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Mushroom Wisdom: How Shamans Cultivate Spiritual Consciousness

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Mushroom Wisdom: How Shamans Cultivate Spiritual Consciousness, by Martin Ball, Ph.D., 2006

This is a simple and much needed guidebook on the how-tos of entheogenic (Psilocybe) mushroom use, and entheogen use in general, and how to navigate through the experiences. It's a great guide for beginners, as well as a strong tool for remembering some of the basics for even the most hardened psychonauts. I will certainly be referencing this book in the future for my own explorations.

Ball explains in simple language what you can expect on many levels of the mushroom experience, including how to deal with "bad trips," which are not really bad by the way, they're self reflective, and should be looked at and studied as such to help us learn and grow, something I myself have long argued. He also argues against always going after only good trips as well as the perfect set and setting, because the user will not learn near as much about him or herself if they avoid looking into the mirror of themselves or experience these substances in various environments. As Ball states in Ch. 5:

"The advice is that "trippers" should be aware of their mindset when entering into the experience. Is the person depressed, happy, overly concerned about something, having pressing issues on his or her mind? Secondly, is the setting conducive to a good experience? Is the person comfortable with the other trippers? Is the person in a safe and secure environment so as to not feel endangered or exposed?

These are certainly important considerations and one would be foolish to ignore them. However, this is really just advice for having a "good" trip and avoiding a "bad" one. It is not advice for using mushrooms as a spiritual tool." pg. 60

"On the other side is the "bad" trip. Bad trips are where seekers are fearful and fight against the flow of the mushrooms. The environment is uncomfortable; the people are wrong. Seekers feel judged and judge themselves, so they try to stop the experience, but can't. In fact, the more they fight, the worse it becomes as they are beset by demons and hellish nightmare images that they wish desperately to escape.

Ultimately, both experiences are two sides of the same coin. The "good" trip reaffirms the seeker's sense of self. The seeker is with people who don't challenge one and is in an environment that is comfortable and relaxing. All the seeker is doing is reaffirming positive illusions. Similarly, on the "bad" trip, the seeker is being confronted by negative illusions and judgments, but gives them power by fighting against them. The primary instinct is to escape, to return to safe illusions, but if the trip is bad enough, seekers don't know how to get back to the realm of safety, and they suffer." Pg. 61-62

If you know someone who's done mushrooms and had a "bad trip" and says "I'm never doing that again," this is the book to give them in order to help them understand the process(es) of what the neophyte experienced (or what the mushroom delivered). Indeed, mushrooms are a reflection of the self (mushrooms don't produce the thoughts, they're your own subconscious thoughts brought forth), and to polish the self we must look into the mirror, accept it with love and beauty, rather than loathing and disgust. And here Ball also explains much of what can be expected (as far as what can be delivered with the English language) on the heavier "full blown" experiences in which one seems to connect with everything, the divine.

Ball also covers directing the experience so as to gain the most out of it; the pros and cons, the facts of ritual, recognizing patterns, maintaining the "witness" position during your experience, or as I personally call it "the observer".

I also agree with much of the way Ball presents his case of the experience and what to expect, as well as his suggestions in dealing with issues/circumstances that may arise during the experience. As someone who has personally experienced these mushrooms countless hundreds of times, I can attest to his presentation and approach, as I had attempted a similar writing with much less success six years ago. Ball clearly understands much of the deeper meaning behind these experiences, and he's not afraid to discuss it openly.

This is not a book heavy on citations, if it has any at all, other than a suggested reading list. It is a quick read. However, although written by a doctor/Ph.D., it is clearly not written to be heavily academic. It's meant to be, in my opinion, a practical guide, and for this purpose, it delivers. And since I began reading it 3 days ago, I've already recommended it to several others, both neophytes and experienced users.

For those who want a more detailed and heavier academic work, I also recommend Antipodes of the Mind, Charting the Phenomenology of the Ayahuasca Experience, by Professor Benny Shanon, Oxford Press, 2002. Though Shanon's book is not a guide, it is the most amazing presentation of the Ayahuasca experience ever written - and its pages have implications on mushrooms and other entheogens.

