Psychedelic Shamanism, Updated Edition: The Cultivation, Preparation, and Shamanic Use of Psychotropic Plants

by Jim DeKorne

Book Overview

Psychedelic Shamanism presents the spiritual and shamanic properties of psychotropic plants and discusses how they can be used to understand the structure of human consciousness. Author Jim DeKorne... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556439997
• ISBN13: 9781556439995
• Release Date: July 2011
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

ESSENTIAL Shamanist Reading

I only heard of this book when it was referenced in Daniel Pinchbeck's superb and equally enjoyable "Breaking Open The Head." It clearly was a major inspiration for Pinchbeck's book, and the two make a great set for anyone seriously interested in Shamanism. It's true as noted in another review that some of the author's data is outdated and inaccurate. A revised edition is clearly in order, particularly regarding salvia divinorum, which is indeed one of the most potent entheogens thus discovered. "Sally" is a fickle sacrament, however, and DeKorne can be forgiven; he may have had a dud experience as many do. Despite the fact that there are several good web resources (and some great ones) with information regarding this subject, PSYCHEDELIC SHAMANISM is truly a classic in the genre, written from the standpoint of an intelligent and sophisticated "old head." It is entertaining and informative, offering insights and advice which shed important light on a multitude of shamanistic practices. DeKorne has a cool sense of humor and natural storytelling ability which make for great reading. I would put this book and Pinchbeck's at the TOP of any shamanic reading list and would read them both, starting with this one.

Worth the wait

Probably the single most useful, informative book ever written on the subject of shamanism and the spiritual use of plants. Mr. DeKorne shares his own experiences and much helpful information, all of which is written in a straight forward, easily understood way. Anyone with an interest in healing the planet (as well as themselves) through a shamanistic approach should buy this book. It treats the subject with reverence, humility as well as honesty, with very little in the way of personal opinions of the author being presented as absolute facts. (Rare to find!) That I found this book at a time in my life where I needed guidance on this very subject is amazing. That it exists at all is somewhat of a miracle. Thank you Jim DeKorne. Your book is now part of my permanent spiritual library!

Indispensable Guide to the Gateways to the Imaginal Realms

The ideas put forth in this work have the potential to revolutionize current thinking in psychology, psychiatry and religion, so be prepared to either have your mind blown and/or to suspect the author is a burnt out acid job. Personally I think DeKorne has gone through some serious mental and emotional trials and come out the other end amazingly lucid and wise. This book goes far to dispel some dangerous or romantic ideas going around about the ingestion of certain "hallucinogenic" plants, such as datura and morning glory seeds. DeKorne makes it clear that many of these plants are best avoided because all they have to offer is making the ingester deathly ill, and in some cases deathly dead. He gently steers the reader towards the more reliable substances, in particular psilocybin mushrooms. This is done by sharing a wealth of both personal and researched experience leading the reader to draw their own conclusions. For those adventurous enough to try the riskier entheogens, solid info on cultivation, processing and dosage is provided. Other than the psylocybin the DMT containing plants sound the most promising, though after reading this book (and experience with some of the other substances) I agree with the author that psilocybin mushrooms alone provide all the fuel anyone could ever need to launch into deep inner space, especially taken with an MAO inhibitor. This book further convinces me there is no need to mess with more dangerous substances since the dispersion of the tried, true and unarguably well disposed towards humanity magic mushrooms.

Layman's Guide to Entheogenic Extractions

DeKorne's book is a "must have" reference for anyonewho dabbles with plant extractions. His extraction techniques aremore like kitchen recipes than highfalutin, high tech organic chemistry procedures. The book is subtitled "The Cultivation, Preparation and Shamanic Use of Psychotropic Plants" and includes the following chapters:The Shamanic HypothesisAltered StatesShamanic DimensionsThe Experience of Many WorldsLiving in the One WorldThe Entities of the Imaginal RealmPsychedelic CatalystsThe Belladonna AlkaloidsD-Lysergic Acid Amide: Morning Glory Seeds, Stipa RobustaMescaline: Peyote and San PedroAyahuasca and Its Analogues: Harmine and DMTSmokable DMT from PlantsPsilocybin: Magic MushroomsThe Minor PsychedelicsExtraction ProceduresSome Thoughts about TechniqueHere's a brief quote from the "Extraction Prodedures" chapter:"In most aboriginal cultures, the extraction process for psychedelic plants is quite simple; as often as not, the shaman just boils down the raw materials in a pot and then drinks the concentrated brew. We come from a different tradition with different beliefs and expectations. For one thing, our 'civilized' tastes have been refined to the point where we have difficulty in ingesting anything we perceive as bitter or repulsive -- this, unfortunately, applies to most psychoactive botanicals. I know of no plant hallucinogen that actually tastes good, which I would want to eat even if it weren't a psychedelic. Westerners generally prefer pure compounds in the form of pills or capsules that can be easily swallowed, an efficiency which makes up in acceleration what it loses in verisimilitude."As much as I empathize with not wanting to ingest horrible tasting substances that make you feel sick, I have to endorse the more 'organic' position of shamanic alchemy. Much of the meaningful content of psychedelic shamanism comes from one's relationship with the substance before it is ingested; from planting the seed to experiencing the energy evoked by the plant involves a long series of profound and patient interactions. Such an intense rapport with a substance makes 'substance abuse' all but impossible."Nevertheless, the taste of some substances is so noxious that any extraction process than can mitigate the worst effects is certainly not an unreasonable transaction to make with the plant. The extraction procedure itself can be incorporated into the overall meditation. This is the rationale behind alchemy."There are many different drug recipes in print. Unfortunately, these are usually written by authors who make some unwarranted assumptions about their readership; not everyone interested in psychedelic extraction procedures is necessarily familiar with the language and principles of organic chemistry. In such cases, one is blindly following instruction that one does not fully understand. This is the antithesis of alchemy and an almost guaranteed way to make mistakes. Although complex laboratory procedures whould never by attemp

An intelligent, humorous and entertaining read.

Even if you have no interest in ingesting the psychedelic substances described, this book is mind opening.If you choose to take psychedelics, then the suggested dosages, tangible descriptions of the shamanic dimensions, color photos and drawings of the following plants will be very useful: Peyote, San Pedro, Salvia divinorum, DMT, Ayahuasca, Psilocybin, Belladonna alkaloids and others.Each one is explored in depth, by the author who has had personal experience in ingesting them. If psychedelic plants came as prescriptions with warning labels, they'd have this book attached to them.