The Shaman Are Coming!

Now normally I wouldn't post a link to a feature article in Times 2 because I normally don't read them, but having been one of those people in years gone by that consumed his fair share of hallugingens, I find it difficult not to readsomething about crazy shamanistic religions in Brazil. The opening two paragraphs drew me in

I am deep in the Amazon rainforest, anxiously losing my mind as the world begins to disintegrate. Around me, all sense of distance is wrapping itself up like spatial origami, slowly shrinking until an entire dimension has disappeared. A moment ago, I was surrounded by 200 people dressed in white and singing like angels, but now they occupy the same space as me... if that makes any sense.

Wherever I look, that is where I am. I can see everything from every angle, all at the same time. In fact, I feel I am everywhere. Outside, in the forest, the thrum of frogs and cicadas drowns out the sound of shrieking monkeys. Below me, the floor is shimmering, vanishing in waves like a spent mirage. Behind, I feel a cold vibration on my neck and sense a growling malevolence. I turn and see a red door, bulging at the hinges. Overcome with dread, I push hard to keep it closed, and all the while I feel a horrible nausea.

The effects of ayahuasca sounds remarkably similar to the effects I once experienced with salvia divinorum (which is I should add perfectly legal in the UK and not a controlled substance at all). Crazy shaman, doing crazy things in the rainforest is always fascinating isn't it?

Anyhow, the feature article is well worth a read.