Mushroom Wisdom might also be a great book for would-be initiates into the Santo Daime, or Native American Church, etc, since it breaks things down into a practical and applicable, not overly new agey approach.

For the beginner or expert, buy it.

Finally, we have post baby-boom author with the authority and integrity of McKenna to talk about altered concsciousness. This material is more of a general orientation into modes of thought, consciousness, and perspectives used by mystics, shamans, knowers, etc. This is not a technical book. But there is enough here on insight and orientation alone to make it an almost required resource for anyone researching mystical experiences. If you are new to the spiritual path or mystical studies then there is much more than a pinch[beck] of good information here. Much of the authors music is also good expecially Shaman's Path.

I remember a Terrance McKenna comment that went something like-- "If you want to work with psychedelics, the first place you should go is a library." Unfortunately, back in the 60's there was nothing to speak of in any library. So psychedelics exploded into the spiritual vacuum of social club Christianity, creating a backlash of fear and loathing. Bit by bit, this situation is being rectified with books like Mushroom Wisdom. This book is a must for anyone considering following the arduous spiritual path of working with Plant Allies.

reccommended for anybody intrested in modern shamanism, consciousness, awareness, spirituality, positive world change. very good book, very well written

i am still currently reading this book and loving it.well thought out and very interesting.not your typical book on magic mushrooms.it goes well beyond the realms of explaining the spiritual use of our little fungus buddies.not a how to grow guide which makes it extra special.this book is a spiritual guide.another thing i will point out is the art work contained within is exceptional.i recommend this book to anyone interested in self spirituality and guidance.great job martin.peace.

I have never come across a book like this before. This is a very direct explanation of what can happen when interacting with psychedelic mushrooms. The author takes a spiritual and scholarly approach, prefering to suggest helpful scenarios with the mushroom than glorify them as some sort of mind-game drug. I appreciate that he does not leave his predecessors (Leary, Metzner, McKenna, etc) in the dust AND that is book is not just a synthesis of their writings. He does mention things like "set & setting" and "novelty", but sparingly and respectfully. You can tell some work had to go in to this and he chose to let this book reflect his work and vision.

Chapters on understanding the procession of potential experiences and working with potentially difficult experiences are laid out in a logical fashion. He also makes a very respectable go at helping the reader to understand the difference between a Shaman and someone who uses shamanic practices/tools.

I whole heartedly reccomend this book to anyone who has decided to engage any entheogens in a mindful way. Some of the techniques in here would obviously apply to DMT, Aya, LSD, and some other experiences; however, the main focus and intent is the mushroom experience.

Great book. the author guides the spiritual seeker in a precise way through the journey of discovery.

I bought this book because I was looking for a guide on using mushrooms ceremonially. Although, he does touch on this towards the end of the book, he basically just talks about spiritual enlightenment (not that thats a bad thing). He is not the best writer, lots of errors with the grammar and confusing sentence structures. I will continue my search!

This book is essential for anyone who desires a better understanding of mushrooms, the psychedelic experience, and the ways of the shaman. When it comes to hallucinogens, knowledge truly is power because it can turn a bad experience into something truly amazing, and often enlightening. If you seek a better understanding of yourself, and of your existence, this book is a good place to start. Truly a beautiful book.

I just finished reading Mushroom Wisdom. First, I would like to thank you for sharing your experience, knowledge and wisdom with seekers like me. Second, I will use what I learned from your book and apply it to my daily meditations and contemplations. Also, I feel more prepared for the experience in which I am about to embark.

For 20 years I searched for truth and found many dishonest and untruthful views and accounts on the Spirit. I found solace, knowledge and wisdon through the books of D. T. Suzuki and Zen Budhism, which I will continue to practise. I also enjoyed the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle whose teachings have taught me much about my self. Now with Mushroom Wisdom I found the missing link in my spiritual search and will be one of the spiritual books I will review and study repeatedly for years to come.

Your book is a jewel! Thank you so much!!