web02.fireside.fm Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:21:47 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Altered Mates - Episodes Tagged with “William James” https://www.alteredmates.com/tags/william%20james Wed, 17 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0800 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. Alejandro is novelist and a teacher of english and psychology. Tobias is an academic and a lecturer in social work and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Our conversations are always grounded in our own direct experiences with a range of ‘altered’ states of consciousness. Hero 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.” You 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. Through 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. We 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. Having 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. en-us episodic Two mates navigating altered states Altered Mates 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. Alejandro is novelist and a teacher of english and psychology. Tobias is an academic and a lecturer in social work and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Our conversations are always grounded in our own direct experiences with a range of ‘altered’ states of consciousness. Hero 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.” You 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. Through 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. We 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. Having 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. yes altered states, psychedelics, ayahuasca, DMT, therapy, mushrooms, magic, spiritual, spirituality, religion Altered Mates alejandro.tuama@outlook.com Episode 6: F-ing the Ineffable: William James, Mysticism, and the Psychedelic Experience https://www.alteredmates.com/6 122015f8-edea-46f6-b971-f130286ad33f Wed, 17 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0800 Altered Mates full Altered Mates In this episode, we explore the slippery concept of Mysticism. 1:33:37 yes In this episode, the Altered Mates explore the slippery concept of Mysticism. Our 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 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140390340/braipick-20) (public library (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&referer=brief_results) | free ebook (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0082Z598S/braipick-20)). The 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. The remainder of the episode is structured around William James’ four markers of mystical states: 1. Ineffability, 2. Noetic quality, 3. Transiency, 4. Passivity. And 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: “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.” References: William James — The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140390340/braipick-20) (1902) (public library (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&referer=brief_results) | free ebook (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0082Z598S/braipick-20)). Quentin Tarantino — Pulp Fiction (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/) (The ‘Miracle’ scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw8NR6p8gyI)) The Wachowskis — The Matrix (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/) (The ‘Pill’ scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qedAzTA8nY8)) David Foster Wallace — This is Water (https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/). Maya Newell — In My Blood It Runs (https://inmyblooditruns.com/) Robert Anton Wilson — Acceleration of Knowledge (https://www.organism.earth/library/document/acceleration-of-knowledge) (Note: use chrome. The section around 38 mins is related to what we were talking about). Albert Camus — The Myth of Sisyphus (https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Sisyphus-Other-Essays/dp/0679733736). The Alex Grey Poster (Net of Being (https://www.alexgrey.com/art/fire-eyes/net-of-being)) featured in Alejandro’s house. Tool — [Rosetta Stoned](https://open.spotify.com/track/0D8l86LXxKcgKAO17DfQsl?autoplay=true) — 10,000 Days To 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 (https://books2read.com/u/m2eWjG). Links: Altered Mates Website (https://www.alteredmates.com) Altered Mates Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/) Music for the show by Si Mulumby (https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en). DMT, ayahuasca, mushrooms, psychedelic, trip, psilocybin, psychonaut, altered states, altered mates, tool, William James, mysticism, mystical, LSD In this episode, the Altered Mates explore the slippery concept of Mysticism.

Our 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).

The 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.

The remainder of the episode is structured around William James’ four markers of mystical states:

1. Ineffability, 2. Noetic quality, 3. Transiency, 4. Passivity.

And 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:

“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.”

References:

William James — The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature (1902) (public library | free ebook).

Quentin Tarantino — Pulp Fiction

The Wachowskis — The Matrix

David Foster Wallace — This is Water.

Maya Newell — In My Blood It Runs

Robert Anton Wilson — Acceleration of Knowledge (Note: use chrome. The section around 38 mins is related to what we were talking about).

Albert Camus — The Myth of Sisyphus.

The Alex Grey Poster (Net of Being) featured in Alejandro’s house.

Tool — [Rosetta Stoned](https://open.spotify.com/track/0D8l86LXxKcgKAO17DfQsl?autoplay=true) — 10,000 Days

To 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.

Links:

Altered Mates Website

Altered Mates Instagram

Music for the show by Si Mulumby.

]]> In this episode, the Altered Mates explore the slippery concept of Mysticism.

Our 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).

The 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.

The remainder of the episode is structured around William James’ four markers of mystical states:

1. Ineffability, 2. Noetic quality, 3. Transiency, 4. Passivity.

And 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:

“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.”

References:

William James — The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature (1902) (public library | free ebook).

Quentin Tarantino — Pulp Fiction

The Wachowskis — The Matrix

David Foster Wallace — This is Water.

Maya Newell — In My Blood It Runs

Robert Anton Wilson — Acceleration of Knowledge (Note: use chrome. The section around 38 mins is related to what we were talking about).

Albert Camus — The Myth of Sisyphus.

The Alex Grey Poster (Net of Being) featured in Alejandro’s house.

Tool — [Rosetta Stoned](https://open.spotify.com/track/0D8l86LXxKcgKAO17DfQsl?autoplay=true) — 10,000 Days

To 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.

Links:

Altered Mates Website

Altered Mates Instagram

Music for the show by Si Mulumby.

]]>