Psychedelic Adventure: May 2007

Jun 6, 2007

LSD My Problem Child by Albert Hofmann

Foreward to 'LSD My Problem Child' by Dr. Albert Hofmann !

There are experiences that most of us are hesitant to speak about, because they do not conform to everyday reality and defy rational explanation. These are not particular external occurrences, but rather events of our inner lives, which are generally dismissed as figments of the imagination and barred from our memory. Suddenly, the familiar view of our surroundings is transformed in a strange, delightful, or alarming way: it appears to us in a new light, takes on a special meaning. Such an experience can be as light and fleeting as a breath of air, or it can imprint itself deeply upon our minds.

One enchantment of that kind, which I experienced in childhood, has remained remarkably vivid in my memory ever since. It happened on a May morning—I have forgotten the year—but I can still point to the exact spot where it occurred, on a forest path on Martinsberg above Baden, Switzerland. As I strolled through the freshly greened woods filled with bird song and lit up by the morning sun, all at once everything appeared in an uncommonly clear light. Was this something I had simply failed to notice before? Was I suddenly discovering the spring forest as it actually looked? It shone with the most beautiful radiance, speaking to the heart, as though it wanted to encompass me in its majesty. I was filled with an indescribable sensation of joy, oneness, and blissful security.

I have no idea how long I stood there spellbound. But I recall the anxious concern I felt as the radiance slowly dissolved and I hiked on: how could a vision that was so real and convincing, so directly and deeply felt—how could it end so soon? And how could I tell anyone about it, as my overflowing joy compelled me to do, since I knew there were no words to describe what I had seen? It seemed strange that I, as a child, had seen something so marvelous, something that adults obviously did not perceive - for I had never heard them mention it.

While still a child, I experienced several more of these deeply euphoric moments on my rambles through forest and meadow. It was these experiences that shaped the main outlines of my world view and convinced me of the existence of a miraculous, powerful, unfathomable reality that was hidden from everyday sight.

I was often troubled in those days, wondering if I would ever, as an adult, be able to communicate these experiences; whether I would have the chance to depict my visions in poetry or paintings. But knowing that I was not cut out to be a poet or artist, I assumed I would have to keep these experiences to myself, important as they were to me.

Unexpectedly—though scarcely by chance—much later, in middle age, a link was established between my profession and these visionary experiences from childhood.

Because I wanted to gain insight into the structure and essence of matter, I became a research chemist. Intrigued by the plant world since early childhood, I chose to specialize in research on the constituents of medicinal plants. In the course of this career I was led to the psychoactive, hallucination-causing substances, which under certain conditions can evoke visionary states similar to the spontaneous experiences just described. The most important of these hallucinogenic substances has come to be known as LSD. Hallucinogens, as active compounds of considerable scientific interest, have gained entry into medicinal research, biology, and psychiatry, and later—especially LSD also obtained wide diffusion in the drug culture.

In studying the literature connected with my work, I became aware of the great universal significance of visionary experience. It plays a dominant role, not only in mysticism and the history of religion, but also in the creative process in art, literature, and science. More recent investigations have shown that many persons also have visionary experiences in daily life, though most of us fail to recognize their meaning and value. Mystical experiences, like those that marked my childhood, are apparently far from rare.

There is today a widespread striving for mystical experience, for visionary breakthroughs to a deeper, more comprehensive reality than that perceived by our rational, everyday consciousness. Efforts to transcend our materialistic world view are being made in various ways, not only by the adherents to Eastern religious movements, but also by professional psychiatrists, who are adopting such profound spiritual experiences as a basic therapeutic principle.

I share the belief of many of my contemporaries that the spiritual crisis pervading all spheres of Western industrial society can be remedied only by a change in our world view. We shall have to shift from the materialistic, dualistic belief that people and their environment are separate, toward a new consciousness of an all-encompassing reality, which embraces the experiencing ego, a reality in which people feel their oneness with animate nature and all of creation.

