TRAINING MANUAL

2

ThefollowingmanualdetailsstandardproceduresforZendovolunteerservices.

Pleasereadthoroughly!

TABLEOFCONTENTS1. TheZendoProjectMissionStatement p.3

2. PrinciplesofPsychedelicHarmReduction p.3

3. Ethics p.5

4. DifficultiesRequiringAdditionalAssistance p.7

5. SelfCare p.7

6. Volunteers’Roles p.9

7. ShiftMeetingsandTransitions p.12

8. FeedbackForms p.12

9. AdmittingandDischargingGuests p.13

AppendixA:Howtoworkwithdifficultpsychedelicexperiences p.14

AppendixB:IntegratingaPsychedelicExperience p.18

AppendixC:MedicalGuide p.20

AppendixD:InteractingwithLawEnforcement p.22

AppendixE:Radioprotocol p.22

AppendixF:Décorandspacekeeping p.26

AppendixG:Suggestedreading p.28

3

THEZENDOPROJECTMISSIONSTATEMENT

Itisourmissionto:1) ProvideasupportivespaceforGuestsundergoingdifficultpsychedelicexperiences

orotherpsychologicalemergenciesinordertohelpturnthoseexperiencesintoopportunitiesforlearningandpersonalgrowth,andtoreducethenumberofdrug-relatedpsychiatrichospitalizations;

2) Createanenvironmentwherevolunteerscanworkalongsideoneanothertoimprovetheirharmreductionskillsandreceivetrainingandfeedback;and

3) Demonstratethatsafe,productivepsychedelicexperiencesarepossiblewithouttheneedforlawenforcement-basedpolicies.

BeingaZendoVolunteer

TheZendofulfillsitsmissiontoprovideharmreductionservicesthroughthededicationandcommitmentofitsmanyvolunteers.ThankyouforofferingyourtimeandcaretotheZendoandourguests!Bysigningupasavolunteeryoucommittoshowupontime,soberandalertforthevolunteertrainingandallofyourscheduledshifts.Ifanemergencyorcrisisarisesandyouarenotabletoupholdyourcommitment,notifyaZendoorganizerassoonaspossible.ThismanualwillhelpyouunderstandtheprinciplesofHarmReduction,howtheZendooperates,andwhatyouneedtoknowforyourshifts.

PRINCIPLESOFPSYCHEDELICHARMREDUCTIONEveryyearmillionsofpeoplewillusepsychedelics,manyforthefirsttime.Someofthesepsychedelicexperienceswillbedifficultones.Eventhoughsocietyhastermedtheseexperiences"badtrips,”adifficultpsychedelicexperienceisnotnecessarilyabadone.Thechallengingsituationcanbeseenasanopportunityfortransformation.Apsychedelicexperienceisinfluencedbythesetandsetting.Setreferstothedrugaswellasthemindsetofthepersontakingit.Whatisthedose,duration,andpurityofthedrug?Whatistheperson’sintention,theiremotionalstate,andtheirpreviousexperiencewiththesubstance?Settingreferstothephysicalenvironment:noise,lighting,otherpeople,familiarity,safety.Changesinsetandsettingcanradicallyshiftapsychedelicexperience.Therearefourbasicprinciplesofharmreduction:

1. Createasafespace–Trytocreateacalmenvironment,mostimportantly,bebeingacalmpresence.Askwhatwouldmakethemmostcomfortable.Offerblanketsandwater.Askpermissionbeforetouchingsomeoneinanyway.Keeppersonalinformationinconfidence.

4

2. Sitting,notguiding-Beacalmmeditativepresenceofacceptance,compassion,andcaring.Promotefeelingsoftrustandsecurity.Lettheperson’sunfoldingexperiencebetheguide.Don’ttrytogetaheadoftheprocess.Exploredistressingissuesastheyemerge,butsimplybeingwiththepersoncanprovidesupport.

3. Talkthrough,notdown–Withoutdistractingfromtheexperience,helptheperson

connectwithwhattheyarefeeling.Invitethepersontotaketheopportunitytoexplorewhat’shappeningandencouragethemtotrynottoresistit.

4. Difficultisnotthesameasbad–Challengingexperiencescanwindupbeingour

mostvaluable,andmayleadtolearningandgrowth.Considerthatitmaybehappeningforanimportantreason.Suggestthattheyapproachthefearanddifficultaspectsoftheirexperiencewithcuriosity.

ProvideCompassionateListeningWhenprovidingserviceintheZendo,volunteersshouldremaincalmandopentotheneedsofGuestswithoutfussingoverthem.Guestsshouldbegreetedwarmlyandwelcomedbyvolunteerswhorefrainfromanypatronizing,orjudgmentalapproach.Guestswilloftenfeelbetterbysimplyhavingaquietconversationwithsomeonewhowilltrulylistentothemandtalkaboutwhatevertheyaregoingthrough.Whenwesay"listen",wemeanreallylistentotheGuest.ThinkcarefullyaboutwhatGueststellyou,andavoidanyinstincttowardsbeingdismissiveorbelittlingoftheirexperiencesandconcerns.Guestsinanexpandedstateofconsciousnessareoftenexquisitelysensitivetothereactionsofthosecaringforthem.RememberthatsomeGuestswhovisittheZendomayappeartobealtered,butmaynotneedordesireanycareexceptbasichospitality.Sometimesitmaybebesttodonothingbutbepresent.RememberthatGuestsarecomingintoanareawheretheymaynotknowanyone.Somedegreeofself-disclosuremaybeappropriatewhenyouareworkingwiththem.

• LetGuestsknowthatyouarelisteningandthatyoucareaboutthem.• Guestsmaywanttodiscusssensitiveorpersonaltopics;SittersshouldgiveGuests

permissiontoexploretheseissuesinconfidence,whilemaintainingtheirownemotionalandphysicalboundaries.

• EncourageGueststoexploretheirself-awarenessandaskthemtoconfirmorclarifyyourunderstandingoftheirsituation.

• RespondtoGuestsinawaythatshowsthatyouunderstand,oraregenuinelytryingtounderstandwhattheyaresaying.

• Behonestaboutyourfeelingsconcerningtheirsuggestionsforresolutionoftheirdistress.

• EncourageGueststodiscusstheirownperceivedemotionalstrengthsandresources.

5

• Explorewhattheywouldconsideragoodoutcometotheirsituation.• AskGueststothinkabouttheconsequencesoftheiractions,notjustforthemselves,

butalsoforothers.• IfaGuestindicatesthattheymaydosomethingthatimpactstheirwell-beingand

safety,invitetheGuesttoexplainthesituationasclearlyandcalmlyastheycan.Seekhelpifneeded.

• SuggesttoGueststhattheymaywanttowaituntilaftertheirpsychedelicexperiencehasresolvedtoassesstheirdecisionsinaclearerlight.

• GivingaGuestthetimetotalkabouttheirconcernswilloftenhelpthemfeellessfearful.

• EncourageGueststoengageinformsofartisticself-expression:writing,drawing,etc.

• IfaGuestfeelsanxiousortense,youmightencouragethemtotakedeep,slowbreathsorengageinsomeformofmovementthatreleasestightlywoundenergy.

• Guestsshouldbegiventheopportunitytoexpressthemselvesand/orreleaseexcessenergybywhatevermeanstheyfeelisnecessary-suchasmakingnoises,crying,singing,chanting,ormovingaroundinwhateverwayisusefultothemwithoutdisturbingothers.

• Sometimes,invitingtheGuesttotakeawalkwithyoumaybecalming,especiallyiftheZendoiscrowded.

• SittersshouldalsobeopentoavarietyofapproachesthatcanhelpshifttheGuest'sexperienceofdistresstoapositiveoutcome.

• Sittersshouldfeelcomfortableutilizingself-disclosure.• Makingjokesandhavingasenseofhumorcanoftenbeveryhelpful.

ETHICSInordertoprovideaconsistentlevelofcompassionatecare,Zendovolunteersmustembraceimpeccableethicalstandardswhileprovidingservice.GuestswhovisittheZendomaybeinavulnerablestate,andtheymustbetreatedwithcareanddignity.

• Volunteersmustbecalm,compassionateandalertastheyholdspaceforGuests.• RemainfocusedontheneedsofGuestsandremainattentivetochangingconditions

whileprovidingassistance.• Keepalldiscussionsandeventsinconfidence.• Askseniorvolunteersforadviceandassistanceifneeded.• Donotprovidecarewhileexcessivelyfatigued.• RequestpermissionfromaGuestbeforetouchingtheminanyway.• RequestpermissionfromaGuestbeforeusinganyspecialtechniquesinyourpeer

counselingandavoidpressuringthemintoaccepting.

