YOU SHOULD JOIN THE CHURCH OF PEYOTE


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HOW TO JOIN THE CHURCH OF PEYOTE



The Peyote Way Church of God is a non-sectarian, multicultural, experiential, Peyotist organization located in southeastern Arizona, in the remote Aravaipa wilderness. They encourage individuals to create their own rituals as they become acquainted with the great mystery. They believe that the Holy Sacrament Peyote, when taken according to our sacramental procedure and combined with a holistic lifestyle, can lead an individual toward a more spiritual life.

"Peyote is a spiritual medicine. It can bring us in touch with the God within us, our Heavenly Father and our Earthly Mother. Peyote puts us in balance again with the Earth underneath our feet... Peyote is a plant sacrament. It is a plant teacher. It is a way of life. Our time in these bodies is brief. When we eat the Peyote we experience time and eternity, and it is from that vantage that, the next day, we can live our life in a very positive and non-trivial way, realizing that this day could be the last and everyone around us is our brother and sister and we need each other."
- Rabbi Matthew S. Kent

To reach an awareness of the presence of the Holy Light within, The Peyote Way Church finds it necessary to partake of Peyote as the Holy Sacrament. The Spirit Walk is their prescribed manner of partaking of the Holy Sacrament Peyote.

The Spirit Walk is a time of introspection and examination of conscience. It gives the individual a chance to re-evaluate their priorities. Through the Holy Sacrament Peyote, the communicant experiences a loss of selfishness and becomes aware of the god within. This heightened awareness gives the communicant a new perspective of the world and their part in it. Petty squabbles and daily strife become unimportant. Peyote often leaves the communicant glad to be alive and more in touch with the Earth and their deity. The Holy Sacrament Peyote, taken in the Spirit Walk structure, leads one to an orientation towards peaceful resolution of conflicts, empathy towards others, and environmental conscience.

What happens on a Spirit Walk?

Spirit Walks take place from March to November. The Spirit Walk requires three days - the first day the communicant arrives in the afternoon and begins fasting. The second day, one must find their Spirit Walk area, drink water and rest until sundown. At about five the counselor will provide instructions and a sacramental tea for the communicant to drink. The experience is individual and very personal and unique to each individual and usually lasts 12-24 hours.

The Spirit Walk is a solitary spiritual experience. You will be asked to fast upon your arrival. This is so your body will be "clean"-empty, and prepared to rapidly assimilate the holy sacrament peyote. You will be asked to take a walk around, while you are fasting, to find a place on the land for your Spirit Walk.

What happens while you are at your site, drinking the tea tends to be a time of introspection and repentance followed by an overwhelming sense of forgiveness. Those who have a tendency towards reflection may find that their experience is more buoyant. At the heart of it is a personal experience of the mysteriousness of this existence and the many facets which we often refuse to see in our daily life.

How do I join the Peyote Way Church?

You can join the church by emailing your request to become a member. There is a membership fee of $50.00. You can find out more on their website.

How do I make an appointment for a Spirit Walk?

After joining the church, e-mail peyoteway@gmail.com or call and they will decide on a date for your Spirit Walk. Find out more here: www.peyoteway.org

Orrrr you can just experience it vicariously through John Safran: