The recorded religious doctrine, sacramental understanding, and ethical commitments of Pillars of Light Plant Medicine Church.

Pillars of Light Plant Medicine Church

From the Amazon to Texas to You

Pillars of Light Plant Medicine Church is a spiritual community dedicated to communion with the Divine Creator, prayer, sacred ceremony, personal transformation, service, respect for creation, and responsible relationship with the sacred traditions that have been carried by Indigenous peoples for generations.

Our beliefs guide our ministers, facilitators, members, ceremonies, community gatherings, educational work, and service to others.

We believe spiritual practice should be approached with love, humility, truth, responsibility, consent, reverence, and accountability.

Our Core Beliefs

One Divine Creator

We believe in one Divine Creator, the source of life, love, truth, consciousness, and all creation.

We believe human beings may experience connection with the Divine through prayer, contemplation, service, sacred community, responsible relationship with nature, and properly held sacramental ceremony.

The Teachings of Jesus Christ

We receive the teachings of Jesus Christ as central moral guidance, especially His teachings concerning:

• Love of God and neighbor

• Mercy

• Humility

• Truth

• Service

• Forgiveness

• Compassion

• Reconciliation

We may also learn from other sacred writings and ancestral teachings when they remain consistent with love of the Divine Creator, respect for human dignity, and care for creation.

Creation Is Sacred

We believe the natural world is a living expression of Divine Creation.

Plants, fungi, animals, water, forests, land, and the peoples who have safeguarded traditional knowledge deserve reverence and respect.

Sacred plants and traditional knowledge should never be treated merely as commodities.

Human Dignity

We believe every human being possesses inherent spiritual worth.

Pillars of Light welcomes sincere seekers while maintaining boundaries necessary for safety, consent, respectful conduct, and applicable legal requirements.

Inner Transformation

We believe disciplined prayer, honest self-reflection, community, service, and sacramental worship can help individuals confront fear, release harmful patterns, deepen compassion, repair relationships, and live more faithfully.

Mystical Experience

We believe some spiritual and sacramental experiences may be understood as encounters with the Divine, creation, ancestors, the spiritual realm, or the deeper self.

Such experiences should always be approached with humility.

No person's private spiritual experience or interpretation is automatically binding upon another member.

Love and Responsibility

We believe unconditional love is among the highest expressions of the Divine.

Love must also be demonstrated through:

• Ethical conduct

• Truthfulness

• Informed consent

• Non-coercion

• Care for vulnerable people

• Respect for personal boundaries

• Accountability when harm occurs

Life, Death, and Service

We believe the spirit ultimately returns to the Divine realm.

Spiritual practice can help us face mortality with greater peace while encouraging us to devote our lives to love, service, healing relationships, and the well-being of all living beings.

Our Religious Purpose

Pillars of Light Plant Medicine Church exists to provide a sincere spiritual community where members may seek communion with the Divine Creator and grow through:

• Prayer

• Sacred ceremony

• Meditation

• Spiritual education

• Ethical living

• Service

• Community

• Integration

• Respect for nature

• Indigenous reciprocity

Our purpose is spiritual and religious.

The Church does not promise medical cures, diagnose disease, prescribe medication, or replace licensed medical, psychological, psychiatric, or emergency care.

Our Worship & Community Life

Our religious gatherings may include:

Prayer

Opening and closing prayers, including prayers of protection, gratitude, forgiveness, healing, and service.

Meditation & Sacred Sound

Meditation, breathwork, sacred music, sound, drumming, silence, and reverent movement.

Sacred Ceremony

Hapé and other Church-approved sacramental ceremonies conducted by authorized ministers or facilitators according to Church policies.

Spiritual Education

Study and discussion concerning scripture, spiritual teachings, ethics, ancestry, reciprocity, Indigenous traditions, sacred plants, and care for creation.

Integration

Integration circles help members transform spiritual insight into responsible action in their families, relationships, communities, and everyday lives.

Service

We believe spirituality should produce action.

