Terence McKenna - The Archaic Revival

TerenceMcKenna, TheArchaic Revival, page1
Copyrigh t 2004 Dr. H. Pelo. All righ ts reserved.

QUOTES by Dr. H. Pelo
Ter en ce McKen n a
Th e Ar ch a ic Reviva l
Specu la tion s on Psych edelic Mu sh r oom s, th e Am a zon ,
Virtu a l Rea lity, UFOs, Evolu tion , Sh a m a n ism , th e Re-
bir th of th e Goddess a n d th e En d of Histor y
Sa n Fr a n ci sco: Ha r per & Row, 1992.
I SBN: 0062506137
Sh or t edi t or i a l n ot e
Th is book is a collection of essa ys by a n d in ter views with Ter en ce
McKen n a , pr odu ction s th a t spa n over m a n y yea r s of h is life a n d
resea rch . Its a qu ite h eteroclite kin d of book, h a rd to cla ssify. I th in k
in or der to a void m a kin g u p som eth in g th a t it is n ot, best is to see it
a s a collection of ea r lier wor ks u n der a n ew n a m e like in m u sic for
exa m ple th e volu m e Bu n te Bl tter by Rober t Sch u m a n n ( Op. 99)
th a t con ta in s m a n y sh or t oeu vr es fr om h is you n ger yea r s, bu t th e
volu m e is on e of th e best, a n d m ost gen ia l of h is en tir e m u sica l life.
Som e of th e little pieces, sa ys th e a n ecdote, Sch u m a n n even h a d
th r own in th e ga r ba ge bin a lr ea dy a n d took th em ou t a ga in , to con -
ser ve th em for la ter r evision beca u se h e th ou gh t th ey wer e n ot u p
to h is sta n da r d. As for m e, better th e wh ole Sch u m a n n destr oyed
a n d th is sin gle volu m e con ser ved, th a n vice ver sa . An d per h a ps th e
sa m e is tr u e for th e oeu vr e of McKen n a a n d th is pa r ticu la r pa r t of it,
Ar ch a ic Reviva l. An d if on e da y, wh ich I do n ot believe, McKen n a s
fin din gs wer e a ll fou n d n ot tr u e, th er e is on e tr u th th a t goes beyon d
a ll th is a n d th is is equ a lly va lid for Ca rlos Ca sta n eda a n d h is oeu vre
it is th e tr u th th a t McKen n a wa s on e of th e gr ea test poets of ou r
tim e a n d a tr u ly gen ia l cr ea tor of h is own pecu lia r , fa n ta stic a n d
h igh ly in terestin g u n iverse, h is own pa rticu la r rea lity. An d a t th e
sa m e tim e a tea ch er of th e tech n iqu e to get th er e, for a ll of u s!
- I n a ddi t i on t o ch oosi n g t o r epr ess t h e st r a n ge a bi l i t i es of t h e
sh a m a n a n d th e psych ic poten tia l of con ta ct with th e Oth er , West-
er n t r a di t i on h a s a bu i l t - i n bi a s a ga i n st sel f- exper i m en t a t i on
with h a llu cin ogen s. On e of th e con sequ en ces of th is is th a t n ot
en ou gh h a s been wr i t t en a bou t t h e ph en om en ol ogy of per son a l
exper ien ces with th e vision a r y h a llu cin ogen s. 3
- An d I t h i n k wh a t s r ea l l y h a ppen i n g i s t h a t a di a l ogu e open s
u p bet ween t h e ego a n d t h ese l a r ger , m or e i n t egr a t ed pa r t s of
th e psych e th a t a r e n or m a lly h idden fr om view. Ego m a y be a
fa i r l y m oder n i n ven t i on m ea n i n g t h e l a st on e or t wo t h ou -
sa n d yea r s a fa i r l y m oder n a da pt a t i on of t h e psych e t o i t s en -
vir on m en t. On e of th e th in gs h a ppen in g in th e Am a zon is th a t
for est peopl e sa y t h ey en t er i n t o a gr ou p m i n d wh en t h ey t a ke
ayahuasca, a n d on i t t h ey m a ke deci si on s for t h e t r i be wh er e
t o h u n t , wh o t o m a ke wa r on , wh er e t o m ove t o, t h ese ki n ds of
t h i n gs. 10
- So th e issu e fin a lly com es down to th e citizen ver su s th e self.
Th e citizen is a n extr em ely lim ited defin ition of h u m a n poten -
tia l. Th e self is a defin ition of h u m a n poten tia l so br oa d th a t it
th r ea ten s th e obliga tion s of th e citizen . 12
- I a m a pol i t i ca l a ct i vi st , bu t I t h i n k t h a t t h e fi r st du t y of a
politica l a ctivist is to becom e psych edelic. Oth er wise you r e n ot
m a kin g you r m oves cogn iza n t of th e en tir e field of a ction . 13
- Sh a m a n i sm i s u se of t h e a r ch a i c t ech n i qu es of ecst a sy t h a t
wer e devel oped i n depen den t of a n y r el i gi ou s ph i l osoph y t h e
em pi r i ca l l y va l i da t ed, exper i en t i a l l y oper a bl e t ech n i qu es t h a t
pr odu ce ecsta sy. Ecsta sy is th e con tem pla tion of wh olen ess. Th a ts
wh y wh en you exper ien ce ecsta sy wh en you con tem pla te wh ole-
n ess you com e down r em a de i n t er m s of t h e pol i t i ca l a n d so-
ci a l a r en a beca u se you h a ve seen t h e l a r ger pi ct u r e. 13
- So i t i s t h e for m of t h e m i n d t h a t t h e sh a m a n wor ks wi t h : h e
h a s a la r ger view beca u se h e is n ot r ea lly in h is cu ltu r e. ( )
Th e sh a m a n m a y a ppea r a m em ber of t h e cu l t u r e, bu t h es
br oa der , deeper , h igh er , a n d wider th a n th e cu ltu r e th a t cr ea ted
h im . 14
- I a dm i r e t r a n sper son a l psych ot h er a pi st s. I t h i n k t h ey a r e t r y-
in g to r em a ke th e sh a m a n istic in stitu tion in a m oder n for m .
Wh a t th ey h a ve to r ea lize is th a t th eyr e wa stin g th eir tim e u n -
less th ey u se th e sh a m a n istic tools. An d th e for em ost tool of th e
sh a m a n s is th e tech n iqu e of ecsta sy, a n d th a t m ea n s th e h a llu ci-
n ogen i c pl a n t s. I d.
- Th er e a r e t h r ee qu est i on s t h a t you sh ou l d a sk you r sel f a bou t a
dr u g you r e con si der i n g t a ki n g. Nu m ber on e, does i t occu r n a t u -
r a l l y i n a pl a n t or a n a n i m a l ? / Beca u se n a t u r e h a s u se- t est ed
t h ese com pou n ds over m i l l i on s a n d m i l l i on s of yea r s. Som e-
t h i n g t h a t ca m e ou t of t h e l a bor a t or y fou r or fi ve yea r s a go
wh o kn ows? So it sh ou ld be a pr odu ct of th e n a tu r a l wor ld. Nu m -
ber t wo, does i t h a ve a h i st or y of h u m a n u sa ge? Mu sh r oom s do.
Mesca l i n e does. LSD doesn t . Ecst a sy doesn t . An d n u m ber t h r ee,
a n d m ost im por ta n t, it sh ou ld h a ve som e a ffin ity to br a in ch em -
istr y. I t sh ou ldn t be ju st like la n din g on th e m oon ; it sh ou ld be
r el a t ed t o wh a t i s dr i vi n g or di n a r y con sci ou sn ess. Th e l a st cr i t e-
r i a i s t h e m ost n a r r ow, beca u se m esca l i n e won t get t h r ou gh
t h a t . I t h i n k t h a t dr u gs sh ou l d be a s n on i n va si ve a s possi bl e,
a n d I kn ow I m on t h e r i gh t t r a ck beca u se t h e st r on gest psych e-
del i c dr u gs t h er e a r e a r e t h e on es t h a t l a st t h e sh or t est a m ou n t
of tim e. Now, wh a t does th a t m ea n ? I t m ea n s th a t you r br a in
r ecogn izes th e com pou n d a n d with in a few m in u tes ca n com -
pletely n eu tr a lize it. DMT is th e str on gest psych edelic th er e is, yet
it la sts on ly five m in u tes. Twen ty m in u tes a fter you do it, its like
you n ever did it a t a ll.
