What Is Integration?

Integration is a process for bringing experiences that are mystical, spiritual, and energetic into the physical and tangible part of life. When we integrate, we bring two pieces of energy or information together to create wholeness. Integration starts on the inside and goes outward into our life experiences.

Integration in the context of the use of plant medicine and psychedelics, lends itself to a process that is meant to bring the experience we are going to have or had into the present moment, and ultimately into our daily life. The intention of integration is to bring awareness to our “whole-i-ness”.

For some people embarking on the use of many transformative modalities, they will be guided by a facilitator who will most likely have a time before the session or journey to set an intention. After the journey, time may be given for the participants to share their experience. These aspects of the journey can be just as important as the journey or experience itself. This sharing is a continuation of the integration process but far from the end of it.

Others might have an experience on their own or with a group of friends and they may not have a pre or post journey integration process. This may present challenges to some and is often referred to as a “bad trip”. However, the most challenging trip can be extremely powerful and transformative with some intervention using integration tools.

The intention for this information is to help create awareness about options any sojourner or seeker can apply. It’s important to remember that a major key to getting the most out of your experiences is to feel safe continuously.

Here are 5 tips for integration of a peak experience:

1) Integration starts before you take any molecule or do any modality. When the participant begins to engage in buying a session, experience or substance, the energy begins to build and inform the actual time spent in the peak experience or heightened state. What was the experience like speaking with the person who is facilitating your experience? What was your response to any questions or any inquiries? Was there a thorough vetting process on both sides of the exchange? What happens if additional support is needed after the session? How accessible is the person or organization?

2) Set and setting begin at the initial point of agreement to engage in the session. Set is described as mind set. What is going on in the participant’s mind? Are you upset, having any mental health concerns or ongoing emotional issues? Have there been any recent traumas? Setting is the actual physical surrounding you are in when engaging in the session or journey. Is there music, are there other people, and are the immediate physical needs being considered such as nourishment and hydration? The safer you as the participant feels , the more likely you are to open up to a transformative experience and carry it forward in a useful way.

3) Integration happens whether you try or not, That said, the quality and awareness is increased with intention and attention. A participant can set themselves up for the ability to get more from their experience that they can bring forward into their lives if they spend a small amount of time in preparation. With preparation, a little goes a long way.

4) Integration is ongoing. This is why a journal is so important. Any journal will do, even a simple composition book. The only rule is to keep this part technology free. Start with writing why you feel you would like to take a psychedelic or begin a breathwork or meditation practice. Simply put “What is your why” Are you seeking to relieve anxiety, depression, a physical ailment or are you simply curious about exploring your inner realms and expanding on a creative idea? All options are possible, and countless other reasons are valid. Remember, this is your own personal process. You will most likely automatically go back to your why often over the course of time.

5) Integration is more effective with another person or group of people. Human beings are wired for connection from the time of our conception until we leave the earth plane. If a newborn baby is not held, they will fail to thrive and may not survive. There is something alchemical about bearing witness to another person’s process, as well as being the one who is being seen and heard. The act of simply hearing our own voice share an experience sets in motion a process of evolution that is occurring on many levels.