Our community seeks opportunities to support others and provide material assistance to Indigenous families and communities connected to the traditions we honor.

Our Understanding of Sacred Sacraments

We believe the Divine Creator may work through natural sacraments when they are approached with sincerity, preparation, prayer, responsible guidance, and respect.

Sacraments are not recreational products.

Within our religious practice, their purpose may include:

• Communion with the Divine

• Prayer

• Repentance

• Self-examination

• Spiritual insight

• Gratitude

• Reconciliation

• Transformation

• Connection with creation

Recognition of a sacrament within our beliefs does not mean that it is offered by the Church, suitable for every person, or permitted in every location.

Any sacramental practice must be separately approved by Church leadership, governed by appropriate safety and accountability procedures, and conducted only as permitted by applicable law.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is an Amazonian sacrament traditionally prepared from Banisteriopsis caapi and companion plants.

We honor Ayahuasca as a sacramental teacher associated with prayer, sacred song, disciplined preparation, spiritual reflection, and communion with the Divine.

We honor the Indigenous peoples and spiritual lineages that have protected these traditions and reject careless, exploitative, or recreational use.

San Pedro / Huachuma

San Pedro, also known as Huachuma, is a sacred cactus with ancient ceremonial roots in the Andes.

We understand Huachuma as a sacrament associated with the heart, truth, endurance, gratitude, and relationship with the living Earth.

Any Church ceremony involving this sacrament must be responsibly prepared and led by appropriately qualified and authorized individuals.

Sacred Mushrooms

We recognize psilocybin-containing mushrooms as ancient natural sacraments that have been used within spiritual traditions for prayer, mystical experience, reflection, and communion.

We believe mindset, setting, preparation, supervision, spiritual intention, and integration are essential elements of responsible religious practice.

5-MeO-DMT / Bufo

We recognize 5-MeO-DMT, sometimes referred to as Bufo when associated with the Sonoran Desert toad, as an exceptionally powerful sacramental experience.

Some participants describe experiences of profound unity, surrender, or dissolution of the ordinary sense of self.

Because of its intensity and ecological concerns, any consideration of this sacrament requires heightened ethical sourcing, screening, qualified facilitation, monitoring, aftercare, and Church approval.

Hapé / Rapé

Hapé, also spelled Rapé, is a finely prepared Amazonian sacrament commonly made with sacred tobacco and plant ash.

It is traditionally administered through the nostrils using a kuripe for self-application or a tepi when served by another person.

Within Pillars of Light, Hapé may be approached with prayer and spiritual intention for grounding, clarity, cleansing, focused prayer, and communion.

We honor the distinct teachings, traditions, and preparation methods of the Indigenous peoples who create and transmit these sacred blends.

Sananga

Sananga is a traditional Amazonian eye preparation used within certain Indigenous spiritual traditions.

We regard Sananga as a sacred practice associated with courage, clarity, prayer, discipline, and cleansing.

Because Sananga is applied directly to the eyes, Church use requires responsible sourcing, hygiene procedures, screening, consent, and appropriately trained facilitation.

Sacred Cacao

Cacao has held ceremonial significance throughout parts of Central and South America for generations.

We use ceremonial cacao as a gentle, heart-centered sacrament that may accompany:

• Prayer

• Meditation

• Sacred music

• Gratitude

• Fellowship

• Connection

• Spiritual reflection

Pillars of Light uses cacao to encourage reverence, presence, love, and community.

Kambô

Kambô is the secretion of the giant monkey frog and has been used ceremonially by several Indigenous peoples of the Upper Amazon.

The Church understands Kambô as a demanding purification rite rather than a psychedelic sacrament.

Any Church practice involving Kambô requires dedicated safety procedures, responsible sourcing, appropriately trained practitioners, health screening, informed consent, sanitation, emergency preparation, and integration.

The Church does not claim that Kambô diagnoses, treats, prevents, or cures disease.

Sacred Tobacco & Plant Allies

We regard sacred tobacco, including Mapacho, and other traditionally prepared plant allies as worthy of respect and disciplined handling.

