PT530 – Meditation, Exploring Spiritual Traditions, and the Wisdom of Plant Medicine, with Jon Reiss
Jul 16, 2024
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Jon Reiss, a critically acclaimed filmmaker and author who hosts the Plantscendence podcast, shares his fascinating journey from directing music videos to exploring psychedelics. He discusses his transformative ayahuasca experience and how microdosing aids his creativity. Reiss delves into the concept of plant intelligence, spirituality through meditation, and the wisdom from various traditions like Kabbalah and Kashmir Shaivism. Their conversation highlights the profound connection between psychedelic experiences and personal growth, alongside the communal aspects of these practices.
Jon Reiss discusses the transformative power of psychedelics and meditation, emphasizing personal journeys over conventional therapeutic methods.
He highlights the unique storytelling potential of podcasting, allowing deeper exploration of artists' experiences with plant medicine.
Reiss raises ethical concerns regarding sustainable practices in psychedelic usage, stressing the respect for cultural roots and environmental impacts.
Deep dives
John Rees and His Creative Journey
John Rees, a seasoned documentary filmmaker based in Los Angeles, shares his transition from high-budget film production to podcasting with his new project 'Plant Sentience.' His extensive experience in the music video industry, including working with renowned bands like Type O Negative, influences his approach to storytelling. The shift to audio format allows Rees to explore in-depth conversations with various artists about their transformative experiences with psychedelics, a departure from the traditional film format that limits storytelling depth. Through this podcast, he aims to individually highlight these experiences, recognizing the value in prolonged narratives that films often overlook.
The Birth of 'Plant Sentience'
The idea for 'Plant Sentience' emerged after Rees found joy in conversing with artists about their profound journeys with plant medicine. After a series of enlightening discussions, he decided that recording his conversations would allow for a deeper exploration of individual experiences, unlike typical film narratives which require brevity. Each podcast episode features unique guest stories, offering listeners insights into how psychedelics impact creativity and personal growth. The podcast seeks to reveal the intricacies of these experiences, showcasing the significant transformations that arise from such journeys.
Rees's Personal Psychedelic Explorations
Having only begun his psychedelic experiences in adulthood, Rees recounts his initial hesitance stemming from a fear of losing control. His first encounter with ayahuasca was immense, leading to a deep exploration of his mind and emotional healing that was significantly different from his previous experiences with antidepressants. He reflects on the intense healing journey that followed, detailing how microdosing became a more manageable and effective way to maintain mental health. Rees emphasizes that engaging with psychedelics involves listening to oneself and being mindful of personal needs.
The Healing Power of Psychedelics
The podcast emphasizes the importance of exploring multiple layers of trauma through psychedelics, as many individuals require several experiences to fully address their emotional scars. Rees discusses guests who have transformed through processes like microdosing and finding healing through intense psychedelic sessions. He notes that individuals can experience various depths of trauma healing, suggesting that each person's journey is unique and necessitates a tailored approach to using psychedelics. This exploration aims to demystify the notion that there is one correct way to engage with these substances.
The Ethical Context of Psychedelic Use
Rees addresses the ethical discussions surrounding the use of psychedelics, including the importance of respecting the cultural roots of these substances. He articulates a concern regarding environmental conservation tied to the usage of plants like Bufo, acknowledging the negative impact that demand can have on ecosystems. By promoting awareness of these issues through his podcast, he advocates for a responsible and conscientious approach to psychedelics, highlighting the need for practitioners to consider the implications of their actions. This conversation contributes to an ongoing dialogue about sustainable practices within the psychedelic community.
In this episode, Joe interviews Jon Reiss: critically acclaimed filmmaker, author, and host of the Plantscendence podcast, which tells people’s psychedelic stories and is beginning its second season soon.
He talks about his early days of directing Nine Inch Nails and Type O Negative videos, and how Plantscendence was born after he realized that the conversations he was having with people about their most transformative experiences were perfect for a podcast. He discusses his first psychedelic experience with ayahuasca, how microdosing is helping him today, and his realization that people can get to these big experiences in many different ways.
He discusses:
The two episodes of Plantscendence that stand out the most to him
Using the term, ‘plant medicine’
His 30 years of meditation practice and how it likely helped him to integrate his first psychedelic experiences
The concept of plant intelligence and how plants can stop you from being a “consciousness tourist”
Kabbalah, Kashmir Shaivism, non-duality, and his Shaktipat experience