Salutation and greetings from a non-native of Euro descent. May I first thank founders and members of this forum for a vital dialogue, urgently called for - a rarity it seems to me. Just to read here offers much insight. I further appreciate the opportunity to participate, inquire - endless signposts of possibility.
From my pov - new age charlatanry poses many issues. Often dire, and imho, poorly engaged by society as a whole, so far. Which is more disturbing, fraud itself? Or the larger context that facilitates it - society seemingly preoccupied by drama and personal issues to the exclusion of any greater, more purposeful awareness (then having to puzzle ‘what’s it all about Alfie?’). On many concerns I realize, I hope to help serve common cause as shared by others’ perspectives in this forum.
I have some technical background that informs my sense of issues that abound in new age fraud. I’m a phd in botany and mycology (evolution, genetics etc), with background also in comparative religion, anthropology & other fields. Over years of studying ethnomycology and related subjects, I’ve repeatedly encountered a popular proprietary interest in psychoactive plants and fungi – the psychedelic movement -- as a main source of new age fraud, with cultic aspects.
I find psychedelia problematic in terms especially of values, basic human principles. It seems a defiantly self-entitled subculture, freely ‘adoptive’ of native cultures, for its own non-native purposes. Its friendly to and ‘creative’ of a wide range of issues, involving psychoactive plants and fungi - especially as figure in native traditions. (I notice a recent new member intro, browndiasporia, citing Richard Alpert, and current ayahuasca tourism – for me, reflecting this role of psychedelia as a major source of new age fraud issues)
That ethno-xploitation typifies psychedelia’s popular pattern is unsettling. But its persistence in educational settings - (even resurgence ?) - institutions where critical inquiry & ethically aware perspectives supposedly hold sway, as well they should – even more troubling.
On the other hand such settings may be more amenable to effective engagement, inquiry by public voices paying attention and rightfully concerned. Persons like myself, and perhaps others here, may have key roles, depending on individual perspectives and interests. From my background, I feel well able to address issues of bad scholarship, pseudoscience, institutional and educational missions, disciplinary communities etc.
I’m especially alerted to ‘academic opportunism’ (Fikes, on Castaneda), ‘scholarly complicity’ (Hoopes, on “Mayan” 2012ism, McKenna et al) as dynamic aspects. Institutions have express mission statements, official interests to which they’re beholden in broad societal context (public perceptions etc). Such factors may offer possibilities of constructive engagement not yet fully realized.
One thing I can’t do - is speak from personal native heritage. As you know, that’s a unique qualification and vital function, to address cultural exploitation, from personal experience and authenticity. But the ease and frequency with which media and news sources, educators and specialists who ought to know better (with no duty not to) are readily manipulated into aiding and abetting charlatanry, knowingly or wily nily - seems staggering. Likewise the obscurity and diversity of issues - the scope and scale of such exploitation, 'little ways' it operates (ploys, stealth maneuvers etc). These are among deeper murkier aspects to which my attention is drawn, ever more sharply. Especially insofar as the ‘nature of the beast’ seems to escape wider notice.
When occasion allows (rarely) I like to commend anyone in psychedelia raising issues of conscience (ex.
http://gbshamanismphd.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/breaking-convention-2013-a-review/). More often, where I feel qualified and situation warrants, I play role of fighter, self directed - ‘pen mightier than sword’ type. I like using tactical inquiry, strategic appeals to reasoned principle. Here’s an example, of initiative I’ll sometimes take, single-handed (one that brought me a laurel):
http://www.thefire.org/western-michigan-university-to-revise-sexism-policy/ (about my book as cited, “The Sacred Mushrooms of Mexico” – I’ll email any/all chaps to anyone here, with no obligation, on welcome invite to any critique on my discussion, as a non-native, of native cultural info/content. Also, in case it furthers interest or impression, here’s an interview where I discuss points informally:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4sJB1umcL4)
‘Borrowing’ from native heritage(s) seems to have achieved the status of standard practice in the subculture, officially accepted even prescribed. I take this to mean there’s simply not adequate awareness in general, nor sufficient boundaries in whatever form - policy, practice, oversight (public sensibility) - to deter exploitation.
I’ve learned of some current circumstances on campus in Pennsylvania that, prompting me to introduce myself here at this time. It involves Castaneda’s Don Juan being reintroduced, on touted literary value, as required reading to ‘inspire’ a new generation. Its a new class crafted by a particular grad student in the UPenn English program - who’s been busy in psychedelic PR operations pursuing the subculture’s ambitions of institutional power and position (as I conclude). She was lead organizer of the ‘Psychedemia’ conference there in 2012 (“integrating psychedelics into academia” – its slogan). She also happens to be an editor of a major propaganda website of psychedelia founded by D. Pinchbeck (psychedelia main channeler of Quetzalcoatl).
I learned of this at a ‘psychonaut’ chat website. It was a thread where this course, signaling Don Juan’s triumphant campus resurrection - is heralded as ‘hope for humanity.’ Along with Castaneda, other required texts for the edification of students, to broaden their horizons, include – Jane “Seth Speaking” Roberts; and psychedelia’s most venerated charlatan, Terence McKenna.
My mind clouds as I contemplate this disturbing infiltration by the psychedelic agenda, per ambitions McKenna articulated clearly far back as 1992, flying below institutional radar (as I gather). I’m just going to post the link, where I learned about this, in case anyone might get their own impressions, perhaps counsel or advise. I have more than a half dozen posts there - using doctorlao name (from a novel by Finney, CIRCUS OF DR LAO), trying to sort out questions and observations overwhelming my staggered sensibility:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Psychonaut/comments/1x7hj1/a_friend_of_mine_is_teaching_a_course_on_higher/With equitable wishes, thanks to one and all. I greatly appreciate this forum. As I will anything that may come of my involvement, in accord with any interests of others that harmonize or dovetail. (PS - I posted a brief prior reply in another thread, not yet having presented myself here formally. I hope no offense was taken; of course none was intended – begging kind pardon.)
