Yaje: The New Purgatory [Paperback]

Jimmy Weiskopf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

The unique path to both health and spiritual illumination offered by the consumption of yajé, a hallucinogenic herb embedded in the indigenous Amazonian cultures of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, is thoroughly documented in this account of the culture and traditions that have developed around its use. The intensity of yajé-induced trances provoked the author to name them "the new purgatory" and resulted in this text's respectful and hard-earned insights into indigenous ritual and shamanic guidance. A complete survey of yajé ceremonies; recent botanical and anthropological research on yajé; records of scientific and medical studies; its social, psychological, and ethical boundaries; and a look at past attempts to adapt the ancient ceremony to contemporary therapeutic and religious purposes are also provided.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jimmy Weiskopf spent 12 years as an apprentice to shamans of yajé in Colombia. He studied modern history at Columbia University and Cambridge University and now works in English-language publishing in Colombia, where he has translated more than 20 books into English.

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Villegas Editores (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9588160855
• ISBN-13: 978-9588160856
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,076,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All I can say is . . . WOW, February 13, 2006

By 

call me The Avi ("In my dreams I live in California......") - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yaje: The New Purgatory (Paperback)

First, I must say, I had never heard of Jimmy Weiskopf prior to purchasing this book, and I ran across it completely by accident. It was the last copy in a small bookstore I was visiting, and was selling for 30% off the cover price. So, without even reviewing the table of contents I took a risk and bought it, and am glad I did.

Jimmy Weiskopf is an American who's lived in Colombia for over a decade, and for most of that time he's been using yaje' and studying with shamans. This book is actually a lengthened and revised version of a previous work he originally wrote in Spanish. The English version weighs in at over 650 pages, and includes approximately 40 photos and illustrations (many of which were taken by Richard Schultes). Weiskopf divides his work into two parts. The first 250 or so pages are an empirical look at the yaje' phenomenon, from cultural, historical, and scientific perspectives. The remaining 300+ pages are essentially a collection of trip reports devoted to his visions and experiences under the guidance of yaje'.

Weiskopf makes it clear that he's not primarily a scientist, but it's obvious that he's familiar with most of the available literature on the subject of yaje'/ayahuasca. The book is peppered with references to works by Schultes, Burroughs, Spruce, and others who have contributed to the canon of yaje'/ayahuasca literature. In addition to giving the reader a lot of background information, as a longtime user of yaje, he's also very familiar with its physical/emotional effects. I think this is what sets this book apart from other, more objective looks at the subject.

At 650 pages, this is neither a light nor an easy read. Weiskopf's narrative is rarely straightforward, and his writing occasionally feels somewhat baroque. Nevertheless, I don't think those are bad things. As was mentioned earlier, he's not a scientist - he's not trying to prove a hypothesis here; he's sharing with the reader and telling a very personal story about his relationship with the vine. It's illuminating, interesting, and comprehensive.

Hofmann wrote the definitive book on acid with "LSD: My Problem Child", and Rick Strassman pulled off the same trick with "DMT: The Spirit Molecule." I think Jimmy Weiskopf has given us the same kind of cornerstone work with "Yaje: The New Purgatory". The paperback costs under 20 bucks brand new - for an entertaining and informative read like this one, that's practically a giveaway. Read it, learn from it, and enjoy it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read....excellently written, May 4, 2011

By 

Wyfy Issente (WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yaje: The New Purgatory (Paperback)

If you like to read and enjoy excellent writing, and are interested in the general subjects of entheogens, shamanic divination, and real-life adventure, then this book will be a real treat to read ! ! I loved it ! ! If this book jibes with your psyche, then it's definately for you; if not, then it's just 550 pages that other people would love to read , but 550 pages that you wouldn't.