Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences

Well before Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind, Dr. Bill Richards was investigating the effect of psychedelics on the human psyche. What’s distinct about Dr. Richards’ experience is that he can speak openly about his own personal psychedelic journeys (which were undertaken in above ground legal contexts) as well as his research into psychedelic psychotherapy that spans the original decades of work (his being mostly in the 60’s) to the current renaissance. Sacred Knowledge is a mix of memoir, scholarship, and open wonder about the mysterious experiences psychedelics can elicit when taken with respect and in the optimal setting.Some of the more disgruntled reviewers, in my reading, actually mischaracterize Dr. Richards as being overly narrow or confident in discussing some of the spiritual and mystical-like experiences psychedelics can produce. Having seen him speak on multiple occasions and even the pleasure of knowing him personally, I can attest that Dr. Richards indeed embodies a rare mix of intelligence, heart, and authenticity. His decades of life experiences, psychedelic and otherwise, have left him with a genuine playfulness and curiosity into his older years mixed with well-earned wisdom. He remains down to Earth, deeply compassionate, and eager to support his clients, students, and colleagues as they undertake their own life journeys.In Sacred Knowledge, I especially appreciated his willingness to ponder openly many of the mysteries that people can confront while experiencing psychedelic states of consciousness. Not everyone will be convinced that psychedelic experiences reveal a genuine sacred nature behind our everyday reality. Nor need they be. But by offering his own take on these questions and possibilities, Dr. Richards offers one voice among many in support of the growing psychedelic renaissance. As long as we can foster a similar sense of care and deep respect of these substances, we have much to learn and explore in the coming years about the potential for psychedelics to heal and transform.

Sacred knowledge was a brilliant read, I highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in the world of psychedelics or therapy! Not only was it an interesting book due to the subject matter, but I found Dr. Richards writing style to be engaging and easy to follow, especially as someone who doesn't have a a strong background in research or therapy. In between talks of research and psilocybin there are personal anecdotes, which are interesting and occasionally humorous. 10/10 would read again!

Bill Richards is a pioneer in the field of psychedelic studies and research. He has written a seminal work that has become required reading for anyone seriously interested in religious experience and psychedelic research. In fact, this book was required reading for my program on Psychedelic Studies and Research at CIIS and I can see why! It is a compelling and well-documented read illustrating the powerful work being done to alleviate human suffering through psychedelic enhanced psychotherapy. It is a treat to hear about the work through one of its early pioneers. I highly recommend it!

Having read and re-read Sacred Knowledge, I feel a deep appreciation for the author's passionate career-long pursuit, and for bringing the reader into positive and profoundly deeper understandings of consciousness and unity. His unique perspectives of historical context, juxtaposed with his scholarly background in theology, the psychology of religion, comparative religion and clinical work gives both a wonderful introduction to these topics, and points us toward the deeper resources within all of us. His experiences demonstrate, and confirmed by powerful new research results, that relief of various forms of human suffering with the therapeutic assistance of psychedelics and entheogens are close at hand. You will enjoy and revisit this book many times.David Bullard, Ph.D.Clinical Professor of Medicine and of Medical Psychology (Psychiatry)UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

I really enjoyed this book. I think the author is very informed and enthousiastic about the subject. I believe this is a very timely book.

Books about sacredness (enlightenment) and psychedelics have been and will continue to be published. Very interesting net site discussions will continue to emerge regarding the same subject matter. At the present time, this book is among the most significant. Among other things, it contains the latest information about an historic research with the terminally ill started in Maryland by Stanislav Grof and if the important "midterm dormant years" are included, it covers about 50 years of the most interesting research done within the field of consciousness.Richards keeps theory aptly simple but tight and real. A paradigm shift, writes Richards and he brings another way into clinical research that takes the field of consciousness to its proper home-base. Richard incorporates Pahnke's 1963 characters of mystical experiences using classical Jungian ideas and the concept of affirmative experiential intuitive knowledge within a world view (Weltanschauung) comprehensive of equal intelligent spiritual sacredness at the core of all religions, among other thoughts.It is a way (theory) about transpersonal unity and love, yes, but also about human compassion and other important indescribable states of consciousness. It is about something increasingly ignored today by our modern DSM mental health way.That it is a way; is, and if ignored by any traditional field of study because it creates too much emotional controversy, then it may just be that the study of the ineffable doesn't belong to that field. Richard opens the narrow professional window by suggesting a formal experientially based training available to a wider range of fields: religious professionals, interested informed researchers and those within the mental health field.

Utmärkt bok.

Truly unique. Loved the read.

The author clearly states that he’s religious and dismisses a constructivist view right away (while I happen to be a constructivist...). He argues early on: “If indeed the word “religion”, originating in the Latin religare, is to continue to signify that which most profoundly binds us together and reflects a shared perspective on what gives life its deepest purpose and meaning, I personally do not support abandoning it in favor of “spirituality”.” - The problem is that while etymologically he’s correct, factually he’s wrong. Spirituality does a far better job at that than religion.So the book is based on assumptions which are not generally shared, and not necessarily probable. I would prefer a spiritual approach which doesn’t exclude non-religious readers (although of course it was to be expected, judging from the title). Also, it’s a little content spread out thinly. Half as many pages would have been sufficient, IMHO.

Having personally met the author I can say he has a heart of gold. His teachings carry a weight of firm confidence from his own tried and tested methods. It is a pleasure to read for anyone who is curious on the topics of psychedelics and wants to have a better understanding of their very important role personally, therapeutically, spiritually and for educational means. This is a road map anyone should read to take their own and others journey to the next level.

Absolutely brilliant. One of the most inspiring, eye-opening, well formulated and humble reads I have done in a long time. Thank you.