Sacred plants: A path to truth, healing and freedom

We Are Securing the Right to Direct Experience

For everyone

At the Church of Direct Experience, we are architects of change, securing legal recognition for the use of sacred plants in religious and healing practices. By collaborating with governments, academic institutions, research hospitals, and global partners, we are reshaping laws to reflect the truth of these ancient traditions. As an organization with a clear path to legalizing sacred plants in the U.S., we are paving the way for enduring religious freedom and direct experiences.

Our Connection with Harvard School of Divinity

Our community’s work with sacred plants has drawn the attention of researchers at Harvard Divinity School, who recognize our sincere commitment to ethical, spiritually grounded practice.

Together, we’re helping illuminate how ancient sacramental traditions—and the direct experience of the Divine they inspire—can be approached with reverence, integrity, and care in the modern world.

Read the full article on Harvard’s website
Upcoming Events

    "In a world obsessed with seeking fulfillment outside ourselves, CODE guided me inward—to wisdom, wholeness, and true connection. My awareness of the Divine in everyday life has deepened beyond words. The work Alex and his team are doing is helping build a more conscious, loving, and connected world."

    Joe Summers

    Person's Title

The Eight Beliefs and Ways of Knowing

As received by the Church of Direct Experience

All true understanding begins in experience. When awareness turns inward and outward with equal attention, reality reveals itself. Our teachings arise from this direct knowing—not from belief, but from recognizing life itself as the sacred text.

Every breath reflects a single intelligence moving through creation. To live in harmony with that intelligence is to live clear, courageous, and awake. These Eight Beliefs distill that wisdom for those seeking direct communion with the Source.

  • There is one Source — The All, Divine Intelligence, God, Great Spirit, The Creator.

    All things arise from one living Source. The same intelligence that shapes the stars moves through the breath of every creature. Nothing stands apart from it. In silence, this truth becomes self-evident: life is not divided but continuous, an unbroken current of being.

    The Divine is both the origin and the presence within all things. It cannot be contained or named, yet it reveals itself through love. When one meets another with openness of heart, the face of the Eternal is seen. To love is to know the All directly.

    This awareness brings order to thought and peace to the heart. It dissolves separation, replaces striving with wonder, and restores meaning to every act. To live in remembrance of the Source is to participate consciously in creation itself.

  • Direct experience of God can be facilitated by the spiritual use of plants.

    The sacred plants are allies of communion, living expressions of the same intelligence that breathes through all creation. When received with humility and reverence, they awaken what lies dormant in the heart and remind us of the unity beneath all things.

    Through their guidance, perception widens and separation dissolves. The Divine is felt directly, alive in every rhythm of nature, every breath, every pulse of being. These experiences do not create faith; they restore memory. They reveal that consciousness and creation move as one continuous act of love.

    The sacrament teaches through presence. It does not command belief but unveils truth. What is seen through this communion clarifies life itself, reminding us that the world is sacred, the heart is its temple, and awareness is the bridge between them.

  • Divine visions and guidance from Source offer strength, clarity, and understanding in life’s subtleties.

    When the heart is open and the mind still, guidance reveals itself in forms both subtle and profound. Visions may come as light or language, as a feeling beyond words, or as a quiet knowing that shapes one’s path with precision. These are not fantasies of the mind but communications of the living Source, offered to strengthen trust and deepen understanding.

    True vision does not separate one from life but roots one more deeply within it. Revelation is not given for escape but for alignment. It shows the order behind what appears chaotic, the purpose beneath what seems uncertain. Each moment of genuine insight invites gratitude and humility, reminding us that wisdom is not achieved; it is received. To walk in this awareness is to move with grace, confident that the Source speaks through every circumstance for those who listen.

  • We are all part of nature, united as brothers and sisters of Earth.

    To know oneself is to know the Earth. Awareness does not end at the edge of the body; it extends into soil, air, and water, into the living fabric of the world. The illusion of separateness fades when perception deepens. We belong to the same continuum of creation, sustained by the same intelligence that moves through all things.

    Harmony with nature is not an aspiration but a remembrance. When we act with care toward the Earth, we restore coherence within ourselves. To harm the living world is to obscure our own light; to honor it is to return to balance. In this recognition, all life is seen as kin—human, animal, plant, and unseen—each a distinct expression of the one Divine Source manifesting through the infinite design of being.

