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Visionary Plant Consciousness: The Shamanic Teachings of the Plant World
Visionary plants have long served indigenous peoples and their shamans as enhancers of perception, thinking, and healing. These plants can also be important guides to the reality of the natural world and how we can live harmoniously in it.
In Visionary Plant Consciousness, editor J. P. Harpignies has gathered presentations from the Bioneers annual conference of environmental and social visionaries that explore how plant consciousness affects the human condition. Twenty-three leading ethnobotanists, anthropologists, medical researchers, and cultural and religious figures such as Terence McKenna, Andrew Weil, Wade Davis, Michael Pollan, Alex Grey, Jeremy Narby, Katsi Cook, John Mohawk, and Kat Harrison, among others, present their understandings of the nature of psychoactive plants and their significant connection to humans. What they reveal is that these plants may help us access the profound intelligence in nature--the “mind of nature”--that we must learn to understand in order to survive our ecologically destructive way of life.
In Visionary Plant Consciousness, editor J. P. Harpignies has gathered presentations from the Bioneers annual conference of environmental and social visionaries that explore how plant consciousness affects the human condition. Twenty-three leading ethnobotanists, anthropologists, medical researchers, and cultural and religious figures such as Terence McKenna, Andrew Weil, Wade Davis, Michael Pollan, Alex Grey, Jeremy Narby, Katsi Cook, John Mohawk, and Kat Harrison, among others, present their understandings of the nature of psychoactive plants and their significant connection to humans. What they reveal is that these plants may help us access the profound intelligence in nature--the “mind of nature”--that we must learn to understand in order to survive our ecologically destructive way of life.
- GenresSpiritualityScience
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 7, 2015
The speeches and panels approach the subject from several different angles, making this a very interesting book, particularly for those like myself who haven't studied this subject very much. Because the material was originally spoken, it is in a more straightforward style than can be the case with essays. A good jumping-off point.
April 7, 2008
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in entheogenic plants. The authors collectively practice reverence and respect for plant teachers and the indigenous cultures who know how to use them for healing and maintaining social cohesion. The messages within this book are especially essential for anyone curious about delving into the deep waters of entheogens for the first time.
Other equally important discussions explain why the war on drugs is disastrous on every front, from its negative social impacts to the ecological devastation wrought by its senseless policies. Altogether, the wide array of authors present a comprehensive message of how visionary plants, when used in the right cultural context with intelligence and respect, can help restore balance to our selves, our communities, our planet.
Other equally important discussions explain why the war on drugs is disastrous on every front, from its negative social impacts to the ecological devastation wrought by its senseless policies. Altogether, the wide array of authors present a comprehensive message of how visionary plants, when used in the right cultural context with intelligence and respect, can help restore balance to our selves, our communities, our planet.
October 29, 2019
Re-reaf, 10/2019: This remains a great collection, and my original review still holds true. A fantastic introduction to an absolutely fascinating topic.
My only complaint about this book is that it is far too short. Every chapter was incredibly readable and intriguing, and I feel as though the material presented here barely scratches the surface on the topic of visionary plant use. Never thought I'd read presentations by Alex Grey, Terence McKenna and MIchael Pollan side by side!
My only complaint about this book is that it is far too short. Every chapter was incredibly readable and intriguing, and I feel as though the material presented here barely scratches the surface on the topic of visionary plant use. Never thought I'd read presentations by Alex Grey, Terence McKenna and MIchael Pollan side by side!
May 6, 2008
This is a good beginner's book on this subject. But I went to Bastyr, so I didn't need a primer on the concepts!
It's made up of transcripts from lectures given at Bioneers Conferences. Good information.
It's made up of transcripts from lectures given at Bioneers Conferences. Good information.
August 30, 2008
There are many different worlds out there. Much different than the one we spend most of our time in... Expand your mind!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews