Martin Ball

[Bill Cipher]

So, this guy has been the topic of many Nexus debates for as long as I've been here.

You can love him or hate him, but either way, this just ain't the way to trip sit, kids.

You may have your own concerns, but mine are chiefly as follows:

1) Don't make your livelihood off facilitating psychedelic experiences for others. That ain't cool. You have no ownership over the experience, so don't play the enlightened guru while selling something that's not at all yours to sell.
2) Don't vomit on people. That's just gross.
3) Don't grope peoples' genitals while they're under the influence. That's assault. People go to prison for such things. As they should.
4) Don't plunge your thumbs into their throats, French kiss them or sit on their chests and growl. Also assault.
5) Don't growl or make weird Satanic noises, period. Who wants that forced on them while they're tripping?
6) Don't give 5-MeO-DMT to 79 year olds. But if you do, and they stop breathing as a result, don't put your tongue in their mouths. Rather, call 911 immediately and deal with the fallout you've created.
7) If you must do nonsensical "fractal yoga", don't videotape it for the masses. It just makes you look preposterous.

Thank you to the good folk at Psymposia for exposing psychedelic charlatans and working to keep trippers safe.

 

[null24]

He really does seem like he's very ill, and yet continues to profit from vomiting on people. Because they need it.

Thanks for posting this, and thanks psymposia for making it.

 

[Bill Cipher]

And yet there are lots of people rushing to his defense AFTER watching this video.

I really don't get it. Is it Stockholm Syndrome? Are people really so desperate to follow?

Regardless, Psymposia is doing the good work. Charlatanism is the rule, not the exception, when it comes to urban shamanism. I'm glad there are people who make it their business to hold this abuse to account.

 

[endlessness]

I'm too afraid to click that link... All i've seen from Martin Ball years ago made me cringe so bad, but from your description this seems like he's committing direct abuses, going over the boundary to criminal ... damn...

 

[Bill Cipher]

Oh, you really need to watch it. It's just beyond the pale.

 

[Mitakuye Oyasin]

It feels like he is allowing dark/evil entities willingly into his body to do dark and evil things to himself and others. Long time ago I used to enjoy listening to his entheogenic podcasts. Then as he began to reveal his true self more and more red flags became apparent that he was dark and not working with light or good intent at all. Avoid him at all cost.

 

[Bill Cipher]

It feels like he is allowing dark/evil entities willingly into his body to do dark and evil things to himself and others. Long time ago I used to enjoy listening to his entheogenic podcasts. Then as he began to reveal his true self more and more red flags became apparent that he was dark and not working with light or good intent at all. Avoid him at all cost.

Yeah, I don't know about the entity business, but he's groping on, growling at and vomiting on people, none of which are so good.

 

[bismillah]

Bahaha

The nerve on this guy! He's gotta be taking the piss.

 

[Sunnyside]

So, this guy has been the topic of many Nexus debates for as long as I've been here.

You can love him or hate him, but either way, this just ain't the way to trip sit, kids.

You may have your own concerns, but mine are chiefly as follows:

1) Don't make your livelihood off facilitating psychedelic experiences for others. That ain't cool. You have no ownership over the experience, so don't play the enlightened guru while selling something that's not at all yours to sell.
2) Don't vomit on people. That's just gross.
3) Don't grope peoples' genitals while they're under the influence. That's assault. People go to prison for such things. As they should.
4) Don't plunge your thumbs into their throats, French kiss them or sit on their chests and growl. Also assault.
5) Don't growl or make weird Satanic noises, period. Who wants that forced on them while they're tripping?
6) Don't give 5-MeO-DMT to 79 year olds. But if you do, and they stop breathing as a result, don't put your tongue in their mouths. Rather, call 911 immediately and deal with the fallout you've created.
7) If you must do nonsensical "fractal yoga", don't videotape it for the masses. It just makes you look preposterous.

Thank you to the good folk at Psymposia for exposing psychedelic charlatans and working to keep trippers safe.

And if this list isn't enough to dissuade a body, just think - He might even make a story out of your experience, just to get a cheap laugh...

 

[Bill Cipher]

So, this guy has been the topic of many Nexus debates for as long as I've been here.

You can love him or hate him, but either way, this just ain't the way to trip sit, kids.

You may have your own concerns, but mine are chiefly as follows:

1) Don't make your livelihood off facilitating psychedelic experiences for others. That ain't cool. You have no ownership over the experience, so don't play the enlightened guru while selling something that's not at all yours to sell.
2) Don't vomit on people. That's just gross.
3) Don't grope peoples' genitals while they're under the influence. That's assault. People go to prison for such things. As they should.
4) Don't plunge your thumbs into their throats, French kiss them or sit on their chests and growl. Also assault.
5) Don't growl or make weird Satanic noises, period. Who wants that forced on them while they're tripping?
6) Don't give 5-MeO-DMT to 79 year olds. But if you do, and they stop breathing as a result, don't put your tongue in their mouths. Rather, call 911 immediately and deal with the fallout you've created.
7) If you must do nonsensical "fractal yoga", don't videotape it for the masses. It just makes you look preposterous.

