The following is a list of key terms and definitions heard in entheogenic and psychedelic communities:

Entheogen:

Literally ‘becoming divine within’ was derived from an obsolete Greek word describing religious communion with visionary drugs, prophetic seizures and erotic passion, and is cognate with the common word enthusiasm. We noted that, besides being pejorative outside of the counterculture, psychedelic was “so invested with connotations of the popculture of the 1960s that it is incongruous to speak of a shaman’s taking a ‘psychedelic’ drug.” ~ Carl Ruck (1973)

Integration:

Integration refers to the process by which the material accessed and insights gained in an entheogenic experience are incorporated over time into one’s life in a way that benefits the individual and their community.

Intention:

A purpose, aim, desire, motivation, direction, or function stated before engaging in an entheogenic experience.

Set & Setting:

A phrase coined by Timothy Leary,  “set” refers to the physical, mental, and emotional state, or mindset, that an individual enters an entheogenic experience with.  Setting is the physical, social, and cultural setting of the experience.  A safe and comfortable set and setting significantly influence the outcome of an entheogenic experience.

Guide:

An individual who plays an active role in facilitating the preparation, unfolding, and post care of the entheogenic experience. Guides have a significant history of entheogenic use, and have undergone some form of training to facilitate entheogenic experiences.

Sitter:

A sober individual present during an entheogenic experience who is available in case of emergency, and ensures the safety of the individual partaking in the experience.  Similar to guides, sitters have experience with entheogens, however have not necessarily had formal training in facilitation of experiences, and play a more passive role of holding space for the experience.

Cosmological Container:

A particular lived belief system on the origins and structure of the universe, within which the entheogenic experience is held.

Journey:

Alternate name for an entheogenic experience.

Spiritual Practice:

Discipline or system of exercises and actions undertaken for the purpose of furthering spiritual development.

Integration Practices:

Specific actions performed on a regular basis that support the integration of the insights gained during the entheogenic experience into daily life.

Integration and Implementation:

Integration as a concept highlights two main components: meaning-making (integration) and application into daily life (implementation).