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Supernatural: Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind
Less than 50,000 years ago humans had no art, no religion, no sophisticated symbolism, no innovative thinking. Then, in a dramatic change, described by scientists as 'the greatest riddle in human history', all the skills & qualities that we value most highly in ourselves appeared already fully formed, as tho bestowed on us by hidden powers. In Supernatural Hancock sets out to investigate this mysterious before-&-after moment & to discover the truth about the influences that gave birth to the modern mind. His quest takes him on a detective journey from the beautiful painted caves of prehistoric France, Spain & Italy to rock shelters in the mountains of S. Africa, where he finds extraordinary Stone Age art. He uncovers clues that lead him to the Amazon rainforest to drink the hallucinogen Ayahuasca with shamans, whose paintings contain images of 'super-natural beings' identical to the animal-human hybrids depicted in prehistoric caves. Hallucinogens such as mescaline also produce visionary encounters with exactly the same beings. Scientists at the cutting edge of consciousness research have begun to consider the possibility that such hallucinations may be real perceptions of other dimensions. Could the supernaturals 1st depicted in the painted caves be the ancient teachers of humankind? Could it be that human evolution isn't just the meaningless process Darwin identified, but something more purposive & intelligent that we've barely begun to understand?
Acknowledgements
Part 1: Visions
1: Plant that enables men to see the dead
2: Greatest riddle of archeology
3: Vine of souls
Part 2: Caves
4: Therianthropy
5: Riddles of the caves
6: Shabby academy
7: Searching for a Rosetta Stone
8: Code in the mind
9: Serpents of the Drakensberg
10: Wounded healer
Part 3: Beings
11: Voyage into the supernatural
12: Shamans in the sky
13: Spirit love
14: Secret commonwealth
15: Here is a thing that will carry me away
16: Dancers between worlds
Part 4: Codes
17: Turning in to channel DMT
18: Amongst the machine elves
19: Ancient teachers in our DNA?
20: Hurricane in the junkyard
Part 5: Religions
21: Hidden Shamans
22: Flesh of the Gods
Part 6: Mysteries
23: Doors leading to another world
Appendices
Critics & criticisms of David Lewis-Williams' Neuropsychological theory of rock & cave art
Psilocybe semilanceata-a hallucinogenic mushroom native to Europe / Roy Watlng
Interview with Rick Strassman
References
Index
Acknowledgements
Part 1: Visions
1: Plant that enables men to see the dead
2: Greatest riddle of archeology
3: Vine of souls
Part 2: Caves
4: Therianthropy
5: Riddles of the caves
6: Shabby academy
7: Searching for a Rosetta Stone
8: Code in the mind
9: Serpents of the Drakensberg
10: Wounded healer
Part 3: Beings
11: Voyage into the supernatural
12: Shamans in the sky
13: Spirit love
14: Secret commonwealth
15: Here is a thing that will carry me away
16: Dancers between worlds
Part 4: Codes
17: Turning in to channel DMT
18: Amongst the machine elves
19: Ancient teachers in our DNA?
20: Hurricane in the junkyard
Part 5: Religions
21: Hidden Shamans
22: Flesh of the Gods
Part 6: Mysteries
23: Doors leading to another world
Appendices
Critics & criticisms of David Lewis-Williams' Neuropsychological theory of rock & cave art
Psilocybe semilanceata-a hallucinogenic mushroom native to Europe / Roy Watlng
Interview with Rick Strassman
References
Index
480 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Graham Hancock
136 books3,760 followersGraham Hancock is a British writer and journalist. His books include Lords of Poverty, The Sign and the Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods, Keeper of Genesis (released in the US as Message of the Sphinx), The Mars Mystery, Heaven's Mirror (with wife Santha Faiia), Underworld: The Mysterious Origins of Civilization, Talisman: Sacred Cities, Secret Faith (with co-author Robert Bauval), Supernatural: Meeting with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind and Magicians of the Gods. He also wrote and presented the Channel 4 documentaries Underworld: Flooded Kingdoms of the Ice Age and Quest for the Lost Civilisation. His first novel, Entangled, was published in 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
May 31, 2010
Graham Hancock is the king of speculation. His books will either convince you there’s a lot more to human history or make you scoff at his speculation. Regardless, it is damn entertaining. One of the first books I ever bought was his Fingerprints of the Gods (1996) which discussed how anomalies associated with ancient monuments tend to indicate a wide-spread ancient advanced civilization. Even though I was intrigued by the way Hancock tied all those threads together I’m still deeply skeptical of his overall thesis. And yet, I’ve been completely hooked by his 2007 book Supernatural. This one is deeply convincing because anyone can follow his thesis with a little supplemental research. Using the bitterly accepted idea proposed by anthropologist David Lewis-Williams, that ancient art depicted what early humans saw in altered states of consciousness, Hancock weaves a story that gets at the very heart of what it means to be a member of our species. Where academics might be starting to accept Lewis-Williams’ idea, they are far from ready to use the same plants and rituals that produced these early trance states. This is where Hancock picks up, by starting taking the iboga vine, the plant that enables men to see the dead, and follows with the sacred ayahuasca brew of the Amazon.
Where I’m sure I would have been more sympathetic to Hancock’s other works if I had actually been to the monuments he describes, I can follow the writing here because of my own exposure to these ancient plants. Before I knew the themes and details in this book, my own experiences were eerily similar to those described in Supernatural. I’ve been the archetype of the wounded man and had interactions with serpents. Reading the story of someone thousands of years ago describing something that happened to me (along with its “mystical” significance) is a chilling synchronicity. Hancock’s sketch on p. 52 of the beings he encountered while doing his field research were exactly the same things I’ve seen, and as I learned by reading, have been seen for thousands of years by scattered native groups across the world accessing these same states through various means.
Hancock ties the similarities of the modern UFO/abduction phenomena to experiences that indigenous tribesmen have in altered states to the mythology of the medieval fairies. In doing so, he uncovers that throughout human history our species has been describing the same thing from different angles. Whatever this phenomena is, it appears to be changing over time, evolving and advancing. Hinting at a form of intelligence. All of these encounters have similar themes, particularly in encountering entities with an interest in human sexuality and reproduction mechanisms. That fairies allegedly impregnated and abducted women or danced around in circles to fly into the sky draws more than a few parallels to modern UFO lore. While the case Hancock lays for these similarities takes up the first half of the book, it is in the second half of Supernatural where the mind gems really shine through.
All human languages have a direct, exact, unvarying mathematical relationship between the rank of a word and the actual frequency of occurrence of that word. This relationship is known as Zipf’s Law, named after linguist George Zipf and has proved to hold true for every human language. Oddly enough, when the non-coding regions of DNA are analyzed according to Zipf’s Law a perfect linear Zipf Law linear plot emerges. In fact, the chemical “writing” of the non-coding regions of DNA appear to have all the features of a language, and may in fact be a language. Perhaps it is this language that ancient plant based sacrements tap into. Hancock brings to light the evidence that our interactions with ‘the other’ could be enabled by ancient plant substances because these chemicals allow us to access information encoded in the 97% of our DNA we currently think of as ‘junk DNA’. Further work in this area was done by Dr. Jeremy Narby in his book The Cosmic Serpent, which Hancock touches on briefly, specifically regarding the presence of snake constituted helixes in nearly every culture. That the snake in mythology is often a reference to DNA.
Since Hancock published Supernatural, the knowledge that Francis Crick discovered the shape of DNA while using LSD has become widely known. What is less well known is that Crick later published a book where he explains that DNA is so complex no mechanism of evolution could have produced it on this planet, concluding it must have originated elsewhere in the universe. Strangely, the mythology of many tribes in the Amazon tell the exact same story, of serpents falling from the sky and living inside us. While anthropologist Michael Harner ingested ayahuasca in 1961 he reported seeing, “dragon-like creatures that came to earth from deep in outer space after a journey that had lasted for eons.” These dragons explained that they hid in the multitudinous forms life and that humans were the receptacles for these creatures. Similar encounters have been described by other scientists ingesting these ceremonial brews and ancient cultures are inundated with related stories. Hancock hesitates from drawing any sort of conclusion other than that these ancient myths and timeless sacraments may be far more interesting than we could ever guess. Personally I agree.
Even stranger is that psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) is essentially orally active DMT, an indole compound with a phosphorylated functional group which exists nowhere else in nature. If this pattern exists nowhere else in nature, where could it have come from? What if the alien we’ve been searching for has been here inside us all along? A chilling prospect to consider, but after reading through Supernatural you’ll be forced to confront this possibility in all of its grandeur.
Where I’m sure I would have been more sympathetic to Hancock’s other works if I had actually been to the monuments he describes, I can follow the writing here because of my own exposure to these ancient plants. Before I knew the themes and details in this book, my own experiences were eerily similar to those described in Supernatural. I’ve been the archetype of the wounded man and had interactions with serpents. Reading the story of someone thousands of years ago describing something that happened to me (along with its “mystical” significance) is a chilling synchronicity. Hancock’s sketch on p. 52 of the beings he encountered while doing his field research were exactly the same things I’ve seen, and as I learned by reading, have been seen for thousands of years by scattered native groups across the world accessing these same states through various means.
Hancock ties the similarities of the modern UFO/abduction phenomena to experiences that indigenous tribesmen have in altered states to the mythology of the medieval fairies. In doing so, he uncovers that throughout human history our species has been describing the same thing from different angles. Whatever this phenomena is, it appears to be changing over time, evolving and advancing. Hinting at a form of intelligence. All of these encounters have similar themes, particularly in encountering entities with an interest in human sexuality and reproduction mechanisms. That fairies allegedly impregnated and abducted women or danced around in circles to fly into the sky draws more than a few parallels to modern UFO lore. While the case Hancock lays for these similarities takes up the first half of the book, it is in the second half of Supernatural where the mind gems really shine through.
All human languages have a direct, exact, unvarying mathematical relationship between the rank of a word and the actual frequency of occurrence of that word. This relationship is known as Zipf’s Law, named after linguist George Zipf and has proved to hold true for every human language. Oddly enough, when the non-coding regions of DNA are analyzed according to Zipf’s Law a perfect linear Zipf Law linear plot emerges. In fact, the chemical “writing” of the non-coding regions of DNA appear to have all the features of a language, and may in fact be a language. Perhaps it is this language that ancient plant based sacrements tap into. Hancock brings to light the evidence that our interactions with ‘the other’ could be enabled by ancient plant substances because these chemicals allow us to access information encoded in the 97% of our DNA we currently think of as ‘junk DNA’. Further work in this area was done by Dr. Jeremy Narby in his book The Cosmic Serpent, which Hancock touches on briefly, specifically regarding the presence of snake constituted helixes in nearly every culture. That the snake in mythology is often a reference to DNA.
Since Hancock published Supernatural, the knowledge that Francis Crick discovered the shape of DNA while using LSD has become widely known. What is less well known is that Crick later published a book where he explains that DNA is so complex no mechanism of evolution could have produced it on this planet, concluding it must have originated elsewhere in the universe. Strangely, the mythology of many tribes in the Amazon tell the exact same story, of serpents falling from the sky and living inside us. While anthropologist Michael Harner ingested ayahuasca in 1961 he reported seeing, “dragon-like creatures that came to earth from deep in outer space after a journey that had lasted for eons.” These dragons explained that they hid in the multitudinous forms life and that humans were the receptacles for these creatures. Similar encounters have been described by other scientists ingesting these ceremonial brews and ancient cultures are inundated with related stories. Hancock hesitates from drawing any sort of conclusion other than that these ancient myths and timeless sacraments may be far more interesting than we could ever guess. Personally I agree.
Even stranger is that psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) is essentially orally active DMT, an indole compound with a phosphorylated functional group which exists nowhere else in nature. If this pattern exists nowhere else in nature, where could it have come from? What if the alien we’ve been searching for has been here inside us all along? A chilling prospect to consider, but after reading through Supernatural you’ll be forced to confront this possibility in all of its grandeur.
November 17, 2007
I can't recommend this author highly enough, his writing style is very clear and readable, he does tons of research and supports his ideas extremely convincingly. I recommend ANYTHING this author has written.
This book talks about altered states of consciousness, ayahuasca ("vision vine" used in S. America) experiments, DMT experiments, trance states commonly used by shamans, ancient cave paintings, the San people who once lived in the Kalahari, and commonality of experiences of drug and trance states, an interesting take on religion and how the Catholic church co-opted some curious experiences and oriented them towards the Virgin Mary, and an interesting discussion of what the brain might really be doing... just a great read if you like any of these subjects.
Monumentally good!
This book talks about altered states of consciousness, ayahuasca ("vision vine" used in S. America) experiments, DMT experiments, trance states commonly used by shamans, ancient cave paintings, the San people who once lived in the Kalahari, and commonality of experiences of drug and trance states, an interesting take on religion and how the Catholic church co-opted some curious experiences and oriented them towards the Virgin Mary, and an interesting discussion of what the brain might really be doing... just a great read if you like any of these subjects.
Monumentally good!
March 29, 2007
I bought and started the book about a two and half weeks ago. I am currently on Part III chapter 11. Being an artist and having a fascination for history and the human mind, I could not help to be drawn to a different point of view about prehistoric cave art.
Well Graham Hancock "takes you there" and I really appreciate that he does. This books is not for everyone but the ideas and inquiries are worth it to all. If we do not take a moment in our daily lives to stop, breath, and question what is really going on with us (i.e. as human being) and our relationships to each other and this great life force call earth. Then we will truly be in a desperately frightful state of existence.
I invite any courageous, well read, and open minded adult to venture on their own path with the hope of recapturing the wisdom of our ancients. From where I stand, I am grateful to Graham Hancock and David Lewis-Williams for their incredible work in this area.
This is my first book by G. Hancock, but I have a feeling not the last.
Well Graham Hancock "takes you there" and I really appreciate that he does. This books is not for everyone but the ideas and inquiries are worth it to all. If we do not take a moment in our daily lives to stop, breath, and question what is really going on with us (i.e. as human being) and our relationships to each other and this great life force call earth. Then we will truly be in a desperately frightful state of existence.
I invite any courageous, well read, and open minded adult to venture on their own path with the hope of recapturing the wisdom of our ancients. From where I stand, I am grateful to Graham Hancock and David Lewis-Williams for their incredible work in this area.
This is my first book by G. Hancock, but I have a feeling not the last.
January 26, 2008
A friend suggested I read this - fascinating book tying in Shamanism, Ancient Cave Art, DMT, Aliens, sounds crazy....but Hancock does a convincing job of tying all these things together with a theory that mind altering drugs actually "tune" our brains into a different channel of reality. Hmmmm... after recently watching the movie "What the Bleep do We Know" which is about recent advances in Quantum physics,energy, non-linear time, etc.... I found some of parrallels interesting. If you find any of this stuff interesting, this book is for you.
August 13, 2011
Michael Miley introduced me to Graham Hancock's work many years ago in that he gave me one of his books to read. But back then it was the book and its topic, ancient Egypt, which was of interest, not the author. Since then, listening to old Art Bell podcasts of interviews with Hancock, I have come to appreciate the author as an individual. Whether or not one agrees with his lay hypothesizing, it is apparent that Mr. Hancock is a sincere and well-meaning fellow.
This book is not original, but it does tie together a host of material encountered in other texts. Picking up on the extraordinary similarities between the recorded encounters of people with nonhuman intelligences worldwide over the last 50,000 years, experiences which he personally obtained through the use of various psychotropic drugs, Hancock speculates that such are not just subjective hallucinations, but objective phenomena. In other words, there are nonhuman intelligences and they and their environ(s) may be studied.
The central insight of this book is that the brain is, in part, like a radio receiver which can, by various means, be tuned to different frequencies, allowing a broader range of perceptions. The easiest, fastest means are by tryptamine neurotransmitters substituting for serotonin, one of which, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), is produced in our bodies naturally and at various levels. Other means, such as fasting, meditation, extreme exertion, also may work. Indeed, some people seem able to "tune in" to a broader range of frequencies with little or no effort. Although he doesn't mention this, these other methods may simply indicate that some persons produce more DMT in the pituitary or less of its antagonist in general and that others can induce such production by such means as fasting etc. It has actually been speculated that this naturally occurring DMT (linked to circadian rhythms) causes dreaming in everyone and the hallucinations and auditions experienced by extraordinary persons often dismissed in our culture as psychotic.
Hancock's arguments depend on his estimation of the evidence. It is unquestionable that most if not all human cultures have used consciousness-altering drugs. The archeological evidence is abundant. It is also unquestionable that most if not all human cultures for which we have written records have maintained the existence of non-human intelligences and other dimensions of being beyond the quotidian. Extrapolating from this, written records which don't go back more than 6000 years, to 50,000 years ago is a stretch based on a "reading" of rock paintings and carvings. Similarly, saying that extraordinary visions recorded by Egyptians 4000 years ago or Siberian shamans one hundred years ago correspond significantly to the visions of contemporary Amazonian healers, of doped up American teenagers or alien abductees also constitutes an interpretative stretch. Still, Hancock makes a case worthy of consideration, particularly to one who, like me, may recognize similarities between one's own most extraordinary experiences and those of others distant in space and/or time.
This book is not original, but it does tie together a host of material encountered in other texts. Picking up on the extraordinary similarities between the recorded encounters of people with nonhuman intelligences worldwide over the last 50,000 years, experiences which he personally obtained through the use of various psychotropic drugs, Hancock speculates that such are not just subjective hallucinations, but objective phenomena. In other words, there are nonhuman intelligences and they and their environ(s) may be studied.
The central insight of this book is that the brain is, in part, like a radio receiver which can, by various means, be tuned to different frequencies, allowing a broader range of perceptions. The easiest, fastest means are by tryptamine neurotransmitters substituting for serotonin, one of which, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), is produced in our bodies naturally and at various levels. Other means, such as fasting, meditation, extreme exertion, also may work. Indeed, some people seem able to "tune in" to a broader range of frequencies with little or no effort. Although he doesn't mention this, these other methods may simply indicate that some persons produce more DMT in the pituitary or less of its antagonist in general and that others can induce such production by such means as fasting etc. It has actually been speculated that this naturally occurring DMT (linked to circadian rhythms) causes dreaming in everyone and the hallucinations and auditions experienced by extraordinary persons often dismissed in our culture as psychotic.
