Seeking to identify the plant origins of the early sacramental beverages Soma and Haoma, this study draws a connection between the psychoactive properties of these drinks and the widespread use of cannabis among Indo-Europeans during this time. Exploring the role of these libations as inspiration for the Indian Rig Veda and the Persian Avestan texts, this examination discusses the spread of cannabis use across Europe and Asia, the origins of the Soma and Haoma cults, and the shamanic origins of modern religion.
Cannabis and the Soma Solution
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"Scholarly, hip, witty, and extremely well documented . . . this book might cause a revolution in biblical studies!" —Robert Anton Wilson, author, Schrodinger's Cat Trilogy
"This book is fanscinating! There can be little doubt about a role for cannabis in Judaic religion . . . there is no way that so important a plant as a fiber source for textiles and nutritive oils and one so easy to grow would have gone unnoticed, and the mere harvesting of it would have induced an entheogenic reaction." —Carp P. Ruck, professor, Boston University
"Every cannabis aficionado, patient, and advocate will find something of great value in Chris Bennett's Cannabis and the Soma Solution. The great Jack Herer laid the foundation of our understanding of the foolishness of cannabis prohibition in its modern form: Chris Bennett has performed an invaluable service by proving once and for all that the oldest and greatest spiritual sacrament in human history is cannabis use." —Treating Yourself (November 2011)
About the Author
Chris Bennett is an expert in the use of ethnobotanicals. He has contributed articles to numerous magazines, including Cannabis Culture and High Times, and he is the author of several books, including Green Gold the Tree of Life: Marijuana in Magic and Religion and Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Samuel Wells
Format:Paperback
First of all, if you are reading these review and you are not Chris Bennett just buy the book now. My guess is that no one is going to make it to this Amazon page without having at least a basic knowledge of the history of cannabis, its uses and effects and the role it has played in the evolution of human consciousness; "Cannabis and the Soma Solution" will be a fine addition to your reading on the subject. It is incredibly well researched, effectively argued and a fascinating tale of both the rise and suppression of the great "forbidden medicine".
My frustration with this text is based on the absolutely terrible editing. The entire tome is filled from cover to cover (literally) with errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation that quite effectively undermine its otherwise brilliant scholarly approach. For example, the back cover of my paperback copy refers to Mr. Bennet's business pursuits in BC as "entheobotnaical". I could go on and on: plurals and possessives are an issue throughout, sentence structure is frequently questionable at best; while such issues may be part and parcel of the draft process they are inexcusable when included in the final print version of an academic research project.
I can only hope that when this book is released in its second, expanded edition Mr. Bennett or his publishers are willing to spend just a little effort, money and time on the final text.
My frustration with this text is based on the absolutely terrible editing. The entire tome is filled from cover to cover (literally) with errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation that quite effectively undermine its otherwise brilliant scholarly approach. For example, the back cover of my paperback copy refers to Mr. Bennet's business pursuits in BC as "entheobotnaical". I could go on and on: plurals and possessives are an issue throughout, sentence structure is frequently questionable at best; while such issues may be part and parcel of the draft process they are inexcusable when included in the final print version of an academic research project.
I can only hope that when this book is released in its second, expanded edition Mr. Bennett or his publishers are willing to spend just a little effort, money and time on the final text.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sacred connection to the past, intelligent understanding of future path.
October 24, 2010
By A. Fleck
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a phenomenal survey of an organic and Sacred spiritual tradition centered physically in the sacrament of hemp. This plant not only provided our ancestors with material necessities making it easier to survive but also through ingestion or inhalation and prayer they were able to free themselves from a state of worry and connect to the unseen intelligence of all life. Anybody interested in sky and earth consciousness or religious history should read this book. There is a physical and celestial tree of life as found in you Unique Celestial Identity, check out [...]
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By anon
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An amazing book. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to understand the role of Cannabis in ancient spirituality and its very real influence on mysticism and its use as a Sacrament to commune with G-d. Cannabis here is presented as it is and should be; a sacrament used to get in touch with the divine within - to heal, to love, to reveal.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Save your money
This book should be listed in the dictionary under the heading "Hobby Horse". I am a proponent of cannabis, it is the most wonderful herb on the planet. Read more
Published 1 month ago by James L Cahours
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bennett rocks the Planet
Chris Bennett has done a great job with this book. Usually I struggle with books filled with facts and unusual names but not this book. I could not put it down. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Smokin Moose
5.0 out of 5 stars
As important as any Book ever researched and written for those...
We were amazed back 30 or 40 years ago when the idea of Soma being the fly Agric was published. Friends volunteered to try a heavy doses of Amanita Muscaria to "see God" and... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Barbara Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cannabis and Religion
Chris Bennett shows the relationship of cannabis to the ancient Soma and Hoama. Chris makes a convincing case. Read more
Published on October 27, 2010 by Jeff Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
truly amazing read,on an ever learning subject
Great work by Chris Bennett.This book on cannabis in the ancient world & in ancient texts is,very well written & referenced well. Read more
Published on October 26, 2010 by M.K
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