S2E5: Ayahuasca, shamanism, & the climate crisis—w/ Sophia Rokhlin, author of When Plants Dream

We live in a world of abundance. And yet, a growing number of us struggle with mental health issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD. What if our disconnection from the natural world is part of the problem? To that end, thousands of Westerners are traveling to the Amazon Basin to engage in the healing tradition of ayahuasca.

 

Sophia Rokhlin is the coauthor of When Plants Dream: Ayahuasca, Amazonian Shamanism and the Global Psychedelic Renaissance. She also serves as the director of the sustainable ayahuasca cultivation program at the Temple of the Way of Light, a traditional plant medicine retreat center in the Peruvian Amazon. On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Sophia joins Ross and Alexsandra to introduce us to the traditions of shamanism and discuss the fundamentals of ayahuasca, and how ayahuasca tourism impacts indigenous communities.

 

Sophia explains the role of plant medicine in addressing climate change, describing the intelligence of plants and the connection between humans and the natural world elevated by the ayahuasca ceremony. We also weigh in on the spiritual elitism and cultural appropriation surrounding Amazonian shamanism and examine the pros and cons of commoditizing plant medicine. Listen in for Sophia’s insight on the permaculture idea of edge realms and learn how combining our rational, pragmatic mindset with an enchanted indigenous perspective can lead to a kinder, more empathetic way of being.

 

Key Takeaways

 

[4:40] How Sophia defines shamanism

Lifestyle of people who communicate with invisible Mediators between environment and human ecology

 

[8:06] The fundamentals of ayahuasca and ayahuasca tourism

Psychoactive concoction of two plants from Amazon Basin Used by indigenous communities for range of purposes Growing number travel to connect with healing methods Many leave with sense of connection to natural world

 

[12:26] The permaculture concept of edge realms

New species develop in place where two ecosystems meet Territories of confrontation and awkwardness Similar to overlap of rational West + animist perspectives

 

[14:16] How Sophia thinks about overcoming our cultural aversion to psychedelics

Potential to commodify gaining interest of traditional investors Science as ally in articulating healing properties

 

[19:23] The role of plants like ayahuasca in addressing climate change

Plants evolve to manipulate world around, chemical SOS to global North Capitalism always looking for new material to add to global marketplace

 

[29:05] How Sophia compares the 1960’s to what is happening now

Promise of money in new industry washes away stigma Discord and unrest foster new wave of cognitive liberty

 

[33:39] How ayahuasca tourism impacts indigenous communities

Already integrated in global marketplace, not frozen in time First time celebrated and compensated for wisdom

 

[44:28] Sophia’s insight around experience-based spirituality

Mysticism implies direct relationship to divine (not mediated by clergy) Awaken to idea of living connection with natural world

 

[51:02] How ayahuasca interacts with different faith traditions

Brings people closer to archetypes, values celebrated in their culture Plants speak through symbols we already know

 

[54:12] The ordeal aspect of plant medicine

Forces us to look within and do hard work Fear privatization will lead to loss of ceremony

 

[58:39] Sophia’s advice on choosing an ayahuasca center

Not legal in US (DMT = Schedule 1 substance) Ask questions re: facilitator’s training

 

Connect with Ross & Alexsandra

 

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Resources

 

When Plants Dream: Ayahuasca, Amazonian Shamanism and the Global Psychedelic Renaissance by Daniel Pinchbeck and Sophia Rokhlin

Sophia’s Website

Sophia on Instagram

Graham Hancock: The War on Consciousness

Shane Mauss

Head Talks Tour

Temple of the Way of Light

Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt

Abbie Hoffman

Wendell Berry