Everything that can contribute to such a fundamental alteration in our perception of reality must therefore command earnest attention. Foremost among such approaches are the various methods of meditation, either in a religious or a secular context, which aim to deepen the consciousness of reality by way of a total mystical experience. Another important, but still controversial, path to the same goal is the use of the consciousness-altering properties of hallucinogenic psychopharmaceuticals. LSD finds such an application in medicine, by helping patients in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy to perceive their problems in their true significance.

Deliberate provocation of mystical experience, particularly by LSD and related hallucinogens, in contrast to spontaneous visionary experiences, entails dangers that must not be underestimated. Practitioners must take into account the peculiar effects of these substances, namely their ability to influence our consciousness, the innermost essence of our being. The history of LSD to date amply demonstrates the catastrophic consequences that can ensue when its profound effect is misjudged and the substance is mistaken for a pleasure drug. Special internal and external advance preparations are required; with them, an LSD experiment can become a meaningful experience. Wrong and inappropriate use has caused LSD to become my problem child.

It is my desire in this book to give a comprehensive picture of LSD, its origin, its effects, and its dangers, in order to guard against increasing abuse of this extraordinary drug. I hope thereby to emphasize possible uses of LSD that are compatible with its characteristic action. I believe that if people would learn to use LSD's vision-inducing capability more wisely, under suitable conditions, in medical practice and in conjunction with meditation, then in the future this problem child could become a wonder child.

May 30, 2007

UFO Evidence NASA Space Shuttle Footage

This is the deepest investigation and dialog ever made about some breakthrough footage that was filmed by NASA. This footage records high numbers of disc shaped objects, ambiguously classified, and until now, unidentifiable as any known phenomenon. UFOlogist David Sereda spent the past six years conducting scientific investigations with NASA (in written dialogs between several of the Agency’s top scientists) and through other sources about alleged UFO sightings. He is convinced that NASA has evidence of alien contact captured on video now in Sereda’s possession and available to the public on these programs.

David Sereda appeared in an unprecedented face to face showdown with NASA press correspondent and former Houston Control Operator, James Oberg, on the Late Night “Art Bell” radio show, broadcast to some 5 million listeners all over the world. Never before had NASA participated in such a large public debate on UFOs. It was an intensely furious debate over some of NASA’s very own Space Shuttle mission video footage, for it clearly depicted 2-3 mile long disc shaped objects (easily measured behind a 12 mile long tether), moving behind the tether, and thus, disproving any theories about dust particles coming from the camera equipment.

Suddenly, in the middle of this broadcast, the satellite used to broadcast the show and the live internet broadcast were obscured by a powerful ultra-high energy signal and shut down. 18 minutes of the show was nipped from the airwaves, and mysteriously the satellite turned back on just as the show was finishing. Art Bell’s technicians went live to reveal that they could not find mechanical reason for the failure. Two days later, Art Bell received a letter with circumstantial evidence of his broadcast being sabotaged.

Now, with this cornerstone evidence, Sereda presents this NASA footage and his remarkable discoveries in this book. He shows proof of intelligent craft through the process of elimination of other plausible phenomena; fundamental principles of faster than light technology and corroborating evidence found on the disc shaped objects; links to the supposed spacecraft and an identifiable star system. Over 2 hours of coverage.

Forward by Dan Aykroyd.

May 23, 2007

Aliens, Ghosts and the Unidentified Flying Objects

There is you, there is me and there is the vast unknown beyond our knowledge and understanding. There have been multiple UFO sightings over Mexico and other parts of Southern U.S.A. There is ample evidence to prove that there is alien life out there trying to reach out and communicate with us. However, you might not see any of it in our reflecting world for reasons best known to the ones sitting on the power switch in fear of the worst. I wonder if this comes from the guilt of mass murder in the name of peace !

These sightings were made by none other than the highly sophisticated planes along the border of Mexico which recce the area to control the trafficking of Narcotics into the U.S.A. Wonder if there is a connection !!! :)

There have been various theories on Alien Existence and what could be there possible purpose to hover around in the skies. Humanities oldest known civilizations have the mention of gods who descended from the heavens in ancient scriptures and records.

