Product Details

• Actors: n, a
• Directors: Ancient Misteries
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video (New REleaset)
• DVD Release Date: August 26, 2008
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00196PGEE
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,805 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Since mankind's beginning, and in every civilization, human beings have found ways to alter their consciousness in search of something "greater" than everyday reality. To this end, we have indulged in and experimented with all manner of frightening, toxic, even potentially lethal substances, in many different rituals.

This revealing program delves into mankind's psyche in search of the key to our pervasive drive to experience something "beyond." Psychologists and physicians, including Dr. Andrew Weil, world-famous author of the bestselling Spontaneous Healing, offer insight into the physical and mental mechanisms and motivations behind this universal desire. Historians and spiritualists explore the ancient rituals of cultures worldwide that have sought visions and truth through altered consciousness, and illuminate the terrifying, exquisite visions that are revealed to those who journey beyond the constraints of the conscious mind.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Superficial, bad job., November 30, 2008

By	J. Michael (Now Born) - See all my reviews

This documentary purports to examine the various methods by which man has attempted to alter his everyday consciousness and achieve some sort of transcendent spiritual experience. There are many ways to do this, and the video mentioned a few, such as trance dancing, self-infliction of pain, and the ingestion of alcohol and psychotropic drugs. Some other methods that should have been mentioned include glossolalia, traditional meditative prayer, chant, isolation, fasting, etc. However, the only method this documentary actually talked about was drug use. I admit it was pretty interesting to see Peruvian Indians ingesting mescaline through their nostrils, but the video should have been entitled "Religious experience and drugs" or something to that effect. The title led me to expect something a bit more comprehensive, but all it offers is 50 minutes of superficial discussion on drugs. Skip it and read Henry James instead.