Stalking the Wild Pendulum Quotes

“Sometimes consciousness is projected into realities above ours; then one has a “good trip.” However, all these experiences are necessarily distorted because the drug prevents the brain from functioning normally. Also, there is little control over the events or levels one happens to enter. The only positive thing about these drugs is that they do show us that we see our reality through a tiny window, that there is much more to it. On the other hand, prolonged use of drugs will destroy the ability of the nervous system to evolve normally in the direction toward the higher levels shown in our diagram by the arrow of evolution. This is due to the instability in the nervous system produced by the long-term use of drugs. 2 In order to interact on a certain level of consciousness or reality, the mind has to be very steady and clear.”
― Itzhak Bentov, Stalking the Wild Pendulum: On the Mechanics of Consciousness

“The sequence of bodily symptoms usually starts at the left foot or toes, either as a mild tingling stimulus or as cramps. The stimulus continues up the left leg to the hip. In extreme cases, there is a paralysis of the foot and of the whole leg. Loss of sensation in large areas of the skin of the leg may occur. From the hip the stimulus moves up the spine to the head. Here sometimes severe headaches (pressurelike) may develop. In case of prolonged and severe pressures in the head, degeneration of the optical nerve may set in, with accompanying visual impairment. Loss of memory and general disorientation may occur.”
― Itzhak Bentov, Stalking the Wild Pendulum: On the Mechanics of Consciousness