Hancock's arguments depend on his estimation of the evidence. It is unquestionable that most if not all human cultures have used consciousness-altering drugs. The archeological evidence is abundant. It is also unquestionable that most if not all human cultures for which we have written records have maintained the existence of non-human intelligences and other dimensions of being beyond the quotidian. Extrapolating from this, written records which don't go back more than 6000 years, to 50,000 years ago is a stretch based on a "reading" of rock paintings and carvings. Similarly, saying that extraordinary visions recorded by Egyptians 4000 years ago or Siberian shamans one hundred years ago correspond significantly to the visions of contemporary Amazonian healers, of doped up American teenagers or alien abductees also constitutes an interpretative stretch. Still, Hancock makes a case worthy of consideration, particularly to one who, like me, may recognize similarities between one's own most extraordinary experiences and those of others distant in space and/or time.
June 14, 2016
While he is rather controversial as a writer and researcher (Google him and you'll find people who think he's a revolutionary thinker, and others who think he's nothing but a crank), you can't deny that this book is fascinating.
I began with a rather cynical view on Hancock (I should not have biased myself by reading the vitriol from passionate web trolls), but he quickly won me over. Hancock's research is cogent, his point of view is fairly objective, and his willingness to experience first-hand the topics about which he writes is impressive. Then again, if you want to write about psychedelics without some experience with them, I'm suspicious.
But I digress. In "Supernatural," Hancock attempts to weave and eventually link topics as varied as UFOs, alien abductions, DMT, fairies and elves, shame of the Amazon, neolithic cultures and psilocybin mushrooms. Don't ask me how, but somehow, sometimes, he succeeds. I like the way Hancock introduces the reader to these topics without beating you over the head with them.
He writes with the authority, intelligence and experience necessary to tell his story, and he doesn't seem to give one hoot whether you believe him or not. The idea that he's not trying to sell me anything made him much more credible to me.
He might not have convinced me that fairies drive tiny little cars around the English forests, but I'll admit he raises many, many progressive (and that's mild) points that are very difficult to ignore. I now have a very different attitude about many of his topics.
I'd also like to add that I've read Dr. Rick Strassman's book "DMT: The Spirit Molecule" before I found Hancock's work. Having read and appreciated Strassman's work greatly, bringing his perspective to the table before reading "Supernatural" was not only helpful (as background), but Hancock answered several questions I was left with after reading Strassman's book.
Unless you're religious fundamentalist with no room in your mind for any new ideas whatever, this book will make you think. A LOT. As one of the reviewers put it, "Mind. Blown." Boy, I'll say!!
I began with a rather cynical view on Hancock (I should not have biased myself by reading the vitriol from passionate web trolls), but he quickly won me over. Hancock's research is cogent, his point of view is fairly objective, and his willingness to experience first-hand the topics about which he writes is impressive. Then again, if you want to write about psychedelics without some experience with them, I'm suspicious.
But I digress. In "Supernatural," Hancock attempts to weave and eventually link topics as varied as UFOs, alien abductions, DMT, fairies and elves, shame of the Amazon, neolithic cultures and psilocybin mushrooms. Don't ask me how, but somehow, sometimes, he succeeds. I like the way Hancock introduces the reader to these topics without beating you over the head with them.
He writes with the authority, intelligence and experience necessary to tell his story, and he doesn't seem to give one hoot whether you believe him or not. The idea that he's not trying to sell me anything made him much more credible to me.
He might not have convinced me that fairies drive tiny little cars around the English forests, but I'll admit he raises many, many progressive (and that's mild) points that are very difficult to ignore. I now have a very different attitude about many of his topics.
I'd also like to add that I've read Dr. Rick Strassman's book "DMT: The Spirit Molecule" before I found Hancock's work. Having read and appreciated Strassman's work greatly, bringing his perspective to the table before reading "Supernatural" was not only helpful (as background), but Hancock answered several questions I was left with after reading Strassman's book.
Unless you're religious fundamentalist with no room in your mind for any new ideas whatever, this book will make you think. A LOT. As one of the reviewers put it, "Mind. Blown." Boy, I'll say!!
July 18, 2010
We can agree the supernatural has been apart of our culture for thousands of years. This statement is the subject of Graham Hancock's new novel Supernatural. But who is Graham Hancock?
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Hancock spent most of his younger years in India. Later, he went to school and university in the northern English city of Durham and graduated from Durham University in 1973 with First Class Honors in Sociology and pursued a career in journalism. He wrote for newspapers such as The Times, The Guardian and The Independent and was co-editor of New Internationalist magazine from 1976-1979. He is known for asking legitimate questions and challenging popular views of orthodox scholars. Hancock is the author of the major international bestsellers The Sign and The Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods and Heaven's Mirror. I believe his latest novel will fall in that category as well.
When I first read a synopsis of Supernatural, I was excited. I love learning new things and ideas in this area. I have to say after reading a few chapters it wasn't what I thought it would be. It starts out with Hancock describing his experience with a session of a hallucinogen. He wasn't experimented with such drugs just for the fun of it. He did it to prove a point. Throughout part of the book, he makes a case as to how hallucinogens help shamans reach another realm of existence. This includes how some images depicted in cave art links the hallucinations they have (there are illustrations throughout the book to show you what he is referring to).
Next, his arguments shift to UFOs and hallucinogens. You would think it proves aliens don't exist and it's all in our minds. Actually, it's the opposite. Many of those who have had experiences with hallucinogens describe similar images including that of an alien-like figure. His belief is that they help connect us to them. Skeptics may think that's a stretch especially since we are basically taught that hallucinations are nothing and we shouldn't believe what we see. What if they are actually real?
Fairy abductions factor in this equation as well. These took place throughout Europe before UFOs became popular in the 1960s. Fairies were known to "take" people randomly to Fairy Knolls, some never returned. Others were taken to be midwives or mother figures for hybrids. They were also known to switch "Changelings" for human babies. Some even claimed to be "tortured by fairies" much like the alien operations. These stories mimic those of UFO abductees. Is it possible they are one in the same? Maybe considering there hasn't been a fairy abduction since UFOs came into play.
Last stop in the book tour, is DNA. It's a popular theory we owe our existence to a comet hitting the earth carrying an organism of some kind. In Hancock's book, he explains how some scientists believe it may have been more than that. Actually their thoughts are that our DNA may actually contain messages recorded by "clever entities" which we can access during sessions with hallucinogens. Since the function of 97 percent of our DNA is unknown, I can see how someone would propose such a theory. Most scientists have thought the large portion was nothing but junk DNA that it didn't really serve a high purpose. Francis Crick, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, supposedly admitted to his colleagues that he was under the influence of LSD when he came up with the double helix shape. Does that prove our DNA holds some secret message(s). I really don't know. The drug may have picked up information he already knew.
This is but a large taste of what you'll find in Supernatural. If you love reading and learning about the abnormal aspects of life, you will love this book. I think anyone willing to put themselves out there and test their own theories (even if it means putting yourself through some risky "experiments"). Graham Hancock has that way of making you really think about what society has taught you.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Hancock spent most of his younger years in India. Later, he went to school and university in the northern English city of Durham and graduated from Durham University in 1973 with First Class Honors in Sociology and pursued a career in journalism. He wrote for newspapers such as The Times, The Guardian and The Independent and was co-editor of New Internationalist magazine from 1976-1979. He is known for asking legitimate questions and challenging popular views of orthodox scholars. Hancock is the author of the major international bestsellers The Sign and The Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods and Heaven's Mirror. I believe his latest novel will fall in that category as well.
When I first read a synopsis of Supernatural, I was excited. I love learning new things and ideas in this area. I have to say after reading a few chapters it wasn't what I thought it would be. It starts out with Hancock describing his experience with a session of a hallucinogen. He wasn't experimented with such drugs just for the fun of it. He did it to prove a point. Throughout part of the book, he makes a case as to how hallucinogens help shamans reach another realm of existence. This includes how some images depicted in cave art links the hallucinations they have (there are illustrations throughout the book to show you what he is referring to).
Next, his arguments shift to UFOs and hallucinogens. You would think it proves aliens don't exist and it's all in our minds. Actually, it's the opposite. Many of those who have had experiences with hallucinogens describe similar images including that of an alien-like figure. His belief is that they help connect us to them. Skeptics may think that's a stretch especially since we are basically taught that hallucinations are nothing and we shouldn't believe what we see. What if they are actually real?
Fairy abductions factor in this equation as well. These took place throughout Europe before UFOs became popular in the 1960s. Fairies were known to "take" people randomly to Fairy Knolls, some never returned. Others were taken to be midwives or mother figures for hybrids. They were also known to switch "Changelings" for human babies. Some even claimed to be "tortured by fairies" much like the alien operations. These stories mimic those of UFO abductees. Is it possible they are one in the same? Maybe considering there hasn't been a fairy abduction since UFOs came into play.
