Entheogen

An entheogen is a psychoactive substance—typically plant-based or fungal—used to induce profound spiritual, mystical, or divine experiences, often within ritualistic or religious contexts. Derived from Greek meaning "generating the divine within," these substances, such as ayahuasca and psilocybin, are used for healing, shamanic practices, and personal transformation.

Entheogens are considered "complex biological organisms with diverse bioactive compounds" and have been integral to shamanic practices for thousands of years

Usage Examples:

Ayahuasca: Used by indigenous cultures in South America for religious ceremonies.

Psilocybin Mushrooms: Employed in shamanistic rituals.

Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga): Used by the Bwiti in Africa.

Peyote/Mescaline: Used in traditional ceremonies.

Modern Context: Used for spiritual growth, healing, and in research settings to treat mental health conditions.

What are the differences between Nn-DMT vs 5-MEO-DMT?

There is a common misconception that 5-MeO-DMT—and thereby our precious sacrament Bufo from the Sonoran Desert toad—is the same as DMT. People often come to register for our ceremonies unaware of the differences between these sacred molecules, so we’re sharing some info to clarify. Both DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) and 5-MeO-DMT (5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) are powerfully psychoactive tryptamines.

These structurally similar organic compounds are found throughout nature in plants and animals. While more research needs to be done, both DMT and 5-MeO-DMT have been detected in trace amounts in the human body. When smoked these substances share rapid onset and brief duration of effects compared to many psychedelics. Beyond that, the compounds produce strikingly different experiences. Popular names ascribed to these entheogens shed light.

DMT is often referred to as the “Spirit Molecule” for generating surreal visionary journeys that may involve encounters with supernatural and even alien beings and worlds (the 5th Dimension). It has an ancient, deeply rooted history of shamanic use.

For millennia indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin have combined two or more plants to create the powerful DMT-containing brew ayahuasca, which has long been central to these cultures’ spirituality and revered as a master plant teacher. In contrast, 5-MeO-DMT has earned the moniker the “God Molecule” for inducing a transcendent state of consciousness that is often devoid of visuals and mimics a near-death experience in which the subject-object paradigm and all sense of self vanish. Most notably Sonoran Desert toads, our beloved Mud Buddhas, produce 5-MeO in their glandular secretions.

When experienced safely in a ceremonial context, our sacrament Bufo can enable an indescribable, ecstatic experience of God or oneness with the entirety of Creation (the 12th Dimension). In ancient Hinduism this is known as Nirvikalpa Samadhi, an ultimate spiritual state of ego dissolution and union with Divine Consciousness, and it has the potential for massive release of trauma that is akin to the concept of Moksha, or liberation from suffering.

What are the differences between drugs and Entheogenic medicines?

Western culture is unfamiliar with the true essence of healing. In the clinical practice, the prescription of antidepressants is prevalent, aimed at the suppression of emotions, never addressing the root causes of afflictions. Society actively promotes the consumption of drugs and alcohol as an escapism from the depths of our emotional wounds.

Frequently, Entheogenic medicines, are classified alongside common street drugs. Yet, it is crucial to understand the profound difference between pharmaceuticals and street drugs in contrast to these natural medicinal healing treasures. Conventional drugs, with their low vibrational attributes, serve to numb pain, facilitating the avoidance of confronting underlying issues. In stark contrast, Earth’s natural medicines resonate at a higher frequency, providing the catalyst for individuals to confront their truths and traumas. They act as a guiding light, leading people back to their authentic selves and fostering a deeper connection with spirituality.

Pharmaceuticals and street drugs, by their nature, lack any spiritual essence, while Earth’s natural medicines are deeply intertwined with the spirit of existence. As the healing properties of these Entheogens become mainstream, we find ourselves amidst the largest psychedelic revolution since the 1960s. More than ever, people are connecting to their divinity and waking up from the illusions of social programming.

Here at the Temple of Enthea, we are honored to bear witness to the healing journeys of our brothers and sisters. We facilitate the transcendence of generational trauma, addiction, depression, and the restoration of spirituality within individuals. It is imperative to disregard the prevailing narrative of despair propagated by the media, which often portrays the world as a hopeless place. We maintain an unwavering belief in the future of humanity and our planet, thanks to the transformative and healing powers of our sacraments 5-MEO-DMT (Bufo).

What will I experience when I take the sacrament?

In its highest expression consciousness, Bufo can take the participant into the journey spaces of higher consciousness. A common experience is what is termed in the Sanskrit word, Samadhi. This is one of those experiences that defy expression into words, but let’s try. Samadhi is a non-dualistic state of consciousness in which the perception of the experiencing mind perceives the subject of its attention such that it becomes one with the object, but does not so totally merge into non-duality so as to cause the subject observed to lose form completely and is therefore able to observe and gain insight into the changing flow of experience.

In the West, these experiences are often described as Union with God or Christ Consciousness. The hallmark of this experience in the context of a Bufo journey is the death or transcendence of Ego. The loss of the grasping, separatist Egoistic consciousness allows us perceive our place in all Creation, that we are not separate from it, but an integral part of it, in the universe’s dance of separation and oneness, Bufo Samadhi is the point of view which see’s both the oneness and individual manifestation of things simultaneously, and the value of each to the other.

Commonly the answer is “It’s so beautiful I can’t put it into words.” A loss for words might be expected when being asked to describe a visit to the Divine. Many who endeavor to put it in words describe it as a journey as through a transcendent world of Gods, Buddhas and Angels. Visionary hallucinations are rare, but an experience of being surrounded by a vast field of fractal white light and having feelings of unconditional love and being wrapped in a profound sense of deep comfort and safety. When returning to baseline consciousness the majority of participants feel a sense that they have been healed in some way. Some even tell of receiving what they describe as divine messages.

These beautiful experiences truly are what usually happens. But to tell the whole truth, it must be added that ego-death and transcendence can precipitate intense feelings that some find unpleasant. With the sacramental dissolution of ego, temporary as it might be, the barrier between conscious feeling and suppressed trauma and shadow material can bring up a catharsis of tears, feelings of depersonalization and feelings of anger, to name a few.

The sacrament at very least can be intensely disorienting for some. Again, unpleasant experiences are not the norm, but also aren’t infrequent. These kinds of feelings are very temporary and attended to by the experienced Temple staff who will be holding space with you. Frequently the problem of unpleasant experiences is caused by the ego’s unwillingness to surrender to the sacramental process.

This is why the advice to surrender is well considered. But sometimes, try as we might, ego is unwilling to surrender, and this then becomes the primary focus of the sacrament’s healing route: surrender! Healing can be painful, just as it can be exhilarating, awesome and beautiful. But in the end healing and enlightenment is the purpose of our church and we consider it Divine, however it comes