Na tu r e is th e gr ea t gu ide in a ll of th is. Th e n a tu r a l ch em istr y of
th e br a in . Th e n a tu r a l h istor y of th e pla n t. Th e n a tu r a lly evolved
sh a m a n i c i n st i t u t i on s of sm a l l gr ou ps of h u m a n bei n gs t h a t a r e
st i l l i n t ou ch wi t h r ea son a bl e soci a l va l u es. 15, 16
- I th in k of Ma h a ya n a Bu ddh ism , th e m u ltileveled, m a n y- in -
h a bi t ed, dem on - h a u n t ed, Bu ddh a - h a u n t ed r ea l m s of pea ce a n d
joy. Th e in sisten ce of Ma h a ya n a Bu ddh ism th a t th er e is r ea lly
n o cen ter , th a t ever yth in g is a con str u ct of tim e a n d spa ce, is th e
m ost soph i st i ca t ed psych ol ogy. Bu t I m n ot wi l l i n g t o cl i m b
a boa r d t h e Bu ddh i st et h i c beca u se Bu ddh i sm sa ys su ffer i n g i s
in evita ble. Th a ts n ot a psych edelic poin t of view. 17
- An d t h i s i s cer t a i n l y pa r t of wh a t t h e psych edel i cs a r e a bou t :
th ey forceth e evolu tion of la n gu a ge. An d n o cu ltu r e, so fa r a s I
a m a wa r e, h a s ever con sci ou sl y t r i ed t o evol ve i t s l a n gu a ge wi t h
th e a wa r en ess th a t evolvin g la n gu a ge wa s evolvin g r ea lity. ( )
Th e soci a l con sequ en ce of t h e psych edel i c exper i en ce i s cl ea r
t h i n ki n g wh i ch t r i ckl es down a s cl ea r speech . Em power ed
speech . 21
- Wh a t is n ot well kn own is th e com m u n ica tion m odel th a t is
h a ppen in g in th e octopu s. Octopi ch a n ge th eir color n ot for ca m -
ou fl a ge pu r poses, a s m i gh t be su pposed, bu t a s a m ode of com -
m u n i ca t i on . Th e bl u sh es, spot s, a n d t r a vel i n g ba n ds of col or
t h a t a n or di n a r y oct opu s ca n m a n i fest a r e r efl ect i ve of i t s l i n -
gu i st i c i n t en t . I t s l a n gu a ge a ppea r s on t h e su r fa ce of i t s ski n .
Or din a r ily, telepa th y is im a gin ed to be you h ea r in g m e th in k,
th en m e h ea r in g you th in k. Bu t a r ich er n otion of telepa th y wou ld
be if you cou ld see m y wor ds, r a th er th a n h ea r th em if th ey
wer e a ctu a lly scu lptu r a l objects. I wou ld m a ke a n u tter a n ce, th en
you a n d I wou l d st a n d a n d r ega r d t h i s u t t er a n ce fr om a l l a n gl es.
Th er e wou ld be n o a m bigu ity. An d th is is exa ctly wh a t is goin g
on wi t h t h e oct opi . Sh a m a n s do t h e sa m e t h i n g. Th ese sh a m a n -
i st i c son gs t h a t a r e su n g a r e n ot i n t en ded t o be h ea r d, t h ey a r e
i n t en ded t o be seen by ot h er peopl e wh o a r e i n t oxi ca t ed. Th i s
cr ossi n g fr om t h e h ea r d t o t h e seen i s a ver y i m por t a n t pa r t of
th e r evela tion of th e tr a n scen den ta l object.
We a r e goi n g t o go fr om a l i n gu i st i c m ode t h a t i s h ea r d t o a
lin gu istic m ode th a t is beh eld. Wh en th is tr a n sition is com plete,
th e a m bigu ity, th e u n cer ta in ty, a n d th e su bter fu ge th a t h a u n t
ou r effor t s a t com m u n i ca t i on wi l l be obsol et e. An d i t wi l l be i n
th is en vir on m en t of beh eld com m u n ica tion th a t th e n ew wor ld
of t h e Logos wi l l be r ea l i zed. 22
- Th is exper ien ce of a n in ter ior gu idin g voice with a h igh er level
of kn owledge is n ot a lien in Wester n h istor y; h owever , th e in tel-
l ect u a l a dven t u r e of t h e l a st t h ou sa n d yea r s h a s m a de a n i dea
l i ke t h a t seem / pr epost er ou s i f n ot psych opa t h ol ogi ca l . 27, 28
- Un for tu n a tely, r eligion for th e pa st five h u n dr ed yea r s h a s been
a h i er a r ch i ca l pyr a m i d a t wh ose t op wer e t h eol ogi a n s i n t er pr et -
i n g dogm a . Th i s i n t er pr et a t i on wa s h a n ded down t h r ou gh a h i -
er a r ch y to th e fa ith fu l. I th in k r eligiou s h ier a r ch ies a r e ver y u n -
set t l ed by t h e i dea of di r ect r evel a t i on . Never t h el ess, t h i s ph e-
n om en on is cer ta in ly th r ivin g in pr eliter a te cu ltu r es a ll over th e
wor ld. We discover ed in dea lin g with th is th a t th e on ly people
you cou l d t a l k t o a bou t i t or wh o seem ed t o h a ve fa m i l i a r i t y
wi t h i t wer e sh a m a n s. 28
- An t h r opol ogi st s h a ve com m en t ed on t h e a bsen ce of ser i ou s
m en ta l disea se in m a n y pr eliter a te cu ltu r es. I believe th a t th e
m edia tion of th e sh a m a n a n d th r ou gh h im th e con ta ct to th e
cen t er i n g Logos, t h i s sou r ce of i n for m a t i on or gn osi s, i s pr ob-
a bly th e ca u se of th is a bility to h ea l or m in im ize psych ologica l
di sor der s. 29
- Un l ess you sh ed you r l a n gu a ge a n d en t er i n t o t h ese cu l t u r es
en tir ely, you will a lwa ys h a ve th e poin t of view of a str a n ger a n d
a n ou tsider . I d.
- Psilocybin , in th e m in ds of th e u n in for m ed pu blic a n d in th e
eyes of th e la w, is lu m ped togeth er with LSD a n d m esca lin e, wh en
i n fa ct ea ch of t h ese com pou n ds i s a ph en om en ol ogi ca l l y de-
fin ed u n iver se u n to itself. Psilocybin a n d DMT in voke th e Logos,
a lth ou gh DMT is m or e in ten se a n d m or e br ief in its a ction . Th is
m ea n s t h a t t h ey wor k di r ect l y on t h e l a n gu a ge cen t er s, so t h a t
a n i m por t a n t a spect of t h e exper i en ce i s t h e i n t er i or di a l ogu e.
36
- Th e Stropharia cubensism u sh r oom , if on e ca n believe wh a t it
sa ys i n on e of i t s m oods, i s a sym bi ot e, a n d i t desi r es ever deeper
sym bi osi s wi t h t h e h u m a n speci es. I t a ch i eved sym bi osi s wi t h
h u m a n society ea r ly by a ssocia tin g itself with dom estica ted ca ttle
a n d t h r ou gh t h em h u m a n n om a ds. Li ke t h e pl a n t s m en a n d
wom en gr ew a n d t h e a n i m a l s t h ey h u sba n ded, t h e m u sh r oom
wa s a ble to in cu lca te itself in to th e h u m a n fa m ily, so th a t wh er e
h u m a n gen es wen t t h ese ot h er gen es wou l d be ca r r i ed.
Bu t t h e cl a ssi c m u sh r oom cu l t s of Mexi co wer e dest r oyed by t h e
com i n g of t h e Spa n i sh con qu est . Th e Fr a n ci sca n s a ssu m ed t h ey
h a d a n a bsolu te m on opoly on th eoph a gy, th e ea tin g of God; yet
i n t h e New Wor l d t h ey ca m e u pon peopl e ca l l i n g a m u sh r oom
t eon a n a ca t l , t h e fl esh of t h e gods. Th ey set t o wor k, a n d t h e I n -
qu i si t i on wa s a bl e t o pu sh t h e ol d r el i gi on i n t o t h e m ou n t a i n s of
Oa xa ca so t h a t i t on l y su r vi ved i n a few vi l l a ges wh en Va l en t i n a
a n d Gor don Wa sson fou n d i t t h er e i n t h e 1950s. 40
- I gn or a n ce bu r n ed t h e l i br a r i es of t h e Hel l en i st i c wor l d a t a n
ea r l i er per i od a n d di sper sed t h e a n ci en t kn owl edge, sh a t t er i n g
t h e st el l a r a n d a st r on om i ca l m a ch i n er y t h a t h a d been t h e wor k
of cen tu r ies. By ign or a n ce I m ea n th e Hellen istic- Ch r istia n - Ju -
da i c t r a di t i on . Th e i n h er i t or s of t h i s t r a di t i on bu i l t a t r i u m ph of
m ech a n ism . I t wa s th ey wh o la ter r ea lized th e a lch em ica l dr ea m s
of th e fifteen th a n d sixteen th cen tu r ies - a n d th e twen tieth cen -
t u r y - wi t h t h e t r a n sfor m a t i on of el em en t s a n d t h e di scover y of
gen e tr a n spla n ts. Bu t th en , h a vin g con qu er ed th e New Wor ld a n d
dr i ven i t s peopl e i n t o cu l t u r a l fr a gm en t a t i on a n d di a spor a , t h ey
ca m e u n expect edl y u pon t h e body of Osi r i s - t h e con den sed body
of Er os - i n t h e m ou n t a i n s of / Mexi co wh er e Er os h a s r et r ea t ed
a t th e com in g of th e Ch r istos. An d by fin din g th e m u sh r oom ,
th ey u n lea sh ed it. 40, 41
- As I sa i d, I a m a n expl or er , n ot a sci en t i st . I f I wer e u n i qu e,
th en n on e of m y con clu sion s wou ld h a ve a n y m ea n in g ou tside
th e con text of m yself. My exper ien ces, like you r s, h a ve to be m or e
or l ess a pa r t of t h e h u m a n con di t i on . Som e m a y h a ve m or e
fa ci l i t y for su ch expl or a t i on t h a n ot h er s, a n d t h ese st a t es m a y be
difficu lt to a ch ieve, bu t th ey a r e pa r t of th e h u m a n con dition .
