People have reported various kinds of experiences. One type of experience keeps repeating itself. Witnessing oneself as a separate entity. Being one with the universe. We're all connected. Love connect everything. Seeing a light. This world is not what it seems. We are not who we think we are. We are imprisoned by our mind, our ego. Does this sound familiar? These are exactly the terms that advanced meditation practitioners use.
Pollan talks about brain researchers on meditation, and how the brain wave patterns of advanced meditators are similar to those on psychedelics.
Pollan talks about brain researchers on meditation, and how the brain wave patterns of advanced meditators are similar to those on psychedelics.
Samkya & Yoga (the 3rd & 4th philosophies of Hinduism) talk about a final state called Samadhi. Pollan mentions Hinduism exactly once.
Buddha who followed Samkya & Yoga talks about a state called Shunyatha or nothingness. Pollan mentions Buddhism a few times.
Jainism talks about a final state of realizing your own self or soul (Jiva). There is no mention on Jainism.
Vedantha (the 6th philosophy of Hinduism) & derived Yoga philosophies talk about two states: Nirivikalpa Samadhi (your self dissolves) & Savikalpa Samadhi (your self becomes everything). Pollan mentions Savikalpa Samadhi & Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell's experience of universality when seeing the earth from space.
Adi Shankara who espoused the Advaita philosophy based of Vedanta talks about oneness of all. Pollan mentions Shankara once.
Adi Shankara who espoused the Advaita philosophy based of Vedanta talks about oneness of all. Pollan mentions Shankara once.
Yoga's fourth anga (limb) is called Pranayama (control of breath). Pollan doesn't mention Pranayama, but mentions about a group who use breathing techniques to reach a trance-like state without drugs.
Pollan mentions some people who had spiritual experiences with psychedelics & later turn towards Buddhism & Hinduism. Ram Dass (Richard Alpert) & Aldous Huxley, who developed interest in Hinduism, are also mentioned.
Pyschedelics were used in ancient Native American rituals by Shamans as a mystical & Godly experience. Unsurprisingly, the Catholic church, once it gained control, clamped down & destroyed the religious structures. Pollan writes that following the church means having the church as a mediator between oneself & God and a lot of faith. But the psychedelic experience was directly experiential, requiring no mediator.
In another episode, a kid has a book on meditation & altered states of consciousness. His friend borrows the book. But doesn't return it. He later admits that his parents saw the book & burned it, because they were religious Christians. Later, the kid becomes a mushroom & psychedelic researcher. It is interesting that the ideology that led to destruction of the great library of Alexandria is still persisting to this age in pockets. In contrast, Hindus are taught from childhood that all paper is knowledge & a form of Goddess Saraswati & need to be respected. If a Hindu's foot touches a book or paper by accident, he will make a gesture of apology. Burning paper is considered a sin.
Overall, this raises an interesting question. If you have tried meditation, you'll know that it is hard. Really really hard. The word used for someone who persists in meditation is called Sadhana, meaning an extremely difficult effort. There are immediate benefits to meditation, but to have the experiences mentioned, it requires decades of effort (source: talks with advanced meditation practitioners). Why put in this effort then? If a chemical can provide this experience with ease, why do Sadhana? Especially since the chemical is non-addictive?
Hinduism has two paths. Vama marga (left path) & Dakshina marga (right path). Dakshina marga is the path of Yoga & meditation. In the rare Vama marga, there are paths like Tantra & Aghora, which use material pleasures, including physical pleasures and the use of substances. However, the Vama Marga followers state that this path is like walking on a razor's edge that is easy to fall, while Dakshina Marga is the safer & steadier path, and that most people must choose Dakshina Marga. (Source: Aghora by Robert Svoboda & Vimalananda). Furthermore, the pleasure gained by Dhyana (meditation) is considered Sattvic (good), while that gained through substances is called Tamasic (bad). Also, with psychedelics, there is no guarantee of a good trip. There are many people who have experienced bad trips (Famous atheist Sam Harris has talked about his bad trips). With meditation, you are always in control. Though harder, meditation is the safer route.
Pyschedelics were used in ancient Native American rituals by Shamans as a mystical & Godly experience. Unsurprisingly, the Catholic church, once it gained control, clamped down & destroyed the religious structures. Pollan writes that following the church means having the church as a mediator between oneself & God and a lot of faith. But the psychedelic experience was directly experiential, requiring no mediator.
In another episode, a kid has a book on meditation & altered states of consciousness. His friend borrows the book. But doesn't return it. He later admits that his parents saw the book & burned it, because they were religious Christians. Later, the kid becomes a mushroom & psychedelic researcher. It is interesting that the ideology that led to destruction of the great library of Alexandria is still persisting to this age in pockets. In contrast, Hindus are taught from childhood that all paper is knowledge & a form of Goddess Saraswati & need to be respected. If a Hindu's foot touches a book or paper by accident, he will make a gesture of apology. Burning paper is considered a sin.
Overall, this raises an interesting question. If you have tried meditation, you'll know that it is hard. Really really hard. The word used for someone who persists in meditation is called Sadhana, meaning an extremely difficult effort. There are immediate benefits to meditation, but to have the experiences mentioned, it requires decades of effort (source: talks with advanced meditation practitioners). Why put in this effort then? If a chemical can provide this experience with ease, why do Sadhana? Especially since the chemical is non-addictive?
Hinduism has two paths. Vama marga (left path) & Dakshina marga (right path). Dakshina marga is the path of Yoga & meditation. In the rare Vama marga, there are paths like Tantra & Aghora, which use material pleasures, including physical pleasures and the use of substances. However, the Vama Marga followers state that this path is like walking on a razor's edge that is easy to fall, while Dakshina Marga is the safer & steadier path, and that most people must choose Dakshina Marga. (Source: Aghora by Robert Svoboda & Vimalananda). Furthermore, the pleasure gained by Dhyana (meditation) is considered Sattvic (good), while that gained through substances is called Tamasic (bad). Also, with psychedelics, there is no guarantee of a good trip. There are many people who have experienced bad trips (Famous atheist Sam Harris has talked about his bad trips). With meditation, you are always in control. Though harder, meditation is the safer route.
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