Aldous Huxley & Psychedelics | My Notes
Introduction
This article claims to expose various ways by which one can enter into these altered states of consciousness by means of internal as well as external stimuli. Please note that none of the mentioned techniques are being promoted — but rather explored for the investigation of the phenomena that are a consequence of the use of the drugs and other methods.
From the reading of this article, you can clearly see how interested Huxley was in trying to understand the connection between mind, spirit, body, religion, visions, and the use of the drugs/methods and most importantly, akin towards mysticism. For further reading, I recommend his The Doors of Perception book.
Why do we “Fear” these experiences?
From what I understand, the way in which the drug takes over the individual(self) ego and ingests it and when it is being superimposed by the Divine self — The one unity of all existence — a feeling of fear arises, a fear that one is losing a sense of “I” and is being merged into the unity of the Divine.
“This fear is due to the incompatibility between man’s egoism and the divine purity, between men’s self aggravated separateness and the infinity of God”
All Experiences are Chemically Conditioned
Adrenochrome which is oxidized Adrenalin has an almost Mescalien and LSD-like effect on the individual. The conscious experience that we have in day-to-day life, and that we shall have with subject to these chemical compounds — are essentially conditioned by chemicals in our body.
Methods of Access
Spontaneous Access — Only a very few individuals have the ability to go into these worlds of consciousness at any time, either by their consent or by external compulsion. William Black and Irish poet George Russell moved back and forth from everyday life to the visionary world with ease.
Induced Access — There are many different ways to induced access into these worlds, some of them that I particularly find interesting are listed below
- Yoga — The people of India have been practicing Yoga for thousands of years, a technique of one-pointed concentration can result in the breakthrough of the visionary world.
- Restricted Environments — When an individual is restricted within an environment subjected to very limited and observable stimuli, he/she may start to produce these visions.
- Systematic Breathing — Again, there are innumerable techniques listed in the ancient books of the Hindus investing a very sophisticated system of breathing. These can also lead to altered states of consciousness. Vipassana is one such example. And, techniques from Vijnana Bhairava Tantra are also profoundly claimed to give exceptional experiences of higher states of consciousness.
- Fasting — This is a very interesting observation that needs to be taken into deep consideration due to its possibility of enforcing these visionary worlds into the faster. “after a long period of abstention from food our body chemistry changes and besides these bodily changes we experience psychological effects too.”
- Prolonged and Continuous Chanting — Again, an aspect driven straight from the practices of the Hindus(and that of Eastern Philosophy) can also lead to these states. Recitation, exposure to ritualistic drums may also produce a similar by less strong effect.
- Alcohol — Surely, explains why people are addicted to this.
Chemical Access — The least I talk about this, the better. All kinds of things have been done by people to indulge in the use of chemicals for the gratification of self. Soma was used by Indians, Alcohol was used by Greeks, Celts, and Persians.
The Mushroom Access — from my research, Ayahuasca(containing the chemical compound Dimethyltryptamine) has been widely used in South America under the guidance of a certified Shaman for the sake of religious healing — as they claim it to be, but individuals who take it seem to have very widely disproportionate levels of experiences from one individual to another. Some claim to see God, some claim to experience unity with the Divine, and some have sadly, left their body.
Conclusion
Although many have experimented with the usage of these drugs, it is very well advised to keep oneself away from the usage of these drugs. Each individual is different, and everyone may have a unique experience as such elaborated by Shamans from South America. So far, this is what I know from the study and research on books that are available for everyone to read. I strongly urge to you read through the books of Aldous Huxley for a better understanding of his view on this seemingly sensitive topic. Thank you for reading, and I am open to any constructive criticism that may light up at your end. Please let me know if so! Thanks, again!
For Precious, with Patience.