6

• SexualadvancesfromGuestsshouldbetactfullydeflected.• SexualadvancesfromvolunteerstowardsaGuestareforbidden.• IfyouprovideanyformofcaretoaGuest,remainwiththatpersonfortheduration

oftheirvisitunlessanothervolunteerormedicalstafftakesovertheircareorrelievesyou.

• Respectyourfellowvolunteersandstrivetobehelpful.• Seekassistancefromseniorvolunteerstoresolveanydisputesordisagreements

withothervolunteersoroutsideservices.• TreatGuestswiththecareyouwouldwantforyourselforyourownfamily.• Actwithintegrity.

AcceptandWorkWithDifficultExperiences

• Ifthereisanydoubtthattheirconditionmayrequiremedicalcare,havetheGuestcheckedoutbyamedicalprofessional.

• Anydifficultorpowerfulexperience-whetherinvolvinganalteredstateornot-canbeconsideredanopportunityforpersonalevolution.

• Notallsuchencountersareeasy,butvolunteerscanhelpGuestsremaincalmandreassured.

• RemindingtheGuestthattheirexperienceisanopportunityforgrowthcanbehelpful.

• RemembertoasktheGuestabouttheirimmediatehistorysuchaswhentheylastslept,ate,andhydrated;aswellaswhatsubstancestheymayhaveconsumed,especiallyalcohol.Askthemtodescribetheirphysicaland/ormentalstate.

• Itmayalsobehelpfultoaskthemiftheytakeprescriptionmedicationandifso,iftheyhavekeptontheirregularmedicationschedule.

• AskGuestsiftheywanttoliedownandrestortakeanap.• OffertoaccompanyGuesttooutsidecare,ifnecessary,ifyouhavealready

establishedarapportandifenoughvolunteersarepresent.• Ifpossibleandappropriate,remainwiththepersonwhiletheyarebeingcaredfor

andcontinuetoreassurethem.• IfGuestsdonotrequiremedicalcarebutaredistressed,rememberthatemotional

strugglesmaybepromptedbyanefforttofighttheexperienceinanattempttomaintaincontrol.

• Guestsmaybeconfrontedwiththeirfearsorunresolvedissuesfromthepast.Somemayattempttoavoidthisexperiencebecauseitmakesthemfeelafraid,threatenedanduncomfortable.Forothers,suchstatesmaysimplybeacaseofsensoryoverload.

• Guestsmayfeelpanickedoroverwhelmed.Fearcanquicklyescalate,aggravatingandmagnifyingtheverythoughtsandfeelingsthattheGuestistryingtoavoid.

7

HelpingtoremoveorreduceresistanceandfearcanhelpshifttheGuest'smentalperspective.SuchreassurancecanhelptheGuestfocusonthepersonalgrowththatcanbegainedfromtheseexperiences.

• ConfirmwithGueststhattheyareinasafespacewheretheywillbetreatedwithcompassionandwithoutjudgment.

• Everyone'sexperiencesareunique.Bekind,attentiveandreassuring.• SomeGuestsmayhavepreexistingmentaldisturbancesthatmayremainwhentheir

distresshassubsided.• IfitappearsthattheGuestisexperiencingsubstantialmentaloremotional

difficultiesaftertheimmediatecrisis,summonmentalhealthprofessionalsorencouragetheGuesttoseeksuchcare.

DIFFICULTIESREQUIRINGADDITIONALASSISTANCEMentalIllnessNotallvisitorsintheZendocanbetreatedwithasafeplacetoreflect.WetrytohaveatleastoneMedicalVolunteeronthestaffduringeachshift.Manypsychedelicandspiritualemergenciescanmasqueradeasmoreseriouspsychiatricailments.IftheMedicalVolunteerand/orShiftLeadbelieveaGuestshouldhavemedicalcare,pleasecontactamedicontheradio.ConsultwiththeSupervisorfirst,iftimepermits.Thismostoftenhappensafteradayormoreofsymptomsthatdonotappeartobeimproving.ViolenceIfavisitordisplaysviolentbehaviortowardshimorherself,trytostopthebehaviorwithoutputtingyourselfindanger.Ifavisitordisplaysviolentbehaviortowardsothers,moveyourselfandgueststosafety.TheShiftLeadshouldcontacttheSupervisorandthedesignatedfestivalcontact(asdescribedinthetrainingandontheradiochannellist).Whenindividualsbecomeadangertothemselvesorothersoractinwaysinappropriatetotheirsurroundings,attempttodeescalatethesituationwhileprovidingboundariesforindividualsfortheirsafetyandthesafetyofthosearoundthem.Toolsforde-escalationincluderemainingcalmandcentered,involvingonlytheleastamountofpeopletoaddressthesituation(morepeople=moreenergy),guidingtheindividualtoaquiet,less-populatedspace,andremainingun-argumentativewiththeindividual.Insituationswheresecuritypersonnelarepresentorrestraintbecomesnecessary,workasateamwithsecurity,continuingtoprovideacompassionatepresenceandlimitingfearresponse.MedicalEmergenciesIfavisitorisbelievedtobeexperiencingatruemedicalemergency,theShiftLeadshouldnotifytheMedicalVolunteer,whowilldecidewhethertonotifythefestival’smedicviatheradio.

8

SELF-CAREFORVOLUNTEERS

DuringtheirtimeintheZendo,volunteerswillbeexposedtotheextremeandexpansivestatesofguests.Itisimportanttohaveawarenessaroundthepotentialeffectsofthisexposureonthesitteranddeveloptoolstoavoidburnoutandcompassionfatigue,otherwiseknownassecondarytraumaticstress.Zendosittersmaywitnesspain,difficulty,distress,andthereemergenceoftraumaticmemoriesofguests.Itisimportanttomonitoryourselfcloselyandcontinuetoattendtoyourownneedswhilecaringforothers.Effectsonthesittercanbeclassifiedasphysical,mental,emotional,andenergeticandareconnectedandinterrelated.Somesignsthatyoumayneedtotakeabreakorotherwiseattendtoyourpersonalwellbeinginclude:

• Exhaustion• Fogginess,numbness,dissociation• Difficultyfocusing• Irritability• Feelingsofsicknessorphysicalpain• Extremeupsettingemotionalresponse• Feelingtriggeredbyaguest

VolunteeringintheZendocanbedemandingwork.Itisessentialthatvolunteerstakegoodcareofthemselvesinordertobefullypresenttoserveothers.DuringyourshiftintheZendo,don'tforgettodrinkwater,snack,breathe,andstretch.Ifyoufeelthatyourcalmness,patience,orpositivityisslipping,takeabreakandaskanothervolunteertotakeyourplace.IntroduceyourreplacementvolunteertotheGuestbeforeyoudepart.Youcannotbefullypresentforothersifyoudonottreatyourselfwithrespect.CheckinwiththeShiftLeadonyourshiftbeforeleavingtheZendoforanyreason.Sometoolsforself-careinclude:

• Carefullymonitoryourownfatigueandemotionalstate.• Recognizeyourpersonallimitationsandaskforhelpifneeded.• BringneededpersonalsupplieswithyouforyourZendoshiftincludinghydration,

snacks,andwarmclothing.• Donottrytoapplyskillsyoudonotpossess.• IfyoubecomeineffectivewhilecaringforaGuest,kickitsidewaysandaskanother

volunteertoreplaceorassistyou.• Beopentosuggestionsfromyourfellowvolunteers.

9

• AllowyourselftobethegroundedenergythathelpstheGuesttransitiontowardtheircalm,unalteredself.

• Helppromoteharmonyamongthevolunteers.• SeektheassistanceofaShiftLeadtopromptlysettledisagreements.• Shareyourexpertisewithfellowvolunteersandencouragethemtodeveloptheir

skills.• Honoryourselfandyourfellowvolunteers.

