In a previous post, Consciousness and the Supernatural, I discussed at some length David Lewis-Williams’ contention that supernatural thinking arises naturally from fluctuations of consciousness. These fluctuations range from normal (dreaming) to periodic (reveries) to pathological (delusions). Deliberately induced — and dramatic — altered states of consciousness are of course a specialty of shamans around [...]
Tags:altered states of consciousness·consciousness·David Lewis-Williams·delirium·delusions·dreaming·elderly·hallucinations·hospital delirium·mystics·reveries·shamans·supernatural
Whether or not you like Christopher Hitchens, one thing is certain: he can turn an incisive phrase. At his best, Hitchens writes with an acerbic aplomb that can be charming; at his worst, he is downright nasty.
With the latter Hitchens in mind, I have not yet been able to bring myself to read his jeremiad, [...]
Tags:atheism·caliphate·Christopher Hitchens·consumerism·crystals·fundamentalists·Galileo·God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything·Islamic empire·jihad·Khalil Gibran·Laurens van der Post·materialism·Muslim·mysticism·mystics·New Age·Prince Charles·radical Islam·religion·science·sharia·soul·universal soul
