Sermon: The Wisdom Hidden Inside Old Stories

Sermon: The Wisdom Hidden Inside Old Stories

How does the universe speak to us through the religious traditions, cultural stories, folklore, and wisdom we inherited? Teopixqui Dez introduces a new sermon series exploring the eclectic language of the universe and the truths that appear across different cultures, religions, and spiritual traditions. Although sacred texts and religious institutions can carry human agendas, Dez argues that meaningful wisdom can still be found within their stories when we approach them thoughtfully. Dez shares the Mexican folklore of los duendes, small beings said to live beneath the beds of children who failed to keep their rooms clean. Beneath the supernatural warning is a practical lesson about cleanliness, responsibility, and the ways stories can help communities pass wisdom from one generation to the next. Threadkeeper Sara then shares the story behind the phrase "pocket fish." Rather than understanding the feeding of the 5,000 only as food supernaturally multiplying, Sara offers another interpretation: the people gathered on the hillside were inspired to share the food they had brought with them. When everyone contributed a little, the community discovered that it had more than enough. For Sara, the story reflects the second universal truth: embrace the communal experience. The Colorado Psychedelic Church was not built through large grants or institutional wealth. It was built through the time, resources, creativity, labor, and "pocket fish" shared by members of the community. Oracle Richard offers another piece of inherited religious wisdom: "Eat the meat and spit out the bones." Not every sermon, teaching, tradition, or belief will resonate with every person. We can receive what nourishes us, release what does not, and remain open to the possibility that something we once discarded may speak to us differently later. Together, these reflections invite us to explore the stories that shaped us without blindly accepting or completely rejecting them. What wisdom remains when we remove the agenda? What lessons still nourish us? And how might sharing those lessons strengthen the divine us we create together? Episode Highlights * Dez reflects on recovering from the emotional effects of nearby fires and the lingering trauma of surviving a house fire * Introducing the eclectic language of the universe * Perennial wisdom appearing across cultures, religions, and traditions * Why sacred texts can contain both divine insight and human agenda * Separating Christianity from the harm committed through Christian nationalism * Separating Jewish identity and faith from political agendas * Mexican folklore and the practical lesson behind los duendes * Inviting congregants to share stories inherited from their families, cultures, and former faiths * Threadkeeper Sara explains the meaning of "pocket fish" * Reinterpreting the feeding of the 5,000 as an act of communal generosity * How small contributions create abundance * Oracle Richard on "eating the meat and spitting out the bones" * Taking what nourishes us without requiring every teaching to resonate * The difference between sharing spirituality and proselytizing * Creating conversations about how the universe speaks differently to each of us About the Colorado Psychedelic Church The Colorado Psychedelic Church is a community centered on healing, connection, PACK Life, and responsible engagement with entheogens and sacred compounds. Through sermons, ceremonies, integration, education, and community events, the church provides a place where people can explore their spirituality, reconnect with themselves, and experience the strength of meaningful community. Contact Us Learn more about the Colorado Psychedelic Church, explore upcoming events, listen to the podcast, or connect with the community at ColoradoPsychedelicChurch.com. Colorado Psychedelic Church 5028 North Academy Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Beyond Set and Setting: Gv Freeman on Psychedelic Safety, Self-Sovereignty & Doing the Work

