Dear Friends,
Les Jensen could laugh and joke, but he could not get angry. His father was a World War II veteran, jovial most of the time, who could turn to rage in a flash.
Les learned as a boy that showing anger put the whole household at risk.
By 35, Les was working in television and enjoying his life. He was also, in his words, a doormat, and he had no idea.
Les hosts the New Human Living podcast. He had me on his show earlier this year… this time I asked the questions.
I wanted to hear what happened the day his psychiatrist said, “Show me your anger.”
I invite you to listen to our conversation.
You can find Les and his books at newhumanliving.com.
Below, a practice for taking the pressure off.
Today’s Practice: Scream Into a Pillow
A simple thing to take with you from this week’s conversation.
If you have anger inside and find yourself spreading it around, at your children or at other drivers, take three to five minutes a day and scream.
Scream and yell into a pillow! Hold it over your face if you don’t want to bother the neighbors.
Some people find two or three minutes, twice a day, is enough.
Afterward, ask yourself where the pain is. Most anger comes from inner pain, and that is worth looking at.
Practice it for a week, and write back telling me what you noticed.
Golden light,
Dr. Richard Louis Miller
Forthcoming New Book
Resources mentioned
Les Jensen — newhumanliving.com | Books
Richard on Les’s show: The Adverse Effects & Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines with Dr. Richard Louis Miller (New Human Living)
I offer a small number of one-on-one sessions for those who want to work with me directly.
This is not traditional therapy. You bring whatever is troubling you, and we practice the simple tools I have used with patients for six decades — ways of quieting the mind and easing anxiety that you can carry into daily life.
We go at your pace, and we work on what helps.
My Latest Book
The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines was recently reviewed by Samuel Bendeck Sotillos in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies. I was honored by it. Read the review here.
A few words from the front of the book:
Dr. Richard Louis Miller is a true elder and wisdom keeper of the psychedelic community, and his credentials come honestly, through hard-won experience. In this book, he continues his role as an educator by sharing his knowledge of both the perils and the promise of psychedelic substances. The reader will find valuable advice on how to avoid pitfalls while realizing the maximum benefits from the thoughtful and safe use of these remarkable medicines.
— Dr. Dennis McKenna, ethnopharmacologist and author of The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss
Putting forth the adverse effects of these substances in readable form contributes to their understanding and separates psychedelic scientists from those who would cover over, or even hide, negative effects of pharmaceuticals.
— Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, neuroscientist at the University of California, San Francisco
It’s the fifth book in my series on psychedelic medicine. You can find it on Amazon.
My Other Books
Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out
Integral Psychedelic Therapy (co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)
Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances
Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca
Master Your Mind: Practical Tools to Calm Anxiety, Silence Your Inner Critic and Stop Overthinking