  • All suffering stems from separation — from each other, nature, and The Creator.

    Suffering begins where the sense of division takes root. When awareness forgets its unity with the Divine, the heart contracts and the world appears fractured. This forgetting is the shadow of consciousness, not its punishment. It is the moment when the river no longer feels its source and imagines itself alone.

    Healing begins in remembrance. When we turn again toward connection—to one another, to nature, to God—the illusion of isolation dissolves. Compassion returns. The heart reopens. What once felt broken reveals itself as part of a larger harmony.

    To know our oneness is to end the search for peace.Peacewas never lost. The end of suffering is not escape but reunion, awareness restored to its wholeness, life meeting life without resistance.

  • Plants open a Divine communion and purge false beliefs, returning us to our true essence.

    The sacred plants are vessels of truth, living instruments through which the Divine reveals the deeper order of being. When received in reverence, they dissolve the barriers of illusion and expose what is genuine beneath the surface of self. In their presence, pretense cannot endure. What is false falls away, and what is true stands clear and luminous.

    This communion is purification. The sacred plants do not add to the soul; they unveil it. Through them, we remember that clarity is our natural state and that healing is the return to authenticity. As false beliefs release, gratitude arises, and the heart becomes spacious again. In that stillness, we meet our essence, not as an idea of who we are, but as direct experience of being itself.

  • Unity across all theologies, races, and cultures strengthens conscious community.

    All paths that lead toward truth meet in the same light. The Divine speaks through many languages, wears many names, and reveals itself through every sincere tradition. Diversity is not division but expression, the Infinite reflected through countless forms. When we recognize this, comparison ends and reverence begins.

    A conscious community is built not on agreement but on respect. Unity does not erase difference; it honors it as evidence of life’s creative abundance. Each faith, each people, each culture contributes a necessary note to the greater harmony of existence.

    To live in unity is to see the sacred in every face and the wisdom in every path that seeks understanding. In this awareness, community becomes communion, the many realizing themselves as one, strengthened by the truth that the Source includes all.

  • Healing ourselves heals our families, communities, and the Earth.

    Healing is the restoration of natural balance through awareness. When consciousness awakens to its own wholeness, harmony extends outward on its own accord. The peace realized within one being is not contained; it ripples into every life it touches.

    To live in loving awareness is to participate in this unfolding harmony. No effort is required beyond presence itself. As we live truthfully, the world reflects that truth. As we embody peace, the field around us becomes peaceful. Healing is not an act of doing but of being, the quiet recognition that all is already connected and already moving toward coherence.

    The purpose of life is to live it: to breathe, to love, to awaken within the flow of creation. In living fully, we become the expression of healing itself.

Our mission

Freedom and Legal Protection for Sacred Practices

At the Church of Direct Experience, we believe that everyone deserves the right to explore their own religious path through direct experiences with sacred plants. Our mission is to ensure these practices are protected, safe, and recognized by law, honoring the ancient traditions that have guided humanity for millennia.

Safe, Secure, and Supported Access

Our approach is rooted in the belief that sacred plants should be used with care, respect, and support. By creating a safe and legally recognized space for these practices, we aim to empower individuals to reconnect with themselves and the greater truth of existence.

We work with legal, academic, and community partners to shape policies that protect your right to these transformative experiences. This journey is not just about advocacy—it’s about creating a secure environment where everyone feels supported in their religious exploration.

Join Us in the Movement for Religious Freedom and Legal Recognition of Sacred Plants.

Donate

Stay updated on our mission and events by joining our mailing list.

Our Events

Relax—Release—Allow

Experience three days and two evenings of connection, celebration, and transformation in a vibrant and supportive community setting.

Community Gathering

Experience three days and two evenings of connection, celebration, and transformation in a vibrant and supportive community setting.

Evening Festivities

Enjoy uplifting activities like live music, performances, sound baths, cacao ceremonies, and engaging presentations in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

Wellness Experiences

Participate in relaxing and rejuvenating activities such as ice baths, massages, meditation, and breath-work to restore your body and mind.

Sacred Ceremonies

Take part in safe and supportive ceremonies designed to deepen your spiritual journey and foster a sense of unity and purpose.

Engaging Discussions

Join thought-provoking talks and discussions on meaningful topics, offering unique insights and opportunities for growth and connection.

Reflection & Integration

Wrap up with meaningful conversations, reflection, and integration practices to carry the weekend’s insights into your daily life.

