Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanácatl: A Sourcebook on the Psilocybin Mushroom [Paperback]

Ralph Metzner (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2005

Over 30 contributors share their expertise on the chemical, biological, cultural, psychological, and experiential dimensions of psilocybin mushrooms

• Describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users

• Provides firsthand accounts of the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison and Good Friday studies

Teonanᣡtl was the name given to the visionary mushrooms used in ancient Mesoamerican shamanic ceremonies, mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the psychoactive agent identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD. The rediscovery of these visionary mushrooms by the Mazatec healer Maria Sabina and mycologist R. Gordon Wasson ignited a worldwide mushroom culture that inspired the consciousness revolution of the 1960s.

This book describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users--from artists to psychologists--and the healing visionary inspiration they received. It provides firsthand accounts of studies performed in the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison study and the Good Friday study. It describes how the use of the psilocybe mushroom spread from the mountains of Mexico into North America, Asia, and Europe by seekers of consciousness-expanding experiences. It also details how psilocybin has been used since the 1960s in psychotherapy, prisoner rehabilitation, the enhancement of creativity, and the induction of mystical experiences and is being studied as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A compilation of scientific information, historical lore, and experiential reports about the magical psilocybe mushrooms. . . . It is sure to be treasured for years to come."
(Andrew Weil, M.D., author of The Natural Mind: A New Way of Looking at Drugs and the Higher Consciousness and Spontaneous Healing )

"An outstanding comprehensive gathering of vital information from the psychedelic world."
(Myron Stolaroff, author of The Secret Chief and From Thanatos to Eros )

". . . this book is a must-have for entheogen and mushroom lovers alike."
(Heads, Vol 6 Issue 07 )

"One gets the impression when finishing the Sacred Mushroom of Visions that the many dimensions of psilocybin offer humanity a truly wonderful gift; for personal experience, for scientific research, and as a light through which the environment discourse of the modern age can be shone. If you have an interest, indeed a belief, in entheogenic, empathogenic, (as many of the narratives elude to) shamanism, or simply mycology, then this book is a must for your shelf."
(Psychedelic Press, UK, March 2010 )

From the Back Cover

VISIONARY PLANTS / ENTHEOGENS

“A compilation of scientific information, historical lore, and experiential reports about the magical psilocybe mushrooms. . . . It is sure to be treasured for years to come.”
--Andrew Weil, M.D., author of The Natural Mind: A New Way of Looking at Drugs and the Higher Consciousness and Spontaneous Healing

“An outstanding comprehensive gathering of vital information from the psychedelic world.”
--Myron Stolaroff, author of The Secret Chief and From Thanatos to Eros

Teonanácatl was the name given to the visionary mushrooms used in ancient Meso­american shamanic ceremonies, mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the psychoactive agent identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD. The rediscovery of these visionary mushrooms by the Mazatec healer Maria Sabina and ­mycologist R. Gordon Wasson ignited a worldwide mushroom culture that inspired the consciousness revolution of the 1960s.

This book describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users--from artists to psychologists--and the healing visionary inspiration they received. It provides firsthand accounts of studies performed in the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison study and the Good Friday study. It describes how the use of the psilocybe mushroom spread from the mountains of Mexico into North America, Asia, and Europe by seekers of ­consciousness-­expanding experiences. It also details how psilocybin has been used since the 1960s in psychotherapy, prisoner rehabilitation, the enhancement of creativity, and the induction of mystical experiences and is being studied as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this book, over thirty contributors share their expertise on the chemical, biological, cultural, psychological, and experiential dimensions of psilocybin mushrooms.

RALPH METZNER, PH.D., who studied psychology and psycho­pharmacology at Harvard University, was part of the Psilocybin ­Research Project with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (later Ram Dass). He is the author of Green Psychology and coauthor of The ­Psychedelic Experience. He lives in Sonoma, California

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (August 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594770441
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770449
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #533,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good info but pieced together, March 29, 2007

By 

blue jaguar (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanácatl: A Sourcebook on the Psilocybin Mushroom (Paperback)

This book, like the one on Ayauascha, is edited by Ralph Metzner and is a collection of articles and essays on sacred mushrooms. The content is a bit too clinical, two articles by psychologists which are very dry. I guess if you have not read any of McKenna's stuff you might get something here. The book is saved from boredom by some good information on the chemistry of the active ingredients and by some of the stories of peoples journeys with the fungi teachers.

So while I would include this book in an exhaustive reading list on shroomology I would not start here. If you are more intrested in the experiential side of things better to start with Mushroom Wisdom: How Shamans Cultivate Spiritual Consciousness by Martin W. Ball. That book will get you more into the head of the mushroom shaman and how to approach these spiritual beings. If you are looking for additional philosophical musings you can't go wrong with most anything McKenna has done. And don't forget to check in on articles, videos, and books by Paul Stamets. So all in all this book did have some good information but was not much fun reading.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on psychedelics I have read, September 19, 2010

By 

Mr. J. H. O'neill "moon dew" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanácatl: A Sourcebook on the Psilocybin Mushroom (Paperback)

I cannot recommend this book enough. I keep it quite close to me, and have read it twice. Why do I like it?
Well, it has a lot of interesting information, but my favourite part of the book is the latter part which includes peoples magic mushroom reports of their experiences, and this is where it is different from any other book about psychedelics I have read before.

It encourages a very responsible way of approaching what can be an extraordinary sacred experience. That instead of using such powerful drugs solely for 'recreational' experiences, or us "waiting" and depending on authorities from 'mental health' to act as 'professional' guidance, that we can do this our very self if we show great respect for what we are about to experience; which is a complete opening---a flowering interunion between our deepest selves and others and nature, and that whatever we want to explore is our "intent" (a term used a lot) which we are advised to focus on before we enter fully into the trip.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flesh of the Gods, January 19, 2009

By 

G. Shuler (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanácatl: A Sourcebook on the Psilocybin Mushroom (Paperback)

This is a amazing book, containing all of the historical, chemical, and spiritual information you would want. Highly recomended, and worth reading.