November 19, 2022
Plant medicine, psychedelics, Christianity, spirituality…
For the past year, I've been engrossed in how those topics fit together, if and how I want to incorporate certain practices and “rituals” into my life, and what I want to share with you if you're also looking to sort through these type of things yourself.
What has been particularly helpful in this process of thought and study is talking to (and reading books written by) other people who are also on this reflective journey. Paul Risse is one of those people. Paul first joined me on the podcast “The Christian Psychedelic: Should Christians Use Plant Medicines, Is Microdosing (Or Tripping) A Sin, Accessing Spiritual Realms, DMT & Much More With Paul Risse & Ben Greenfield.” Today, Paul is back.
A former personal trainer for clients on ABC's Extreme Makeover TV show in L.A., Paul was the Personal Trainer, Chef, and Life Coach for “Average Joe on the Raw” (documentary available on Food Matters TV). After eating 100% raw vegan for a couple of years, and living off-grid without electricity for a year, Paul says he now eats intuitively.
Paul is also the CEO of Cleanse America, where he has led 10,000 people through a cleansing process over two years, writing numerous eBooks, producing videos, and orchestrating each of these cleanses. He built his own house without experience going into the process, and he wrote a book about the journey called “Kinda Tiny Home, An Unorthodox Approach to Building and Owning Your Own Home.”
Perhaps most relevant to today's show, Paul took psychedelics around 1,000 times over a decade, including DMT, Salvia, 2CB, 2CI, and LSD, though 99% of the time he engaged in mushrooms. Paul recently released a book called “The Psychedelic Christian,” which is part art, free verse, poetry, Bible verses, spirit realm exploration, testimony, and Holy Spirit encounters.
Paul is currently a percentage owner with the Hayhurst Brothers, where he is involved in design, building, marketing, and sales. Hayhurst Brothers are designers and homebuilders based out of Bridgeport, TX, and have been featured on the DIY network and HGTV. Paul describes his wife, Brittany Risse as “a beautiful and brilliant woman,” and they have an “amazing” 23-year-old daughter named Kalee Risse. Paul loves Jesus, philosophy, meaningful conversations, travel, and life in general – and most importantly, he feels God calling him to share his testimony with the world.
Quick note: This week, I also interviewed Robert Orem, the author of the book Pharmakia: The Biblical View of Drug Use. If you enjoy this episode with Paul Risse, definitely take the time to listen to Robert's episode as we explore similar themes.
During our discussion, you'll discover:
-How Paul initially became interested in plant medicines…8:28
- The Christian Psychedelic: Should Christians Use Plant Medicines, Is Microdosing (Or Tripping) A Sin, Accessing Spiritual Realms, DMT & Much More With Paul Risse & Ben Greenfield.
- Had a healthy Christian upbringing
- Started off using plant medicines recreationally
- Began taking mushrooms and becoming more intentional in a healing journey
-What dose of mushrooms did Paul typically take…10:56
- Microdosing wasn't really “a thing” when Paul started taking mushrooms
- Usually taken with the intention of hallucinating
-Paul’s thoughts on microdosing…11:57
- Podcasts on plant medicines:
- Concerns around unintentionally encouraging others to use plant medicine and the potential dangers
- Believes there can be great benefits in recovering from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Worries about overuse
-The difference between spiritual and psychedelic experiences…18:17
- The Psychedelic Christian by Paul Risse
- What Paul would see in the spirit realm and how they impacted him, physically and spiritually
- Spiritual experiences have been much clearer than psychedelic experiences
-Ben's experience with spiritual journeying…21:06
- Fully lucid, fully in control
- Ben’s use of breathwork, incense, essential oils, and music to enhance the experience
-Paul's use of fasting to enhance the spiritual journey and his recommendation to be careful with the origins of some forms of meditation and breathwork…24:48
- Tantric breathing and transcendental meditation have spiritual roots outside of God
- Breathe to connect with God
-Paul's revelations through writing his book The Psychedelic Christian…30:31
- How the words of God came alive in Paul’s heart and soul
-If people have breakthroughs with plant medicines, such as healing childhood trauma, what is the problem with using them?…35:50
- Paul experienced a hidden pride because he was becoming more advanced in his journey
- “The Enemy” is content with you trading your fear for pride
-Two considerations that Ben hadn’t considered when using plant medicine to become closer to God…39:42
- He was playing with fire every time he was using drugs to enter into a spiritual realm and could have encountered an evil entity
- For every 9 people with a good experience, 1 person could have a bad one
- There’s strong potential for something to go wrong
- This is where the “fruits are good” argument breaks down for Ben
- The Cover Story podcast gets into the dark side of the Ayahuasca industry…
-Medicinal use for healing from trauma…47:06
- Before using, bring your questions before God
- God’s creation should be used wisely
- Paul's story about a friend's wife who had cancer when she was twelve and who became depressive after chemo
- Who is facilitating/overseeing the journey
-Ben's tendency to not encourage couples to journey unless they are already spiritually on a good path as a Christian…55:02
- Playing with fire without the protection of God onboard
-Paul’s thoughts on the intersection of psychedelics and religion…57:45
- The Immortality Key by Brian Muraresku
- Blurry Creatures podcast
- A new form of religion is coming into being in America
-The dark spiritual energy of plant medicine that Ben hasn’t experienced with synthetic alternatives, and why Ben recommends choosing synthetics…1:07:40
- Paul's experience (or lack of) with synthetics
- The difference between plant medicines and synthetics
-And much more…
Upcoming Events:
- Elements Of Vitality with Dr. John Lieurance, Ben Greenfield & Friends: December 2, 2022, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST.
Dr. John Lieurance & Ben Greenfield offer a rare experience to explore the elements of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water with unique treatments, technologies, modalities, and biohacks to represent the healing powers of each element individually. Learn more here.
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Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
– Paul Risse:
- The Psychedelic Christian
- Kinda Tiny Home, An Unorthodox Approach to Building and Owning Your Own Home
- Cleanse America
- Hayhurst Brothers
- The Christian Psychedelic: Should Christians Use Plant Medicines, Is Microdosing (Or Tripping) A Sin, Accessing Spiritual Realms, DMT & Much More With Paul Risse & Ben Greenfield.
– Podcasts And Articles:
- The Big Problem With “Plant Medicines”: Part 2
- The Big Problem With “Plant Medicines”: Part 1
- How To Blast You (And Your Child’s!) Physical, Mental, & Spiritual Resilience Through The Roof With Breathwork.
– Other Resources:
- Victorie
- Essential Oil Wizardry
- The Immortality Key by Brian Muraresku
- The Cover Story Podcast
- Blurry Creatures Podcast
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Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Paul Risse or me? Leave your comments below, and one of us will reply!
As far as abuse in some shamanistic circles,what Ben fails to mention is that it also happens in christian circles.
Ben’s posts used to have dozens, if not, hundreds of comments. What the hell happened?
I came here for the comments too…
Hello Ben, I love the truths that you put out weekly. I’m thankful for your submission to God. It is evident. I have thoughts on the following link that I would like you to consider. I think it’s along the same lines as the plant medicine reconsideration. I have often wondered about this, but never took the time to research. This is regarding practicing yoga as a Christian. After stumbling upon this website, I’ve come face to face with the questions I have been pondering for quite some time. I would like to know what you think about what this founder of alternatives for Christians has to say on the matter. I would love to hear you address it at some point, to hear your perspective. Thank you and God bless.
https://praisemoves.com/category/articles/