Ralph Metzner

In this monograph the author relates findings from more than 30 years of experiences and observations with Bufo alvarius and 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine, in various user groups and individuals, both in the US and in Europe. The term underground is used in referring to the explorations with these substances, in the sense that they were hidden - out of respect for the restrictions and prohibitions of mainstream culture. These are ethnographic field reports, first-hand observations from an underground sub-culture, accompanied by the experiences of a selected number of participant-observers. It is important to recognize that in research with these and other so-called psychedelic or entheogenic substances, one cannot limit the observations and reflections solely to their physical and psychological effects. As most of the people cited here emphasize, the experiences with these substances at times can go far beyond their physical and psychological effects into the deepest and highest dimensions of our existence, both the cosmic and the spiritual.

This book identifies the universal structures that underlie the varieties of transformative experiences, much as William James did a century ago in The Varieties of Religious Experience. Featuring dozens of illustrations, this book, now a "One Spirit" Book-of-the-Month-Club selection, is a brilliant cross-cultural examination of the power of archetypal metaphors to nurture profound experiences of transformation.

In his introduction to The Well of Remembrance, author Ralph Metzner provides a telling explanation of the theme of his work: "This book explores some of the mythic roots of the Western worldview, the worldview of the culture that, for better and worse, has come to dominate most of the rest of the world's peoples. This domination has involved not only economic and political systems but also values, basic attitudes, religious beliefs, language, scientific understanding, and technological applications. Many individuals, tribes, and nations are struggling to free themselves from the residues of the ideological oppression practiced by what they see as Eurocentric culture. They seek to define their own ethnic or national identities by referring to ancestral traditions and mythic patterns of knowledge. At this time, it seems appropriate for Europeans and Euro-Americans likewise to probe their own ancestral mythology for insight and self-understanding" Focusing on the mythology and worldview of the pre-Christian Germanic tribes of Northern Europe, Metzner offers a meaningful exploration of Western ancestry.

A visionary ecopsychologist examines the rift between human beings and nature and shows what can be done to bring harmony to both the ecosystem and our own minds.• Shows that the solution to our ecological dilemma lies in our own consciousnesses.It is becoming more and more apparent that the causes and cures for the current ecological crisis are to be found in the hearts and minds of human beings. For millennia we existed within a religious and psychological framework that honored the Earth as a partner and worked to maintain a balance with nature. But somehow a root pathology took hold in Western civilization--the idea of domination over nature--and this led to an alienation of the human spirit that has allowed an unprecedented destruction of the very systems which support that spirit.In Green Psychology Ralph Metzner explores the history of this global pathology and examines the ways that we can restore a healing relationship with nature. His search for role models takes him from shamanic ceremonies with the Lacandon Maya of Mexico to vision quests in the California desert, from the astonishing nature mysticism of Hildegard von Bingen to the Black Goddesses and Green Gods of our pagan ancestors. He examines the historical roots of the split between humans and nature, showing how first sky-god worshiping cultures, then monotheisms, and finally mechanistic science continued to isolate the human psyche from the life-giving Earth. His final chapters present a solution, showing that disciplines such as deep ecology and ecofeminism are creating a worldview in which the mind of humanity and the health of the Earth are harmoniously intertwined.

Entheogenesis means the growing realization that we human beings and the world around us are much more than simply material organisms living and evolving on a material planetary body. We are multi-dimensional spiritual, cosmic, noetic, psychic and physical beings. The central insight that emerges from entheogenic states and is confirmed by the perennial spiritual traditions of East and West, is that at every level, from macro-cosmic to micro-cosmic, from atoms and animals, to trees and planets and stars, Spirit dwells within created forms and expresses through them. This monograph is based on 50 years of experience as a participant-observer in the international underground sub-culture involved with entheogenic, consciousness-expanding substances. The author discusses the uses and values of such substances when the explicit intention or purpose is for spiritual awakening, psychotherapy, healing, increased understanding and the enhancement of creativity. The intent of this documentation is not to prove or promote any particular method or treatment of any condition. The evaluation of entheogens needs to be in terms of how productive these experiences are of healthier approaches to the issues of living in these times, in this world. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ralph Metzner, Ph.D. received his undergraduate degree at Oxford University and his doctorate in clinical psychology at Harvard University, where he also held a post-doctoral fellowship in psychopharmacology at the Harvard Medical School. He collaborated with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert in studies of psychedelic drugs and co-authored The Psychedelic Experience. He is a psychotherapist and Professor Emeritus at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he taught for 30 years. Ralph is the author of The Well of Remembrance, The Unfolding Self, Green Psychology, Birth of a Psychedelic Culture (with Ram Dass); editor of two collections of essays on ayahuasca and on psilocybe mushrooms; and author of a series of seven books on The Ecology of Consciousness.

