| Synopsis: |
A compilation of writings on the chemical, biological, psychological, and experiential dimensions of Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic Amazonian plant mixture that has been used for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years by native Indian and mestizo shamans in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador for healing and divination. Many Western trained physicians and psychologists have acknowledged that this substance can allow access to spiritual dimensions of consciousness, even mystical experiences indistinguishable from classic religious mysticism. In "Sacred Vine Of Spirits: Ayahuasca", Ralph Metzner, a pioneer in the study of consciousness, has assembled a group of authoritative contributors who provide an exploration of the chemical, biological, psychological and chemistry of Ayahuasca from leading scholars in the field of psychoactive research. He concludes with his own findings on Ayahuasca, including its applications in medicine and psychology, and compares the worldview revealed by Ayahuasca visions to that of Western cultures. |