Democrat, Illinois - The ElectroLounge

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Raymond Soulard, Jr.
Notes from the Northwest
The following continues the series originally called Notes from New England, begun in issue 24-25 (Winter 1998), and
resumed after a long absence in issue 59 (October 2006). It is intended as a gathering-place for observations of various
lengths upon the world around me. It will be culled, like much of my writing, from my notebooks, and perhaps these
thoughts will be expanded upon sometimes as well.
Maniiffessttattiion Projjectt
From Labyrinthine [a new fixtion]
97
May 3, 2008
Portland, Oregon
“Walking city streets tonight with an idea, maybe a better recent idea, it may be
folded up a few times, & come out slowly—
“In recent year, LSD & similar substances have been referred to, more commonly
than psychedelics, as entheogens. Generating, causing, compelling the God within.
“But what of other approaches than one that is God-centered? What of an approach
which does not place spirituality foremost? What of dropping acid not to see Godd or be
Godd or know Godd.
“Neither an atheist nor agnostic approach either. One that works the landscape of
realities without reference to a creator, a beginning from which all comes & an ending
toward which all is tending?
“Always, ever, time a tool that may also be a trick—
“Psychedelic means mind- or soul-manifesting. Use of psychedelics brings out which
is within, stuck there, or untapped, or perhaps even unknown.
“That said, there becomes more to work with, & here something happens. Dreams,
desires, Art, each can be seen as materials to work with. Dream. Eros. Nature. Art. Magick.
Psychedelia.
“Once out, manifest, the world is changed a little, is a little more. Or, conversely, if
one dives into dreaming more, the within is what changes, even before manifesting.
“I began writing 34 years ago, just now, crossed the midnight line into my
anniversary, May 4, & how I viewed Art has shifted many times. I had youth’s ideas of fame,
of being like the writers whose books I loved.
“It was more than 20 years ago I began to shift my thoughts, still a young man, still
unknowing & yet believing I could know, & that knowing would bring me something. But
I’d sent out my poems to magazines & got back form letter rejection slips, or sales
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