Somatic Intentions for Psychedelic Journeys: Bridging Body and Consciousness
By Constantine Dhonau
When it comes to self-discovery, a psychedelic journey can accelerate growth in ways that simply talking through it never could. This work is as much about your body’s truth as your mind’s intentions. If we’re gearing up to explore these subconscious spaces, the groundwork isn’t about crafting the perfect mantra but about building a somatic intention—anchoring into bodily awareness and presence.
Setting an intention with words can help structure the journey, but the conscious mind isn’t the real driver here. Psychedelics reach into the subconscious and unconscious, realms where words lose their footing and the body takes the lead. As Stanislav Grof points out, “The psyche’s depths cannot be fully accessed through intellectual means alone; experiential approaches that engage the body are essential.“¹
Think of a short, clear formula for your intention, such as, “Help me understand [issue], and I’ll commit to [action] so that I can [specific outcome].” The goal isn’t to cast a spell but to make a simple offering to the experience—a reciprocal agreement where you’re asking for guidance and giving back action. You want this statement short and clear—something that can bring you back if you get untethered along your psychedelic dive into the corners of your mind.
Beyond Words: Feeling Your Intention
Now, the words are just tools to help you drop into the feeling that lives in your body. Where does this intention sit? Is there tightness in your chest, warmth in your belly, or a weight on your shoulders? Maybe all three? In what order? How does it move? The real work happens when you become intimately familiar with where these emotions and desires are held in the body. Christine Caldwell describes this as “bodyfulness,” the practice of full-bodied awareness.²
Begin weeks, even months, before your journey to really build this connection. Make your intention part of your daily life so that by the time your journey begins, it’s no longer just a thought—it’s a tangible feeling, a familiar friend. James Fadiman emphasizes that thorough preparation maximizes benefits and minimizes risks.⁴ If you've ever heard the words “set and setting,” this is what we’re talking about.
Once you’re on the journey, anchor yourself in this somatic intention a few times throughout the experience. Don’t force it or try to control where the journey goes. Just allow yourself to check in occasionally, gently, and trust that whatever unfolds is exactly what needs to happen, even if it seems unrelated. Often, the connections become clear later. Clinical studies have shown that acceptance and mindfulness during psychedelic experiences can lead to significant psychological benefits.⁵
Understanding Your Own Boundaries
Before diving into this kind of work, know yourself. Be mindful of your trauma and your relationship to your body. You’re touching parts of yourself that may carry memories and experiences you’re not ready to fully process––and that is not only okay, it’s critical to listen and respect that. Everything has its time and place. You don’t need to cross every bridge tomorrow. This isn’t about pushing through discomfort just for the sake of it—it’s about finding the right balance between confidence and boundaries. As Bessel van der Kolk notes, the body holds the score of our traumas like a walking sensory hard drive, and we must approach it with care.⁶
Remember, growth doesn’t happen in comfort. It’s the courage to step out of what’s familiar, trusting that you have the capacity to hold whatever comes up. Yet, if something feels too much, honor that. There’s wisdom in knowing when to hold back.
Let the Journey Be the Journey
Somatic intentions are like handrails along a winding path. They’re there to support, not control. The journey may take you to unexpected places, but lean on those bodily cues—trust that feeling in your chest, that gentle hum of knowing, and let them guide you. Psychedelic experiences are expansive beyond what we can imagine. When you let go of needing to understand in real-time, you open the door for deeper transformation. As observed in shamanic practices, respect and reciprocity are crucial for meaningful experiences.³ And, as a mentor often reminded me, “The ceremony begins when the ceremony ends.”
References
Grof, Stanislav. The Adventure of Self-Discovery: Dimensions of Consciousness and New Perspectives in Psychotherapy and Inner Exploration. State University of New York Press, 1988.
Caldwell, Christine. “Mindfulness & Bodyfulness: A New Paradigm.” The Journal of Contemplative Inquiry 4, no. 1 (2017): 1–22.
Luna, Luis Eduardo. “The Healing Practices of a Peruvian Shaman.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 11, no. 2 (1984): 123–133.
Fadiman, James. The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys. Inner Traditions, 2011.
Carhart-Harris, Robin L., et al. “Psilocybin with Psychological Support for Treatment-Resistant Depression: An Open-Label Feasibility Study.” The Lancet Psychiatry 3, no. 7 (2016): 619–27.Van der Kolk, Bessel A. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking, 2014.
About Constantine Dhonau
Constantine Dhonau is a certified life coach and psychedelic guide specializing in somatic and trauma-informed mindfulness, ancient Chinese philosophy, and religious trauma in the LGBTQIA+ community. Drawing from a vibrant tapestry of experiences—from wilderness therapy to Positive Intelligence coaching and Neuro-Linguisitic Programming—he brings depth and a unique blend of compassion and challenge to his clients. Constantine’s background spans thousands of hours with over a thousand clients in wilderness settings and psychedelic integration, offering a transformative journey grounded in both ancient wisdom and contemporary insights.
Meet Constantine and learn more about somatic psychedelic therapy on The Embody Lab’s Therapist Directory.
If you’re interested in understanding more about how somatic practices can help you, consider working with a Somatic Therapist or Practitioner. The Embody Lab’s Somatic Therapist and Practitioner Directory can help you find the right practitioner to support your journey towards more self-compassion, connection, and authenticity. Explore our directory and find the support you need.
