The Private Sea: LSD & the Search for God

by William Braden

The first book to make the connection between LSD and the radical upheaval of the new theology. The death of God, Zen, Pantheism and the psychic revolt of metaphysics against scientific logic are all examined through the shattering, shimmering prism of the psychedelic experience!

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book published in 1967, now out of print, about the theological significance of hallucinogenic experiences. For the most part it holds up well, except for a notable cringe-inducing passage about how the civil rights movement is really an 18th century issue that held over, that was or is concerned with “Negro” access to the middle class, and which in 1967 was pretty nearly solved. Otherwise, though, from one perspective the book is thoughtful, relatively subtle-minded, and somewhat insightful. It’s worth a read if you are interested in the spiritual aspect of the psychedelic renaissance. From another perspective it’s a lot of words and conceptualizing about things that can’t be adequately expressed in words and which I’m not sure the author really knew or had experienced for himself, or if so seems to have lost connection with. But from that perspective you could say the same about most writing that can be categorized as theological.

[Jack Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult book to digest but incredibly profound. I dictionary was close at hand throughout!