Thanatos To Eros, 35 Years of Psychedelic Exploration-online

[Avery L. Breath]

http://www.maps.org/t2e/


.......... meduna's mixture anyone?

[laughingwillow]

Thanks, Andy. This piece really ties in with a conversation we've been having in the Mountain as of late. I'd like to continue that conversation in this thread. (Less chance of mod edits)

I'll be bock......

lw

[laughingwillow]

Quote from passage written by S and A Shulgin.... It was said by Lao Tse some 25 centuries ago: "Understanding others is wisdom. Understanding yourself is enlightenment."

Unfortunately, we humans spend the majority of our inter-personal time trying to decipher the thoughts/actions of others and tend to ignore the root causes of our own behavior. Maybe its because we assume that we are masters of our own actions. But I believe this assumption to be false, for the most part. For it is through the process of exploring our own depths that we position ourselves to truly understand the motivations of those around us.  

Psychedelic exploration is really the study of oneself. I see it as an opportunity for a person to view themself as others may see them, rather than from the usual inner point of reference. And that process can be painful to the ego. Sublimation of the ego is a necessary step on this path, much as cleaning the lens of a camera or face of a mirror is important if one is looking for the clearest image possible.

As intellectual pursuits tend to reinforce the notion of mastery of environment and elevation of ego, I do not believe that such pursuits are necessarily conductive to the definition of enlightenment as described above.

lw

[Avery L. Breath]

I was talking to lizjah the other day and during our conversation he mentioned he suspected that psychedelic explorations may actually reinforce the ego.  He supposed that given the nature of the unique and direct experience that few others have had that is somehow might make a person feal superior or have one up on the common man. Though I personally suspect it is all a matter of semantics.

[laughingwillow]

I suspect Lizjah may be right.

Fear and pride are two dangerous forces to be reckoned with on this path.

lw

[JRL]

Good book. Another heroic explorer. My impression was that his personality structure led to some difficult times, lots of guilt and repression.

What would this world be like had research and therapy with psychedelics had not been stopped(above ground that is)?

[laughingwillow]

Btw, I don't believe it's necessarily the natural inclination for people to seek out a certain type of psychedelic experience which has the potential to teach us much about ourselves. (The bum trip) Therefore, a teacher or benefactor    might be necessary to insure proper set and setting for this personal exploration.

lw

[JRL]

I agree..... Someone to remind you to stay with it.


Wade in the water you never get wet if you keep on doin that rag......

[laughingwillow]

Actually, I see the teacher's role in this case as trying to scare off the student, or maybe controlling through fear. The pupil is really the only one who can will the lessons to continue, imo.

lw

[laughingwillow]

Or better yet, the teacher simply sets the stage for the student discover and confront his/her own fears....

lw