Entheogens and the Future of Religion (Entheogen Project Series, Number 2) [Paperback]

Robert Forte (Author), Albert Hofmann (Author), R. Gordon Wasson (Author), David Steindl-Rast (Author), Jack Kornfield (Author), Terence McKenna (Author), Ann Shulgin (Author), Alexander Shulgin (Author), Robert Jesse (Author), Dale Pendell (Author), Thomas Riedlinger (Author), Thomas Roberts (Author), Rick Strassman (Author), Eric Sterling (Author)

Book Description

Series: Entheogen Project Series, Number 2 | Publication Date: December 1, 2000

Exciting book on the spiritual benefits of the entheogens, especially to our society. Essays by Albert Hofmann, R. Gordon Wasson, the Shulgins, Terence McKenna, Dale Pendell, Jack Kornfield, Tom Roberts, Rick Strassman, others. Huston Smith says it is “the best single inquiry into the religious significance of chemically occasioned mystical experiences”.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An important book for anyone who cares about the future of the human race. -- Charles C. Tart, Professor Emeritus, University of California

This book provides a balanced, thoroughly researched and clear account about a topic that has fascinated people for centuries... -- Harvey Cox, Professor of Divinity, Harvard University

From the Back Cover

"This book provides a balanced, thoroughly research and clear account about a topic that has fascinated people for centuries - even millennia - and will be with us, on way or another, for a long time to come." -- Harvey Cox, Ph.D., Professor of Theology, Harvard Divinity School

"This book of essays plows new ground.... It is well worth reading. Anything that can bring the human family closer together should be investigated." -- Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Smith, President, Chicago Theological Seminary

"The sensible use of entheogens is one of the most promising paths to deep spiritual insight for many people, and this book shows how that could be done." -- Charles T. Tart, Ph.D. author of Living the Mindful Life

"We have long needed this well-articulated, thoughtful, and rational basis for understanding the power of psychedelic biochemicals to stimulate visionary experience. These essays make a strong case for the use of these substances in future religious practice." -- Frank Barron, Ph.D., Sc.D., author of No Rootless Flower: An Ecology of Creativity

"If you think like I do that unless we expand our awareness we will not have a happy future, then this is the book to read." -- Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, author of From Age-ing to Sage-ing

"Essential reading for everyone concerned with spiritual, psychological, and social well-being. A fascinating and significant collection." -- Frances Vaughan, Ph.D., author of Shadows of the Sacred and The Inward Arc

"This book offers a thoughtful, sane examination of a topic of great social, psychological and religious significance." -- Roger Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., University of California --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: The Council on Spiritual Practices; 2nd edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889725048
• ISBN-13: 978-1889725048
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,199,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entheogens? Yes!, August 4, 2000

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"zahdio" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Entheogens and the Future of Religion (Paperback)

This is a great book for anyone interested in this subject, whether initiate or not. It provides insight from a number of the initial 20th century pioneers, as well as gives us a window into the inner ritual as performed by the more rural indian "initiates". I would recommend this book to anyone interested in using entheogens, writing about entheogens, or anyone who has used them previously and would like a better understanding of their experience. I especially liked the different perspectives such as referring to their experiences as just that-personal experiences rather than simply hallucinations, which implies something false or nonexistant. It provides a profound respect for these experiences rather than a complete dismissal of the experience as nonsense, as our governments and "health" agencies may be tempted to do.

49 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Panoramic Introduction, March 30, 1999

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Thomas M. Seay (Palo Alto, California USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Entheogens and the Future of Religion (Paperback)

If you want a number of perspectives on the serious use of psychedelics, this is the book! Christian, Buddhist, spiritual, scientific and legal considerations on the subject are presented.

As an anthology, it will familiarize you with key figures in the contemporary psychedelic scene.

This is an intelligent book for people wanting to explore psychedelics for spiritual purposes. It is not a book for "stoners" who just want to trip to see "pink bunnies"

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primary religious experiences, August 22, 2005

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Heir to the Leary Legacy: a "teacher and expl... (Downers Grove, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Entheogens and the Future of Religion (Entheogen Project Series, Number 2) (Paperback)

People need to realize the long history of entheogens (aka psychedelics) in both historical and religious perspective. These sacred substances have been used for centuries to help people get in touch with the god within. The War on Drugs has failed to distinguish between drugs of abuse and sacred sacramentals, this book goes a long way towards clearing up this misconception.