Death, Dying & Awakening
- Holly Bennett
- May 28, 2024
- 3 min read
The Psychedelic Mom with Michaela Carlin
Hello, beautiful and bountiful community!
I recently came across an amazing podcast that explored the transformative power of medicine when approached with intention. The discussion was truly eye-opening and resonated deeply with me, so I'm sharing it with you!
In this episode of the Psychedelic Mom podcast, host Michaela Carlin speaks with Quilly Powers, an 81-year-old 5-MeO-DMT facilitator. Quilly explores the realms of psychedelics, dying, and meditation, having started her psychedelic journey in the 60s, initially for recreational use, but later working with American psychologist Leo Zeff, a pioneer in using MDMA and LSD. Quilly discusses her unique position as an elder in the field, emphasizing her tailored approach to serving the medicine based on individual needs and her extensive experience.
Quilly shares her early experiences with psychedelics, including living in a commune and experimenting with LSD while also working as a social worker. Her deep connection with psychedelics transitioned into a sacred practice under Leo Zeff's guidance, where she learned to approach these substances with reverence.
Her journey led her to work as a facilitator for 5-MeO-DMT, a powerful psychedelic that can induce profound mystical experiences and a sense of unity. Quilly explains the importance of finding the "sweet spot" in dosing to achieve a balance between experiencing ego dissolution and maintaining some level of self-awareness.
Quilly also discusses the personal impact of her son's death, which deepened her understanding of life and death, leading her to volunteer in hospice care and eventually incorporate psychedelics into her work with dying patients. She reflects on the transformative power of 5-MeO-DMT for herself and her clients, who often seek more profound wisdom and spiritual awakening.
Throughout the conversation, Quilly emphasizes the importance of facing and embracing all aspects of life, including the challenging and uncomfortable emotions, as essential parts of the human experience. She advocates for developing practices, such as meditation and disciplined self-inquiry, to cultivate the ability to respond to life's events with equanimity.
Michaela and Quilly conclude by discussing the integration of psychedelic experiences into daily life, highlighting the role of these medicines in fostering personal growth and transforming relationships with oneself and others. Quilly's work at the intersection of psychedelics, aging, and death offers valuable insights into the profound potential of these substances to enhance the human experience.
I hope this wisdom serves and supports you in your own unique and perfect way.
Always and in all ways, thank you for trusting us to share our truth and journey alongside yours,
Holly & Steve
“Love is the real power. It's the energy that cherishes. The more you work with that energy, the more you will see how people respond naturally to it, and the more you will want to use it. It brings out your creativity, and helps everyone around you flower. Your children, the people you work with--everyone blooms.”
― Marion Woodman
“Love is the real power. It's the energy that cherishes. The more you work with that energy, the more you will see how people respond naturally to it, and the more you will want to use it. It brings out your creativity, and helps everyone around you flower. Your children, the people you work with--everyone blooms.”
― Marion Woodman
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