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Entheogens and the Future of Religion
Exciting book on the spiritual benefits of the entheogens, especially to our society. Essays by Albert Hofmann, R. Gordon Wasson, the Shulgins, Terence McKenna, Dale Pendell, Jack Kornfield, Tom Roberts, Rick Strassman, others. Huston Smith says it is “the best single inquiry into the religious significance of chemically occasioned mystical experiences”.
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 1, 2012
A great overview of the few forefront minds privy to understanding the place and role of entheogens in modern society. I especially enjoyed how several of the authors linked their ideas to the possible ancient uses of theses "gratuitous graces." Although, I think the greatest source of aspiration within this book comes from a renewed sense of having the potential to reach our own moments of illumination, rather than relegating those miracles to the past and dutifully living out our religions on empty rituals. In hindsight, these historical periods of grandeur and exception seem only to make sense when we wed them with what we now know to be probable chemical-based experiences. I, along with Aldous Huxley, prefer that these substances be held in small circles, and they must be treated with the utmost caution. However, of the roughly 10,000 years of written Human history, it's time we took the initiative to rewrite this system of constant warfare, political feuding, and neocorporate machiavellian blood drama that constantly plagues the better peoples of the world. In one sentence? A new religion.
If you like this book, I recommend reading as much as you can from Terrence McKenna. Also, a little dated, but Pierre Teilhard de Chardin hints at similar ideas without references to chemicals--that is, if the idea of chemicals is too offensive for the reader.
If you like this book, I recommend reading as much as you can from Terrence McKenna. Also, a little dated, but Pierre Teilhard de Chardin hints at similar ideas without references to chemicals--that is, if the idea of chemicals is too offensive for the reader.
November 28, 2018
I learned a lot reading this book.
August 13, 2018
This book is a series of interviews and essays and I found several of them quite rambling.
June 21, 2022
Very outdated yet soulful because of the mystical overtones.
Some essays were really good, mostly mentioning Hoffman's contribution about the new religion, a new Eleusis.
McKenna was unfortunately not really all that exciting, and the final essays were completely drudgery, because of how times have changed, policies are changing and the psychedelic renaissance is already fully on its way.
There were some beautiful pieces about religion and psychedelics there, about the need for the transcendent and how that's at the root of the mystical traditions, but even that has now clinically been proven by Griffiths to be beneficial for peoples wellbeing and mental health.
In all, some good stuff; but not recommended.
Some essays were really good, mostly mentioning Hoffman's contribution about the new religion, a new Eleusis.
McKenna was unfortunately not really all that exciting, and the final essays were completely drudgery, because of how times have changed, policies are changing and the psychedelic renaissance is already fully on its way.
There were some beautiful pieces about religion and psychedelics there, about the need for the transcendent and how that's at the root of the mystical traditions, but even that has now clinically been proven by Griffiths to be beneficial for peoples wellbeing and mental health.
In all, some good stuff; but not recommended.
April 23, 2018
This is a very well edited collection. I often get annoyed at the same old cults of personality in books on psychedelics, but the selections of particular works and interviews here are well worth the reading and reveal Forte's sophisticated understanding as well.
February 9, 2015
This is the book I've been searching for my whole life. I've always been interested in psychedelics' especially psycisolbin mushrooms and this book thoroughly discuss the sacramental and religious uses and the controversy it causes with law enforcement! Highly recommend anybody interested in psychedelic spirituality!
February 24, 2016
Come for the psychedelics, stay for the theology. A fascinating set of perspectives by cutting edge thinkers. A must read on the psychonaut syllabus. Skip over Leary and start here.
That said, I don't endorse 100% of the content. I still valued the unorthodox thought experiments.
That said, I don't endorse 100% of the content. I still valued the unorthodox thought experiments.
January 16, 2014
A collection of papers written by experts in this field. It provides support for my current non-conformist lifestyle. Though I fake it pretty good. :)
August 15, 2014
Wonderful, insightful compilation of essays & interviews. Was especially inspiring to comb over the Wasson interview & the Hoffman essays!
November 10, 2022
This book is really terrific
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews