Who is Dr. Paul Thielking?
Dr Paul Thielking is a psychiatrist and long-time zen practitioner. He is the Chief Scientific Officer at Numinus Wellenss/Cedar Clinical Research and is a leading investigator in the emerging field of psychedelic clinical trials.
In clinical practice, Dr. Thielking has long been interested in integrating meditation and other stress reduction practices with psychotherapy and medication treatments. Over the past several years he has developed expertise in the use of ketamine and other psychedelic medicines to help people who are struggling with a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, and existential distress. Since 2020, Dr Thielking has supervised over 200 psychedelic dosing sessions in the context of FDA approved clinical trials, with medicines including ketamine, psilocybin, LSD, 5MeO-DMT, DMT, Methylone, and other compounds. Dr. Thielking is interested in the power of mystical experiences for those seeking healing, growth and transformation.
Dr. Thielking has been studying and practicing Zen since 1999 with Dennis Genpo Merzel Roshi. Genpo Roshi is a teacher in the Soto and Rinzai traditions of Zen Buddhism and the creator of the Big Mind/Big Heart Process. Dr. Thielking was ordained as a Zen Buddhist priest in 2005. In addition to his training as a Zen student, he became a certified Big Mind Facilitator in September 2017.
What is the Big Mind/Big Heart Process?
Big Mind/Big Heart is an interactive process that integrates wisdom from Zen Buddhism with insights and tools from Western psychology to help participants explore their deepest sense of meaning and purpose in life. The process uses techniques from a psychotherapy process called Voice Dialogue, developed by Hal and Sidra Stone. The Big Mind/Big Heart process is intended to help participants transcend limiting self-concepts and attachments to experience the freedom and wholeness that comes with realizing one’s true nature. Big Mind/Big Heart is compatible with any faith or belief system, and participation does not require experience with Zen.