The Pax Shamana Society: unlocking the key to happiness through cultural therapy

It was a boho-chic affair last Thursday, March 31, as locals in the wellness community gathered in the backyard of The Connolley House, the building where revolutionary psychiatrist Dr Fredrick Hickling decades before built a sanctuary for post-colonial psychoanalytical and psychotherapy, for the launch of The Pax Shamana Society.

With the grounds lit with soft purple lighting while lo-fi music flowed through the air, an eclectic mix of creatives, academics, yogis, doctors, health coaches and mental health advocates gathered under the stars while sipping on The Pax Shamana Society’s signature line of exotic tea blends.

While plant-based remedies have been used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years, Western medicine has been slow to embrace this approach.

The Pax Shamana Society, led by massage therapist and shamanic healer Jeremy Gardner, otherwise known as Armiya, is hoping to change that narrative in Jamaica.

Under the guidance of Dr Geoffrey Walcott, a renowned psychiatrist, Armiya is helping people to unlock their happiness through psychological transformation using cultural therapy methodologies.

Rooted in empathy and spirituality, they have built on Dr Fredrick Hickling’s post-colonial practices combined with the deep-empath’s work, through journey sessions that help one to get out of their own way.

As Walcott addressed the crowd, he pointed out: “The holistic approach to wellness has to go beyond mere rhetoric and focus not only on empirical data but also clinical experience and the life experiences of our clients, so we can work collaboratively for wellness, not only of a single individual but of the whole community. In this endeavour, it is important to facilitate a shift from patriarchal practices in the medical field to one that is inclusive and collaborative with our clients drawing on their lived experiences.”

Beyond the role of plants as fuel, shelter and food, personal development coach Carmen Clarke, in her testimony, discovered through a journey work session how she was able to break the barriers of self-doubt. She intimately expressed how Armiya was able to help her get out of her own way, through a guided psilocybin therapy session.

Clarke revealed to the small gathering her initial concerns about ingesting magic mushrooms: “I didn’t want to continue to live in this confusion and turmoil, I needed to be enjoying my life. So because of curiosity, I asked Dr Walcott to explain the process and he did it in a way that I could understand. I felt safe and feeling safe is a good space to be,” she continued.

The journey sessions are aimed at treating and resolving a variety of mental health issues.

Guided recreational and emotional reset sessions are also available. These sessions are aimed at reacquainting an otherwise healthy mind with the transcendent natural reality that becomes distorted by the stresses of life.