Upcoming Sacred Ceremonies

To reserve your spot or learn more, please use the button to submit a form. We're happy to answer any questions and guide you through the process.

Join Our Community

For more information about any of our events or sacred ceremonies, please use the form below.

“Having first connected with this community in the spring of 2018, I had no idea of the complete life transformation that lay ahead. I came to the organization feeling dense with heavy emotions and seemingly stuck in what many would consider a midlife crisis. I had read that sacred plants would help relieve me of emotional, mental, and physical traumas, but I had no idea of the spiritual connection that these master plants carry. The more I committed to this inner work, the lighter I felt, the happier I became, and my connection with the divine grew stronger and stronger. Through this direct experience with the divine, my limiting belief system has entirely dissolved and has opened up an entirely new reality where I’m creating the most beautiful life path, filled with joy and gratitude and firmly grounded in love, community, and service. Rooted in sacred ancestral tradition and guided by the wisdom of the indigenous healers, this community has transformed my life more than I ever thought possible. It has also been the single best program I’ve experienced for self-care. I highly recommend this community to anyone looking to positively, powerfully, and joyfully move into the next phase of their life.”

Chris Denny

“This community and the journey with sacred plants have been an extraordinary gift in my life. I was drawn to this medicine during a period of impending change and transformation. I recognized that, in order to embrace the next chapter of my life, I needed to explore my inner self on a profound level, shedding long-held stories, beliefs, and even generational patterns. These experiences have been beyond words and truly incomparable. They’ve not only deepened my relationship with myself but also strengthened my bonds with my loved ones. The unwavering support from the healers and the entire team has been truly remarkable. They create such a safe and magical space for this deep healing work. I wholeheartedly recommend these experiences with the healers and this community for those who are genuinely prepared to undergo a deep and radical transformation in their lives. It is the most profound blessing of all!”

Katie McKnight

“There’s an enchanting recurrence in my life, feeling organic and destined. It enriches my soul deeply. The path of sacred plants has been one of the most powerful of these occurrences. The depth of relationships with myself, loved ones, and the amazing people I’ve met through this sacred plant work continues to astonish me, growing even deeper and stronger. In just one year, I’ve gained insights into myself that I couldn’t have achieved alone or through professional help. These lessons have resonated in ways that coaches, mentors, leaders, or therapists never could. My heart is filled with love and gratitude for everything and everyone. Thank you to this community and all the wonderful people who have created a space that feels even more comforting than home. I’m excited to grow old with everyone who joins this community.”

Trevor Foy

“After participating in nearly 20 sacred plant ceremonies with this community, I would like to share a testimonial of my experience. I could honestly write a book about my journey with sacred plants and this community. Working with these sacred plants has not been an easy path, but I am a different person than the one who started this journey. I have released so much old trauma, false beliefs, and emotional baggage, and I’ve healed on so many levels. I have also experienced significant physical healing from lingering Lyme disease symptoms. I’ve gained a deep understanding of myself and have come to truly love who I am through these experiences with sacred plants. The majority of my life-changing transformations have been facilitated by this community.
I can’t say enough good things about the entire organization. From the healers and facilitators to the musicians, helpers, and the crew cooking and cleaning—these are the most kind, compassionate, accepting, and loving group of human beings I have ever encountered. They have always been available to help me through rough spots. No matter how much help I needed or how long it took, they have always been there with love and compassion to guide and support me. I have so much gratitude for this community.
In my last ceremony, I was taking in all that was happening in the room, and I could see how it was all love. I had a vision of a pillar of light shooting up from the building, a frequency of love. Then, I saw the earth, with more pillars of light emerging from sacred plant ceremonies taking place around the world. I was shown how the plant medicine is healing humanity and the earth, helping to raise collective consciousness and awareness. I have the deepest respect and gratitude for the tradition of working with sacred plants and all I have received through my experiences with this medicine.”

Neal Turner

“Take me to church! Participating in over a dozen traditional plant ceremonies with the healers and musicians has been the single most transformational spiritual experience of my life. Shedding trauma and false beliefs; connecting directly with the Divine Spirit; experiencing deep physical and emotional healing— for those who are willing to do the work, I can’t recommend more highly the sacred plant medicine path, and specifically this group of extraordinary healers in this community. They are a miraculous blessing. They are family.”

Adam Healey