Th er e a r e a few cl u es t h a t t h ese ext r a di m en si on a l pl a ces exi st . I f
a r t ca r r i es i m a ges ou t of t h e Ot h er fr om t h e Logos t o t h e wor l d -
dr a wi n g i dea s down i n t o m a t t er - wh y i s h u m a n a r t h i st or y so
devoi d of wh a t psych edel i c voya ger s h a ve exper i en ced so t ot a l l y?
Per h a ps t h e fl yi n g sa u cer or UFO i s t h e cen t r a l m ot i f t o be u n -
der st ood i n or der t o get a h a n dl e on r ea l i t y h er e a n d n ow. We a r e
a l i en a t ed, so a l i en a t ed t h a t t h e sel f m u st di sgu i se i t sel f a s a n
ext r a t er r est r i a l i n or der n ot t o a l a r m u s wi t h t h e t r u l y bi za r r e
dim en sion s th a t it en com pa sses. Wh en we ca n love th e a lien ,
th en we will h a ve begu n to h ea l th e psych ic discon tin u ity th a t
h a s pla gu ed u s sin ce a t lea st th e sixteen th cen tu r y, possibly ea r -
lier . 43
- My testim on y is th a t m a gic is a live in h yper spa ce. I t is n ot n ec-
essa r y t o bel i eve m e, on l y t o for m a r el a t i on sh i p wi t h t h ese h a l -
lu cin ogen ic pla n ts. Th e fa ct is th a t th e gn osis com es fr om pla n ts.
I d.
- I wi l l a dd a ca u t i on a r y n ot e. I a l wa ys feel odd t el l i n g peopl e t o
ver ify m y obser va tion s sin ce th e sin e qu a n on is th e h a llu cin o-
gen ic pla n t. Exper im en ter s sh ou ld be ver y ca r efu l. On e m u st bu ild
u p t o t h e exper i en ce. Th ese a r e bi za r r e di m en si on s of ext r a or di -
n a r y power a n d bea u ty. Th er e is n o set r u le to a void bein g over -
wh elm ed, bu t m ove ca r efu lly, r eflect a gr ea t dea l, a n d a lwa ys tr y
t o m a p exper i en ces ba ck on t o t h e h i st or y of t h e r a ce a n d t h e
ph i l osoph i ca l a n d r el i gi ou s a ccom pl i sh m en t s / of t h e speci es.
43, 44
- Th e t r a g ed y o f o u r cu l t u r a l si t u a t i o n i s t h a t we h a ve n o
sh a m a n i c t r a di t i on . Sh a m a n i sm i s pr i m a r i l y t ech n i qu es, n ot
r i t u a l . I t i s a set of t ech n i qu es t h a t h a ve been wor ked ou t over
m i l l en n i a t h a t m a ke i t possi bl e, t h ou gh per h a ps n ot for ever y-
on e, t o expl or e t h ese a r ea s. Peopl e of pr edi l ect i on a r e n ot i ced
a n d en cou r a ged.
I n a r ch a i c soci et i es wh er e sh a m a n i sm i s a t h r i vi n g i n st i t u -
t i on , t h e si gn s a r e fa i r l y ea sy t o r ecogn i ze: oddn ess a n d u n i qu e-
n ess in a n in dividu a l. ( ) Am on g a spir in g sh a m a n s th er e m u st
be som e si gn of i n n er st r en gt h or a h yper sen si t i vi t y t o t r a n ce
st a t es. I n t r a vel i n g a r ou n d t h e wor l d a n d dea l i n g wi t h sh a m a n s,
I fi n d t h e d i st i n g u i sh i n g ch a r a ct er i st i c i s a n ex t r a o r d i n a r y
cen ter edn ess. Usu a lly th e sh a m a n is a n in tellectu a l a n d is a lien -
a t ed fr om soci et y. A good sh a m a n sees exa ct l y wh o you a r e a n d
sa ys, Ah , h er es som ebody to h a ve a con ver sa tion with . Th e a n -
t h r opol ogi ca l l i t er a t u r e a l wa ys pr esen t s sh a m a n s a s em bedded
i n a t r a di t i on , bu t on ce on e get s t o kn ow t h em t h ey a r e a l wa ys
ver y soph i st i ca t ed a bou t wh a t t h ey a r e doi n g. Th ey a r e t h e t r u e
ph en om en ologists of th is wor ld; th ey kn ow pla n t ch em istr y, yet
th ey ca ll th ese en er gy fields spir its. 45
- Sh a m a n s a r e per i ph er a l t o soci et ys goi n gs on i n or di n a r y so-
cia l life in ever y sen se of th e wor d. 46
- Wh a t good i s a t h eor y of h ow t h e u n i ver se wor ks i f i t s a ser i es
of t en sor equ a t i on s t h a t , even wh en u n der st ood, com e n owh er e
ta n gen tia l to exper ien ce? Th e on ly in tellectu a l or n oetic or spir i-
t u a l pa t h wor t h fol l owi n g i s on e t h a t bu i l ds on per son a l exper i -
en ce. I d.
- Wh a t t h e m u sh r oom sa ys a bou t i t sel f i s t h i s: t h a t i t i s a n ext r a -
t er r est r i a l or ga n i sm , t h a t spor es ca n su r vi ve t h e con di t i on s of
in ter stella r spa ce. ( ) I s it possible th a t th ese m u sh r oom s n ever
evol ved on ea r t h ? Th a t i s wh a t Stropharia cubensisi t sel f su g-
gest s. Gl oba l cu r r en t s m a y for m on t h e ou t si de of t h e spor e. Th e
spor es a r e ver y l i gh t a n d by Br own i a n m ot i on a r e ca pa bl e of
per cola tion to th e edge of a pla n ets a tm osph er e. Th en , th r ou gh
in ter a ction with en er getic pa r ticles, som e sm a ll n u m ber cou ld
a ct u a l l y esca pe i n t o spa ce. Un der st a n d t h a t t h i s i s a n evol u t i on -
a r y / st r a t egy wh er e on l y on e i n m a n y bi l l i on s of spor es a ct u a l l y
m a kes t h e t r a n si t i on bet ween t h e st a r s a bi ol ogi ca l st r a t egy of
r a dia tin g th r ou gh ou t th e ga la xy with ou t a tech n ology. Of cou r se,
t h i s h a ppen s over ver y l on g per i ods of t i m e. 46, 47
- I cou ldn t figu r e ou t wh eth er th e m u sh r oom is th e a lien or th e
m u sh r oom i s som e ki n d of t ech n ol ogi ca l a r t i fa ct a l l owi n g m e
to h ea r th e a lien wh en th e a lien is a ctu a lly ligh t- yea r s a wa y,
u sin g som e kin d of Bell n on loca lity pr in ciple to com m u n ica te.
Th e m u sh r oom sta tes its own position ver y clea r ly. I t sa ys, I
r equ i r e t h e n er vou s syst em of a m a m m a l . Do you h a ve on e
h a n dy? 47
- Th e I t a l i a n Ren a i ssa n ce r a n on spi ces; t h ey h a d t o get spi ces
fr om som ewh er e, so th ey bou gh t th em . Spices is a ver y a m -
bi gu ou s t er m . I f we cou l d get psych edel i cs cl a ssi fi ed a s spi ces
t h ey wou l d com e u n der t h e con t r ol n ot of psych ot h er a pi st s a n d
m en ta l h ea lth ca r e people bu t of ch efs a n d m a tr e ds. Th en we
wou l d h a ve a n en t i r el y di ffer en t a ppr oa ch t o t h e a dm i n i st r a t i on
of psych edel i c su bst a n ces, set , set t i n g, goa l s. 55
[ Fol l ows a ver y i n t er est i n g di a l og wi t h Ra l ph Met zn er t h a t i s
i m por t a n t wor d for wor d] .
