I don't know anyone who has looked into the intersection of psychedelics and religion as deeply and for as long a time, as Huston Smith. He participated in the Good Friday experiment, as you may know. His experienced and studied position might best be summed up by this quotation from the appendix to his wonderful little book on perennialism, Forgotten Truth: "The Psychedelic Evidence." "If the only thing to say about the psychedelics was that they seem on occasion to offer direct disclosures of the psychic and celestial planes as well as (in rare instances) the Infinite itself, we would hold our peace. For though such experiences may be veridical in ways, the goal, it cannot be stressed too often, is not religious experiences; it is the religious life. And with respect to the latter, psychedelic "theophanies" can abort a quest as readily as, perhaps more readily than, they can further it." Unusual experiences are easy to provoke with psychedelics. Offer someone a spiritual model and they're likely to use it to describe their altered consciousness. Seems to me there is a great deal of hype around the value of psychedelics to enhance one's spirituality, and comparatively little attention paid to the wise words of Huston.....
Jay, I am a rabbi and was a subject in this study. I really appreciate your thoughtful reflections on the study and balanced critique of Michael Pollan’s article. I would love to talk to you about my experiences.
Jay, your writing is every bit as illustrative and captivating than any cultural journalist. Thank you for your take on the piece and for your leadership in providing sober reflection on an important mechanism of healing and spiritual growth.
“this being The New Yorker, which has apparently never met a spiritual practice it didn’t seek to ridicule…”great words from you. I have been reading NY nearly 50 years. I have had to argue in my mind with this stance from them, and at times it’s surely impeded my spiritual growth. Glad I have kept searching anyway.
I don't know anyone who has looked into the intersection of psychedelics and religion as deeply and for as long a time, as Huston Smith. He participated in the Good Friday experiment, as you may know. His experienced and studied position might best be summed up by this quotation from the appendix to his wonderful little book on perennialism, Forgotten Truth: "The Psychedelic Evidence." "If the only thing to say about the psychedelics was that they seem on occasion to offer direct disclosures of the psychic and celestial planes as well as (in rare instances) the Infinite itself, we would hold our peace. For though such experiences may be veridical in ways, the goal, it cannot be stressed too often, is not religious experiences; it is the religious life. And with respect to the latter, psychedelic "theophanies" can abort a quest as readily as, perhaps more readily than, they can further it." Unusual experiences are easy to provoke with psychedelics. Offer someone a spiritual model and they're likely to use it to describe their altered consciousness. Seems to me there is a great deal of hype around the value of psychedelics to enhance one's spirituality, and comparatively little attention paid to the wise words of Huston.....
Jay, I am a rabbi and was a subject in this study. I really appreciate your thoughtful reflections on the study and balanced critique of Michael Pollan’s article. I would love to talk to you about my experiences.
Jay, your writing is every bit as illustrative and captivating than any cultural journalist. Thank you for your take on the piece and for your leadership in providing sober reflection on an important mechanism of healing and spiritual growth.
“this being The New Yorker, which has apparently never met a spiritual practice it didn’t seek to ridicule…”great words from you. I have been reading NY nearly 50 years. I have had to argue in my mind with this stance from them, and at times it’s surely impeded my spiritual growth. Glad I have kept searching anyway.