Fall 2024
Buddhism, Mindfulness & Psychedelic Therapy

This 12-week reading and study group bridges the vast knowledge and wisdom of Buddhist contemplative practice traditions with the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Prior study of Buddhism, mindfulness, or meditation is not required, only a desire to be curious and engaged with ways of working with non-ordinary states of consciousness in therapeutic settings. Working from both traditional texts and those written by modern meditation researchers, the course introduces a range of topics and experience types, explores how experiences have been met and understood through the application of Buddhist psychology, and examines what psychedelic therapy providers might apply to work with psychedelics. Readings, class notes, and discussion questions will be supplied weekly to prepare for the weekly Zoom class sessions. The group will study best practices developed in research on mindfulness, psychedelic therapy, self-compassion, and difficult or “dark night” experiences in meditation. The format of the class will be primarily discussion-based, supported by live lectures to reinforce the weekly topics. Group members will be invited to engage in contemplative practices throughout the course for an experiential learning component.  

Weekly Topics

• Four NobleTruths, Mindfulness, and Buddhist Lineages  
• Comparing Secular Mindfulness to Buddhism
• Improving Outcomes for Psychedelic Users
• Benefits for Psychedelic Facilitators
• Synergies and Clashes with Nature of Self and Ego
• Comparing Buddhism and Western psychology
• Contemplative Practice and Psychedelic Therapy in practice
• Integration for Long Term Outcomes
• Integrating Compassion for Self and Other
• Dreams and States of Consciousness
• Dark Night and Connectedness 
• Community & Sangha

This group is by application only.

A limited number of Diversity Fund scholarships are available, please complete this application.

• Assess the efficacy of various mindfulness techniques for therapeutic interventions.
• Describe a range of meditation techniques and how these support the growth of core competencies as a psychedelic therapist.
• Provide education to clients on the effectiveness of contemplative practice for outcomes of psychedelic experiences.
• Compare modern mindfulness and Buddhism and demonstrate a basic understanding of key distinctions and similarities.
• Discuss ways that Buddhism and therapy converge and diverge on core goals and methods.
• Critique the notion that Buddhism and psychedelics are compatible, understanding important potential clashes and synergies.
• Explain why self-compassion and compassion practices are helpful both to clients and therapists.
• Describe best practices developed in research on trauma-sensitive mindfulness, self-compassion training programs, and difficult or “dark night” experiences in meditation and understand how these connect to challenging psychedelic experiences.
• Discuss how psychedelics and Buddhism have both been decontextualized from cultures they’ve traditionally been embedded in and demonstrate an understanding of the risks and opportunities that this decontextualization presents.
• Analyze the role of secular and or Buddhist practices for clinicians to support client outcomes.
• Prepare the mental state needed for the rigors of sitting for a client for extended periods.
• Identify practices that are appropriate for preparing a client based on that client’s goals, intentions, and worldview.

• Fluence International, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Fluence maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• Fluence International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0232.
• Fluence International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0674.
• Fluence International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0167.
• The Department’s approval of a provider of continuing education does not constitute the Department’s endorsement of the content, positions or practices that may be addressed in any specific continuing education course offered by the approved provider.
• For questions about receiving your CE/CME Certificate or Certificate of Attendance, contact Drew Ribadeneyra, drew@fluencetraining.com.