I'm thrilled to share with you the latest episode of "Flourish or Fold: Stories of Resilience," where we dive deep into the transformative world of spiritual growth and the power of psychedelics. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the remarkable Austin Mao, head minister and founder of Ceremonia, an energetic church that's redefining spiritual practice in Colorado.

The Energetic Church & Psychedelics as Sacraments: We explored the intriguing concept of an energetic church and how psychedelics, like ayahuasca, are used as sacred tools to deepen our connection with the divine. Austin opened up about his first encounter with ayahuasca and the profound impact it had on his life, reshaping his memories and guiding him on a path of enlightenment.

Guiding Others Through Personal Transformation: Austin and I discussed a crucial question: Should one do their own inner work before leading others? The answer is a resounding yes! Austin emphasized the importance of self-accountability and practicing what we preach to truly guide others toward their spiritual truth.

Challenges, Intuition, and Spiritual Ego: Life's challenges are often our greatest teachers. Austin shared his personal struggles, including overcoming pride and spiritual ego, and how these experiences cemented his commitment to his spiritual journey. We also delved into the art of accessing intuition, quieting the mind, and tuning into our body's signals.

The Role of Suffering in Growth: Do we need to suffer to change? This thought-provoking question led us to discuss David Hawkins' map of consciousness and the pursuit of truth. Austin recounted a pivotal moment of rejection at an ayahuasca retreat that forced him to confront his humility and the lessons learned from suffering.

This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone interested in spiritual growth, the role of psychedelics in religious practice, and the journey towards self-discovery. It was a reminder of the importance of doing our own inner work before guiding others, the power of intuition, and the profound lessons that can emerge from our darkest moments. Thank you so much to Austin Mao for sharing his journey with us.

To learn more about Austin and his church visit: https://www.ceremoniacircle.org and https://www.austinmao.com. 

Until next time, keep flourishing!

Here are some highlights of the episode to look forward to:

Intuition and Personal Growth (00:00:00 ): We discuss the importance of personal growth and intuition in guiding others.

Introduction to Ceremonia (00:01:20 ): Austin introduces Ceremonia, an energetic church, and its use of psychedelics as sacraments.

Austin's Personal Journey (00:04:07 ): Austin's journey in founding Ceremonia and the transformative effects of psychedelics on his life.

Accessing Intuition (00:11:10 ): Austin explains the process of accessing intuition through quieting the mind and connecting with the body.

Challenges and Spiritual Growth (00:18:40 ): Austin shares significant challenges that have shaped his spiritual growth and personal transformation.

Courage and Suffering (00:27:21 ): Discussion on how courage can release one from suffering and the steps from apathy to courage.

Risking for Freedom (00:30:00 ): Exploring the willingness to risk everything for freedom and the consequences of perpetuating suffering.

Transformation in Relationship (00:32:22 ): The impact of being willing to risk a marriage and the transformative effects of introspection and change in a relationship.

Awakening Others (00:37:28 ): The possibility of awakening and helping others through personal transformation and being an embodiment of change.

Acceptance and Love (00:40:23 ): The importance of acceptance and love in helping others awaken and the role of the inner child's desires.

Guiding Role (00:42:36 ): The necessity for someone in a guiding role to have done their own inner work before leading others.

Ceremonia and Energetic Church (00:44:09 ): Information on where to find the work of Ceremonia and the energetic church, including resources and schedules.