What if "set and setting" is only a small part of psychedelic safety? Author and facilitator Gv Freeman believes we've outgrown the framework that has guided psychedelic culture for more than 60 years. In this thoughtful conversation, he introduces a more complete approach to healing—one that emphasizes informed consent, personal responsibility, trustworthy facilitation, preparation, activation, and the courage to change your life after the medicine shows you what's true. Drawing from decades of recovery, therapy, spiritual practice, and years working with sacred medicines, Gv challenges some of the psychedelic movement's biggest assumptions while offering practical guidance for anyone considering—or already walking—the psychedelic path. In this episode… Teopixqui Dez welcomes Gv Freeman, author of Healing with Psychedelics, for a deep conversation about what it truly means to heal. Rather than relying solely on Timothy Leary's famous concept of "set and setting," Gv explains why modern psychedelic work requires a much broader framework. His Psychedelic Safety Wheel encourages participants to think critically about benefits, risks, preparation, dosage, facilitation, community, integration, and—perhaps most importantly—taking responsibility for their own experience. The conversation explores why certifications alone don't make someone a great facilitator, how to recognize red flags before entering ceremony, and why trusting your intuition may be one of the most important safety tools you have. Gv also offers a refreshing perspective on integration. While many people focus on understanding their psychedelic experiences, he argues that lasting transformation comes through activation—actually changing your life in response to what the medicine reveals. Along the way, Dez and Gv discuss ego death, purpose, enjoyment, indigenous wisdom, therapeutic versus spiritual approaches, and why psychedelics should never be viewed as a magic pill. The result is an honest, practical conversation that challenges listeners to become active participants in their own healing rather than passive recipients waiting to be fixed. In this conversation * Why "set and setting" are no longer enough * The Psychedelic Safety Wheel and how it improves safety * Why informed consent matters before every journey * How to evaluate a psychedelic facilitator * The difference between clinical, therapeutic, spiritual, and indigenous approaches * Why certifications don't automatically equal competence * Red flags to watch for before participating in ceremony * The importance of self-sovereignty and personal responsibility * Why integration without action often falls short * Gv's concept of "activation" and putting insights into practice * Why healing isn't a one-time event or a magic pill * The role of enjoyment, purpose, and trust in long-term transformation * What growing psychedelic communities can learn from indigenous traditions About Gv Freeman Gv Freeman is the author of Healing with Psychedelics and creator of the Psychedelic Safety Wheel, a modern framework designed to help people navigate psychedelic experiences more safely and intentionally. His work draws on decades of recovery, therapy, spiritual practice, transformational coaching, and years of facilitating sacred medicine work. Through his writing, coaching, and teaching, Gv encourages people to become informed, self-sovereign participants in their own healing rather than outsourcing responsibility to facilitators, institutions, or the medicines themselves. About the Colorado Psychedelic Church The Colorado Psychedelic Church is a community dedicated to healing, authentic connection, and spiritual growth through the responsible use of entheogens and sacred compounds. With more than 2,800 members, weekly sermons, Friday Lounge Nights, educational events, support groups, and a growing podcast, the church exists to help people heal together—not simply through psychedelic experiences, but through meaningful community, honest conversation, and the ongoing work of personal transformation. Whether someone is taking their first steps into psychedelic exploration or has spent years on the path, the church strives to create a safe, welcoming environment where people can ask questions, find support, and discover what healing looks like for them. Contact Us Colorado Psychedelic Church 5028 North Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719-412-5860 https://ColoradoPsychedelicChurch.com

Sermon: The Skills We Bring to the Divine Us

In this sermon from the Colorado Psychedelic Church, Teopixqui Dez reflects on the end of the church's first month in the new storefront space and the movement that has grown from two people in a basement into a thriving community in Colorado Springs. Dez opens by honoring those who are no longer physically present, reminding the congregation that their light is still carried forward through love, memory, and revelry. From there, the sermon turns toward community as a place where people can be frail, honest, wounded, and still loved. Dez shares openly about the lingering trauma of losing nearly everything in a house fire 11 years ago, and how the smell of smoke still affects them today. In that vulnerability, Dez models what it means to know your limits, give yourself grace, and trust the community enough to step back when needed. The sermon also includes reflections from Thaumaturgist Julian, Bjorn, and Oracle Richard, each sharing how community has shaped them. Julian speaks about leaving the military, finding purpose through sacrament, and discovering a form of community beyond trauma bonding. Bjorn shares how the church helped him through a dark PTSD episode and gave him a renewed voice and purpose. Oracle Richard reflects on finding his role through Discord, organization, ceremony support, and the simple invitation to "see the need, fill the need." Together, these stories remind us that clergy are not above the congregation. They are part of it. Each person brings skills, gifts, wounds, and wisdom that help build the divine us. Episode Highlights * The end of the church's first month in the new space * Remembering the first sermons in Dez's home and basement * Honoring Harry and others who are no longer physically present * Carrying memory through joy, love, and revelry * Community as a place where frailty is welcomed * Dez sharing the lasting impact of a house fire 11 years ago * Learning to recognize when you are "crispy" and need rest * Why grace must extend to ourselves as much as others * Thaumaturgist Julian on military trauma bonding, purpose, and sacrament * Bjorn on PTSD, veteran support, and finding his voice * Oracle Richard on Discord, organization, and using your gifts * The reminder that clergy stand beside the congregation, not above it * The invitation to notice needs and bring your skills to the community * Weekly sacrament, new member orientation, and the strain Creeper About the Colorado Psychedelic Church The Colorado Psychedelic Church is a community built around healing, connection, PACK Life, and responsible engagement with entheogens and sacred compounds. Through sermons, ceremonies, integration, education, and community events, the church creates space for people to reconnect with themselves, find belonging, and experience healing in community. Contact Us Learn more, view the event calendar, and connect with the community at ColoradoPsychedelicChurch.com.

Sermon: Taking Your Good Day Out on the World

In this sermon from the Colorado Psychedelic Church, Teopixqui Dez speaks about the rapid growth of the community, the responsibility of protecting a safe space, and the role every congregant plays in helping others feel seen, welcomed, and loved. Dez begins with updates on sacrament, including metocin, which offers a more predictable experience similar to psilocybin while reducing nausea, as well as upcoming education on Amanita muscaria. He also reflects on the church's growth, noting that more than 230 new members have joined in just three weeks, bringing the congregation to more than 2,700 people impacted by the community. The sermon then turns toward accountability, safety, and the difficult work of removing malice from the community when needed. Dez reminds listeners that a safe space must be defended, that PACK Life includes accountability, and that love with a backbone sometimes means drawing firm boundaries. From there, Dez returns to the month's theme of community, encouraging congregants to welcome new faces, share the church without proselytizing, and take their good days out on the world. Every kind word, every moment of care, and every invitation into community can become an act of divine intervention. Timeline 00:01 – Wonderful problems: the church needs more chairs 00:40 – Updates on metocin and making the sacrament more comfortable 02:15 – Offering metocin as a sacrament option and asking for feedback 03:00 – Upcoming education around Amanita muscaria 04:10 – Sharing the stage with congregants and community members 05:15 – More than 230 new members in three weeks 06:15 – Welcoming new faces and naming the "mushroom cult" joke 07:40 – What people misunderstand about church and community 09:10 – Growth can bring confidence, but also arrogance if unchecked 10:10 – Addressing recent harm, malice, and anti-men rhetoric in the community 12:15 – No smoke, no mirrors: why transparency matters 13:20 – Discord as an extension of the church community 14:35 – Accountability as part of PACK Life 16:00 – Creating a safe space means defending it 18:25 – Drawing boundaries when former members harass the community 20:15 – Returning to the month's topic: community 21:20 – Community as the answer to depression, anxiety, and isolation 23:15 – The monsters our ancestors chased versus the monsters we face now 24:45 – Helping new people feel welcomed 25:40 – Taking your good day out on everyone 27:00 – Fighting hate with love that has a backbone 29:20 – The political fire and protecting vulnerable kin 31:20 – Showing up, smiling in defiance, and gathering as resistance 32:40 – Inviting someone who could benefit from the community 34:10 – Every congregant brings a skill that makes the community home 35:10 – Podcast invitation and sharing stories as resistance 36:05 – Community cookies, new member orientation, and sacrament details 37:20 – Banfasa Maya shares Roatan mushrooms grown for the community About The Colorado Psychedelic Church is a community centered on healing, connection, spiritual exploration, and the responsible use of entheogens and sacred compounds. Through sermons, ceremonies, integration, and community-led events, the church creates space for people to reconnect with themselves, find belonging, and reclaim tomorrow. Contact Us Learn more, view the full calendar, and connect with the community at: coloradopsychedelicchurch.com

Sermon: Pride, Safety, and the Boundaries of Community

In this sermon from the Colorado Psychedelic Church, Teopixqui Dez opens with a listener note that this episode includes a difficult moment in the congregation, including raised voices and people approaching with malice in their hearts. Rather than hiding that moment, the sermon offers a real-time look at how the community works to protect the space, name what threatens it, and continue forward with honesty. Dez begins by honoring Harry, one of the church's earliest congregants, whose loss continues to shape the church's mission and commitment to making sure no one in the community feels alone in their darkest moments. From there, Dez speaks about what it means to build a safe space. A safe space is not built through avoidance or silence, but by naming threats clearly, honoring the tolerance paradox, and refusing to allow hate, misogyny, misandry, racism, homophobia, transphobia, or any other blanket demonization of people to take root in the community. After an emotional interruption, Dez continues by grounding the room in the meaning of Pride, authenticity, and the divine self. Pride is framed not as arrogance or superiority, but as the courage to exist honestly, to reclaim what has been silenced, and to bring one's true self into community. This sermon is a candid and powerful example of "love with a backbone" and "kindness with teeth" … a reminder that community requires grace, boundaries, accountability, and the willingness to protect one another. Timeline 00:00 – Listener note about potentially triggering moments 00:40 – Welcome and settling into the new space 01:50 – Two weeks in the new 3,500-square-foot home 02:30 – Honoring Harry, congregant number two 04:20 – A moment of remembrance and the importance of staying connected in dark moments 06:35 – Pride as something for everyone 07:20 – Building a safe space means naming what threatens it 08:35 – The tolerance paradox and protecting the community garden 09:50 – Why trauma cannot become repurposed hate 11:30 – Grace, correction, and accountability inside the community 12:20 – Dez asks for either apology or departure from those harming the space 14:55 – Congregational outburst 15:40 – Dez responds and clarifies that misandry is not welcome any more than misogyny 17:35 – Returning to Pride and the divinity of the self 19:15 – The Divine Us and the power of shared community 21:15 – Pride, malice, and carrying threats together 23:30 – How one person's safety affects the whole community 26:00 – Pride versus toxic pride 29:00 – Reclaiming authenticity and naming what has been muted 30:30 – Dez reflects on being non-binary and living more fully in authenticity 34:20 – Homework: affirm something true about yourself 36:50 – Sacrament, new member orientation, and welcoming new faces 39:10 – Invitation for congregants to share their stories on the podcast About The Colorado Psychedelic Church is a community centered on healing, connection, spiritual exploration, and the responsible use of entheogens and sacred compounds. Through sermons, ceremonies, integration, and community-led events, the church creates space for people to reconnect with themselves, find belonging, and reclaim tomorrow. Contact Us Learn more, view the full calendar, and connect with the community at: coloradopsychedelicchurch.com