Metzner was a friend of Timothy Leary and Ram Dass (Richard Alpert); they all wrote of the "psychedelic experience." Those experiences helped define the essence of this book, further exploring yoga, Gurdjieff's self-observation, Reichian bioenergetics, Gestalt therapy, psychosynthesis, Buckminster Fuller, Teilhard de Chardin, Hermann Hesse, Wilhelm Reich, Carl Jung, Lama Govinda, Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, Frank Herbert, Joan Grant, and the incomparable I Ching.

Who are we, really? In The Ecology of Consciousness, a Harvard scholar and pioneer in the field of consciousness studies—well known for his groundbreaking psychedelic research with Ram Dass and Timothy Leary—presents an expansive work culminating decades of research in Eastern philosophy, shamanism, and more to guide you along the path of true consciousness and transformation.Questions surrounding consciousness have intrigued humankind throughout time, and have been addressed through a wide range of perspectives and traditions. From age-old philosophies to New Age spirituality, consciousness—and its various forms—has been the topic of much contemplation. This unique book is a comprehensive exploration that covers a wide range of disciplines and subjects within the framework of psychospiritual and consciousness studies.The Ecology of Consciousness revives ancient alchemical knowledge, spiritual traditions, and thoughtful theories about consciousness—drawing on ancient Eastern philosophy, shamanism, mythology, and others sources, and covering topics such as personal growth and reincarnation—to give you an expansive foundation for self-inquiry and transformation. Written by a leading authority, this book will give you a deeper understanding of consciousness, show you how to access your own spiritual intelligence, teach you about shamanic and alchemical traditions and connect them to healing practices of today.With this consciousness-expanding book, you’ll explore the human life cycle from a spiritual perspective, reflect on your own personal journey, and discover which pathway guides your life purpose for your ultimate fulfillment, growth, and well-being.

ABOUT THE BOOKAlchemy, like shamanism and yoga, with which it is related, involves teachings and practices of physical, psychic and spiritual transformation. Divination is the practice of seeking healing and spiritual guidance from inner sources of wisdom and knowledge. The basic purpose of the alchemical divination processes is to help individuals obtain problem resolution and visionary inspiration for their life path in its interpersonal, professional, creative and spiritual dimensions. ABOUT THE AUTHORRalph Metzner, Ph.D. is a recognized pioneer in studies of consciousness and its transformations. He is a psychotherapist and Professor Emeritus at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he was also the Academic Dean for ten years in the 1980s. He collaborated with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert in the studies of psychedelic drugs at Harvard in the 1960s, and co-authored The Psychedelic Experience. His books include Maps of Consciousness, The Well of Remembrance, The Unfolding Self and Green Psychology.This book is Volume 3 of a new series on The Ecology of Consciousness.

A deeply personal account of the scientific, shamanic, and metaphysical encounters that led to the development of Metzner’s psychological methods• Recounts the author’s meetings and friendships with Albert Hofmann, Alexander Shulgin, the McKenna brothers, Wilson Van Dusen, Myron Stolaroff, and Leo Zeff• Details his lucid dream encounters with G. I. Gurdjieff, profoundly healing sessions with Hawaiian healer Morrnah Simeona, experiences with plant teachers iboga and ayahuasca, and ecological and mystical lessons learned from animal teachers• Shares his involvement in the beginnings of the therapeutic use of MDMA and how it safely and effectively supports the healing of trauma, PTSD, and interpersonal relationshipsJust as the search for the philosopher’s stone is the core symbol of the alchemical tradition, Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., psychotherapist and one of the respected elders of the psychedelic research community, sees it as the central metaphor of his life-long quest to find methods of healing and insight through heightened states of consciousness.Through captivating stories Metzner shares his encounters from the 1960s through the 1990s with genius scientists, shamanic healers, mystics, plant spirits, and animal guides that led to the development of his “alchemical divination” psychological methods, a structured intuitive process of accessing inner sources of healing and insight. He details lessons learned with psychedelic research legends Albert Hofmann, Alexander Shulgin, Terence McKenna, and Dennis McKenna. He reveals his deeply healing encounters with the Kahuna bodywork healer Morrnah Simeona, the first to introduce the Hawaiian Ho’oponopono healing method to the West, and his experiences with West African trance dancing and the psychoactive plant-drug iboga. Metzner recounts in vivid detail his unwelcome encounter with malignant sorcery during an ayahuasca experience in Ecuador and the lessons it taught him about connections with spirits, both harmful and beneficial. He tells of his involvement in the beginnings of the therapeutic use of MDMA and shows how it is an effective and safe substance to support psychotherapy for healing trauma, PTSD, and interpersonal relationships.In sharing his remarkable encounters, Metzner shows how the most meaningful lessons in the alchemy of life come not only from the geniuses we meet but also from the spirits we encounter along the way.

