Geral Blanchard, LPC, is a psychotherapist who is university trained in psychology and anthropology. Formerly of Wyoming and currently residing in Iowa, Geral travels the world in search of ancient secrets that can augment the art and science of healing. From Western neuroscience to Amazonian shamanism, he has developed an understanding of how to combine old and new healing strategies to optimize recovery, whether from psychological or physical maladies.
MDMA and Core Changes
Many events in life can change us, some in profound ways, others somewhat superficially.
Some positively, some negatively. Some temporarily, some permanently. Let’s break it down.
With the “help” of psychology and the diagnoses of PTSD and C-PTSD, an entire trauma industry has developed. Much help has been delivered and, unfortunately, in many instances the assigned labels stick like glue and there can be difficulty relinquishing the newly imposed identity of “breakage.”
Many life events are transformative:
- Trauma, which can be harmful or uplifting. When the latter result occurs, it is called post-traumatic growth or PTG. The impact of a traumatic act(s) is usually secondary to how a person responds (vs. reacts) to the trauma. And surprisingly, the more severe the trauma, the greater chance of a PTG diagnosis (see my book Transcending Trauma).
- Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) which come on suddenly, eventually tend to elicit profound growth experiences with greatly enhanced social relationships based in a deeper love, along with enrichment of the person’s spirituality, and a diminished fear of death – their own and others.
- Psychedelics can in the short run encourage a new way of seeing things. However, more often than not, they are not life changing. Hallucinations – occurring with some synthetic psilocybin and ibogaine exceptions – by themselves, rarely bring about a dramatic and lasting shift in values, perspective, and lifestyle.
- Major illnesses like cancer, that of course can lead to death, yet, on the other end of the spectrum, to thriving. There is a strong research derived association between cancer and PTG with documentation of enhanced relationships, increased self-confidence, and greater appreciation for life following the diagnosis. The severity of cancer’s trauma offers a great deal of spiritual potential, even if it sometimes comes at the very end of this earthly existence.
- Enlightening dreams, which may be vivid, entertaining, and meaningful, can have a positive impact and propel growth, although their benefits tend to fade away rather quickly.
- Sudden awakenings, or even a slow onset that culminates in “holy shit!” moments, can generate ego dissolving effects and permanent life shifts in positive directions. Illuminating insights tend to occur, a release of pent-up emotional pain (sometimes even physical ailments) is common, a deep and more meaningful connection with Nature unfolds, and life feels more reverent and sacred thereafter. The changes may be permanent, altering life in a new direction without any prompting by drugs. And they are frequently triggered by grief, incarceration (not solitary isolation), and even battlefront war experiences.
- Ceremonial use of pure MDMA, typically leads to a softening of trauma’s impact, a life review with dramatic and heartwarming changes in personality, and it may be one of the most intensely rewarding and lasting kinds of transformation observed. Far more than a momentary “high,” this non-psychedelic empathogen can give rise to a dramatic change in outlook -- the expression of more acceptance, warmth, compassion, and empathy -- even altering the brain’s neurological functioning for the better –
neurogenesis
and neuroplasticity.
Extensive suffering, turmoil, and severe trauma hold significant potential for individual growth. That contrasts with conventional Western thinking that intense suffering is the prelude to one’s downfall.
For example, one study of war veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan found that the more combat they were exposed to, the more likely they were to experience PTG. Like many people, they underwent a spiritual awakening after they came face to face with death.
Living in the cramped space of ego can cause an eventual explosion, a release, that leaves individuals with far fewer psychological attachments. Enlightenment, it turns out, is not about gaining something, it is all about what we lose or almost lose, what we are willing to let go of.
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“Soul does not abolish the difficulty of our lives, but brings music to our pains – its gift is to make us less perfect and more whole.” - John Tarrant in
The Light Inside the Dark
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Other Topics
Basics of MDMA
Rituals and Ceremony
Brain and MDMA
Trauma
Heart
Energy Movement
Quantum Physics
Native Cosmologies
Nature
Spirituality/Enlightenment
Kogi Tribe
Books written by Geral T. Blanchard
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