Their use within our spiritual practice is intentional and prayerful.

We also recognize non-intoxicating plant allies, incense, resins, teas, aromatic plants, and herbs as potential supports for prayer and worship when responsibly sourced and used.

Our Founders & Ministers

Pillars of Light Plant Medicine Church was founded by Shane Lowery and Verna Lowery.

Shane Lowery

Founder & Head Minister

Provides spiritual leadership and helps oversee doctrine, worship, ministerial conduct, sacred space, and implementation of Church policies.

Verna Lowery

Co-Founder & Associate Minister

Supports spiritual leadership, congregational care, education, ceremony, integration, community relationships, and accountability.

Our ministers serve under the governance and accountability structure established by the Church.

Teachers & Keepers of Knowledge

Pillars of Light does not declare any living founder to be an infallible prophet.

We believe the Divine Creator may teach through:

• Jesus Christ

• Scripture

• Prayer

• Conscience

• Creation

• Community

• Indigenous wisdom keepers

• Responsible sacramental experience

All teachings should remain subject to humility, ethical discernment, love, and accountability.

We recognize Indigenous elders, medicine people, artisans, families, and communities as primary keepers of their own traditions.

We do not claim ownership over their knowledge.

Whenever reasonably possible, we seek permission, attribution, fair compensation, direct relationships, and reciprocity.

Sacred Space

Our principal gathering place is located in Spring, Texas.

Sacred space is created through more than a physical building.

For us, sacred space is established through:

• Prayer

• Cleanliness

• Intention

• Respect

• Appropriate boundaries

• Thoughtful lighting and sound

• Care for the land

• Reverence for the Divine

• Responsible conduct

A location does not become sacred simply because a ceremony takes place there.

Sacredness is expressed through the preparation, actions, intentions, and care of the people within it.

Ceremony

While individual ceremonies may vary according to the sacrament, tradition, setting, and needs of the congregation, a Pillars of Light service may include:

1. Welcome and preparation

2. Safety and consent confirmation

3. Opening prayer

4. Creation of sacred space

5. Cleansing, silence, music, or Four Directions prayer

6. Statement of intention

7. Blessing of the sacrament

8. Sacramental administration when appropriate

9. Prayer, sacred music, drumming, breath, silence, and spiritual support

10. Closing prayer

11. Gratitude to the Divine Creator

12. Gratitude to our ancestors

13. Gratitude to the plant and animal peoples

14. Gratitude to Mother Earth and Father Sky

15. Grounding and nourishment when appropriate

16. Integration and follow-up

Consent is fundamental to our beliefs.

Touch, physical assistance, photography, recording, disclosure of personal information, and participation in optional practices require appropriate consent.

Coercion, sexual misconduct, harassment, humiliation, retaliation, manipulation, and exploitation are incompatible with the beliefs of Pillars of Light.

Preparing for Ceremony

Intention

Members are encouraged to enter spiritual practice with a sincere intention rather than demanding a particular vision or experience.

Questions may include:

What am I ready to understand?

What relationship needs truth or forgiveness?

What am I being called to release?

How can I better serve God, my family, my community, and the living Earth?

Understanding

Before participating in a sacramental ceremony, participants should receive appropriate information about what the ceremony involves, expected duration, foreseeable discomforts or risks, behavioral expectations, boundaries, confidentiality, and emergency procedures.

Physical Preparation

Preparation requirements vary according to the ceremony.

They may include guidance concerning food, hydration, rest, abstinence from intoxicants, medications, transportation, or other ceremony-specific requirements.

Members should not discontinue or change prescribed medication unless directed by their qualified healthcare professional.

Mental & Emotional Preparation

Participants are expected to honestly disclose relevant health information and support needs.

Participation may be postponed when a person is unable to provide informed consent, is intoxicated, under pressure, unstable, or otherwise unsuitable for the particular ceremony.

