The Role of Community in Offering Psychedelic Care

In addition to its primary focus on psychedelic sitting and harm reduction, one of the most consistent points of feedback I hear from students of the Zendo SIT course is how valuable these skills are in many aspects of life—whether in parenting, workplace situations, or any moment where someone may be navigating a non-ordinary state of consciousness. At the very least, Zendo SIT offers guidance in times of uncertainty and challenge.

In my earliest conversations about what the Zendo Project community aspires to provide, I felt an immediate excitement about the possibility of volunteering. I remember a deep sense of curiosity, interest, and a strong desire to be involved.

Even before stepping into the role of a sitter, I had a strong sense that Zendo was more than a place—it was a community, a philosophy, and a way of holding space for the far reaches of human experience. I often contemplated what it would mean to support people through something as deep and challenging as a psychedelic experience. When the opportunity came, I eagerly signed up to volunteer, attended the required training, and connected with others in the community.

During my first experiences as a volunteer sitter at Burning Man in 2014, I witnessed the Zendo as a refuge—a space co-created as a clearing from the surrounding chaos, offering serenity and protection for authentic experience. I remember the solidarity among team members, all deeply committed to supporting others. I remember the profound gratitude of guests as they left the space, having found comfort and clarity.

I recall sitting with someone grieving the loss of a family member. Another guest was working through a breakup. One had ingested a combination of substances and, after several hours in the Zendo, slowly returned to coherence, beginning to make sense of what they had been through. In each case, there was a beginning, a journey through emotional expression and exploration, and, on the other side, a sense of relief, presence, and gratitude.

Those early experiences instilled in me the understanding that the Zendo is not just a space; it is a collective of people who recognize that non-ordinary states are an intrinsic part of life. It is a place that fosters safety around personal exploration and where we come together to practice the work of supporting others through psychedelic and emotional challenges.

These early experiences both affirmed and continue to teach me that it is possible to cultivate a space within ourselves—a space beyond the walls of advice-giving and intellectual knowing—where we can offer another person the possibility of feeling supported, more connected, and a greater sense of wholeness as they navigate a challenging experience. What a gift and a blessing it is to witness and be part of someone’s journey in this way.

Today I am honored to be a part of the Zendo SIT team and help facilitate sharing the knowledge of how we can continue to create these spaces. Not only at events, but in our every-day lives with ourselves and each other. May this work continue to teach and guide us all.

Last Call for April Zendo SIT Scholarships

“This was a beautiful, comprehensive course, and I am beyond grateful that I decided to sign up. I felt so strongly that this course material could and should be required reading for anyone who identifies as being human and has an interest in improving their own relationship with themselves and with others.” —Anna K.

“This course has increased my knowledge, comfort level and ability to navigate various situations and be able to better support others. Highly recommend to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge on these topics.” —Tracy D.

Scholarship applications are open for the April 2025 Zendo SIT cohort. Apply by March 21 for consideration.

Calling Graphic Designers: Volunteer with Zendo Project

Zendo Project is seeking a creative graphic designer to support our efforts as we expand our outreach and educational programs.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience in graphic design and can create branded materials for our educational and marketing needs
• Can contribute approximately 5 hours per week
• Is passionate about our mission and supporting people in non-ordinary states of consciousness

What you’ll gain:

• A full scholarship to our Zendo SIT course
• The opportunity to collaborate with a passionate team dedicated to harm reduction, education, and compassionate care
• Opportunities to gain experience and form connections in the psychedelic field

To apply, please complete the form below. Thank you for your interest in contributing your skills to our community!

Volunteer Spotlight: Alexandra Plesner

Alexandra Plesner is a designer, creative advisor, writer and the founder of Psychedelics Design, a global platform exploring what psychedelics can do for design and what design can do for psychedelics. Alexandra felt called to volunteer as a creative advisor and designer for the Zendo Project due to her passion for integrating psychedelics and design to foster innovative, regenerative and ethical solutions. The Zendo Project’s mission of providing psychedelic harm reduction aligns with her broader goals of advancing the responsible use of psychedelics to benefit individuals and the planet.

Resource Highlight: Global Psychedelic Society

Check out our friends at Global Psychedelic Society and find the others!

GPS platforms and prioritizes in-person, accessible, and community oriented groups of people around the world to create webs of connection throughout the psychedelic ecosphere.

Donate to the organization and watch the replay of GPS’s recent Inauguration Integration, in which you’ll hear Annie Oak Harrison interview panelists Ismail Ali, J.D., Maritza Perez Medina, and Jason Ortiz as they discuss how evolving policies will impact access, advocacy, and community.

ACER Integration: Virtual “Retreet”

Our friends at ACER Integration invite you to join them for a free at-home ‘Retreet’ on March 15th 4-7pm UK. Make a cozy nest for yourself at home, either alone or with a group of friends, and tune in to their welcoming community as they explore what forests teach us about community resilience and connectedness.  After a fire, a forest regrows better than it was before, because underneath all that’s burning on top is the deep mycelial network that supports the whole ecosystem to heal and regenerate. We can do that too: we are Nature.

There will be soothing elements: breathwork and an exclusive music meditation from Jon Hopkins. There will be hopeful elements: a short film called ‘Superblooming the Aftermath’ and a Tree Journey meditation (both based on Ros’ new Medium article with the same title).

Experienced facilitators from the Love And Grief group will hold small group sharing circles for us to feel into what comes up for us and others. They will conclude the Retreet with a panel discussion with Microdosing Institute and Psyaware about how psychedelic use can be less ‘me’ (egoic ‘self-optimisation’) and more ‘tree’ (connected to the whole like the forest is).