In MINDSPACE AND TIMESTREAM book the author relates his distillation of almost five decades of research, psychotherapy, shamanic and yogic practices, as well as teaching experience, on the role of changing states of consciousness in psychological health and spiritual growth. Each state of consciousness that we experience, ranging from the familiar states of waking, sleeping, dreaming and meditating, to the expansive spiritual states of psychedelic explorers, mystics and mediums, has its own distinctly different mind-space and time-stream. We need to learn how to use the expansive, positive states for spiritual growth and creative expression and navigate out of the contractive, unhealthy states of fear and rage, addictions and compulsions, into healthier, life-affirming states. This book is the fourth in a new series on The Ecology of Consciousness. Already published are Vol. 1, The Expansion of Consciousness; Vol. 2, The Roots of War and Domination; and Vol. 3, Alchemical Divination, all available from Regent Press.Ralph Metzner, Ph.D. is a recognized pioneer in studies of consciousness and its transformations. He is a psychotherapist and Professor Emeritus at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he was also the Academic Dean for ten years in the 1980s. He collaborated with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert in the studies of psychedelic drugs at Harvard in the 1960s, and co-authored The Psychedelic Experience. His books include Maps of Consciousness, The Well of Remembrance, The Unfolding Self and Green Psychology.

Discusses symbols and theories of human transformation, the nature of reality, the world as illusion, spiritual liberation, the search for wholeness, death, and rebirth

This book addresses the role and significance of consciousness expansion in the psychospiritual transformations of the individual, and in the transformations of culture and society associated with the 1960s.In the first part is a description of how the holistic transformation teachings of alchemy, originating in the sacred science of ancient Egypt, persecuted by the Church in the Middle Ages, and ridiculed by scientific modernism, were revived in the 20th century by the work of two Swiss scientists: C.G. Jung, who identified alchemical symbolism as the objective language of the psyche; and Albert Hofmann, who, with the discovery of LSD reconnected the broken link between Spirit and Matter, the mysterious link known traditionally as the Philosophers' Stone.In the second part, is a description of how the introduction of consciousness expanding substances into Western culture, synchronous with the invention of the atomic bomb at the height of World War II, was followed by the socio-cultural upheavals of the 1960s. These social transformation movements can be seen as a response of the collective psyche to the unprecedented challenges to civilization posed by nuclear war, environmental destruction and rampant population growth. Though seemingly "counter-cultural" in that they countered the domination agenda of the power-elites, were really the attempt to articulate an expanded consciousness and a vision of society centered around humane, ecological, creative and spiritual values.

Stories and practices from the casebook of pioneering transpersonal psychotherapist Ralph Metzner• Shows how psychological problems often derive from factors not considered in conventional psychotherapy, such as prenatal imprints and ancestral connections• Shares 15 detailed case histories from Metzner’s more than 50 years of practice• Describes how guided imagery meditations, yogic light-fire practices, and selective use of entheogenic substances can be integrated with transpersonal psychotherapy and bring about deep healingDrawing on more than 50 years’ experience as a transpersonal psychotherapist, Ralph Metzner explores the spiritual overtones, karmic undercurrents, and ancestral connections that shape our individual psychologies.Sharing 15 detailed histories from his casebook and the innovative practices he uses in his therapeutic sessions, Metzner shows how the psychological problems we confront often derive from factors not considered in conventional psychotherapy, such as birth trauma, unconscious imprints from prenatal existence, memories from past lives, ancestral and familial soul connections, and even psychic intrusions. The case histories he describes include a wide spectrum of practices, such as the use of quiet meditative retreat, guided regressions, as well as imagery visualizations amplified by entheogens. He describes how tuning in with the spiritual overtones of our being and the karmic undercurrents of our lives can resolve issues such as a fear of intimacy, help heal the after-effects of abuse and abortion, reconcile estranged parental and ancestral relationships, dissolve fears left over from past incarnations, and convert malignant presences into protective allies. In addition to guided meditations, visualizations, and yogic light-fire exercises, the practices in his psychotherapy sessions at times include the selective use of small amounts of psychedelics, mind-expanding substances functioning to amplify awareness of the subtler realms of consciousness. Part of each case history gives a description of the particular visualization used, adding to the book’s practical use as a guidebook for transpersonal psychotherapists.Through the healing experiences he describes, Metzner reveals how attending to karmic undercurrents and spiritual overtones can often bring about a peaceful resolution to long-standing distress and spiritual alienation.

