Psychedelic Conversations | Sogyu Fukumura - Psychedelic Monk

Psychedelic Conversations

Welcome to the Psychedelic Conversations Podcast!

In this episode we discuss Sogyu's early psychedelic awakening in the 1960s, how LSD shaped his spiritual path, and his decade of rigorous Buddhist training. Sogyu shares the vision behind Yamauto – his Woodstock-style peace gathering festival – and the off-grid ecovillage and alternative school he founded in Japan. We dive into the challenges and possibilities of psychedelics in a culture where they remain underground, the importance of integration and community, and how Buddhist teachings can help navigate profound experiences. This inspiring conversation bridges East and West, tradition and counterculture, offering a rare glimpse into Japan’s underground psychedelic scene and one man’s lifelong mission to foster peace, creativity, and connection.

About Sogyu Fukumura:Sogyu Fukumura is a Japanese Buddhist monk, gardener, and countercultural icon who blends Zen spirituality with the free-spirited ethos of the 1960s. Born in Kyoto in 1951, he trained in the Tendai and Rinzai Buddhist traditions before founding the off-grid ecovillage Sansui-jin ("Mountain–Water–People") in the mountains of Kutsuki. In 2005, Sogyu launched Yamauto, a one-of-a-kind, Woodstock-style music and peace festival that brings together artists, nature lovers, and seekers from across Japan. More than just a festival, Yamauto is a living experiment in community, sustainability, and co-creation – complete with unplugged nights, no-money days, and a vision of harmony with nature. Sogyu continues to inspire generations as a gentle, joyful elder of Japan’s alternative culture.

Connect with Sogyu:- https://flameofhope.jp/sogyu/- https://yamauto.net/message-from-sogyu/- https://web.facebook.com/sogyu.fukumura/- https://www.instagram.com/sogyufukumura/

Thank you so much for joining us!

Psychedelic Conversations Podcast is designed to educate, inform, and expand awareness.

For more information, please head over to https://www.psychedelicconversations.com

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This show is for information purposes only, and is not intended to provide mental health or medical advice.

About Susan Guner:Susan Guner is a holistic psychotherapist with a mindfulness-based approach grounded in Transpersonal Psychology, focusing on trauma-informed, community-centric processes that offer a broader understanding of human potential and well-being.

Connect with Susan:Website: https://www.psychedelicconversations.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/susan.gunerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-guner/Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/susangunerTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/susangunerBlog: https://susanguner.medium.com/Podcast: https://anchor.fm/susan-guner

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