Table of Contents
Beyond The Narrow Life: A Guide For Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration
This book aims to address deep themes inspired by the psychospiritual and therapeutic use of psychedelics without just ‘preaching to the choir.’ This book delves into common topics encountered during psychedelic experiences. It integrates various frameworks, including evidence-based cognitive-behavioural therapy, Jungian depth psychology, existential philosophy, and practices of compassion and mindfulness. It also draws on comparative mythology, pop culture, film, and scientific insights into the cosmos. Rather than providing a dry overview of big ideas, Dr. Ortigo invites readers on an awe-inspiring journey that explores profound questions and challenges we all encounter in modern times.
“I’d like to heartily recommend Dr. Kile Ortigo’s Beyond the Narrow Life to you as a unique work that offers a thoughtful and well-developed map and user’s guide for exploring one’s psyche – from preparation through encounter through integration into the activities of daily life. The field of psychotherapy will very much benefit from the availability of this material.”
David Presti
About the Author
Kile M. Ortigo, Ph.D.
Kile Ortigo, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and founder of the Center for Existential Exploration. This center helps individuals explore deep questions about identity, meaning, life transitions, and psycho-spiritual development. He also serves on the advisory boards of Psychedelic Support, an online platform offering training and a clinician directory for psychedelic-informed care, and Project New Day, a non-profit that provides harm-reduction resources for people using psychedelics in addiction recovery. Previously, Dr. Ortigo worked at the National Center for PTSD (NC-PTSD), where he collaborated on projects involving technology development and implementation, including apps like Mindfulness Coach and online programs such as webSTAIR. Alongside colleagues from NC-PTSD, NYU, and Harvard, Dr. Ortigo coauthored “Treating Survivors of Child Abuse & Interpersonal Trauma: STAIR Narrative Therapy (2nd Edition),” released in June 2020.