June 15, 2023 Psychedelic Practitioner Training

This announcement offers an overview of recent organizational changes that have occurred in the first quarter of 2023, resulting in new developments within our training program. For detailed information, please continue reading.

In early March 2023, the Dutch sister company of Synthesis Digital LLC, which was dedicated to offering legal psychedelic retreats in the Netherlands, filed for bankruptcy and has been under the control of an appointed curator overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings since then. 

On March 10th, Synthesis Digital LLC, also facing financial challenges at the time, transferred the operations of its Psychedelic Practitioner Training program to Retreat Guru, the leading online platform for booking wellness and psychedelic retreats. A dedicated team from the Synthesis staff returned to ensure the program's continuity for the 200+ enrolled students. While the majority of students chose to continue and complete their training program, some opted to withdraw. To support those who have chosen to exit, we have implemented refund processes and payment plans.

This transition has been a period of deep grieving, painful learning, collective re-grounding, and extraordinary regeneration. For the program team that continues to hold the training program today, it has been an opportunity to acknowledge limitations, embrace not-knowing, cultivate regenerative energy, and lean into new possibilities.

As we emerge from this transitional period and experience increased stability each passing week, we are pleased to announce that the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training program will continue under new leadership, accepting new students in the future. Enrollment for the next cohort, which is scheduled to start in August 2023, is now open.

In this new chapter of the Psychedelic Practitioner Training, the program's faculty and Learning Facilitators, under new leadership, remain largely unchanged, ensuring a continuous educational journey for past, current and future participants. The experiential components of the training program include the Synthesis Immersion Experience, a nine-day retreat designed to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the foundational digital training, and the Practicum program, an opportunity for students to further their preparation for future work in the field. These are designed to complement the foundational education provided in the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training and continue to be integral components of the training journey.

Furthermore, the program is in the process of renewing its advisory board and is pleased to announce the addition of Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj as its first new member. Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj is a Zen priest with over three decades of experience practicing Buddhism, Dharma teaching, and Ayahuasca ceremony work. With his extensive background as a physician and psychiatrist, Rev. Ryushin brings a profound understanding of the mind and expresses unconditional love through compassionate means. Under Rev. Konrad Ryushin Marchaj's guidance, the program aims to deepen the integration of mindfulness and compassion practices, further enhancing students' readiness for their work in the field.

The program’s growth is shaped more than ever by the continuous input from our students, leading to the development of a shared vision that responds to their desire for more opportunities to network and connect with faculty members. Furthermore, our partnership with Retreat Guru allows us to tap into its vast global network of plant medicine centers and millions of annual website visitors seeking psychedelic services, enabling us to provide access to professional development opportunities that align with our program’s objectives.

In closing, we want to reaffirm our commitment to the core values that define our work:

1. Consistently operating at the highest ethical level
2. Maintaining the highest level of integrity and professionalism
3. Practicing intentionality, authenticity, fairness, kindness, and caring
4. Aspiring to embody an integrated presence
5. Diligently amassing knowledge and creating understanding in the psychedelic field

Guided by our values and supported by the mindful presence of our community, we persist in navigating this journey and its myriad experiences—the discomfort, challenges, grief, beauty, relief, and joy. Our aspiration is for our paths to converge as we come together in community, united by our shared commitment to this work.

To those who feel intrigued to join us in our new chapter, we welcome you. 

For more information and inquiries, please contact support@synthesisinstitute.com 

About the Synthesis Institute: As a global leader in the modern psychedelic movement, the Synthesis Institute, under Synthesis Digital LLC, is dedicated to advancing psychedelic research and delivering high-quality professional education and training for aspiring psychedelic practitioners. With a pioneering history of offering legal psychedelic experiences to over 1,000 individuals, the Synthesis Institute has established itself as a trusted educational provider for a growing community of more than 300 students and graduates. Today, under new leadership, the Synthesis Institute continues to fulfill its mission through the Psychedelic Practitioner Training program.

About Retreat Guru: Founded in 2014 and based in Nelson, British Columbia, Retreat Guru is the largest platform for booking wellness and psychedelic retreats online, trusted by over 2,000 retreat centers and facilitators for booking and payment processing services.