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Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism,New
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A dazzling work of personal travelogue and cultural criticism that ranges from the primitive to the postmodern in a quest for the promise and meaning of the psychedelic experience.While psychedelics of all sorts are demonized in America today, the visionary compounds found in plants are the spiritual sacraments of tribal cultures around the world. From the iboga of the Bwiti in Gabon, to the Mazatecs of Mexico, these plants are sacred because they awaken the mind to other levels of awarenessto a holographic vision of the universe.Breaking Open the Head is a passionate, multilayered, and sometimes rashly personal inquiry into this deep division. On one level, Daniel Pinchbeck tells the story of the encounters between the modern consciousness of the West and these sacramental substances, including such thinkers as Allen Ginsberg, Antonin Artaud, Walter Benjamin, and Terence McKenna, and a new underground of presentday ethnobotanists, chemists, psychonauts, and philosophers. It is also a scrupulous recording of the author's wideranging investigation with these outlaw compounds, including a thirtyhour tribal initiation in West Africa; an allnight encounter with the master shamans of the South American rain forest; and a report from a psychedelic utopia in the Black Rock Desert that is the Burning Man Festival.Breaking Open the Head is brave participatory journalism at its best, a vivid account of psychic and intellectual experiences that opened doors in the wall of Western rationalism and completed Daniel Pinchbeck's personal transformation from a jaded Manhattan journalist to shamanic initiate and grateful citizen of the cosmos.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Breaking Open the Head'? A: 'Breaking Open the Head' explores the intersection of modern consciousness and traditional shamanic practices, focusing on the role of psychedelics in understanding the human experience.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Breaking Open the Head' is Daniel Pinchbeck, who is known for his work in cultural criticism and exploration of psychedelics.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'Breaking Open the Head' is available in hardcover binding, which is durable and suitable for long-term use.
- Q: How many pages are in 'Breaking Open the Head'? A: The book contains 336 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of its themes.
- Q: What condition is the used book in? A: The used copy of 'Breaking Open the Head' is described as being in very good condition, meaning it shows minimal signs of wear.
- Q: When was 'Breaking Open the Head' published? A: 'Breaking Open the Head' was published on September 17, 2002.
- Q: What is the target audience for this book? A: The book is targeted towards readers interested in social sciences, psychedelics, shamanism, and cultural criticism.
- Q: Is 'Breaking Open the Head' a personal account or scholarly work? A: 'Breaking Open the Head' is a blend of personal travelogue and scholarly inquiry, incorporating both personal experiences and cultural analysis.
- Q: What kind of insights does the book provide about psychedelics? A: The book provides insights into the cultural significance of psychedelics in various tribal societies and their potential for expanding consciousness.
- Q: Does the book include any historical or cultural references? A: Yes, 'Breaking Open the Head' references historical figures and cultural practices related to psychedelics, including discussions about renowned thinkers and contemporary ethnobotanists.