Visionary Art on display at the Pomona Art walk

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Administrator

Pomona Art Walk - Psychedelic Art
Psychedelic art- you know it when you see it. Even if the artist doesn’t wear the label, you know they’ve been hitting some Cid just by looking at their work.

Come to the Pomona Art Walk if you want to see some visionary art. It’s a monthly event that I keep rediscovering. Last Saturday we returned to the event after about a year and found some intriguing psychedelic exhibits.

Think I’m kidding? Take a look at the character above. Now, clearly he’s had a few doses himself.

Related Links:
- Get more info about the Pomona Art Walk

Posted in Art, Visionary Art | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Transformational Festivals are being discussed at the TED Conference; but why?

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Administrator

I had mixed feelings when I discovered that Transformational Festivals had been the topic of discussion at a TED x Conference. On one hand, I was flattered that a respected group of progressive thinkers would find such events to be worthy of discussion. On the other hand, I was concerned that such acknowledgements would bring unwanted attention to our delicate  and precious scene.

I can see why Transformational Festivals would be such a pertinent topic to a group of cutting edge technologists, philosophers, and progressive thinkers. A quick stroll around Burning Man or Lightning in a Bottle will reveal an abundance of techno savy community members who have constructed elaborate art cars and structures with state of the art sound systems and interactive features.

Still I ask, why do we need to advertise these events? Why must we justify the importance of these Transformational Festivals? Do we really want all these people to start attending?

Assuming that an individual is better than another is called elitism. I would be an elitist if I made the claim that some individuals have the right to take part in a Transformational Festival while others do not. I would never make such a claim. Having said that, I will argue that we need to “protect” our scene.

By “protecting” I mean we should be cautious about how we advertise our events to the rest of the world. If you’ve read my other posts, then you know that I believe in the power of “intention.” The best psychedelic events are those that are organized and attended by individuals with “proper intention.” That is individuals who seek to make the event special by encouraging open expression, participation, and spirituality.

What happens when we indiscriminately advertise these events to the rest of the world? Who will show up? Will they work to preserve our values? Is bigger necessarily better?

You can draw your own conclusion.

Related Links:

Posted in Psychedelic Culture | Tagged , | 1 Comment

They’re killing rave culture! Insomniac Bans LED Glove Shows at their Raves

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Administrator

Rave Glove Show

Recently, I was reminded why I don’t attend Insomniac “rave” events anymore. For the past several years raves have come under tight regulations. This time Insomniac has banned the use of any LED lights at their events. This means no more glove shows- a fundamental part of the rave experience. At this point I am declaring that these events are no longer “raves,” they have actually morphed into “concerts.”

In a statement released by Insomniac, they asked fans to leave the LED lights at home and let them (Insomniac) provide the light shows.  This goes against everything that ravers stand for. We go to raves to participate, not to watch.

I want to remind everyone why we fell in love with these events. It was all about the freedom to participate. Raving is all about the attendees, not the person on the stage. Raves took the idea of concert to the next level. At a rave, we the people are the show. I want to dress up, I want to dance, and darn it, I want to give the light show.

Those of you who still attend these events should consider who you’re giving your money to. Maybe it’s time to start banning Insomniac events in favor of another promoter who puts together gatherings that still value a person’s right to participate.

I still remember the days when people of all ages could come together, dance, give light shows, spin poi, glow string, and rave until the 4am in the morning. Those days are gone, but it doesn’t mean we can’t get’em back. I think it’s time to start examining our options.

Related Links:

    Posted in Psychedelic Culture | Tagged | 1 Comment

    BASSNECTAR, Bass Center III- September 17, 2011

    Posted on July 17, 2011 by Administrator
    bassnectar basscenter flyer 2011

    BASSNECTAR at BASS Center III, San Francisco - September 17, 2011

    This is the third year of BASSNECTAR’s Bass Center Show, and from what we’ve been told it’s a must see. For those of you going to the Burn, this will be a great way to decompress.

    Bass Center III is coming to the West Coast for a sweeping night of untold shenanigans! The city is San Francisco and the venue is the massive Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Commence countdown for Saturday, September 17th, 2011.

    With two Bass Centers under our belts, we just keep aiming bigger, heavier, and badder. This will be a spectacle any self-respecting bass head within 500 miles will simply not be able to miss. Spread the word and secure your entry early. The precedent is set for a sell out.

