{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Altered Mates","home_page_url":"https://www.alteredmates.com","feed_url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/json","description":"Altered Mates is a podcast where two mates, each fascinated by altered states, meet to discuss the psychedelic experience and its implications for society, culture, health, science, and philosophy. \r\n\r\nAlejandro is novelist and a teacher of english and psychology. Tobias is an academic and a lecturer in social work and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. \r\n\r\nOur conversations are always grounded in our own direct experiences with a range of ‘altered’ states of consciousness. \r\n\r\nHero of the podcast, William James, suggests that, *“Our normal waking consciousness… is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different… No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded.”*\r\n\r\nYou could say that we are trying to construct a better account of our universe, and we are taking James’ advice to heart, by seriously regarding those “other” forms of consciousness.  \r\n\r\nThrough our research and our subsequent discussions, we seek to find, update, and/or create, working models of the mind, and of reality, that help us to make sense of our world. \r\n\r\nWe endeavour to integrate our own psychedelic experiences through the power of conversation. But we also seek to integrate the revelations of “the” psychedelic experience, and come to terms with the implications, from cultural, philosophical, and spiritual perspectives. \r\n\r\nHaving said all that, we’re also just two normal blokes who enjoy each other’s company. And our fancy Socratic dialogues are filtered through our own unique brand of Australian banter. After all, we’re just two mates trying to enjoy our limited time on this planet, and to create a more meaningful life for ourselves and our community while we’re here.","_fireside":{"subtitle":"Two mates navigating altered states","pubdate":"2025-04-16T06:00:00.000+08:00","explicit":true,"owner":"Altered Mates","image":"https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/6/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/cover.jpg?v=1"},"items":[{"id":"9fe9ccae-8162-48bc-aaf0-b4ca42771d78","title":"Episode 24: MORE Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians EXPOSED!","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/24","content_text":"In this episode of the podcast we continue our discussion of the first thirty pages of Ramsey Dukes’ essay on magical thinking; “Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed”, commonly abbreviated to S.S.O.T.B.M.E. \n\nDukes’ model of compass directions differentiates between Art, Magic, Religion and Science, and the modes of thinking associated with each direction. In Dukes’ model of the four compass directions Dukes suggests that, “Magic, Art, Religion and Science represent movement towards Wholeness, Beauty, Goodness and Truth respectively.” These compass points, according to Dukes, don't have to conflict with each other; they can exist alongside each other. One doesn’t have to be correct and the rest wrong. An intelligent person can allow them to co-exist and use or adopt one or more as each situation calls for them. \n\nWe take our time to discuss functional specialisation in the brain, and in particular, hemispheric specialisation. Research into the human brain has consistently found areas of functional specialisation. For example, verbal cognition is processed largely in the left hemisphere of the brain of most people, and imagery or spatial cognition is largely processed in the right hemisphere of most brains, and the frontal lobes in each hemisphere are responsible for executive functioning, or higher cognitive functions like organisation, planning and decision making. Prominent researchers Miller and Cummings used PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and fMRI (functional magnetic imaging) scans to support functional specialization of the frontal cortex—finding the left frontal cortex active in verbal working memory processes and and visuospatial working memory in the right frontal cortex. \n\nIn our discussion we agree that there seems to be some more occluded areas of the brain or nervous system responsible for some of the functions Ramsey Dukes is evoking when he writes about the kind of processing going on in magical thinking. Dukes writes, “I want to suggest that our brains have evolved a non-logical data processing facility which is, in its own way, every bit as useful and sophisticated as reason but which we tend to play down or analyse away because its causal connections seem so tenuous. This facility which I call ‘feeling’ acts much faster than reason and seems to process vast amounts of data in parallel rather than sequentially like logical thought. As such it is hard to put into words, the words chosen tend to be feeling words, and the process is more akin to Art than Science.”\n\nAs an exercise in understanding we attempt to take Tarot Divination and map it against Dukes’ model of the four compass directions of Magic, Art, Religion and Science. \n\nIt’s also worth mentioning, especially now that we have reached the second of our two-part series on this text, that Dukes never actually reveals the sex secrets of the black magicians, and neither do we…\n\nReferences \n\n\nRamsey Dukes (1974) — S.S.O.T.B.M.E: an essay on magic\nAltered Mates — Episode 17: The Big Lez Show — Choomah Island 2\nMarzoli, D., D’Anselmo, A., Malatesta, G., Lucafò, C., Prete, G., \u0026amp; Tommasi, L. (2022). The Intricate Web of Asymmetric Processing of Social Stimuli in Humans. Symmetry, 14(6), 1096. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14061096\nAltered Mates — Episode 4 — Understanding Ourselves through IFS \u0026amp; Episode 5 — Big Self Energy\nWatson, A. (2025). Vibes-based methods. Qualitative Research, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241308707\nAlan Watts — A Conversation with Myself\nAltered Mates — Episode 20 — Surrender!\nJames Hillman — The Soul’s Code (2017)\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\nListen to the free serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode of the podcast we continue our discussion of the first thirty pages of Ramsey Dukes’ essay on magical thinking; “Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed”, commonly abbreviated to S.S.O.T.B.M.E. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDukes’ model of compass directions differentiates between Art, Magic, Religion and Science, and the modes of thinking associated with each direction. In Dukes’ model of the four compass directions Dukes suggests that, “Magic, Art, Religion and Science represent movement towards Wholeness, Beauty, Goodness and Truth respectively.” These compass points, according to Dukes, don\u0026#39;t have to conflict with each other; they can exist alongside each other. One doesn’t have to be correct and the rest wrong. An intelligent person can allow them to co-exist and use or adopt one or more as each situation calls for them. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe take our time to discuss functional specialisation in the brain, and in particular, hemispheric specialisation. Research into the human brain has consistently found areas of functional specialisation. For example, verbal cognition is processed largely in the left hemisphere of the brain of most people, and imagery or spatial cognition is largely processed in the right hemisphere of most brains, and the frontal lobes in each hemisphere are responsible for executive functioning, or higher cognitive functions like organisation, planning and decision making. Prominent researchers Miller and Cummings used PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and fMRI (functional magnetic imaging) scans to support functional specialization of the frontal cortex—finding the left frontal cortex active in verbal working memory processes and and visuospatial working memory in the right frontal cortex. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn our discussion we agree that there seems to be some more occluded areas of the brain or nervous system responsible for some of the functions Ramsey Dukes is evoking when he writes about the kind of processing going on in magical thinking. Dukes writes, “I want to suggest that our brains have evolved a non-logical data processing facility which is, in its own way, every bit as useful and sophisticated as reason but which we tend to play down or analyse away because its causal connections seem so tenuous. This facility which I call ‘feeling’ acts much faster than reason and seems to process vast amounts of data in parallel rather than sequentially like logical thought. As such it is hard to put into words, the words chosen tend to be feeling words, and the process is more akin to Art than Science.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs an exercise in understanding we attempt to take Tarot Divination and map it against Dukes’ model of the four compass directions of Magic, Art, Religion and Science. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s also worth mentioning, especially now that we have reached the second of our two-part series on this text, that Dukes never actually reveals the sex secrets of the black magicians, and neither do we…\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRamsey Dukes (1974) — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/SSOTBME-Revised-essay-Ramsey-Dukes/dp/0904311082\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eS.S.O.T.B.M.E: an essay on magic\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltered Mates — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/17\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 17: The Big Lez Show — Choomah Island 2\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarzoli, D., D’Anselmo, A., Malatesta, G., Lucafò, C., Prete, G., \u0026amp; Tommasi, L. (2022). The Intricate Web of Asymmetric Processing of Social Stimuli in Humans. \u003cem\u003eSymmetry\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e14\u003c/em\u003e(6), 1096. \u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14061096\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.3390/sym14061096\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltered Mates — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/4\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 4 — Understanding Ourselves through IFS\u003c/a\u003e \u0026amp; \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/5\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 5 — Big Self Energy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWatson, A. (2025). Vibes-based methods. \u003cem\u003eQualitative Research\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e0\u003c/em\u003e(0). \u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241308707\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241308707\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlan Watts — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aufuwMiKmE\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eA Conversation with Myself\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltered Mates — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/20\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 20 — Surrender!\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJames Hillman — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/Souls-Code-Search-Character-Calling/dp/0399180141\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Soul’s Code\u003c/a\u003e (2017)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the free serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"We continue our discussion of Ramsey Dukes’ essay on magical thinking; “Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed”","date_published":"2025-04-16T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/9fe9ccae-8162-48bc-aaf0-b4ca42771d78.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":64929460,"duration_in_seconds":4057}]},{"id":"861f87ab-6123-4069-8f2f-0ef0dd12a496","title":"Episode 23: Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians EXPOSED: On Magical Thinking","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/23","content_text":"According to Ramsey Dukes, “Magic is a technique by which the human mind attempts to operate upon its world. As such it is similar to Art, Religion and Science, but note that the term ‘its world’ is meant to embrace not only the physical universe but also all phenomena, objective and subjective, which do not respond to direct control.” \n\nIn this episode we consider Ramsey Dukes’ essay on magical thinking; “Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed”, commonly abbreviated to S.S.O.T.B.M.E. Well, that was our intention anyway… it takes us a while to meander around the concept of magic, our exposure to the concept of magic and even early aversions to it. Eventually, we discuss Dukes’ model of compass directions differentiating between Art, Magic, Religion and Science, and the modes of thinking associated with each ‘direction’. In this essay, Dukes comes to a similar conclusion to Carl Jung: human thought is comprised of four distinct elements: intuition, observation, logic and feeling. Dukes argues that, “any practical method of thinking demands at least two of these four elements, one to serve as an input of impressions and the other to process them.” \n\nOur primary concern in tackling this obscure text is to determine what magic or magical thinking actually is, and whether or not this a relevant term for us to use. \n\nReferences \n\n\nRamsey Dukes (1974) — S.S.O.T.B.M.E: an essay on magic\nBlack Sabbath — Black Sabbath (1970) — The Wizard\nChef (2014) \u0026amp; The Chef Show (2019)\nWilfred Owen (1921) — Dulce et Decorum Est \n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\nListen to the free serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eAccording to Ramsey Dukes, “Magic is a technique by which the human mind attempts to operate upon its world. As such it is similar to Art, Religion and Science, but note that the term ‘its world’ is meant to embrace not only the physical universe but also all phenomena, objective and subjective, which do not respond to direct control.” \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we consider Ramsey Dukes’ essay on magical thinking; “Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed”, commonly abbreviated to S.S.O.T.B.M.E. Well, that was our intention anyway… it takes us a while to meander around the concept of magic, our exposure to the concept of magic and even early aversions to it. Eventually, we discuss Dukes’ model of compass directions differentiating between Art, Magic, Religion and Science, and the modes of thinking associated with each ‘direction’. In this essay, Dukes comes to a similar conclusion to Carl Jung: human thought is comprised of four distinct elements: intuition, observation, logic and feeling. Dukes argues that, “any practical method of thinking demands at least two of these four elements, one to serve as an input of impressions and the other to process them.” \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur primary concern in tackling this obscure text is to determine what magic or magical thinking actually is, and whether or not this a relevant term for us to use. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRamsey Dukes (1974) — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/SSOTBME-Revised-essay-Ramsey-Dukes/dp/0904311082\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eS.S.O.T.B.M.E: an essay on magic\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack Sabbath — Black Sabbath (1970) — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftKNGzh7t94\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Wizard\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chef_(2014_film)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eChef\u003c/a\u003e (2014) \u0026amp; \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chef_Show\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Chef Show\u003c/a\u003e (2019)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilfred Owen (1921) — \u003ca href=\"https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/dulce-et-decorum-est\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eDulce et Decorum Est\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the free serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"In this episode we consider Ramsey Dukes’ essay on magical thinking; “Sex Secrets of the Black Magicians Exposed”, commonly abbreviated to S.S.O.T.B.M.E.","date_published":"2025-04-09T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/861f87ab-6123-4069-8f2f-0ef0dd12a496.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":63789268,"duration_in_seconds":3986}]},{"id":"f5ef2d5f-15f6-44a6-8418-813b9c152c95","title":"Episode 22: Ayahuasca and The Fear","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/22","content_text":"In the second episode of season 2 the altered mates continue our discussion of our personal experiences with ayahuasca. \n\nIn this episode, Alejandro relates his rather disturbing experience in one particular ceremony from his ayahuasca retreat in Iquitos, Peru in August 2024. Alejandro recounts his evening of existential dread—which he describes at one point as, \"the worst feeling I’ve ever felt,” and Tobias offers insight and interpretation in response. \n\nIn the later stages of the episode, Tobias considers his intentions going into an upcoming ayahuasca ceremony. \n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\nListen to the free serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn the second episode of season 2 the altered mates continue our discussion of our personal experiences with ayahuasca. