Synopses & Reviews
A compilation of writings on the chemical, biological, psychological, and experiential dimensions of Ayahuascaandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; Includes 24 firsthand accounts of Ayahuasca experiences and resulting life changes, including contributions from J. C. Callaway, Charles S. Grob, and Dennis J. McKennaandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#8226; Discusses the medical and psychological applications of Ayahuascaandlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic Amazonian plant mixture that has been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years by native Indian and mestizo shamans in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador for healing and divination. Many Western-trained physicians and psychologists have acknowledged that this substance can allow access to spiritual dimensions of consciousness, even mystical experiences indistinguishable from classic religious mysticism.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In andlt;Iandgt;Sacred Vine of Spirits: Ayahuascaandlt;/Iandgt; Ralph Metzner, a pioneer in the study of consciousness, has assembled a group of authoritative contributors who provide an exploration of the chemical, biological, psychological, and experiential dimensions of ayahuasca. He begins with more than 20 firsthand accounts from Westerners who have used ayahuasca and then presents the history, psychology, and chemistry of ayahuasca from leading scholars in the field of psychoactive research. He concludes with his own findings on ayahuasca, including its applications in medicine and psychology, and compares the worldview revealed by ayahuasca visions to that of Western cultures.
Review
andquot;Ralph Metzner, world famous pioneer of psychedelic research and consciousness explorer, brings together a masterful collection of writings exploring the nature of this extraordinary sacred potion, from its chemical and biological properties and psychological effects to its enormous healing and spiritual potential. This book will be an inspiration for lay audiences and a treasure trove of information for scholars studying consciousneess and the human psyche.andquot;
Review
andquot;Thought-provoking, wide-ranging, and well-reasoned, Metzner's collection of essays and self-reports contains the widest representation of subjective effects and scientific information on ayahuasca in the modern West. It provides ideas for future research and is essential for beginners and veterans of the field.andquot;
Review
"Metzner's book is a valuable investment in exploration of consciousness and an inspiration for further studies and personal experiences of the healing and spiritual potential of Ayahuasca."
Review
"Ralph Metzner, world famous pioneer of psychedelic research and consciousness explorer, brings together a masterful collection of writings exploring the nature of this extraordinary sacred potion, from its chemical and biological properties and psychological effects to its enormous healing and spiritual potential. This book will be an inspiration for lay audiences and a treasure trove of information for scholars studying consciousneess and the human psyche." < b=""> Stanislav Grof, M.D <> ., author of < i=""> LSD Psychotherapy <> , < i=""> Psychology of the Future <> , and < i=""> The Cosmic Game <>
Review
"Thought-provoking, wide-ranging, and well-reasoned, Metzner's collection of essays and self-reports contains the widest representation of subjective effects and scientific information on ayahuasca in the modern West. It provides ideas for future research and is essential for beginners and veterans of the field." < b=""> Rick Strassman <> , M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and author of < i=""> DMT: The Spirit Molecule <>
Review
"Metzner's book is a valuable investment in exploration of consciousness and an inspiration for further studies and personal experiences of the healing and spiritual potential of Ayahuasca." < b=""> Galina Vladi <> , < i=""> Alaska Wellness <> , Vol. 13, No. 3, May/June 2008
Synopsis
VISIONARY PLANTS / ENTHEOGENS" Ralph Metzner, world famous pioneer of psychedelic research and consciousness explorer, brings together a masterful collection of writings exploring the nature of this extraordinary sacred potion, from its chemical and biological properties and psychological effects to its enormous healing and spiritual potential. This book will be an inspiration for lay audiences and a treasure trove of information for scholars studying consciousneess and the human psyche." Stanislav Grof, M.D., author of LSD Psychotherapy, Psychology of the Future, and The Cosmic Game" Thought-provoking, wide-ranging, and well-reasoned, Metzner's collection of essays and self-reports contains the widest representation of subjective effects and scientific information on ayahuasca in the modern West. It provides ideas for future research and is essential for beginners and veterans of the field." Rick Strassman, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and author of DMT: The Spirit MoleculeAyahuasca is a hallucinogenic Amazonian plant mixture that has been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years by native Indian and mestizo shamans in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador for healing and divination. Many Western-trained physicians and psychologists have acknowledged that this substance can allow access to spiritual dimensions of consciousness, even mystical experiences indistinguishable from classic religious mysticism.In Sacred Vine of Spirits: Ayahuasca Ralph Metzner, a pioneer in the study of consciousness, has assembled a group of authoritative contributors who provide an exploration of the chemical, biological, psychological, andexperiential dimensions of ayahuasca. He begins with the history, psychology, and chemistry of ayahuasca from leading scholars in the field of psychoactive research and then presents more than twenty firsthand accounts from Westerners who have used ayahuasca. He concludes with his own findings on ayahuasca's applications in medicine and psychology, and compares the worldview revealed by ayahuasca visions to that of Western cultures.Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist and professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. He studied psychology and psychopharmacology at Harvard University and was part of the Psilocybin Research Project with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (later Ram Dass). He is the author of Green Psychology, coauthor of The Psychedelic Experience, and editor of Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonan?catl. He lives in Sonoma, California.
