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Buddhism and psychedelic experimentation share a common concern: the liberation of the mind. Zig Zag Zen launches the first serious inquiry into the moral, ethical, doctrinal, and transcendental considerations created by the intersection of Buddhism and psychedelics. With a foreword by renowned Buddhist scholar Stephen Batchelor and a preface by historian of religion Huston Smith, along with numerous essays and interviews, Zig Zag Zen is a provocative and thoughtful exploration of altered states of consciousness and the potential for transformation. Accompanying each essay is a work of visionary art selected by artist Alex Grey, such as a vividly graphic work by Robert Venosa, a contemporary thangka painting by Robert Beer, and an exercise in emptiness in the form of an enso by a 17th-century Zen abbot. Packed with enlightening entries and art that lie outside the scope of mainstream anthologies, Zig Zag Zen offers eye-opening insights into alternate methods of inner exploration.
| Foreword | 9 | |
| Preface | 13 | |
| Introduction | 15 | |
| The Plant Medicine Sutra | 23 | |
| Mysticism: Contemplative and Chemical | 25 | |
| A High History of Buddhism in America | 33 | |
| Psychedelic Experience and Spiritual Practice. A Buddhist Perspective: An Interview with Jack Kornfield | 51 | |
| Dissolving the Roots of Suffering | 61 | |
| Buddhism, Skamanism, and Thangka Paintings | 69 | |
| A Buddhist-Psychedelic History of Esalen Institute: An Interview with Founder Michael Murphy and President George Leonard | 77 | |
| Shadow Paths | 85 | |
| A Survey of the Entheogens | 89 | |
| Vajravision | 99 | |
| DMT Dharma | 105 | |
| Psychoactivism | 115 | |
| Leaning Into Rawness | 125 | |
| Relative Truth | 129 | |
| Yage and the Yanas | 135 | |
| A Trip not Taken | 143 | |
| The Paisley Gate | 151 | |
| Psychedelics on the Path: Help or Hindrance? | 167 | |
| Liberty and LSD | 175 | |
| The Zen Commandments | 179 | |
| Buddhism and the Psychedelic Society: An Interview with Terence McKenna | 189 | |
| On the Front Lines: An Interview with Michele Mcdonald-Smith | 195 | |
| Do we Still Need Psychedelics? | 201 | |
| A Roundtable with Ram Dass, Robert Aitken Roshi, Richard Baker Roshi, and Joan Halifax Roshi | 211 | |
| Contributors | 226 | |
| Artwork Credits | 235 | |
| Bibliography | 237 |
Anonymous
Posted June 7, 2005
I'm not a user of psychedelic drugs, but I can still appreciate this book. To the man who gave this book one star: if you think anything's insulting to Zen, you probably shouldn't be speaking about the 'truth.' LSD precipitates mental states that may be more conducive to spiritual progression. Don't judge other peoples' paths.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 4, 2004
This book IS what I need. Finally, for all those with an interest in eastern religion and psychedelics, this book has arrived to attempt at tying them together. Obviously the person who gave the one star knows nothing about the way of Zazen and obviously I am not considering it by writing this, but I also am. This book finally gives the kids something powerful to think about while zoomin through the cosmos.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 1, 2003
Thank you to the other person that wrote the review with '1' Star. I was looking for some jusification on trying some other drugs and this book is what i need.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 1, 2002
With so little good information about Buddhism available to the general public as it is, putting out a book that deliberately invites people to equate Buddhism with getting stoned demeans the entire philosophy. From its tripped out cover design, to the mind blowing mandalas inside, to a hundred and one fake 'Buddhist Masters' expounding on 'the pros as well as the cons' of drug abuse, the overall message of Zig Zag Zen is, 'Hey kids, forget all that dry boring stuff you've heard, dope is Buddha and Buddha is dope.' Are the visions you can experience on LSD 'real' religious visions? Sure they are. And like all religious visions they are worse than useless. Religious visions and acid experiences are both fantasies. They are projections of your own hidden desires. Buddhism has absolutely no interest whatsoever in any type of 'altered state of consciousness' whether it's brought about by drugs or by misguided meditative practices. They have nothing whatsoever to do with the Truth. You could learn exactly as much about the true nature of reality from such fantasies as you could by watching a few hours of cartoons on Saturday morning. Look at your real life right here and now instead.
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Overview
Buddhism and psychedelic experimentation share a common concern: the liberation of the mind. Zig Zag Zen launches the first serious inquiry into the moral, ethical, doctrinal, and transcendental considerations created by the intersection of Buddhism and psychedelics. With a foreword by renowned Buddhist scholar Stephen Batchelor and a preface by historian of religion Huston Smith, along with numerous essays and interviews, Zig Zag Zen is a provocative and thoughtful exploration of altered states of consciousness ...