Infinite Perception – The Role of Psychedelics in Global Transformation

This is an important volume on a significant topic that has made a considerable impression on the medical and therapeutic communities over the last few years. The 21 chapters are grouped under cultural, societal/institutional, and personal transformation respectively, consisting of essays and interviews. The most primary level of change is in our consciousness, which is impacted by transformative psychedelic experiences. As the editors point out, it is the mystical experience that brings real personal healing, which goes hand-in-hand with global transformation. Natalie highlights the way in which societal sickness is reflected in our mental health, and in order to change our psychology, we need to change our way of thinking, our beliefs, and our programming. This is all the more challenging within the dominant commercial systems prioritising and entertainment and war. She explains the history of psychedelic research, and its therapeutic effects.

Importantly, the process can make the unconscious conscious and deprogramme through ego dissolution. This also occurs as a result of other practices, experiences, and disciplines. Interestingly, ego dissolution has been shown to be dose-dependent, whereby the normal filters are reduced, resulting in expanding perception. Moreover, these experiences open up avenues of spirituality and meaning. Indigenous and environmental perspectives are highlighted, where practitioners state that they know how to live the good life, to coexist, to uphold the sacred connection between community and place in order to exist harmoniously. ‘Healing the Roots of Racism’ is a profound contribution in itself, grounding the issue in the tribal distinction between in-group and out-group, and our innate tendency to other, project and dehumanise. There are many and varied other contributions, making this volume a very worthwhile read.