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode, Alejandro relates his rather disturbing experience in one particular ceremony from his ayahuasca retreat in Iquitos, Peru in August 2024. Alejandro recounts his evening of existential dread—which he describes at one point as, \u0026quot;the worst feeling I’ve ever felt,” and Tobias offers insight and interpretation in response. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the later stages of the episode, Tobias considers his intentions going into an upcoming ayahuasca ceremony. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the free serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"Wherein we continue our discussion on some of our most profound and significant personal experiences with ayahuasca over the past ten years, and specifically, Alejandro's most recent and most terrifying. ","date_published":"2025-03-19T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/f5ef2d5f-15f6-44a6-8418-813b9c152c95.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":61344624,"duration_in_seconds":3833}]},{"id":"ef08e39c-f59f-4a83-b9e9-b2b28ee89550","title":"Episode 21: On Ayahuasca","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/21","content_text":"In the first episode of season 2 we begin a discussion of some of our most profound and significant personal experiences with ayahuasca over the past ten years. We consider the prospect that ayahuasca might be a “highly evolved conscious entity”, or at the very least, an entity possessing an intelligence and possibly having a message to communicate with humanity. \n\nReferences\n\n\nThe Temple of the Way of Light\nTobias Penno — How Ayahuasca Offers Psychosocial Wellbeing\nCaffyn Jesse — Ecstatic Belonging: A Year on the Medicine Path\n\n\nAltered Mates \n\n\nEpisode 1 — Challenging Psychedelic Experiences\nEpisode 6 — F-ing the Ineffable: William James, Mysticism, and the Psychedelic Experience\nEpisode 18 — Coming out of the psychedelic closet\nEpisode 19 — A Glimpse of Eternity\nEpisode 20 — Surrender!\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\nListen to the free serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn the first episode of season 2 we begin a discussion of some of our most profound and significant personal experiences with ayahuasca over the past ten years. We consider the prospect that ayahuasca might be a “highly evolved conscious entity”, or at the very least, an entity possessing an intelligence and possibly having a message to communicate with humanity. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://templeofthewayoflight.org\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Temple of the Way of Light\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTobias Penno — \u003ca href=\"https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340663353_How_Ayahuasca_Offers_Psychosocial_Wellbeing\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eHow Ayahuasca Offers Psychosocial Wellbeing\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCaffyn Jesse — \u003ca href=\"https://ecstaticbelonging.com/books/ecstatic-belonging/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEcstatic Belonging: A Year on the Medicine Path\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAltered Mates \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 1 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/1\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eChallenging Psychedelic Experiences\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 6 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/6\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eF-ing the Ineffable: William James, Mysticism, and the Psychedelic Experience\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 18 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/18\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eComing out of the psychedelic closet\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 19 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/19\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 20 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/20\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSurrender!\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the free serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"Wherein we discuss some of our most profound and significant personal experiences with ayahuasca over the past ten years.","date_published":"2025-02-26T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/ef08e39c-f59f-4a83-b9e9-b2b28ee89550.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":81101974,"duration_in_seconds":5068}]},{"id":"43ae2ec7-3588-4c40-b421-c98476db09f7","title":"Episode 20: Surrender!","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/20","content_text":"In this, the final episode of Season 1 of the Altered Mates Podcast, we (Alejandro Tuama and Tobias Penno) discuss what is on the immediate horizon for us both. Tobias gives us a little taste of his PhD—in terms of both the subject matter of his research and the origin story as well—which is in the final stages of submission and approval! And Alejandro talks about his upcoming trip to South America. \n\nAlong the way we discuss the concept of “character loops” which Alejandro brings in from the HBO TV Series “Westworld”. \n\nWe reflect on how we can “de-armour” the ego and what it truly means to “surrender” to the medicine.  \n\nWe find time to reflect on a recent mushroom ceremony, and in particular, the implications of this recent ceremony for Alejandro and his upcoming meeting with “the medicine” in the Peruvian Amazon. \n\nAnd we toss around the concept of the “Daimon”, which Alejandro brings in from James Hillman’s book “The Soul’s Code”, and in particular consider the implications of what we call “daimonic derailment.” \n\nAs we mention in the episode, this will be the final episode for Season 1 of the Altered Mates Podcast. We are both keen as mustard to get cracking on Season 2, which will happen just as soon as I (Alejandro) return from South America.\n\nAdios Amigos! \n\nReferences \n\n\nJonathan Nolan \u0026amp; Lisa Joy — Westworld (2016—2022)\nHayao Miyazaki — Spirited Away (2001)\nThe Daniels — Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022)\nThe Wachowskis — The Matrix Franchise\nChris Letheby — Philosophy of Psychedelics (2021)\nGame of Thrones — Dothraki\nJames Hillman — The Soul’s Code (2017)\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this, the final episode of Season 1 of the Altered Mates Podcast, we (Alejandro Tuama and Tobias Penno) discuss what is on the immediate horizon for us both. Tobias gives us a little taste of his PhD—in terms of both the subject matter of his research and the origin story as well—which is in the final stages of submission and approval! And Alejandro talks about his upcoming trip to South America. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlong the way we discuss the concept of “character loops” which Alejandro brings in from the HBO TV Series “Westworld”. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe reflect on how we can “de-armour” the ego and what it truly means to “surrender” to the medicine.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe find time to reflect on a recent mushroom ceremony, and in particular, the implications of this recent ceremony for Alejandro and his upcoming meeting with “the medicine” in the Peruvian Amazon. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd we toss around the concept of the “Daimon”, which Alejandro brings in from James Hillman’s book “The Soul’s Code”, and in particular consider the implications of what we call “daimonic derailment.” \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs we mention in the episode, this will be the final episode for Season 1 of the Altered Mates Podcast. We are both keen as mustard to get cracking on Season 2, which will happen just as soon as I (Alejandro) return from South America.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdios Amigos! \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJonathan Nolan \u0026amp; Lisa Joy — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westworld_(TV_series)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eWestworld\u003c/a\u003e (2016—2022)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHayao Miyazaki — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSpirited Away\u003c/a\u003e (2001)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Daniels — \u003ca href=\"https://a24films.com/films/everything-everywhere-all-at-once\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEverything, Everywhere, All At Once\u003c/a\u003e (2022)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Wachowskis — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix_(franchise)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Matrix Franchise\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChris Letheby — \u003ca href=\"https://www.oup.com.au/books/others/9780198843122-philosophy-of-psychedelics\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ePhilosophy of Psychedelics\u003c/a\u003e (2021)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGame of Thrones — \u003ca href=\"https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Dothraki\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eDothraki\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJames Hillman — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/Souls-Code-Search-Character-Calling/dp/0399180141\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Soul’s Code\u003c/a\u003e (2017)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"Break the loop, de-armour the ego, surrender to the medicine, and follow your Daimon… ","date_published":"2024-10-09T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/43ae2ec7-3588-4c40-b421-c98476db09f7.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":85766398,"duration_in_seconds":5360}]},{"id":"03974883-4db9-4deb-bf23-70023137e11d","title":"Episode 19: A Glimpse of Eternity","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/19","content_text":"This episode of the podcast features Alejandro reading two chapters from his debut novel, A Glimpse of Eternity—published in 2022, and based on his own transformational journey to South America in 2016. \n\nAt this stage in the narrative, Alejandro’s alias, “Nick”, has made his way to Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon. He is joined by his two mates, Stan \u0026amp; Billy, and they have just arrived at an Ayahuasca Healing Centre, named “Way of the Spirit”. Earlier in the novel, Nick undertook two very disappointing ayahuasca ceremonies in The Sacred Valley. He also fell into a downward spiral of anxiety, depression and self-loathing. Chapters 9 \u0026amp; 10 of A Glimpse of Eternity recount Nick’s first two ayahuasca ceremonies at Way of the Spirit and his first Tobacco Dieta. \n\nFrom the blurb: \n\nA Glimpse of Eternity is edgy, jungle-dank backpacker fiction infused with philosophy, ecstasy, and a dark sense of humour.\n\nNick is a twenty-seven-year-old high school teacher who has lost his way. Anxious, depressed, and frustrated, he travels to South America in search of his life’s purpose and hopefully, through the use of powerful psychedelic plants, a mystical experience.\n\nAt an ayahuasca centre deep in the Peruvian Amazon, confronted with the raw, overwhelming power of “the medicine”, Nick must learn to traverse the dangerous path on which he finds himself, or risk toppling over into insanity and despair.\n\nThis is a raw and unflinching novel about a young man’s search for a meaningful existence – a joyful, ecstatic journey of transcendence, tempered by the darkness and gut-wrenching horror of the path he must walk to get there.\n\nThe timing of this episode couldn't be better because the audiobook for A Glimpse of Eternity is now available for purchase, so if you enjoy listening to Alejandro reading the novel, then search for it wherever you get your audiobooks or check out the links below. (There's also a free version still available on the Altered Mates Patreon).  \n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook for free here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThis episode of the podcast features Alejandro reading two chapters from his debut novel, \u003cem\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity\u003c/em\u003e—published in 2022, and based on his own transformational journey to South America in 2016. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt this stage in the narrative, Alejandro’s alias, “Nick”, has made his way to Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon. He is joined by his two mates, Stan \u0026amp; Billy, and they have just arrived at an Ayahuasca Healing Centre, named “Way of the Spirit”. Earlier in the novel, Nick undertook two very disappointing ayahuasca ceremonies in The Sacred Valley. He also fell into a downward spiral of anxiety, depression and self-loathing. Chapters 9 \u0026amp; 10 of \u003cem\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity\u003c/em\u003e recount Nick’s first two ayahuasca ceremonies at Way of the Spirit and his first Tobacco Dieta. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the blurb: \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity is edgy, jungle-dank backpacker fiction infused with philosophy, ecstasy, and a dark sense of humour.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNick is a twenty-seven-year-old high school teacher who has lost his way. Anxious, depressed, and frustrated, he travels to South America in search of his life’s purpose and hopefully, through the use of powerful psychedelic plants, a mystical experience.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAt an ayahuasca centre deep in the Peruvian Amazon, confronted with the raw, overwhelming power of “the medicine”, Nick must learn to traverse the dangerous path on which he finds himself, or risk toppling over into insanity and despair.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is a raw and unflinching novel about a young man’s search for a meaningful existence – a joyful, ecstatic journey of transcendence, tempered by the darkness and gut-wrenching horror of the path he must walk to get there.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe timing of this episode couldn\u0026#39;t be better because the audiobook for A Glimpse of Eternity is now available for purchase, so if you enjoy listening to Alejandro reading the novel, then search for it wherever you get your audiobooks or check out the links below. (There\u0026#39;s also a free version still available on the Altered Mates Patreon).  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook for free \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"This episode of the podcast features Alejandro reading two chapters from his debut novel, A Glimpse of Eternity—published in 2022, and based on his own transformational journey to South America in 2016. ","date_published":"2024-09-25T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/03974883-4db9-4deb-bf23-70023137e11d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":57078097,"duration_in_seconds":3567}]},{"id":"2d31d9b8-8332-4d89-a8e2-b828f2a6f9d8","title":"Episode 18: Coming out of the psychedelic closet","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/18","content_text":"It’s not always easy talking to friends and family about psychedelics. But it’s another step from discussing these powerful, life changing, spiritual experiences within the confines of our homes, with those we trust most, to making that announcement in public, to the wider population, who may not be so charitable or understanding. \n\nHopefully, if enough of us find a way to share our stories, and if we can listen with open hearts and open minds, then maybe we can shift the mindset of the culture at large. \n\nIn this episode of the podcast, the Altered Mates each take a turn in reading a personal essay. Both essays amount to a “coming out” of the psychedelic closet, not just to our friends and families, but to the wider community. Tobias’ piece was written in 2020 for the Thank You Plant Medicine movement. Alejandro’s piece was published in 2021, in one of the last editions of the Psychedelic Press print journal. \n\nThank you for listening and we hope you enjoy this rather personal edition of the Altered Mates podcast. \n\nReferences \n\n\nThank You Plant Medicine\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s not always easy talking to friends and family about psychedelics. But it’s another step from discussing these powerful, life changing, spiritual experiences within the confines of our homes, with those we trust most, to making that announcement in public, to the wider population, who may not be so charitable or understanding. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHopefully, if enough of us find a way to share our stories, and if we can listen with open hearts and open minds, then maybe we can shift the mindset of the culture at large. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode of the podcast, the Altered Mates each take a turn in reading a personal essay. Both essays amount to a “coming out” of the psychedelic closet, not just to our friends and families, but to the wider community. Tobias’ piece was written in 2020 for the Thank You Plant Medicine movement. Alejandro’s piece was published in 2021, in one of the last editions of the Psychedelic Press print journal. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThank you for listening and we hope you enjoy this rather personal edition of the Altered Mates podcast. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://thankyouplantmedicine.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThank You Plant Medicine\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"In this episode of the podcast, the Altered Mates each take a turn in reading a personal essay. Both essays amount to a “coming out” of the psychedelic closet, not just to our friends and families, but to the wider community. ","date_published":"2024-09-11T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/2d31d9b8-8332-4d89-a8e2-b828f2a6f9d8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":44955608,"duration_in_seconds":2809}]},{"id":"8b47c3b7-266e-48e7-a391-4e98dabc3f05","title":"Episode 17: The Big Lez Show — Choomah Island 2 ","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/17","content_text":"The Big Lez Show is an animated TV series, that premiered on YouTube in 2012. The show was created by Jarrad Wright, Tom Hollis, and Izak Whear; with Jarrad being the driving creative force of the show. \n\nChoomah Island 2 (2015) — written and animated by Jarrad Wright — is the finale of Season 3 of The Big Lez Show. In this feature length episode of The Big Lez Show, Leslie and his mates fly to Choomah Island to blow up the Choomah’s hive and get rid of their species for good. They also find time to eat some psychedelic mushrooms they find growing in a field, and Big Lez smokes a joint of some mysterious psychedelic, given to him Sassy the Sasquatch.  \n\nIn this episode we cover the basic plot of Choomah Island 2, but narrow down especially on those two psychedelic trips, expertly depicted in the film. In response to the experience of the characters during a magic mushroom trip, we take an extended sojourn into a discussion of trees… treating trees as individuals capable of communicating with us, and we discuss the power of considering a tree (and by extension the rest of the natural world) as “thou” rather than “it”, and even find a way to bring in James Cameron’s first Avatar film. \n\nFinally a warning: if you’re at all squeamish about swearing then this probably isn't the episode for you… \n\nWe hope you enjoy our discussion of Jarred Wright’s The Big Lez Show — Choomah Island 2.  \n\nReferences \n\n\nJarrad Wright appearances on the “Your Mate Tom” Podcast\nThe Big Lez Show\nThe Big Lez Show — Choomah Island 2\nThe Big Lez Show — The Mike Nolan Show — Episode One\nThe Big Lez Show — Trippa Snippa\nThe Big Lez Show — Sassy the Sasquatch\nThe Wachowskis — The Matrix\nAldous Huxley — The Doors of Perception\nAlejandro Tuama — A Glimpse of Eternity\nJames Hillman — The Soul’s Code\nUrsula K. Le Guin — Late in the Day\nAltered Mates: Episode 7: Jung, The Shadow, and A Wizard of Earthsea\nAlejandro couldn't remember the name of… The Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne.\nParis Williams — Rethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\nAlejandro couldn’t remember where “standing reserve” came from— it’s here… Martin Heidegger — The Question Concerning Technology.\nMartin Buber — I and Thou\nAltered Mates: Episode 6 — F-ing the Ineffable: William James, Mysticism, and the Psychedelic Experience\nJames Cameron — Avatar — Destruction of the Home Tree\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThe Big Lez Show is an animated TV series, that premiered on YouTube in 2012. The show was created by Jarrad Wright, Tom Hollis, and Izak Whear; with Jarrad being the driving creative force of the show. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoomah Island 2 (2015) — written and animated by Jarrad Wright — is the finale of Season 3 of The Big Lez Show. In this feature length episode of The Big Lez Show, Leslie and his mates fly to Choomah Island to blow up the Choomah’s hive and get rid of their species for good. They also find time to eat some psychedelic mushrooms they find growing in a field, and Big Lez smokes a joint of some mysterious psychedelic, given to him Sassy the Sasquatch.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we cover the basic plot of Choomah Island 2, but narrow down especially on those two psychedelic trips, expertly depicted in the film. In response to the experience of the characters during a magic mushroom trip, we take an extended sojourn into a discussion of trees… treating trees as individuals capable of communicating with us, and we discuss the power of considering a tree (and by extension the rest of the natural world) as “thou” rather than “it”, and even find a way to bring in James Cameron’s first Avatar film. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFinally a warning: if you’re at all squeamish about swearing then this probably isn\u0026#39;t the episode for you… \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe hope you enjoy our discussion of Jarred Wright’s The Big Lez Show — Choomah Island 2.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJarrad Wright \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@yourmatetom/search?query=jared%20wright\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eappearances\u003c/a\u003e on the “Your Mate Tom” Podcast\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/c/THEBIGLEZSHOWOFFICIAL\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Big Lez Show\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Big Lez Show — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WwLT32_VAk\u0026t=447s\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eChoomah Island 2\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Big Lez Show — The Mike Nolan Show — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuc9frxacfE\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode One\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Big Lez Show — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhykvrPZwA4\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eTrippa Snippa\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Big Lez Show — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGMC7oz7XpmDMGrALMQiNXCi9p7aqkWbj\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSassy the Sasquatch\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Wachowskis — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Matrix\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAldous Huxley — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doors_of_Perception\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Doors of Perception\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlejandro Tuama — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/Glimpse-Eternity-Alejandro-Tuama-ebook/dp/B0B77GQJ29\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJames Hillman — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/Souls-Code-Search-Character-Calling/dp/0399180141\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Soul’s Code\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUrsula K. Le Guin — \u003ca href=\"https://www.ursulakleguin.com/late-in-the-day\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eLate in the Day\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltered Mates: \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/7\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 7: Jung, The Shadow, and A Wizard of Earthsea\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlejandro couldn\u0026#39;t remember the name of… \u003ca href=\"https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g255100-d258021-Reviews-Fitzroy_Gardens-Melbourne_Victoria.html\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Fitzroy Gardens\u003c/a\u003e in Melbourne.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParis Williams — \u003ca href=\"https://rethinkingmadness.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlejandro couldn’t remember where “standing reserve” came from— it’s here… \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Heidegger\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eMartin Heidegger\u003c/a\u003e — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Question_Concerning_Technology\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Question Concerning Technology\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMartin Buber — \u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743201337/braipick-20\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eI and Thou\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltered Mates: \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/6\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 6 — F-ing the Ineffable: William James, Mysticism, and the Psychedelic Experience\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJames Cameron — Avatar — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsO1isT60h8\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eDestruction of the Home Tree\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"In this episode we discuss \"Choomah Island 2\", the season three finale of Australian animated series, The Big Lez Show","date_published":"2024-08-28T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/8b47c3b7-266e-48e7-a391-4e98dabc3f05.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":96598229,"duration_in_seconds":6037}]},{"id":"d4f8c90a-8810-441d-ac7e-8b227f678c97","title":"Episode 16: On “Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good” ","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/16","content_text":"In this episode we use James Davies’ book “Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good” as a launch pad to discuss some of the glaring issues with psychiatry and its sugar-daddy; the pharmaceutical industry. \n\nThe writer, James Davies is psychotherapist with a PhD in Medical and Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford. He is a Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology and Psychology at the University of Roehampton, London.\n\nDavies acknowledges that as a psychotherapist he could be seen as being biased in favour of the psychotherapeutic approach which can be considered to be in opposition to the ‘pharmaceutical’ approach of psychiatry. He makes no attempt to present a balanced account in this book—it unashamedly presents a series of arguments against psychiatry and its sugar-daddy (Alejandro’s words…) the pharmaceutical industry. \n\nOverall, thestrongest arguments presented concern depression and the inefficacy of anti-depressant drugs, and perhaps he should have narrowed his argument to focus just on depression rather than extrapolate to the whole field. Regardless, he makes a number of compelling points that portray psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry as nothing short of despicable. \n\nThe main points of this book can be summarised as follows: \n\n\npsychiatric diagnostic models are more products of culture than of science \nthe efficacy of antidepressant drugs is no better than placebo\npharmaceutical companies engage in behaviours that present antidepressants as more effective than they really are\nbehind Western psychiatry is a variety of cultural assumptions about human nature and the role of suffering of questionable validity and utility.\nWestern practices of psychiatry may undermine successful local ways of managing distress \n\n\nWe also consider in this episode one of the most important chapters in the history of psychedelic culture, being the adventures of the brothers McKenna to La Chorera in the Colombian Amazon, and their encounter there with The Mushroom… \n\nReferences \n\n\nCracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good (2013) written by James Davies\nEpisode 1 — Challenging Psychedelic Experiences\nMoncrieff, J., Cooper, R.E., Stockmann, T. et al. The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Mol Psychiatry 28, 3243–3256 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0\n\n\nvs…\n\nJauhar, S., Arnone, D., Baldwin, D.S. et al. A leaky umbrella has little value: evidence clearly indicates the serotonin system is implicated in depression. Mol Psychiatry 28, 3149–3152 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02095-y\nFerguson, I., \u0026amp; Dowd, P. (2019). Mental health social work: the dog that hasn’t barked. In M. Lavalette (Ed.), What is the Future of Social Work? (1st ed., pp. 57–68). Bristol University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvqc6hjk.11\nCorpus Christi (2019)\nMartín Prechtel — The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise\nDr Rosalind Watts\nTerence McKenna — True Hallucinations: Being an Account of the Author's Extraordinary Adventures in the Devil's Paradise\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we use James Davies’ book “Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good” as a launch pad to discuss some of the glaring issues with psychiatry and its sugar-daddy; the pharmaceutical industry. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe writer, James Davies is psychotherapist with a PhD in Medical and Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford. He is a Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology and Psychology at the University of Roehampton, London.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDavies acknowledges that as a psychotherapist he could be seen as being biased in favour of the psychotherapeutic approach which can be considered to be in opposition to the ‘pharmaceutical’ approach of psychiatry. He makes no attempt to present a balanced account in this book—it unashamedly presents a series of arguments against psychiatry and its sugar-daddy (Alejandro’s words…) the pharmaceutical industry. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, thestrongest arguments presented concern depression and the inefficacy of anti-depressant drugs, and perhaps he should have narrowed his argument to focus just on depression rather than extrapolate to the whole field. Regardless, he makes a number of compelling points that portray psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry as nothing short of \u003cstrong\u003edespicable\u003c/strong\u003e. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003emain points\u003c/strong\u003e of this book can be summarised as follows: \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epsychiatric diagnostic models are more products of culture than of science \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe efficacy of antidepressant drugs is no better than placebo\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epharmaceutical companies engage in behaviours that present antidepressants as more effective than they really are\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebehind Western psychiatry is a variety of cultural assumptions about human nature and the role of suffering of questionable validity and utility.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWestern practices of psychiatry may undermine successful local ways of managing distress \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe also consider in this episode one of the most important chapters in the history of psychedelic culture, being the adventures of the brothers McKenna to La Chorera in the Colombian Amazon, and their encounter there with The Mushroom… \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/Cracked-James-Davies/dp/1848315562\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eCracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good\u003c/a\u003e (2013) written by James Davies\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/1\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 1 — Challenging Psychedelic Experiences\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoncrieff, J., Cooper, R.E., Stockmann, T. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. \u003cem\u003eMol Psychiatry\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e28\u003c/strong\u003e, 3243–3256 (2023). \u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0\u003c/a\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003evs…\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJauhar, S., Arnone, D., Baldwin, D.S. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e A leaky umbrella has little value: evidence clearly indicates the serotonin system is implicated in depression. \u003cem\u003eMol Psychiatry\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e28\u003c/strong\u003e, 3149–3152 (2023). \u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02095-y\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02095-y\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFerguson, I., \u0026amp; Dowd, P. (2019). Mental health social work: the dog that hasn’t barked. In M. Lavalette (Ed.), \u003cem\u003eWhat is the Future of Social Work?\u003c/em\u003e (1st ed., pp. 57–68). Bristol University Press. \u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvqc6hjk.11\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvqc6hjk.11\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpus_Christi_(2019_film)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eCorpus Christi (2019)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMartín Prechtel — \u003ca href=\"https://floweringmountain.com/product/the-smell-of-rain-on-dust/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.drrosalindwatts.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eDr Rosalind Watts\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTerence McKenna — \u003ca href=\"https://www.penguin.com.au/books/true-hallucinations-9781846047527\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eTrue Hallucinations: Being an Account of the Author\u0026#39;s Extraordinary Adventures in the Devil\u0026#39;s Paradise\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"In this episode we use James Davies’ book “Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good” as a launch pad to discuss some of the glaring issues with psychiatry its sugar-daddy; the pharmaceutical industry. ","date_published":"2024-08-14T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/d4f8c90a-8810-441d-ac7e-8b227f678c97.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":78358489,"duration_in_seconds":4897}]},{"id":"ec08511d-e4a7-4d50-a1e1-400d59827cca","title":"Episode 15: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/15","content_text":"In this episode, we use the film adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as a launching point to discuss ideas around psychiatry, psychiatric wards, and the conflict between the individual and the establishment. \n\nOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was originally a novel, written by Ken Kesey and published in 1962. (Ken Kesey, worked the graveyard shift as an orderly at a mental health facility in Menlo Park, California. He spoke to the patients and witnessed the workings of the institution. He also voluntarily took psychoactive drugs, including mescaline and LSD, as part of Project MK Ultra. In addition to his work with MK Ultra, Kesey took LSD recreationally.) \n\nThe novel was adapted into film in 1975, directed by Miloš Forman, and went on to win five Academy Awards.\n\nThe narrative focusses on the antics of the rebellious Randle Patrick McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson in the film), who fakes insanity to serve his sentence for battery and gambling in a psychiatric hospital rather than at a prison work farm. The head administrative nurse, Nurse Ratched, rules the ward with absolute authority, assisted by her three day-shift orderlies and her assistant doctors and nurses. \n\nIn this episode we discuss the character of McMurphy, as an example of an “individual” who stands out from the crowd like Tyler Durden in Fight Club (who we discussed in Episode 8 — Monsters \u0026amp; Masculinity). McMurphy cannot be allowed to run loose in society, and so he is trapped and forced into the punishment system. One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest is about “the combine”, the machine, that forces us to fall into line. With the arbitrary rules, the opiate drugs to dull our senses, with the shame that turns us into our own police. \n\nTowards the end of the book, one of the patients comments how they forced McMurphy to stand up for them, as they are too cowardly to stand up for themselves. McMurphy pushes the boundaries of the system in their behalf, smashing up against a machine that he cannot defeat, a machine that wants to grind everyone down into the dirt. \n\nBut despite this seemingly hopeless situation, this film (and novel) can still serve as a call to action. It can be a call to be an individual in the face of the oppressive machine. To be the one who stands, not the masses who push. Either way we are destined to be ground into dust by the machine, but to be an individual is surely a more glorious way to live and honourable way to die.\n\nReferences \n\n\nEpisode 8 — Monsters \u0026amp; Masculinity: delving further into the Jungian Shadow\nEpisode 9 — From Pepe Silvia to Geshinka: the curious domains of psychosis\nOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) directed by Milos Forman\nOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1962) written by Ken Kesey\nRottnest Island Prison \u0026amp; Burial Ground\nThe Mask (1994) directed by Chuck Russell\nTyler Durden from Fight Club, as discussed in Episode 8 — Monsters \u0026amp; Masculinity\nParis Williams — Rethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\nThe Shawshank Redemption (1994) written and directed by Frank Darabont\nThe Liberators\nIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode, we use the film adaptation of \u003cem\u003eOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest\u003c/em\u003e as a launching point to discuss ideas around psychiatry, psychiatric wards, and the conflict between the individual and the establishment. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest\u003c/em\u003e was originally a novel, written by \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Kesey\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eKen Kesey\u003c/a\u003e and published in 1962. (Ken Kesey, worked the graveyard shift as an orderly at a mental health facility in Menlo Park, California. He spoke to the patients and witnessed the workings of the institution. He also voluntarily took psychoactive drugs, including mescaline and LSD, as part of Project MK Ultra. In addition to his work with MK Ultra, Kesey took LSD recreationally.) \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe novel was adapted into film in 1975, directed by Miloš Forman, and went on to win five Academy Awards.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe narrative focusses on the antics of the rebellious Randle Patrick McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson in the film), who fakes insanity to serve his sentence for battery and gambling in a psychiatric hospital rather than at a prison work farm. The head administrative nurse, Nurse Ratched, rules the ward with absolute authority, assisted by her three day-shift orderlies and her assistant doctors and nurses. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we discuss the character of McMurphy, as an example of an “individual” who stands out from the crowd like Tyler Durden in \u003cem\u003eFight Club\u003c/em\u003e (who we discussed in \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/8\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 8 — Monsters \u0026amp; Masculinity\u003c/a\u003e). McMurphy cannot be allowed to run loose in society, and so he is trapped and forced into the punishment system. One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest is about “the combine”, the machine, that forces us to fall into line. With the arbitrary rules, the opiate drugs to dull our senses, with the shame that turns us into our own police. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTowards the end of the book, one of the patients comments how they forced McMurphy to stand up for them, as they are too cowardly to stand up for themselves. McMurphy pushes the boundaries of the system in their behalf, smashing up against a machine that he cannot defeat, a machine that wants to grind everyone down into the dirt. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut despite this seemingly hopeless situation, this film (and novel) can still serve as a call to action. It can be a call to be an individual in the face of the oppressive machine. To be the one who stands, not the masses who push. Either way we are destined to be ground into dust by the machine, but to be an individual is surely a more glorious way to live and honourable way to die.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/8\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 8 — Monsters \u0026amp; Masculinity: delving further into the Jungian Shadow\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/9\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 9 — From Pepe Silvia to Geshinka: the curious domains of psychosis\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Flew_Over_the_Cuckoo%27s_Nest_(film)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eOne Flew Over the Cuckoo\u0026#39;s Nest\u003c/a\u003e (1975) directed by Milos Forman\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Flew_Over_the_Cuckoo%27s_Nest_(novel)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eOne Flew Over the Cuckoo\u0026#39;s Nest\u003c/a\u003e (1962) written by Ken Kesey\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.rottnestisland.com/learn/history/aboriginal-history\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRottnest Island Prison \u0026amp; Burial Ground\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mask_(1994_film)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Mask\u003c/a\u003e (1994) directed by Chuck Russell\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTyler Durden from Fight Club, as discussed in \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/8\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 8 — Monsters \u0026amp; Masculinity\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParis Williams — \u003ca href=\"https://rethinkingmadness.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shawshank_Redemption\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Shawshank Redemption\u003c/a\u003e (1994) written and directed by Frank Darabont\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.theliberators.org\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Liberators\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — \u003ca href=\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1290725/?ref_=ttep_ep10\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSweet Dee Has a Heart Attack\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity\u003c/em\u003e by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"In this episode, we use the film adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as a launching point to discuss ideas related to psychiatry, psychiatric wards, and more broadly, the conflict between the individual and the establishment in society. ","date_published":"2024-07-24T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/ec08511d-e4a7-4d50-a1e1-400d59827cca.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":83245893,"duration_in_seconds":3468}]},{"id":"a62ecc5e-6dd3-4004-8196-4ba15eeab4d5","title":"Episode 14: Reflection \u0026 Intention","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/14","content_text":"This episode begins with a discussion of the role of dreams and quickly moves on to our issues with contemporary education in both university and high school contexts. Before long, we settle down into a discussion about Tobias’ intentions for an upcoming ayahuasca ceremony, and consider ideas of discipline and maintaining a clean and unpolluted body. \n\nWe venture into some controversial realms; for instance, thinking about whether we can legitimately call psychiatrists “glorified drug-dealers”, and whether prescribing anti-depressant medication might actually be taking autonomy away from people and preventing them from following through in a process that might lead to growth...\n\n(As always, we remind listeners to take anything we say we a grain of salt— we are speculating here about the world around us, and we are open to be challenged and critiqued on anything we say). \n\nTobias reflects on the profound realisation that there might be something in the world smarter than him. And finally, after much probing and prodding, he elaborates upon what can be thought of as an “embodied” approach to plant medicines. \n\nReferences \n\n\nToko-pa Turner — Dream School\nAva Irani — Functional Spirituality\nJames Davies— Cracked\nRage Against the Machine— Freedom\nPunk Therapy Podcast\nDr. Sharon Stanley — Somatic Transformation\nAvatar: The Last Airbender\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby\n\nA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook here.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThis episode begins with a discussion of the role of dreams and quickly moves on to our issues with contemporary education in both university and high school contexts. Before long, we settle down into a discussion about Tobias’ intentions for an upcoming ayahuasca ceremony, and consider ideas of discipline and maintaining a clean and unpolluted body. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe venture into some controversial realms; for instance, thinking about whether we can legitimately call psychiatrists “glorified drug-dealers”, and whether prescribing anti-depressant medication might actually be taking autonomy away from people and preventing them from following through in a process that might lead to growth...\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e(As always, we remind listeners to take anything we say we a grain of salt— we are speculating here about the world around us, and we are open to be challenged and critiqued on anything we say). \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTobias reflects on the profound realisation that there might be something in the world smarter than him. And finally, after much probing and prodding, he elaborates upon what can be thought of as an “embodied” approach to plant medicines. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eToko-pa Turner — \u003ca href=\"https://toko-pa.com/dreamschool/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eDream School\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAva Irani — \u003ca href=\"https://functionalspirituality.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eFunctional Spirituality\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJames Davies— \u003ca href=\"https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cracked/James-Davies/9781639360253\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eCracked\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRage Against the Machine— \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MLTwf5lKd8\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eFreedom\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePunk Therapy \u003ca href=\"https://punktherapy.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ePodcast\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDr. Sharon Stanley — \u003ca href=\"https://www.somatictransformation.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSomatic Transformation\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar:_The_Last_Airbender\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAvatar: The Last Airbender\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","summary":"This episode provided an opportunity for Alejandro to \"hold space...\" while Tobias reflected on the year of 2023 and considered his intentions for an upcoming ayahuasca ceremony. ","date_published":"2024-07-03T11:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/a62ecc5e-6dd3-4004-8196-4ba15eeab4d5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":90509606,"duration_in_seconds":3771}]},{"id":"2030894a-9260-420b-9265-412c8700ff36","title":"Episode 13: Confrontation with the Unconscious: Part Two — Psychosis in Jung’s Psychology","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/13","content_text":"In this episode, we conclude our two-part discussion on Scott Hill’s book, Confrontation with the Unconscious. Last episode we discussed Chapter 7 from Hill’s book, titled “Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis”. Chapter 8, the subject of this episode, concerns itself with an exploration of psychosis in Jungian Psychology.  \n\nWe altered mates find ourselves now almost at the end of a deep dive into the intersession between psychedelics and psychosis, and at this point is seems to be that what is happening in both psychotic episodes and psychedelic trips are what Scott Hill refers to as a “confrontation with the unconscious”, or in other words — an overwhelming of the conscious ego by the archetypal forces of the unconscious. \n\nAccording to Jung’s ideas, the archetypal forces of the unconscious, or just the archetypes, “live in a world quite different from the world outside— in a world where the pulse of time beats infinitely slowly, where the birth and death of individuals count for little. No wonder their nature is strange, so strange that their irruption into consciousness often amounts to a psychosis. They undoubtably belong to the material that comes to light in schizophrenia.” \n\nJung argues that our alienated condition is manifested in symbolic messages from the unconscious that express themselves in a strange and incomprehensible language, which cries out for interpretation. As Jung puts it, “in insanity we do not discover anything new and unknown; we are looking at the foundation of our own being, the matrix of those vital problems on which we are all engaged.” The terrors of the psychotic are merely extreme forms of our common human condition. \n\nPerhaps we should consider our own sanity to be traversing a knife’s edge—for anyone who's engaged in high dose psychedelic experience, this may well be a regular thought… \n\nAs mentioned in the introduction: A Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama \n\n\nPurchase the novel here.