VOLUNTEERS’ROLESSupervisorTheSupervisormanagesallcomponentsoftheZendo.Itistheirjobtomakesurethatvolunteershavewhattheyneed.Theycoordinateshifts,attendsomepre-andpost-shiftmeetings,andattendtoanyspecialsituations.Duringbusytimes,theymaytaketheroleofSitter.TheSupervisorwillhaveoneoftheradiosatalltimes.MedicalLeadWestrivetohaveatleastoneMedicalVolunteeroneachshift.Medicalvolunteerswilltakeasupportiveapproachtointervention,providingfundamentalbackupsupportandsupervisiontoSittersandtheShiftLead.WhileMedicalVolunteersmaychoosetobeSitters,theyshouldremainavailabletoansweranymedical-relatedquestions.ThemedicalteamwillnotprovidemajormedicalcareintheZendo.TheywilltriageGuestswhoneedmedicalattentiontothedesignatedmedicalcarefacilityonsite.ShiftLeadEachshiftwillbeassignedaShiftLead.TheShiftLeadistheprimarypersoninchargeofleadingtheZendospaceduringtheshift.TheShiftLeadissomeonewhohaspastharm-reductionexperienceandhasdemonstratedthattheyunderstandtheZendomissionandtheprinciplesofpeerpsychedelictherapy.Allvolunteers,nomatterwhatrole,shouldbeopentoreceivingfeedbackfromothersontheteam;thisisalearningexperienceforeveryoneinvolved.

• Leadapre-shiftmeeting.• Appointalog-keeperfortheshift.• DesignateaSitterorSittersforeachGuest.• Ifstaffingpermits,theidealsituationisamale/femaleco-therapistteam.• SupervisetheteamofSittersandassistandanswerquestionsasnecessary.Pay

closeattentionandofferextrasupportformoredifficultvisitors.

10

• RemainmobileandengagedintheentirevibeoftheZendo(sometimesitmaybenecessarytostepinandassistwithavisitorforanamountoftime,butgenerallytrytobeavailableandsupervisingeveryoneinthespace).

• ProvidefeedbacktoSitters,orfacilitatefeedbackbetweenSitters.• Leadadebriefingmeetingattheendofshift(thisisre-assignedtotheLogkeeperif

theShiftLeadisnotreadytoleave)• Makejudgmentcallsandnotifymedicalstaffifadditionalinterventionisrequired• Ifavisitorisbelievedtobeexperiencingatruemedicalemergency,theShift

LeadshouldconsulttheMedicalVolunteerintheZendoandnotifythefestival’smedicalteamontheradio.

Logkeeper/GuardianALogkeeper/GuardianwillbedesignatedforeachshiftandwillbestationedattheentranceoftheZendo.TheLogkeeperwillgathervaluableinformationthatwillbereferencedbothduringandaftertheevent,toanalyzeareasofimprovement.TheLogkeepershouldmakesurethattheZendoitselfiscleanandstockedwithsupplies.TheLogkeepermaybeassignedbytheShiftLeadtoassistwithvisitors.

• IntroduceGueststotheZendo• Makesureyouoranothervolunteerisalwaysatthedoor.• WelcomeGuestskindlyandwithcompassion.• Serveasa“bouncer”,keepingonlookersorwanderersoutoftheZendowhodonot

belongintheZendo• KeeprecordsofeachGuestthatcomesintotheZendo(formswillbeprovided).• PayattentiontowhatishappeningwitheachGuest.• TrytocollectinformationabouteachGuest’scamplocationandfriends’names.• CheckinwithSittersneartheendofeachshifttoreceivenecessaryinformationto

updateincomingSittersfromnextshift.• Attheendoftheshift,attendupcomingshift’spre-shiftmeetingtoinformthenew

sittersaboutthestatusofcurrentGuests.SitterTheSitter’smainresponsibilityistoassistGuestsintheZendo.TheSittershouldstrivetobeacalmandhelpfulpresence.Whenstaffingpermits,ideallywewillassignamale/femaleco-therapistteamforeachGuest.ManyGueststhatarriveintheZendoareNOTundergoingapsychedelicexperience,butitisnotalwaysclear.ItisimportanttotreatallGuestswiththesamerespect,kindness,andhelpfulness—whethertheyhavearrivedbecausetheyaredrunk,tired,lost,cold,havingrelationshipproblems,offtheirmedications,orundergoingapsychedelicexperience.ItisnottheSitter’sjobtodistractavisitorwhoisundergoingapsychedelicemergency,butinsteadtoholdasafespaceforthemtoallowtheirexperiencetounfold.TheSittershouldutilizeanyskillsthattheyfeelcomfortableusinginhelping

11

theirGueststofeelsafetoexploretheirexperience.TheSitterisencouragedtocalluponanotherSitterortheShiftLeadiftheyfeelthatadditionalassistanceorasecondopinionisusefulinservingtheGuest.TheSittershouldconsultwiththeShiftLeadifthereisanyquestionofaGuesthavingatruemedicalemergencyoramentalillnessrequiringoutsideassistance.

• Maintainacalm,compassionate,andlovingpresence.• AttendtoGuest’sphysicalneedsforcomfortandwarmth;e.g.blankets,water,food,

ahug,etc.• AttendtoGuest’spsychologicalneedsbylistening,remindingthemthattheyareina

safespace,andencouragingthemtogointotheirexperience• Conductyourselfinaccordancewiththeprincipalsofharmreductionthatare

providedinthismanualandwillbeexpandeduponinthetraining.• Ifavisitorisbelievedtobeexperiencingatruemedicalemergency,theSitter

shouldtelltheShiftLeadandtheMedicalVolunteerimmediately.SpaceKeeper-RoletaskstobecompletedbyShiftLeadifnoSpaceKeeperisscheduledTheroleofthespacekeeperistomaintainthecleanliness,organizationandgoodfeelingoftheZendo.Thisrolecanbefilledbyasitterbutneedstobetendedtointermittently.Ifthespacekeeperiswithaguest,requestingthehelpofafreevolunteermaybenecessary.ThedetailsofimportanttaskscanbefoundintheZendoCleanlinesssectionofthemanual.

• KeyanoveralleyeontheZendospace,andattendtoanyneedsofcleanlinessandorganization.

• Askforhelpontasksneedingcompleted.• LookoverthetasklistintheZendoCleanlinesssectionandmakesureeachitemhas

beencaredfor.• EncourageanyvolunteerswhoarenotsittingwithGueststohelpspiffupthespace

duringthelast30minutesoftheshift.• Keepthealtarfresh.• Sagethespaceoccasionally,ifneeded.• Helpkeepthespacefeelinggood!

GreeterTheGreeterisstationedattheZendoInformationaltableandwillgreetanyonewhoapproachestheZendospace.Often,peoplearejustcuriousaboutthepurposeofthespaceandthisisanopportunityforthegreetertoinformpeopleabouttheZendoandpsychedelicharmreduction.Othertimes,youwilldirectGuests(andthefriendsthatarewiththem)totheLogkeeper/GuardianorShiftLead,whowillassisttheGuestfromthere.

12

• Informcuriouspassers-byaboutthepurposeoftheZendo.• FamiliarizeyourselfwiththecontentintheZendoInformationalHandbook(tobe

provided)• BecomeknowledgeableaboutZendoFAQ’s.ConsultInformationalHandbookas

neededandaskSupervisororShiftleadforassistancewithquestionsyoudon’tknoworcan’tfindtheanswerto.

SHIFTMEETINGSANDTRANSITIONSPRE-SHIFTMEETINGVolunteersshouldarrive15minutesbeforethestartoftheirscheduledshifttoconductapre-shiftmeetingledbytheShiftLeadoftheupcomingshift.Eachvolunteershouldintroduceher/himselftothegroupandsharewhatspecialskillstheyhavetocontribute,whatqualificationstheyhave,andwherethey’reat.AtthismeetingitwillbeconfirmedthattheshifthasaLogkeeper.TheLogkeeperfromthepreviousshiftshouldbeinattendanceforthismeetingtodebriefeveryoneonthestatusofcurrentGuests,andshowthenewLogkeeperwhattodo.SHIFTTRANSITIONAfterthepre-shiftmeeting,theShiftLeadoftheupcomingshiftwillassignSitterstoworkwithcurrentGuests.ItisalwayspreferablethatSittersremainwiththeirGuestforthedurationoftheGuest’sstay,butweunderstandthatthisisnotalwayspossible.TheSitterfromthepreviousvisitshouldintroducethenewSittertotheGuest.TheLogkeeperfromthepreviousshiftshouldupdatetheLogkeeperfromtheupcomingshiftonthecurrentstatusofthelog.POST-SHIFTMEETINGVolunteersshouldplanonstaying15minutesaftertheendoftheirscheduledshiftforadebriefingmeeting.Thismeetingwillbeginassoonasthenewshifthasfinishedtheirpre-shiftmeetingandbeenintroducedtovisitors.TheShiftLeadshouldleadthismeeting.Thepurposeofthepost-shiftmeetingistodebriefandshareinformationamongtheZendovolunteers.ThisisatimeforeachvolunteertosharewhattheirexperiencewasintheZendoandprovideeachotherwithfeedbackontheirwork.ThismeetingshouldbeheldatadistancefarenoughawayfromtheZendoastonotbeaudibletocurrentvisitors.

