Set & Setting
Similar to these jellyfish, riding the waves presented by psychedelics takes us to where we need to go
Mindset (Set) - the mental state a person brings to the experience including mood, thoughts, and expectations. The mindset can be influenced by personality, beliefs, emotions and the intention set by the person.
Setting - the physical and social environment. This includes location, social presence or lack of presence, and engagement with all senses such as sound and smell.
Paying close attention to both set and setting helps to ensure you are open to all of the healing benefits made possible by the medicine while minimizing risks. Explore what speaks to you from this list or create your own practices.
SET
Journal - prompts listed below
Meditation / Breathwork
Art Creation - prompts listed below
Engage with Nature - hiking, gardening, animal watching
Movement - yoga, tai chi, calming stretches
SETTING
Who is present - safe support system
Location - comfortable private space
Touch - comfortable clothes, meaningful objects, altar of talisman or crystals
Taste - light snack, refreshing beverage
Smell - aromatherapy, flower essences, essential oils
Hear - calm intentional music, ensure there are no distractions
See - eye mask, dim lights
Intention Setting - an idea, mental state, or behavior you plan to carry out. An intention can help you be an active participant in your healing journey
What would you like to gain?
What would you like more of?
Where would you like to go?
Who would you like to be?
Why this experience?
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Describe a time when you felt like you were thriving. What contributed to that feeling?
Think about times when you are stressed. What can you do to help yourself in the moment?
Do you feel present lately? What makes you feel that way?
Compare your life today to your life last year. What has changed? In what ways is it better?
Think about your ideal life and write about the steps you’d have to take to get there.
How do you define success? Do you think your definition is realistic, and if not, what’s preventing you from redefining success?
Name a big decision you’ve been weighing and how you’re considering it. How will this decision impact your life? What’s the best possible outcome?
What’s something you’re judging yourself for? Name three ways you can change that line of thinking.
Write about a time you felt happiest and the most at peace in your own skin. What can you do to incorporate that feeling into your life more often?
What can I learn from my inner child? How can I tap into the curiosity, creativity, and resilience that I had as a child?
What are some of my limiting beliefs and self-talk that may be holding me back?
How can I strive for progress, rather than perfection, in my personal and professional life?
How can I cultivate a positive and optimistic attitude, even in the face of adversity and difficulty?
What are some new skills or knowledge areas that I want to develop?
Did I have any dreams or aspirations as a child? What did I want to be when I grew up?
What were some of the challenges or struggles I faced as a child? How did those experiences shape me?
How can I nurture and care for my inner child now? What activities or experiences bring me joy and playfulness?
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Visualize Release - Play relaxing background music and let yourself start to visualize stress releasing. Start to slow down your breathing, and allow the breath to become the focal point of your awareness. Now start to imagine all that you are breathing out, perhaps exhaling fear, anger, stress, etc. Or, maybe you're letting out love and light. Whatever you are releasing in order to relax. Think about color, texture, size and shape. Now draw what you breathed out. You can use any type of form or design to depict the feelings and thoughts.
Draw Your Armor - Think about what protects you. Reflect on what outside forces are interfering with you. What is your armor? How does it look? Create a piece based on your own armor. It can be literal or abstract.
Draw Your Depression - We suggest starting with a brief meditation or mindful check-in. Then, when you are a bit more relaxed, reflect on the experience of your depression. Now, draw or paint a visual representation of that depression. You can be literal or abstract, just stay connected to capturing the feeling.
The Worry Tree - Draw an outline of a tree without leaves. You can also print out an outline of a tree if you prefer not to draw it. Then, use words, symbols, figures, shapes to capture the essence of your worries and concerns and place them where the leaves would be.
