PSYCHEDELICS - Sciencemadness.org

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____________________________________________________ Psychedelics
able. My experience was so positive because of the unusually
good setting. In addition, we were left alone and knew it. I
believe that one of the main reasons the psychedelics are dangerous
stems from the fact that they can be used only surreptitiously
at the present time. Generally what happens when
things go underground is that they become perverted.
The psychedelic experience shared by increasing numbers
of people may mean that we're now on the verge of an ap-
preciative revolution. At the present time, there are few places
on this continent where it's possible to participate in exciting,
cosmopolitan "modern living." In a profound sense, the psy-
chedelics may alter this situation, by virtue of their amazing
ability to tune up the senses and realign value systems.
When you couple the psychedelics with today's technology,
affluence, and the cultural revolution occurring now at the
popular level, it is easy to understand why we are seeing
Utopian experimentation throughout the country. The psy-
chedelics are boosting the natural desire for such experi-
mentation precisely when that growth can easily find a sup-
portive environment. They tend to redress the imbalance of
our perceptions, emphasizing similarities rather than differ-
ences. Psychedelics and technology promise a proliferation of
Utopian thinking across the land that hasn't been seen since
at least the middle of the last century.
* * *
Once we were served, the meal was a delight. We were
sharing half a dozen dishes, all participants in a glutton's
feast. The atmosphere in the gambling rooms had seemed to
confine our Yagé flights, but as we ate, the magic returned.
I had only to consider an image, and it would realize itself,
blossoming of its own accord, coloring over the dining scene.
After our magnificent meal, we walked farther through the
town. By now the carnival atmosphere, the chrome-plated
soul of this cold, impersonal city was getting to us. Before
long, we all agreed we'd rather return to the desert.
As warm air flowed over us in the open convertible, I felt
serene and joyous as I thought back to the shimmering water,
the beautiful pumice, my happiness up on the mountain.
Parking just off the road, we unrolled sleeping bags. We had
a smoke, saying very little. Within half an hour, we were
asleep.