conference
D
The 1st Khanyisa Psychoactive Plant Conference in SA commences on 26 October at the Linder Auditorium, Wits University in Johannesburg. Speaking at the event are acclaimed Fingerprints of the Gods author Graham Hancock, Dr Luis Eduardo Luna, Kilindi Iyi and a wide variety of local and international academics and experts. The aim of the conference is to create awareness of the use of traditional entheogens (generating the divine within) for healing and spiritual exploration. Nash Singh and Nisha Devkurran tell us more.
ictionary.com states: 'An entheogen is a psychoactive substance used in a religious, shamanic or spiritual context. Entheogens have
mushrooms, tobacco (Nicotiana rustica? Cannabis, ), Ayahuasca, Salvia divinorum, Tabernanthe iboga, Ipomoea tricolor and Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria? ).
The Spirit Molecule
Since Dr Rick Strassman's ground breaking DMT (dimethyltryptamine?) research which was presented in the popular documentary The Spirit Molecule, much interest has been stirred in the use of psychoactive substances. The contents of the documentary are mainly interviews 'with a wide variety of experts to explain their thoughts and experiences with DMT within their respective fields, and discussions with Dr Strassman's research volunteers brings to life the awesome effects of this compound, and far-reaching theories regarding its role in human consciousness'.
Mesoamerican origins
Entheogens have been utilised by ancient cultures throughout the globe. The late Dr Stephan F de Borhegyi (Mayan archaeologist) discovered significant numbers of small mushroom-shaped sculptures in and around Guatemala City and arrived at the conclusion that psilocybin mushrooms were in use among the Mayan people. The 16th century Florentine Codex is a 'series of 12 books vividly describing the use of entheogens within Aztec culture and society'. Aztec entheogens included the seeds of the morning glory (Rivea corymbosa? a variety ), of psilocybin mushrooms and a flower they referred to as Sinicuichi (Heimia salicifolia? which was added to drinks. )
been used in a ritualised context for thousands of years; their religious significance is well established in anthropological and modern evidences.' Examples of traditional entheogens include: Peyote, Psilocybin
What was Soma?
In the Rigveda and Zoroastrian tradition there was reference made to a sacred drink which was extracted from the stalks of a particular plant. Many hymns were dedicated to this Soma drink: 'We have drunk Soma and
ODYSSEY?22
•?
DIGIMAG
Healing with