THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION (1954) by Aldous Huxley
Details
"Half an hour after swallowing the drug, I became aware of a slow dance of glowing lights..."
Among the most profound explorations of the effects of mind-expanding drugs ever written, here are two complete classic books — 'The Doors of Perception' and 'Heaven and Hell' — in which Aldous Huxley, author of the bestselling 'Brave New World,' reveals the mind's remote frontiers and the unmapped areas of human consciousness. This new edition also features an additional essay, "Drugs That Shape Men's Minds," which is now included for the first time.
(taken from the back cover)
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ahoy folks. so i think i've figured out my angle for the group, at least for the next few months. we'll alternate between reading a classic psychedelic text (think Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Terence McKenna, etc) one month, followed by some form of alternating media (movies/TV shows/comics).
having journeyed through HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MIND back in June (the quintessential beginner's text to psychedelics), we'll go back in time to experience one of the earliest detailed accounts of one's descent into madness, THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION (1954) by the late great Aldous Huxley.
Huxley embarked on his first psychedelic experience by ingesting mescaline (the active ingredient found in peyote) and recorded the experience. much to his initial discomfort, upon spending more time with the substance, Huxley discovered a world he never knew existed. with his senses and mental perception exceptionally heightened, what Huxley discovered is, well, incredibly accurate based on my own experiences (with psilocybin, not mescaline).
in a way that only Huxley can articulate, we the readers have been blessed with not only the eloquent ramblings of a mad genius, but one of early non-fictions most daring and delightful journeys into expanded human consciousness. i hope you'll join me for this easy yet enlightening read down the winding rabbit holes of both the human mind and spirit.
we'll meet on Saturday, August 22 at 10am at the Red Brick Cafe for our discussion of THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION.
while there aren't any copies available at the Guelph Public Library, you can find the book at most retailers (including The Bookshelf and Janus Books downtown).
you can also read the book for free here: https://ia600605.us.archive.org/15/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.68115/2015.68115.The-Doors-Of-Perception-And-Heaven-And-Hell.pdf
happy reading!