The Sixties was just a Dress Rehearsal.
Allan Badiner is a contributing editor at Tricycle magazine, and the editor of the New Edition of Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics (Synergetic Press).
He also edited the books, Dharma Gaia: A Harvest in Buddhism and Ecology and Mindfulness in the Marketplace (Parallax Press), and his written work appears in other books including Dharma Family Treasures, Meeting the Buddha, Ecological Responsibility: A Dialogue with Buddhism, and The Buddha and the Terrorist.
Allan holds a masters degree from the College of Buddhist Studies in LA and serves on the boards of Rainforest Action Network, Threshold Foundation, and Project CBD.
Presentation Abstract:
Psychedelics in the Anthropocene:
The Sixties was just a Dress Rehearsal
What tools or strategies offer an evolution of consciousness, with the rapidity required by our degenerating ecosystem? There is new and growing enthusiasm for experience with shamanic and psychedelic tools for transformation particularly when guided by an ancient system of ethics like Buddhism. Psychedelic exploration and Buddhist practice share a common concern: the liberation of the mind.
Popularized by Nobel Laureate chemist, Paul Crutzen, the Anthropocene describes the new geologic epoch that the Earth has moved into as a result of burning of fossil-fuels for energy. According to Professor Will Steffen of the Australian National University, “the Anthropocene will likely represent one of the six biggest extinctions in our planet’s history.”
Typically, as people age and draw closer to the end of their lives, they reach back to the spiritual tradition within which they were raised seeking solace, and diminishment of existential fear. In a similar way, as humanity faces the diminishing life-support systems of the planet, there is underway a massive search for meaning, spiritual fulfillment, and ultimately the empathy and inspiration to be of service to life itself. Could psychedelics come to be regarded as a cultural and ecological imperative for our survival?
More About Allan Badiner:
Dr. Stanley Krippner, a leading parapsychologist points out that while psychedelic substances have been used very wisely in many primitive cultures for spiritual and healing purposes, “Our culture doesn’t have this framework. We don’t have the closeness to God, the closeness to nature, or the shamanistic outlook,” says Krippner, “We’ve lost all that.” This is perhaps where Buddhism comes in with an ethic of compassion and time-tested teachings that promotes awareness, kindness, and self-development.
— Allan Badiner
The New Edition of Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics from Synergetic Press:
Buddhism and psychedelic exploration share a common concern: the liberation of the mind. This new edition of Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics (Synergetic Press) has evolved from the landmark anthology that launched the first inquiry into the ethical, doctrinal, and transcendental considerations at the intersection of Buddhism and psychedelics.
A provocative and thoughtful exploration of inner states and personal transformation, Zig Zag Zen now contains new original essays by such luminaries as Ralph Metzner and Brad Warner; exciting interviews with James Fadiman, Kokyo Henkel, and Rick Doblin; and a discussion of ayahuasca’s unique influence on Zen Buddhism by David Coyote.
All of these new essays have been carefully curated to extend the original inquiry of authors Joan Halifax Roshi, Peter Matthiessen, Jack Kornfield, Ram Dass, Terence McKenna, Rick Fields and many others.
Complementing these new essays is an expanded display of stunning artwork including pieces from Android Jones, Sukhi Barber, Ang Tsherin Sherpa, and Amanda Sage, as well as the original brilliant work of Robert Venosa, Mark Rothko, Robert Beer, Francesco Clemente, and many others, including more work by the pioneering visionary artist Alex Grey.
Buddhism and psychedelics are inevitable subjects encountered on the journey to wisdom. Examined together, the reader may understand more deeply the essence of each.
Purchase Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics at Synergetic Press or at Amazon.
Reviews of Zig Zag Zen:
Tricycle, reviewed by Don Lattin, the award winning journalist and author of Harvard Psychedelic Club.
Huffington Post, reviewed by psychotherapist Ira Israel.
Public talks about Zig Zag Zen:
Radio Interview with Rick Strassman: Click here to listen..
Talk at Watkins Books in London, with Rick Doblin and Daniel Pinchbeck:
Conferences:
Breaking Convention in London
Exploring Psychedelics at Southern Oregon University, June 4-5, 2015 in Ashland, Oregon
The Rubin Museum in NYC, June 17, 2015
Organizations:
It is a privilege to serve Rainforest Action Network as a member of the Board of Directors for 25 years. In addition to it’s ‘tough love’ campaigns against corporate misbehavior (it’s long fought victory with Cargill), deleting conflict palm oil from supply chains, getting banks to stop funding the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef, building the anti-pipeline movement, and holding fashion brands accountable… aside from all that, RAN is the only eco-activist NGO that transfers $ directly from donors in North America to on-the-ground activists in the global South. Be part of this!! Tell your friends about it.
Member of the Board of Directors of the Threshold Foundation
Member of the Board of Directors of Project CBD