Expect the Unexpected

There are moments when, despite our clearest and most earnest intentions, the outcome seems disconnected from our desires. This discrepancy can be disconcerting, leaving us feeling adrift during the process and in the integration that follows. But don't fret if this is the case. You haven't "failed" and the session itself may have been an essential turning point in your life, however it may take months (or even years) for that to become clear to you.

Delving Deeper into the Unexpected

The communication between our minds, the medicine, and the experience is rarely straightforward. It's seldom a clear, linear path with direct answers. Instead, it's a winding road, full of signs and symbols that require a keen eye and an open heart to interpret. It's for this reason that it's common for people to pursue multiple psychedelic sessions over years because the full story of the messages conveyed unfold like multiple acts in a play.

Consider this scenario: you set an intention like "Show me what I need to heal," but the experience feels void of any direct response. Rather than viewing this as a failure, it could be a subtle, yet profound message – perhaps indicating there's nothing to fix, that you are inherently whole. As Rumi beautifully put it:

"The wound is the place where the Light enters you."

Sometimes, the absence of an answer is the answer itself, urging you to look within and recognize your intrinsic completeness.

Staying the Course Amidst Unmet Expectations

When an intention such as "reveal my inner strength" appears unmet, it's essential to consider that life's journey often involves visiting various 'checkpoints' before reaching the desired destination. Your intention may be the final point, 'D', but the path requires you to first navigate through points 'A', 'B', and 'C'. It's a journey of accumulation, where each experience layers upon the previous, gradually building towards the ultimate revelation.

Trust is key here. Trust in the process, in the wisdom of the experience, and in the lessons each step imparts. Every session, every moment, contributes to your journey towards that original intention. Embrace the journey, even when it veers off the anticipated path, for each detour enriches your understanding and brings you closer to your true intention.

Terence McKenna, a renowned ethnobotanist and philosopher known for his exploration of psychedelics, eloquently stated:

"Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is the shamanic dance in the waterfall. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering it's a feather bed."

In summary, when our intentions and experiences seem misaligned, it's not a sign of failure but an invitation to explore deeper and trust the journey. Our path to self-discovery and healing is rich with unexpected lessons and revelations, each valuable in its own right. Stay curious, stay open, and let the journey unfold. It will give you the unexpected.