Rick Strassman - DMT and the Soul of Prophecy

In memory of
Daniel X. Freedman, M.D. (19211993)
Willis Harman, Ph.D. (19181997)

DMT AND THE
SOUL OF PROPHECY

Not since Huxleys landmark The Doors of Perception has such a profound treatise emerged exploring the nexus of consciousness, the brain, and mind-altering substances. Strassman accomplishes this tour de force by wisely inverting the vector of the field of neurotheology to that of theoneurology. This book exemplifies rigorous science and keen historical analysis and is a significant contribution to human welfare. A delight to read, a sparkling exercise in clarity.

LARRY DOSSEY, M.D., AUTHOR OF ONE MIND

This book is a revelation. Strassman has written a daring and remarkable book that connects contemporary psychedelic explorers with the roots of the Jewish prophetic tradition. Here is a book that shows us how this ancient model of prophecy might provide an elegant and powerful language for the ennobling of our journey toward expanded consciousness.

RABBI SHEFA GOLD, AUTHOR OF THE MAGIC OF HEBREW CHANT

A very surprising and refreshing book. Strassman is unique and opens up completely new perspectives. I have learned a lot from this well-written book, and I am sure that other readers will do so too. Strassman took me far beyond familiar ways of thinking about the brain, minds, and interactions with nonhuman intelligences.

RUPERT SHELDRAKE, PH.D., AUTHOR OF SCIENCE SET FREE

As Rick Strassmans extraordinary new book explains, the Hebrew prophetic tradition provides an unexpectedly powerful lens for wrestling with the meaning of our psychedelic experiences. Strassmans model of theoneurology provides the proper context for viewing the religious importance of our mystic visions.

ALEX GREY, ARTIST, AUTHOR, AND COFOUNDER OF
CoSM, CHAPEL OF SACRED MIRRORS

This engagingly written book will be of interest to those with primary interest in religious experience as well as those with primary interest in psychedelic experience and altered states of consciousness.

ROLAND R. GRIFFITHS, PH.D.,
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROSCIENCE,
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

People interested in DMT, hallucinogens, spirituality, monotheistic religion, Buddhism, consciousness studies, and philosophy will find this book stimulating. I commend Strassman for his bold attempt to bridge science and religion, thereby risking attack from both sides. This is the kind of book that will advance knowledge... A deep and intense study outside the usual boundaries of education.

JEREMY NARBY, PH.D., ANTHROPOLOGIST AND
AUTHOR OF THE COSMIC SERPENT

This book is deeply compelling, groundbreaking, thought provoking, and important. Rick Strassman set the bar very high with his brilliant DMT: The Spirit Molecule, but DMT and the Soul of Prophecy comfortably surpasses it by taking the work forward in exciting and unexpected directions. Highly recommended.

GRAHAM HANCOCK, AUTHOR OF FINGERPRINTS OF THE GODS

By utilizing the worldview of the medieval Jewish philosophers, Strassman has presented this often emotionally laden and controversial subject in such a rational and scientific manner that even the skeptic and agnostic among us will be pleasantly surprised at how intriguing the confluence of God, the Hebrew Bible, and psychedelic endogenous DMT can be.

RABBI JOEL DAVID BAKST, AUTHOR OF THE JERUSALEM STONE OF
CONSCIOUSNESSDMT, KABBALAH & THE PINEAL GLAND

This is a brilliant, perceptive, and illuminating book. Strassman states that the best way to understand the DMT experience is to see how closely it follows the experience of Old Testament prophets and vice versa. I was surprised to find out he was right.

JAMES FADIMAN, PH.D.,
AUTHOR OF THE PSYCHEDELIC EXPLORERS GUIDE

A stimulating work that, while controversial, will be of interest to students of the Bible and human thought.

RABBI NORMAN STRICKMAN, PH.D.,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF JUDAIC STUDIES, TUORO COLLEGE

Dr. Strassmans theoneurology theory is a coherent and successful undertaking by a uniquely qualified and situated medical researcher of altered states of consciousness.

ALEX S. KOHAV, PH.D., AUTHOR OF THE SD HYPOTHESIS

I spoke with the prophets and multiplied visions, and through the prophets I assumed likenesses.

HOSEA 12:11

Acknowledgments

Friends, colleagues, study partners, and mentors have provided encouragement, advice, fact-checking, and careful reading as I wound my way through the labyrinth of ideas concerning Hebrew Bible prophecy. These include Ralph Abraham, Ph.D.; Sarah Afkami; Holly Avila; Lisa Baker; Rabbi Joel Bakst; Steve Barker, Ph.D.; Lorenzo Bello; Mark and Celina Bennett; Tai and Satara Bixby; Cindy Blount; Jeffrey Bronfman; Nicholas Cozzi, Ph.D.; Boa Cowee; Hanna Dettman; Aaron and Emily Ellingsen; James Fadiman, Ph.D.; Tadeo Feijo, M.D.; Ede Frecksa, M.D.; Ren Geertsen; Neal Goldsmith, Ph.D.; Jon Graham; Allyson and Alex Grey; Roland Griffiths, Ph.D.; Jeffrey Guss, M.D.; Mark Hoffman; Beatriz Labate, Ph.D.; Wendy Kout; Ariana Kramer; Haim Kreisel, Ph.D.; Jeffrey Kripal, Ph.D.; Jeffrey Lieb, M.D.; Jonathan Lisansky, M.D.; Jeremy Narby, Ph.D.; members of the Nucleo Santa Fe of the Unio do Vegetal; Clifford Qualls, Ph.D.; Bob Schrei; Mitch Schultz; Barbara Scott; Jonathan Sobol; Avi Solomon; Lily Springer, Ph.D.; Leanna Standish, N.D., Ph.D.; Andrew Stone; Marc Strassman; Rabbi H. Norman Strickman, Ph.D.; Martina Swart; Alexandre Tannous; members of the Taos Minyan; Donna Thomson; Robert Weisz, Ph.D.; and Rabbi Michael Ziegler. I wish to express special appreciation to the dedicated readers who reviewed and commented on all or nearly all of the chapters. Despite their best efforts, I am certain that errors have crept into the book, and those errors are entirely my responsibility. Finally, I would like to offer my gratitude for an especially timely grant from the Aurora Foundation.