u/PinkPants_Metalhead

Something pretty interesting happened to me a couple of weeks ago. It was a normal day, no alcohol, no substance. Then I had this dream in which I was in a ceremony and in this dream it felt like the real thing... all the physical sensations, the body heaviness, the visuals, the expansion. It was so intense that when I woke up I actually felt like I had the residual effect of the end of an Ayahuasca ceremony for about a minute. It was pretty wild. Has it ever happened to anyone here before?

Hey guys! Hope you're alright.

I've been away from this sub for quite a while. Don't take this personally, I was just out doing my things.

The reason I decided to come back is because of an insight I had a couple of months ago. I suddenly realized it was a pretty, pretty long time since I last felt affected by religiosity. It actually felt like I was immune, really. And I don't mean to post this as a flex... but perhaps as a kind of testimony for those who still feel plagued by catholic guilt.

I was born into a pretty traditional catholic family in Brazil. Grew up having to face a lot of homophobia, shaming, fear and guilt-tripping. While trying to figure myself out, I oscillated A LOT between rebellion and repentance. I got out, only to get back to the Church. Talk about the prodigal son! Argh...

I turned 40 last week. It's been 4 years since I started walking the shamanic path, working with plant medicine. I have been finally able to embrace myself fully. And most importantly: I learned that religion had stolen my natural right to spirituality. Now I can finally understand all the harm done to me. Do I forgive? Nope... but the past is in the past, though. I finally feel like Catholicism is something alien to my life and I have never felt this free.

So I guess this is it... there is hope for healing the catholic guilt. There is a beautiful life beyond the walls of the church. Don't let bald old men in fancy dresses steal your soul.