integration
Accessing altered states of consciousness, whether through spiritual practices like meditation, the use of psychedelic medicines or sometimes just spontaneously, can be profound and life changing experiences. However sometimes experiences of altered states of consciousness can be difficult to integrate, leaving us with undigested elements of our experience. It is not uncommon for unintegrated traumatic content from our history to arise or for intense somatic processes to initiate during these states. Bodily experience of great intensity, whether that be intense fear or intense openness or safety, can be overwhelming. Being supported to connect with the body in ways that feel more grounded and less overwhelming can help a new sense of meaning to emerge or help to release charge in the system to help return to a more stable regulated state.