a guide, there is so much practical tips for preparation for a consciouness altering experience. However the most valuable content for me at least was the model on integration after the experience - how to pick out aspects of the experience that stood out and how to use them in the integration process to continue healing and receiving insights. This will surely be an invaluable handbook to have next time I'm lucky enough to embark on such an experience!
January 24, 2020
There is no question in my mind that the use of various drugs and medicinals can prove to be quite helpful to individuals facing a variety of challenges or those seeking greater enlightenment. It is an area that I hope to explore more fully but am limited by my location and the laws governing such practices. I continue to explore various options by reading works of practitioners who possess the knowledge and experience of these practices.
I would not be surprised that practitioners who have read this book would rank it very highly and deservedly so. The book offers a great deal of guidance to those who practice in this area. However, I am not a practitioner and felt the book fell short for my needs.
I would not be surprised that practitioners who have read this book would rank it very highly and deservedly so. The book offers a great deal of guidance to those who practice in this area. However, I am not a practitioner and felt the book fell short for my needs.
August 16, 2021
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I entered the giveaway because, back in the 80s, I read The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner. I found the subject matter to be fascinating but wasn’t sure about the real-world application of the techniques described. So when I read the description of Consciousness Medicine, I realized here was the real-world application of what I had learned so many years ago. While this book is written mainly for guides (which I am not), it is still a worthwhile read if you have any curiosity about expanded consciousness. It took me a while to get through even though it’s less than 300 pages as there is so much information to process. I enjoyed it even though I don’t think it’s something I would ever experience.
January 1, 2022
Consciousness Medicine by Francoise Bourzat was a really good read for me even though I was not her intended audience which is psychedelic practitioners who plan to be guides for people undergoing a psychedelic journey. Even given that, I found the book to be really interesting and well-written. And I feel like it has given me a lot of insight into what those journeys can be at their best. My only criticism would be her inclusion of passages from her journals when she was on such journeys herself. These passages felt very artificial to me and, for me, interrupted the flow of what was otherwise a very well-written book.
October 1, 2022
The book reads like a textbook with plenty of therapeutic jargon sprinkled throughout. I could not get past the danger of encouraging practitioners to work beyond their scope of practice with little or no licensure. They are taking clients out of the country to practice medicine, which sounds quite unethical to me. The rituals described within this book add even more concern for potential abuse. Sure, these substances deserve rigorous trials within a framework of ethical and scientific supervision, but this book does not meet those standards.
September 1, 2023
I listened to this book over a few months, so there were some big gaps in the book. Overall, I thought it was a good discussion around the preparation and integration involved with natural medicine. There were points in the book that seemed to assume the listener has a lot of financial privilege, which might not always be the case. I wish there was more discussion around how to respect and pay homage to indigenous people who have built up and held this body of knowledge, and avoid appropriation.
January 6, 2022
NOTE: Françoise Bourzat and her husband have both been accused of very serious, longstanding abuses against the clients that they guided using psychedelic therapy. PLEASE take the time to review numerous recent articles on the internet revealing these abuses and the coverups engaged in by their community. She should be disgraced and taken down from her guru status. Find something to read by a reputable source instead.
February 8, 2020
The books focuses on how preparation and counseling is critical to the use of psychedelics for spiritual development. It includes a framework for various experiences and states of consciousness. There is a limited bibliography and a note section by chapter. The author is an adjust senior lecturer on school of consciousness and transformation at California Institute of Integral Studies.
August 3, 2021
Absolutely amazing book! It is a guide to help those seeking to be a guide for others through psychoactive experiences. But more than that, it facilitates spiritual thought and growth within the reader. A must read for anyone seeking to guide through a spiritual experience.
December 27, 2022
Buena lectura para los interesados en plantas maestras
Practico y detallado sobre diferentes escenarios de experiencias con plantas maestras. Tanto para uso personal como para acompañamiento a terceros.
Practico y detallado sobre diferentes escenarios de experiencias con plantas maestras. Tanto para uso personal como para acompañamiento a terceros.
March 15, 2024
love it!
I’m a licensed Mental Health, professional, and found this book to be very helpful as I am in the early stages of my journey toward a greater understanding of the use of psychedelics in outpatient mental health treatment
I’m a licensed Mental Health, professional, and found this book to be very helpful as I am in the early stages of my journey toward a greater understanding of the use of psychedelics in outpatient mental health treatment
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July 7, 2019https://old.reddit.com/r/PsychedelicT...
tweet from Michael Pollan
tweet from Michael Pollan
March 16, 2020
Mostly mists with a scattering of swirls. Nothing medical related. A total and complete waste of time.
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