A Remote Arizona Church Offers Followers Peyote-Induced Psychedelic Trips

[edge2054]

*cross posting from another forum I frequent*

From today's edition of the Phoenix New Times, a full length feature article:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/va...allucinogen.php

A Remote Arizona Church Offers Followers Peyote-Induced Psychedelic Trips

By Eric Tsetsi Wed., Jan. 8 2014 ...

A tall, heavy-set man with shaggy blond hair and straight-cropped bangs stands in the middle of an empty gravel parking lot. He looks around aimlessly, hands shoved in his pockets.

When he sees a car pulling up, he turns, hands still stuffed in pockets, and hurries over to a small building with a satellite on the roof and a serape covering the door.

"Someone's here," he says into the darkened building.

A minute later, a small, wiry man wearing tight, black yoga pants, a fanny pack, and a baseball cap pulled over a graying ponytail appears in the doorway and moves across the lot with a mountain goat's spring in his step.

"Hello, I'm Matthew," he says, a grin touching the corners of his mouth. "Welcome to Peyote Way."

This is Matthew Kent, one of the two primary spiritual leaders of Peyote Way Church of God near Safford. On this afternoon, "Rabbi" Kent has just finished an interview with two filmmakers from California who are working on a documentary about his church. The blond man wandering around the property, he says, is preparing for one of the church's "spirit walks."

In the distance, the peak of Mount Graham, a Western Apache holy site, is dusted with snow.

Although not a house of worship in the traditional sense -- there's no steeple, no ornate architecture, no flowing robes or pulpit -- Peyote Way is, in fact, a church. It was founded based on the beliefs of Peyotism, a Native American religion that uses the hallucinogen peyote as a sacrament and combines the teachings of various other mainstream organized religions -- including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Mormonism, Hinduism, and Islam -- in its doctrine...

 

[Entheogenerator]

Although not a house of worship in the traditional sense -- there's no steeple, no ornate architecture, no flowing robes or pulpit -- Peyote Way is, in fact, a church. It was founded based on the beliefs of Peyotism, a Native American religion that uses the hallucinogen peyote as a sacrament and combines the teachings of various other mainstream organized religions -- including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Mormonism, Hinduism, and Islam -- in its doctrine...

I would go so far as to say that eating peyote for spiritual purposes is far more traditional than steeples, ornate architecture, flowing robes, and pulpits. It has certainly been around a lot longer! :roll:

Thanks for sharing the article! :thumb_up:

 

[pau]

Always thought it most interesting that the govt allows only certain American Indian Groups to belong to the Native American Church ... like, isn't that just like supporting "mens' only clubs", and other blatantly discriminatory, even racist practices we've tried to get rid of over the years? So "Freedom of Religion", depsite all the lipservice it gets, only exists up to the point of finding a judge to draw a line some politicians want.

Anyone know how this issue is treated in places like Brazil, Peru, even Mexico, where usage has deeper roots? Maybe this guy should have started his church in Colorado or Washington!

 

[Doodazzle]

From the Peyote Way website:

Peyote is currently listed as a controlled substance and its religious use is protected by Federal law only for Native American members of the Native American Church. Non-Indian Peyote use is protected in five states : AZ, NM, CO, NV, and OR. We do not have access to Peyote where it grows in South Texas and Mexico. As it is an endangered species, we believe an essential and inseparable part of our religious practice is the growing and stewardship of the Holy Sacrament Peyote.

First I'm hearing of any of this. Not only is there another church in America that apparently has legal rights to use an entheogenic sacrament--but also there are 5 states that "protect non-native use".

Santo Daime, UV, NAC, and now Peyote way as well. Two thoughts: The religious defense is starting to look a little better. And when's CoSM going to get DMT and Ayahuasca recognized as a sacrament for it's members?

 

[Gone-and-Back]

I have often wanted to take a visit to the Peyote Way church in Arizona. One day it shall become a reality for me, but for now time and money are not on my side. I feel this is the only way I will ever be able to take part in this great sacrament and learn what it has to teach, for it is near impossible to find seeds or cuttings to grow my own.

Maybe one day I will be lucky enough to find someone to gift me one of these little cacti, or some seeds that they have harvested. It is a shame that its not legal for everyone for religious use. We really do not have freedom of religion if people are barred from practices like this. Just because we are not Native Americans and dont have the history of use like they do should not mean that we can not partake in their beliefs and practices.

One day...

 

[dreamer042]

The Peyote Way has been around for years, this is not a new thing by any means. Arizona is a state that does protect non-native use of peyote with a bonafide religious organization, as are the others listed above.

The Native American Church is a bit different and the laws on peyote use within that context vary from state to state. Some states allow anyone to take the medicine within the churches ceremonies, some states allow only federally registered tribal members, some only allow usage on reservations. The rules also vary from branch to branch within the church, some branches allow everyone and some only allow tribal members. There is a handy list of state regulations on the Peyote Way website here.