People are fascinated with analyzing their own characters and those of friends and enemies. Doing so often leads to greater self-awareness. Know Your Type explores the process of identity classification from a psychological perspective and examines many different personality types, including those that correlate to body the skinny-boned ectomorph, the soft and fleshy endomorph, and the muscular mesomorph. This spirited and informative guide, featuring tests and worksheets that allow readers to determine their own identity type, enables readers to better understand themselves and the world.

Domination behavior, using force to control others, is destabilizing and disruptive in families, groups and communities. At the international level, aggressive domination is war the breakdown of the civilized order. Dr. Metzner tracks the roots of war and in the psychological consequences of violent child abuse; in historical and prehistorical patterns of resource competition; and in mammalian predator behavior gone awry. One can see these ancient predatory patterns operating in the capitalist and imperialist policies of nation states. Seeking still deeper roots, he explores lesser known mythological and esoteric the Buddhist myths of power-addicted demons; the legend of the corruption of the Atlantean civilization; the Nordic myths of wars among the gods; and the Sumerian myths of dominating extra-terrestrial war-lord colonizers who genetically engineered our human ancestors. Finally, he examines the complex and profound teachings of the mysterious 20th century sage G.I. Gurdjieff, who located the ultimate causes of war in the extra-planetary environment and cosmic history. It is the author s intention and hope that these explorations of this most intractable of humanity s problems may lead others to further discoveries and possible solutions.

ABOUT THE BOOK Each of us, as a human soul, incarnates by choice with a purpose, an intention or vision for this life - what we came here to do and to be. The soul chooses one or more of six great archetypal pathways in which to develop its talents and realize its vision - Healer/Peacemaker, Explorer/Scientist, Warrior/Guardian, Artist/Musician, Teacher/Historian, Builder/Organizer. For each of the six pathways, the work we do in society has its characteristic disciplines that are to be first learned and then practiced. Each of the pathways is not only a career or a profession, our work in the world, each is also at a deeper level a pathway for manifesting our soul's destiny. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ralph Metzner, Ph.D. is a recognized pioneer in studies of consciousness and its transformations. He is a psychotherapist and Professor Emeritus at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he was also the Academic Dean for ten years in the 1980s. He collaborated with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert in the studies of psychedelic drugs at Harvard in the 1960s, and co-authored The Psychedelic Experience. His books include Maps of Consciousness, The Well of Remembrance, The Unfolding Self, Green Psychology and Birth of a Psychedelic Culture (with Ram Dass and Gary Bravo). This book is the sixth in a new series on The Ecology of Consciousness. This book is the sixth in a series on The Ecology of Consciousness. Already published are Vol. 1, The Expansion of Consciousness; Vol. 2, The Roots of War and Domination; Vol. 3, Alchemical Divination; Vol. 4, Mind Space and Time Stream; Vol. 5, The Life Cycle of the Human Soul.

Lower cover corners bumped, else very nice, clean and solid copy.

ABOUT THE BOOK In the emerging worldview of our time, the two key paradigm revolutions are - a recognition of the multiple dimensions or worlds and recognition of the autonomy of meta-physical spirits inhabiting these many worlds. In this book, Dr. Metzner describe two multi-dimensional paradigms we have used in our entheogenic and meditative journeys of exploration and healing. One is the Tibetan Buddhist Wheel of Birth and Death - a mandala of our human journey through many lives and many worlds. Another multi-dimensional paradigm for shamanic journey practice is the World Axial Tree, with its upper, middle and lower worlds. In the last chapters, drawing on the perspectives of an expanded systems worldview and the Pythagorean octave principle, I present three divination meditations on worlds within and worlds beyond. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ralph Metzner, Ph.D. is a recognized pioneer in studies of consciousness and its transformations. He is a psychotherapist and Professor Emeritus at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where was also the Academic Dean for ten years in the 1980s. He collaborated with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert in the studies of psychedelic drugs at Harvard in the 1960s, and co-authored The Psychedelic Experience. His books include The Well of Remembrance, The Unfolding Self, Green Psychology and Birth of a Psychedelic Culture (with Ram Dass and Gary Bravo). This book is the seventh and last in a series on The Ecology of Consciousness. Vol. 1, The Expansion of Consciousness; Vol. 2, The Roots of War and Domination; Vol. 3, Alchemical Divination; Vol. 4, Mind Space and Time Stream; Vol. 5, The Life Cycle of the Human Soul; Vol. 6, The Six Pathways of Destiny. All are available from Regent Press.

