By Douglas Osto
Within the Fifties and Sixties, americans mixed psychedelics with Buddhist meditation to accomplish direct adventure via altered states of awareness. As a few practitioners turned extra dedicated to Buddhism, they deserted using psychedelics in desire of stricter psychological self-discipline, yet others carried on with the test, advancing a desirable alchemy known as psychedelic Buddhism. Many imagine exploration with psychedelics and Buddhism light with the innovative spirit of the sixties, however the underground perform has developed right into a model of religiosity as eclectic and tough because the period that created it.
"Altered States" combines interviews with recognized figures in American Buddhism and psychedelic spirituality--including Lama Surya Das, Geoffrey Shugen Arnold Sensei, Rick Strassman, Charles Tart, and Erik Davis--and own tales of daily practitioners to outline a fantastically American non secular phenomenon. The nuanced point of view that emerges, grounded in an in depth historical past of psychedelic non secular event, provides serious intensity to debates over the managed use of psychedelics and drug-induced mysticism. The e-book additionally opens new paths of inquiry into such concerns as re-enchantment, the boundaries of rationality, the biochemical and psychosocial foundation of altered states of recognition, and the character of subjectivity.
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Extra resources for Altered States: Buddhism and Psychedelic Spirituality in America
Example text
THE BUDDHA'S TEACHING CAREER After his enlightenment, Shakyamuni debated with himself about whether or not to teach what he had learned. As blissful as his awaken ing had been, it was obviously something one had to do for oneself. The Great Awakening:The Buddha and His Legacy 17 Unfortunately the people he observed around him gave no indication in their behavior that they would listen to his message and take on that responsibility. They appeared to be too caught up in their personal identities, interests, and ambitions to believe that they were not, in fact, separate beings, or to aspire to a self-liberating form of awareness.
In its most orthodox usage—and in the Theravada tradition—it refers to someone seriously on his or her way to being awakened. Thus Shakyamuni Buddha, for example, could be labeled a bodhisattva up until his enlightenment, and so could all of the sentient beings he was in his previous lives—plant, animal, or human. In Mahayana Buddhism, which in its broadest definition incorpo rates the Tibetan or Vajrayana tradition as well as Pure Land, Zen, and other schools, bodhisattva can have the same meaning.
Gautama (Gotama). His family or last name. • Shakyamuni (Sakyamuni). Literally, "Sage of the Shakya Clan," a name given to him after his enlightenment, referring to the clan (and region) of his birth • Tathagata. Literally,"the thus-perfected one," a title given to him after his enlightenment. • Sugata. Literally, "the happy one," a title given to him after his enlightenment. THE BUDDHA'S TEACHING CAREER After his enlightenment, Shakyamuni debated with himself about whether or not to teach what he had learned.