Spiritual Preparation

Members may prepare through:

• Prayer

• Scripture

• Meditation

• Journaling

• Forgiveness work

• Time in nature

• Safe fasting when appropriate

• Reflection

• Respectful abstinence

Preparation should cultivate humility and openness rather than fear or performance.

Integration Is Part of the Practice

We believe integration is part of spiritual practice—not an afterthought.

Following profound spiritual experiences, members may be encouraged to:

• Rest

• Pray

• Journal

• Hydrate

• Spend time in nature

• Reflect before making major decisions

• Attend integration circles

• Speak with trusted spiritual support

• Seek qualified medical or mental-health support when appropriate

Spiritual experiences should be interpreted with humility.

Safety, Screening & Informed Consent

We believe the Church has a religious and ethical responsibility to protect participants.

Sacramental participation is voluntary.

Church policies may require appropriate:

• Health screening

• Medication review

• Emergency contact information

• Informed consent

• Facilitator-to-participant ratios

• Sober supervision

• Sanitation

• Emergency supplies

• Communication access

• Transportation plans

• Incident procedures

• Integration support

The Church may postpone or decline participation whenever important safety information is unavailable or when a risk cannot be responsibly managed.

Ethical Sourcing & Indigenous Reciprocity

Our relationships with Indigenous peoples are spiritual relationships—not marketing devices.

We seek to practice:

• Direct and transparent sourcing

• Fair compensation

• Accurate cultural attribution

• Respect for traditional knowledge

• Protection of community knowledge

• Long-term relationships

• Reciprocity

Consistent with the mission of Pillars of Light, the Church endeavors to return 10% of eligible purchases or proceeds to Indigenous families, communities, or aligned projects.

We believe that when sacred traditions give something to us, we have a responsibility to give something back.

Stewardship of Mother Earth

We believe Mother Earth is sacred.

Members are encouraged to:

• Reduce unnecessary waste

• Respect wildlife

• Protect natural habitats

• Avoid threatened or exploitative sources

• Choose sustainable cultivation when possible

• Support conservation

• Approach sacred plants and animals with gratitude

Spirituality includes responsibility toward the Earth that sustains us.

Our Sacred Seasons

Pillars of Light recognizes the turning points of the natural year as opportunities for prayer, reflection, gratitude, and renewal:

Spring Equinox

Summer Solstice

Autumn Equinox

Winter Solstice

Our community may also observe Christian holy days, appropriate ancestral or Indigenous observances, days of service, founders' days, and other sacred gatherings.

Members remain free to observe additional holidays according to conscience.

Member Conduct

Members and spiritual leaders are expected to conduct themselves with:

• Honesty

• Sobriety

• Respect

• Confidentiality

• Compassion

• Nonviolence

• Accountability

• Care for others

No individual may use spiritual authority, sacramental access, money, confidential information, or another person's vulnerable state to manipulate, exploit, or abuse them.

Sharing Our Faith

Pillars of Light seeks members through attraction rather than pressure.

We may share our mission through:

• Our church website

• Social media

• Community gatherings

• Spiritual education

• Public classes

• Service projects

• Ceremonies

• Integration gatherings

• Educational materials

We do not believe purchasing a product proves religious commitment.

We do not believe we must declare ourselves spiritually superior to another sincere faith.

The strongest expression of our beliefs is a life characterized by:

Love.

Integrity.

Service.

Forgiveness.

Reconciliation.

Respect for Creation.

Our Commitment

Pillars of Light Plant Medicine Church is committed to creating a sincere spiritual community where ancient traditions can be approached with prayer, responsibility, humility, respect, and love.

We honor those who carried these traditions before us.

We honor the Divine Creator.

We honor Mother Earth.

We honor the sacred plants and medicines of creation.

We honor our ancestors.

And we accept the responsibility that comes with carrying these teachings forward.

Walk With Us

If the beliefs and spiritual mission of Pillars of Light resonate with your heart, we invite you to learn more about our community.

Become a Member

Learn About Our Church

Contact Pillars of Light

From the Amazon to Texas to You

Pillars of Light Plant Medicine Church
Spring, Texas