About the Author
Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist and professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. He studied psychology and psychopharmacology at Harvard University and was part of the Psilocybin Research Project with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (later Ram Dass). He is the author of andlt;Iandgt;Green Psychology,andlt;/Iandgt; coauthor of andlt;Iandgt;The Psychedelic Experience,andlt;/Iandgt; and editor of andlt;Iandgt;Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanand#6369;tl. andlt;/Iandgt;He lives in Sonoma, California.
Table of Contents
andlt;Bandgt;Introduction: Amazonian Vine of Visionsandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;RALPH METZNER, PH.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;1. Ayahuasca: An Ethnopharmacologic Historyandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;DENNIS J. MCKENNA, PH.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;2. The Psychology of Ayahuascaandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;CHARLES S. GROB, M.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;3. Phytochemistry and Neuropharmacology of Ayahuascaandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;J. C. CALLAWAY, PH.D andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;4. The Experience of Ayahuasca: Teachings of the Amazonian Plant Spiritsandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Initiation into Ancient Lineage of Visionary Healersandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;RAOUL ADAMSON andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;We Are Experiencing the Joyful Phenomenon of Re-creationandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;CRISTINA SANTOS andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Having So Recently Experienced My Death, It Felt Miraculous To Be Aliveandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;STEFAN C. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Breaking from the Bondage of the Mindandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;KATE S. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;A Vision of Sekhmetandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;GANESHA andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;The Pieces of My Life Fell Together in a More Meaningful Patternandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;AVA S. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Knowledge Was Graciously Invoked in Me by the Plant Teacherandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;OREGON T. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Here Began a Series of Teachings about the Nature of the Heartandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;JOSEPH S. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;A Vision of the Fabric That Is Woven by Us All andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;CAROLINE S. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Ethereal Serpents Held Me in Thrallandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;SHYLOH RAVENSWOOD andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;I Was Exploring Being with Greennessandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;PAMELA C. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Liquid Plumand#8217;r for the Soulandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;I. M. LOVETREE andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;The Plant Spirits Help Me to Heal Myself and Othersandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;EUGENIA G. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;The Great Serpentine Dance of Life andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;RAIMUNDO D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;A Most Palpably Buddhist-like Experienceandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;RENATA S. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Journey to the Emerald Forestandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;RICHARD N. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;The Long, Multi-faceted Journey of Jewish Experienceandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;ABRAHAM L. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Teaching the Body Its Relationship to the Spiritandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;WAHTOLA H. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Ancient Augury of My Resurrectionandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;BARRY F. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;An Entirely New World of Spirit Beingsandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;FRANK OWINGS andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Death and Rebirth in Santo Daimeandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;MADALENA FONSECA andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Nature Has Embraced Me, Blown the Breath of Life into Meandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;STEFAN C. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;The Buddha, the Christ, and the Queen of the Jungleandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;GANESHA andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Agony and Rapture with Santo Daimeandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;RAOUL ADAMSON andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;5. Conclusions, Reflections, and Speculationsandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;RALPH METZNER, PH.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Notes on Contributorsandlt;/Bandgt;