VISIONARY HEALING Psychedelic Medicine and Shamanism
Alexander Shester, M.D.
978-1-58790-628-2 / 344 pages / paperback / illustrated / color / $59.95
978-1-58790-636-7 / 344 pages / hardback / illustrated / color / $89.95
978-1-58790-637-4 / e-book / $19.95
ABOUT THE BOOK
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Charles Grob, M.D. ix
Preface by Cathy Coleman, Ph.D. xii
Ralph Metzner, Ph.D. Obituary and Dedication xv
Introduction xvii
Section One / Shamanism and Plant Medicines
Chapter 1 What is Shamanism? 2
Chapter 2 My Background 6
Chapter 3 Preparation for a Medicine Journey or Vision Quest 12
Chapter 4 An Earth Vision Circle Structured by Ralph Metzner 22
Chapter 5 Meditations to Structure a Vision Circle 30
Chapter 6 The Shadow Side of Psychedelics 44
Section Two / Psychedelics Medicines and Experiences
Chapter 7 A Personal Ayahuasca Medicine Journey 50
Chapter 8 About Ayahuasca 71
Chapter 9 Jurema and “The Surgeon from Outer Space” 84
Chapter 10 Jaguar Medicine: Toad (5-MeO-DMT) 93
Chapter 11 A Psilocybin Journey 96
Chapter 12 About Psilocybin Mushrooms 106
Chapter 13 A San Pedro Cactus Journey in Joshua Tree 115
Chapter 14 About San Pedro Cactus (Cachuma) 128
Chapter 15 Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) 132
Chapter 16 About Peyote as Medicine 139
Chapter 17 Earth Vision Circle at Joshua Tree: Iboga Experience 153
Chapter 18 About Iboga 166
Chapter 19 A Week-long Vision Circle at Ocamura, New Mexico 175
Chapter 20 Vision Quest Experience: A Week in Temagami, Ontario, Canada Without Medicines 182
Section Three / More Shamanic Lore: Other Sacred Medicines
Chapter 21 Solanaceae: Witches, Brews, Love Potions, Werewolves, and Headhunters 196
Chapter 22 Salvia Divinorum: Herb of the Shepherdess 206
Chapter 23 Amanita Muscaria: Santa Claus as Shaman 211
Chapter 24 Snuff Stuff: Yopo and Cebil 222
Chapter 25 Khat (Catha edulis): The Sacred Plant of Ancient Egypt 225
Chapter 26 Coca: Stimulants 229
Chapter 27 Cannabis: The Nectar of Delight 231
Chapter 28 Tobacco (Nicotiana) 242
Chapter 29 The LSD Story: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds 248
Chapter 30 The Story of Ecstasy (MDMA): Adam and Eve 257
Chapter 31 2C-B: Erotic Erox 264
Chapter 32 Ketamine 266
Chapter 33 Ecozoic Era: Psychedelics and Nature-Relatedness 275
Chapter 34 Psychedelic Alchemy 282
Conclusion 288
Epilogue 292
Appendix 1 Jung and the Transpersonal Psyche 295
Appendix 2 Nine Meditations Honoring Mutuality, Reciprocity, Interdependence, Orientation, and Balance 303
Appendix 3 Music Considerations and Inspirations 307
Appendix 4 Microdosing Psychedelics 311
Figure Credits 313
Acknowledgments 316
Bibliography 318
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.