FEEDBACKFORMS

1.GUESTREPORTFORM–completedbyLogkeeper,ShiftLead,andSitter(s)

13

WhentheGuestarrives,aftertheShiftLeadhasassignedtheGuestwithaSitter,theLogkeeperandSittershouldcompletethefirstpageoftheGuestReportForm.WhiletheGuestisresting,orrightaftertheGuestleavestheZendo,theSitter(s)shouldcompletetheremainingpartsoftheGuestReportForm.ItistheLogkeeper’sresponsibilitytomakesuretheGuestReportFormiscompleted.2.ON-SITEGUESTFEEDBACKFORM–completedbyGuestbeforeleavingWhentheGuestispreparingtoleavetheZendo,theSittershouldcollectasmuchinformationwiththeGuestinordertocompletetheOn-SiteGuestFeedbackForm.Ifpossible,theGuestshouldfilloutthechartandessay,nottheSitter.3.TAKE-HOMEGUESTFEEDBACKFORM–completedbyGuestafterBurningMan–SittergivestoGuestBeforetheGuestdeparts,theSittershouldgivetheGuesttheirTake-HomeGuestFeedbackForm.Thisformwillbeenclosedinastamped,addressedenvelope.GuestsareencouragedtomailthisfeedbackformtotheZendoTeamafterreflectingontheirZendoexperience,uptoamonthaftertheirvisit.GuestswhomailintheirformwillreceiveonefreeMAPS-publishedbookthatwillbemailedtothemortoafriend.4.VOLUNTEERFEEDBACKFORM–completedbyZendoVolunteersduringtheirlastshiftAttheendofyourlastshift,pleasetakeafewmomentstowriteaboutyourexperiencevolunteeringintheZendo.We’dliketohearaboutyourgeneralimpressionsandwaywecanimproveinfutureyears.You’realsoencouragedtoshareoneormoreofyourmoremeaningfulinteractionswithGuestsorotherVolunteers.

ADMITTINGANDDISCHARGINGGUESTSADMITTINGAGUESTTOTHEZENDOAtthetimeofadmittance,theShiftLeadshouldmeetwiththeGuestorthepersonbringingtheGuesttotheZendotogatherinformationabouttheGuest’scurrentpsychologicalstatus,reasonforcomingtotheZendo,anddrugstheyhavetaken.TheMedicalVolunteerwillgreeteachGuestandevaluatewhethertheirconditionismedical.Ifpossible,theLogkeepershouldacquireasmuchinformationfromtheGuestaspossiblefortheGuestReportForm.Iftherearen’tmanyGuestsintheZendo,theZendoVolunteersshouldfeelwelcometodiscusstheirexperiencestogetherandreasonsforwantingtovolunteerintheZendo.

14

GUESTDEPARTUREFROMTHEZENDOAllGuestsarefreetoleaveanytimetheywish.ThebestwaytodischargeaGuestisintothecompanyofhisorherfriendsorcampmates.Ifafriendorcampmatearrivestovisitsomeone,trytoarrangeforthatpersontoreturntowalktheGuesthomewhentheyareready.Alternately,trytohaveavolunteerwalkapersonhomeifthevisitorisstillfeelingshaky.PleaseaskeachGuesttocompletetheon-sitefeedbackformandgivethemonefeedbackformenclosedinthestamped,addressedenveloptotakewiththem.IftheSitterandtheShiftLeadbelieveitisintheperson’sbestinteresttostay,butthepersonwantstoleave,theSitterandShiftLeadshouldgentlyencouragetheGuesttostay.ForsomeGuests,itmaybeappropriatetogoonawalktogether,returningifthepersonisnotyetreadytoleavealone.IftheSitterandShiftLeadbelievethatleavingtheZendomayposeanimmediatethreattothevisitor,theyshouldexplainthistotheGuest,consultwiththeMedicalVolunteerandcontactthefestival’smedicalteam.Donotattempttophysicallyrestrainanyone.AttimeofdischargefromtheZendo,theLogkeepershouldbecertainthatallpaperworkhasbeencompletedonthatvisitor.AppendixA:HOWTOWORKWITHDIFFICULTPSYCHEDELICEXPERIENCESAtruepsychedelicexperience,evenaso-calledbadtrip,issacred.Inearth-oriented,shamaniccultures,evenapsychoticbreakdown,inducedbyapsychedelic,ispartoftheinitiation.Sorememberthewayoftheancients:thisisaprocess,aprocessofawakening,healing,andultimatelycelebratinglife.ToavoidpsychologizingthepsychedelicexperienceIhaveavoidedmedicalortraditionaltherapeuticlanguage.

15

Overviewofwhatwewillcover:

1. RoleoftheSitterorFacilitator2. VarietiesofPsychedelic-InducedCrises3. WorkingandBeingwithPsychedelicEmergencies4. Aftercare5. RelatedReadings

Thisisashortoverviewofthematerialwewillcoverinthishands-ontraining.Itisbasedon30yearsofexperiencesittingforpeople.Ithastherapeuticvalue,butgoesbeyondtherapyandmovesintotranspersonalandspiritualrealms.Themanualisbasedontraining,schooling,teachingsandhands-onworkwiththeleadingpeopleinthepsychedelicmovement,andonin-depthworkwithhealers/shamansfromNepal,Ecuador,andtheNavajonation.Itisbasedonmyownhealingandtherapeuticwork,usingpsychedelics,westernpsychology,bodywork,breathwork,art,anddifferenteasterntools,likemeditation,Zenkoanstudyandnaturework.1.ROLEOFTHESITTERORFACILITATORTheworkwithpsychedelics,entheogens,andplantteachersisanareaofthehealingartsthatisancientandhasbeenrediscoveredinthelast100years.Therearemanydifferentwaystoworkwithandunderstandthepsychedelicexperience.Whenweworkandsitwithapersongoingthroughapsychedelic-inducedcrisis,itisimportanttounderstandthatinacertainwaythisisadialecticrelationship,awayofrelatingthatisancient.Everypersonisapsychospiritualsystem,meaningthereisnoseparationofbody,mind,emotion,soul,imaginationandenergy.Thereforeitisveryimportanttoseeeachpersonasauniqueindividual.Thereisalwaysthetendencytooverpowertheotherwithourknowledge,wisdom,andinsight.Soletgoofallknowledgeregardingtheexperiencesthatthepersonishaving.Justbewith,listen,andobserve.Thisbringsusbacktothedialecticalrelationship,payingfullattention,allowingtheothertoexpressandcommunicatewhatevertheywant.Justbeing,withoutaputdownorjudgment.Itisimportantforthehealer/sitter/helpertobelieveinher/hiswayofworking.Thebeliefinthemethodisimportantfortheresults.Thehealer/sitterthereforeissomeonewhohashadtheirownpsychedelicexperienceandhashadsomeexperiencesittingforpeople,guidingher/hisfriends.Withoutanyexperience,itisimpossibletojustbewithsomeonehavingapsychedelicexperienceorguidingsomeonehavingapsychedeliccrisis.Itisgoodtoknowthatweallhaveblindspots

