I must give deep thanks to my teacher, the magic mushroom, for a major lesson. I’ve done an about-face, or a pivot, on something that used to be so central to me.
In a past life in my own lifetime, I taught many people about the power of first impressions. I even wrote a book that talked a lot about it (The Glass Elevator: A Guide to Leadership Presence for Women On the Rise). I relayed that people judge you fast — in fact, in seconds — and they get mightily attached to their initial impressions. “So it behooves you, dear students,” I preached, “to make a great first impression. Assess your dress. Put a smile on. Make eye contact, stand with confidence, monitor your pace, and avoid filler words in presentation.”
On a recent mushroom journey, I received the flipside of this instruction: It is up to you to change your own first impressions and ongoing critical judgements of others.
For the uninitiated, let me first explain that magic mushrooms have an uncanny knack for talking to you in a unique and sage voice.
The question I posed at the beginning of my journey was, “How can I be more helpful to those I want to serve?”
Shroom: Ah, that’s simple. Toggle to your black screen.
Me: Huh?
Shroom: Pull down a magical black screen over each person you’re thinking of. It will erase all of the first impressions, judgements, and criticisms that you hang on to. When you toggle to the black screen, you will be able to see into their soul and know exactly what they need and how to help.
As I dropped into the journey, I followed directions like a good student. I conjured people into my mind, one at a time, and was confronted with my own horrible first impressions and harsh judgements. The many ugly labels that arose shame me to the core: she is bitchy…this one is school marmish…that one always looks tattered…if only she would smile…oh her – she’s lacking a generous spirit.
Then, I started doing the work Shroom assigned me. I pulled down the black screen on each, one at a time, magically erasing my earlier impressions. Then, I looked into their souls. I started to see things: she is hurting and protecting herself from more hurt…this one is uncomfortable socially but longing to connect…they don’t believe in wasting resources…that one is grieving…oh her – she’s feeling small after a lifetime of being made to feel small by others.
With each revelation, I noted how I might be more empathetic and helpful. The true magic of mushrooms is the lesson you receive to integrate into your daily life after journey. I got a big one. Thank you, Shroom.
Join me in my work to focus on the flipside of the old script. We each have the power to see others more deeply. Once we see them, we can accept them, help them, and even begin to love them.