Last stop in the book tour, is DNA. It's a popular theory we owe our existence to a comet hitting the earth carrying an organism of some kind. In Hancock's book, he explains how some scientists believe it may have been more than that. Actually their thoughts are that our DNA may actually contain messages recorded by "clever entities" which we can access during sessions with hallucinogens. Since the function of 97 percent of our DNA is unknown, I can see how someone would propose such a theory. Most scientists have thought the large portion was nothing but junk DNA that it didn't really serve a high purpose. Francis Crick, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, supposedly admitted to his colleagues that he was under the influence of LSD when he came up with the double helix shape. Does that prove our DNA holds some secret message(s). I really don't know. The drug may have picked up information he already knew.
This is but a large taste of what you'll find in Supernatural. If you love reading and learning about the abnormal aspects of life, you will love this book. I think anyone willing to put themselves out there and test their own theories (even if it means putting yourself through some risky "experiments"). Graham Hancock has that way of making you really think about what society has taught you.
January 16, 2014
Almost the whole of the first half of the book deals with the images found in prehistoric cave art and Graham Hancock's personal journeys (in the interests of authentic and balanced research), into the realms of hallucinogenic plants used by shamans in all parts of the world past and present.
My focus is on the role of altered states of consciousness in the origins of religion, in the cultivation of authentic religious experiences, and in the inspiration of religious imagery. My own opinion is that once religions abandon, forget, or even outlaw the deliberate induction and use of altered states of consciousness, then they lose contact with their roots and wellsprings, and great ugliness and materialism can be expected to ensue.
If the first half is interesting and informative, the second half of the book is both fascinating and compelling. The author not only pulls together possible connections to folklore and mythology (not to mention modern sightings of UFOs and alien abductions) in order to work out what's happening when the shaman or participant is in a state of trance, but explores and analyses the scientific aspects too.
I loved the connections and insights put forward in this book - food for much thought - and was thrilled to find a convincing answer to the patterns (especially Celtic spirals) found incised into our very own ancient monuments.
August 20, 2013
Well-written and researched book by a master of this field. Hancock goes to some very strange places in this quest - from prehistoric cave art to McKenna's machine-elves - and constructs a strong case, not only for the use of hallucinogens in the origins of art and spirituality, but also for a new view of reality. Read it alongside works by Nick Bostrom and Ray Kurzweil and you may be unsettled, challenged and ultimately enlightened.
March 21, 2016
The first half of the book seems to be rigorously researched and reasoned. The second half is more speculative and fanciful. It was an easy and entertaining read that held my attention. If you enjoyed this book, I suggest that you listen to Autumn 2015 Interlude of the Extraenvironmentalist podcast which deals with archaeoacustics:
http://www.extraenvironmentalist.com/...
http://www.extraenvironmentalist.com/...
December 15, 2015
What a fascinating, albeit bizarre, read. Again, one of those books suggested to me by my big brother, so not a book I would have picked off the shelf by myself. However, I was drawn in by Hancock's description of ancient European cave art in the early chapters, then found I couldn't put it down. He's a vivid writer and sets out to answer very intriguing questions: why DID humans first turn to symbolic expression 35,000 years ago? Why do so many shamanic cultures from opposite ends of the planet share similar visionary experiences?
I respected his thorough knowledge of ancient civilizations, shamanism, and his willingness to experience hallucinogenics (not my thing, but if you're going to write about it, you should probably experience it). He lost me a little during the alien abduction chapters (and the fairy chapters), I had to force myself to read them and found them a bit tiresome.
Still, an interesting look at ancient and modern cultures of shamanism around the world, and the intriguing possibility that humans share similar hallucinatory experiences encoded into our DNA by ... fairies, little green men, the Gods, the vagaries of random selection? Take your pick.
I respected his thorough knowledge of ancient civilizations, shamanism, and his willingness to experience hallucinogenics (not my thing, but if you're going to write about it, you should probably experience it). He lost me a little during the alien abduction chapters (and the fairy chapters), I had to force myself to read them and found them a bit tiresome.
Still, an interesting look at ancient and modern cultures of shamanism around the world, and the intriguing possibility that humans share similar hallucinatory experiences encoded into our DNA by ... fairies, little green men, the Gods, the vagaries of random selection? Take your pick.
June 13, 2013
I'm nearly speechless, and I cannot recommend this this book and author enough. An incredible eye opener and an incredible experience in and of itself. Suggesting that humanity has most likely learned and developed who we are from our ancestors by taking psychedelic substances and inducing altered states of consciousness/reality. With around 1000 footnotes, G.H. conducted his thorough research and provides the reader with a relatively objective perspective on the topic. Citing arguments from both sides of the fence, the reader is left to form ones own opinion. A beautiful read with spectacular pictures and photos. This book will give the reader a truly amazing perspective on where we came from and how we as humanity evolved in a non Freudian perspective. Stop reading these reviews and read this book NOW!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
August 12, 2013
I was very lucky to pick up a signed first edition by accident in a bookshop one day (seemed he'd been signing there recently) - as I'd already picked up and mostly read Underworld, I was quite intrigued as to what he would offer here and couldn't resist picking up a more-valuable copy for the same price as a standard hardback - just £12, IIRC! I couldn't believe it!
Anyway, my then partner at the time slated it, especially with some of the things he's doing as part of his research, but I must admit that I found it interesting and a perhaps more thorough research than just asking someone else what goes on.
Plus the multitude of pictures - I was attracted to that sort of thing at the time, a more visual representation of the experience. Meant I quite enjoyed it.
Anyway, my then partner at the time slated it, especially with some of the things he's doing as part of his research, but I must admit that I found it interesting and a perhaps more thorough research than just asking someone else what goes on.
Plus the multitude of pictures - I was attracted to that sort of thing at the time, a more visual representation of the experience. Meant I quite enjoyed it.
January 11, 2020
Ended up leaving me with more questions than answers. Too many snakes, dragons, plumed serpents etc. Very repetitive as well. This book shows us some possibilities that are simply way too scary and mind blowing for me to entertain right now. Bleak.
August 7, 2014
Psychedelic. Appropriately. This book is all about psychedelics and their impacts on our society, our history, the formation of our religions, myths, and mysteries. It also delves into the impact on the lives of individuals, how it can help open peoples minds, prepare us for death, alleviate our fear of death, and even potentially cure us of addictions or even cure PTSD.
This book flies in the face of our preconceptions of psychedelic drug use, the misinformation campaigns that have wreaked their havoc upon our people, our hurt, our ignorance, and sought to enslave us with prescription drugs. Just because ayahuasca, iboga, psilocybin, and other psychedelics don't come in the form of little colorful pills with initials or logos printed or pressed into their sides doesn't mean they aren't useful drugs.
Do not get me wrong, this author does not, nor do I, endorse the idea of recreational use of these serious substances. These things are not just there for the fun of it. These things can deeply impact their users. Its best to have people around you who know what they're doing, people who have been trained to handle you if you freak out. THATS THE REAL PROBLEM HERE.
Our sick society refuses to legalize these useful things and properly regulate them. Yes they're serious drugs. Yes they can be dangerous in the wrong hands. But that's the point, we need shamanism to be embraced, to be regulated and monitored so it can become something like psychiatry, or therapy. We have licensed people we can go to for pills, we have licensed people we can go to for therapy of all sorts, so why don't we have this for psychedelics? They're just as useful, if not more-so than your typical psychiatric medicines.
We need to stop outlawing useful, natural things like... PLANTS!
I know plants can be so incredibly scary. Their sitting. Their growing. Their scent. Their roots. Their fruits. Their spreading. They're so scary... oh my goodness, there's plants outside of my window, they're just... staring at me! Someone save me! The plants... they're... not... doing... anything. Oh, maybe I'm freaking out for nothing. Well, duh.
Chemicals on the other hand. We all know the side effects section of the average drug commercial on TV lasts longer than the "useful" list of things the drug does for you. There's always a new class action lawsuit being filed for a drug that was rushed through the approval process and has since hurt thousands, even killed hundreds of people. Can we please just stop allowing chemicals to be thrust upon us, and allowing these same companies to influence our politicians and bureaucrats to make "dangerous" things like plants illegal?
Psychedelics are useful, they can cure PTSD. They can cure people of their addictions. Ibogaine from the iboga plant is legalized throughout much of Europe for this very set of problems. There are current approaches at work attempting to legalize MDMA (street name: extacy) in the USA as a treatment for veteran soldiers returning from war with PTSD. Its been shown to cure PTSD in as few as 1 or 2 treatments. Not the sort of thing our drug companies like to hear, I'm sure. They'd prefer we be stuck with a little colorful pill for the rest of our lives. This is ultimately a form of slavery.
There is much left to be learned about psychedelics and their impact on our psyches, our lives, our society. Much more research needs to be done, I don't deny it. But that's one of the biggest problems, our gov't, our drug companies, they won't allow it. They quash most attempts to do research on psychedelic drugs. In turn, they're quashing attempts of our species to grow, to learn, and to evolve. This is incredibly dangerous . If we do not learn everything we can from psychedelics, if we do not learn everything we can about the expansion of the mind, if we are not allowed to, as Mr. Hancock says, "have sovereignty over our own consciousness", then what the hell?!
Our own species is denying itself mind expansion.
Our own species is denying itself cures for PTSD.
Our own species is denying itself cures for addiction.
Our own species is hobbling our own species evolution.
Please read this book.
Please research psychedelics.
Please open your damn mind.
Take a stand.
Wake up.
This book flies in the face of our preconceptions of psychedelic drug use, the misinformation campaigns that have wreaked their havoc upon our people, our hurt, our ignorance, and sought to enslave us with prescription drugs. Just because ayahuasca, iboga, psilocybin, and other psychedelics don't come in the form of little colorful pills with initials or logos printed or pressed into their sides doesn't mean they aren't useful drugs.
Do not get me wrong, this author does not, nor do I, endorse the idea of recreational use of these serious substances. These things are not just there for the fun of it. These things can deeply impact their users. Its best to have people around you who know what they're doing, people who have been trained to handle you if you freak out. THATS THE REAL PROBLEM HERE.
Our sick society refuses to legalize these useful things and properly regulate them. Yes they're serious drugs. Yes they can be dangerous in the wrong hands. But that's the point, we need shamanism to be embraced, to be regulated and monitored so it can become something like psychiatry, or therapy. We have licensed people we can go to for pills, we have licensed people we can go to for therapy of all sorts, so why don't we have this for psychedelics? They're just as useful, if not more-so than your typical psychiatric medicines.
We need to stop outlawing useful, natural things like... PLANTS!
I know plants can be so incredibly scary. Their sitting. Their growing. Their scent. Their roots. Their fruits. Their spreading. They're so scary... oh my goodness, there's plants outside of my window, they're just... staring at me! Someone save me! The plants... they're... not... doing... anything. Oh, maybe I'm freaking out for nothing. Well, duh.
Chemicals on the other hand. We all know the side effects section of the average drug commercial on TV lasts longer than the "useful" list of things the drug does for you. There's always a new class action lawsuit being filed for a drug that was rushed through the approval process and has since hurt thousands, even killed hundreds of people. Can we please just stop allowing chemicals to be thrust upon us, and allowing these same companies to influence our politicians and bureaucrats to make "dangerous" things like plants illegal?
Psychedelics are useful, they can cure PTSD. They can cure people of their addictions. Ibogaine from the iboga plant is legalized throughout much of Europe for this very set of problems. There are current approaches at work attempting to legalize MDMA (street name: extacy) in the USA as a treatment for veteran soldiers returning from war with PTSD. Its been shown to cure PTSD in as few as 1 or 2 treatments. Not the sort of thing our drug companies like to hear, I'm sure. They'd prefer we be stuck with a little colorful pill for the rest of our lives. This is ultimately a form of slavery.
There is much left to be learned about psychedelics and their impact on our psyches, our lives, our society. Much more research needs to be done, I don't deny it. But that's one of the biggest problems, our gov't, our drug companies, they won't allow it. They quash most attempts to do research on psychedelic drugs. In turn, they're quashing attempts of our species to grow, to learn, and to evolve. This is incredibly dangerous . If we do not learn everything we can from psychedelics, if we do not learn everything we can about the expansion of the mind, if we are not allowed to, as Mr. Hancock says, "have sovereignty over our own consciousness", then what the hell?!
Our own species is denying itself mind expansion.
Our own species is denying itself cures for PTSD.
Our own species is denying itself cures for addiction.
Our own species is hobbling our own species evolution.
Please read this book.
Please research psychedelics.
Please open your damn mind.
Take a stand.
Wake up.
November 5, 2015
What a strange book. I came for the discussion of the influence of shamanism on southern African rock paintings and somehow stayed through wandering chapters about faries, aliens, religion, panspermia, and hallucinogenic drugs.
Hancock is at his strongest when he discusses the influence of hallucinations on human history. According to him, humans have a "universal neurological capacity to enter 'altered states of consciousness'... in which extremely realistic hallucinations are seen." (47). These realistic hallucinogens are brought on either naturally or through hallucination-inducing substances, and are responsible for the visions interpreted by different cultures as therianthropes, faries, aliens, religious spirits, etc which have been reported for thousands of years. This argument is very persuasive and I believe Hancock's claim that academic science has sorely neglected this area of study.
But Hancock doesn't stop where his evidence suggests he should. He makes a moumental leap of wild speculation which his evidence does not account for. He believes that this type of 'hallucinogen' actually "possesses an independent freestanding reality of its own." (239) Specifically, he asserts that the 'beings' humans see in hallucinogenic states "are absolutely real in some modality not yet understood by science." (93) This is to say, Hancock believes that when humans have vision or hallucinations of aliens, religious figures, faries, etc they are indeed encountering something real. While Hancock marshals an interesting array of evidence, he certainly doesn't provide enough for this assertion. This unscientific leap made me distrust him.
In fact, Hancock has a strange relationship with science. He references scientific studies and quotes the words of scientists to lend himself credibility, but later attacks the legitimacy of science itself with derision. His critiques of 'orthodox Western science' actually have some legitimacy - science must always remain humble and shouldn't be afraid to explore new arenas. Yet Hancock can't seem to decide whether he believes that the scientific process itself is flawed, or whether he has merely hit upon area that science has foolish declined to explore. The latter is reasonable, while the former is a massive claim which requires more than a few snide comments to justify it.
Hancock uses a fallacious argumentative tactic in which he initially speculates humbly, then later treats his speculation as if it has been proven - though there was no intervening proof. Early on he says "Let's remember that we're speculating freely about entities that scientists say are only imaginary and have never existed in any shape or form." (175) This is allowable, humble speculation. Yet later we find the statement that "Western scientists persisit in their delusion that such realms are beings are not real." (338) How did we transition from speculating about the supernatural to assuming that interdimesional spirits are real, and deriding the scientists who find there is no evidence for them? The pages intervening those two statements provided only anecdotes and more speculation.
The Takeaway: The book holds interesting ideas and while Hancock isn't the most objective person to explore them, they can still be enjoyed by a cautious reader.
Hancock is at his strongest when he discusses the influence of hallucinations on human history. According to him, humans have a "universal neurological capacity to enter 'altered states of consciousness'... in which extremely realistic hallucinations are seen." (47). These realistic hallucinogens are brought on either naturally or through hallucination-inducing substances, and are responsible for the visions interpreted by different cultures as therianthropes, faries, aliens, religious spirits, etc which have been reported for thousands of years. This argument is very persuasive and I believe Hancock's claim that academic science has sorely neglected this area of study.
But Hancock doesn't stop where his evidence suggests he should. He makes a moumental leap of wild speculation which his evidence does not account for. He believes that this type of 'hallucinogen' actually "possesses an independent freestanding reality of its own." (239) Specifically, he asserts that the 'beings' humans see in hallucinogenic states "are absolutely real in some modality not yet understood by science." (93) This is to say, Hancock believes that when humans have vision or hallucinations of aliens, religious figures, faries, etc they are indeed encountering something real. While Hancock marshals an interesting array of evidence, he certainly doesn't provide enough for this assertion. This unscientific leap made me distrust him.
In fact, Hancock has a strange relationship with science. He references scientific studies and quotes the words of scientists to lend himself credibility, but later attacks the legitimacy of science itself with derision. His critiques of 'orthodox Western science' actually have some legitimacy - science must always remain humble and shouldn't be afraid to explore new arenas. Yet Hancock can't seem to decide whether he believes that the scientific process itself is flawed, or whether he has merely hit upon area that science has foolish declined to explore. The latter is reasonable, while the former is a massive claim which requires more than a few snide comments to justify it.
Hancock uses a fallacious argumentative tactic in which he initially speculates humbly, then later treats his speculation as if it has been proven - though there was no intervening proof. Early on he says "Let's remember that we're speculating freely about entities that scientists say are only imaginary and have never existed in any shape or form." (175) This is allowable, humble speculation. Yet later we find the statement that "Western scientists persisit in their delusion that such realms are beings are not real." (338) How did we transition from speculating about the supernatural to assuming that interdimesional spirits are real, and deriding the scientists who find there is no evidence for them? The pages intervening those two statements provided only anecdotes and more speculation.
The Takeaway: The book holds interesting ideas and while Hancock isn't the most objective person to explore them, they can still be enjoyed by a cautious reader.
August 15, 2020
There are caves in France that are really hard to access so hard that it is like why even bother? Going in through difficult passages you end up in like a room that has hybrid animal / human painting along with picture of hunting. Several picture show a hybrid man being hung up by arrows as though they are piercing through him. The caves are a mystery. No one has a reason to go down there. These painting are 50 thousand years old. They seem to have popped up all of the sudden. Modern man has been on earth for 200 thousand years. Why the sudden spate of developments what does this mean?
Author Graham Hancock takes the reader on a journey through several different worlds. All of them are very similar. His main contention is that 50 thousand years ago man started consuming Psychadelic plants that caused him to hallucinate. Such drugs under discussion are Ibogain, ayahuasca and psilocybin just to name a few. These substances enable mankind to enter into a trance or altered state of consciousness . This altered state of consciousness caused man to see different kinds of spirit beings. Among them are these Theranhropic figure who are part man and part animal. There were also short being with big heads and large eyes. These being taught mankind .
Shamans in South America are usually initiated after a certain illness. The shaman will venture to the spirit world and be ripped apart or eaten by the spirits. After which the shaman is reborn. His purpose is to get healing knowledge for the people . He sees being as well as therianthropic beings. Shamans Wouk consume Psychadelic substances which felt like pins going through you.
