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Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony
Getting Higher is a manual for exploring the use of psychedelic substances in the contexts of spirituality, self-transformation and magic. This is the psychonaut s essential guide. The techniques presented here work whether you're a scientist or a shaman; there's no requirement to believe in anything other than the wonder of your own neurochemistry and the value of the psychedelic experience. Getting Higher describes the psychedelic triangle of Set, Setting and Substance. It suggests strategies to hold and enhance the psychedelic experience; from games to play when you are high, through to complete entheogenic ceremonies. It will help you to intelligently explore the territory of both traditional sacred plants and modern magical molecules. Getting Higher is a toolbox for technicians of the sacred; ideal for both novices and experienced psychonauts. Inspired by the wisdom of ancient cultures, and informed by the latest advances in psychedelic science, this book is a powerful ally for all those following the Medicine Path.
140 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2018
25 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 15, 2018
Whether you are an experienced psychonaut or a first-time tripper, absorbing understandable and accurate advice about the psychedelic experience before embarking on an entheogenic journey can be extremely valuable. Although I have several years worth of personal experience and tips and tricks that I have picked up from many sources along the way, I was pleasantly surprised to find Julian Vayne's book Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony to contain plenty of suggestions and ideas that were new to me, which I will gladly be able to bring to my own psychedelic practice.
A section titled "Setting Out" describes a variety of things that someone may consider doing before embarking on a psychedelic journey, including cleansing the body with a bath or shower, fasting or making other intentional dietary changes, carefully choosing the clothes they are going to wear, cleaning and decorating the physical space, saying prayers or setting an intention, and lighting candles or incense. Additionally, choosing a group of people to trip with that have mutual trust and respect should be a priority. The end of a psychedelic ceremony can involve a formal conclusion to the session. For example, you could give thanks to the spirits of the medicine, extinguish a fire that has been burning through the night, or open the curtains to let the light in, if the experience has happened inside.
The next chapter introduces the concept of practices that can be done outside of psychedelic ceremony that will help you navigate the psychedelic experience. These include breathwork, meditation, various activities involving sound (such as listening to pre-recorded music, making music, drumming, singing, chanting mantras), and a vast array of different types of movements (synchronized or freeform spontaneous dancing, checking in on one's posture and balance, gestures, sensual and sexual activities, etc.).
Another chapter focuses on activities that can be done while high that will guide or intensify the experience for the psychonaut, such as artistic explorations like drawing or painting, consciously consuming content, holding or observing objects that are significant to the tripper, playing games, going on a journey in nature, venturing into a museum on a "museum level" dose, participating at a rave or music festival, experimenting with divinatory practices like tarot or the I Ching, and creating an environment of sensory deprivation like with a float tank. Vayne also goes into great detail about how to plan, organize, and execute an effective medicine circle, which is a way to have a structured—yet highly meaningful—psychedelic experience in a group setting. In fact, there are several descriptions of ceremonies scattered throughout the book that are provided so the reader can gain ideas and inspiration for creating their own unique practice.
Although there can sometimes be a feeling in the psychedelic community that it is imperative to the success of the movement for its members to approach and speak about psychedelics exclusively in a serious manner, Vayne suggests that strict divisions between the concepts of using psychedelics for spirituality, play, and enjoyment are not needed. I tend to agree.
While it is not a primary focus of the book, it does include some scientific research. For example, there is a small section regarding the effects that psychedelics have on the physiological health of the human brain. Research has shown that psychedelics may enhance organic brain processes such as neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain cells to form new connections), and the compounds found in some psychedelics have been demonstrated to cause neurogenesis (the formation of neurons from neural stem cells) in vitro. There are a few more scientific snippets in the book, but it mainly looks at what one can do to create the most optimal conditions for a psychedelic experience.
I was ultimately extremely impressed by Getting Higher, which contains plenty of legitimate advice for psychonauts wishing to take their trips to new levels of intensity or learn how to move through the psychedelic space more effectively. This book is certainly worth reading, regardless of one's skill level with psychedelics, but I do feel like it may be appreciated more by people who have had a few trips under their belt than by complete novices. Perhaps this will even increase the re-readability of this book—for me at least. Only time will tell. However, I am confident that the suggestions in Getting Higher that I highlighted and/or wrote down in my own notes will be helpful for my own psychedelic practice for years to come.
A section titled "Setting Out" describes a variety of things that someone may consider doing before embarking on a psychedelic journey, including cleansing the body with a bath or shower, fasting or making other intentional dietary changes, carefully choosing the clothes they are going to wear, cleaning and decorating the physical space, saying prayers or setting an intention, and lighting candles or incense. Additionally, choosing a group of people to trip with that have mutual trust and respect should be a priority. The end of a psychedelic ceremony can involve a formal conclusion to the session. For example, you could give thanks to the spirits of the medicine, extinguish a fire that has been burning through the night, or open the curtains to let the light in, if the experience has happened inside.
The next chapter introduces the concept of practices that can be done outside of psychedelic ceremony that will help you navigate the psychedelic experience. These include breathwork, meditation, various activities involving sound (such as listening to pre-recorded music, making music, drumming, singing, chanting mantras), and a vast array of different types of movements (synchronized or freeform spontaneous dancing, checking in on one's posture and balance, gestures, sensual and sexual activities, etc.).