In the last fifty years in the West, there have been a number of pioneering new approaches for accessing realms of consciousness that are traditionally considered the deepest spiritual mysteries. In this book Dr. Metzner discuss the experience of birth and of prenatal life, the unconscious psychic imprints of the conception event, the soul's choosing of a human incarnation and the connection with familial ancestors. He also discusses the experience of death of the physical body and the soul's life in the intermediate realms before choosing rebirth into another life. He draws on empirical observations from psychedelic experiences, meditation, shamanic journeys, near-death experiences, deep altered state hypnotherapy, states induced by special breathing practices and findings from the experiential practices of his alchemical divination workshops.

Droga, ogni decennio ha la sua per caratterizzarsi meglio. Dopo le anfetamine degli anni Sessanta, gli allucinogeni dei Settanta, l'eroina degli Ottanta, ecco l'ecstasy, la droga che più ha caratterizzato gli anni Novanta. Utile "scorciatoia" nella ricerca del Sè? Mistica dei poveri? Bruciante consumismo dell'anima? Oppure reale possibilità di rivelazione dei fontamentali stati di coscienza?

Ralph Metzner first wrote about alchemy when he was in his early 30s. He included a chapter on alchemy in his book Maps of Consciousness , which was published in 1971. In the last few years of his life Ralph recorded his thoughts on some 36 alchemical terms. Over an arc of some 50 years, Ralph worked on the practice of using alchemical processes for inner transformation. This volume of musings combines his earliest writing on alchemy with his last writings on alchemical terms, bookends of an arc of exploration.

In questa monografia Ralph Metzner raccoglie cinquant'anni di ricerche e di esperienze intorno alle sostanze enteogene, utilizzate fin dai tempi antichi a scopi terapeutici, visionari, di crescita interiore e di trasformazione. Con rigore e chiarezza divulgativa, Metzner ne illustra il valore rituale, curativo e spirituale, le modalità di utilizzo, gli effetti.Dalle cerimonie tradizionali dei nativi (con peyote, ayahuasca, ibogaina) ai circoli autogestiti e sperimentali (con cannabis, salvia, psilocibina) fino alle moderne sessioni psicoterapeutiche con i classici derivati chimici, il volume si pone come guida autorevole e dettagliata per esperienze psichedeliche sicure a ogni livello e per ogni tipo di 'viaggiatore', accompagnandolo attraverso le fasi e i momenti cruciali del intenzione e preparazione, pratiche idonee per rispettare lo spirito-medicina, precauzioni per evitare problemi e bad trips, cerimonie conclusive e integrazione successiva. Un manuale utile per tutti coloro che si avvicinano a questa esperienza, per coglierne il valore originario di risveglio interiore e pratica di guarigione, nei difficili passaggi della vita.

A classic guide to expanding perception and consciousness development• Explores six ancient yet timeless systems for exploring the the I Ching, Tantra, Tarot, astrology, alchemy, and the yoga philosophy of Actualism• Shares exercises from each system and illuminates the key stages in the journey of consciousness development• Shows how each of these disciplines can help you become a fully aware and conscious participant in your own spiritual evolutionIn this highly acclaimed classic, psychedelic elder Ralph Metzner presents a guide to six ancient systems, once known only to the initiated few, to expand awareness and free your consciousness from exterior limitations and cultural conditioning.Metzner begins with the I Ching, revered by the Chinese as the oldest and wisest book in the world. He explains how it reveals change as the evolutionary constant and offers a hands-on method of divination and guidance. He explores the Hindu and Buddhist Tantras of medieval India, ancient practices celebrating the union of male and female energies that transmute ordinary sense experience into ecstatic ritual worship. He examines the Tarot, revealing how the cards act as culture-transcending mirrors, bringing us through worlds of darkness and light in a complex journey. He looks at the practice of alchemy, explaining how it is a “psychic chemistry” of inner union through which we can transform planetary and cosmic energies. He explores the esoteric aspects of astrology, revealing the rhythmic cycles of the planets and how their phases may be experienced in terms of motion and emotion. He then examines in depth the yoga philosophy of Actualism, centered on the techniques of Agni Yoga, which allow you to use your living “inner fire” to illuminate the shadow parts of consciousness and burn out that which obstructs the free flow of energy.With a new foreword by UC Berkeley professor of neurobiology David E. Presti and featuring all of the original diagrams, this edition of Metzner’s classic text shows how each of these disciplines can help the modern individual become a fully aware and conscious participant in their own spiritual evolution.