Ralph Metzner: You r i dea s, a s wel l a s Al ber t Hofm a n n s i dea
a bou t th e r ole of er gotlike pla n ts in Eleu sis, tie in to th e n otion of
t h e r ea wa ken i n g of t h e ol d gods. Th ese a r e sa cr ed pl a n t s t h a t
wer e t r ea t ed a s sa cr ed bei n gs, di vi n e bei n gs, ba si ca l l y dei t i es. I f
we a r e i n fa ct a bl e t o i den t i fy wh a t som a wa s, we wi l l be a bl e t o
iden tify a n d r e- cr ea te th e or igin a l sou r ce- en er gy beh in d th e I n do-
Eu r opea n civiliza tion . Sim ila r ly, if we r ediscover a n d a r e a ble to
i n cor por a t e wh a t ever wa s u sed a t El eu si s, we wi l l h a ve t h e or i gi -
n a l i m pet u s beh i n d Gr eek- Eu r opea n ci vi l i za t i on t h a t ca r r i ed i t
for t wo t h ou sa n d yea r s a s t h e pr i m a r y veh i cl e of r el i gi ou s expe-
r ien ce.
TerenceMcKenna:Som a i s t h e l i gh t a t t h e begi n n i n g a n d en d
of h istor y. Th is is th e n otion . I t in fu ses h istor y. Histor y is a pr o-
cess t h a t i t cr ea t ed for i t s own pu r poses. We a r e i n vol ved i n a
sym bi ot i c r el a t i on sh i p wi t h a bi ol ogi ca l cr ea t u r e t h a t i s l i ke a
god beca u se i t i s so a dva n ced, di ffer en t , a n d i n possessi on of
su ch a pecu l i a r body of i n for m a t i on com pa r ed wi t h ou r sel ves.
Ralph Metzner: An oth er br ief poin t a bou t som a : Wh a tever som a
wa s, wh y did it disa ppea r ? Th er e a r e n ot a n y Stropharia cubensis
or Amanitaor a n y of th ese oth er h a llu cin ogen s in I n dia n ow. I f
i t i s t h er e, i t i s fa i r l y r em ot e a n d n ot a wi despr ea d t h i n g l i ke
a l coh ol or wi n e, wh i ch beca m e a wi despr ea d r el i gi ou s- soci a l
dr u g in a ll of Wester n cu ltu r e. My th eor y a bou t wh a t h a ppen ed
th en is th e sa m e a s wh a t h a ppen s n ow, th a t th e u se of som a ,
wh i ch wa s a gen u i n e r el i gi ou s i n t oxi ca n t i n t h e sen se t h a t i t
pr odu ced a r el i gi ou s exper i en ce a n d di r ect kn owl edge of God,
wa s st a m ped ou t syst em a t i ca l l y by t h e pr i est h oods, wh o wer e
pr i m a r i l y i n t en t u pon m a i n t a i n i n g t h ei r own power st r u ct u r e. I f
peopl e cou l d h a ve a di r ect exper i en ce of God by t a ki n g m u sh -
r oom s or a n y ot h er pl a n t t h ey wou l d n ot be i n t er est ed i n pr i est l y
power str u ctu r es th ey cou ldn t ca r e less. Wh y sh ou ld th ey ta lk
t o a pr i est i f t h ey cou l d t a l k di r ect l y t o God?
TerenceMcKenna:Th is is th e decon dition in g fa ctor .
Ralph Metzner: We sa w in th e sixties a n d we see n ow th a t th e
power h ol der s i n soci et y do n ot wa n t l a r ge n u m ber s of peopl e
t a ki n g su bst a n ces or pl a n t s t h a t expa n d t h ei r con sci ou sn ess. A
few h er e or t h er e do n ot bot h er t h em . Bu t i f i t gr ows i n t o l a r ge
n u m ber s th a t m a ke a lot of n oise, th ey don t wa n t it.
TerenceMcKenna: Th is is wh y th e ver tica l a ppr oa ch is better .
Deeper exper i en ces for a h a r der cor e. 56
- My br ot h er a n d I di scover ed du r i n g ou r expedi t i on t o t h e Am a -
zon in 1971 th a t a ccu m u la tion of th e tr ypta m in es in on es sys-
t em seem s t o con fer t h e a bi l i t y t o i n h a bi t m or e t h a n on e wor l d
a t on ce, a s t h ou gh a n ot h er wor l d wer e su per i m posed over r ea l -
ity. Th is is a su per - r ea lity, a h yper dim en sion a l wor ld wh er e in -
for m a t i on i s a ccessi bl e i n m a gi ca l wa ys. 58
- I t i s n ot , st r i ct l y spea ki n g, a con t a ct fr om a spa ce- fa r i n g r a ce
t h a t h a s com e fr om t h e st a r s, n or i s i t m a ss h yst er i a or del u si on .
59
- Th e UFO i s a n i dea i n t en ded t o con fou n d sci en ce, beca u se sci -
en ce h a s begu n to th r ea ten th e existen ce of th e h u m a n species
a s wel l a s t h e ecosyst em of t h e pl a n et . At t h i s poi n t , a sh ock i s
n ecessa r y for th e cu ltu r e, a sh ock equ iva len t to th e Resu r r ection
on Rom a n i m per i a l i sm . ( ) I t h i n k t h a t t o som e degr ee sci -
en ce h a s betr a yed h u m a n destin y. We h a ve been led to br in k of
st a r fl i gh t , bu t weve a l so been l ed t o t h e br i n k of t h er m on u cl ea r
h oloca u st. Th e r esu lt of th is betr a ya l is th a t scien ce m a y well be
swept a wa y by t h e r evel a t i on of t h e UFO. 61
- A voice th a t ga ve gu ida n ce a n d r evela tion to Wester n civiliza -
t i on h a s been si l en t for a bou t seven t een h u n dr ed yea r s. Th i s i s
t h e Logos a n d a l l a n ci en t ph i l osoph er s st r ove t o i n voke i t . For
Hellen istic / ph ilosoph y it wa s a voice th a t told self- eviden t tr u th .
Wi t h t h e pa ssi n g of t h e Aeon a n d t h e dea t h of t h e pa ga n gods,
a wa r en ess of th is ph en om en on fa ded. However , it is still a va il-
a ble th r ou gh th e m edia tion of th e pla n t tea ch er s. I f we cou ld
i n t el l i gen t l y exa m i n e di m en si on s t h a t t h e psych edel i c pl a n t s
m a ke a va i l a bl e, we cou l d con t a ct t h e Over sou l a n d l ea ve beh i n d
t h i s er a wh er e dom i n a n ce h i er a r ch i es m u st be di sci pl i n ed by
UFOs a n d m essi a h s, a n d wh er e pr ogr ess i s h a l t ed for m i l l en n i a
beca u se cu ltu r e ca n n ot a dva n ce eth ics a t th e sa m e r a te a s tech -
n ology. 61, 62
- We n eed to fa ce th e fa ct th a t th er e is a level of h ier a r ch ica l
con t r ol bei n g exer t ed on t h e h u m a n speci es a s a wh ol e a n d t h a t
ou r dest i n y i s n ot ou r s t o deci de. I t i s i n t h e h a n ds of a wei r dl y
dem ocr a t i c, a m oeboi d, h yper i n t el l i gen t su per or ga n i sm t h a t i s
ca lled Ever ybody. As we com e to ter m s with th is, a s we ta ke ou r
pla ce em bedded in th e body of Ever ybody, in for m a tion flows m or e
fr eely a n d th e r ea lity of th is in for m a tion a l cr ea tu r e is seen m or e
clea r ly. Th e fa ct is th a t we a r e in a sym biotic r ela tion sh ip with
a n or ga n ism m a de of in for m a tion , a n d th is is th e situ a tion cla ssic
sh a m a n ic pla n t h a llu cin ogen s r ein for ce ver y str on gly. 64
- Th e gr ea t m a j or i t y of peopl e i n t er est ed i n fl yi n g sa u cer s a r e
h a r dwa r e n u t s con vi n ced t h a t UFOs a r e sh i ps fr om Zet a Ret i cu l i .
