index

Reviews

This section will cover reviews and comments on current papers and articles of interest.

Oliver Mandrake wrote a personal review of the events during the LSD conference in Basel to honor the occasion of Dr. Hofmann's 100th birthday. This review is now available online: The Spirit of Basel

Myron Stolaroff provides a detailed and in depth review of the book Zig, Zag, Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics, with detailed discussions of the different opinions that can be found in this great book.

Excerpts from the book Hallucinogens: A Reader by Charles S. Grob, M.D., compiled by Thomas B. Roberts, Ph.D. Dr. Roberts is a professor of educational psychology at Northern Illinois University, now finishing his 33^rd year. Since 1979 he has taught a course "Psychedelic Mindview," originally called "Psychedelic Research."

The Future of Life by Edward O. Wilson (2002) New York : Alfred A. Knopf. Many reports from knowledgable scientists have described the tragic outcomes facing humanity if our present destructive habits are not corrected. Probably no one has pointed this out more clearly and acurately than the famous biologist Edward O. Wilson in his recent book The Future of Life. This powerful, expertly written book is a must read for those who are concerned about our future survival.

Zig, Zag, Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics. Edited by Allan Hunt Badiner and Alex Grey. 2,002. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. Reviewed by Don Hazen, AlterNet, September 4, 2002.

The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders, by Jacob Needleman, 2002. With the marjority of our scientists invested in reductionism, with our government heads and Congressmen deeply steeped in self-interest, which the Buddhists claim is the greatest sin, with the continuing desecration of our Constitution by ignoring or distorting the intent of the Founding Fathers, this is a most refreshing and valuable book to put us back on the track of the real meaning of America.

Dark Night, Early Dawn: Steps to a Deep Ecology of Mind, by Christopher M. Bach, Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University. State University of New York Press, 2,000.
"With moving honesty and rare lack of inflation, Bache has brought forth a conception of the human psyche that intimately reconnects the personal ordeals and awakenings of the individual to the larger collective suffering and spiritual transformation of the entire human species, at the most crucial of historical thresholds. This is a book to read soon and to integrate carefully." Richard Tarnas, author of The Passion of the Western Mind: understanding the Ideas That Have Shaped Our World View.

Ecstasy: The Complete Guide. A Comprehensive look at the Risks and Benefits of MDMA. Edited by Julie Holland, M.D. Contributions by Andrew Weil, Ralph Metzner, Rick Doblin, Douglas Rushkoff, Sasha and Ann Shulgin, Rabbi Zalman Schachter, and others. (link leads to the MAPS site)
"MDMA is a unique compound with great potential for positive use. This is the most complete book about it, with much information to help people realize that potential as well as reduce any possible harm." Andrew Weil, M.D., author of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health and Spontaneous Healing.

Handbook for the Therapeutic use of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide - 25, Individual and Group Therapy by D. B. Blewett, Ph.D. and N. Chwelos, M.D. Despite being prepared in the 1950's, This handbook contains some of the most informed and valuable information available concerning the effective methods of conducting LSD therapy.

Drawing it Out: Befriending the Unconscious. Text and illustrations by Sherana Harriette Frances. Introduction by Stanislav Grof, M.D. Prologue and Afterward by Tanya Wilkinson, Ph.D.

"I do not know of any single document illustrating the extraordinary healing and transformative potential of psychedelics in a way that matches in its importance this book by Harriette Frances and the unique illustrations that accompany it. Her ability to find artistic expression for the images and depth of her psyche is truly extraordinary!"

--Stanislav Grof, M.D. Author, LSD Psychotherapy

Psychoactive Sacramentals--Essays on Entheogens and Religion. In 1995 The Chicago Theological Seminary and Council on Spiritual Practices held a conference to examine the possible potential benefits and concerns in employing entheogens in spiritual practice. Speakers included leaders in religion, mental health, research, and allied fields. The views of the participants have now been published in the book This valuable collection of information in an exciting field is reviewed by Robin Menken.

Brief review of article Treatment of Alcoholism Using Psychedelic Drugs, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Volume 30, Number 4, October-December 1998, By Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D, FRCP.

A review of "Human Nature and the Nature of Reality: Conceptual Challenges from Consciousness Research" by Stanislav Grof, M.D. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Vol. 30, No. 4, Oct.-Dec. 1998. Reviewed by Robert Keil, Ph.D.

A review of the book Book "Discovery of Love: A Psychedelic Experience with LSD-25." By Malden Grange Bishop. Dodd, Mead & Company, New York, 1963. Reviewed by Lawrence Hagarty, author of The Spirit of the Internet. A detailed, candid personal description by a man who went through the psychedelic experience program at the International Foundation for Advanced Study in Menlo Park, California, 1963. He describes in detail how he came to undertake this experience, the details of his preparation which included an in depth look at his life, his problems, and his aspirations, the conduct of the session, what he experienced, and the profound effects upon his life.

A review of the book "Tripping: an anthology of true-life psychedelic adventures." By Charles Hayes. Reviewed by Elizabeth Gip. Charles Hayes provides 50 detailed descriptions of a wide variety of psychedelic experiences undertaken by a wide variety of subjects, varying from young ravers to accomplished writers. Experiences range from the indescribable profound mystical and sublime of enormous, life-changing impact, to experiences of sheer terror. There probably does not exist in print such a complete coverage of the various kinds of experiences possible, the array of conditions under which the journeys were undertaken, and the broad selection of individuals who have reported their experiences.

In Search of the Ultimate High Spiritual Experiences through Psychoactives by Nicholas Saunders, Anja Saunders & Michelle Pauli. Reviewd by J. N. Sterling. In Search of the Ultimate High is an analysis of the cross-cultural and spiritual implications of psychactive experiences. It features a fascinating collection of accounts from hundreds of truth seekers around the world, and the insights the individuals obtained from thoughtful and reflective
use of psychoactives.

A review of the book Culteral Creatives: How 50 Million People are changing the World by Paul H. Ray, Ph.D., and Sherry Ruth Anderson, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Judy Kramer, who is a former editor of Timeline, and currently the non-profits liaison for a California state legislator. In here words, this book presents hope that "the worst of times—systemic environmental degradation, growing religious extremism, consumerism invading every arena, a global economy with no community accountability, ever more sensationalist news," can be replaced with "the best of times-- more environmental awareness, more understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, more tolerance for interracial relationships, more women in the public arena, expanding global communication systems."