Thank you to the good folk at Psymposia for exposing psychedelic charlatans and working to keep trippers safe.

And if this list isn't enough to dissuade a body, just think - He might even make a story out of your experience, just to get a cheap laugh...

Kersploosh!

 

[Exitwound]

Damn, he's even crazier than Leo.

And people in audience laughing at his stories and applauding them...

 

[murklan]

Oh my....
Good that it's out in the light. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kobranek]

Sad people are willing to subject themselves to that abuse for a 5-meo-dmt experience. With a little research they could put the power in their hands and cut out this fool. Anyone is better than him... Figure mind expanding drugs will help to do just that. Folks are like nope I don't need the part of my brain that involves rationality and reasoning, especially those who just turn a blind eye very well knowing what's happening. Just another bottom feeder preying on the vulnerable. Beyond repulsive...wow! Man that video really brought out some strong feelings that I'd rather keep to myself to avoid violating forum rules!

 

[metta-morpheus]

1) Don't make your livelihood off facilitating psychedelic experiences for others. That ain't cool. You have no ownership over the experience, so don't play the enlightened guru while selling something that's not at all yours to sell.

I agree with this the most. These are Earth’s gifts to us. They don’t belong to anybody, but everybody. They should not be for sale, or possessed by one entity (not the hyperspace kind). They were here well before us and will still be there long after us (I hope).

I’m not a fan of any of these new age profiteering gurus.

 

[Bill Cipher]

1) Don't make your livelihood off facilitating psychedelic experiences for others. That ain't cool. You have no ownership over the experience, so don't play the enlightened guru while selling something that's not at all yours to sell.

I agree with this the most. These are Earth’s gifts to us. They don’t belong to anybody, but everybody. They should not be for sale, or possessed by one entity (not the hyperspace kind). They were here well before us and will still be there long after us (I hope).

I’m not a fan of any of these new age profiteering gurus.

You and me, brother. I've known a few, and it always upsets me.

Don't do this, people. Psychedelics aren't here for your profit and clout chasing. If you're driven by the need to amass an audience of followers to enlighten (and pay you), you almost certainly don't have anything (other than drugs) to offer them.

 

[Seeingisbelieving]

Anyone here actually tripped with this dude?

 

[Tomtegubbe]

Don't do this, people. Psychedelics aren't here for your profit and clout chasing. If you're driven by the need to amass an audience of followers to enlighten (and pay you), you almost certainly don't have anything (other than drugs) to offer them.

I deeply appreciate your statement. I believe this time psychedelics can actually have a large positive impact on the society, because people nowadays appreciate these gifts. From what I've read, when LSD came, it was extremely provocative, elitist and most of all individualist culture. The people who had found the gift did not respect it enough and it's easy to see why it was demonized. It was not just that these people wanted to end war in Vietnam. They wanted to preach their individual freedom and no society can function if people just 'drop out'. The tone today is very different. I feel so glad to see the change.

 

[null24]

His social media posts over the last few years indicate an increasing chaos in his life, including a recent divorce and mental health problems. He was complaining of insomnia for several months, saying that he was getting no sleep at all. I don't know if he was "working" during this period, but something tells me he was. He has admitted as such to struggling mightily against quite a bit of emotional and mental imbalances, yet he continues to practice. It's a very clear matter of needing to clean up your own back yard before telling your neighbors to pick up theirs.

Ball used to coordinate a yearly conference in Ashland Oregon (that was free of charge to attend and hosted some interesting speakers so i have to give him credit for that) but it imploded. He is a big fan of Rettig, and Ball defended him to the point of literally screaming at an audience at the last one in defense of Rettig's practices.

I wasn't at that conference, but friends who attended were shocked at his behavior. I think there's video of it somewhere, I'll see if i can find it. Basically, iirc, his stance is to not question the practices or behaviors of "experienced" practitioners, and that nobody has the business to do so.

Just shut up and take your medicine, then pay me.

 

[Bill Cipher]

I've been engaging with him a bit on Facebook today, where the sycophants have come out in full grammar and spelling challenged force to call anyone currently questioning his methods "outrage police" and the like.

I would describe his reaction to any criticism he's currently receiving as thoroughly unapologetic.

I will say in all fairness that I think that video doesn't reflect all that well on Psymposia. Creative editing for effect has no place in serious journalism, in my opinion.

But sensationalism aside, he said what he said and did what he did. How anyone could listen to his own descriptions of his "work" and not see it as cause for concern is a mystery to me.

 

[null24]

Yeah, i do have to agree with you on psymposia's editing. It reminds me of one of those videos about Jim Bakker which i find thoroughly entertaining, but yeah not so journalistic.