p. 291 When modern civilization finishes draining the world's resources, when this house of cards collapses, we will see ourselves stripped down to our essence and whimper for forgiveness like third-grade bullies caught by our teachers, unable to comprehend what went wrong. Against the floods, genetic pollution, bacterial onslaughts, radioactive infernos unleashed by human stupidity or aggrieved nature, our technologies will pop like toy guns. Watch the fun as the stock markets continue to seek profit, down to the last seconds of recorded history, betting on the margin-calls of disaster relief and reinsurance agencies.

white man

An interesting survey of various psychedelic substances and the cultures of which they are a part.

It's REALLY difficult, it seems, to give descriptions of these experiences. Pinchbeck is successful in this for the most part. Much will be familiar, particularly the history LSD and peyote in North America.

There were a few moments when he lapsed into some amateur physics concerning DNA and was inconsistent about the dangers of various drugs, but these are minor.

Recommended.

cool story , anthropolgical exploration. He was a fellow student of Mic Taussig, so I read it. Not dissapointed.

Very fascinating and informative book. However, there are some parts where it reads rather like a research paper and I found it dragging on through these parts. The bits where Pinchbeck goes through tales of his "trips" in various countries were my favorites, although the research-y bits were still very interesting. Still haven't finished the book, though, and I'm not sure I will just because it's a little to dense for my taste. Still, this is a fascinating read and if you're interested in the subject of shamanism and exploring higher consciousness this book will definitely pique your interest.

Got the feeling the author rushed a bit in the interpretations of Benjamin; the burning man chapters subtract seriousness from an otherwise fascinating analysis of how certain sub cultures interpret the use of psychedelics. The analysis is interesting and keeps alive the question of why these substances remain taboo if they help inner contemplation without being poisonous

This book, nonetheless, from what I can recall, is a pleasant read, and a good introductory text to the psychedelics, or "contemporary shamanism". Shamans, in the jungles and Amazon, use the same psychoactive substances hippies get stoned or high off of, namely, DMT and psilocybin/hallucinogenic mushrooms, not to mention LSA, an LSD like compound found in nature, that can elicit similar spiritual experiences. They use them to communicate with spirits/ancestors, travel to astral planes or other dimensions, healing or curing during ritualistic ceremonies, or divination for things like predicting the weather or locating lost items/people. There's even some rumor that love potions exist and are effective, too.

The title refers to Pinchbeck's initiation with the Bwiti people, using iboga, or ibogaine, to break open his head, so he could be initiated. That's sort of what it can feel like, as the drugs affect your brain and bind to its receptors, it can make your head throb or feel some kind of sensation. It's symbolic and metaphorical, but also reflects a process in reality.

It is said Daniel had an LSD experience in college that changed his life, and also one at Burning Man 2005 that, as a journalist, caused him to want to be more conscious of ecology and the environment, suddenly caring about our generation and their children, and our children's children. However, it was a bit naive, like Leary, and no one basically took him that serious. It required a different, more methodological approach.

Pinchbeck's mother dated Jack Kerouac, and is something of a writer herself. Daniel himself started out in the art and literature world, taking on the family responsibility, before focusing more on writing and non-fiction.

I think, then, that the point is, from these discoveries, is that shamanism is basically real, or at least their potions are what you'd sort of expect them to be. They aren't for everyone, not everyone might see the appeal, or even need the healing they offer. Another consequence or side effect of using these sacred plant medicine healers/teachers, is that they affect the multiverse, and could cause odd things to happen occasionally. LSD is not the visionary compound most think it is, rather, that title belongs to ayahuasca (the vine of souls).

The book just acknowledges the way people tend to think. I'm not really out to offend anyone by writing this, and it may or may not be about "waking up", but it's a matter of being able to use your effort, to produce results that other people can see and share, as art, to make their life better or more comfortable. There's no reason to believe the future will be Star Trek like.

Some psychedelics, like LSD (which is only really psychedelic at higher doses; psilocybin is psychedelic, as well as DMT, which is "just psychedelic", and forces the experience over you so you have no to little control over what is happening) have a weird computer programming aspect to them, which can just point you towards the right way to live a happy life. There's also the idea of an "archaic revival", which doesn't really mean you can't use computers or machines as you live out in nature, just that there'll probably be less capitalism. Communism isn't seen as fair either, where each person is given the same thing, so innovation is harder as everything is provided by the state, giving you what they think you need or what's best for yourself.

It's best to do any kind of thing in a more shamanic context, silent darkness, more meditative like, to enter a trance state. It'll make you more environmentally conscious.

This book is eloquently written and is something that those just beginning to dabble in the subject area will enjoy. One thing that I do admire about Pinchbeck's book is that it does not shy away from the darker side of psychedelics - a very honest and insightful personal journey. However, for those more versed in the subject area I would more highly recommend the books that he has listed in his acknowledgments!

If you liked McKenna you'll dig Pinchbeck. He is a well read psychonaut who was eloquent enough to describe his psychedelic journeys in great detail, while finding greater significance in his explorations by tying them into a variety of theories and philosophical beliefs. Prior to reading this book, I had heard about the Burning Man festival, but his writings about the event triggered a real longing within me to experience that meeting of like peoples. He appears to be a bit of a show boat, but that makes the read all that much more entertaining. Enjoy!

fairly gripping - somewhat overly gloomy about the future of the species but contains many interesting points of further reading

Great introduction/jumping-off point for what, in the interested reader, could become a serious passion to explore consciousness and the possibilities that lie outside normal perception.

Pinchbeck details his personal journey and experimentation with psychedelics and in particular: shamanism. His travels begin in the exotic landscapes of Gabon in Africa. Since his experience with iboga there, he was solidified in his

A holy book. One of the most intense books I've ever read.

At several points along the way I experienced a palpable, almost dangerous, sense of being overwhelmed, swept away, by what I was reading and by the peculiar psychic phenomena that seemed to meaningfully accompany my reading.

I suppose it's a possibility that Pinchbeck just made stuff up. There's another possibility: Reality is infinitely weirder than I ever imagined. In an updated version of Pascal's wager, my money's on the latter.