The reader is also taken on a journey into faery lore of Europe and the modern ufo abductions. There are many parralels between the two including abductions, mating between humans and these beings. At times the human parent is brought in to take care of the child. The author believes that the faery abductions and the UFO abductions are one and the same. If you like faery lore , UFO abductions and spiritual growth through Psychadelics then you will enjoy this book. The author himself experiments with Psychadelic.
The main ingredient in ayahuasca is dmt. Ayahuasca has other chemicals like harmaline. Dmt is also produced in the body naturally. Roughly two percent of the population can enter an altered state of consciousness at will. There are other ways of entering an altered state of consuousnes like through rhythmic music, dancing to exhaustion and fasting. As was mentioned earlier the author himself is experimented with these substances.
Ibogain let’s the user contact the dead that was what it was used in Africa for. Ayahuasca allowed them user to access almost another dimension and contact spiritual beings to gain knowledge and bring it back, strait dmt put the author in a a technological classroom so he could learn new things.
The author also covers the relationship between our DNA and these altered states of consciousness. The information could be in our DNA. What is the purpose of these trips. Some say it is connected to the after life.
Author Graham Hancock takes the reader on a journey through several different worlds. All of them are very similar. His main contention is that 50 thousand years ago man started consuming Psychadelic plants that caused him to hallucinate. Such drugs under discussion are Ibogain, ayahuasca and psilocybin just to name a few. These substances enable mankind to enter into a trance or altered state of consciousness . This altered state of consciousness caused man to see different kinds of spirit beings. Among them are these Theranhropic figure who are part man and part animal. There were also short being with big heads and large eyes. These being taught mankind .
Shamans in South America are usually initiated after a certain illness. The shaman will venture to the spirit world and be ripped apart or eaten by the spirits. After which the shaman is reborn. His purpose is to get healing knowledge for the people . He sees being as well as therianthropic beings. Shamans Wouk consume Psychadelic substances which felt like pins going through you.
The reader is also taken on a journey into faery lore of Europe and the modern ufo abductions. There are many parralels between the two including abductions, mating between humans and these beings. At times the human parent is brought in to take care of the child. The author believes that the faery abductions and the UFO abductions are one and the same. If you like faery lore , UFO abductions and spiritual growth through Psychadelics then you will enjoy this book. The author himself experiments with Psychadelic.
The main ingredient in ayahuasca is dmt. Ayahuasca has other chemicals like harmaline. Dmt is also produced in the body naturally. Roughly two percent of the population can enter an altered state of consciousness at will. There are other ways of entering an altered state of consuousnes like through rhythmic music, dancing to exhaustion and fasting. As was mentioned earlier the author himself is experimented with these substances.
Ibogain let’s the user contact the dead that was what it was used in Africa for. Ayahuasca allowed them user to access almost another dimension and contact spiritual beings to gain knowledge and bring it back, strait dmt put the author in a a technological classroom so he could learn new things.
The author also covers the relationship between our DNA and these altered states of consciousness. The information could be in our DNA. What is the purpose of these trips. Some say it is connected to the after life.
December 30, 2018
This fuckin doofus.
I have no problem with wooks appropriating traditional shamanistic explanations for what they experience when they flood their orifices with psychedelics and lay in a field. That's between them and the annunaki. Our boy Graham here decided that eating a shit-ton of mushrooms is the same thing as credibility. The subsequent abuse and mutilation of the scientific method should qualify as a war crime.
Listen to me carefully, bud. The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. It's a free country, and you can postulate that DMT hallucinations are the same thing as alien abductions and Celtic faerie myths. That's fine.
You can further hypothesize that these similar themes in ecstatic experience occur across so many unconnected cultures because these trance states "tune us in" to an alternate dimension full of energy-beings (which we confuse for aliens, gods, and faeries) that want to mate with us so their offspring can find expression in the material realm. That's fucking wackadoo, but it's your right to suggest it.
What you cannot do is say, "Exactly 2 unnamed scientists WHO I DIDN'T BRIBE stated that there's insufficient research in neuroscience to conclusively state that the commonalities in these experiences can be ascribed to a shared human neural blueprint. Therefore, we must conclude that my fucking lunatic ramblings are the only reasonable explanation. Citation: I took acid 12 different times."
That's not science. That's not even logic. If you presented this argument in any Philosophy 101 gen ed, the kid in his pajamas who smells like Vlad and someone else's vomit would be able to explain its invalidity.
I'm not trying to stomp out your spirituality, here. Everyone is entitled to whatever beliefs make them feel nice inside, so long as they don't hurt anybody else. Spirituality is crucial to the human animal, according to Jung, who invented the term, "collective unconscious", which is what you were fumbling after during your filibuster on neural structures and DNA.
No idea what you were on about with the DNA, either. MDMA, maybe. Your editor really should have nipped that whole section in the bud.
Two stars because the comparisons between ghosts, fae, aliens, and totemic spirits made for a fun little thought experiment. Negative three stars for making me pause the audiobook every few paragraphs at the end of the book to shout reasons why you were wrong and dumb into my empty car. Although, maybe not empty.
Maybe the ancient teachers of mankind heard me.
I have no problem with wooks appropriating traditional shamanistic explanations for what they experience when they flood their orifices with psychedelics and lay in a field. That's between them and the annunaki. Our boy Graham here decided that eating a shit-ton of mushrooms is the same thing as credibility. The subsequent abuse and mutilation of the scientific method should qualify as a war crime.
Listen to me carefully, bud. The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. It's a free country, and you can postulate that DMT hallucinations are the same thing as alien abductions and Celtic faerie myths. That's fine.
You can further hypothesize that these similar themes in ecstatic experience occur across so many unconnected cultures because these trance states "tune us in" to an alternate dimension full of energy-beings (which we confuse for aliens, gods, and faeries) that want to mate with us so their offspring can find expression in the material realm. That's fucking wackadoo, but it's your right to suggest it.
What you cannot do is say, "Exactly 2 unnamed scientists WHO I DIDN'T BRIBE stated that there's insufficient research in neuroscience to conclusively state that the commonalities in these experiences can be ascribed to a shared human neural blueprint. Therefore, we must conclude that my fucking lunatic ramblings are the only reasonable explanation. Citation: I took acid 12 different times."
That's not science. That's not even logic. If you presented this argument in any Philosophy 101 gen ed, the kid in his pajamas who smells like Vlad and someone else's vomit would be able to explain its invalidity.
I'm not trying to stomp out your spirituality, here. Everyone is entitled to whatever beliefs make them feel nice inside, so long as they don't hurt anybody else. Spirituality is crucial to the human animal, according to Jung, who invented the term, "collective unconscious", which is what you were fumbling after during your filibuster on neural structures and DNA.
No idea what you were on about with the DNA, either. MDMA, maybe. Your editor really should have nipped that whole section in the bud.
Two stars because the comparisons between ghosts, fae, aliens, and totemic spirits made for a fun little thought experiment. Negative three stars for making me pause the audiobook every few paragraphs at the end of the book to shout reasons why you were wrong and dumb into my empty car. Although, maybe not empty.
Maybe the ancient teachers of mankind heard me.
May 23, 2012
Let me start off by saying that if you read a lot of Hancock, this is not his typical style. This read more as a completely fact less and speculative book than the others, until about half way through. It then starts to delve more into the scientific proof less expounding that I love about his writings. I personally enjoyed the detailed analysis of the prehistoric cave art. I have travelled to many of the sites in the Southwest and have always been struck by their many similarities to alien descriptions. I could have done without the endless descriptions of drug trips. That read more like a teenager doing his first acid trip and desperately wanting to tell everyone about the most minute detail. That is how Hancock works though, it takes him a while to give all of his descriptions and usually evidence before he gets to his big idea. His discussions about shamans, saints, holy visions, sacred places, and pilgrimage sites was all very well done and fascinating. I like the idea of humanity having shared hallucinations and I don't find it that hard to believe. Unlike him, I do not find it that hard to believe that a drug affecting our brain could produce the same geometric shapes and beings within all of us. Like he says, we are 99% similar to other animals on this planet, but we are even more similar to each other.
I find his conclusions about DNA very flawed. He has this idea that human DNA could hold a long message, but DNA didn't start off that long, so if it was sent here in order to begin life then how did it create so many more chapters from only a few words.
There are a few of his conclusions that I am looking forward to pondering more:
-Origin of religion and belief in life after death is from taking hallucinogenics that give you a sense of being surrounded by spirits
-Clowns, Aliens, and Fairies are actually all the same hallucination
-People who believe they have been abducted by aliens are those whose brains from time to time spontaneously over produce DMT
-Zipf's law states that given some corpus of natural language utterances, the frequency of any word is inversely proportional to its rank in the frequency table. Junk DNA appears to follow Zipf's Law. I had no idea about this Law and am now fascinated with it.
Most importantly this book gave me a new task to put on my "Things to do before I die" list: Consume psychedelic mushrooms at a prehistoric megalith site at sunrise. :)
I find his conclusions about DNA very flawed. He has this idea that human DNA could hold a long message, but DNA didn't start off that long, so if it was sent here in order to begin life then how did it create so many more chapters from only a few words.
There are a few of his conclusions that I am looking forward to pondering more:
-Origin of religion and belief in life after death is from taking hallucinogenics that give you a sense of being surrounded by spirits
-Clowns, Aliens, and Fairies are actually all the same hallucination
-People who believe they have been abducted by aliens are those whose brains from time to time spontaneously over produce DMT
-Zipf's law states that given some corpus of natural language utterances, the frequency of any word is inversely proportional to its rank in the frequency table. Junk DNA appears to follow Zipf's Law. I had no idea about this Law and am now fascinated with it.
Most importantly this book gave me a new task to put on my "Things to do before I die" list: Consume psychedelic mushrooms at a prehistoric megalith site at sunrise. :)
August 5, 2011
Although Hancock is not a traditional scholar, this book is very well documented and well argued. In the first 200 some pages Hancock makes the connection between shamanism and the paleolithic cave painitings. This is a no-brainer for me, but Hancock acts as if it is still a controversial thesis to present, which maybe it is. In this first section, the writing can be a bit dull though he is trying to be very, very careful and support all that he presents. When he finishes with the cave paintings, he turns his attention else where and makes a very convincing case that naturaly occuring hallucinogens are behid things like UFOs, fairy sightings and some other unexplained phenonmenon. Ultimately, I think there is something of great value here and Hancock's thesis will eventually become more accepted by traditional academia.
March 3, 2009
Terrible writing style (con)
350 pages too long (con)
Absurd assertations (con)
Can't decide who his audience is (con)
Very interesting and largely ignored subject matter (pro)
Great hypothesis (pro)
Great synthesis of other people's ideas (pro)
Raises awareness on a misunderstood phenomenon (pro)
Interesting Read (pro)
350 pages too long (con)
Absurd assertations (con)
Can't decide who his audience is (con)
Very interesting and largely ignored subject matter (pro)
Great hypothesis (pro)
Great synthesis of other people's ideas (pro)
Raises awareness on a misunderstood phenomenon (pro)
Interesting Read (pro)
July 20, 2013
Clearly an intelligent guy. Lots of fascinating stuff. But TOO much fascinating stuff. Too many tenuous connections. Needs an editor. 588 pages should be 288. You start trying to make too many things connect--ayahuasca, fairies, UFOs, cave paintings--and you start to come across as a tinfoil hat guy. Which is a shame. Because he clearly is smart.
May 18, 2008
Absolutely mind blowing made me stop in my tracks and think not the easist book to read but should be read by anyone who thinks.
June 4, 2011
fun & thought-provoking. good overview. could foster some conflation & over-simplification, though.
January 14, 2019
Aliens.
April 25, 2022
If you weren't afraid of aliens before reading this book, you will be once you finish. (And nothing hinted at just how much there is on aliens in here!)
Very few books have made me as uncomfortable as this book. I'm not going to be arguing against it or discussing the evidence he presents. But if we take it all at face-value and accept his arguments, I do think it odd that Hancock is so ready to accept this other world as-is, though even others he talks with (such as Strassman) are firmly convinced of the existence of evil in this other world. It's entirely possible the prototype for the 'lost civilization of advanced beings who were struck down by the heavens for their immorality' could exist in this other realm. Maybe they also lost their physical form and are attempting to defy this punishment by mixing with humans. They sound exactly like the stories of fallen angels (which he brings up). If they are determined to get a physical form, and by his argument, are getting closer to that being reality, perhaps they are a fallen race of some kind that is just using us. The idea that these are the original deities, the inspiration for all world religions, sounds terrifying to be honest, if this description of them is true. Sounds like the human race got taken in by deceivers...
It also makes you rethink everything religious you've ever heard of. Sabbath wine? Drinking wine at communion? To risk sounding heretical, this sounds like everyone was having experiences of God weekly a long time ago. There's a missing chapter of history here that is worth exploring, to see when and how these religions stopped using these beverages and lost the direct experience of the other realm. Interesting reading, and I wanted a lot more detail on this section specifically, where he went through religion, particularly the monotheisms. My thought is that this otherworld is likely not all there is; though it may or may not be the origins of human religion, it is entirely possible that these are other species that exist alongside us and there are greater and higher (and worse and lower) things out there.
I did find his view on Marian apparitions baffling. Whether or not the messages at Fatima sound like they were caused by UFOs, the messages themselves do not mesh with this book. The children were terrified with visions of hell and told by the woman they saw that they personally must suffer and pray for the sinners of the world to save those sinners and put an end to WWI. It has sat uneasily with me ever since I read in depth about Fatima that 'Heaven' would decide to terrify small kids like that; Hancock doesn't get into the messages at all, focusing only on the details of the apparition visible to everyone else. With Lourdes also, he focuses on the details others witnessed rather than the messages Bernadette received and claimed, and the healings associated with the spring there, though Bernadette herself did not believe the water in itself was a healer (faith was the healer, not the waters).
I am not Catholic, but to say that what Bernadette received were visions from the selfsame otherworld as one sees on hallucinogens but then ignore the claims that vision made is an odd choice. (For instance, the vision saying she is the Immaculate Conception, which as any internet page will proudly proclaim is what helped prove Bernadette's story, since the title of Immaculate Conception had become dogma only four years prior to the Lourdes apparitions, and Bernadette did not know what these words meant when she told the priest what she had heard). Marian apparitions are fascinating in themselves, but I don't see how they support his theories. If the otherworld takes on some superficial 'garb' as it were to make sense to the people seeing it, why would these apparitions never say anything that matches with the visions seen by those on DMT, but instead ask for the continual saying of the rosary and honouring of Mary? Why weren't the apparitions at Knock, Lourdes, and Fatima (the ones he covers) giving downloads to the viewers like Hancock claimed to receive, referencing the Milky Way or Orion, reminding the witnesses of how treacherous the path is after death?
With this book as in America Before I really wanted more by way of resolution at the end. Hancock went on this long adventure through the book but leaves you hanging in the sense that I've no idea how to mesh this with what I know of religious histories and mythology. He touches on parts of Egyptian and Native American beliefs that mesh with the visions, but doesn't comment on anything beyond that. Even if he made a dismissive comment that everything else was corrupted or had been forgotten by other cultures, I would be happy just to know what he thinks of it. As it is, I've no idea how to fit this information into my thinking going forward. I felt the same with America Before, in that his fixation on the Books of the Dead in Egypt and Tibet and the similar motifs in Native America was one thing, but what did that mean for the rest of the world? Were all of them just that off, or was it something they had never experienced, or are there different places that people can reach? There are medieval accounts of some people interrogated about their beliefs that they were werewolves saying that the people from other countries had their own afterlives. Is this something similar? Or is everyone who hasn't memorized the passwords and maps of the treacherous Otherworld doomed to annihilation?
What do you do with all this?
Very few books have made me as uncomfortable as this book. I'm not going to be arguing against it or discussing the evidence he presents. But if we take it all at face-value and accept his arguments, I do think it odd that Hancock is so ready to accept this other world as-is, though even others he talks with (such as Strassman) are firmly convinced of the existence of evil in this other world. It's entirely possible the prototype for the 'lost civilization of advanced beings who were struck down by the heavens for their immorality' could exist in this other realm. Maybe they also lost their physical form and are attempting to defy this punishment by mixing with humans. They sound exactly like the stories of fallen angels (which he brings up). If they are determined to get a physical form, and by his argument, are getting closer to that being reality, perhaps they are a fallen race of some kind that is just using us. The idea that these are the original deities, the inspiration for all world religions, sounds terrifying to be honest, if this description of them is true. Sounds like the human race got taken in by deceivers...
It also makes you rethink everything religious you've ever heard of. Sabbath wine? Drinking wine at communion? To risk sounding heretical, this sounds like everyone was having experiences of God weekly a long time ago. There's a missing chapter of history here that is worth exploring, to see when and how these religions stopped using these beverages and lost the direct experience of the other realm. Interesting reading, and I wanted a lot more detail on this section specifically, where he went through religion, particularly the monotheisms. My thought is that this otherworld is likely not all there is; though it may or may not be the origins of human religion, it is entirely possible that these are other species that exist alongside us and there are greater and higher (and worse and lower) things out there.
I did find his view on Marian apparitions baffling. Whether or not the messages at Fatima sound like they were caused by UFOs, the messages themselves do not mesh with this book. The children were terrified with visions of hell and told by the woman they saw that they personally must suffer and pray for the sinners of the world to save those sinners and put an end to WWI. It has sat uneasily with me ever since I read in depth about Fatima that 'Heaven' would decide to terrify small kids like that; Hancock doesn't get into the messages at all, focusing only on the details of the apparition visible to everyone else. With Lourdes also, he focuses on the details others witnessed rather than the messages Bernadette received and claimed, and the healings associated with the spring there, though Bernadette herself did not believe the water in itself was a healer (faith was the healer, not the waters).