16

andthereisthedangerthatwemightstoptheexperienceifwehavenotexploredthismaterialorareafraid.Rule#1,underanycondition,isthatwehonorandrespectthepersonhavingthecrisis.Evenifwedon’tunderstandwhat’shappening(thepersonhavingthecrisismightbemuchmoredevelopedthanweare,lostinworldsunknowntous,orrelivingadramawecan’tcomprehend),weserveasananchor,arestingplace,andaquietcenter.Weknowthatourpresenceishelpful.Atthismomentwedon’thavetosolvealltheproblemsandanswerallthequestionsthattheexperienceortheperson’slifepresents.Wehavetorememberthattensofmillionsofpeoplehaveusedpsychedelics,inmanydifferent,sometimesnotverysupportive,environments,andreturnedhomesafely.Withsupport,knowledge,andintegrativeworkthereisverylittledangerinthepsychedelicexperienceitself.Eventhemostfrighteningandbizarrebehavior,whenexploredandworkedwith,willturnouttobebeneficialandenlightening.Asstatedearlier,thepositiveoutcomeofourworkrequirestrustingthewisdomoftheancients,trustingthewisdomofourmodernteachersandhealers,andtrustingthebuilt-inwisdomofourbodies,mindsandsouls.Wefrequentlypickupemotionsandfeelingsandenergiesfromothers.Wewillcoverwaysofclearing,cleansing,andpurification.2.VARIETIESOFPSYCHEDELICCRISESThisisavastarea,sowewilljusttouchonit.Foramorein-depthstudy,seethereadinglist.Thereisnoclearmanifestationofanysubstanceormixtureofsubstances.Buttherearesomegeneralities.Itisveryimportanttoknowtheactivedurationofthedifferentsubstances.Allpsychedelicshaveasimilarpattern:there’sthedoorwaywithdifferentphysical,mentalandemotionalmanifestations.Thereisabuildup,thenanextendedstayonaplateau,thenthecomingdown,re-entry.Themostcommonfeltthreattosanityisthefeeling/experiencethatoneisgoingcrazy,losingone’smind,orthatthiswillneverend.Thisfeeling/experienceissupportedbychangingmentalstatesandpowerful(sometimes)changesinperception.Majorshiftsinego/personalitystructure,regardingone’sbeliefandunderstandingofoneself,theworld,andgod,arecommon.Oldtraumascanberememberedandrelived.Thesememoriescanbeofaphysicalnature(relivingone’sbirth,childhoodabuseand/orillness,memoriesoffamineand/orwar,accidents,rapearesomeofthepossibilitiesofre-emergence).Thesememoriescanalsobe

17

ofanintellectual,emotionalnature(relivingverbalabuse,alackofbasicemotions,bodycontact,love,nurture,oradisassociationduetoatraumaticexperience).Thesetraumascanalsobeofatranspersonalnature,meaningphenomenathatgobeyondourpersonalidentityorbiographicalunderstandingoftheuniverse.Thesecouldbeexperiencesfromanotherlife,becomingonewiththeearthorotherlifeforms,orexperiencingthelifecycleofananimal.Onecouldleaveone’sbody,havetheexperienceofmergingwithanarchetype,orexperiencetheworldofagodoragoddess.Thememoryofaviolentdeathcanbeamosttraumaticexperience.Therecanbemanydifferent,sometimesneverexperienced,sensory,energy,andbodysensations.Thesecanrangefromhearingcolorstoseeingmusic.Itcouldbeanextremelyheightenedsenseofsmell,taste,hearingandvision.Someofthemostfrighteningmanifestationsofthepsychedelicexperienceareenergetic.Peoplegothroughpowerfulreleases,renderingtheirbodiesoutofcontrol,shaking,twistingandvibrating.Theseenergies,beingactivatedbythepsychedelicsubstances,couldberelatedtobirth,anopeningofafrozenbodypattern,bioenergetic,neo-Reichiantypeofrelease,orbeareconnectingwiththeuniversallifeforce.Thelife-forceiscalledthekundalinianditmanifestsinapowerfulopeningofthebody’senergycenter.Itcouldalsobeanintensivesexualorotheremotionalrelease.Thebodysensationsalsocoverawiderangeofsensationsandfeelings.Thiscanbethefeeling(forthefirsttimeinone’slife)ofcominghomeintothebody.Here’sasmalllistofotherpossibleexperiences:

• Relievingbirth• Rememberingdifferentdeaths• Relievingaccidents• Relivingillness• Relivingdrowning,torture,andmanyotherphysicalexperiencesfromthisand

otherlives• Relivingmysticalstates• Identifyingwithandrelivingindetailthevictimizationofhumansthroughout

history.• Leavingthebodyandtravelinginthespiritrealm• Mergingwithrocks,animals,plantsandexperiencingthepollutionanddeathofthe

planetanddifferentspecies• Mergingwithpeople,readingtheirminds,feelingtheiremotions• Beingcaughtinacertainexperience• Beingoverwhelmedbyfeelingsandemotions

18

Inapsychedelicexperienceandcrisisthepersonmayreacttothehealer/sitterandprojecther/hisownfeelingsandexperiencesontothehealer/sitter.Thiscouldbeasexual,demonic,godlikeorfearfultransference.Whenthistakesplaceitisimportantjusttobewith,nottodefendthetransference.3.WORKINGWITHTHEPSYCHEDELICCRISISTheexperienceoftheperson’scrisisis,manytimes,oneoflettinggoonalllevelsofone’sbeing.Sowehavetocreateaspacewhereitispossibletobeopen,aspacethat’squiet,warm,safe,andbeautiful.Thisspaceisasimportantasthesitting/facilitatingitself.Ifpossible,haveflowers,candles,artandwritingsupplies,blankets,quietmusicandsoftlight.Payattentiontothebodylanguagewhileyoulistentowhat’sbeingexpressedverballyandemotionally.Followtheexpressionoftheperson.Iftheyhavealotofenergy,lettheenergymove,letitexpressitself(weprovideasafespace)inwhateverform:uncontrolledshaking,yogapostures,dancing,ritualistictypeofmovements,hyperventilation,kundalinityperelease.Ifthepersonwantstospeak,ifsoundscomeoutuncontrolled,supporttheexpression.Thismightbe:adifferentordeadlanguage,prayersfromthedifferentspiritualtraditions,far-outstoriesandmemories,jibberish,animalsounds,loopingsentences(repeatingoverandoverthesamewords),lamenting,cries,orscreams.Respondwhenneeded,donottakeover,tryto(ifappropriate)engageinacalmconversation,respondingtofearandanxiety.Themostappropriateresponsetoapowerfulpsychedeliccrisismightbetojustsitquietlywiththeperson,makingthemfeelsafe.Ifthepersonisstuckthereareseveraldifferentwaystorespond:

• Waitandcalmthemdownthroughtalk,knowingthedurationofthesubstancetaken

• Walkwiththem,talkingornot,untiltheycalmdown• Havethemexpresstheexperiencethroughsound• Havethemmovethroughit,throughaphysicalexpression,holdingacertainposture

orlettingthebodygo• Onecoulddosomedeep,focusedbodywork,justholdsomeone(meetingtheir

needs)orgentlymassagethem.Alwaysaskforpermissionregardinganykindofphysicalcontact.

• Haveappropriatesitterregardingmale/female,importantwhenrecallofsexualabusetakesplace.

19

• Thepersoncouldrecline,eyesclosedorblindfolded,beinginasafeplace,listeningtocomfortingmusicandgroundingtheexperience.

• Iftheiremotionsareoverwhelmingthem,encouragetheirexpression.• Whenthepersoniscalmenoughorhascomebackfromtheirdifficultpsychedelic

experience,haveartsuppliesandwritingmaterialavailable.Reassurethem:

1. Thiswillpass,thisisaprocess.2. Thisisanexperienceotherpeoplehavehad.

Therewillbesupportafterwards.4.AFTERCARETherearemanywaystointegratetheexperienceandtocontinueworkingwiththeopeningthattookplace.Itisimportanttocompleteanyunfinishedgestalt.Furtherreadingshouldbeencouraged,andthepersonshouldworkwithatrainedpractitionertocompletetheexperience.Thiscouldbe:

• Transpersonally-orientedpsychotherapy• HolotropicBreathwork• ShamanicIntegrationwork• Differentformsofbodywork• Differentformsofenergyreleasework• Workwitharchetypes• Differentartforms,makingmusic,dancing,painting,sculpting• Meditationandotherspiritualpractices(followingtheimagesorinsightsofthe

experience)Therearecertainmedicalconditionsthatshouldbetreatedbythemedicalmanagement.Therecanbemedicalpre-existingconditionsthatareadversetothetakingofpsychedelics.Someofthemostcommonare:pregnancy,mentalillness,cardiovascularproblemslikeabnormalbloodpressureorotherheartproblems,recentsurgeriesand/oraccidents,andepilepsy.AppendixB:INTEGRATINGAPSYCHEDELICEXPERIENCEBySaraGaelGirónApsychedelictripdoesnotendafterasubstancewearsoff,ratheritcontinuesonthroughtheprocessofintegration.Integrationisthephasewithinwhichanindividualassimilatesandincorporatesanexperienceintotheirpsyche,body,andlife.Inpsychotherapeutictermsintegrationisaprocessofmakingthesubconsciousconscious.Afterapsychedelicexperience,integrationistheprocessofreorganizingtheselftoincludethematerialexperiencedduringthealteredstate.Theintegrationphasehasnodefinitivetimeframe.In

