A psychedelic renaissance is taking place worldwide for those who wish to develop a more comprehensive awareness of themselves and the planet. The proper usage of entheogens can lift the veil from our consensus reality, allowing ordinary individuals to experience a broader field of awareness. These sacred medicines can provide access to expand insights and the possibility of lasting behavioral transformation previously available only to privileged mystics. This book will familiarize and prepare the reader for psychonautical voyages by means of an introduction to several powerful psychedelic medicines, sometimes called hallucinogens or entheogens. It is intended for both the novice and the more experienced seeker. It includes personal memoirs describing the sacred usage of psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, iboga, San Pedro cactus, peyote, and DMT by the author for healing, revisioning of the natural world, and developing a relationship with the spirit domain. Additional sacred medicines and their use in different cultures throughout history are described. The reader will learn details about numerous mind-altering plants and chemicals, as well as the current use of shamanic methods toward an enhanced understanding of the sacred and safe use of various psychedelic medicines. A vision quest model with shamanic techniques and meditations is provided, which can be utilized with or without medicines. Examples of meditations are provided which could assist in orienting the reader to the transpersonal journey and honoring the natural world.
A discussion of current legal research and practice utilizing psilocybin, MDMA, ayahuasca, iboga, and ketamine for psychiatric treatment is included. In addition the possible dangers and misappropriation of entheogen use are explored. The emphasis of the material is on the process of deep journey work to expanded realms of consciousness; therefore, the current practice of microdosing psychedelics is not emphasized. Later chapters include stories related to various mind-altering substances, including possible origins of Santa Claus, witches, and werewolves; as well as historical uses of DMT-containing snuffs, cannabis, khat, coca, tobacco, ecstasy, ketamine, and 2C-B. In addition, excerpts of an interview with Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD, are provided.
The book contains a large number of visionary color art images by the author and other artists, diagrams, and photographs to visually illustrate the described encounters with transpersonal entities. Also included some music suggestions to use during a journey experience.
Shester, Alexander: - Dr. Alexander Shester is a medical doctor, board-certified psychiatrist and Jungian analyst.He has extensively lectured and led workshops on topics related to C.G. Jung, shamanism, initiation rites, and men's psychology. He is the past president of the San Diego Society of Jungian Analysts and a past member of the International Association of Analytical Psychologists. Visionary Healing is his first book. His current interests lie in the areas of the relationship of the human psyche to the natural world, ecopsychology and the preservation of a healthy planet, the roles of fungi and viruses, and the spiritual awareness at the center of the psyche all of which he plans to cover in his next book.
