Stoned Age Man?

[enlightenment]

The "Stoned Ape" theory of human evolution

Perhaps the most famous of Terence McKenna's theories and observations is his explanation for the origin of the human mind and culture. McKenna theorized that as the North African jungles receded toward the end of the most recent ice age, giving way to grasslands, a branch of our tree-dwelling primate ancestors left the branches and took up a life out in the open—following around herds of ungulates, nibbling what they could along the way.

Among the new items in their diet were psilocybin-containing mushrooms growing in the dung of these ungulate herds. McKenna supposed that psilocybin's verified enhancement of visual acuity was instrumental in the human dominance over prey. He also argued that the effects of slightly larger doses, including a physical sexual arousal—and in still larger doses, ecstatic hallucinations and glossolalia—gave evolutionary advantages to those tribes who partook of it. There were many changes caused by the introduction of this drug to the primate diet. McKenna theorizes, for instance, that synesthesia (the blurring of boundaries between the senses) caused by psilocybin led to the development of spoken language: the ability to form pictures in another person's mind through the use of vocal sounds.

About 12,000 years ago, further climate changes removed the mushroom from the human diet, which McKenna argued to result in a new set of profound changes in our species as we reverted to pre-mushroomed and brutal primate social structures that had been modified and/or repressed by frequent consumption of psilocybin. However, in McKenna's theory, the psilocybin-induced dominance of humans over other species remained, despite our supposed devolution.

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, enlightenment, and welcome to CR!

Yours is quite an interesting observation, one that goes quite nicely with this one earlier:

http://www.comparative-religion.com/...logy-4598.html

Seems humanity has been quite experimental over the centuries. Another thread around here somewhere deals with the connection between the Fly Agaric mushroom and Santa Claus...who would've thunk it?

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by juantoo3

Kindest Regards, enlightenment, and welcome to CR!

Yours is quite an interesting observation, one that goes quite nicely with this one earlier:

http://www.comparative-religion.com/...logy-4598.html

Seems humanity has been quite experimental over the centuries. Another thread around here somewhere deals with the connection between the Fly Agaric mushroom and Santa Claus...who would've thunk it?

Not heard that one!

Anyway, does anyone have experience of this?



This is an extremely rare variety of Peruvianus, also known as the Peruvian Torch Cactus, which is closely related to the San Pedro.

The Trichocereus Peruvianus Truxilloensis is reported to contain some of the largest amount of mescaline of all known mescaline-containing cacti (up to 10 times more mescaline than any other San Pedro cactus according to Adam Gottlieb in his book Peyote and other Psychoactive cacti).
It grows considerably faster than peyote and you can achieve a trip from a 4-year-old cactus.
The Tricocereus Peruvianus gives clear visions and hallucinations during a mystical and earthy trip.

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by enlightenment

Not heard that one!

Anyway, does anyone have experience of this?



This is an extremely rare variety of Peruvianus, also known as the Peruvian Torch Cactus, which is closely related to the San Pedro.

The Trichocereus Peruvianus Truxilloensis is reported to contain some of the largest amount of mescaline of all known mescaline-containing cacti (up to 10 times more mescaline than any other San Pedro cactus according to Adam Gottlieb in his book Peyote and other Psychoactive cacti).
It grows considerably faster than peyote and you can achieve a trip from a 4-year-old cactus.
The Tricocereus Peruvianus gives clear visions and hallucinations during a mystical and earthy trip.

The problem I see with Peyote / Mescaline is that it is limited to the New World, so by default has little impact on the general "evolution" of humanity. As to how it is applied or the subtle distinctions in use for shamanist purposes, I know nothing.

I was always told: "you do not find peyote...peyote finds you." Meaning when it is time, if ever, it will make itself available. Those who go insane on peyote become that way because it is not their time, they try to force the hand of G-d.

[wil]

Originally Posted by juantoo3

The problem I see with Peyote / Mescaline is that it is limited to the New World, so by default has little impact on the general "evolution" of humanity.

I don't believe their exists a continent which didn't/doesn't have some sort of entheogenic (that which we used to call hallucinogenic) plant.

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by wil

I don't believe their exists a continent which didn't/doesn't have some sort of entheogenic (that which we used to call hallucinogenic) plant.

I agree, and pointed to a number of things I am vaguely familiar with. The question about Peyote specifically though in the context of the development of humanity is why I made the comment...it is a New World plant, so by default has only been known to humanity around 18-20 thousand years (generous estimate), as contrasted with Fly Agaric which by the thread I mentioned has been known to humanity something like 50-60 thousand years or more.

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by wil

I don't believe their exists a continent which didn't/doesn't have some sort of entheogenic (that which we used to call hallucinogenic) plant.

Antarctica? Although that is purely a guess.

[wil]

Originally Posted by juantoo3

Antarctica? Although that is purely a guess.

