Jeffrey David Krone

Track: Shamanism and Its Potential for Modern Man

Integrating Contemporary Psychedelic Science and Shamanic Healing Practices

We find ourselves in an ecological crisis that not only belongs to us, but also will define us as species. At the same time, we happen to be undergoing a major transformation of consciousness that holds hope and promise for our continued efforts to survive and thrive. It has even been suggested that these two seemingly opposing situations may actually be rooted in a deep relationship with one another, emerging co-dependently and serving to catalyze the latest major transformation in the evolution of our species. What is now being referred to as the “Psychedelic Renaissance”, when looked at through the lens of human evolution, holds the potential for a rapid restructuring of ideas, world views, religions, cultures, and ways of relating with the life systems on this planet. This transformation will require that we relearn how to listen to the intelligence of our bodies, each other’s bodies, and our greater body, the Earth. Shamanic practices have a long history of restoring the mind-body connection, and returning balance to both the individual human body, as well as the greater collective body. Through the study of the various shamanic cultures that use psychedelic sacraments, we may rediscover the path back to our own ancestral bodies and continue the process of uncovering our historical connection to these transformative tools. Through the integration of contemporary psychedelic research with contemporary shamanic healing practices we may also provide ourselves with a framework for better understanding how these medicines may be used to initiate a global ecological movement and assist us in making the transformation into mutually enhancing members of the earth community. Our success depends largely on our ability to listen, to make connections, and to locate the spaces in our culture where we can bring these tools.

Jeffrey Krone is a current student in the Somatic Psychology program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and is on track to become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He holds an MA in Philosophy and Religion from CIIS where his research focused on the intersections of Entheogenic Shamanism, Ecology, Applied Mysticism, and Transpersonal Psychology. He is involved with Psychedelic Harm Reduction work at Music and Art festivals and also serves as a volunteer caregiver with the Zen Hospice Project.