I missed these posts when they were released. However, they remind me of my own experience last year. I had been years free of drink and drugs ( I used to be partial to the odd joint in the past). One nagging thought persisted, should I try ayahuasca? All and sundry seemed to be talking about it and I was invited onto retreats repeatedly by different people. Intuitively I knew that I didn't need it and that the spiritual journey was a slow and patient one. All my experiences and knowledge pointed to this, there was no need ( for me). I settled on the concept, if I felt truly called to partake, I would consider it. However I was seeing my journey as one of purification and didn't want to derail that. But occasionally I wondered whether I was at a crossroads and an ayahuasca retreat would propel me forwards. The larger part of me knew this not to be the case, was I subconsciously seeking the oblivion of dissociation? Did I just want another thrill? The question was there. Then the universe decided to give me a kick up the arse and answer my question. At my sisters birthday party in a seaside hotel, I was designated taxi service at the end as I was mary poppins, clean as a whistle. The noise and chaotic energy at the party was dreadful, people reeked of stale tobacco, booze and scent. Since the noise was so loud, people had to shout into your face to be heard. When the party finished I was relieved and set about driving people home. To cut a long story short, my nephew acquired some 'chocolate'. Together with my younger brother, we retired to mother's to watch a late film. After sharing numerous bars of 'chocolate, I began to feel strange. There was a recess in the masonary under the TV with an 18 inch figure clutching a bible. She began to unfold her arms and step onto the carpet. My nephew, sitting askew a pulsating sofa, his jaws growing into crocodilian proportions was saying, 'I'm sorry, I never knew it was so strong'. I had eaten a large portion of chocolate heavily laced with shrooms. I recall afterwards it was agreed I had eaten 4-8 times the normal dose. I was awake all night. The fascinating thing was that I was able to calmly observe the affects from the perspective of the observer and compare what was happening to my knowledge of the multidimensional state. Whatever I focused on, boiled off into a frenzy of exploding creation, layer upon layer, plant, animal, crystalline, geometric, dimension after dimension... the colours, shapes and possibilities were infinite, it was insane! So I clung on all night by the fingernails. The next day I felt endowed with supreme clarity. As you build your appreciation of consciousness, you need a firm foundation from which to carefully grow. Otherwise, knowing how powerful my creative potential was, I would be in no man's land. Hence the importance of baby steps, testing, evaluating, reflecting ( and integrating too I suppose). After a few choice phrases I thanked my guides. My enquiry was certainly answered that night.