Sitting

Jul 16

Holding space. Being present. Not fixing, not guiding — just witnessing.

In the psychedelic space, a sitter (or trip sitter) is someone who stays sober and grounded while another person journeys. Their role isn’t to guide, interpret, or interfere — but simply to hold the space with presence, safety, and trust.

You don’t need credentials to be a sitter. But you do need emotional intelligence, boundaries, and the ability to stay calm in the unknown.

What Makes a Good Sitter?

Sober & stable
You’re not there to trip. You’re there to stay grounded.
Calm under pressure
Psychedelic experiences can be surprising, emotional, or confusing. Your steadiness is the anchor.
Non-directive
You're not leading the journey. Avoid interpretation, advice, or re-framing unless asked.
Respectful of autonomy
Don’t touch, intervene, or offer solutions unless someone asks — or safety is at risk.
Patient and consistent
These experiences can last 4–8 hours or longer, with emotional peaks and valleys.
You’ll also be needed during the come-down — a phase where the person may feel raw, quiet, talkative, or confused.

Your ability to stay awake, present, and grounded throughout the full arc of the experience is part of the medicine.

Core Sitting Principles (Taken from Zendo Project)

The Zendo Project offers one of the most widely used and trusted sitter frameworks. Their model is built around 4 core principles:

Create a Safe Space
Remove hazards. Stay close but not intrusive. Offer water, a blanket, and a non-judgmental presence.
Sit, Don’t Guide
Let the journeyer move through their process. Trust their inner intelligence. Be a mirror, not a map.
Talk Through, Not Down
If someone’s confused or overwhelmed, meet them where they are. Avoid logic traps. Speak slowly, gently.
Difficult is Not the Same as Bad
Challenging experiences can be meaningful. Stay supportive, not reactive.

Zendo's full Sitter Guide is available online via their SIT online course — a must-attend for anyone holding space. We’ve taken the course and can personally recommend it for its clarity, care, and practical depth. Our founder, Alexandra Plesner, has also been a longtime creative volunteer with Zendo, contributing to their mission for over two years. It’s a meaningful relationship built on shared values and firsthand experience.

Things to Clarify Before the Journey

Preferred name or pronouns
Whether they want touch (or not) if distressed (just be aware that this can change but hold your ground)
Medical conditions, allergies, or meds
Any specific boundaries or intentions
Emergency plan: who to call, what to do

A Designer’s Take

Think of sitting as holding the container, not creating the content. Your job isn’t to control the narrative. It’s to design conditions where someone can safely unfold — whatever that looks like.

Being a sitter is quiet, sacred work. It’s not glamorous. But it might be the most human role in the entire psychedelic space.