Embracing End of Life: Integrating Psychedelics, Community, and Conscious Dying

In this insightful conversation, Corey and Susie discuss Corey's journey from Denver to Maui, where she now works in the end-of-life space as a death doula and hospice assistant. Corey shares her personal story of moving to Maui, transforming her life, and fully immersing herself in the local culture. They delve into the integration of psychedelics into end-of-life care, highlighting the potential to alleviate fear, anxiety, and unnecessary suffering in dying individuals. Corey also reflects on her experiences at the Psychedelic Science Conference, her work with various organizations, and the importance of presence-centered care. The discussion covers educational paths for those interested in the field, the importance of community support, and the potential transformative power of conscious dying practices. Through real-life stories and heartfelt insights, they explore how embracing death can lead to a more fulfilling and connected life.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:13 Journey to Maui

01:31 Life and Work in Maui

04:07 Psychedelics and End of Life Care

05:37 Integrating Psychedelics into End of Life Care

15:22 Facing Death and Nourishing Life

18:10 The Role of Death Doulas

24:06 Personal Reflections and Experiences

35:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Corey Westbury, MS, CHPNA (she/her) serves the Maui community as a minister, end-of-life educator, death doula, mentor, group facilitator, and certified hospice and palliative nursing assistant at Hospice Maui.

Her commitment to restoring deathcare as a sacred service galvanized after attending Doorway Into Light’s death doula training, an initiation that prompted her to realign her life and fully dedicate herself to the path.

Corey is the newest team member at Doorway Into Light, a non-profit organization on Maui founded by Reverend Bodhi Be, his wife Leilah Be, and Ram Dass. Doorway Into Light’s mission is to empower and support families and communities in Hawaii with holistic care of the aging and dying, including those in hospice, care of those who’ve passed, and counseling and care for grieving families. She is humbled to deepen into the work Ram Dass helped birth in the field of conscious dying in America.

Deeply devoted to the spiritual teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, Corey embodies a peaceful presence and a heart-centered approach to life and death. She holds space to honor the sacred mystery of life’s transitions, offering her light as a beacon for those navigating the thresholds of dying and grief. In her community, she is known as “a gem star weaving her magic into the hearts she touches”. Corey lives on Maui in the North Shore community of Haiku with an ever-growing collection of plants and her elderly cat, Pearl.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-westbury-chpna-19aa6522/

Website: www.doorwayintolight.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thedeathstore

Instagram: @thedeathstoremaui

* The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully by Frank Ostaseksi

* From Doorway Into Light - Facing Death, Nourishing Life (flyer attached)Date/time: September 29-November 13. This 7-week online training meets 2x each week for 2 hours (14 classes total). Mondays and Thursdays 10am-12pm Hawaii TimeCorey and the team at Doorway Into Light will guide us in deepening our relationships with death and dying, as well as to deeper meaning and purpose in our life. This training is for all those who wish to prepare for their dying time and their death, those who may care for a dying loved one, those who currently work in the fields of caring for the dying and their families, those wishing to or are being called to work in these fields, and those who care about the world.

For The Dying by John O’Donohue, “To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings” 2008

May death come gently towards you,

Leaving you time to make your way

Through the cold embrace of fear

To the place of inner tranquility.

May death arrive only after a long life

To find you at home among your own

With every comfort and care you require.

May your leave-taking be gracious,

Enabling you to hold dignity

Through awkwardness and illness.

May you see the reflection

Of your life's kindness and beauty

In all the tears that fall for you.

As your eyes focus on each face,

May your soul take its imprint

Drawing each image within

As companions for the journey.

May you find for each one you love

A different locket of jewelled words

To be worn around the heart

To warm your absence.

May someone who knows and loves

The complex village of your heart

Be there to echo you back to yourself

And create a sure word-raft

To carry you to the further shore.

May your spirit feel

The surge of true delight

When the veil of the visible

Is raised, and you glimpse again

The living faces

Of departed family and friends.

May there be some beautiful surprise

Waiting for you inside death,

Something you never knew or felt,

Which with one simple touch

Absolves you of all loneliness and loss,

As you quicken within the embrace

For which your soul was eternally made.

May your heart be speechless

At the sight of the truth

Of all your belief had hoped,

Your heart breathless

In the light and lightness

Where each and every thing

Is at last its true self

Within that serene belonging

That dwells beside us

On the other side

Of what we see.

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