Th e sh a m a n i c a n d psych ol ogi ca l expl a n a t i on i s n ot pa r t i cu l a r l y
wel com e a n ywh er e. 67
- Th e ea r l y a ppr oa ch wi t h psych edel i cs wa s t h e cor r ect on e. Th i s
i s t h e n ot i on t h a t i n t el l i gen t , t h ou gh t fu l peopl e sh ou l d t a ke
psych edelics a n d tr y a n d u n der sta n d wh a ts goin g on . Not gr ou ps
of pr ison er s, n ot gr a du a te stu den ts, bu t m a tu r e, in telligen t people
n eed to sh a r e th eir exper ien ces. I ts too ea r ly for a scien ce. Wh a t
we n eed n ow a r e t h e di a r i es of expl or er s. We n eed m a n y di a r i es
of m a n y expl or er s so we ca n begi n t o get a feel i n g for t h e t er r i -
tor y. 69
- Th e UFO com es for m t h i s m u r ky r egi on , beyon d t h e en d of
h i st or y, beyon d t h e en d of l i fe. I t i s bot h su pr a h i st or i ca l a n d
su pr a or ga n ic. I t is u n ca n n y, a lien ; it r a ises th e h a ir on th e ba ck
of on es n eck. I t is both th e a poth eosis a n d th e a n tith esis of th e
m on keys jou r n ey towa r d m in d. I t is th e m in d r evea lin g itself.
Th i s i s wh a t a l l r el i gi on i s a bou t : sh ock wa ves gi ven off by a n
even t a t th e en d of h istor y. We a r e n ow ver y close to th a t even t,
a n d Psi l ocybi n ca n h el p u s t o u n der st a n d i t beca u se Psi l ocybi n
con veys on e in to th e pla ce wh er e it is h a ppen in g con sta n tly. Th e
Aeon , eter n ity, a n d th e m illen n iu m a r e a ccom plish ed fa cts, n ot
a n a n t i ci pa t i on . Hen ce t h e m u sh r oom st a n ds a t t h e en d of h i s-
tor y. I t sta n ds for a n object th a t pu lls a ll h istor y towa r d itself. I ts
a ca u sa l for ce t h a t oper a t es u pon u s ba ckwa r d t h r ou gh t i m e. I t
i s wh y t h i n gs h a ppen t h e wa y t h ey do; beca u se ever yt h i n g i s be-
i n g pu l l ed for wa r d t owa r d a n exu s of t r a n sfor m a t i on . 70
- To su m u p wh a t I ve sa i d a bou t r el i gi on , i t i s a s t h ou gh t h e
Fa t h er - God n ot i on wer e bei n g r epl a ced by t h e a l i en - pa r t n er n o-
t i on . Th e a l i en - pa r t n er i s l i ke t h e a n gel i c t et r a m or ph . I t i s a n -
dr ogyn ou s, h er m a ph r odi t i c, t r a n sh u m a n ; i t i s a l l t h ese t h i n gs
th a t th e u n con sciou s ch ooses to pr oject u pon it u n til we h a ve
en ou gh in for m a tion to defin e wh a t it m igh t a ctu a lly be for it-
sel f. 73
- Even tu a lly th is con ta ct will occu r . We a r e n ow in th e pu bescen t
st a ge of yea r n i n g, of for m i n g a n i m a ge of t h e t h i n g desi r ed. Th i s
im a ge of th e th in g desir ed will even tu a lly ca u se th a t th in g com e
in to bein g. I n oth er wor ds, ou r cu ltu r a l dir ection is bein g tou ch ed
by t h e n ot i on of / a l i en l ove, a n d i t com es t o u s t h r ou gh t h e
r ebir th of th e u se of pla n t h a llu cin ogen s. Th e sh a m a n ic vision
pl a n t s seem t o be t h e ca r r i er s of t h i s per va si ve en t el ech y t h a t
spea ks a n d t h a t ca n pr esen t i t sel f t o u s i n t h i s pa r t i cu l a r wa y. 73,
74
- Th e a ppet i t e for t h i s fu si on i s wh a t i s pr opel l i n g gl oba l cu l t u r e
t owa r d a n a poca l ypt i c t r a n sfor m a t i on . ( ) Bu t i t cou l d a l so
s l i p a wa y. We c o u l d h a r d e n ; t h e r e a r e d o m i n a t o r ,
h yper t ech n ol ogi ca l fu t u r es t h a t we cou l d sa i l t owa r d a n d r ea l -
ize. Th a t wou ld elim in a te th is possibility of open in g to th e Oth er .
74
- Th er e is ten sion a r ou n d th e flyin g sa u cer , a side fr om th e er otic
con n ot a t i on , beca u se t h e fl yi n g sa u cer r epr esen t s a t r em en dou s
/ ch a llen ge to scien ce, per h a ps th e u ltim a te ch a llen ge. I t m a y be
a s con fou n di n g t o sci en ce a s t h e r esu r r ect i on of Ch r i st wa s t o
Gr eek em pi r i ci sm a n d Rom a n i m per i a l i sm . Th e fl yi n g sa u cer i s
essen t i a l l y a n a gen t of cu l t u r a l ch a n ge. 75, 76
- Th e zeitgeist of h yper spa ce th a t is em er gin g, in itia lly fr eigh ted
with tech n ology a n d cyber n etics, r equ ir es th a t it be con sciou sly
tu n ed to a n er otic idea l. I t is im por ta n t to a r ticu la te th e pr esen ce
of th is er otic idea l of th e Oth er ea r ly. Th is is a n oppor tu n ity to
fa ll in love with th e Oth er , get m a r r ied, a n d go off to th e sta r s;
bu t its on ly a n oppor tu n ity a n d n ot evolu tion a r ily n ecessa r y. 76
- Bu t i n t h e Am a zon a n d ot h er pl a ces wh er e pl a n t h a l l u ci n o-
gen s a r e u n der st ood a n d u sed, you a r e con veyed i n t o wor l ds t h a t
a r e a ppa llin gly differ en t fr om or din a r y r ea lity. Th eir vividn ess
ca n n ot be st r essed en ou gh . Th ey a r e m or e r ea l t h a n r ea l . An d
th a ts som eth in g th a t you sen se in tu itively. Th ey esta blish a n
on tologica l pr ior ity. Th ey a r e m or e r ea l th a n r ea l, a n d on ce you
get t h a t u n der you r bel t a n d l et i t r a t t l e a r ou n d i n you r m i n d,
t h en t h e com pa ss of you r l i fe begi n s t o spi n a n d you r ea l i ze t h a t
you a r e n ot l ooki n g i n on t h e Ot h er ; t h e Ot h er i s l ooki n g i n on
you . 78
- Th e st or y you t el l you r sel f a bou t h ow t h e wor l d wor ks ca n t
expl a i n t o you h ow for m i n g t h e wi sh t o cl ose you r open h a n d
i n t o a fi st m a kes i t h a ppen . Th i s i s t h e t r u e st a t u s of pr esen t
sci en ce. I t ca n n ot offer so m u ch a s a cl u e a bou t h ow t h a t h a p-
pen s. Sci en t i st s kn ow h ow m u scl es con t r a ct a l l thatth ey kn ow.
I ts th e in itia tin g ph en om en on , th a t wh ich decides I will close
m y h a n d. Th ey kn ow a s m u ch a bou t t h a t a s a n d per h a ps l ess
th a n Wester n or Ea ster n ph ilosoph y kn ew in th e twelfth cen -
tu r y. I d.
- As h u m a n h i st or y goes for wa r d, we devel op t h e l i n gu i st i c di s-
cr i m i n a t i on t o be a bl e t o r ecogn i ze t h e ext r a t er r est r i a l s t h a t a r e
a l r ea dy i n si n u a t ed i n t o t h e pl a n et a r y en vi r on m en t a r ou n d u s,
som e of wh i ch m a y h a ve been h er e m i l l i on s a n d m i l l i on s of
yea r s. I n ot h er wor ds, spa ce i s n ot a n i m per m ea bl e ba r r i er t o
life; th er e is slow dr ift. Th er e is gen etic m a ter ia l th a t is tr a n s-
fer r ed t h r ou gh spa ce a n d t i m e over va st di st a n ces. 80
- I don t t h i n k t h a t m a ss dr u g t a ki n g i s a good i dea . Bu t I t h i n k
t h a t we m u st h a ve a depu t i zed m i n or i t y a sh a m a n i c pr ofes-
si on a l cl a ss, i f you wi l l wh ose j ob i s t o br i n g i dea s ou t of t h e
deep, bl a ck wa t er a n d sh ow t h em t o t h e r est of u s. Su ch peopl e
wou l d per for m for ou r cu l t u r e som e of t h e cu l t u r a l fu n ct i on s
t h a t sh a m a n s per for m ed i n pr el i t er a t e cu l t u r es. 82
- Evol u t i on a r y bi ol ogi st s con si der h u m a n s t o be a n u n evol vi n g
species. Som e tim e in th e la st fifty th ou sa n d yea r s, with th e in -
ven tion of / cu ltu r e, th e biologica l evolu tion of h u m a n s cea sed
a n d evol u t i on beca m e a n epi gen et i c, cu l t u r a l ph en om en on .
