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Dreams and Resurrection: On Immortal Selves, Psychedelics, and Christianity
If you are ever haunted by the thought of being sucked away into nothingness, you should read this book. It would be understandable for you to think that everything that can be said about the probability of an afterlife has already been said, but that doesn't matter. What matters is whether you remember the reasons why personal, subjective immortality makes sense and eternal death doesn't. Here you will find an extended inductive argument to that conclusion, based on the time-honored analogies between life and dream, death and sleep. The author takes an argument of David Hume's and turns it on its head. That argument forms the core of a view the author describes as Taoistic, psychedelic Christianity. Taoistic in that God's power is conceived as purely artistic and inspirational, and psychedelic in that the author acknowledges that taking LSD had a profound and benign influence on his life. On this view, the first-person perspective is given in experience. What kind of person you are is an ever-unfolding story that you strive to perfect.
135 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 7, 2017
An important book for everyone to read to understand their journey. Inspirational, honest, and thoughtful.
March 7, 2015
A Worthwhile Encounter
This book is a worthwhile encounter in two ways. First, with a set of ideas, and a highly plausible way to think about them. Second, it's an encounter with an extraordinary mind and person.
I first met Jack Call in December 1974. We formed a friendship over the next few years that, for my part, was distinguished by the kind of affection and respect you'd want to have for an older brother. Although I haven't laid eyes on him for over 30 years, I expect that would not have changed. This book sure emphasizes that guess. We have travelled some of the same roads, and come to many of the same conclusions. It's been a remarkable journey, so Jack must be a remarkable person.
For me, this hasn't been a page-turner. It has rewarded reading a bit at a time, savoring and digesting that part, and then moving on. These are important ideas, if the history of humanity is any gauge, and Jack addresses them carefully, clearly, and with his own unique approach. I'm aware of no imitations.
I don't agree with every conclusion. My own studies have led to some material Jack has not covered. It would be interesting to have a dialog about those differences.
In conclusion, a story. As I was reading this book, it happened that my mother-in-law was dying. We talked about life, faith, and the afterlife on the last day I saw her. She was a teacher her whole life, and not to be satisfied with the usual platitudes even had I been of a mind to offer them. Sharing Jack's take on life after death may not have convinced her, but it comforted her. That's as much as I could have hoped. Thanks, Jack.
This book is a worthwhile encounter in two ways. First, with a set of ideas, and a highly plausible way to think about them. Second, it's an encounter with an extraordinary mind and person.
I first met Jack Call in December 1974. We formed a friendship over the next few years that, for my part, was distinguished by the kind of affection and respect you'd want to have for an older brother. Although I haven't laid eyes on him for over 30 years, I expect that would not have changed. This book sure emphasizes that guess. We have travelled some of the same roads, and come to many of the same conclusions. It's been a remarkable journey, so Jack must be a remarkable person.
For me, this hasn't been a page-turner. It has rewarded reading a bit at a time, savoring and digesting that part, and then moving on. These are important ideas, if the history of humanity is any gauge, and Jack addresses them carefully, clearly, and with his own unique approach. I'm aware of no imitations.
I don't agree with every conclusion. My own studies have led to some material Jack has not covered. It would be interesting to have a dialog about those differences.
In conclusion, a story. As I was reading this book, it happened that my mother-in-law was dying. We talked about life, faith, and the afterlife on the last day I saw her. She was a teacher her whole life, and not to be satisfied with the usual platitudes even had I been of a mind to offer them. Sharing Jack's take on life after death may not have convinced her, but it comforted her. That's as much as I could have hoped. Thanks, Jack.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews