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...
Statement of Solidarity
Standing in Solidarity During this time of extreme crisis, the Zendo Project stands in solidarity with those protesting against racism, white supremacy, structural violence, and police brutality. To our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities—we...
Enthusiastic Donors Pony Up In Support Of Psychedelic Research, Harm Reduction Efforts
This article was written by David Carpenter and appeared on Forbes.com on Nov 18, 2019 As an increasing number of Americans embrace the use of mind-altering substances like psilocybin and MDMA to treat conditions such as depression, addiction and PTSD, so too are...
Lightning in a Bottle Promotes Harm Reduction For Festival Goers
By Mary Carreon Sasha Rodriguez was 15-years-old when she went to Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 2010. After a night of experimenting with dance music’s beloved molly (MDMA, or ecstasy), Rodriguez overdosed and died at a nearby hospital....
Zendo Project Articles from MAPS Bulletin
Psychedelic Peer Support and the Zendo Project: Winter Update and Testimonials
This article was written by Sara Gael, M.A. and appeared in the MAPS Bulletin Winter 2019: Vol 29, No. 3 This August marked the Zendo Project's eighth consecutive year at Burning Man. Over the course of the event, Zendo Project volunteers served 546 guests in Black...
Archetypes of the Feminine in Psychedelic Peer Support
This article was written by Brooke Balliett, LMFT and Sara Gael, M.A.and appeared in the MAPS Bulletin Spring 2019: Vol 29, No. 1 The Zendo Project has provided specialized harm reduction services for those experiencing psychedelic and emotional crises at events in...
The Zendo Project: Six Years of Psychedelic Peer Support
This article was written by Sara Gael, M.A., and Ryan Jay Beauregard and appeared in the MAPS Bulletin Winter 2018: Vol 28, No. 3 The Zendo Project provides a supportive environment and specialized care designed to transform challenging psychedelic experiences into...
The Zendo Project: Evolving Psychedelic Support Since 2012
This article was written by Ryan Jay Beauregard and appeared in the MAPS Bulletin Spring 2018: Vol 28, No. 1 Special Edition: Breakthrough A History Beyond the Zendo Project During the Zendo Project’s Psychedelic Harm Reduction workshop at the Psychedelic Science 2017...
Zendo Project 2017: Co-Creating a Community of Compassionate Care
This article was written by Sara Gael, M.A., & Ryan Beauregard and appeared in the MAPS Bulletin Winter 2017: Vol. 27 No. 3 Annual Report 2017 was the Zendo Project’s sixth year in operation, providing psychedelic peer counseling at festivals and events worldwide....
Sitting, Not Guiding: The Power of Non-Directive Support
This article was written by Erica Zelfand, N.D. and Timothy Crespi, L.P.C., C.A.D.C. and appeared in the MAPS Bulletin, Summer 2017: Vol. 27, No. 2 Research Edition An hour after eating psilocybin mushrooms at a festival, Olivia notices her left hand is shaking. She...
Zendo Project Manuals & Resources
Tripsitters.org Psychedelic Guide Manual
Excerpt from The Tripsitters.org Psychedelic Guide Manual PDF: Introduction The practice of working with psychedelics for healing or spiritual purposes is not new. Many indigenous traditions have used “sacred medicines” in ceremonial healing and spiritual contexts for...
Zendo Project Training Manual
Being a Zendo Volunteer This manual will help you understand the principles of Harm Reduction, how the Zendo operates, what you need to know for your shifts, and is required reading for all Zendo Project Volunteers. The Zendo fulfills its mission to provide harm...
Manual of Psychedelic Support
The Manual of Psychedelic Support is a comprehensive guide to setting up and running compassionate care services for people having difficult drug experiences at music festivals and similar events. The Manual grew out of the work of its original creators at KosmiCare,...
How to Work with Difficult Psychedelic Experiences
A true psychedelic experience, even a so-called bad trip, is sacred. In earth-oriented, shamanic cultures, even a psychotic breakdown, induced by a psychedelic, is part of the initiation. So remember the way of the ancients: this is a process, a process of awakening,...
Handbook for the Therapeutic Use of LSD: Individual and Group Procedures (1959)
This handbook, written by D.B. Blewett, Ph.D., and N. Chwelos, M.D., in 1959, was one of the earliest manuals written for LSD-assisted therapy. It is still one of the most comprehensive guides on psychedelic therapy, offering a wealth of details on dosage, setting,...
Zendo Project is sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a 501©3 research and education organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. To find out more, visit MAPS.org.