2 funny...thought I might get called on that....we'll have to wait a few decades to see what grows under that ice...it was once part of Pangea, yes?? tis why I hedged the didn't/doesn't caveat!

[enlightenment]

Peyote (Lophophora williamsii), San Pedro and Peruvianus cacti

[enlightenment]

Cacti Pot Pourri

As well as making superb ornaments for the type of people who visit this web site, certain cacti from South America make ideal Pot Pourri when cut into small pieces and dried.
We are delighted to offer genuine dried Cactus grown in the Andes region of Peru, supplying only the outer cactus flesh with the spines, skins and woody core already removed.
The shamans from American tribes would boil up the peruvianus tissue for a few hours, filter and drink, to contact the spirit world and to use in ceremonies.
Whether you're young or old alike, our cacti are perfect for all your Pot Pourri needs.


I would like to hear from anyone who has direct experience of trying this?


Steve
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[Pathless]

Ah, McKenna. Brilliant reality skater.

Another "new world" drug that he advocated for some (with his usual caveats and warnings) was ayhausca, a brew that South American "shamans" concocted out of Banisteriopsis caapi vines. These would need to be brewed for days on end, I believe, and were ingested sometimes by groups in ceremony. In one of his books, I believe True Hallucinations, McKenna describes a ceremony that he participated in--the first time he was exposed to the effects of ayhausca or yage. The importance of magical protection through chanting, singing, and movements is touched on in his description of the old wise woman witch doctor who concocts the brew. His description of his experience includes feelings ranging from terror to hilarity, and one underlying element is a sense of awe, wonder, and "what is going on?" Later in his career, Terence McKenna would often use this refrain, "what is going on?" to underscore the absolute bizzareness of history and modern life.

Not only did McKenna have a theory about humanity's origins being intertwined in symbiosis with entheogens or hallucinogenic plants. He also had a vague sense and conviction, which he tried to tease out around every corner using every tool available to him--from imagination and language to improbable combinations of things like mathematics, historical timelines, and the I Ching--he had this intuition and passion for an idea that humanity's destiny, if you will, lay straight ahead (through linear time) at a bus stop called 2012. Enmeshed in this rendevous were the effects of information technology, ecasatic techniques, and hallucinogenic plant use. At times he hinted that his belief was that we all needed to get back to nature real quick by eating the hell out of some mushrooms while sitting in the dark and meditating, while at other times he seemed to advocate that that was only a minor part of it, and that in the "future," history would dissolve into something else while at the same moment in eternity, the "bubbling ocean of history" (paraphrase of a McKenna phrase) would culminate with humanity evolving to some sort of next level. He had no clear projections about what this next level might be, although one could infer from his thoughts and words that it has to do with ego dissolution and living as a collective, possibly stoned on the beauty of Earth--perhaps quite literally.

Interesting topic. Thanks for posting.

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by Pathless

Ah, McKenna. Brilliant reality skater.

Another "new world" drug that he advocated for some (with his usual caveats and warnings) was ayhausca, a brew that South American "shamans" concocted out of Banisteriopsis caapi vines. These would need to be brewed for days on end, I believe, and were ingested sometimes by groups in ceremony. In one of his books, I believe True Hallucinations, McKenna describes a ceremony that he participated in--the first time he was exposed to the effects of ayhausca or yage. The importance of magical protection through chanting, singing, and movements is touched on in his description of the old wise woman witch doctor who concocts the brew. His description of his experience includes feelings ranging from terror to hilarity, and one underlying element is a sense of awe, wonder, and "what is going on?" Later in his career, Terence McKenna would often use this refrain, "what is going on?" to underscore the absolute bizzareness of history and modern life.

Not only did McKenna have a theory about humanity's origins being intertwined in symbiosis with entheogens or hallucinogenic plants. He also had a vague sense and conviction, which he tried to tease out around every corner using every tool available to him--from imagination and language to improbable combinations of things like mathematics, historical timelines, and the I Ching--he had this intuition and passion for an idea that humanity's destiny, if you will, lay straight ahead (through linear time) at a bus stop called 2012. Enmeshed in this rendevous were the effects of information technology, ecasatic techniques, and hallucinogenic plant use. At times he hinted that his belief was that we all needed to get back to nature real quick by eating the hell out of some mushrooms while sitting in the dark and meditating, while at other times he seemed to advocate that that was only a minor part of it, and that in the "future," history would dissolve into something else while at the same moment in eternity, the "bubbling ocean of history" (paraphrase of a McKenna phrase) would culminate with humanity evolving to some sort of next level. He had no clear projections about what this next level might be, although one could infer from his thoughts and words that it has to do with ego dissolution and living as a collective, possibly stoned on the beauty of Earth--perhaps quite literally.

Interesting topic. Thanks for posting.

My pleasure, thank you.

