Energetic Expanders
Last night I wrapped up teaching our special Microdosing series for Psychedelics Today’s VITAL Program - their 12-month immersive facilitator program — what a brilliant group of students & future facilitators!
During class we got to talking about what it’s like to move from “learning how to do the thing” to “really doing the thing”… In other words, how do we move from reading, listening and learning and begin to support people in all their real, messy, unpredictable and complicated human lives. Like any art, it takes many months and years of witnessing, apprenticeship and practice before you’ll begin to gain competency and embodied confidence in your craft. So what do you do with that “in between” period?? …the unique time between getting your certification, training and knowledge - and beginning to work with people out in the world.
My wonderful colleagues and microdosing guides Michaela and Lynda assisted me in the course, and Michaela offered some beautiful advice on this topic: “Find your expanders,” she guided. Place yourself beside people who make you stretch, who are a little ahead of you on the path, those colleagues who hold practice in a way you aspire to one day.
She is so right: It’s amazing how quickly we grow and expand when we place ourselves in more expansive surroundings, in an environment that is safe and nurturing, alongside people who are also evolving, growing and transforming.
I shared a story from my studio experience that speaks to this phenomenon, where a brand new, very green massage therapist with exceptional potential worked beside two of my most rock-star, experienced, off-the-charts talented bodyworkers. Their excellence, professionalism and loving high standards accelerated her growth in a way nothing else could - simply by being in their presence, patterning and soaking up their mastery she blossomed exponentially and became a highly skilled & effective therapist in record time.
This is the power of group work, healing community and professional masterminds. I see it in my microdosing immersions. I see it within the bonds in our community that stretch over years. I see it in the collaborative, interdependent relationships I cherish with my colleagues. We expand commensurately with the company we keep, and the more we surround ourselves with excellence and integrity, the more we expand those qualities within ourselves.
Find your expanders. Embrace being the ‘new kid.’ Trust you will grow stronger by surrounding yourself with what you aspire to, and transform in a manner & extent that will surprise you! Massive gratitude to all of our summer immersion participants, community and students who help me grow, learn, stretch, and stay awed and humbled and ever-inspired. Cheers to your expansion!