Tool s, l a n gu a ges, a n d ph i l osoph i es bega n t o evol ve, bu t t h e h u -
m a n som a type r em a in ed th e sa m e. Hen ce, ph ysica lly, we a r e ver y
m u ch like people of a lon g tim e a go. Bu t tech n ology is th e r ea l
skin of ou r species. Hu m a n ity, cor r ectly seen in th e con text of th e
l a st fi ve h u n dr ed yea r s, i s a n ext r u der of t ech n ol ogi ca l m a t er i a l .
We t a ke i n m a t t er t h a t h a s a l ow degr ee of or ga n i za t i on ; we pu t
it th r ou gh m en ta l filter s, a n d we extr u de jewelr y, gospels, spa ce
sh u t t l es. 92, 93
- Th e con ven t i on s of r el a t i vi t y sa y t h a t t i m e sl ows down a s on e
a ppr oa ch es t h e speed of l i gh t , bu t i f on e t r i es t o i m a gi n e t h e
poi n t of vi ew of a t h i n g m a de of l i gh t , on e m u st r ea l i ze t h a t
wh a t is n ever m en tion ed is th a t if on e m oves a t th e speed of ligh t
th er e is n o tim e wh a tsoever . Th er e is a n exper ien ce of tim e zer o.
So i f on e i m a gi n es for a m om en t on esel f t o be m a de of l i gh t , or
in possession of a veh icle th a t ca n m ove a t th e speed of ligh t, on e
ca n t r a ver se fr om a n y poi n t i n t h e u n i ver se t o a n y ot h er wi t h a
su bjective exper ien ce of tim e zer o. Th is m ea n s th a t on e cr osses
to Alph a Cen ta u r i in tim e zer o, bu t th e a m ou n t of tim e th a t h a s
pa ssed i n t h e r el a t i vi st i c u n i ver se i s fou r a n d a h a l f yea r s. Bu t i f
on e m oves ver y gr ea t di st a n ces, of on e cr osses t wo h u n dr ed a n d
fi ft y t h ou sa n d l i gh t - yea r s t o An dr om eda , on e wou l d st i l l h a ve a
su bjective exper ien ce of tim e zer o. 95
- Ou r i n st i t u t i on s, ou r epi st em ol ogi es a r e ba n kr u pt a n d ex-
h a u st ed; we m u st st a r t a n ew a n d h ope t h a t wi t h t h e h el p of
sh a m a n ica lly in spir ed per son a lities, we ca n cu ltiva te th e a n cien t
m yst er y on ce a ga i n . 98
- I n m y opin ion th e u n iqu e qu a lity of Psilocybin is th a t it r evea ls
n ot col or ed l i gh t s a n d m ovi n g gr i ds, bu t pl a ces j u n gl es, ci t i es,
m a ch in es, books, a r ch itecton ic for m s of in cr edible com plexity.
Th er e i s n o possi bi l i t y t h a t t h i s cou l d be con st r u ed a s n eu r ol ogi -
ca l n oi se of a n y sor t . I t i s, i n fa ct , t h e m ost h i gh l y or der ed vi su a l
in for m a tion th a t on e ca n exper ien ce, m u ch m or e h igh ly or der ed
t h a n t h e n or m a l wa ki n g vi si on . I d.
- Wh a t i s h a ppen i n g t o ou r wor l d i s i n gr essi on of n ovel t y t owa r d
wh a t Wh iteh ea d ca lled con cr escen ce, a tigh ten in g gyr e. Ever y-
th in g is flowin g togeth er . Th e a u topoetic la pis, th e a lch em ica l
ston e a t th e en d of tim e, coa lesces wh en ever yth in g flows togeth er .
Wh en t h e l a ws of ph ysi cs a r e obvi a t ed, t h e u n i ver se di sa ppea r s,
a n d wh a t is left is th e tigh tly bou n d plen u m , th e m on a d, a ble to
expr ess i t sel f for i t sel f, r a t h er t h a n on l y a bl e t o ca st a sh a dow
in to physisa s its r eflection . I com e ver y close h er e to cla ssica l
m illen a r ia n a n d a poca lyptic th ou gh t in m y view of th e r a te a t
wh ich ch a n ge is a cceler a tin g. Fr om th e wa y th e gyr e is tigh ten -
i n g, I pr edi ct t h a t con cr escen ce wi l l occu r soon a r ou n d 2012
A.D. I t will be th e en tr y of ou r species in to h yper spa ce, bu t it will
a ppea r t o be t h e en d of ph ysi ca l l a ws a ccom pa n i ed by t h e r e-
lea se of th e m in d in to th e im a gin a tion . 101
- Novel t y, t h en , i s pu t for wa r d a s a pr i m a r y t er m n ecessa r y t o a
descr iption of a n y tem por a l system m u ch in th e wa y th a t spin ,
velocity, a n d a n gu la r m om en tu m a r e pr im a r y ter m s n ecessa r y
to th e descr iption of a n y ph ysica l system . Syn on ym s for n ovelty
a r e degr ee of con n ect edn ess or com pl exi t y. 109
- I n m y con fr on t a t i on s wi t h t h e per son i fi ed Ot h er t h a t i s r esi -
den t i n t h e m u sh r oom , pa r t of i t s m essa ge wa s i t s speci es- spe-
ci fi c u n i qu en ess a n d i t s desi r e for a sym bi ot i c r el a t i on sh i p wi t h
h u m a n s. At oth er tim es it pr esen ted itself n ot so m u ch a s a per -
son a ge bu t a s a gi a n t n et wor k t h a t m a n y sor t s of bei n gs i n di f-
fer en t pa r t s of t h e u n i ver se wer e u si n g for t h ei r own pu r poses. I
felt like a two- yea r - old ch ild wh o str u ggles with th e qu estion ,
Ar e t h er e l i t t l e peopl e i n t h e r a di o?. Per h a ps t h e psi l ocybi n -
r evea l ed di m en si on i s a ki n d of n et wor k of i n for m a t i on a n d i m -
a ges, or som et h i n g even m or e su bst a n t i a l . 117
- Ch em i st s wh o m a de t h e ea r l y a t t em pt s t o i sol a t e t h e a l ka l oi ds
in B. caapi ga ve th eir com pou n d th e r om a n tic n a m e telepa th in e,
r eflectin g th e deep for est r epu ta tion of ya g a s a gen u in ely tele-
pa t h i c dr u g. I d.
- Ecst a t i c i s a wor d u n n ecessa r y t o defi n e except oper a t i on a l l y:
a n ecst a t i c exper i en ce i s on e t h a t on e wi sh es t o h a ve over a n d
over a ga i n . 144
- On e vi ew of pl a n t h a l l u ci n ogen s i s t o see t h em a s i n t er speci es
ph er om on es or exoph er om on es. Ph er om on es a r e ch em ica l com -
pou n ds exu ded by a n or ga n i sm for t h e pu r pose of ca r r yi n g m es-
sa ges bet ween or ga n i sm s of t h e sa m e speci es. ( ) I f h a l l u ci -
n ogen s a r e oper a tin g a s exoph er om on es, th en th e dyn a m ic sym -
bi ot i c r el a t i on sh i p bet ween pr i m a t e a n d h a l l u ci n ogen i c pl a n t i s
a ctu a lly a tr a n sfer of in for m a tion fr om on e species to a n oth er .
145
- I t i s r ea son a bl e t o su ggest t h a t h u m a n l a n gu a ge a r ose ou t of
t h e syn er gy of pr i m a t e or ga n i za t i on a l pot en t i a l by pl a n t h a l l u -
ci n ogen s. I n deed, t h i s possi bi l i t y wa s br i l l i a n t l y a n t i ci pa t ed by
Hen r y Mu n n i n h i s essa y Th e Mu sh r oom s of La n gu a ge ( 1973) .
Mu n n wr ites:
La n gu a ge i s a n ecst a t i c a ct i vi t y of si gn i fi ca t i on . I n t oxi ca t ed by
th e m u sh r oom , th e flu en cy, th e ea se, th e a ptn ess of expr ession
on e becom es ca pa bl e of a r e of su ch t h a t on e i s a st ou n ded by t h e
wor ds th a t issu e for th fr om th e con ta ct of th e in ten tion of a r -
t i cu l a t i on wi t h t h e m a t t er of exper i en ce. Th e spon t a n ei t y t h e
m u sh r oom s l i ber a t e i s n ot on l y per cept u a l , bu t l i n gu i st i c. For
th e sh a m a n , it is a s if existen ce wer e u tter in g itself th r ou gh h im .