Another chapter focuses on activities that can be done while high that will guide or intensify the experience for the psychonaut, such as artistic explorations like drawing or painting, consciously consuming content, holding or observing objects that are significant to the tripper, playing games, going on a journey in nature, venturing into a museum on a "museum level" dose, participating at a rave or music festival, experimenting with divinatory practices like tarot or the I Ching, and creating an environment of sensory deprivation like with a float tank. Vayne also goes into great detail about how to plan, organize, and execute an effective medicine circle, which is a way to have a structured—yet highly meaningful—psychedelic experience in a group setting. In fact, there are several descriptions of ceremonies scattered throughout the book that are provided so the reader can gain ideas and inspiration for creating their own unique practice.
Although there can sometimes be a feeling in the psychedelic community that it is imperative to the success of the movement for its members to approach and speak about psychedelics exclusively in a serious manner, Vayne suggests that strict divisions between the concepts of using psychedelics for spirituality, play, and enjoyment are not needed. I tend to agree.
While it is not a primary focus of the book, it does include some scientific research. For example, there is a small section regarding the effects that psychedelics have on the physiological health of the human brain. Research has shown that psychedelics may enhance organic brain processes such as neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain cells to form new connections), and the compounds found in some psychedelics have been demonstrated to cause neurogenesis (the formation of neurons from neural stem cells) in vitro. There are a few more scientific snippets in the book, but it mainly looks at what one can do to create the most optimal conditions for a psychedelic experience.
I was ultimately extremely impressed by Getting Higher, which contains plenty of legitimate advice for psychonauts wishing to take their trips to new levels of intensity or learn how to move through the psychedelic space more effectively. This book is certainly worth reading, regardless of one's skill level with psychedelics, but I do feel like it may be appreciated more by people who have had a few trips under their belt than by complete novices. Perhaps this will even increase the re-readability of this book—for me at least. Only time will tell. However, I am confident that the suggestions in Getting Higher that I highlighted and/or wrote down in my own notes will be helpful for my own psychedelic practice for years to come.
June 27, 2017
Three and a half stars. This was a nice bunch of ideas on how to safely and effectively host a ceremony with entheogenic substances. Though the author is apparently known for writing more on magick, the ceremonies, scripts, and ideas listed herein were very inclusive of any religion, and even no religion at all, as so many of the "magickal" acts could also be explained or described in more atheist-friendly terms. I did wish there were more ideas for certain ceremonies, but I guess that's where my personal creativity will have to come in. Overall, a good resource.
March 10, 2022
Psychedelics and magic/magick aren't my thing, but I'd heard a few interviews with the author and decided to read this.
Charming, interesting book.
Charming, interesting book.
May 19, 2017
'Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony' (Psychedelic Press, 2017) invites those just embarking on or simply intrigued by the Medicine Path, as well as seasoned veterans, to follow the White Rabbit in a balanced state of well-informed clarity and exuberance. With a definite focus on the numinous yet never dissing the dancefloor, this essential guide is penned by self-proclaimed occultist and drug geek Julian Vayne, a recognized authority in these and other dimensions as evidenced by a series of intriguing works. Without question, the authentic insights and sacred serving suggestions found in this invaluable handbook were not arrived at in the arms of an easy chair—but the embrace of direct experience. While indispensable for group work, most especially 'Getting Higher' will prove a blessed boon to the solitary, spiritually-geared psychonaut without easy access to supportive comrades or community. From prep to launch, liftoff, and return flight, Mr. Vayne provides conscientious doses of wise instruction and practical steps to keep explorers safe and satisfied on their journeys. In the opening paragraph of Lewis Carroll’s seminal mind-blowing adventure, our heroine posits quite rightfully so: ‘And what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice, ‘without pictures or conversation?’ Appropriately then, while Mr. Vayne’s refreshingly unpretentious style engages the reader at every turn, this compact yet deeply rich text is graced throughout by Pete Loveday’s charming illustrations and a stunningly kaleidoscopic cover design. And renowned psychedelic researcher Dr. David Luke sets the scene with a welcoming foreword. 'Getting Higher' illuminates Wonderland with a mind-expanding, heart-opening, and soul-soaring light. – Michael Orlando Yaccarino, author of 'Heart Vision: Tarot’s Inner Path' and co-author of 'Infinite Variety: The Life and Legend of the Marchesa Casati'
November 10, 2020
Julian Vayne's "Getting Higher" is an important guide to exploring the psychedelic experience. Providing insights on preparation, setting, and what to expect, "Getting Higher" is a prized guidebook for exploring the world of psychedelia. Highly recommended whether you're a first time psychonaut or highly experienced. Get ready to discover valuable wisdom from ancient cultures, magical traditions and modern psychedelic science.
June 19, 2018
A nice short, sharp, easy read. It does what the title says, provides a general guide to taking psychedelics with the aim of having a safe, enjoyable experience aimed at personal or spiritual growth. I got a reasonable amount out of it, and will refer back to it in the future. Rated it a bit lower purely because I found it a little tedious to get through, I could only handle it in small doses.
August 22, 2018
A great manual for helping to improve trips on psychedelics. Lots of tips and examples for different purposes. I definitely learned a lot. I'd recommend it to anyone who regularly takes psychedelics or wants to explore them in more depth.
October 12, 2020
Bardzo dobry, krótki i zwięzły podręcznik dotyczący prowadzenia i uczestnictwa w ceremoniach psychodelicznych. Stanowi świetny materiał wyjściowy do dalszych, osobistych poszukiwań.
February 19, 2024
A very interesting read.
July 12, 2021
Useful and informative for all psychonauts of all powr levels. Especially fun for those looking for something spiritual in psychedelics.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews