Embarking on a Ketamine Journey
Setting Intentions for Healing
What is an intention?
An intention is a compass for where to direct your focus for healing. However, it is also important to remember an intention is not a rigid goal, but a guidepost because the journey will often reveal to you what you need and not necessarily what you expect. It is encrouaged for you to allow yourself to be emotionally available to a broader range of insights that may emerge in order to maximize the therapeutic benefits of your infusion.
Why do I need an intention?
Ketamine creates enhanced neuroplasticity which makes your brain more flexible and open to change. This is a chance to create new habits, change the way you think, and see things from a fresh perspective. Setting an intention before the infusion can weave your goals into the experience, making it a transformative process.
Creating Your Intention
Questions to explore…
What are you holding onto in your life that you want to let go of?
Where in your life do you feel stuck? How would you like your life to be different?
What would you like to change about your life?
What does a joyful and fulfilling life look like to you?
What are your regrets and how can you let go of their impact on you?
Which area of your life is causing the most turmoil, and what internal strength do you need to overcome it?
Are there any passions or interests you once had that you would like to experience more of?
What barriers to connecting to yourself and others are you wanting to remove?
If Ketamine Therapy were to help, what feelings would you want expand and feel more of?
Tips for Intention Setting
Keep Intention Affirmative
When creating an intention it is recommended you tailor it to focus on more of what you want versus what you don’t want. Instead of focusing on what you want to eliminate, like stress, anxiety, or depression…try envisioning the positive qualities you crave in your life. For example, instead of saying 'I want to be free from stress,' consider setting an intention like ‘I want to feel more empowered.’ Another way of saying…’I don’t want to be depressed anymore’ you may consider saying ‘Show me what it is like to feel passionate and excited about my life.’ As psychedelics can intensify thoughts and emotions, take this opportunity to connect with your inner values and rediscover the experiences within you that you once enjoyed. Explore fresh ways to embrace a life that resonates with what truly matters to you.
Intentions vs. Expectations
An intention is like a guiding star showing you the direction you want to go but will still allow you the space to be open to what appears on the path ahead. Expectations, on the other hand, can limit your experience if you hold on too tightly to an expected outcome. It's essential to hold your intentions with a loose grip, allowing room for unexpected insights.
“Trust. Let go. Be Open.”
It is always an important part of your mindset after you have prepared for your ketamine infusion to remind yourself to…
Trust that you are safe and supported during your ketamine treatment
Let go of any need to control the journey or label it good or bad, right or wrong
Be open to the possibilities of what it may show you
During your ketamine journey, you can use “Trust. Let go. Be open” as an anchoring statement to return to allow yourself the ability to keep an open mind which will provide a broader range of insights to unfold.
Setting intentions is like having a powerful tool that can help shape the direction of your ketamine infusion but can also get you started on your healing journey ahead. Establishing what you would like to work through, move past, or move toward can provide the focus you may need to get unstuck and create a plan for the life you truly want to live. Take some time to think about what matters most to you, and let your intentions guide you toward feeling better about what lies ahead on this new path of healing.