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Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism (Paperback)

by Daniel Pinchbeck (Author) "The Bwiti believe that before the ceremony, the neophyte is nothing," Daniel Lieberman told me on my first morning in Gabon, as we took a..." (more)

4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

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Product Details

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Broadway; Reprint edition (Aug 12 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0767907434
ISBN-13: 978-0767907439
Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.2 x 2.3 cm
Shipping Weight: 46 g

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

Amazon.ca Sales Rank: #23,606 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category:
#9 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Shamanism

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Open City editor Pinchbeck's book debut is a polemic that picks up the threads that Huxley's The Doors of Perception, Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters and counterculture idealism left in the culture. Charting his gradual transformation from a cynical New York litterateur to psychedelic acolyte, Pinchbeck uses elements of travelogue, memoir, "entheobotany" ("the study of god-containing plants") and historical research to ask why these "doorways of the mind" have been unceremoniously sealed, sharing Walter Benjamin's melancholy about the exasperating nature of consumerism: "We live in a culture where everything tastes good but nothing satisfies." Pinchbeck travels the earth in search of spiritual awakening through tripping, from Gabon to the Nevada desert. At happenings like the Burning Man festival or a plant conference in the Ecuadorean jungle, Pinchbeck meets "modern shamans" and tells their stories as they intersect with his. In his reporting, he manages to walk a difficult tonal tightrope, balancing his skepticism with a desire to be transformed. He thoughtfully surveys the literature about psychedelic drugs, but the most exhilarating and illuminating sections are the descriptions of drug taking: he calls this visiting the "spirit world," which is "like a cosmic bureaucracy employing its own PR department, its own off-kilter sense of dream-logic and humor... constantly playing with human limitations, dangling possibilities before our puny grasps at knowledge." There's little new drug lore here, but Pinchbeck's earnest, engaged and winning manner carry the book.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

In this firsthand account of the world of psychedelic substances today, Village Voice and Rolling Stone writer Pinchbeck weaves elements of his personal life, including vivid descriptions of his reactions to the substances he takes, with larger topics, such as the history of psychedelic substances in the modern world and the foundations of shamanism. To aid his inquiry, he participates in visionary rituals around the world, e.g., taking iboga as part of a tribal initiation in Gabon. He also discusses key figures such as Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg, and Terence McKenna. Pinchbeck repeatedly decries the rationalism and destructiveness of Western culture and the shortsightedness of completely outlawing psychedelic substances. The book is not an extended diatribe, however. The author offers various viewpoints on how certain drugs should be used and on whether a modern, Western shamanism is possible. Pinchbeck posits a universe that may be difficult to accept, but his book will be of interest for public and academic libraries.
Stephen Joseph, Butler Cty. Community Coll. Lib., PA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
"The Bwiti believe that before the ceremony, the neophyte is nothing," Daniel Lieberman told me on my first morning in Gabon, as we took a cab from the Libreville airport. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have, April 27 2009

By	Donovan - See all my reviews

This book is an absolute must have for anyone interested in shamanism, psychedelia, or anything of the sort. Pinchbeck walks the reader through a winding trail of spiritual enlightenment that will lead you across the globe.

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2.0 out of 5 stars interesting but not well written, Jul 19 2004

By	gcon (colorado) - See all my reviews

definately an interesting subject, however, i didn't enjoy it much. the author, a self described neurotic, seems to be empty and searching for something, and the book seems to be more of a justification for him doing psychotropic drugs than a look at the role of the drugs in modern shamanism. the book is quite well researched but is sluggish and at times overbearing or pretentious. at one point he turns into a green peace rain forest advocate, which i don't see as having anything to do with shaman practice. if the subject is of interest to you, and this isn't the first book you have on the subject, there probably isn't anything new here for you. if you want to hear about his personal experiences, then buy the book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars To Put It Simple, Jun 25 2004

By	Julian P. Lazaro "juleslazarus" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism (Hardcover)

This book, like all good books, expanded my consciouness without the use of any psychedelics- psychonauts please think on these words.
Anyway, I found that the most important idea explored in this book to cover in my review is that human beings have many, perhaps infinite doors into different states of consciousness within the human mind. Whether or not we choose to deny these completely different worlds, we must understand that current "rational" theories about the world, and about consciousness in general could never be true or complete without exploring these worlds; if you see them you know that many are just as true as "rational" reality. Those doors are there for a reason, or they simply wouldn't be there. Interestingly enough, not only are the doors there after millions of years of evolution, but many keys to open these doors are naturally occuring in thousands of diverse life-forms all over the world (Some of which Mr. Pinchbeck describes wonderfully). Considering psychoactives, I find it particularly interesting that (for example) although the brain has a receptor for THC found in the soft drug marijuana which kills 0 people a year (themselves from use), alcohol- the legal alternative- poisons the brain to intoxication and kills countless brain cells, users and non-users a year. It is also important to note that in general natural psychelics cause no physical addiction or damage (quite the opposite), as the brain is wired specifically for their use. I don't necessarily support the habitual use of drugs, as I find that the mind can be explored to a great extent without them, but they are tools on this earth which we are obviously meant to use- if you don't agree, read this book, as I found it very convincing.
Don't forget to explore EROWID.ORG!!!
One Love

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars More Flapdoodle, Please!
Okay, so he ain't Wittgenstien, but neither was Ludwig. Pinchbeck deserves a decicive clap on the back for his feverish, foolhardy romp into the unknown. Read more

Published on Nov 3 2003 by Christopher B. Murray

1.0 out of 5 stars Oh, Come, My Dear, Is That Quite Accurate?
Daniel Pinchbeck's Breaking Open the Head makes an earnest attempt to persuade its audience that a variety of natural hallucinogens provide users with a genuine glimpse into the... Read more

Published on Mar 18 2003 by J. E. Barnes

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Jungle In Here
Pinchbeck's journey into the unkown is one of the best adventure stories I've ever read. Our culture's disregard for the reality of unseen beings and dimensions, it's... Read more

Published on Feb 28 2003 by J Doyle

4.0 out of 5 stars Stalking the sacred plants
(Four and a half stars) Dreams are fascinating, and psychedelic experiences are fascinating, to the one who has them. Read more

Published on Jan 14 2003 by Royce E. Buehler