    Date & Time:

    Saturday, September 17,  2011

    Location:

    San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

    Why go?

    From what we’ve read in these BASSNECTAR trip-reports, this show will be a must-see!

    Related Links:

     

     

    Posted in Event Calendar, Events, Psychedelic Culture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

    How to Achieve a Spiritual Psychedelic Trip

    Posted on July 5, 2011 by Administrator

    believe

    Diego Palma is a curandero we visited in Peru who taught us how to activate the spirit of Ayahuasca and access its wisdom.

    1. Believe: If you’d like to experience a “spiritual” psychedelic trip, then you must first “believe” in the spiritual potential of the plant or substance. By believing in a substance, you activate its spirit, allowing it to communicate with you.

    For some people, the psychedelic experience is just a drug induced high. For others, it is a journey of the soul. I like to say that “truth is in the mind of the believer.”

    sacred space

    Our Ayahuasca ceremonies were held in a temple. Diego decorated the temple with candles, artwork, and other special objects to create an atmosphere of sacredness.

    2. Create a Sacred Space: Setting has a tremendous effect upon a psychedelic journey. You can easily create a sacred space using art, music, lights, and special objects found around the house.

    Festivals such as Burning Man do a great job of creating a massive “sacred space”. Thousands of people collaborate on massive art installations, music, and performances, creating a tripper’s paradise.

     

    intention

    At the beginning of each ceremony Diego would ask us to focus our attention on the upcoming journey. He asked us to open our hearts to the wisdom that would be communicated by the Ayahuasca spirit.

    3. Establish Intention: Some people use psychedelics for simple amusement while others are in search of the divine. Your intention will determine what you experience during your voyage.

    So, if you’re looking for spiritual insight, then you must establish that as your intention. This can be as simple as making up your mind to have a spiritual trip.

     

     

    trip sitter

    Diego served as the trip-sitter of the group. Although he too drank the ayahuasca, Diego took it upon himself to ensure that everyone was safe during the trip.

    4. Obtain a Trip-Sitter: Those who trip for spiritual insight often take large “heroic doses”. While doing so can certainly deepen your experience, it also makes you more susceptible to harmful behavior.

    I find that having a trip sitter present not only lessens the likelihood of a dangerous trip, but also gives me the courage to venture deeper because I know someone is there to assist me in the default world. Trip sitters serve as safeguards as well as great companions to assist in reflection and integration (see tip #7).

    meditate

    Meditation was used in the beginning of the ceremony to help us center our attention. I found that it was also a good tool to use during difficult parts of the trip.

    5. Meditate: Meditation offers many benefits for psychonauts. Meditating prior to a trip helps you to silence the ‘inner noise’, and focus your concentration.

    During a journey, meditation can be useful if you become overwhelmed, get stuck in a negative cycle, or just want to tune up your mental awareness.

    If you are interested in employing meditation it is best to practice regularly. Many resources are available online.

    close your eyes

    The strongest visions of an Ayahuasca trip often arrive when you close your eyes. Diego taught us to venture inward in order to access the deepest knowledge.

    6. Close Your Eyes and Be Quiet: Too often when we trip we get caught up in what is going on around us. While the outside world can be very intriguing, the visions behind your eyelids are the most profound.

    Make it a habit to dedicate a significant portion of your trip to just lying there in silence with your eyes closed.

    Enlightenment is sometimes delivered through visions. Not to mention, that this can be the best way to encounter entities…that is if you believe.

    reflect and integrate

    The day following our Ayahuasca journey we reflected by sharing our experiences. I found that new insights would surface as I discussed my journey.

    7. Reflect & Integrate: Spend the next day reflecting on the wisdom you may have gained from the experience. Next, determine how you will integrate the wisdom from your trip into your everyday life.

    There are many things that you can do to accomplish this step: share your experience with a friend; write in your journal; spin your poi, staff, or hoop. The important thing is that you allow time to ponder the experience.

    Posted in Psychedelic Culture, Spirituality | Leave a comment

    Flow Arts: Spiritual Language of Movement (Video Playlist)

    Posted on July 4, 2011 by Administrator


    The flow arts are a beautiful form of expression, but they’re more than just dazzling patterns. I believe the flow arts are another form of language. It’s hard for me to say what is being communicated, but when I’ve observed the poi, hoop, and staff through the psychedelic lens, I’ve received messages. The message cannot be translated to the written or spoken word, but it is one of simplicity. In fact, “simplicity” may be the closest that I can get to putting the message into words.

