Reviews, and psychedelic pantheism
Hello Breakero!
It seems aeons ago/just yesterday that we were gathered together, to learn, converse, think, reflect, and look around at our fellow psychedelic explorers, each of whom had a rich backstory whether academic researcher, therapist, nurse, historian, raver, cultural commentator, artist, performer, musician, shaman, student, writer, or simply those who came with a curious mind.
We thought you might like to see the write ups of the conference from a few news sources. It is good to see that they noticed the direction Breaking Convention has moved towards, as an independent educational charity hosting a multidisciplinary conference where delegates are encourged to learn and appreciate each other’s perspectives, where we use personal names without the divide of academic titles. We are funded purely by direct ticket sales and the donations of kind individuals. You can read about the 2025 event here: Te Ao Maori News, Lucid News, Psychedelic Alpha Part 1, Psychedelic Alpha Part 2.
The Exeter official photographer James Wills has an online gallery of his excellent photos, see if you can spot yourself! Feel free to download and share, please credit him if you post his pictures online.
The talks were all recorded, and the resulting footage is currently being edited. We ask that you be patient whilst this is underway, it is a time consuming project. We will be sure to announce the videos as soon as they become available! Meanwhile, you can watch lots of talks from previous events on our YouTube channel.
Also, some might like to know that Vincent Moon has a fresh new website with all his films available to watch for free.
To keep up to date with our next events, and other psychedelic news, in addition to subscribing to this Substack newsletter you can follow us on our other social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Bluesky.
Nikki Wyrd
On behalf of the Breaking Convention team
info@breakingconvention.co.uk
We would like to express our gratitude to Kathleen Harrison, one of our star speakers this year, for her efforts in attending BC, we know it was an epic journey for her! Her long term project Botanical Dimensions offers a multitude of connections to native plant conservation in several countries, with the involvement of indigenous people at the forefront.
Another shoutout goes to the people from the Wirikuta Preservation Project who attended Breaking Convention. This project is notable for its combination of ecological and cross-cultural links, taking a fully integrated perspective on the importance of protecting land as a plant refuge and a place sacred since deep time. You can find out more from their Instagram page.
The Exeter Masters programme was officially launched at Breaking Convention 2025. The first academically certified on-campus MSc Psychedelics programme in the world, this marks a major step in psychedelic studies.
Nina is a Psychedelic Therapist studying this ground-breaking MSc in Psychedelics: Mind, Medicine, and Culture. Find out what she has to say about her course and the value of the academic and student community built up around it.
If you are interested in applying, go to https://www.exeter.ac.uak/study/postgraduate/courses/psychology/psychedelics-msc/
Solstice At Wasing
20th June 2025
As the Sun begins its journey back toward winter, the solstice represents a turning point, a reminder of the cyclical nature of life. As one, we embrace this time to connect deeply with the natural world, celebrate light, and reflect on the balance between growth and rest. The summer solstice is not just an astronomical event; it’s a spiritual experience that invites all who honour it to rejoice in the Sun’s life-giving energy and the interconnectedness of all things.
Join us in the woods for Solstice At Wasing to celebrate the energy of Summer, the cycle of nature and music from around the world.
Philosophy enthusiasts will be keen to read Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes’ article Pantheism: One and all, examining pantheism through a psychedelic lens.
ABSTRACT
Pantheism – All is God – is the hidden doctrine behind many reported psychedelic-occasioned experiences, both in the literature and in clinical trials, yet its meaning is little understood in the clinical and therapeutic spheres. This essay therefore seeks to remedy this deficit by offering a fresh outline of Pantheism via the exploration of its etymology and history, the meanings of pan/all and theos/God, before traveling into a Pantheism typology that covers the two veritable varieties, Monist and Idealist Pantheism, as well as related doctrines that include Physicalist Pantheism, Partial Pantheism, Panentheism, and Panpsychism. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515089.2025.2499627