20

fact,itcanbesaidthatonceonehasingestedapsychedelicsubstance,theywillbeintegratingtheexperiencefortheirentirelifetime!SomeGuestsstayintheZendountilaftertheycomedownfromatripandarewithusthroughtheacuteintegrationphase.Somepeoplecomeseekingsupportwiththeintegrationofapreviousexperience.Ineithercase,helpinganindividualprocessandintegratetheirexperiencecanbehugelyhelpful,especiallyiftheexperiencewasdifficult,extremelymindaltering,ordisruptivetotheirlifeorrelationships.Thefollowingtoolscanbeusedtosupporttheintegrationprocess:INTENTIONThepsychedelicexperiencereallybeginswhenwechoosetoingestasubstance.Intentionsfortakingapsychedelicmedicineaffecttheentireexperience,allthewaythroughintegrationandarethethreadsthattiethewholeexperiencetogether.Havingaclearintention(ex.toaccessmycreativity,tohelphealmyrelationshipwithmyfamily,toexplorestucklifepatterns,toconnectwithothers,toplay,etc.)setsthestageforapositiveexperience.Whenpossible,weencouragepeopletodevelopclarityaroundintentionsbeforetakingasubstance.However,intheZendowemostoftenseepeopleafterthefact.Intentionisstilljustasimportantduringintegrationasitisinthepre-journeyphase.Helpfulquestionsyoucanaskinclude:

• Nowthatyouhavehadthisexperience,whatwouldyouliketoremember/carryforward/complete?

• Whatvisions/informationareyoubringinghometoyourcommunity?• Howcanyoumanifestthesevisionsonthephysicalplane?Inyourlife?Work?

Relationships?• Whatwasyourintentionbeforetakingthesubstance?(Thereisalwayssome

intention,evenifitwasn’tconsciouslyconsideredatthetime).Howdidyourexperiencereflectyourintention?

• Howdoesyourexperienceaffectyouridentity?Whoisthepersonyouwanttobecomeinyourlifeandhowcanthisexperiencecontributetoyourgrowthandexpansion?

• Whatareyourintentionsinlifeandhowdidthisexperiencecontributetoyourlargergoalsanddesires?

Focusingontheexperienceasapositivelife-changingevent(evenifitdidn’tfeellikeone)canhelptheGuestfocusonpotentialoutcomesandhelpthemconnectwithhowtousetheexperienceasacatalystforchangeandtransformationintheirlives.Intentionsettinghelpsanindividualusewhattheyhavelearnedduringthejourneytomanifestchangeintheirlives.

21

COMMUNITYOneofthemostdifficultaspectsofintegrationisreturningtoasocietythatdoesn’tunderstandorsupportpsychedelicexploration.Infact,re-enteringsocietycanfeellikeastarkcontrastbetweentheinterconnected,transpersonalstateofthepsychedelicexperience.Therefore,oneofmostimportanttoolsforsuccessfulintegrationisasupportive,understandingcommunity.TheZendoisacommunityspacewhereGuestscancometofeelthissupportiveconnectionwithotherswhocanholdtheirstorieswithrespectandreverence.Listening,mirroring,andreflectingsomeone’sstoryhelpsthemfeelseenandunderstoodandincorporatestheexperienceintotheirpsycheandlife.Storiesaresacred.Remindanindividualthattheirstoriesareimportant,notjustforthem,butalsoforthecollective.Creatingacommunityculturewhereweshareourvisionsandrevelationswitheachotherisprofoundandnecessarynotjustfortheindividualbutalsofortheircommunity.WeencourageourGueststoconnectwithandbuildsupportivecommunitiesaroundthemselveswhentheyreturnhomefromtheevent.Wesupporttheminseekingprofessionalhelpifnecessary.EMBODIMENTItisrelativelyeasytoingestasubstanceandhaveamind-alteringexperience.Therealworkbeginswhenwetrytocarrywhatwehavelearnedbacktoourdailylivesandcommunities.Embodimentistheprocessofintegratingknowledge,wisdom,andexperienceintothefabricofone’sbeing.Itistheprocesswherebyideasbecomeactualbeliefs,practices,andbehavior.OnethingthatcanbehelpfulistoremindtheGuestthattheegomindcannotpossiblycomprehendandmakesenseofthetotalityofapeakexperience.Whenwetrytomentallyunderstandeveryaspectoftheexperience,wecanbecomeanxious,depressed,etc.Thebodyandthehearthavethecapacitytoholdourmostintenselifeexperiencesincludingthegrief,trauma,ecstasy,overwhelmingemotions,andrevelationsthatcancomewithpsychedelicuse.Toolsforembodimentinclude:art,movement,talking,music,dance,poetry,writing,thelanguageofsymbolsandarchetypes,spendingtimeinnature,bodywork,somatictherapy,etc.Itisnevertoolatetobeginthisprocess.AppendixC:MEDICALGUIDEMEDICALVOLUNTEERRESPONSIBILITY

TheMedicalVolunteerwillberesponsibleforassessingthemedicalstatusofeachZendoguestupontheiradmittance,keepinganoverallideaofthecurrentconditionofeachguestduringtheirstay.

22

MembersoftheZendoTeammayprovidebasiclifesupport,regardlessoftheirmedicalexperience.Thisinvolvesmaintainingapatentairway,rescuebreathingandCPR.TheMedicalVolunteerwillberesponsibleforcontactingEmergencyServiceswhennecessary,usingtheMURSradio(seeradiomanualforspecificinstructions).

AstheMedicalVolunteeritisyourdecisiontocontactESD.First,takenecessarystepstogettheguestintoaprivatecontrolledspacewhereyouwillbeabletotransfercaretoESDappropriatelyandwithoutdisruptingotherguestsasmuchaspossible.MakesureyouhaveothervolunteerswithyouanddictatethehelpyouneedtothemwhileyoumaketheESDcall.Inthefield,theambulanceisusedforthistypeofprivatecontrolledspace.AttheZendo,itcouldbejustoutsidethedoororinoneoftheothermoreprivatespaces.

Emergencymedicalattentionisrequiredforapatientshowingsignsof:• Feverhigherthan103°F• Confusion• Sluggishness(lethargy)• Headache• Seizures• Difficultybreathing• Chestorabdominalpains• Fainting• Nourineinthelast12hoursDEHYDRATIONVolunteersshouldbeawareofthesymptomsofdehydration:

• Increasedthirst• Drymouthandswollentongue• Weakness• Dizziness• Palpitations(feelingthattheheartisjumpingorpounding)• Confusion• Sluggishnessfainting• Fainting• Inabilitytosweat• Decreasedurineoutput• Urinediscoloration;ifhighlyconcentratedandyelloworamberSKINTURGORDecreasedskinturgoror“doughyskin”isalatesignindehydrationthatoccurswithmoderatetoseveredehydration.Todetermineskinturgor,grasptheskinonthebackofthehand,lowerarm,abdomen,orfrontofthechestbetweentwofingerssothatitistented

23

up.Holdtheskinupforafewseconds,thenrelease.Skinwithnormalturgorsnapsrapidlybacktoitsnormalposition.Skinwithdecreasedturgorremainselevatedandreturnsslowlytoitsnormalposition.ESD

TheEmergencyServicesDepartment(ESD)coordinatesallprofessionalemergencyresourcesontheplaya24hoursaday,includingrequeststooutsideagencies.ESDresponsibilitiescoverallresponsesinthefieldincludingbutnotlimitedtofire,medical,orpsychiatricemergencies.ESDandLEAL(LawEnforcementAgencyLiaison)togetherprovidetheprimaryinterfacebetweenalloutsidehealthandsafetyagenciesandtheBurningManorganization,bothontheplayaandyear-round.ItoperatesasaUnifiedCommandPostcoordinatingallemergencyresponseswithinBlackRockCityfortheESDandalliedagencies,suchasHumboldtGeneralHospital(HGH),theBureauofLandManagement(BLM),andlawenforcement.ESDprovidesfourbranchesofservice--Fire,Medical,Communications,andMentalHealth.RAMPART(BurningManonlyRampartGeneralisthefieldhospitalforBurningMan.TheemployeesofHumboldtGeneralHospitalmakeupthestaffofbothitscomprehensiveon-sitemedicalclinicandahighperformanceALSambulanceserviceoverthecourseoftheevent.

