Summer 2000
Ruth
Written largely by Anja Saunders, widow of Nicholas Saunders, after his untimely and sad death in a road accident, together with researcher Michelle Pauli, and expanding on Nicholas' earlier work and writings on Ecstasy, the authors here look specifically at the uses of a wide range of psychoactives, both plant based and synthetic, in the context of spiritual journeying, whether undertaken collectively, individually, in traditional settings, or in more contemporary ones.
This book looks at present day uses of psychoactives globally, covering traditional ritual practices still conducted in some of the world's most exotic locations, together with the import of some of the more formalised of these practices into "churches" in some Western cities. A strong connection is made between these widely varying practices, and the seemingly quite different culture and psychoactive use in the rave scene.
The book gives a coherent narrative of the spectrum of settings in which psychoactives are used today, and brings purpose and meaning to these events by including a spread of personal accounts, both by the authors themselves, and by many other, mainly western, users. It is an interesting and worthwhile study, which benefits from, but at times also almost slips between, the interleafing of the academic and the expositional styles employed. There is more to be said on the subject, this account tantalisingly falls short of covering the spriritual journeys in great depth, but contents itself with looking at substance use as one way into the spiritual experience.
This is a general, but much needed, introduction to a fascinating subject. Many readers may already have taken steps, to whatever degree, down such a road, and will find some of the scenery familiar. For some, the ideas presented here may be new. All in all, a good if occasionally patronising attempt to survey the complex field from a multiplicity of levels.