Creating
Communities of
Compassionate Care
Mission
The Zendo Project provides professional comprehensive harm reduction education and support for communities to help inform and transform difficult psychedelic experiences into opportunities for learning and growth.
Vision
We envision a world where communities are educated, resourced, and engaged in applying harm reduction principles to support individuals exploring psychedelic states; recognizing that challenging experiences can be opportunities for self-exploration and healing.
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Consulting
Professional consultation services are available for multi-responder personnel, event production, safety teams and mental health professionals.
Education
Learn the principles of psychedelic support, the ethics of being a sitter and determine when to seek support from medical or mental health professionals.
Resources
A collection of hotlines, manuals, organizations and websites for psychedelic support, education and harm reduction.
4 Zendo Project Principles
of Psychedelic Peer Support
Safe Space
If someone is having a challenging experience try to move them into a comfortable, warm, and calm environment. If possible try to avoid noisy or crowded spaces. Ask what would make them most comfortable. Offer blankets and water.
Talk through, not down
Without distracting from the experience, help the person connect with what they are feeling. Invite person to take the opportunity to explore what’s happening and encourage them to try not to resist it.
Sitting, not guiding
Be a calm meditative presence of acceptance, compassion, and caring. Promote feelings of trust and security. Let the person’s unfolding experience be the guide. Don’t try to get ahead of the process. Explore distressing issues as they emerge, but simply being with the person can provide support.
Difficult is not bad
Challenging experiences can wind up being our most valuable, and may lead to learning and growth. Consider that it may be happening for an important reason. Suggest that they approach the fear and difficult aspects of their experience with curiosity and openness.
Zendo Project in the Media
How Zendo Project Got its Name
Cardboard Yurt Origins: The Zendo In 2006, Austrian Zen teacher Vanja Palmers began bringing a large group of European Buddhists to Burning Man. After experiencing the event, Palmers saw the need for a refuge/quiet space for people to retreat to in the bustling Black...
Life is a Festival Podcast: Sara Gael of the Zendo Project – How to Help Someone Having a “Bad Trip”
Written by Eamon Armstrong on February 13, 2020. Posted in Multimedia Library Originally appearing here. Summary: Learn about psychedelic harm reduction and techniques to support someone going through a challenging experience by listening to a recent episode of Life...
How to have a safe psychedelic trip
Originally published on Psyche.co: https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-have-a-safe-psychedelic-trip How to have a safe psychedelic trip A psychedelic experience can be deeply rewarding, but also carries real risks. Here’s how to avoid a bad trip Humans have consumed...