    If you find my “message theory” hard to believe, perhaps you can accept the fact that flow arts have a calming effect upon the nervous-psychedelic mind. At my first Portal Penetration Gathering, I found that the fire dancers provided much needed relief. The simple patterns they created eased my mind at a very difficult moment during my journey.

    As you gaze at the videos above, contemplate the effect that the patterns may have upon yourself during a heavy psychedelic journey. Consider the manner in which psychedelics open your eyes to things you otherwise may not have seen. Then ask yourself, “is it possible that we may have stumbled upon a new language?”

    Related Links:

    Posted in Flow Arts | Leave a comment

    Sacred Mushroom Mandala- A Special Gift from a Special Artist

    Posted on July 2, 2011 by Administrator
    Mushroom Mandala

    An artist's vision is their most precious gift. Thank you for sharing this sacred mushroom mandala with us Sylvan.

    He lives thousands of miles away from me on the continent of  Australia. I’ve never met him in person, and we’ve only conversed a handful of times over the net. Still, I can tell you that Sylvan O’Reilly is a special person with a big heart. The spectacular mushroom mandala seen above, suddenly appeared in my email inbox without warning.  It had been nearly two months since I had spoken to Sylvan, so seeing his name in my mailbox was a pleasant surprise. Opening the email I noticed that it contained an attachment which further excited me. The email contained a short note:

    “I have a design for the FleshCap movement. A gift that you may use for creating more awareness in the psychedelic field. ~Sylvan”

    As the image appeared on my screen I had to suppress the urge to yell out with excitement. I was at work, so I had to maintain my composure. “This is the most sacred of visions,” I thought to myself as I studied the fine details that Sylvan had placed around the mushroom. Wasting no time, I quickly emailed the image to my brother Lee and my girlfriend Irene. They both agreed that this was one of the finest pieces of sacred mushroom art ever created.

    I later emailed Sylvan telling him that I wanted to compensate him with a small monetary donation for his time. He said he wanted nothing. Then, I remembered his message, “a gift”, that’s what he called it. Thank you Sylvan; an artist’s vision is their most precious gift. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

    Related Links

    Posted in Art, Psychedelic Culture, Visionary Art | 3 Comments

    Another EDC Death, this time in Texas

    Posted on June 19, 2011 by Administrator
    EDC Dallas

    A year after the tragic death of a young teenage girl in L.A., a nineteen year old man dies at the same event in Dallas.

    It’s like a sequel to a tragic movie. Another person has died while attending the Electric Daisy Carnival. Last year, a fifteen year old girl died at EDC  2010 in Los Angeles bringing much public scrutiny to the rave scene. This time, a nineteen year old man has died at the same event in Dallas Texas. To be clear, the exact cause of death of this man has not yet been determined, but something tells me that it is likely to be drug related.

    Tragedies such as this beg the question, “are these events dangerous?” Undoubtedly, the media certainly thinks they are, and will certainly paint them out to be so. Having attended these events for years, I am well aware that it is not the event that is dangerous, it’s the people’s behavior that make it dangerous. Promoters simply provide a venue and entertainment, nothing dangerous about that.  The choice to consume dangerous substances is made by the individual.

    The point I’m getting at is that perhaps what the public needs to be concerned with is not shutting down raves such as EDC, instead they need to be concerned about educating ravers. Taking drugs is dangerous, but no one can stop the drug consumption. Educating those who choose to consume drugs will help to reduce harmful occurrences. What we need is truthful drug knowledge to be delivered by honest individuals. Simple advice such as not mixing alcohol and ecstasy, or not mixing two types of e-pills can help to reduce harm.

    Don’t let yourself or someone you care about become another statistic. Take the time to educate yourself and apply that knowledge when you explore substances. Tragic stories such as this one just become ammunition for the politicians that seek to shut us down.

    Related Links

    • Dance Safe – health and safety information for consuming substances.
    Posted in Electric Daisy Carnival, Politics, Rave Culture, Raves | Leave a comment

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    Posted on June 10, 2011 by Administrator

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    Posted on June 10, 2011 by Administrator

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