How Psychedelic Medicinal Plants and The Shamanic Medicine Wheel Changed My Life: A Personal And Professional True Story

When I first decided to take a pause from my mainstream neurological practice located in Delaware, USA in December 2020 it was Springtime in Brazil. Those weeks were filled with fears, apprehensions and worries, as transformation, change and facing our demons are some of the scariest processes we encounter in human life.

To help me through the metamorphosis, I sought refuge in The Shamanic Medicine Wheel, the teachings of the Three Worlds, the Four Directions and the four natural elements: Fire, Wind, Water and Earth. I will tell you now how nature has helped me heal from Physician Burnout and how it has contributed to the awakening of clients with Functional Illnesses, chronic unhappiness, and life dissatisfaction:

• Spring: Guided by the Sun and the element Fire, through prayer, visualization exercises, rituals, and the Holocene Practices, I was able to awaken my inner Fire, strengthen my will, uncover my dreams, my soul’s yearnings and desires. Embodying the transformative power of the Fire allowed me to convert past negative tendencies, doubts and attachment, into courage and determination to jump into an unknown abyss of adventures and possibilities. I was able to reconnect with my life’s purpose. Reflecting on the characteristics of mythological and power animals such as the Eagle, Condor, Dragon and the Phoenix helped me embark on a new flight, leaving behind a routine of high speed, productivity, materialism, consumerism, overwork, physical, mental stress, lack of time for leisure, rest, creativity and family activities, and moving towards a more balanced life, centered by purposeful living, where enjoying every single breath, and every second was the purpose itself.

  From a modern, intellectual perspective, the wisdom of Existential Psychology, the literature of Viktor Frankl, the behavioral and social sciences, also helped me understand the true meaning of life and the causes of happiness. Still at times, old thought patterns, worries, self-judgement, and anxieties come up, but at a much lesser degree, no longer overpowering me, but today I can stay in control of my destiny.

   Reviewing all these concepts and the teachings of the Spring Season has been extremely helpful for clients suffering from Functional Illnesses triggered by the chronic disconnection with their soul’s purpose. 

• Summer: The Water element abundant in the rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and the rains, have taught me about the fluidity of our emotions, their coming and going, their connection to the Moon, the rain, the clouds, our internal fluids, our hormones, and everything taking place in our surroundings. The traits of the Serpents, as animal spirit guides, complemented me while I was uncovering my own traumas, the legacy of my past, my genetics, my cultural heritage, and I was able to see how those events had subconsciously conditioned my being. I have learned to understand the damaging patterns living in my subconscious, to express my emotions easily, to map how emotions show in my physical body, being able to uncover their meaning and utilize them to understand myself and my surroundings, creating paths of self-awareness towards the full manifestation of my inner most longings. Reflecting on the qualities of the Coyotes, Wolves and Canines as power animals, I was able to retrieve the importance of the family, friendships and the community, prioritizing human inter-connectedness, compassion and empathy over work, productivity or material significances. We are social animals, not entities made for efficiency.

  From a neurological and physiological perspective I have utilized and manifested the power of my mirror neurons, applied with diligence the teachings of Emotionally Focused Therapy, explored the connections between the neuronal circuits involved in emotions and the physical body, no longer getting scared when anxiety, fears or anger manifest in the form of chest tightness, subtle weakness, shakiness, vibration, or hot temperature, but understanding that these are normal responses to thoughts, memories, emotions and other internal and external processes. Of course I have not nearly discovered everything that permeates my subconscious mind, all the stored emotions from my lifetime, my childhood or generations ago, but I am much more aware of the relationship between emotions, physical body, mind and spirituality/environment, being able to make sense of what I am feeling and sensing, identifying much easily when defensive or protective mechanisms start to build up and choosing consciously the best next action, with the goal of looking at daily challenges like the Lotus flower does with the mud, using it to fuel my growth. 

  Sharing the Summer teachings with students bothered by functional discomfort have allowed them to understand that many of the “symptoms” they experience are the manifestation of stored emotions in their bodies. They have learned to release what no longer serves them, keeping only the learning experiences to avoid future detrimental situations, and thus preventing and releasing the buildup of emotional energy in the physical body.

• Autumn: Connecting to the solidity of the mountains, the abundance and prosperity of Mother Earth has helped me feel more grounded and realize that we do not need money to survive, but what we do need is pure air, clean waters, fruits, and vegetables free from chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides. We require fertile soil and bright sunrays filtered by a healthy Ozone layer. I realized that I can live without plastic, without excessive clothing or material goods. I do not need to work more that what my body or mind can tolerate. I do not need to sacrifice my entire life to have things or to secure retirement; I simply need to live in harmony with our Mother Nature, respecting her and caring for her, because she is our ultimate mother, the one who gives us everything we truly need to survive. I have recognized that we also require other human beings, the beauty of plants and animals, the sounds of birdsongs, the oxygen and phytoncides produced by trees. Of course, I also need currency to buy certain necessary goods, but I no longer live to earn money, I simply need to live a fulfilling life, in harmony with that which sustains me: nature. 

