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PROSPECTIVE DONORS

The Art of Giving

Many of us who have undergone psychedelic-assisted healing experience a mystical feeling of profound unity with all beings and a sense of wonder with the natural world and our place within it.

We return still euphoric from this glimpse into a deeper world. Perhaps we feel lighter from having faced our demons and realizing, as the teachings of Advaita Vedanta put it, that the snake in the room is in fact just a harmless coil of rope. Perhaps we are buoyed too by the shared experiences and profound connections we’ve made with others on the journey with us, by new feelings of empathy and compassion, both for those we know and don’t know.

But now what?

Even though the positive effects of psychedelics can last for long periods of time, even a lifetime for some, the euphoria does eventually subside. And as we go back to our lives, the “now what?” question arises. Psychedelics can lift the fog and show us new possibilities, but unless we integrate our experiences by making active changes, that fog can settle in again.

The changes we make―or want to make―are highly individual. Maybe it’s a new spiritual, self-care or creative practice, a job or relationship change, or a social adjustment. Or maybe it’s giving back in new ways.

If we consider psychedelics as a tool to transform not just ourselves but our whole society, then the giving back part makes intuitive sense: passing on to others the tools for self-transformation that we ourselves have been lucky enough to receive.

Research shows that generosity makes us feel good―physically and psychologically. This is not surprising when we consider that―like food and sex―altruism is important for own survival. Some researchers who’ve drawn connections between our mental health crisis, social isolation, and a decline in caregiving, point to volunteering as a potential solution.

And as the late James Oroc, paraglider, writer, and photographer from New Zealand said: “(When I take psychedelics) I am reminded of the responsibility that comes with ultimate knowledge: an undeniable responsibility to myself, to my tribe, to my species, to my planet.”

If, and when, you feel ready to take this next step in your path of integration, of taking that “responsibility of knowing” beyond the self and of spreading the tools of healing to individuals and communities that really need them, please consider supporting one of our partners and helping to fund psychedelic-assisted therapy for those who cannot afford it. To find out how to go about supporting our Walking Each Other Home grant recipient program read the FAQ below.

FAQs

Our ultimate goal is to create a “virtuous circle” of supportive community, a “pay it forward” model that enables people to connect with and help one another.

  • Fill out the online form, providing your contact information, and other information about your own psychedelic healing experience and what insights you’d like to pass on to others. You’ll also get the opportunity to let us know whether you are able to give financial support, or whether you can contribute in non-financial ways, or possibly both.

  • US federal law is strict concerning “earmarking” donations. A donor can’t dictate to any non-profit (like Healing Hearts Changing Minds) which specific individual/s to donate funds for if they want their donations to be tax deductible. However, you can support a particular group of people you choose to support. We will seek to find a “natural fit” between donors or Guides and their prospective grantees.

  • Yes! Our model is not just about providing funding and matching donors with prospective grantees, but to help grantees with their integration process after their retreats. We look at the Alcoholics Anonymous model, where those who have managed to stop destructive drinking then reach out to support others in their healing process. We would like prospective donors to give as much as they see fit―whether it be financial, non-financial, or a combination of both.

  • That will depend on the extent of the role you’d like to play. If you want to play the role of Mentor―and help to assist with the integration process― then you will know. Otherwise, we’ll be guided by the expertise of our strategic partners to connect the most appropriate donors with the most appropriate recipients, but this is not something we’ll necessarily be able to guarantee.

  • No, that will be up to our strategic partners, including the non-profits who work with the communities we intend to help, and the retreat centers that we’re collaborating with. Determining the most appropriate treatment and venues for a given group will be based on several factors.

  • Participating grantees will be asked to share what their challenges are, and what led them to this course of treatment. We will want them to let us know whether the experience was beneficial or not and how they have felt going forward. This information will be made available with strict adherence to privacy and with the grant recipient’s consent. We hope that a supportive relationship may even develop between a donor/Guide and recipient if both sides are willing, much like the AA model. This is a pioneering venture that will hopefully enrich the growing body of research that is helping to shed light on best practices regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Not beforehand, because responsibility for the preparation for the experience lies with the retreat center. Thereafter, if both parties are willing, communication and connection can and will take place and we’ll encourage it. Our ultimate goal is to create a “virtuous circle” of supportive community, a “pay it forward” model that enables people to connect with and help one another. It’s our belief that psychedelic-assisted therapy is just a tool in the long-term integration and healing process that is ultimately about creating community and connection.

  • No. All applicants are required to sign extensive releases that free HHCM and all related parties involved from any liability, either if their donation does not lead to positive change and/or if an individual is harmed during a retreat.

“The intelligent way to be selfish is to work for the welfare of others.”

— The Dalai Lama

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Please fill out the form to find out more about how to contribute as a donor.