\nListen to the serialised audiobook here.\n\n\nReferences:\n\n\nEpisode 12 — On Scott Hill’s “Confrontation with the Unconscious”—Part One\nScott J. Hill — Confrontation with the Unconscious\nParis Williams — Rethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\nChristopher Nolan — Inception\nThe Farrelly Brothers — Me, Myself \u0026amp; Irene\nWilliam Shakespeare — A Midsummer Night’s Dream\nPete Docter — Inside Out\n\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode, we conclude our two-part discussion on Scott Hill’s book, \u003cem\u003eConfrontation with the Unconscious.\u003c/em\u003e Last episode we discussed Chapter 7 from Hill’s book, titled “Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis”. Chapter 8, the subject of this episode, concerns itself with an exploration of psychosis in Jungian Psychology.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe altered mates find ourselves now almost at the end of a deep dive into the intersession between psychedelics and psychosis, and at this point is seems to be that what is happening in both psychotic episodes and psychedelic trips are what Scott Hill refers to as a “confrontation with the unconscious”, or in other words — an overwhelming of the conscious ego by the archetypal forces of the unconscious. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Jung’s ideas, the archetypal forces of the unconscious, or just the archetypes, “live in a world quite different from the world outside— in a world where the pulse of time beats infinitely slowly, where the birth and death of individuals count for little. No wonder their nature is strange, so strange that their irruption into consciousness often amounts to a psychosis. They undoubtably belong to the material that comes to light in schizophrenia.” \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJung argues that our alienated condition is manifested in symbolic messages from the unconscious that express themselves in a strange and incomprehensible language, which cries out for interpretation. As Jung puts it, “in insanity we do not discover anything new and unknown; we are looking at the foundation of our own being, the matrix of those vital problems on which we are all engaged.” The terrors of the psychotic are merely extreme forms of our common human condition. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps we should consider our own sanity to be traversing a knife’s edge—for anyone who\u0026#39;s engaged in high dose psychedelic experience, this may well be a regular thought… \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs mentioned in the introduction: \u003cem\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity\u003c/em\u003e by Alejandro Tuama \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase the novel \u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListen to the serialised audiobook \u003ca href=\"https://www.patreon.com/collection/560595?view=expanded\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/12\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 12 — On Scott Hill’s “Confrontation with the Unconscious”—Part One\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScott J. Hill — \u003ca href=\"https://health.aeonbooks.co.uk//product/confrontation-with-the-unconscious/94523\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eConfrontation with the Unconscious\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParis Williams — \u003ca href=\"https://rethinkingmadness.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristopher Nolan — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inception\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eInception\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Farrelly Brothers — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me,_Myself_%26_Irene\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eMe, Myself \u0026amp; Irene\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilliam Shakespeare — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Midsummer_Night%27s_Dream\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eA Midsummer Night’s Dream\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePete Docter — \u003ca href=\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eInside Out\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Alternative episode title: \"Me, Myself, Irene, and a bunch of Hobgoblins in A Midsummer Night’s Dream…\" \r\nIn this episode, we conclude our two-part discussion on Scott Hill’s book, Confrontation with the Unconscious. Chapter 8, the subject of this episode, concerns itself with an exploration of psychosis in Jungian Psychology.  ","date_published":"2024-06-12T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/2030894a-9260-420b-9265-412c8700ff36.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":76536605,"duration_in_seconds":4783}]},{"id":"a35e7b92-6dd2-4002-8685-1c23571a2be6","title":"Episode 12: Confrontation with the Unconscious: Part One — Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/12","content_text":"In this episode we discuss a chapter from Scott Hill’s book, Confrontation with the Unconscious. It was our intention to cover two chapters, but in the end we managed to get through only Chapter 7: Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis. \n\nWe try to wrap our heads around useful, working models of psychosis and (attempt to) determine where this troubling and mysterious phenomenon overlaps with the psychedelic experience. In the process we toss around ideas like Washburn’s Ego and the Dynamic Ground; discuss how researchers accidentally induced “ecstatic mystical” experiences and cured a group of alcoholics of their addiction; speculate as to whether a psychotic episode has the potential to reveal insights for the experiencer; and we even come up with our own metaphor to illustrate how the ego can become overwhelmed by the unconscious.\n\nUltimately, we agree that psychotic experiences and psychedelic experiences appear to have a common underlying mechanism that enables unconscious material to penetrate the psychic membrane and potentially overwhelm the ego, albeit in a variety of different forms and across varying durations in time. \n\nOne question left unresolved in our discussion is this: if you have a personality disorder, are you more likely to have a psychotic experience? If you have any insight into this question, please get in touch with us… \n\nReferences\n\n\nScott J. Hill — Confrontation with the Unconscious\nParis Williams — Rethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\nJohn E. Nelson — Healing the Split: Integrating Spirit Into Our Understanding of the Mentally Ill\nMichael Washburn — Ego and the Dynamic Ground\nErnest Becker — The Denial of Death\nBobby “Bacala” Baccalieri\nKurzgesagt — “Addiction” (note: Kurzgesagt has taken the video down from their YouTube, but it is available here).\nEpisode 1 — Challenging Psychedelic Experiences\nEpisode 9 — From Pepe Silvia to Geshinka: the curious domains of psychosis\nEpisode 10 — Czech, mate! Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia\nEpisode 11 — Giving LSD to kids! (…to treat severe childhood schizophrenia)\n\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we discuss a chapter from Scott Hill’s book, \u003cem\u003eConfrontation with the Unconscious.\u003c/em\u003e It was our intention to cover two chapters, but in the end we managed to get through only Chapter 7: Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe try to wrap our heads around useful, working models of psychosis and (attempt to) determine where this troubling and mysterious phenomenon overlaps with the psychedelic experience. In the process we toss around ideas like Washburn’s Ego and the Dynamic Ground; discuss how researchers accidentally induced “ecstatic mystical” experiences and cured a group of alcoholics of their addiction; speculate as to whether a psychotic episode has the potential to reveal insights for the experiencer; and we even come up with our own metaphor to illustrate how the ego can become overwhelmed by the unconscious.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately, we agree that psychotic experiences and psychedelic experiences appear to have a common underlying mechanism that enables unconscious material to penetrate the psychic membrane and potentially overwhelm the ego, albeit in a variety of different forms and across varying durations in time. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne question left unresolved in our discussion is this: if you have a personality disorder, are you more likely to have a psychotic experience? If you have any insight into this question, please get in touch with us… \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScott J. Hill — \u003ca href=\"https://health.aeonbooks.co.uk//product/confrontation-with-the-unconscious/94523\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eConfrontation with the Unconscious\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParis Williams — \u003ca href=\"https://rethinkingmadness.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJohn E. Nelson — \u003ca href=\"https://sunypress.edu/Books/H/Healing-the-Split2\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eHealing the Split: Integrating Spirit Into Our Understanding of the Mentally Ill\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMichael Washburn — \u003ca href=\"https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/The-Ego-and-the-Dynamic-Ground\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEgo and the Dynamic Ground\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErnest Becker — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Denial_of_Death\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Denial of Death\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://screenrant.com/the-sopranos-best-bobby-bacala-quotes/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eBobby “Bacala” Baccalieri\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKurzgesagt — “Addiction” (note: Kurzgesagt has taken the video down from their YouTube, but it is available \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdJAQZxJ6vY\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 1 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/1\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eChallenging Psychedelic Experiences\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 9 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/9\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eFrom Pepe Silvia to Geshinka: the curious domains of psychosis\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 10 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/10\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eCzech, mate! Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 11 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/11\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eGiving LSD to kids! (…to treat severe childhood schizophrenia)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"In this episode we discuss a chapter from Scott Hill’s book, Confrontation with the Unconscious. It was our intention to cover two chapters, but in the end we managed to get through only Chapter 7: “Psychedelic Experience and Psychosis”. ","date_published":"2024-05-22T17:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/a35e7b92-6dd2-4002-8685-1c23571a2be6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":48902397,"duration_in_seconds":6112}]},{"id":"537c1d8b-ba7f-4603-ae84-394815f0ceeb","title":"Episode 11: Giving LSD to kids! (…to treat severe childhood schizophrenia) ","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/11","content_text":"In this episode we discuss a paper written by Gary Fisher concerning some intriguing research that he and some fellow colleagues conducted in the 1960s. This paper and our discussion surrounding it is quite confronting, as it deals with extremely troubled children who were suffering terribly. But even more intriguing than the depths of the psychoses these children were trapped within, was the profound breakthroughs that Fisher and his team were able to facilitate with the help of LSD—to transform the lives of some of these children from total horror into functioning members of society.  \n\nBut probably the most confronting and disappointing aspect of this whole paper, is the fact that—as Fisher writes in the introduction—this, “research done 35 years ago is still the last word on the use of psychedelics to treat these conditions.” Indeed, we were left thinking what an outrageous and avoidable tragedy it is that the terrible suffering of children like these continues to this day because of the so-called “war on drugs” and the related cessation of research into psychedelics. \n\nThe paper appeared in the newsletter of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), Volume 7 Number 3, in the summer of 1997 (pp. 18-25). The paper is titled: Treatment of Childhood Schizophrenia Utilizing LSD and Psilocybin. \n\nAs an introduction, consider these two passages from the paper: \n\n\nNow that the FDA has permitted research with LSD and psilocybin to resume, we feel it is important to share examples of a remarkable experiment, the results of which were not sufficiently taken into account because this line of research was prematurely halted in the mid-sixties due to political considerations. Childhood schizophrenia is still a difficult problem to treat and causes much suffering. It is a terrible shame that research done 35 years ago is still the last word on the use of psychedelics to treat these conditions.\nThe working hypothesis of this study is that psychosis is a massive defensive system of repression-avoidance-denial in the service of protecting the individual from experiencing early childhood trauma. The repression is so massive that the individual ceases to experience himself with any validity. The individual exists isolated in a world without feelings and this world becomes meaningless.\n\n\nReferences \n\n\nTreatment of Childhood Schizophrenia Utilizing LSD and Psilocybin, Gary Fisher.\n\n\nMAPS article\nPsychedelic Salon Podcast episode\n\nPhotos of Gary \u0026amp; Nancy: The Elementary Kool-Aid Acid Test\n\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we discuss a paper written by Gary Fisher concerning some intriguing research that he and some fellow colleagues conducted in the 1960s. This paper and our discussion surrounding it is quite confronting, as it deals with extremely troubled children who were suffering terribly. But even more intriguing than the depths of the psychoses these children were trapped within, was the profound breakthroughs that Fisher and his team were able to facilitate with the help of LSD—to transform the lives of some of these children from total horror into functioning members of society.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut probably the most confronting and disappointing aspect of this whole paper, is the fact that—as Fisher writes in the introduction—this, “\u003cem\u003eresearch done 35 years ago is still the last word on the use of psychedelics to treat these conditions.”\u003c/em\u003e Indeed, we were left thinking what an outrageous and avoidable tragedy it is that the terrible suffering of children like these continues to this day because of the so-called “war on drugs” and the related cessation of research into psychedelics. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe paper appeared in the newsletter of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), Volume 7 Number 3, in the summer of 1997 (pp. 18-25). The paper is titled: Treatment of Childhood Schizophrenia Utilizing LSD and Psilocybin. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs an introduction, consider these two passages from the paper: \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eNow that the FDA has permitted research with LSD and psilocybin to resume, we feel it is important to share examples of a remarkable experiment, the results of which were not sufficiently taken into account because this line of research was prematurely halted in the mid-sixties due to political considerations. Childhood schizophrenia is still a difficult problem to treat and causes much suffering. It is a terrible shame that research done 35 years ago is still the last word on the use of psychedelics to treat these conditions.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe working hypothesis of this study is that psychosis is a massive defensive system of repression-avoidance-denial in the service of protecting the individual from experiencing early childhood trauma. The repression is so massive that the individual ceases to experience himself with any validity. The individual exists isolated in a world without feelings and this world becomes meaningless.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTreatment of Childhood Schizophrenia Utilizing LSD and Psilocybin, Gary Fisher.\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://maps.org/news-letters/v07n3/07318fis.html\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eMAPS article\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://psychedelicsalon.com/podcast-015-treating-childhood-schizophrenia-with-lsd-and-psilocybin/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ePsychedelic Salon Podcast episode\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotos of Gary \u0026amp; Nancy: \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11401958/s2-episode-4-the-elementary-kool-aid-acid-test\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Elementary Kool-Aid Acid Test\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Gary Fisher -- \"Treatment of Childhood Schizophrenia Utilizing LSD and Psilocybin\"","date_published":"2024-05-01T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/537c1d8b-ba7f-4603-ae84-394815f0ceeb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":53479886,"duration_in_seconds":3342}]},{"id":"9dcb8cf8-3037-45c1-92e4-c46e9982a791","title":"Episode 10: Czech, mate! Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/10","content_text":"In this episode we continue our foray into the world of schizophrenia and psychosis. This week we base our discussion around a fascinating paper written by Sarah Marks, titled: “From experimental psychosis to resolving traumatic pasts: Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia, 1954‑1974”. \n\nAnd… while people moving through a schizophrenia or a psychotic break often experience disordered thoughts, we too, experience a certain amount of disorder in our discussion. So we hope that our listeners are possessed of a forgiving temperament and pardon our naive ramblings.\n\nCzech it out.  \n\nReferences:\n\n\nSarah Marks (2015)—From experimental psychosis to resolving traumatic pasts: Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia, 1954‑1974\nParis Williams — Rethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\nNassim Haramein— here but also here.\n\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we continue our foray into the world of schizophrenia and psychosis. This week we base our discussion around a fascinating paper written by Sarah Marks, titled: “From experimental psychosis to resolving traumatic pasts: Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia, 1954‑1974”. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd… while people moving through a schizophrenia or a psychotic break often experience disordered thoughts, we too, experience a certain amount of disorder in our discussion. So we hope that our listeners are possessed of a forgiving temperament and pardon our naive ramblings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCzech it out.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSarah Marks (2015)—\u003ca href=\"https://journals.openedition.org/monderusse/8165\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eFrom experimental psychosis to resolving traumatic pasts: Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia, 1954‑1974\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParis Williams — \u003ca href=\"https://rethinkingmadness.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRethinking Madness: Towards a Paradigm Shift in our Understanding and Treatment of Psychosis\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNassim Haramein— \u003ca href=\"https://www.gaia.com/person/nassim-haramein\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e but also \u003ca href=\"https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Nassim_Haramein\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"From experimental psychosis to resolving traumatic pasts: Psychedelic Research in Communist Czechoslovakia, 1954‑1974","date_published":"2024-04-10T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/9dcb8cf8-3037-45c1-92e4-c46e9982a791.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":49105107,"duration_in_seconds":3068}]},{"id":"c3e75a5e-8f40-4cf5-8ca5-d8336956714d","title":"Episode 9: From Pepe Silvia to Geshinka: the curious domains of psychosis","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/9","content_text":"In this episode we explore the mainstream medical understanding of the domains of schizophrenia and psychosis. \n\nIn the process we discuss a number of texts including Better Call Saul, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Black Swan and Joker. \n\nAccording to the Verywell Health website psychosis is a “symptom”, of which signs include: hallucinations, delusions, and agitation; and schizophrenia is a mental health “condition” that can cause psychosis. People living with schizophrenia can experience symptoms of psychosis but not all people experiencing psychosis have schizophrenia. \n\nThe writers of the DSM-V suggest that schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders are defined by abnormalities in one or more of the following five domains: delusions; hallucinations; disorganised thinking; grossly disorganised or abnormal motor behaviour (including catatonia), and; negative symptoms.\n\nPlease listen in as we try to wrap our heads around these five domains of schizophrenia.\n\nReferences \n\n\nDSM-V-TR (APA)\nVerywell Health\nUnder the Silver Lake (2018) directed by David Robert Mitchell.\nBetter Call Saul — here’s an example of Chuck McGill’s behaviour: Electromagnetic hypersensitivity\nIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia — the infamous Pepe Silvia scene.\nBlack Swan (2010) directed by Darren Aronofsky\nTchaikovsky — Swan Lake\nDisorganized Speech Schizophrenia\nJoker (2019) directed by Todd Philips\nRethinking Madness by Paris Williams\n\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we explore the mainstream medical understanding of the domains of schizophrenia and psychosis. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the process we discuss a number of texts including Better Call Saul, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Black Swan and Joker. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the Verywell Health website psychosis is a “symptom”, of which signs include: hallucinations, delusions, and agitation; and schizophrenia is a mental health “condition” that can cause psychosis. People living with schizophrenia can experience symptoms of psychosis but not all people experiencing psychosis have schizophrenia. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe writers of the DSM-V suggest that schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders are defined by abnormalities in one or more of the following five domains: delusions; hallucinations; disorganised thinking; grossly disorganised or abnormal motor behaviour (including catatonia), and; negative symptoms.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease listen in as we try to wrap our heads around these five domains of schizophrenia.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDSM-V-TR (\u003ca href=\"https://www.psychiatry.org\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAPA\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.verywellhealth.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eVerywell Health\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://a24films.com/films/under-the-silver-lake\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eUnder the Silver Lake\u003c/a\u003e (2018) directed by David Robert Mitchell.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Call_Saul\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eBetter Call Saul\u003c/a\u003e — here’s an example of Chuck McGill’s behaviour: \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTEmqJkCrDQ\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eElectromagnetic hypersensitivity\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_Always_Sunny_in_Philadelphia\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia\u003c/a\u003e — the infamous \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NBfZcNU4O0\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ePepe Silvia\u003c/a\u003e scene.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Swan_(film)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eBlack Swan\u003c/a\u003e (2010) directed by Darren Aronofsky\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTchaikovsky — Swan Lake\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2vMnyTiwp4\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eDisorganized Speech Schizophrenia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joker_(2019_film)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eJoker\u003c/a\u003e (2019) directed by Todd Philips\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://rethinkingmadness.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRethinking Madness\u003c/a\u003e by Paris Williams\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"In this episode we explore the mainstream medical understanding of the domains of schizophrenia and psychosis. ","date_published":"2024-03-20T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/c3e75a5e-8f40-4cf5-8ca5-d8336956714d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":72527123,"duration_in_seconds":4532}]},{"id":"36749a42-00ce-4637-8a64-cf49070da025","title":"Episode 8: Monsters \u0026 Masculinity: delving further into the Jungian Shadow","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/8","content_text":"In this episode we continue our exploration of the Jungian shadow in our lives and in literature. The two texts we are primarily concerned with are A Monster Calls and Fight Club. Both began as novels and both were adapted into fine films— Fight Club, especially, is an excellent adaptation and deserving of its popularity.  \n\nA Monster Calls (2011), is a novel written by Patrick Ness, developed from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, who died of breast cancer in 2007. Ness writes of Dowd that she, “had the characters, a premise, and a beginning. What she didn't have, unfortunately, was time.” \n\nIn A Monster Calls, we suggest that we can consider the shadow as the appearance of the “unthinkable thought”— a thought so terrible that the young protagonist, Conor, represses it and refuses to acknowledge it, until it consumes him with guilt and he unconsciously summons a monster to help him face it. \n\nFight Club is a novel written by Chuck Palahniuk, and later adapted into a film by David Fincher. In Fight Club, the shadow is represented by the mysterious and charismatic Tyler Durden, who serves as a projection of the narrator's repressed desires and rage. Tyler represents the narrator’s desire to break free from the constraints of society and live a life of freedom and adventure.\n\nWe hope you enjoy the episode\n\nReferences:\n\nEpisode 7— Jung, The Shadow, and A Wizard of Earthsea\n\nCarl Jung —The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Vol 9. Part 1 and 2 \n\n\nPart 1: The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious\nPart 2: Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self\n\n\nCarl Jung — Memories, Dreams, Reflections (1962).  \n\nMaggie Hyde — Introducing Jung: A Graphic Guide\n\nScott J. Hill — Confrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience (2019). \n\nA Monster Calls (novel), written by Patrick Ness (from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd), published 2011\n\nA Monster Calls (film), directed by J. A. Bayona from a screenplay by Patrick Ness. \n\nChuck Palahniuk — Fight Club (novel)\n\nDavid Fincher — Fight Club (film) \n\nTool — Forty-Six \u0026amp; 2 — Ænima\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we continue our exploration of the Jungian shadow in our lives and in literature. The two texts we are primarily concerned with are \u003cem\u003eA Monster Calls\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eand Fight Club\u003c/em\u003e. Both began as novels and both were adapted into fine films— \u003cem\u003eFight Club\u003c/em\u003e, especially, is an excellent adaptation and deserving of its popularity.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Monster Calls\u003c/em\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e(2011), is a novel written by Patrick Ness, developed from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, who died of breast cancer in 2007. Ness writes of Dowd that she, “had the characters, a premise, and a beginning. What she didn\u0026#39;t have, unfortunately, was time.” \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eA Monster Calls\u003c/em\u003e, we suggest that we can consider the shadow as the appearance of the “unthinkable thought”— a thought so terrible that the young protagonist, Conor, represses it and refuses to acknowledge it, until it consumes him with guilt and he unconsciously summons a monster to help him face it. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFight Club\u003c/em\u003e is a novel written by Chuck Palahniuk, and later adapted into a film by David Fincher. In \u003cem\u003eFight Club\u003c/em\u003e, the shadow is represented by the mysterious and charismatic Tyler Durden, who serves as a projection of the narrator\u0026#39;s repressed desires and rage. Tyler represents the narrator’s desire to break free from the constraints of society and live a life of freedom and adventure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe hope you enjoy the episode\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/7\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 7— Jung, The Shadow, and A Wizard of Earthsea\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCarl Jung —\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Collected_Works_of_C._G._Jung#Aion\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Collected Works of C. G. Jung\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/em\u003e Vol 9. Part 1 and 2 \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart 1: \u003cem\u003eThe Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart 2: \u003cem\u003eAion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCarl Jung — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memories,_Dreams,_Reflections\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eMemories, Dreams, Reflections\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e (1962).  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaggie Hyde — \u003ca href=\"https://www.introducingbooks.com/ib-title/introducing-jung-2/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eIntroducing Jung: A Graphic Guide\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eScott J. Hill — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/Confrontation-Unconscious-Psychology-Psychedelic-Experience/dp/1913274020\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eConfrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience\u003c/a\u003e (2019). \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Monster Calls\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e (novel), written by \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Ness\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ePatrick Ness\u003c/a\u003e (from an original idea by \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siobhan_Dowd\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSiobhan Dowd\u003c/a\u003e), published 2011\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls_(film)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eA Monster Calls\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e (film), directed by \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._A._Bayona\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eJ. A. Bayona\u003c/a\u003e from a screenplay by \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Ness\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ePatrick Ness\u003c/a\u003e. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChuck Palahniuk — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_Club_(novel)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eFight Club\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e (novel)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Fincher — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_Club\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eFight Club\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e (film) \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTool — \u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/track/6AioOohg4bQZFA4jIYQQ2r?si=780b8e941702444a\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eForty-Six \u0026amp; 2\u003c/a\u003e — Ænima\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"In this episode we continue our exploration of the Jungian Shadow in our lives and in literature. The two texts covered in this episode are “A Monster Calls” and “Fight Club”.","date_published":"2024-02-28T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/36749a42-00ce-4637-8a64-cf49070da025.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":43374887,"duration_in_seconds":2710}]},{"id":"ea7ed56a-17db-4704-a75f-78e52b04ad0c","title":"Episode 7: Jung, The Shadow, and A Wizard of Earthsea","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/7","content_text":"The shadow— a concept developed by Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung— refers to the unconscious aspects of one’s personality that are repressed and thus, not integrated into the “conscious” aspect of the self. The confrontation with The Shadow is an important step in the process of Jungian “Individuation”, in which a person faces, integrates and balances different parts of the psyche.\n\nIn the Altered Mates family, we find that The Shadow is a useful model to bring to the Psychedelic Experience, to account for the sometimes confronting imagery and insights we often face in those realms. \n\nIn this episode we unpack Jung’s concept of The Shadow and consider its manifestation in the classic work of fantasy fiction “A Wizard of Earthsea”, written by Ursula Le Guin.\n\nIn a wonderful essay written by Konstantinos Salavatis, the protagonist’s confrontation with The Shadow is summarised as follows: \n\n“In A Wizard of Earthsea, Ged’s enemy is his own shadow, the dark side of his character, born out of his youthful mistakes, pride and over-confidence in addition to his ignorance that evil resides inside one’s psyche. In true Jungian fashion, only when he acknowledges the shadow within himself does he attain true selfhood and maturity.”\n\nWe hope you enjoy this plunge into the depths... \n\nReferences\n\nCarl Jung —The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Vol 9. Part 1 and 2 \n\n\nPart 1: The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious\nPart 2: Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self\n\n\nCarl Jung — Memories, Dreams, Reflections\n\nMaggie Hyde — Introducing Jung: A Graphic Guide\n\nScott J. Hill — Confrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience\n\nUrsula Le Guin — A Wizard of Earthsea \n\nKonstantinos Salavatis — Wholeness of Self: Coming of Age in Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea and The Farthest Shore \n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThe shadow— a concept developed by Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung— refers to the unconscious aspects of one’s personality that are repressed and thus, not integrated into the “conscious” aspect of the self. The confrontation with The Shadow is an important step in the process of Jungian “Individuation”, in which a person faces, integrates and balances different parts of the psyche.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Altered Mates family, we find that The Shadow is a useful model to bring to the Psychedelic Experience, to account for the sometimes confronting imagery and insights we often face in those realms. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we unpack Jung’s concept of The Shadow and consider its manifestation in the classic work of fantasy fiction “A Wizard of Earthsea”, written by Ursula Le Guin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a wonderful essay written by Konstantinos Salavatis, the protagonist’s confrontation with The Shadow is summarised as follows: \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e“In \u003cem\u003eA Wizard of Earthsea\u003c/em\u003e, Ged’s enemy is his own shadow, the dark side of his character, born out of his youthful mistakes, pride and over-confidence in addition to his ignorance that evil resides inside one’s psyche. In true Jungian fashion, only when he acknowledges the shadow within himself does he attain true selfhood and maturity.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe hope you enjoy this plunge into the depths... \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCarl Jung —\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Collected_Works_of_C._G._Jung#Aion\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Collected Works of C. G. Jung\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/em\u003e Vol 9. Part 1 and 2 \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart 1: \u003cem\u003eThe Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart 2: \u003cem\u003eAion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCarl Jung — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memories,_Dreams,_Reflections\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eMemories, Dreams, Reflections\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaggie Hyde — \u003ca href=\"https://www.introducingbooks.com/ib-title/introducing-jung-2/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eIntroducing Jung: A Graphic Guide\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eScott J. Hill — \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com.au/Confrontation-Unconscious-Psychology-Psychedelic-Experience/dp/1913274020\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eConfrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUrsula Le Guin — \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wizard_of_Earthsea\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eA Wizard of Earthsea\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKonstantinos Salavatis — \u003ca href=\"https://ikee.lib.auth.gr/record/299119/files/GRI-2018-22243.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eWholeness of Self: Coming of Age in Ursula K. Le Guin’s \u003cem\u003eA Wizard of Earthsea\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Farthest Shore\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"In this episode we unpack Jung’s concept of The Shadow and consider its manifestation in the classic work of fantasy fiction “A Wizard of Earthsea”, written by Ursula Le Guin.","date_published":"2024-02-07T06:30:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/ea7ed56a-17db-4704-a75f-78e52b04ad0c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":69024625,"duration_in_seconds":4313}]},{"id":"122015f8-edea-46f6-b971-f130286ad33f","title":"Episode 6: F-ing the Ineffable: William James, Mysticism, and the Psychedelic Experience","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/6","content_text":"In this episode, the Altered Mates explore the slippery concept of Mysticism. \n\nOur conversation centres around a classic work by pioneering American psychologist and philosopher William James (January 11, 1842–August 26, 1910), and specifically, the 1902 masterwork based on his Gifford Lectures: The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature (public library | free ebook).  \n\nThe discussion begins with Alejandro describing what he considers to be his first mystical experience at Machu Picchu in 2011, after a four day hike along the Inca Trail, and importantly, a few days after the first two ayahuasca ceremonies of his life. \n\nThe remainder of the episode is structured around William James’ four markers of mystical states: \n\n1. Ineffability, 2. Noetic quality, 3. Transiency, 4. Passivity. \n\nAnd while these so-called “mystical” experiences may be almost impossible to convey to one another, we disregard them at our peril... for, in the words of William James: \n\n“Our normal waking consciousness… is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different… No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded.”\n\nReferences: \n\nWilliam James — The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature (1902) (public library | free ebook). \n\nQuentin Tarantino — Pulp Fiction\n\n\n(The ‘Miracle’ scene)\n\n\nThe Wachowskis — The Matrix\n\n\n(The ‘Pill’ scene)\n\n\nDavid Foster Wallace — This is Water. \n\nMaya Newell — In My Blood It Runs \n\nRobert Anton Wilson — Acceleration of Knowledge (Note: use chrome. The section around 38 mins is related to what we were talking about).\n\nAlbert Camus — The Myth of Sisyphus. \n\nThe Alex Grey Poster (Net of Being) featured in Alejandro’s house.  \n\nTool — [Rosetta Stoned](https://open.spotify.com/track/0D8l86LXxKcgKAO17DfQsl?autoplay=true) — 10,000 Days\n\nTo find out more about the time Alejandro pissed himself during an ayahuasca ceremony, jump online and order a copy of his novel: A Glimpse of Eternity. \n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this episode, the Altered Mates explore the slippery concept of Mysticism. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur conversation centres around a classic work by pioneering American psychologist and philosopher \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam James\u003c/strong\u003e (January 11, 1842–August 26, 1910), and specifically, the 1902 masterwork based on his Gifford Lectures: \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140390340/braipick-20\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.worldcat.org/title/varieties-of-religious-experience-a-study-in-human-nature-being-the-gifford-lectures-on-natural-religion-delivered-at-edinburgh-in-1901-1902/oclc/248818310\u0026referer=brief_results\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003epublic library\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e | \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0082Z598S/braipick-20\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003efree ebook\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e).  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe discussion begins with Alejandro describing what he considers to be his first mystical experience at Machu Picchu in 2011, after a four day hike along the Inca Trail, and importantly, a few days after the first two ayahuasca ceremonies of his life. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe remainder of the episode is structured around William James’ four markers of mystical states: \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e1. Ineffability, 2. Noetic quality, 3. Transiency, 4. Passivity.\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd while these so-called “mystical” experiences may be almost impossible to convey to one another, we disregard them at our peril... for, in the words of William James: \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Our normal waking consciousness… is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different… No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded.”\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWilliam James — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140390340/braipick-20\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e (1902) (\u003ca href=\"http://www.worldcat.org/title/varieties-of-religious-experience-a-study-in-human-nature-being-the-gifford-lectures-on-natural-religion-delivered-at-edinburgh-in-1901-1902/oclc/248818310\u0026referer=brief_results\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003epublic library\u003c/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0082Z598S/braipick-20\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003efree ebook\u003c/a\u003e). \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eQuentin Tarantino — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ePulp Fiction\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw8NR6p8gyI\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe ‘Miracle’ scene\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Wachowskis — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Matrix\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qedAzTA8nY8\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe ‘Pill’ scene\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Foster Wallace — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThis is Water\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMaya Newell — \u003ca href=\"https://inmyblooditruns.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn My Blood It Runs\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRobert Anton Wilson — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.organism.earth/library/document/acceleration-of-knowledge\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAcceleration of Knowledge\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e (Note: use chrome. The section around 38 mins is related to what we were talking about).\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlbert Camus — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Sisyphus-Other-Essays/dp/0679733736\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Myth of Sisyphus\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alex Grey Poster (\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alexgrey.com/art/fire-eyes/net-of-being\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eNet of Being\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e) featured in Alejandro’s house.  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTool — \u003cem\u003e[Rosetta Stoned\u003c/em\u003e](\u003ca href=\"https://open.spotify.com/track/0D8l86LXxKcgKAO17DfQsl?autoplay=true\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://open.spotify.com/track/0D8l86LXxKcgKAO17DfQsl?autoplay=true\u003c/a\u003e) — 10,000 Days\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo find out more about the time Alejandro pissed himself during an ayahuasca ceremony, jump online and order a copy of his novel: \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eA Glimpse of Eternity\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"In this episode, we explore the slippery concept of Mysticism. ","date_published":"2024-01-17T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/122015f8-edea-46f6-b971-f130286ad33f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":89882878,"duration_in_seconds":5617}]},{"id":"36b566db-dd42-49b3-8bf5-345c1f8fb4f3","title":"Episode 5: Big Self Energy: Psychedelics \u0026 the IFS Model","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/5","content_text":"This is the second episode of a two part series on our experiences with, and understanding of, the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model of Mind. If you haven’t listened to the first episode in the series yet, we do recommend stopping there first: Episode 4 — Understanding ourselves through Internal Family Systems. \n\nThis episode begins with Dr T. delving deeper into the nuances of the IFS Model, including some of the history of its development, and its application in therapy.\n\nThe discussion develops from there — touching on a wide range of topics from the groups of “parts” in the IFS model, soul retrieval, the conscious and the unconscious, the personified emotions in the film Inside Out, big Self energy, loving awareness, and the implications of the IFS model for our understanding of the self and the divine…\n\nThroughout the discussion we hear reflections from a rather blissed out Alejandro, having just been through his third IFS session, this time as a participant of Dr T. himself! — because, as we all know, real men do therapy, and real mates run therapy sessions for each other.\n\nReferences:\n\n\nEpisode 4 — Understanding ourselves through Internal Family Systems\nRichard C. Shwartz (founder) — Internal Family Systems\nSusan McConnell (founder) — Somatic IFS\nPete Docter (director)— Inside Out (2015)\nAlan Watts — the game of hide and seek that God plays…\nAlan Watts — the limerick that Tobias couldn’t remember during the episode but then eventually did remember.\n\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the second episode of a two part series on our experiences with, and understanding of, the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model of Mind. If you haven’t listened to the first episode in the series yet, we do recommend stopping there first: \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/4\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 4 — Understanding ourselves through Internal Family Systems\u003c/a\u003e. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis episode begins with Dr T. delving deeper into the nuances of the IFS Model, including some of the history of its development, and its application in therapy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe discussion develops from there — touching on a wide range of topics from the groups of “parts” in the IFS model, soul retrieval, the conscious and the unconscious, the personified emotions in the film Inside Out, big Self energy, loving awareness, and the implications of the IFS model for our understanding of the self and the divine…\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the discussion we hear reflections from a rather blissed out Alejandro, having just been through his third IFS session, this time as a participant of Dr T. himself! — because, as we all know, real men do therapy, and real mates run therapy sessions for each other.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/4\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eEpisode 4 — Understanding ourselves through Internal Family Systems\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRichard C. Shwartz (founder) — \u003ca href=\"https://ifs-institute.com/about-us/richard-c-schwartz-phd\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eInternal Family Systems\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSusan McConnell (founder) — \u003ca href=\"https://www.embodiedself.net/welcome\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSomatic IFS\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePete Docter (director)— \u003ca href=\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eInside Out\u003c/a\u003e (2015)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlan Watts — \u003ca href=\"https://genius.com/Alan-watts-the-nature-of-consciousness-ii-part-3-the-game-of-hide-and-seek-annotated\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ethe game of hide and seek that God plays\u003c/a\u003e…\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlan Watts — \u003ca href=\"https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/712424-there-was-a-young-man-who-said-though-it-seems\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ethe limerick that Tobias couldn’t remember during the episode but then eventually did remember.