- Th e peopl e of a t a l H y k a n d ot h er Mesopot a m i a n peopl es
existed u n distu r bed in th e a n cien t Middle Ea st for a lon g tim e,
pr a ct i ci n g t h ei r Mot h er Goddess r el i gi on . Th en , a r ou n d fi ve t o
seven th ou sa n d B.P., a differ en t kin d of people with wh eeled ch a r i-
ot s, pa t r i a r ch y a n d a r i t u a l i n vol vi n g h or se sa cr i fi ce swept down
fr om n or t h of t h e Ca spi a n Sea i n t o Tu r key a n d An a t ol i a , a n d
wh a t i s n ow I r a q a n d I r a n , en cou n t er i n g t h e pa st or a l , m u sh -
r oom - u si n g l owl a n der s. 150
- Th e Nin th Ma n da la of th e Rig Vedaespeci a l l y goes i n t o gr ea t
det a i l a bou t som a a n d st a t es t h a t som a st a n ds a bove t h e gods.
Som a is th e su pr em e en tity. Som a is th e m oon ; som a is m a scu -
lin e. Her e we h a ve a r a r e ph en om en on : a m a le lu n a r deity. Th e
con n ection between th e fem in in e a n d th e m oon is so deep a n d
obvi ou s t h a t a l u n a r m a l e dei t y st a n ds ou t , m a ki n g i t s t r a di -
t i on a l h i st or y i n t h e r egi on ea sy t o t r a ce. 152
- I t i s m y su ggest i on t h a t t h e m u sh r oom r el i gi on i s a ct u a l l y t h e
gen er i c r el i gi on of h u m a n bei n gs a n d t h a t a l l l a t er a du m br a -
tion s of r eligion stem fr om th e cu lt of r itu a l in gestion of m u sh -
r oom s to in du ce ecsta sy. 153
- A r eth in kin g of th e r ole th a t h a llu cin ogen ic pla n ts a n d fu n gi
h a ve pla yed in th e pr om otion of h u m a n em er gen ce fr om th e
su bst r a t a of pr i m a t e or ga n i za t i on ca n h el p t o l a y t h e ba si s for a
n ew a ppr eci a t i on of t h e u n i qu e con fl u en ce of fa ct or s r espon -
sible a n d n ecessa r y for th e evolu tion of h u m a n bein gs. Th e widely
felt in tu ition of th e pr esen ce of th e Oth er a s a fem a le com pa n ion
t o t h e h u m a n n a vi ga t i on of h i st or y ca n , I bel i eve, be t r a ced ba ck
to th e im m er sion in th e vegeta ble m in d th a t pr ovided th e r itu a l
con text in wh ich h u m a n con sciou sn ess em er ged in to th e ligh t
of self- a wa r en ess, self- r eflection , a n d self- a r ticu la tion : th e ligh t
of t h e Gr ea t Goddess. I d.
- Th i s du a l i sm of t h e i n t er i or a n d t h e ext er i or m a y h a ve t o be
over com e. I t obviou sly tr a n scen ds th e in dividu a l. Bu t I su spect it
i s som et h i n g l i ke a n Over m i n d of t h e speci es a n d t h a t t h e h i gh -
est for m of h u m a n or ga n i za t i on i s n ot r ea l i zed i n t h e dem o-
cr a t i c i n di vi du a l . I t i s r ea l i zed i n a di m en si on n on e of u s h a s
ever pen etr a ted th e m in d of th e species. I t is th e h a n d a t th e
tiller of h istor y. I t is n o gover n m en t, n o r eligiou s gr ou p, bu t a c-
tu a lly wh a t we ca ll th e h u m a n u n con sciou s; h owever , it is n ot
u n con sci ou s, a n d i t i s n ot si m pl y a cyber n et i c r eposi t or y of m yt h
a n d m em or y. I t i s a n or ga n i zed en t el ech y of som e sor t , a n d
th ou gh h u m a n h istor y is its sign a tu r e on th e pr im a tes, it is ver y
di ffer en t fr om t h e pr i m a t es. I t i s l i ke a cr ea t u r e of pu r e i n for m a -
t i on . I t i s m a de of l a n gu a ge. I t r el ea ses i dea s i n t o t h e fl owi n g
st r ea m of h i st or y t o boost t h e pr i m a t es t owa r d h i gh er a n d h i gh er
levels of self- r eflection . 159
- [ M] oder n t h eor i es a r e t h a t h a l l u ci n ogen s sh i ft em ph a si s fr om
l eft - t o r i gh t - br a i n t h i n ki n g. 189
- DMT i s a n eu r ot r a n sm i t t er t h a t , wh en i n gest ed a n d a l l owed t o
com e t o r est i n u n u su a l l y l a r ge a m ou n t s i n t h e syn a pses of t h e
br a i n , a l l ows on e t o see sou n d, so t h a t on e ca n u se t h e voi ce t o
pr odu ce n ot m u sica l com position s, bu t pictor ia l a n d visu a l com -
position s. Th is, to m y m in d, in dica tes th a t wer e on th e cu sp of
som e ki n d of evol u t i on a r y t r a n si t i on i n t h e l a n gu a ge- for m i n g
a r ea , so t h a t we a r e goi n g t o go fr om a l a n gu a ge t h a t i s h ea r d t o
a l a n gu a ge t h a t i s seen , t h r ou gh a sh i ft i n i n t er i or pr ocessi n g.
Th e l a n gu a ge wi l l st i l l be m a de of sou n d, bu t i t wi l l be pr ocessed
a s t h e ca r r i er of t h e vi su a l i m pr essi on . Th i s i s a ct u a l l y bei n g
don e by sh a m a n s i n t h e Am a zon . Th e son gs t h ey si n g sou n d a s
t h ey do i n or der t o l ook a cer t a i n wa y. Th ey a r e n ot m u si ca l
com posi t i on s a s wer e u sed t o t h i n ki n g of t h em . Th ey a r e pi ct o-
r i a l a r t t h a t i s ca u sed by a u di o si gn a l s. 209
- On e of t h e t h i n gs t h a t i n t er est s m e a bou t dr ea m s i s t h i s: I h a ve
dr ea m s in wh ich I sm oke DMT, a n d it wor ks. To m e th a ts ex-
tr em ely in ter estin g, beca u se it seem s to im ply th a t on e does n ot
h a ve to sm oke DMT to h a ve th e exper ien ce. You on ly h a ve to
con vin ce you r br a in th a t you h a ve don e th is, a n d it th en deliver s
t h i s st a gger i n g a l t er ed st a t e. 210
- Th er e a r e t i m es a n d t h i s wou l d be a gr ea t st u dy for som e-
body t o do t h er e h a ve been per i ods i n En gl i sh wh en t h er e wer e
em ot i on s t h a t don t exi st a n ym or e, beca u se t h e wor ds h a ve been
l ost . Th i s i s get t i n g ver y cl ose t o t h i s bu si n ess of h ow r ea l i t y i s
m a de by l a n gu a ge. Ca n we r ecover a l ost em ot i on by cr ea t i n g a
wor d for i t ? Th er e a r e col or s t h a t don t exi st a n ym or e beca u se
t h e wor ds h a ve been l ost . I m t h i n ki n g of t h e wor d jacinth. Th is
i s a cer t a i n ki n d of or a n ge. On ce you kn ow t h e wor d jacinth,
you a lwa ys ca n r ecogn ize it, bu t if you don t h a ve it, a ll you ca n
sa y is its a little da r ker or a n ge th a n som eth in g else. Weve n ever
tr ied to con sciou sly evolve ou r la n gu a ge, weve ju st let it evolve,
bu t n ow we h a ve t h i s l evel of a wa r en ess, a n d t h i s l evel of cu l -
tu r a l n eed wh er e we r ea lly m u st pla n wh er e th e n ew wor ds sh ou ld
be gen er a t ed. Th er e a r e a r ea s wh er e wor ds sh ou l d be got t en r i d
of t h a t em power pol i t i ca l wr on g t h i n ki n g. Th e pr opa ga n di st s
for t h e fa sci st s a l r ea dy u n der st a n d t h i s; t h ey u n der st a n d t h a t i f
you m a ke som eth in g u n sa ya ble, you ve m a de it u n th in ka ble.