  Science has reinforced with clarity my understanding that the current rates of depression, anxiety and other mood disorders, the raise of physician burnout, chemical and activity addictions (opiates, heroine, narcotics, pain killers, antidepressants, pornography, internet, gambling, just to name a few) are the result of many problems of modern lifestyle. The immense wave of mental illnesses, the frightening frequency of deaths by overdose, particularly in the young, the high rates of divorce, disputes among family members, the various forms of cultural trauma, the oppression and exploitation of other human beings and animals, the increasing cancer incidence, the atmospheric, soil and water pollutions, and the overproduction of energy from destructive sources, are the result of a subconscious illusion that is afflicting us all; an anomalous believe implanted in our minds that says that productivity, materialism and consumerism are our human priorities. This is wrong. This is not true. All scientific studies, from behavioral, to psychological, social and environmental, have been saying for decades that we must change the way we are living and our priorities, because we are destroying ourselves, and we will leave nothing for our children and our grandchildren. So, we must continue to wake up, we must continue learning and sharing the philosophy of nature, which is tightly linked to our human nature, our needs and our health. 

  With ourselves and our clients, it has been fascinating to witness the power of Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Coaching, Mind-Body Inquiry, Body Consciousness, and the positive results of uncovering the wisdom of our physical bodies, understanding the meaning of our various physiological processes. And with Shamanism; how the characteristics of the Tigers, Jaguars, Pumas and Lions remind us to treat our physical bodies as our biggest treasure; to rest, sleep, have fun and live in the present moment in perfect harmony with our surroundings, working to cover our needs, eventually eliminating all traces of greed and egoism.

• Winter: The cold months and the Wind element has brought greater peace to my mind, reminding me of the importance to slow down, of unraveling the origin of our mental and thought patterns, to investigate the causes and triggers of stress, and to work towards achieving freedom; mentally, emotionally and spirituality. I have been able to recover my creativity and creative power, dedicating more time to develop the beautiful skills hosted in the right hemisphere of my brain, singing, playing musical instruments, painting, sharing knowledge and doing it all for the mere pleasure of doing it, feeling the true meaning of intrinsic happiness. The beauty and the elegance of the Hummingbird as a totem animal has helped me cultivate freedom of spirit and speech, perfecting my communication, reminding me also to take only what I need from the environment, leaving the flowers intact, happier, and pollinated, contributing to the growth and development of everything that surrounds me. The White Buffalo reminded me of my right to rest without feeling guilty, to understand the origins of false or imposed guilts, and to release my being from self-judgment, lack of self-trust and confidence.

  Of course, there are still many tendencies and subconscious patterns that I have not yet discovered, but the continued practice of meditation, self-reflection, self-inquiry will lead me to better lands, always remembering to change myself before proposing that others change. I feel deeply honored and grateful for having had in my life so many wonderful masters, teachers, shamans and sages, that have come in the form of books, articles, speakers, researchers, faculty members and attendings. Today I can look at the difficult learnings with respect and appreciation. This is how life has unfolded, so I offer gratitude for still being alive, for my curiosity and my determination, and I ask forgiveness to everything and everyone in the universe for all my mistakes and my ignorance. From a neurological perspective, I will continue learning and sharing how can we all turn our minds into our most powerful ally.

  To my native ancestors and the psychedelic medicinal plants and fungi: Cocoa, Ayahuasca, Huachuma, Peyote, Psylocibin and Cannabis I offer my prayers, my appreciation, my reverence, and I promise I will continue working on transmitting the valuable knowledge they hold, in the best way possible, with the upmost ethics, commitment, compromise and service. Before I was trying to heal neurological illnesses, today I am an ally in the awakening of the wealth of knowledge hosted in our human race, our human nature, and our Mother Nature. May I always be a vehicle of accurate transmission of this sacred wisdom. 

  To Diego Leite Rudra Rhudana, lifelong student and teacher of shamanism, my deepest gratitude for your time, your patience, your interest, your commitment, your sacrifice, your heartfelt work, your service to the preservation, updating and propagation of the ancient knowledge that was assigned to you by your own teachers and the sacred medicinal plants. May all the energies of the universe and the natural elements always protect your path, your health, your family and your community. Thank you for taking me as your student and for sharing your wisdom with me!

  To the most advanced students at the Holocene School of Shamanism, it is an honor to continue learning and brainstorming with all of you!

  To our newest clients, students, volunteers, and participants from the northern and southern hemispheres, I cannot wait to continue sharing, understanding, and applying modern and ancient wisdom with all of you through our live conversations, written exchanges, ceremonies and retreats.

  As always,

  At your service,

  Yadira Velazquez, MD

  Empowerment and Functional Disorders Healing Ally.