Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanácatl: A Sourcebook on the Psilocybin Mushroom

By Ralph Metzner

Book Overview

Over 30 contributors share their expertise on the chemical, biological, cultural, psychological, and experiential dimensions of psilocybin mushrooms * Describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users * Provides firsthand accounts of the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison and Good Friday studies Teonanácatl was the name given to the visionary mushrooms used in ancient Mesoamerican shamanic ceremonies, mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the psychoactive agent identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD. The rediscovery of these visionary mushrooms by the Mazatec healer Maria Sabina and mycologist R. Gordon Wasson ignited a worldwide mushroom culture that inspired the consciousness revolution of the 1960s. This book describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users--from artists to psychologists--and the healing visionary inspiration they received. It provides firsthand accounts of studies performed in the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison study and the Good Friday study. It describes how the use of the psilocybe mushroom spread from the mountains of Mexico into North America, Asia, and Europe by seekers of consciousness-expanding experiences. It also details how psilocybin has been used since the 1960s in psychotherapy, prisoner rehabilitation, the enhancement of creativity, and the induction of mystical experiences and is being studied as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594770441
• ISBN13: 9781594770449
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Park Street Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Flesh of the Gods

This is a amazing book, containing all of the historical, chemical, and spiritual information you would want. Highly recomended, and worth reading.

Good info but pieced together

This book, like the one on Ayauascha, is edited by Ralph Metzner and is a collection of articles and essays on sacred mushrooms. The content is a bit too clinical, two articles by psychologists which are very dry. I guess if you have not read any of McKenna's stuff you might get something here. The book is saved from boredom by some good information on the chemistry of the active ingredients and by some of the stories of peoples journeys with the fungi teachers. So while I would include this book in an exhaustive reading list on shroomology I would not start here. If you are more intrested in the experiential side of things better to start with Mushroom Wisdom: How Shamans Cultivate Spiritual Consciousness by Martin W. Ball. That book will get you more into the head of the mushroom shaman and how to approach these spiritual beings. If you are looking for additional philosophical musings you can't go wrong with most anything McKenna has done. And don't forget to check in on articles, videos, and books by Paul Stamets. So all in all this book did have some good information but was not much fun reading.

Knowledgeable!!!

If you are interested in,mind expansion,consciousness,psychedelics,religious/mystical experiences,the un-tapped part of the psyche,and the magic of Psilocybin mushrooms that tap you into that part,then you will love this book!!!