Embracing Death and Life: Psychedelics, Healing, and the End of Life Journey
Embracing End of Life: Integrating Psychedelics, Community, and Conscious Dying
In this insightful conversation, Corey and Susie discuss Corey's journey from Denver to Maui, where she now works in the end-of-life space as a death doula and hospice assistant. Corey shares her personal story of moving to Maui, transforming her life, and fully immersing herself in the local culture. They delve into the integration of psychedelics into end-of-life care, highlighting the potential to alleviate fear, anxiety, and unnecessary suffering in dying individuals. Corey also reflects on her experiences at the Psychedelic Science Conference, her work with various organizations, and the importance of presence-centered care. The discussion covers educational paths for those interested in the field, the importance of community support, and the potential transformative power of conscious dying practices. Through real-life stories and heartfelt insights, they explore how embracing death can lead to a more fulfilling and connected life.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:13 Journey to Maui
01:31 Life and Work in Maui
04:07 Psychedelics and End of Life Care
05:37 Integrating Psychedelics into End of Life Care
15:22 Facing Death and Nourishing Life
18:10 The Role of Death Doulas
24:06 Personal Reflections and Experiences
35:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Corey Westbury, MS, CHPNA (she/her) serves the Maui community as a minister, end-of-life educator, death doula, mentor, group facilitator, and certified hospice and palliative nursing assistant at Hospice Maui.
Her commitment to restoring deathcare as a sacred service galvanized after attending Doorway Into Light’s death doula training, an initiation that prompted her to realign her life and fully dedicate herself to the path.
Corey is the newest team member at Doorway Into Light, a non-profit organization on Maui founded by Reverend Bodhi Be, his wife Leilah Be, and Ram Dass. Doorway Into Light’s mission is to empower and support families and communities in Hawaii with holistic care of the aging and dying, including those in hospice, care of those who’ve passed, and counseling and care for grieving families. She is humbled to deepen into the work Ram Dass helped birth in the field of conscious dying in America.
Deeply devoted to the spiritual teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, Corey embodies a peaceful presence and a heart-centered approach to life and death. She holds space to honor the sacred mystery of life’s transitions, offering her light as a beacon for those navigating the thresholds of dying and grief. In her community, she is known as “a gem star weaving her magic into the hearts she touches”. Corey lives on Maui in the North Shore community of Haiku with an ever-growing collection of plants and her elderly cat, Pearl.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-westbury-chpna-19aa6522/
Website: www.doorwayintolight.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thedeathstore
Instagram: @thedeathstoremaui
* The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully [https://fiveinvitations.com/the-book/]by Frank Ostaseksi
* From Doorway Into Light - Facing Death, Nourishing Life (flyer attached)Date/time: September 29-November 13. This 7-week online training meets 2x each week for 2 hours (14 classes total). Mondays and Thursdays 10am-12pm Hawaii TimeCorey and the team at Doorway Into Light will guide us in deepening our relationships with death and dying, as well as to deeper meaning and purpose in our life. This training is for all those who wish to prepare for their dying time and their death, those who may care for a dying loved one, those who currently work in the fields of caring for the dying and their families, those wishing to or are being called to work in these fields, and those who care about the world.
For The Dying by John O’Donohue, “To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings” 2008
May death come gently towards you,
Leaving you time to make your way
Through the cold embrace of fear
To the place of inner tranquility.
May death arrive only after a long life
To find you at home among your own
With every comfort and care you require.
May your leave-taking be gracious,
Enabling you to hold dignity
Through awkwardness and illness.
May you see the reflection
Of your life's kindness and beauty
In all the tears that fall for you.
As your eyes focus on each face,
May your soul take its imprint
Drawing each image within
As companions for the journey.
May you find for each one you love
A different locket of jewelled words
To be worn around the heart
To warm your absence.
May someone who knows and loves
The complex village of your heart
Be there to echo you back to yourself
And create a sure word-raft
To carry you to the further shore.
May your spirit feel
The surge of true delight
When the veil of the visible
Is raised, and you glimpse again
The living faces
Of departed family and friends.
May there be some beautiful surprise
Waiting for you inside death,
Something you never knew or felt,
Which with one simple touch
Absolves you of all loneliness and loss,
As you quicken within the embrace
For which your soul was eternally made.
May your heart be speechless
At the sight of the truth
Of all your belief had hoped,
Your heart breathless
In the light and lightness
Where each and every thing
Is at last its true self
Within that serene belonging
That dwells beside us
On the other side
Of what we see.
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