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In Search of the Ultimate High: Spiritual Experience Through Psychoactives
Throughout history, people have taken mind-expanding substances, whether out of curiosity, a need for development, or a deep longing for something greater than themselves. This practical and unusual book looks specifically at the use of psychoactive drugs in the spiritual quest - at how those who honestly seek the truth have taken them, not as an escape route, but as a way to inspire their lives. Absorbing and wide-ranging, the book covers the use of psychoactives - from LSD, Magic Mushrooms, and Ecstasy to Ibogaine and Ayahuasca - in different societies and religions, including shamanism, New Age movements and Rave culture. There are fascinating personal accounts and clear medical and legal sections.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Nicholas Saunders
47 books7 followersGuru of the alternative lifestyle, Nicholas Saunders was primarily responsible for the development of Neal's Yard in London.
Nicholas spent much of the 70's writing alternative guide books, culminating in one for England and Wales. He later spent some time at a large community in Denmark from where he would often travel back to England to buy nuts and beans at considerably cheaper prices. His interest in wholefoods spurred him to move back to England and set up a series of businesses in a disused back street of warehouses into the wholefood and alternative therapy mecca it is today.
He set up a coffee house, a bakery, a dairy, therapy rooms and an apothecary. Throughout his life, his astute business sense and natural charisma ensured the success of just about every project he initiated. The innovative and original businesses set up by him are still thriving and mostly comprise what is now a delightful Bohemian corner of Covent Garden.
He had embarked on many trips researching links between drugs and spirituality and it was during one such expedition to South Africa that he was killed, age 60, in a car accident.
Nicholas spent much of the 70's writing alternative guide books, culminating in one for England and Wales. He later spent some time at a large community in Denmark from where he would often travel back to England to buy nuts and beans at considerably cheaper prices. His interest in wholefoods spurred him to move back to England and set up a series of businesses in a disused back street of warehouses into the wholefood and alternative therapy mecca it is today.
He set up a coffee house, a bakery, a dairy, therapy rooms and an apothecary. Throughout his life, his astute business sense and natural charisma ensured the success of just about every project he initiated. The innovative and original businesses set up by him are still thriving and mostly comprise what is now a delightful Bohemian corner of Covent Garden.
He had embarked on many trips researching links between drugs and spirituality and it was during one such expedition to South Africa that he was killed, age 60, in a car accident.
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October 2, 2020
There were some chapters I really liked about this book and others I wasn't so grabbed by. I found at times I wasnt sure who and where the quotes were from and would have liked more context. My favourte sections were the last two about rave culture and preparing the self and intergration after a session. As I have read several books on this topic I felt there wasn't lots that has not been covered elsewhere, but the chapter on rave culture was an exepction to this and this section was really interesting to read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review