Entheogens and the Future of Religion [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Series: Entheogen project series | Publication Date: 1997

A study of the importance of psychedelic plants and drugs in religion and society

• With contributions by Albert Hofmann, R. Gordon Wasson, Jack Kornfield, Terence McKenna, the Shulgins, Rick Strassman, and others

• Explores the importance of academic and religious freedom in the study of psychedelics and the mind

• Exposes the need for an organized spiritual context for entheogen use in order to fully realize their transformative and sacred value

We live in a time when a great many voices are calling for a spiritual renewal to address the problems that face humanity, yet the way of entheogens--one of the oldest and most widespread means of attaining a religious experience--is forbidden, surrounded by controversy and misunderstanding. Widely employed in traditional shamanic societies, entheogens figure prominently in the origins of religion and their use continues today throughout the world. They alter consciousness in such a profound way that, depending on the set and setting, they can produce the ultimate human experiences: union with God or revelation of other mystical realities.

With contributions by Albert Hofmann, Terence McKenna, Ann and Alexander Shulgin, Thomas Riedlinger, Dale Pendell, and Rick Strassman as well as interviews with R. Gordon Wasson and Jack Kornfield, this book explores ancient and modern uses of psychedelic drugs, emphasizing the complementary relationship between science and mystical experience and the importance of psychedelics to the future of religion and society. Revealing the mystical-religious possibilities of substances such as psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and LSD, this book exposes the vital need for developing an organized spiritual context for their use in order to fully realize their transformative and sacred value. Stressing the importance of academic and religious freedom, the authors call for a revival of scientific and religious inquiry into entheogens so they may be used safely and legally by those seeking to cultivate their spiritual awareness.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a work of responsible advocacy. Forte and his dozen principal contributors seek the wide acceptance, including legalization and mature practice, of "entheogens" -- "god spawning" psychoactive substances (LSD, mescalin [sic], etc.) that are deemed especially suited for use on designated or readily identifiable sacramental occasions. Though there is inevitably some unevenness, the collection as a whole is very good -- i.e., instructive and clearly presented. At its best, it is excellent (see, e.g., Forte's conversations with R.G. Wasson and Jack Kornfield). Ample lists of references accompany most of the individual chapters. The book should prove to be a welcome complement to other serious studies in mysticism (including those that take a fundamentally different tack). -- C. MacCormick, emeritus, Wells College -- Choice 9/97

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Promind Services; 1st edition (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889725013
• ISBN-13: 978-1889725017
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,492,092 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.