AppendixD:INTERACTINGWITHLAWENFORCEMENT

IflawenforcementorganizationsarriveattheZendo,theSupervisor,Co-Supervisor,orShiftLeadshouldbethepointofcontact.Pleaseremindthemthatitisasafespacewherepeopleinvulnerablestatesareseekingrest.SuggestthatanylawenforcementactivitiesordiscussionstakeplaceoutsidetheZendo.NoneoftheZendoteamshouldhaveanyillegalsubstancesintheirpossessionwhentheyareinsidetheZendo.AppendixE:RADIOPROTOCOLZENDORADIOS

Forteamcommunicationontheplaya,theZendohasbeenprovidedwith15handheldUHFbusinessbandradiosandonemobileradiostation,aswellasMURSradiosfortheemergencycontactofESD.RadioswillbeassignedtokeymembersoftheZendoTeamincludingboththeMedicalVolunteerandShiftLeaderoneveryrotation.

24

KEYMEMBERS&CALLSIGNSCallsign VolunteermemberCORD ZendocoordinatorPEDALS ArtcardriverMEDZendo ZendoMedicalVolunteerLEADZendo ShiftLeadVolunteerattheZENDO

RADIOUSEPROTOCOLS

1.PresenceofRangers,ESD,LEO,orotherpartyrepresentingtheL.L.C.,ContactCOORD,followedbySTAFFZENDOandSTAFFTEAifCOORDdoesnotrespond.2.STAFFINGPROBLEMSIfavolunteerisunabletomakeashiftorhastoleaveearly,orifavolunteerdoesnotarriveforascheduledshiftandtheyareaKEYMEMBER,thencontactshouldbemadebyeitherLEADorMEDtotheircorrespondingSTAFFmember.Also,ifthespaceisparticularlybusyandourabilitytoproperlyserveguestscannotbeadequatelyhelpedbytransferrequests,contactshouldbemadetothecorrespondingSTAFFmemberfollowedbyCOORDtoassist.3.GUESTTRANSFERSThisyearwewillhaveanartcar,Cloud9,andwewillbecollaboratingwiththeTeaHouseatSoftLandingat9:15&B.Overflowtransportationforguestswillbepossibleviaradiorequests.Wecantransportguestsfromspacetospace,orfromCloud9totheZendoorTeaHouse.TherequesttransmissionshouldbemadebetweenLEADandPEDALS.InitialcontactshouldbemadefromLEADtoLEADrequestingfortheadmittanceofguests,makingsuretoincludeanumberandanideaoftheguest’sstate(makingsuretoremembertheNO-NO’s).OnceaTransporthasbeenagreeduponbetweenLEADS,theLEADisresponsibleforcontactingPEDALSandrequestingatransfer.PEDALSwillbebringinggueststobothspacesthroughouttheburn.ItistheresponsibilityofPEDALStocoordinatethearrivalofgueststoaspacebeforeadrop-offismade.PEDALSwillinitiatecontactwiththeLEADattheclosestspace.TherewillbearedyurtnearthemainZendowhereguestsneedingfurtherattentionorprivacycanbehelped.PEDALSandLEADshouldkeepthisinmindwhendecidingtomaketransferrequestsandusethisasatooltoappropriatelyaccommodateguests.

4.ADVICEUsetheradiosforcontactbetweenKeyMemberswhenadviceisneeded.Forexample,MEDmayneedadvicebeforemakingadecisiontocallESD.MEDandLEADmayneedassistancehelpingaguestwhorequiresmoreattention.UsetheradiowithdiscretionandremembertheNO-NO’s,ifconversationsareextended,goDirectviaoneofouradminchannels.

25

5.TECHNICALSmalltasks,suchasgettingmorewaterorbasicsupplies,shouldbehandledbyvolunteersonshiftandshouldnotrequireradiocommunication.Anytechnicalissues,includingthesolar-poweredcoolingsystemintheZendocanbedirectedtowardsTECH.Therewillbetwoassignedtechvolunteersonradiosupport.AnyonecaninitiateatechnicalrequestbycallingforTECH1followedbyTECH2.IfnoresponsefromTECH1orTECH2,techproblemscanbedirectedtowardsCOORD.

RadioOperation

OurradiosareMotorolaBusinessbandPushToTalkradioscapableofbroadcastingon12pre-selectedfrequencies.Handheldradioswillbelabeledandwillbekeptonthechargingstation.Selecttheproperradioforyourpositionatthebeginningofyourshiftandreturnittothechargingstationattheendofyourshift. ControlsTherearetwoknobsatthetopofeachradio,oneturnstheunitonandcontrolsvolume.Thesecondknobselectsoneofthe12pre-programmedchannels.WewillfunctionononePRIMARYchannelforalluse,andoneADMINchannelforextendedmessages.Thechannelnumbersweareusingwillbeonamarker-boardnexttotheradiosandmaybechangedatanytimebyTECH1.Thereisonebuttononthesideoftheradio.Pushandholdtotalkandreleasetolisten.Eachradiowillalsohaveoneextensionlapelspeaker/micthatcanbeclippedontotheshirtforeasieruse.Thelapelalsohasonelargebuttonthatyoupushandholdtotalkandreleasetolisten. INITIATINGACALLTomakearadiocalltoanotherVolunteer,waituntilthechannelisclearandthenclearlynametheirCallSigntwicefollowedbyyourCallSign.Forexample,ifCOORDwantstogetaholdofTECH1heshouldsay,“CORD,CORD,TECH1.”Tech1willrespond,“COORD,goforTECH1.” LISTENListentomakesurethechannelisclearandthatyouarenotinterruptingsomethingimportant.Onlyonepersoncantalkonthechannelatatime,soifyoutransmitwhensomebodyelseistalking,youbothlose.Similarly,donotinterruptemergencyradiotrafficwithlowprioritymessages. PUSHPushandholdthebuttononthesideofyourradioorshouldermictoletthesystemknowthatyouwanttotransmit. PAUSE

26

Waituntilyouhearthebeepfromyourradiothattellsyouit’sreadyforyoutotalk. TALK Speakcalmly,slowly,andclearly.TheZendoTeamwillfunctionononePRIMARYchannelforalluse,andoneADMINchannelforextendedmessages.ThechannelnumberswillbedisplayednexttotheradiosandmaybechangedatanytimebyTECH1. CommonPhrases ALLCOMAllcomisacallfor“allstations”andisacluetoyouthatsomethingimportantisabouttofollow.Forexample,TECH1mightsay,“AllcomthisisTECH1.WearemovingADMINto4.”Thiswouldmeanthatouradminchannelismovingtochannel4andtheradiochannelkeyshouldbechanged.

BREAKBREAKBREAKSometimesachannelcangetbusy.Ifyouneedtousethechannelandthereisanextendedconversationblockingyouruse,continuouslycall“BreakBreakBreak”toclearthechannel.Ifyouhear“BreakBreakBreak”ceaseallcommunicationuntilthe“BreakBreakBreak”callhasstopped. OpenMicIfthetalkbuttonoftheradioislockedonordepresseditwillblockanyothertransmissionsfromcomingthroughtheradio.Ifyouhearanopenmic,checkyourradioandanyoneelsearoundyouwhohasone. UseDiscretionKnowwhattosayandwhatnottosay.Allradiotrafficismonitoredbylawenforcementorotheroutsideagencies,aswellasGuests(fellowburners)andotherdepartments.Ageneralruleisthatwedon’tsayanythingontheradiothatwewouldn’twanttoseeonthefrontpageaftertheburn.Avoidsayinganyofthefollowingontheradio:

PROFANITYOfanykind

DEATHorDEAD“DEATH”OR“DEAD,”—thismaydrawunwantedattention.Insteadrequestanimmediateface-to-facewithCOORDandMED1MED2.

