What Is It?
There is a third way to use Cannabis.
Beyond recreational and medical use, Cannabis can be used as a sacred and ancient plant teacher for the purposes of inner healing and personal transformation.
Cannabis {Santa Maria} has been used ceremonially in almost every major religion, and its spiritual use goes back thousands of years, predating all religious traditions.
Join Mark Abrams as he guides you into developing a deeper connection with yourself, and this sacred, and often misunderstood ancient plant teacher.
This is a deeply immersive experience in a safe and sacred space, using intention, awareness, breath, mind, body, and sound to journey within--to see--to explore the depths of YOUR own being--to seek YOUR own truths--to come to YOUR own understandings.
This is about your own unique and precious journey through the Great Mystery.
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While we hold a sacred ceremonial space and work with core shamanic practices that are common to plant-medicine work, we do not make any claims as to the nature of reality. We do not look to promote or dislodge any particular religious/spiritual beliefs. Your guide also does not claim to be a shaman or spiritual guru.
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This should really go without saying but these are inclusive ceremonies that openly embrace all ethnicities, all races, all cultures, all religions (or no religion), all genders, all sexual orientations, all political beliefs, all ages (over 21), all sizes, and all other labels with which you choose to identify.
And all of yourself is welcome--the insecure parts, the confident parts, the show-off parts, the bashful parts, the selfish parts, the selfless parts, the judgmental parts, the loving and accepting parts, the nervous parts, the relaxed parts, the unsure parts, the self-assured parts, the anxious parts, the tender parts, the sensitive parts, the cranky parts, the angry parts, the sad parts, the joyful parts, the blissful parts, the playful parts, the serious parts, the disciplined parts, the lazy parts, the tired parts, the friendly parts, the introverted parts. I hope you get the idea.
Ceremonies are conducted with physical and emotional safety as the number one consideration, however they may not be for everyone. There are certain physical and mental-health conditions that may be contraindicated with this work. All participants must complete a health self-assessment questionnaire.
So Who Is This For?​
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If you are interested in self-discovery and personal growth, and simply curious about how the intentional use of this ancient plant teacher may be of some benefit, then this may be for you. Benefits listed under "What May Happen in Ceremony."
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Experienced medical or recreational Cannabis users who would like to explore a third way to work with this plant.
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Total newbies that have never used Cannabis before but are interested in trying. This ceremony would be a great space for your first time--safe and supportive.
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Experienced users that already work with Cannabis in a meditative, embodied, or spiritual way, and would like to explore new possibilities.
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Anyone who tends to get anxious, overly self-conscious, or have a lot of negative fear-based thoughts (including paranoia) when using Cannabis AND would like to explore and transcend those thoughts and emotions in a safe setting with proper guidance.
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Anyone who would like to heal a strained relationship with Cannabis due to overuse, abuse, or negative attitudes, by communing with her in an intentional and mindful way, along with proper tools and guidance.
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Anyone interested in exploring other entheogenic plants and substances (where they are legal), such as Ayahuasca, Psilocybe mushrooms, San Pedro, or Peyote. This also includes medically-supervised Ketamine therapy. Highest Light ceremonies provide a foundation and skill set that can help to prepare participants for work with other potent plant medicines and substances.
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What May Happen in Ceremony?​
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You may learn about yourself in a new and different way. Illuminate blind spots in your mind and life that may be preventing you from living to your fullest.
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Get unstuck! Shift energetic patterns and access creative insight to help propel you forward on your life path.
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Heal past trauma. Release stored emotions and energetic blockages through somatic (body) and mindfulness practices.
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Begin to develop a powerful skill set of awareness, cognitive tools, and other resources to navigate psychedelic journeywork. This may help you to navigate the ups and downs of your moment-to-moment "journey" called life!
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Temporarily elevate your state of consciousness--touch the transcendent and mystical. Take a peak over the wall, so to speak.
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Dream into your reality. Bridge the inner world of mind and imagination with the outer world of creation and physical manifestation.
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Enjoy an enchanting evening of ceremony and connection with fellow journeyers.
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Highest Light ceremonies are not about getting high for recreational purposes (not that there is anything wrong with that!). Having said that, ceremonies are usually highly enjoyable, and you'll more than likely have a nice trip ;)
notes from journeyers
"Our facilitator was very clear, organized, and intentional with setting a structure to ensure a safe and healthy journey. He offered us a map. Literally. As the medicine assimilated into our bodies we were guided in a variety of presence practices to be leaned on as a home base to come back to during our personal journey time. I found these very soothing and centering and appreciated the bridge that was created from sobriety into altered consciousness. For the next few hours, I dove into a deep state of awakened embodiment, guided by the most thoughtfully inspired musical playlist, as well as pauses of silence and live singing bowls. I felt safe to embark into the unknown, trusting the space, the practices, and the guide. I feel immense gratitude to the plant medicine for teaching me about myself, and appreciation for the skillful, loving-kindness of our guide. For anyone curious about a cannabis ceremony, I highly recommend Highest Light as trusted, and heart-centered.
--Lisa Pranam, Lafayette CO
"One thing that was profound about the first experience with Highest Light was the care taken. Mark has an energetic way of making people feel welcome and warm. My experience has been that you enter into a clear guiding intention and process the moment you walk in the door. One of the unique parts about what Mark offers is that he has worked in a training protocol into the journey itself. He provides a scaffolded map of how to navigate the territory of a journey space through experiential practices. All of the techniques create a medicine bag of tools for my journey in a collective method. This method is one of the most valuable aspects that I’ve gotten out of participating in Highest Light journeys. If people are looking to try a plant medicine journey for the first time, I think a Cannabis ceremony is ideal. I think Highest Light is one of those great practitioners. And if you already have a plant medicine practice, and you want to up-level your skills about how you navigate your inner landscape, coming and trying this at least once makes complete sense."
-- Justin Taylor, Boulder CO
"I have sat in ceremony with Mark as my guide and I had a beautiful, safe, deeply healing experience. He has the highest of integrity and his heart is so pure and loving. I could totally surrender into the safety and divine love he created in our sacred space. I feel so much allowance to be my authentic self in his presence, to say what is in my heart and feel deeply held. His light and unconditional love and presence are transformative!'
-- Ananda Bologna, Atlanta GA
"I participated in one of Mark's cannabis ceremonies and had a wonderful experience! He created a beautiful, comfortable space where everyone felt emotionally and physically safe during the whole process. He took time at the beginning to clearly explain how the evening would go and what each of us could do to take care of ourselves and get the most out of our experience. He also masterfully blended gentle music, mindfulness, and group discussion at the end of the journey, which made the overall experience delightfully holistic and collective. I highly recommend engaging in a ceremony."
-- Eric A., Marietta GA
"I have had the great pleasure of experiencing several of Mark's sacred cannabis ceremonies. He holds the ceremonial space impeccably and they seem to keep getting better and better. His love for the medicine and his dedication to its reverential use as a transformational tool is clear and present. Mark goes to great lengths to teach the participant clear and practical mindfulness-based tools to utilize during the cannabis journey in order to get the most out of the experience. If you feel the impulse to sign up or even have curiosity about it, I suggest you give it a try. I am very confident you will not be disappointed."
-- Naveen Thomas MD, MPH Boulder CO
"Thank you once again for the beautiful healing experience last night. The benefits and wisdom have continued into this morning and I expect them to continue to manifest in various ways for all my days. You truly are doing Love's work. Never stop."
-- S.G., Denver CO