Inner Paths to Outer Space: Journeys to Alien Worlds through Psychedelics and Other Spiritual Technologies (Paperback)

~ Rick Strassman MD (Author), Slawek Wojtowicz (Author), Luis Eduardo Luna (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Those who regularly navigate the hyperspatial landscape that some have called the ‘tryptamine dimension’ have long suspected that the portals to inner and outer space may be one and the same. This book, a collaboration of the most cutting-edge shaman/neuroscientists working in this field, boldly explores this concept in a stunning tour de force.”
(Dennis McKenna, Ph.D., coauthor with Terence McKenna of The Invisible Landscape )

“The profoundest inquiries into the nature of reality and the mystery of consciousness are made possible by the psychedelics and other spiritual technologies explored in this astonishing, groundbreaking, and utterly revolutionary book. Written by the maestros of the field, it is exactly the right book at exactly the right time. I found it gripping, thought-provoking, incredibly informative, and--on top of all that--a hugely enjoyable read.”
(Graham Hancock, author of Supernatural: Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind and Fingerprints of the Gods )

"This highly unusual book, Inner Paths to Outer Space, takes readers on a journey through the world of psychedelic drugs and other obscure paths to reach into our consciousness and then out of ourselves to journey to places unknown." (
WomensRadio )

"This book is a stellar overview of the latest in psychedelic theory. . . . Having this book is like getting your hands on the hottest underground philosophy book. It dares to link science and religion directly--not some wishy washy pseudo-theory, but hard evidence linking science and religion via psychedelics. . . . High recommended!" (
David Kerr, reviewer, May 08 )

" . . . this book raises many fundamental questions about the nature of reality that have barely been asked in the scientific community, let alone answered, and I strongly urge all researchers of consciousness to read it." (
David Luke, The Beckley Foundation, Oxford, UK, March 2009 )

"This book is an eye and mind opening exploration into a field that has been forced underground. The four writers give unique insights into the traditions of shamanism and psychedelic drug use. Taking a scholarly approach without being dry or in any way biased, Inner Paths to Outer Space succeeds on many levels." (
Chard Currie, New Dawn, No. 114, May-June 2009 )

"Medical clinicians to literary scholars should read this book. . . . This work is so interesting that it is difficult to stop experiencing it. It leaves the perceiver wanting more as the subjects of this text are of quintessential importance to the human psyche. This book should be the paradigm for texts concerned with mystical themes; as it is not delimiting, and all of its authors do not pejoratively misrepresent transcendent human themes." (
Dr. Ron Shane, reviewer, July 2009 )

Product Description

An investigation into experiences of other realms of existence and contact with otherworldly beings

• Examines how contact with alien life-forms can be obtained through the “inner space” dimensions of our minds

• Presents evidence that other worlds experienced through consciousness-altering technologies are often as real as those perceived with our five senses

• Correlates science fiction’s imaginal realms with psychedelic research

For thousands of years, voyagers of inner space--spiritual seekers, shamans, and psychoactive drug users--have returned from their inner imaginal travels reporting encounters with alien intelligences. Inner Paths to Outer Space presents an innovative examination of how we can reach these other dimensions of existence and contact otherworldly beings. Based on their more than 60 combined years of research into the function of the brain, the authors reveal how psychoactive substances such as DMT allow the brain to bypass our five basic senses to unlock a multidimensional realm of existence where otherworldly communication occurs. They contend that our centuries-old search for alien life-forms has been misdirected and that the alien worlds reflected in visionary science fiction actually mirror the inner space world of our minds. The authors show that these “alien” worlds encountered through altered states of human awareness, either through the use of psychedelics or other methods, possess a sense of reality as great as, or greater than, those of the ordinary awareness perceived by our five senses.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (April 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159477224X
• ISBN-13: 978-1594772245
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,542 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At The Forefront of Human Thought, May 6, 2008

By	David Kerr (Calgary AB Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a stellar overview of the latest in psychedelic theory. Rick Strassman gives an excellent summary of the current research and ideas behind DMT. One thing I was disappointed that he did not address: Strassman notes that both psilocin and DMT are nearly identical molecules. What significance does this have? I would have liked to see his musings on that topic.

Having this book is like getting your hands on the hottest underground philosophy book. It dares to link science and religion directly - not some wishy washy pseudo-theory, but hard evidence linking science and religion via psychedelics. It really is amazing how unknown this is to the average person - even those with a deep interest in these subjects. Yet here it is, brazenly laid out, for anyone with an inquisitive mind to pick up and learn.

I highly recommend this book if you want a cutting edge, no holds barred discussion on what psychedelics might mean to humanity. There is no waving dismissal of psychedelic users as "druggies" or scoffing at the notion there might be more to these substances than just "getting high". The authors are quite up front as to what is scientifically proven, and what is personal speculation. Nevertheless, imagination is set loose to roam free in this book, and the insights and hypotheses inside are scrumptious food for thought. The art is also quite nice and colorful.

5/5, Highly recommended!

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new here, September 22, 2008

By	C. Wilson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After reading Strassman's DMT The Spirit Molecule I was very excited for this book to come out. I expected him to go deeper into his theories about what it means for humans to naturally produce DMT in our brains, among phenomenons possibly related to the chemical, but instead he only reiterated what was in his previous publication. It seemed like the entire book was a sophmoric introduction to the psychedelic experience rather than a progression of new ideas in reference to the experience. The one chapter that had anything to say about psilocybe mushrooms simply copy and pasted reports from the popular drug information site Erowid. I was looking for insight and new possibilities, not trip reports and introductions to already well known entheogens. I felt led on by this book and was incredibly disappointed at the entire lack of any new material whatsoever. Unfortunately, the only positive comment I can give about this book is that it contained some fascinating artwork, but it seems necessary to note that was not the main purpose of this book at all. All in all, if you're new to the psychedelic scene entirely, this is a good introduction, but for most this volume will provide no more than a sense of regret at wasting your money on it. If you really feel the need to get this, I suggest flipping through it in a bookstore first before commiting to it because otherwise you will almost surely be disappointed.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneering into the new age!, October 12, 2008

By	Andrew Martinson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book pioneers into the new age of Pyschedelic travel. Whether your interested in ASCs (altered states of consciousness), shamanism, psychdelic chemistry, or just quantum physics and quantum multiverse theories this book is chock full of fun.

I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend to anyone who believes there is an entire world out there the average person currently cannot even fathom!