27

SEXUALASSAULT,CHILDABUSE,ELDERABUSE:Ifsomeonereportstoyou,oryoususpectasexualassault,childabuse,orelderabuse,reporttoCOORDSTAFF1andSTAFF2thatyouhaveasituationandwouldlikeassistance.IfCOORDasksformoreinformationbediscreetbutgiveanyinformationrequested. DRUGS,Pharmaceuticals,Psychedelics,Entheogens(bynameorgenerically),“overdose,”or“high.”Again,donottrytodiagnose;insteaddescribeaguestas“altered”,“disoriented”,“unresponsive”,or“unconscious”,asappropriate.(severely,slightlyusea1-10scale) FULLLEGALNAMESORIDENTIFYINGINFORMATIONINFORMATIONofGuests,realworldnames,campingareasoranyotherpersonalinformation.AppendixF:DÉCORANDSPACEKEEPINGSUPPLIES:

• Stapleguns• Thumbtacks• Decorativefabrics• Christmaslights• Clothlanterns• 3-outletsplitterwithshortextensioncords• Powerstrips• Extensioncords• Altertable• Altercloth• Alterpieces• Carpetsandrugs• Blankets• Pillows• Carpetfoam–benchpadding• 2Tables• Supplyshelf

FABRIC:

28

Fabricdrapesfromceilingcentercircletotopofwallandthendowntobenches.Fabricsshouldoverlapsignificantlyatceilingcirclebecausetheceilingwidensasitgoesout.Thiswillprovidefullcoveragewiththefabriconceilingandwalls.LIGHTS:Christmaslights(white)willhangaroundthetopofthewall.Clothlanternscanhangfromtheceilingnearthecentercircleontheceiling.POWER:TherewillbeoneprimarysourceofpowercomingintotheZendo,withoneoutlet.Thiswillbeexpandedusingalargepower-strip.Additionalextensioncordscanbepluggedinhere,ifneeded,andruntonecessarylocationswithintheZendo.Allcordsshouldbeunderthecarpettopreventtripping.Thepower-stripshouldbeaccessiblebutoutofthewayandawayfrompotentialliquidspills.Connectthreelanternstogetherelectricallywith3-outletsix-footextensioncord-thenconnectthatwithasinglelongerextensioncordtoruntothefloorpowersource.Checkthatlanternsareswitchedonandthatthelightbulbsareworkingbeforehangingisconsideredcomplete.ZENDOPAPERWORKORGANIZATION:PAPERWORK:

• Blankfeedbackformscanbefoundinthelarge,clearfilebox.Eachwillbeinitsownfile,labeled.

• FinishedpaperworkwillbegiventotheShiftLead-andtheywillplacetheformsintoasmallerblackfilelock-box.Therewillbeafilecalled:CurrentShiftPaperwork.TheTeamerLeaderwillfileallpaperworkforthecurrentshiftinthatfile,incaseitneedstobeaccessedagain.MorespecificinstructionsforShiftLeadss–seesectiononFilingPaperwork.

• Bothfileboxeswillbestoredontheshelf.FEEDBACKFORMDETAILS:

• ItisessentialthattherebeaGUESTREPORTFORMforeveryGuest.Pleasefilloutthisformbeforeyourshiftends.IfyourshiftendswhiletheGuestisstillpresent,butyouneedtodepart,pleasepasstheformontoaSitteronthenextshift.

• IfaGuestiswillingandabletofillouttheON-SITEFEEDBACKFORM,thatisgreat.Ifnot,don’tforceit,itsokayiftheydon’twanttoorifitdoesn’tfeelcorrectforyoutoask.

29

• PleaseremembertogiveeachGuesttheTAKE-HOMEGUESTFEEDBACKFORMwhentheyleave.TherewillbeinstanceswhenaGuestleavesandisnotableorwillingtotaketheformwiththem.Intheseinstances,thatfine.

• Attheendofyourlastshift,pleasefillouttheVOLUNTEERFEEDBACKFORMandfileitinthefilelabeled:VolunteerFeedbackForm-FinalShift.

FILINGPAPERWORK;ShiftLead:Attheendoftheshift,theShiftLeadwillgothroughtheloggedpaperworkfromthecurrentshiftandmakesurethereiscompletedpaperworkforallGuestswhousedthespaceduringthatshift;theycancross-comparewiththeLogkeepersentrylogtomakesureeveryoneisaccountedfor.ThentheShiftLeadwillfilethatpaperworkintothespecificfilesforeachindividualfeedbackform,alsointheblackfilelock-box.IfaGueststaysbetweenshiftswitches-makeanoteontheentryloganddon’tworryaboutthatfeedbackformsforthatguest.ThenextShiftLeadonthefollowingshiftwilltakecareoffeedbackformsforremainingguests.ShiftLeadscanasktheLogkeeperforhelpwiththistask,ifneeded.TheShiftLeadwillkeeptheblackfileboxlockedforconfidentialitypurposes.ZENDOCLEANLINESS:Supplies:

• Rags• Bleachspray• Papertowels• Trashcontainers(collapsiblelaundrybaskets)• Trashbags

KeepingtheZendoorderlyandcleanprovidesGuestswiththewarmwelcometoaglowingsafespace.Weallfeelmorecomfortable,especiallywhenthingsarechaotic,inpeaceful,orderly,andcleanenvironments.Letsallworktogethertokeepourspacefeelinggood!SPIFFINGUP:Ifyouhaveextratimeduringashiftandseethingsthatcanbecleanedup,pleasegoforit!Wewillalsohavedocleanupinthelast30minutesofashift,foranySittersnotsittingwithGuests.ShiftLeads;pleaseremindyourshiftvolunteerswhenthereare30minutesleftontheshift,toensurethatthetaskslistedbelowareaddressed.Supplieswillbeinlabeledbins.Itemswillbestackedonshelf.PleasekeepthingsintheirrightfulhomeswhentheyarenotinuseJ.

30

ENDOFSHIFTCLEANUP(&duringshift,iftimeallows):

• Straightenblanketsandshakeoutsideifneeded.Putpillowsagainstwalls.• Emptytrashandrecyclingifneeded,replacetrashbags.• Fill5gallonwaterdispenser• Resupplycupstack&placenearwaterdispenser• WashanydishesthathavemigratedintotheZendointhecampkitchen&return

themtotheirrightfulplaces.• Putawayextrasupplieslayingaround-usetheshelves.Putpensandpencilsback

intotheirtray.Putclipboardsinastack.Keepartsuppliestogetherandorganized.• MakesuretherearetissueboxesdispensedaroundtheZendo.• Weknowit’snotthemostfun…butpleasecheckthestatusofourpersonalporta

potty-Wewillallbeforevergrateful.MakesurethatthereisTP.Checktoseethatthesmalltrashcanisn’toverflowingandthatthingshaven’tgottentoooutofcontrol!Isn’titgreattohaveourown!

AppendixG:SUGGESTEDREADINGMAPSPsychedelicHarmReduction:http://www.maps.org/resources/responding_to_difficult_psychedelic_experiences/MAPSTreatmentManualwww.maps.org/research-archive/mdma/Manual_MDMAPTSD_30Nov11.pdfErowidPsychedelicCrisisFAQhttp://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/faqs/psychedelic_crisis_faq.shtmlTHESECRETCHIEFREVEALEDbyMyronJ.Stolaroffmaps.org/resources/responding_to_difficult_psychedelic_experiences/184Video:HowtoWorkwithDifficultPsychedelicExperienceshttp://youtu.be/1aBjoARwlOYVideo:ZendoProjectVolunteerTraining2014http://youtu.be/CphDzpr8wL8PsychedelicReflections,Ed.LesterGrinspoon&JamesB.BakalarTheAdventureofSelf-Discovery,StanislavGrofLSDPsychotherapy,StanislavGrofSpiritualEmergency,StanislavandChristinaGrof

31

GreenPsychology,RalphMetznerTheUnfoldingSelf,RalphMetznerTheHealingJourney,ClaudioNaranjoTheCosmicSerpent,JeremyNarbyTheEthicsofCaring,KyleaTaylorShamanism,RogerWalshThePsychedelicExplorer’sGuide,JamesFadimanHealingwithEntactogens,TorstenPassieAspecialthankstoAnnieOakforallowingustoadoptthefollowingpartsoftheFullCircleTeaHouseManualfortheZendoProjectManual:CodeofEthics,self-care,compassionatelistening,andacceptandworkwithdifficultexperiences.Also,thankstoLinnaePonté,ChelseaRose,SaraGirón,ShannonClare,ZevicMishor,DarwinWestich,KosmiCare,andeveryonewhoseknowledgeofharmreductioncontributedtothismanual.