Befriending the mind is so much more meaningful if you’re willing to accept all parts of it. There are lovely and unlovely parts to all our minds, and the trick is to recognize that we are a radiant being of luminous consciousness whether the thought is nice or not. We don’t have to be ashamed, the thoughts don’t define us as people. There are ways to relate to your thoughts to develop a more peaceful mind, if you just put it into practice.

Psychedelics are healing because they help us to befriend our own mind. They give us insight into how our mind works so that we can cultivate a sweeter relationship with self. But you don't even have to be on psychedelics. There's many meditative and contemplative practices that can help you too. I talk to many people who are fearful or judgmental of their own thoughts. They push them away or criticize them and this just creates a vicious cycle. It's more of the same. It can be really helpful to slow ourselves down enough so that we can notice the flavor or the theme of the thoughts. For example, if you catch yourself having a good or virtuous thought, you celebrate it. Good job, mind. We like that. Way to go. If we catch ourselves having a sad thought, a hurt thought, we can be compassionate. Oh, let me take care of you. What do you need? How can I help? If you catch yourself having a mean or wicked thought, that doesn't mean you're a terrible person. You just say, mind, we can do better. What's a better option? These are three simple categories of thoughts. You can use these tips to respond to yourself better and create a nicer relationship with yourself.