So i t doesn t pl a gu e you a n ym or e. So pl a n n ed evol u t i on of l a n -
gu a ge i s t h e wa y t o speed i t t owa r d expr essi n g t h e fr on t i er of
con sci ou sn ess. 214
- Bot a n i ca l Di m en si on s i s a n on pr ofi t fou n da t i on t h a t a t t em pt s
t o r escu e pl a n t s wi t h a h i st or y of sh a m a n i c a n d h u m a n u sa ge i n
t h e wa r m t opi cs, a n d r escu e t h e i n for m a t i on a bou t h ow t h eyr e
u sed, st or e t h e i n for m a t i on i n com pu t er s, a n d m ove t h e pl a n t s
t o a n i n et een - a cr e si t e i n Ha wa i i , i n a r a i n for est bel t t h a t r ea -
son a bl y r epl i ca t es t h e Am a zon si t u a t i on . Th er e we a r e keepi n g
t h em t owa r d t h e da y wh en som eon e wi l l wa n t t o do ser i ou s r e-
sea r ch on t h em . As a n on pr ofi t fou n da t i on , we sol i ci t don a t i on s,
pu blish a n ewsletter , su ppor t a n u m ber of collector s in th e field,
a n d ca r r y on th is wor k, wh ich n obody else is r ea lly doin g. Th er es
a l ot of r a i n for est con ser va t i on goi n g on , bu t ver y l i t t l e effor t t o
con ser ve th e folk kn owledge of n a tive peoples. Am a zon ia n people
a r e goi n g off t o sa wm i l l s a n d l ea r n i n g t o r epa i r ou t boa r d m o-
t or s, a n d t h i s wh ol e body of kn owl edge a bou t pl a n t s i s goi n g t o
be lost in th e n ext gen er a tion . Wer e sa vin g it, a n d sa vin g th e
pl a n t s i n a bot a n i ca l ga r den i n Ha wa i i . 216
- Reest a bl i sh i n g ch a n n el s of di r ect com m u n i ca t i on wi t h t h e
pla n eta r y Oth er , th e m in d beh in d n a tu r e, th r ou gh th e u se of h a l-
l u ci n ogen i c pl a n t s i s t h e l a st best h ope for di ssol vi n g t h e st eep
wa l l s of cu l t u r a l i n fl exi bi l i t y t h a t a ppea r t o be ch a n n el i n g u s
t owa r d t r u e r u i n . We n eed a n ew set of l en ses t o see ou r wa y i n
th e wor ld. Wh en th e m edieva l wor ld sh ifted its wor ldview, secu -
l a r i zed Eu r opea n soci et y sou gh t sa l va t i on i n t h e r evi vi fyi n g of
cla ssica l Gr eek a n d Rom a n a ppr oa ch es to la w, ph ilosoph y, / a es-
th etics, city pla n n in g, a n d a gr icu ltu r e. Ou r dilem m a will ca st u s
fu r t h er ba ck i n t o t i m e i n a sea r ch for m odel s a n d a n swer s. 218,
219
- Th e solu tion of m u ch of m oder n m a la ise, in clu din g ch em ica l
depen den ci es a n d r epr essed psych oses a n d n eu r oses, i s di r ect
exposu r e t o t h e a u t h en t i c di m en si on s of r i sk r epr esen t ed by t h e
exper i en ce of psych edel i c pl a n t s. Th e pr o- psych edel i c pl a n t po-
si t i on i s cl ea r l y a n a n t i dr u g posi t i on . Dr u g depen den ci es a r e t h e
r esu l t of h a bi t u a l , u n exa m i n ed, a n d obsessi ve beh a vi or ; t h ese
a r e pr eci sel y t h e t en den ci es i n ou r psych ol ogi ca l m a keu p t h a t
th e psych edelics m itiga te. Th e pla n t h a llu cin ogen s dissolve h a bits
a n d h ol d m ot i va t i on s u p t o i n spect i on by a wi der , l ess egocen -
t r i c, a n d m or e gr ou n ded poi n t of vi ew wi t h i n t h e i n di vi du a l . 219
- Wh a t I ca l l t h e Ar ch a i c Revi va l i s t h e pr ocess of r ea wa ken i n g
a wa r en ess of t r a di t i on a l a t t i t u des t owa r d n a t u r e, i n cl u di n g
pl a n t s a n d ou r r el a t i on sh i p t o t h em . Th e Ar ch a i c Revi va l spel l s
t h e even t u a l br ea ku p of t h e pa t t er n of m a l e dom i n a n ce a n d h i -
er a r ch y ba sed on a n i m a l or ga n i za t i on , som et h i n g t h a t ca n n ot
be ch a n ged over n i gh t by a su dden sh i ft i n col l ect i ve a wa r en ess.
I d.
- Th e cl oser a h u m a n gr ou p i s t o t h e gn osi s of t h e veget a bl e
m in d th e Ga ia n collectivity of or ga n ic life th e closer th eir
con n ection to th e a r ch etype of th e Goddess a n d h en ce to th e pa r t-
n er sh ip style of socia l or ga n iza tion . Th e la st tim e th a t th e m a in -
st r ea m of West er n t h ou gh t wa s r efr esh ed by t h e gn osi s of t h e
vegeta ble m in d wa s a t th e close of th e Hellen istic Er a , befor e th e
Myst er y r el i gi on s wer e fi n a l l y su ppr essed by en t h u si a st i c Ch r i s-
t i a n ba r ba r i a n s. I d.
[ Li st , pp. 221- 225]
- Detoxifica tion of th e n a tu r a l en vir on m en t
- Con n ect edn ess a n d sym bi osi s
- La t er , m or e soph i st i ca t ed obser ver s ( C. H. Wa ddi n gt om a n d
Er i ch Ja n t sch ) fou n d n ot t h e Wa r i n Na t u r e t h a t Da r wi n i st s r e-
por t ed bu t r a t h er a si t u a t i on i n wh i ch i t wa s n ot com pet i t i ve
a bi l i t y bu t a bi l i t y t o m a xi m i ze cooper a t i on wi t h ot h er speci es
t h a t m ost di r ect l y con t r i bu t ed t o a n or ga n i sm s bei n g a bl e t o
fu n ct i on a n d en du r e a s a m em ber of a bi om e. Pl a n t s i n t er a ct
wi t h ea ch ot h er t h r ou gh t h e t a n gl ed m a t of r oot s t h a t con n ect s
th em a ll to th e sou r ce of th eir n u tr ition a n d to ea ch oth er . 221
- Th e m a t t ed fl oor of t h e t r opi ca l r a i n for est i s a n en vi r on m en t
of gr ea t ch em ica l diver sity; th e topology a ppr oa ch es th a t of br a in
tissu e in its com plexity. With in th e n etwor k of in ter con n ected
r oot s, com pl ex ch em i ca l si gn a l s a r e con st a n t l y bei n g t r a n sm i t -
t ed a n d r ecei ved. Coa da pt i ve evol u t i on a n d sym bi ot i c r el a t i on -
sh ips r egu la te th is en tir e system with a u biqu itou sn ess th a t a r -
gu es for t h e evol u t i on a r y pr i m a cy / of t h ese cooper a t i ve st r a t e-
gi es. For exa m pl e, m ycor r h i za l fu n gi l i ve i n sym bi osi s on t h e
ou t si de of pl a n t r oot s a n d gen t l y ba l a n ce a n d bu ffer t h e m i n -
er a l - l a den wa t er t h a t i s m ovi n g t h r ou gh t h em t o t h e r oot s of
t h ei r h ost . 221, 221
- Wh ole- system fin e tu n in g
- We ca n on l y a dm i r e a n d we sh ou l d seek t o i m i t a t e su ch a
Ta o- l i ke sen se of t h e pl a n et s m u l t i di m en si on a l h om eost a t i c
ba l a n ce. 222
- Recyclin g
- Li ke pl a n t s, we n eed t o r ecycl e. On a cosm i c sca l e we a r e n o
m or e m obi l e t h a n pl a n t s. Un t i l t h i s poi n t i n h i st or y we h a ve
m odel ed ou r m or e su ccessfu l econ om i c syst em s on a n i m a l pr e-
da t i on . An i m a l s ca n pot en t i a l l y m ove on t o a n ot h er r esou r ce
wh en th ey exh a u st th e on e a t h a n d. Sin ce th ey ca n m ove to n ew
food sou r ces, th ey poten tia lly h a ve u n lim ited r esou r ces. Pla n ts
a r e fi xed. I d.
- Ph ot ovol t a i c power
- A gl oba l a t m osph er e- ba sed en er gy econ om y
- Na n ot ech n ol ogy
- Pr eser va t i on of bi ol ogi ca l di ver si t y
- Th i s r et u r n t o a per spect i ve on sel f a n d ego t h a t pl a ces t h em
with in th e la r ger con text of pla n eta r y life a n d evolu tion is th e
essen ce of t h e Ar ch a i c Revi va l . 225

Terence McKenna - The Archaic Revival

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Copyrigh t 2004 Dr. H. Pelo. All righ ts reserved.

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