The Eternal Youth vs. the Wise Elder

Leadership Archetypes and the Psychedelic Guide: Part III

Peter Pan—flying ever higher, continually seeking the next quest, refusing to grow up, and instead choosing to live in the dramatic dreamworld of Neverland—is the quintessential image of the Eternal Youth.

In depth psychology, this archetype is known as the puer (or puella) aeternus, the eternal boy or girl. In the psychedelic community, one does not have to look far to see this archetype dancing with people.

Self-described “biohackers,” usually white dudes obsessed with extending their youth, are magnetized to psychedelics for productivity purposes and the “hacks” they perceive these medicines might offer them in their perpetual quest for optimization and perfection. The entire biohacking phenomenon could be seen as a puer fantasy, obsessed with the pursuit of youth, seeking the Holy Grail as quickly as possible while bypassing the quest. But there are no shortcuts in this work.

Programs in which people believe they can get a rapid online certification to become an “expert” or “shaman” …