Siddiq, founding director of the association, grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. He has been exploring the intersections of nature connection, meditation, and psychedelic medicine for the last 15 years.
He is a scholarship winner of the Somatic Plant Medicine Integration certification and and Trauma-informed Plant Medicine Masterclass offered by Atira Tan. As signatory of the North Star ethics pledge for psychedelic practitioners, he is guided by integrity and sincerity as foundational principles in his work.
His approach to psychedelic assisted therapy is grounded in an ongoing intensive study of the latest clinical research from the leading universities in the world. Influenced by the pioneering work of Dr Gabor Mate and Dr Basel van der Kolk in uncovering the somatic dimensions of trauma, his toolkit is based in psychosomatic therapy and incorporates elements of Dr Peter Levine´s Somatic Experiencing, Dr David Bercelli´s Trauma Release Exercises, emotional release exercises from the Reichian tradition of body-based psychoanalysis, and breathwork-based methods of nervous-system autoregulation.
He has spent months on intensive silent retreat, focusing particularly on nature-based practices of embodied contemplation such as pilgrimage and wilderness rites of passage. He has developed relationships with many species of fungi, building bioreactors and countless compost piles to produce inoculum for feeding soil fertility, foraging for wild edible and medicinal mushrooms, fermenting food and drink with wild and cultivated aerobic and anaerobic fungi, and setting up a laboratory for cloning and growing wild and cultivated species for mycoprotien, mycogardening, and mycotherapy. He has grown intimate with the life-cycles of mushrooms, from spores to mycelium to fruit. His investigation of psychedelic fungi has led him to study the ethnomycological traditions of the world, from modern curanderos to precolonial Native Americans, Siberian shamans, ancient Greek Mysteries, all the way back to the ceremonial practices of our paleolithic ancestors.
Details of this retreat
Online preparation/integration consultation, ideal for those who prefer to do their own DIY session at home.
Includes e-booklet with comprehensive instructions for conducting a self-guided 12-week program before and after a psychedelic journey.
Schedule
1:1 consultation
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
What's Included
Educational content to assist with integration
Customer Reviews
5.00 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
Wonderful experience I think about every day
I shared my experience with Elena in the beautiful El Gastor. I had no idea what to expect, but the beautiful surroundings helped me to relax and welcome the unknown. Then I met wonderful Elena and my worries disappeared. She was amazing at preparing me for the session. Now afterword I understand how important setting intentions was. I didn't have clear expectations, but rather a willingness to discover what I needed the most. And I got to do that! What a journey - full of laughter and crying. Elena was by my side the whole time, supporting me in all the situations. She also was amazing at playing instruments I've never seen in my life :) Thank you Elena for this amazing day, and for all the discussions, wise thoughts, laughter, open-mindedness, and tasty mushrooms :) Say hello to Cosmos!
5.0
Verified
Uplifting journey
I had an amazing journey with Siddiq. He hosted me with his thoughtful and caring partner Payton that cooked amazingly vegan herbal meals. Both made me safe and comfortable. I had a wonderful big room in this arty house in the mountains. The perfect landscape to connect with mushrooms. Siddiq hold the space respectfully with presence and gave me an amazing massage to relax and get into my trip. He was present all along to support whenever I had emotional moments. I highly recommend to be accompany by Siddiq !
5.0
Verified
Great experience
I recently had the privilege of participating in a session facilitated by Siddiq, and I must say it was a truly meaningful experience. From the moment I reached out to inquire about joining a psilocybin session, Siddiq was incredibly attentive and supportive. He took the time to address all my concerns and provided invaluable materials to help me prepare for the session, including a wealth of resources like videos, podcasts, and books. These resources served as a roadmap for further exploration and reflection, both before and after the session.
Upon arriving at the retreat, Siddiq made me feel completely at ease. He listened attentively to my apprehensions and took proactive steps to ensure my comfort. The relaxation exercises we engaged in beforehand were instrumental in calming my nerves and fostering a sense of acceptance.
Throughout the session, Siddiq was a steadfast presence, guiding me through each stage of the journey with compassion and expertise. His unwavering support, whether it was holding my hand during moments of fear or offering insightful suggestions when I felt lost, was truly invaluable. Even after the effects of the mushroom had subsided, Siddiq remained by my side, helping me process and integrate the experience.
The following day, we took a rejuvenating walk in the woods, allowing me to reconnect with nature and engage in meaningful conversation. Through it all, I came to a profound realization: individuals like Siddiq are the catalysts for healing in this world. His dedication, empathy, and wisdom have left an indelible mark on me, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
5.0
Verified
Beautiful setting and fantastic facilitor
From the moment I arrived I was made to feel very safe and welcome and that continued through the whole experience. Siddiq was a really safe and responsive facilitator and responded to whatever I needed throughout the session. He really is a pro. I would highly recommend for a beautiful, safe and lovely experience. I was made to feel so comfortable and safe through the whole journey, including the difficult parts. Enjoy your journey! :)
5.0
Verified
Clearly an experienced and confident facilitator!
My experience with Siddiq was great, he seemed very confident answering all my questions and definitely helped me feel comfortable with the whole experience- including preparation and the integration. He's very knowledgeable about working with mushrooms and all the current studies and was able to help me understand the benefits of psilocybin therapy. Really a great person to work with, thank you Siddiq!
Refund & Cancellation Policy
The event is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.