Lorraine Percy
51 years ago at the age of 17, I had my first glimpse into the vastness of human consciousness through a psychedelic experience. This experience led me on a lifelong journey of exploring human consciousness and human potential through various spiritual practices and working with sacred medicines.
As a retired Registered Massage Therapist I work with non-ordinary states of consciousness through a somatic approach. My personal experience has shown me that deep healing and insights happen from a place beyond the mind. Every impression we receive throughout our lives is stored in the body as an energetic imprint. Much of it is long forgotten cognitively, but all of it is remembered on a deeper sensory level.
In 2006, after decades of meditation training and spiritual explorations, I returned to medicine work better-informed to work from a more mature, intentional place. My work is a synthesis of many of the trainings I have completed including, a 150-hour trauma focused, psychedelic therapy training, 18-month Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation training with Spirit Rock meditation centre, 7-day professional training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Jon Kabat-Zinn, 200-hour yoga teacher training with Nosara Institute, and Yin Yoga teacher training with Paul Greeley. I’ve also trained and volunteered at both the Victoria & Toronto Hospices. My body centred approach incorporates many modalities and energy techniques I’ve studied and practiced as a Registered Massage Therapist.
As interest in psychedelics and psychedelic therapy is growing exponentially, it is a critical time to create Codes of Ethics and Best Practices for therapists and guides working with these powerful medicines. I’m currently spearheading an Ethics Committee with the Canadian Psychedelic Association (CPA) and they will soon post my guide on how to choose a psychedelic therapist on their website.
We’re at a critical and fragile time for all life forms on this planet. I feel that a profound awakening to our interconnectedness and natural environment can alleviate some of the suffering and environmental destruction we face. Entheogens, used for a higher purpose, in a careful, safe, and intentional way, can be an important tool for healing, both personally and globally.