I am not as familiar with the UDV and the Daime, but as far as I know they are technically open to everyone but the laws are a bit more strict than those regarding the NAC in that only the church is allowed to import/grow/prepare/transport/dispense the sacrament; whereas within the NAC, any card carrying church member is allowed these privileges, though again, this may also vary with state laws and branch rules.

I respect the mission and beliefs of The Peyote Way Church of God, but I disagree with the fact that they charge a fee to take the Grandfather Medicine. You will never be charged a fee to participate in a Native American Church ceremony, though there may be fees/donations involved in joining the church depending on the branch, a monetary value is never placed on a medicine ceremony.

 

[starway6]

Yes the peyote way church..is only 40 miles from where i am now because I spend the winter in Arizona..
They are just up the road from me..
Ive been tempted to go there and experiance the medicine..
Ive never experianced peyote before but have taken a T peruvianus. trip.
From whai i heard.. they let you wander around the desert on their property tripping your mind out ..
They may have a rooms aranged for guests but at the time I couldent aford the price but may try them some time..

 

[tizoc4u]

The peyote way and even some NAC churches are not Real native american churches, at least the ones open to the public. The real beliefs are practiced on symbolic dates and or after dancing ceremonies. The real authentic practices are NOT open to the public and are performed almost in secret everywere. Alot of the people from various tribes that organize these ceremonies are part of what they call "Red Road" communities and every "Nation" has there own unique way of performing the ritual. Im Mek shee kah we also do peyote ceremonies for thousands of years. These ceremonies do share similarities and as a community we share are beliefs with one another.

 

[starway6]

I called them and they said the spirit walk wont start untill winter is over ..sometime in march...

I asked the price .and they ask for a [300 dollar donation].. for one trip!!

Personally i cant aford that price ..and would rather atend a real native american church for a more afordable price...

I know of one native american church church called ..
[all nations native american church]in Boulder Colorado...

they are located in the [rocky mountain foothills] just a few miles above town of boulder..ran by native americans..

I think they only ask for a donation of about 150 to 200 dollars a year..

They have over 500 members ive called them before and told them im not 100 percent native american and they said all people are welcome!
peyote is their regular sacrament ..

Look them up on google...All nations native american church...Boulder Colorado...

 

[starway6]

The peyote way and even some NAC churches are not Real native american churches, at least the ones open to the public. The real beliefs are practiced on symbolic dates and or after dancing ceremonies. The real authentic practices are NOT open to the public and are performed almost in secret everywere. Alot of the people from various tribes that organize these ceremonies are part of what they call "Red Road" communities and every "Nation" has there own unique way of performing the ritual. Im Mek shee kah we also do peyote ceremonies for thousands of years. These ceremonies do share similarities and as a community we share are beliefs with one another.

Welcome Mek shee kah ..
Ive taken the medicine before and cant forget the experiance..
A couple years ago in south central Arizona ..
It wasnt peyote but it was ..[Cactus mescaline].. and i spent hours rideing my bike around with a beautyfull veiw ..
I was just 12 miles to the west of the [Dragoon mountain range] where Cochese made his stand against the the US cavelry and they also fought the mexican army to..
I could see the area of the mountains that hid cochese and his tribe from the persuing US calvery..
The story says that when cochese died his tribe took his body his horse and dog and wepons and threw them in a deep cravass [where he would never be found by strangers]..in the area of the dragoons that he loved so much!..
With the dragoons easy to see .. I was only 12 miles from that place where he is suoposed to be buried. high on a mountain top.
On mescaline that day.. i could hear ..[thousands of wispering voices].. emit from a breeze passing through a tree i was standing near by..
I felt the voices may have been the voices of decieced native americans of that area..[apache i think]
That day..Everything apeared to be alive ..the grass,,rocks...trees the dirt even had a form of life i could sense..life in almost everything on mother earth..
there is anative american church in Boulder Co that is run by a red man and he welcoms everyone no mater who they are to attend the ceramonies...
Peace..

 

[tizoc4u]

Im sorry I didnt spicify im Mexica from the Azteca nation.I was giving you the pronunciation. I am notoka necholi techolotsintly bright owl yes ive herd of that church. Wish u luck let us know how it goes. I only know of people that organize private gatherings. I wish we had an active church here in California near were I live. Tlazo camati

 

[Once]

Starway,

I went to Peyote Way for a "Spirit Walk" a few years back. $300 may seem a bit high, but it includes two nights in their home and I was fed whatever was cooking as well. Matthew and Annie have a cultivated a very cool life down there in the desert, and they have worked hard and risked everything to make it possible.
For what it's worth, I had a great experience there in a safe and beautiful surrounding.
I am interested to hear what the "All Nations" ceremony is like, please report back if you attend.

