Immersion: Synthesis’ 5-Day Legal Psilocybin Retreat in the Netherlands

The synthesis learning will stay with me as a guide and resource centre for a long time to come, perhaps or even probably lifelong. The assignments were practical and thoughtful in the way they built on each module of learning. I found the curriculum, with its monthly focus on each area of psychedelic facilitation practice through each of the four lenses, provided me with an enjoyable and reliable cadence. The content was so rich and diverse, generously delivered by such different wise, experienced people, and considerate of many different perspectives that I felt it was expanding not only my understanding but also my toolbox of things to use straight away as well as learn more about. As the year progressed I felt more confident in describing my place in this field, where I have come from, where I may be headed and how my world today integrates with that. There was no pressure to perform or know, in fact the invitation was to remain as long as I wanted to be in liminality for all that could be learned and experienced there. I feel I have worked alongside and become more part of a network of professionals who care about what is most important - safety, ethics, keeping the dialogue open and reciprocity, amongst other things. It really has been a wonderful learning experience, which has expanded my repertoire and skills. Thank you

I was part of the Synthesis Immersion Training Retreat as part of my co-facilitator training April 26 - May 3 at the New Eden Retreat Center. Lesley, Hanneke and Léla were the guides. I consider myself extremely privileged to have been an active witness as well as participant. Lesley embodies what she teaches. Her knowledge, experience and skills were displayed in so many wonderful ways. Her calm and grounded ways and her gentle approach create an incredible sense of trust. Lesley reminds me of a light tower, firmly grounded, calmly sending its light to the ships to help them nagivate challenging waters. Thank you Lesley, I learned so much.

I participated in the Synthesis Immersion Training Retreat, April 26 - May 3. Hanneke was part of the team with Lesley and Léla. What a wonderful experience! Hanneke's lively ways, her authentic and honest approach, her masterful ways of dealing with a challenging situation, will always be remembered. Hanneke also lead the 1:1 interviews with me. I very much appreciated her direct approach, her way of challenging my thinking and assumptions, and her support with a special request. Hanneke's 'make a deal and stick to it' and 'sometimes you are water and sometimes you are a rock' will stay with me. I am grateful for everything.

I took part in the Immersion Training Retreat as a co-facilitator in training and as a participant https://www.synthesisinstitute.com/immersion-training-retreat. It was an outstanding experience. The three guides Lesley Joy Quilty, Hanneke Shots and Léla Mosemghvdlishvili were outstanding. They truly embody and represent want I wish to be someday. I consider myself blessed and priviliged to have been an active witness as they held space and dealt with challenging situations. The variety of workshops, exercises and rituals added to the wealth of knowledge and experience I was allowed to get. - Thank you Synthesis, thank you Lesley, Hanneke and Léla. - The New Eden Retreat Center is a wonderful and very practical location for this retreat, a great setting.

This was my 2nd retreat with Synthesis. I have been working with psychedelics/plant medicines in intentional settings for around 4 years, and recreationally for around 15 years. I would recommend Synthesis retreats for anyone new to psychedelics, as well as more experienced journeyers who are curious to explore their relationship with medicine in a different than might be found in underground or indigenous contexts.

The facilitation team are highly skilled, holding perhaps the safest container I have experienced on a retreat. They're also loving, warm, down to earth people who are just as committed to connecting with the group as they are facilitating the journey itself. The retreat centre is so cosy, and situated in the middle of woodland. It's a very soothing place to be, and the food is the best I've ever had on any retreat (genuinely mind blowing!!!).

One of the most valuable aspects of the retreat was how well rounded and diverse the shared palette of skills, practices, experience and worldviews of our facilitators was. Between them, we had the support, perspective, and holding of a psychotherapist with specialist training in psychedelic work; a practitioner with direct and ongoing training in indigenous medicine traditions; and a third practitioner with a foundation in a range of meditative practices, in academia relevant to this work, and having extensive personal experience with various medicines. This range informed a deep and rich preparation, journeying, and integration, offering us many ways of relating to our experiences beyond just the word.

Thanks to this approach I have been able to explore my subjective as well as and the group dynamic, through movement, sound, meditation, breathwork, creative expression, and of course psychedelics.

I'm a student with The Synthesis Institute and I have now journeyed as a participant, as well as in an apprenticing role. I highly recommend Synthesis retreats for anyone curious to explore intentionally with psychedelics in a safe environment, guided by experienced, caring, and skilled practitioners. And I highly recommend their training to any aspiring practitioners - I have found it to be thorough, inspiring, and very nurturing to my journey along this path.