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"This is the second episode of a two part series on our experiences with, and understanding of, the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model of Mind.","date_published":"2024-01-03T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/36b566db-dd42-49b3-8bf5-345c1f8fb4f3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":59899739,"duration_in_seconds":3743}]},{"id":"8a72d9fd-393d-4f56-96a0-b9ae821adee0","title":"Episode 4: Understanding ourselves through Internal Family Systems","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/4","content_text":"Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a model of the mind where the basic assumption is that the human mind can be divided into a number of sub-personalities, known as “parts”. Ideally, each of these sub personalities work in harmony, with a central “Self” leading the system. According to the model, as we grow and develop throughout our lives, our sub-personalities, or “parts”, also grow and develop a complex system of interactions among themselves.\n\nIn keeping with our ongoing pursuit of experiences that can help to shape and mould our developing models and philosophies, the Altered Mates sought out a skilled IFS therapist to guide us through this therapeutic process. IFS therapy can often feel like an altered state as it involves an experiential deep dive into the living mystery of our inner system.\n\nTobias \u0026amp; Alejandro share some very personal reflections, speculating on Freud’s Id Ego Superego model, as well as the Fight / Flight, and Freeze / Friend model, based on the work of Dr. Simon Martin.\n\nClinicians in this space often talk about clients who have spontaneous IFS processes with psychedelics - without prior exposure to this form of therapy - suggesting this model is reflecting something very real about our internal machinations - an aliveness to this system of parts within us, not entirely unlike the film “Inside Out”.\n\nThe relationships between IFS and psychedelics are manyfold, and we invite you into a reflection on their differences, similarities and potential synergies as you listen in.\n\nReferences\n\n\nIFS Institute — The Internal Family Systems Model Outline\nInside Out (2015)\nFreud’s Model of the Id, Ego and Superego\nAnd a later model: Flight, Fight, Freeze, Friend/Fawn\n\n\nLinks \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eInternal Family Systems (IFS) is a model of the mind where the basic assumption is that the human mind can be divided into a number of sub-personalities, known as “parts”. Ideally, each of these sub personalities work in harmony, with a central “Self” leading the system. According to the model, as we grow and develop throughout our lives, our sub-personalities, or “parts”, also grow and develop a complex system of interactions among themselves.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn keeping with our ongoing pursuit of experiences that can help to shape and mould our developing models and philosophies, the Altered Mates sought out a skilled IFS therapist to guide us through this therapeutic process. IFS therapy can often feel like an altered state as it involves an experiential deep dive into the living mystery of our inner system.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTobias \u0026amp; Alejandro share some very personal reflections, speculating on Freud’s Id Ego Superego model, as well as the Fight / Flight, and Freeze / Friend model, based on the work of Dr. Simon Martin.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eClinicians in this space often talk about clients who have spontaneous IFS processes with psychedelics - without prior exposure to this form of therapy - suggesting this model is reflecting something very real about our internal machinations - an aliveness to this system of parts within us, not entirely unlike the film “Inside Out”.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe relationships between IFS and psychedelics are manyfold, and we invite you into a reflection on their differences, similarities and potential synergies as you listen in.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIFS Institute — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://ifs-institute.com/resources/articles/internal-family-systems-model-outline\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eThe Internal Family Systems Model Outline\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eInside Out\u003c/a\u003e (2015)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreud’s Model of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eId, Ego and Superego\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnd a later model: \u003ca href=\"https://www.simplypsychology.org/fight-flight-freeze-fawn.html\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eFlight, Fight, Freeze, Friend/Fawn\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Psychedelics and Internal Family Systems: a journey into the IFS Model of Mind","date_published":"2023-12-20T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/8a72d9fd-393d-4f56-96a0-b9ae821adee0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":49747092,"duration_in_seconds":3108}]},{"id":"1feb3781-9122-4e39-8375-9a29163fb499","title":"Episode 3: ...but take it! ","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/3","content_text":"Last episode (Episode 2 — “Take it easy, dude…”) we concerned ourselves with the preparation for a high-dose psilocybin mushroom ceremony. This episode focusses on our integration, following that journey. \n\nIn coming to terms with our respective “mystical” experiences, we discuss: ego-death; who or what is the intelligence we encounter in high dose breakthrough psychedelic experiences; noetic experiences of connectedness with the great green web of life; and finally, what is it that lies at the centre of the universe. \n\nPlease note: \n\nThe Altered Mates have been engaging in ceremonial psychedelic use for over 10 years. We have each sought out experienced and trusted guides, and are always careful to put in place systems that safeguard our physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.\n\nWe do not suggest that psychedelics are appropriate for everyone. But for those who choose to use them, we strongly recommend great caution and great care, and consideration for psychological, emotional as well legal factors specific to your context. \n\nThe safest way to undertake a psychedelic journey is in legal contexts, under careful supervision from experienced and qualified guides.\n\nReferences\n\n\nEpisode 2 — Take it easy, dude…\nAlan Watts — Are we out of time?\n\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram\n\nMusic for the show by Si Mulumby","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eLast episode (Episode 2 — “Take it easy, dude…”) we concerned ourselves with the preparation for a high-dose psilocybin mushroom ceremony. This episode focusses on our integration, following that journey. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn coming to terms with our respective “mystical” experiences, we discuss: ego-death; who or what \u003cem\u003eis\u003c/em\u003e the intelligence we encounter in high dose breakthrough psychedelic experiences; noetic experiences of connectedness with the great green web of life; and finally, what is it that lies at the centre of the universe. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note: \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Altered Mates have been engaging in ceremonial psychedelic use for over 10 years. We have each sought out experienced and trusted guides, and are always careful to put in place systems that safeguard our physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe do not suggest that psychedelics are appropriate for everyone. But for those who choose to use them, we strongly recommend great caution and great care, and consideration for psychological, emotional as well legal factors specific to your context. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe safest way to undertake a psychedelic journey is in legal contexts, under careful supervision from experienced and qualified guides.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpisode 2 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com/2\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eTake it easy, dude…\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlan Watts — \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVWyIgoO4vQ\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAre we out of time?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusic for the show by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eSi Mulumby\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"The Altered Mates discuss their integration after taking five dried grams of magic mushrooms in silent darkness. ","date_published":"2023-12-06T06:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/1feb3781-9122-4e39-8375-9a29163fb499.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":38078926,"duration_in_seconds":2379}]},{"id":"610e15b2-b539-416a-8458-c280e134d9b6","title":"Episode 2: Take it easy, dude...","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/2","content_text":"Episode 2 — “Take it easy, dude…” \n\nIn this episode we take seriously, the late, great Terence McKenna’s famous words: “Take it easy, dude… but take it!” \n\nTune in as we discuss our preparation process for a so-called “hero’s” dose of psilocybin mushrooms, taken in the manner advised by the man himself, as “five dried grams in silent darkness.”\n\nThe conversation starts with our reasons for undertaking a high-dose psychedelic journey in the first place.\n\nWe discuss how psychedelics can help us to remember something of the sacred when we get lost in the daily grind. We compare notes on our own personal preparations— including specific diets and abstinences. And we outline our intentions for the ceremony. \n\nAnd from there the conversation undergoes many twists and turns through soul, self, creativity, and sexuality. \n\nWe hope you enjoy the episode. \n\n*Please note: *\nThe Altered Mates have been engaging in ceremonial psychedelic use for over 10 years. We have each sought out experienced and trusted guides, and are always careful to put in place systems that safeguard our physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.\n\nWe do not suggest that psychedelics are appropriate for everyone. But for those who choose to use them, we strongly recommend great caution and great care, and consideration for psychological, emotional as well legal factors specific to your context. \n\nThe safest way to undertake a psychedelic journey is in legal contexts, under careful supervision from experienced and qualified guides.\n\nReferences:\n\nArne Rubenstein — Rites of Passage Institute \n\nJamie Wheel — Recapture the Rapture \n\nFrank Herbert — Dune\n\nLinks: \n\nAltered Mates Website\n\nAltered Mates Instagram","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eEpisode 2 — “Take it easy, dude…” \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this episode we take seriously, the late, great Terence McKenna’s famous words: “Take it easy, dude… but take it!” \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTune in as we discuss our preparation process for a so-called “hero’s” dose of psilocybin mushrooms, taken in the manner advised by the man himself, as “five dried grams in silent darkness.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe conversation starts with our reasons for undertaking a high-dose psychedelic journey in the first place.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe discuss how psychedelics can help us to remember something of the sacred when we get lost in the daily grind. We compare notes on our own personal preparations— including specific diets and abstinences. And we outline our intentions for the ceremony. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd from there the conversation undergoes many twists and turns through soul, self, creativity, and sexuality. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe hope you enjoy the episode. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e*\u003cem\u003ePlease note: *\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Altered Mates have been engaging in ceremonial psychedelic use for over 10 years. We have each sought out experienced and trusted guides, and are always careful to put in place systems that safeguard our physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe do not suggest that psychedelics are appropriate for everyone. But for those who choose to use them, we strongly recommend great caution and great care, and consideration for psychological, emotional as well legal factors specific to your context. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe safest way to undertake a psychedelic journey is in legal contexts, under careful supervision from experienced and qualified guides.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eArne Rubenstein — \u003ca href=\"https://ritesofpassageinstitute.org\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRites of Passage Institute\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJamie Wheel — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.booktopia.com.au/recapture-the-rapture-jamie-wheal/book/9780062905468.html\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eRecapture the Rapture\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrank Herbert — \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(novel)\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eDune\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinks:\u003c/strong\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.alteredmates.com\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Website\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAltered Mates Instagram\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"The Altered Mates discuss their preparations for five dried grams in silent darkness","date_published":"2023-11-22T06:30:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/610e15b2-b539-416a-8458-c280e134d9b6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":46726501,"duration_in_seconds":2920}]},{"id":"8eda0ab1-3710-4abc-918f-c72c228a1749","title":"Episode 1: Challenging psychedelic experiences","url":"https://www.alteredmates.com/1","content_text":"Experienced psychonautical adventurers will know that the psychedelic experience is not all love and light. For all the beautiful visions, profound insights, and pleasure; it is also possible to expose ourselves to incredible pain, suffering, fear, and confusion.\n\nIn the conversation that follows the Altered Mates discuss three particularly challenging experiences from Alejandro’s psychonautical journey. The first with ayahuasca, the second with psilocybin mushrooms, and the third with DMT.\n\nWe use these three experiences as a launching point to consider what, as psychedelic practitioners, we can do with such experiences. How can we make sense of them? How do we reconcile them with our picture of the world? Because, if we are to take psychedelics seriously, and incorporate them into our lives responsibly, surely, we must consider their potential to present us with mystery, confusion and sometimes, complete and utter terror.\n\nReferences\n\nGraham Hancock on Ayahuasca, DMT and Entities.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eExperienced psychonautical adventurers will know that the psychedelic experience is not all love and light. For all the beautiful visions, profound insights, and pleasure; it is also possible to expose ourselves to incredible pain, suffering, fear, and confusion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the conversation that follows the Altered Mates discuss three particularly challenging experiences from Alejandro’s psychonautical journey. The first with ayahuasca, the second with psilocybin mushrooms, and the third with DMT.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe use these three experiences as a launching point to consider what, as psychedelic practitioners, we can do with such experiences. How can we make sense of them? How do we reconcile them with our picture of the world? Because, if we are to take psychedelics seriously, and incorporate them into our lives responsibly, surely, we must consider their potential to present us with mystery, confusion and sometimes, complete and utter terror.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReferences\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGraham Hancock on \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs7-wi6_Yoo\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003eAyahuasca, DMT and Entities\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Madness, Sadness, and the inescapable Trap— What can we do with Challenging Psychedelic Experiences?  ","date_published":"2023-10-27T09:00:00.000+08:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/6edb6f51-dfaa-4c8c-9369-ecc2a71a5612/8eda0ab1-3710-4abc-918f-c72c228a1749.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":71622241,"duration_in_seconds":4476}]}]}