The possibility of the existence of multiple parallel universes where life forms have evolved and have somehow learnt to surpass the space and time continuum is not ruled out. The Blink On and the Blink Off theory states that there is a parallel existence however we are unable to see it because as soon our universe blinks on, theirs blinks off. The UFO's make way through a time warp to enter our universe and disappear in the blink of an eye. The movements of these objects are perfectly synchronized and they move along in geometric formations (Which looks like some alien script up in the sky) which we're yet to decipher.

Also, some almost reliable sources tell us that there have been numerous such paranormal sightings and related experiences at outdoor trance gatherings all around the world... {{{Wonder Why}}}

Ghosts, Spirits or Angels... they exist and are out there somewhere in another dimension watching and occasionally reaching out through subtle recognizable ways if you only you pay close attention ! Could there be some connection between Angels and Aliens ?

Everything and everyone is connected. Everything is energy !

~~~/ 609 217 604 \~~~ Ready to launch !

Paranormal

Full Moon Festivals

Man has always been fascinated with the Moon and it's effects on the human consciousness. On Full Moon nights, something happens to us. With the initiation of the trance dance experience Full Moon nights turn out to be unforgettable experiences ranging across the spectrum of extreme polarities. There are some of us who take the opportunity to rejuvenate our connection with the Moon, dancing to the mystical vibe we collectively create when we come together on higher ground of collective consciousness. The beauty of our thoughts manifests as our collective experience as we individually transcend our acquired identities and commune as ONE, Cosmic Spirit ! Infinite ! We see everyone as reflections of the ONE divine source of all creation ! Everything is God ! God is Love ! Love is All !

One of the biggest Full Moon Festivals is the Full Moon Festival, Germany held each year at a picturesque location in Germany for a period of 4 days. They have a Psychedelic / Full On Stage, a Progressive-Electronic Stage, a Chill Out-Ambient Stage and this year they had a special Dark Psychedelic Stage with about 150 major Global Artists spinning foot stomping music non stop for 4 days ! Organizing a festival as big as this takes a whole lot of planning and ensuring all accounts are taken care of. You can see the details about the festival on their home page.

The Boom Festival Portugal has come really strong over the years bringing together music, art and creative innovation to all these wonderful people from all cultures of the world. The Healing Area was a novelty at Boom 2008. With therapies and holistic projects being held every day, a new concept of entertainment was being made at Boom. Going to Boom Festival should be on your things to do list !

Shanti Jatra Full Moon Festival held in Nepal each year is one of Asia's most sought out destinations for a fulfilling Psychedelic Himalayan Experience. This year would be the 2nd edition and it looks like it's going to be a gathering to remember. With a special non stop chill-out zone where they would also show movies and documentaries at night. The Organizers encourage people to come up and set up workshops on environmental awareness, spirituality (yoga/meditation)... Astral travel, Buddhism, Indian classical music, chakra massage, drugs awareness, healing ....

Nepal has an ancient heritage of Shamanic rituals on Full Moon Nights. One of Nepal's most famous religious places of pilgrimage is Gosainkunda lake situated at an altitude of about 4312 m. Surrounded by high mountains on the north and east, this lake is grand and picturesque. Every year during Janai Purnima in August, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come here for pilgrimage and it is quite a sight.

The large rock in the center of the lake is said to be the remains of a Shiva shrine and it is also claimed that channel carries water from the lake directly to the tank at the Kumbheshwar Temple in Patan, 60 km to the south. Shamans ("Dhami") come from all over Nepal arrive to the lake and on full moon night.

There is much dancing and singing. This day is considered holy by the shamans whereby apprentices or "Jhankris" graduate into full shamans. Trekking in August can be a bit wet as the monsoon is at its last stages, but the greenery is at its best and since it is not peak season, it is best for people who do not want to be part of the crowd.

There are many more Full Moon Festivals and we shall cover each of these individually, including the BoOm Festival which deserves an exclusive article to it's name !