 

[starway6]

Starway,

I went to Peyote Way for a "Spirit Walk" a few years back. $300 may seem a bit high, but it includes two nights in their home and I was fed whatever was cooking as well. Matthew and Annie have a cultivated a very cool life down there in the desert, and they have worked hard and risked everything to make it possible.
For what it's worth, I had a great experience there in a safe and beautiful surrounding.
I am interested to hear what the "All Nations" ceremony is like, please report back if you attend.

Im not down on the people there..it just when money enters the game ..we are not all doctors and dentists with 500 thousand in the bank..
I think if they adjusted the price acording to the persons ability to pay ..would be more fair..
Also not concerned about consuming peyote.. just more concerned about wandering around the desert alone stoned ...[as i would be]...posibly with scorpians snakes and who knows what is around ?
Atleast thats the way it sounded to me ..[corect me if im wrong] ..but if i felt safe i would love to do the spirit walk. and take peyote..

But i do know of the native american church in post above in my home state and yearly membership is cheap..
also ..Joe riseing sun ..seems like a very nice person who doesnt care if your native american or not...as long as your cool...your welcome there

[[[[When you took your walk at peyote way...were you with someone>...do they do anything to see to your saftey there as a guest?]]]

 

[Once]

Im not down on the people there..it just when money enters the game ..we are not all doctors and dentists with 500 thousand in the bank..
I think if they adjusted the price acording to the persons ability to pay ..would be more fair..
Also not concerned about consuming peyote.. just more concerned about wandering around the desert alone stoned ...[as i would be]...posibly with scorpians snakes and who knows what is around ?
Atleast thats the way it sounded to me ..[corect me if im wrong] ..but if i felt safe i would love to do the spirit walk. and take peyote..

No 500k here, I make barely over $20k per year woodworking, so I understand the crunch of spending an extra $300. Joe charges a membership fee as well no? Peyote Way has been known to the reduce the price of your stay for work trade. Anyway, I am not a spokesman for "Peyote Way", I just had one experience there. It's just that every few years a thread pops up focusing on the money at "Peyote Way" and the ethical debate surrounding that. Just wanted to add my two cents... They are growing a shit ton of Peyote and providing a safe place for people to try it, so I feel like the donation is justified. I also think that it may keep people that aren't taking it seriously from just showing up and wanting to "trip".

I wouldn't be too concerned about the wildlife if I were you. You are free to roam the property if you wish, but there are several main "camps" that have a fire pit stocked with wood, an amazingly comfortable reclining camp chair, and a large open tent/sunshade to protect you from the elements.
I spent most of my time there sitting by the fire watching the clouds roll through the desert night sky. Watching the sun come up the next morning brought me to tears.
Personally, I feel more comfortable doing this kind of thing by myself in nature than in a ceremonial setting with strangers, so the "Peyote Way" was good for me. Usually I just make my own Pedro Tea or extract and explore the desert, but this was my chance to eat peyote before
leaving AZ.
But if a a group ceremonial setting is what you are looking for, perhaps the NAC ceremonies are more up your alley. I have no idea how they do things, I am sure it is awesome.

Peyote/Cactus are wise, and I'm sure any of your encounters with it will be profound and blessed, good luck on your path!

 

[starway6]

. Usually I just make my own Pedro Tea or extract and explore the desert, but this was my chance to eat peyote before
leaving AZ.
.

Peyote/Cactus are wise, and I'm sure any of your encounters with it will be profound and blessed, good luck on your path![/quote]


[[[May I ask you about the diference in pedro tea mescaline verses the peyote experiance?]]]


I have taken [[T.Peruvianus]] [dryed cactus powder] before and took only 6 or 7 grams of cactus powder was quite a strong experiance for me!

The closed eye visuals.. colors.. were beyond words..it was soo rewarding just listening to piano music..the music came alive and visuals were automatic for me .. i would just think of a color or object and it was there durring CEVs instantly!
Mescaline is awesome!

Is the peyote experiance more colorfull longer lasting than other cacti alcaloind..or anydiferent in your opinion concidering you have done peyote and pedro?

 

[Once]

Honestly, my strongest and most visual trips have been from my own tea's made from bridgesii/Peruvianus hybrids with extracted mescaline added. However my Peyote experience does hold a special place in my heart. It was took me all afternoon to get down all of the Peyote tea, and I purged significantly. The Peyote seemed much more sedating and dreamy, my trip was less euphoric an more of a personal challenge/introspective type trip. I believe this is due also in part to the fact that I was alone for 30hrs in silence sitting up all night with only my fire, the desert, and the stars. Usually on my Pedro trips I have a daytime hike/adventure planned, and it is a more active externally involved experience. Peyote did bring me to tears, and i highly recommend giving it a shot.
If there is one word that is the essence of my Peyote experience, it is gratitude.