In this episode of Exploring Reality Maybe, we dive deep into the extraordinary spiritual journey of Rabbi Zac, a path shaped by mystical awakening, profound personal loss, and transformative psychedelic experiences. From an unexpected encounter with the divine as a teenager in Israel to the soul-crushing grief of infertility, Rabbi Zac’s story weaves together vulnerability, resilience, and a renewed connection to faith.

Through the lens of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah, Rabbi Zac shares how his participation in groundbreaking psilocybin research at Johns Hopkins reshaped his understanding of spirituality, consciousness, and the relationship between light and shadow in the human experience. We explore the rich symbolic language of Hesed and Gevurah, the interplay of unity and uniqueness, and the profound insights revealed in altered states of consciousness.

We also discuss the bridges he is building between ancient Jewish spiritual practices and modern psychedelic therapies, creating spaces for preparation, integration, and communal healing. Rabbi Zac offers a candid view of the pushback from traditional communities, the importance of harm reduction, and his vision for a pluralistic Jewish psychedelic movement.

This conversation is an invitation to rethink our relationship with spirituality, consciousness, and the ego and to explore how ancient traditions and modern neuroscience can meet to support deeper connection, meaning, and service to others.