The Ego's Fear of Change: How Salvia Divinorum Pushes Us Out of Our Comfort Zone
Written by Callan Hansen | Published on
Want to change your life? Salvia divinorum might be the unexpected guide you need—but be ready to leave your ego behind.
The ego thrives on stability, predictability, and control. It resists anything that challenges its constructed identity or threatens the comfort zone it's built over time. In this sense, change is one of the ego's greatest enemies. Yet, when we desire growth, change is unavoidable. Here's where Salvia divinorum enters the scene.
Our egos do everything they can to keep us “safe”—and by “safe,” I mean stuck in patterns that are comfortable, even if they're not doing us any favors. The idea of change, whether it's a shift in how we see ourselves, how we live, or how we view the world, feels like a threat to that stability. The ego sees it as a loss of identity, and its reflex is to resist. It'll put up walls, avoid new ideas, and cling to what it knows, even if it's not helping us evolve. As a result, we become like mindless robots: stuck, complacent, and afraid to step out of our comfort zones and embrace something new.
Introducing the Ego's Fear of Change
Our egos are driven by the need to feel secure in who we are. They cling to familiar patterns, people, and environments. This attachment to stability often leads to the ego's fear of change, as it threatens the illusion of control. The discomfort we feel when we are pushed out of our comfort zones is a direct result of this fear.
For many, the thought of change—whether it's a shift in perspective, lifestyle, or understanding of reality—feels threatening. The ego interprets change as a loss of identity, and as such, it fights tooth and nail to keep things the same. In everyday life, we experience this as resistance to new ideas, habits, or ways of being. We might even avoid challenges that could help us grow, simply because they involve stepping into the unknown.
Salvia's Role in Pushing Us Out of Our Comfort Zone
Salvia divinorum, with its powerful psychoactive effects, acts as a catalyst for change. It doesn't just push you out of your comfort zone—it forces you to confront change head-on, often in ways you didn't expect or prepare for.
During a Salvia experience, the ego's usual safeguards are stripped away. The plant's intense effects can disorient the user, creating a sense of profound loss of control. The familiar boundaries of the self dissolve, and one may feel disconnected from their own body or reality itself. This sudden loss of control can be terrifying, especially for someone who has always relied on the ego to maintain a sense of self.
However, it's precisely this disruption of the ego's grip that allows for transformation. In a sense, Salvia acts like a mirror, reflecting back to the user all the ways in which they are afraid to change, all the patterns they are clinging to out of fear. These intense experiences often push us to let go of old narratives and embrace a new way of seeing the world.
For me, Salvia took away my ego in a way that felt strange and unsettling. It was like I had forgotten something important, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. It wasn't so much that I felt lost—it was more like I'd been stripped of an identity that I hadn't even realized I was holding onto. There was this overwhelming sense that what I had forgotten was crucial, but the more I tried to grasp it, the more it slipped away. It left me feeling both terrified and deeply curious because, in that moment, I wasn't who I thought I was. But at the same time, I knew I was being given the chance to evolve, to let go of something that no longer served me, and to remember what really matters.
For those looking to explore Salvia in a more mindful way, having the right setup can make a big difference. Since Salvia's effects can be intense and disorienting, it helps to approach the experience with intention. Christopher Solomon's handcrafted Salvia pipe is designed specifically for this unique plant, ensuring a smooth and effective session. This isn't about chasing a high—it's about stepping into the unknown with purpose and curiosity.
The Discomfort of Change and Its Role in Personal Growth
The fear of change isn't just uncomfortable—it can be paralyzing. For many, Salvia brings this discomfort to the surface. Yet, in this discomfort lies the potential for deep personal growth. As much as the ego resists change, it's often through this very resistance that we uncover hidden strengths, new perspectives, and previously unexplored facets of ourselves.
Consider the experience of ego death, a common phenomenon during Salvia trips. The sense of self disappears, and what remains is the raw experience of being. This disintegration of ego is uncomfortable, but it offers a glimpse into the truth that we are not our egos—we are something much larger. It's this realization that provides an opportunity for profound transformation.
How Change Leads to New Perspectives
When the ego is forced to take a backseat, we can start to see life through fresh eyes. Salvia can make us realize how much we've been holding onto unnecessary fears or outdated ways of thinking. It opens the door to new ways of being that we wouldn't have considered had we stayed comfortably in our ego's grasp.
This “new perspective” might look different for everyone: it could be a realization about the impermanence of life, an insight into a deep-seated fear or trauma, or simply a new understanding of how interconnected we all are. But here's the key: the insights we gain during these profound experiences aren't meant to be left behind once the trip is over.
The challenge—and the beauty—is integrating those insights into our everyday lives. When we come back to the “normal” world, we might feel like we've touched something larger than ourselves, and now the task is to make that larger sense of connection and awareness a part of our everyday reality. Perhaps we learn to let go of small worries that used to consume us, or we develop more empathy for others. Maybe we start questioning the routines we've been stuck in, realizing that we have the power to change them.
To put it into practice, we can start with small steps: practicing mindfulness to stay grounded in the present moment, reminding ourselves that life is impermanent, and embracing change rather than resisting it. It might be committing to more authentic relationships or making decisions that align with our true values rather than the pressure of societal expectations. The more we integrate these insights into our daily lives, the more we allow them to continue shaping and transforming us in meaningful ways.
The Path to Personal Growth
The discomfort that comes with Salvia's disorienting effects is actually a stepping stone to personal growth. As much as the ego wants to resist, this discomfort presents an opportunity to move beyond the limitations we've created for ourselves. Through Salvia's transformative journey, we learn that change is not something to fear but something to embrace.
Ultimately, it is not the discomfort itself that is the problem—it is our resistance to it. Salvia teaches us that the more we resist, the more we struggle. But if we can surrender to the experience, let go of our ego's need to control, and allow the changes to unfold naturally, we are able to move into a new phase of self-awareness and understanding.
Creating the Right Setup for Salvia
If you're looking to explore Salvia with a mindful, intentional approach, having the right setup is key. The experience can get pretty intense, and it can leave you feeling disoriented if you're not prepared. That's why I'm super excited to share that I'm getting commissions for The Salvia Pipe from Christopher Solomon. He's a true standout in the Salvia community, and his pipes are something special—they're crafted in a way that genuinely enhances the experience, making it feel grounded and meaningful.
What I really respect about Christopher is that he's not just a pipe maker—he gets the plant's power and how it can lead to personal growth. I've been following his work for a while now, and I'm beyond stoked to be collaborating with him on this project. This pipe isn't about just getting high—it's about entering something deeper, with real intention, curiosity, and respect for Salvia's potential. It's the kind of tool that can help guide you through a transformative journey, and I'm all about that.
Conclusion
To change is to grow, and Salvia, in its unique way, can help us embrace change with open arms. The road to transformation is not easy, and it often requires confronting our greatest fears. But by shedding the ego's resistance to change, we make room for new insights, new experiences, and ultimately, a new version of ourselves. It's this willingness to let go of the old and step into the unknown that leads to the greatest personal growth—if we dare to follow Salvia's path.
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