May I ask, do you know the origins and nmeanings of the word entheogens?

I read it online, but I cannot recount it exaclty?

[Pathless]

Note: a bit of talking out of my ass follows:

Yes. Entheogens was cooked up as a term to focus on the spiritual/enlightening properties of these plants and synthesized drugs, as opposed to hallucinogen or psychedelic, which have connotations of their own. Entheogen, from the root "theology," I believe, and the "en-" prefix to indicate that the substances induce this state of "theology."

Theology??? To me, this is silly. In the past (a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away) when I would trip, I never had the feeling of, "Dude... heh heh, awesome, I am soooo learning theology right now." I did have experiences that could be described as spiritual, but "theology" just does not fit! Theology is like the academics of religion or some such crap, and has nothing or very, very little to do with the actual felt experience of reality which a divine trip will make you privvy to. Holy communion, yes. Bible study? Hell no.

Well... perhaps I got it wrong. Wikiwiki wik seems to have a better handle on the origins of the word. But man, that was fun to write, and I got to take out a bit of frustration on institutionalized religion, so it remains, hopefully amusing to some, disinformation that it may be. To put it another way, don't believe what I just typed up there. It's skewed by personal biases, etc.

Also:

en·theo·gen [god within; god- or spirit-facilitating] a psychoactive sacramental; a plant or chemical substance taken to occasion primary religious experience. Example: peyote cactus as used in the Native American Church.

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by Pathless

Note: a bit of talking out of my ass follows:

Yes. Entheogens was cooked up as a term to focus on the spiritual/enlightening properties of these plants and synthesized drugs, as opposed to hallucinogen or psychedelic, which have connotations of their own. Entheogen, from the root "theology," I believe, and the "en-" prefix to indicate that the substances induce this state of "theology."

Theology??? To me, this is silly. In the past (a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away) when I would trip, I never had the feeling of, "Dude... heh heh, awesome, I am soooo learning theology right now." I did have experiences that could be described as spiritual, but "theology" just does not fit! Theology is like the academics of religion or some such crap, and has nothing or very, very little to do with the actual felt experience of reality which a divine trip will make you privvy to. Holy communion, yes. Bible study? Hell no.

Well... perhaps I got it wrong. Wikiwiki wik seems to have a better handle on the origins of the word. But man, that was fun to write, and I got to take out a bit of frustration on institutionalized religion, so it remains, hopefully amusing to some, disinformation that it may be. To put it another way, don't believe what I just typed up there. It's skewed by personal biases, etc.

Also:

en·theo·gen [god within; god- or spirit-facilitating] a psychoactive sacramental; a plant or chemical substance taken to occasion primary religious experience. Example: peyote cactus as used in the Native American Church.

Do you feel, given that fungi and cact are natural, that perhaps the Shamen's who used them were indeed doing so, because they knew that by doing so they were essentially opening up a gateway to senses that we, as humans, are not usually aware of?

Human sense are actually quite rubbish, when compared to that of many other animals, so what we see, and how we see it, would be an 'alien' world to a scorpion, a squid, a bat, and so on.

No definitive reality among different species..?

Therefore, perhaps by ingesting these natural plants and fungi, we are indeed accelerating our ability to connect with higher beings, that would not normally be on our radar?

Just a thought...

[Pathless]

Well, absolutely.

I also think that we as humans are able to heighten our senses in other ways, like through chant, ecstatic dance, meditation/prayer, and even diet.

The idea of shapeshifting is also an interesting concept, and one that's related to this idea of heightening senses or tuning them in to animal (and plant) frequenices, if you will. I can't say that I believe that a human can physically shift into an animal body, but I can stretch my imagination to believe that humans can psychologically shift our awareness to that of a coyote, lion, owl, cricket, earthworm, or whatever else. Some may be more accessible to certain individuals and I would imagine that such shapeshifting would require a great amount of observation and study--immersion if you will in the animal to be emulated. Some animals may lend themselves to this type of observation more readily.

Also, someone who is cultivating these different states of awareness may combine the many different techniques--ritual chanting and dance while experiencing the mushroom consciousness may lend itself to actually merging/shapeshifting into the mushroom body.

I find it interesting that all of these techniques and experiences are linked directly in some way to casting aside the rational mind for a time and plunging into the depths and power of human imagination.

I think it was William James who observed, after ingesting "laughing gas," that consciousness is not fixed, but a point on a continuum. Thinking about this can lead us to all sorts of imagination-fueled speculations about the human species. McKenna often wondered aloud if the ego is a "product of pathology"--that is, is it a kind of sickness? He pointed to the work of a psychologist named Julian Jaynes who theorized "that ancient peoples were not conscious as we consider the term today, and that the change of human thinking occurred over a period of centuries about three thousand years ago." (wikipedia--Julian Jaynes)

More psychedelicious food for thought.

Peace,
Pathless