In Western culture, the end-of-life process is generally accompanied by a sometimes extreme psychospiritual distress. Many tribal cultures hold an alternative view of death, supported by a tradition of the ritual use of visionary plants to connect the soul to the “spirit world.”
Many on the edge of life initiate a search for meaning and the mystical experience – uncovering a sense of unity, sacredness, transcendence, and deep positive emotions, including love – can be an answer to that search for meaning. Now, research is showing that the "ego-death" facilitated by a visionary plant or substance, at or shortly before death, can offer significant therapeutic benefits in relieving anxiety at the end of life.
We will conclude by drawing implications for a more natural perspective on death, and shedding new light on the deeper, larger perspective on death, and life, that is provided by psychedelics and is their greatest benefit to society.
After the presentations, we will interview/dialog with one another, and then open the floor to questions.
This event will meet to inform and ruminate on the intriguing intersection of psychedelics and death. This panel reprises Dr. Goldsmith’s sold-out presentations of his “Psychedelics and Death” lecture, with the special addition of psychologist Anthony Bossis, Ph.D., and Michael Pankow, Director of the Art of Dying Institute.
Schedule:
8:00 - 8:30 - Goldsmith - “Psychedelics and Death: A Brief Introduction”
8:30 - 9:00 - Pankow - "The Art of Dying (and Living): Awakening to a more conscious view of our own mortality and to post-death possibilities"
9:00 - 9:30 - Bossis - “Psilocybin-Generated Mystical Experience Research: Implications for Palliative Care and Religious Studies”
9:30 - 10:00 - Questions and Discussion with panel
Join us for this historic convergence!
Tickets:
$20 online
$25 at the door
Anthony P. Bossis, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine. He is director of palliative care research, co-principal investigator, and a session guide for the NYU Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety Study, a FDA-approved clinical trial investigating the efficacy of a psilocybin-generated mystical experience upon the existential and psycho-spiritual distress in persons with cancer. He is also Lead Investigator and the primary session guide for the NYU Psilocybin Religious Leaders Study, an FDA-approved clinical trial evaluating the effects of a psilocybin-facilitated mystical experience upon religious leaders.
Dr. Bossis is the co-founder and former Co-Director of the Palliative Care Service and is a clinical supervisor of psychotherapy at Bellevue Hospital. He has a long-standing interest in comparative religion, consciousness research, and the interface of psychology and spirituality. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in NYC.
Join us for this historic convergence!
Neal M. Goldsmith, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and author specializing in psychospiritual development. He is author of dozens of popular and scholarly articles, curates and hosts innovative workshops, salons, and conferences, and a frequent speaker on psychotherapy and change, adult developmental psychology, psychedelics research and policy, and the integral future of society.
Dr. Goldsmith’s book, Psychedelic Healing: The Promise of Entheogens for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Development, describes the current renaissance in psychedelic research and the influence of psychedelics on his personality theory and clinical practice. (A six-minute clip from his interview on “Fusion of Spirit and Science” may be found at: http://vimeo.com/7517009.) Trained in humanistic, transpersonal, and eastern traditions, Dr. Goldsmith maintains a (non-psychedelic) psychotherapy practice in New York City, and Sag Harbor, NY and may be reached via his Web site: http://www.nealgoldsmith.com/psychedelics.
Michael Pankow is the Director of the Art of Dying Institute and Director of Development at the New York Open Center. He has 19 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, particularly in start-up and managed change/growth environments. Prior to joining the Open Center and the Art of Dying Institute, Michael maintained an independent consultancy practice and worked at Village Health Works, Peace Direct, Geneva Global, HIV Law Project, and Human Rights Watch among others.