I am not Catholic, but to say that what Bernadette received were visions from the selfsame otherworld as one sees on hallucinogens but then ignore the claims that vision made is an odd choice. (For instance, the vision saying she is the Immaculate Conception, which as any internet page will proudly proclaim is what helped prove Bernadette's story, since the title of Immaculate Conception had become dogma only four years prior to the Lourdes apparitions, and Bernadette did not know what these words meant when she told the priest what she had heard). Marian apparitions are fascinating in themselves, but I don't see how they support his theories. If the otherworld takes on some superficial 'garb' as it were to make sense to the people seeing it, why would these apparitions never say anything that matches with the visions seen by those on DMT, but instead ask for the continual saying of the rosary and honouring of Mary? Why weren't the apparitions at Knock, Lourdes, and Fatima (the ones he covers) giving downloads to the viewers like Hancock claimed to receive, referencing the Milky Way or Orion, reminding the witnesses of how treacherous the path is after death?
With this book as in America Before I really wanted more by way of resolution at the end. Hancock went on this long adventure through the book but leaves you hanging in the sense that I've no idea how to mesh this with what I know of religious histories and mythology. He touches on parts of Egyptian and Native American beliefs that mesh with the visions, but doesn't comment on anything beyond that. Even if he made a dismissive comment that everything else was corrupted or had been forgotten by other cultures, I would be happy just to know what he thinks of it. As it is, I've no idea how to fit this information into my thinking going forward. I felt the same with America Before, in that his fixation on the Books of the Dead in Egypt and Tibet and the similar motifs in Native America was one thing, but what did that mean for the rest of the world? Were all of them just that off, or was it something they had never experienced, or are there different places that people can reach? There are medieval accounts of some people interrogated about their beliefs that they were werewolves saying that the people from other countries had their own afterlives. Is this something similar? Or is everyone who hasn't memorized the passwords and maps of the treacherous Otherworld doomed to annihilation?
What do you do with all this?
May 30, 2016
I always enjoy a bit of Graham Hancock and have been an avid fan of his work over the years. For some reason I've had a recent resurgence of interest in all this whacky, fringe science stuff and have been reading a lot of related material relating to 'ancient origins', Egypt, Pyramids, lost civilisations, ancient aliens etc, etc. Mainly because it's great fun to play with these ideas. But, I think somewhere deep down, I'm actually looking for answers and I'm prepared to 'think the unthinkable' in terms of stepping beyond mainstream science and religion in order to entertain some new, if somewhat 'out there' ideas.
This latest book of Hancock's comes at matters from an entirely different angle to his previous works, which have been pretty 'rational' and based on his long held belief in a former, long lost 'advanced civilisation'. Here he's not so much thinking about the civilisations as examining a really interesting potential 'cause' for some of those same 'common beliefs' and motifs that seem to crop up all too frequently throughout history and in far flung, entirely unrelated corners of the globe.
Hopefully it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the proposed 'cause' involves a long history of deliberately or spontaneously achieved 'hallucinogenic' episodes, whereby certain individuals throughout history have sought to 'commune with the gods' via shamanic and trance-like states of altered consciousness and indeed, have subsequently recorded the details of these fantastical, otherworldly journeys for the percieved benefit of mankind.
Hancock leads us through an exhilerating exploration ranging from 35,000 year old cave art, to legends of fairies, gnomes and goblins, all the way through to modern day UFO abduction phenomena and deliberately induced DMT hallucinations, highlighting the spooky similarities that seem to tie together key aspects of these experiences despite their being separated by vast distances of geography and time.
The big question is, why are there so many similarities?
Are these 'images' and ideas hard wired into the human psyche by evolution? If so, why? What possible advantage could this confer? And, indeed, if this is the case, how and when could this have occurred in our evolution?
Alternatively, if the above is not the case, then does this imply that there could be 'parallel realities' out there which are in fact REAL and accessible by certain humans, in certain states of altered consciousness? (An idea not at all dissimilar to the idea of 'parallel universes' as hypothesised by quantum physics).
Naturally, the book can't offer any cast iron 'answers' to any of these questions, but I found it a thoroughly thought provoking read, all the same.
This latest book of Hancock's comes at matters from an entirely different angle to his previous works, which have been pretty 'rational' and based on his long held belief in a former, long lost 'advanced civilisation'. Here he's not so much thinking about the civilisations as examining a really interesting potential 'cause' for some of those same 'common beliefs' and motifs that seem to crop up all too frequently throughout history and in far flung, entirely unrelated corners of the globe.
Hopefully it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the proposed 'cause' involves a long history of deliberately or spontaneously achieved 'hallucinogenic' episodes, whereby certain individuals throughout history have sought to 'commune with the gods' via shamanic and trance-like states of altered consciousness and indeed, have subsequently recorded the details of these fantastical, otherworldly journeys for the percieved benefit of mankind.
Hancock leads us through an exhilerating exploration ranging from 35,000 year old cave art, to legends of fairies, gnomes and goblins, all the way through to modern day UFO abduction phenomena and deliberately induced DMT hallucinations, highlighting the spooky similarities that seem to tie together key aspects of these experiences despite their being separated by vast distances of geography and time.
The big question is, why are there so many similarities?
Are these 'images' and ideas hard wired into the human psyche by evolution? If so, why? What possible advantage could this confer? And, indeed, if this is the case, how and when could this have occurred in our evolution?
Alternatively, if the above is not the case, then does this imply that there could be 'parallel realities' out there which are in fact REAL and accessible by certain humans, in certain states of altered consciousness? (An idea not at all dissimilar to the idea of 'parallel universes' as hypothesised by quantum physics).
Naturally, the book can't offer any cast iron 'answers' to any of these questions, but I found it a thoroughly thought provoking read, all the same.
December 4, 2012
The title of this book created an image in my mind where I imagined the author conjuring up spirits of some ancient distant past and somehow receiving communication from them.
This image stayed with me for a while, but soon began to shift into something completely unexpected. It eventually emerges that the teachers of mankind were not humans. They were not aliens either, though the alien topic is not shied away from. Somehow universal knowledge, deeper perception, and even the knowledge necessary for the building of civilization are available through trance.
What Hancock demonstrates is that the trance state is accessed in various ways around the world. Rhythmic dancing, iboga bark, certain mushrooms, lotus flowers, certain seeds or berries, leaves (like the ayahuasca brew), are all gateways to accessing this altered state. While there are similarities, there are also differences with the results of each of the methods. The same is true of each person's experience. There are similarities and differences.
Hancock explores the cave paintings found in Europe and does his best to draw a direct line from those made 30,000 years ago to more recent times. He does an admirable job and unearths some incredible work done by researchers in Africa who were able to document how the San tribe drew their trance experiences on rocks and in caves.
He spends a great deal of the book refuting claims that the right kind of mushrooms were not found on the European continent 30,000 years ago.
I was surprised that he does not mention John Marco Allegro, who wrote about mushroom use in the Levant. Though upon reflection I surmised that either Hancock did not want to taint his book with the scholarship of an author who had been ostracised, due to his linking mushroom use to the beginnings of Christianity, or he was not aware of Allegro, though I seriously doubt the latter.
I like the fact that Hancock travels in order to research his book, and his inquisitive nature explores all aspects of mysteries he is faced with. I was able to follow his train of thought as he approached completely illogical situations with a clear head and systematic approach applying what I see as logic to the best of his ability, given the difficult subject matter.
This image stayed with me for a while, but soon began to shift into something completely unexpected. It eventually emerges that the teachers of mankind were not humans. They were not aliens either, though the alien topic is not shied away from. Somehow universal knowledge, deeper perception, and even the knowledge necessary for the building of civilization are available through trance.
What Hancock demonstrates is that the trance state is accessed in various ways around the world. Rhythmic dancing, iboga bark, certain mushrooms, lotus flowers, certain seeds or berries, leaves (like the ayahuasca brew), are all gateways to accessing this altered state. While there are similarities, there are also differences with the results of each of the methods. The same is true of each person's experience. There are similarities and differences.
Hancock explores the cave paintings found in Europe and does his best to draw a direct line from those made 30,000 years ago to more recent times. He does an admirable job and unearths some incredible work done by researchers in Africa who were able to document how the San tribe drew their trance experiences on rocks and in caves.
He spends a great deal of the book refuting claims that the right kind of mushrooms were not found on the European continent 30,000 years ago.
I was surprised that he does not mention John Marco Allegro, who wrote about mushroom use in the Levant. Though upon reflection I surmised that either Hancock did not want to taint his book with the scholarship of an author who had been ostracised, due to his linking mushroom use to the beginnings of Christianity, or he was not aware of Allegro, though I seriously doubt the latter.
I like the fact that Hancock travels in order to research his book, and his inquisitive nature explores all aspects of mysteries he is faced with. I was able to follow his train of thought as he approached completely illogical situations with a clear head and systematic approach applying what I see as logic to the best of his ability, given the difficult subject matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2017
In a modern age where so much or our learning is broken down, segmented into subjects and boiled down into further isolated bits of information we tend to miss the big picture in the learning around us. How seemingly unconnected subjects can be intertwined, buoy new ideas, and lead to new discoveries.
It is easy to understand how it happens too. In order to grasp a concept we break it down into as small as possible, easy to learn, bite size pieces. That is all fine and good, but we generally don't then turn around, go backward and put those pieces back together to look at the whole concept. Then, when we do, we don't usually go and look for the ways that bigger piece fits in with other big pieces. It is in the stepping back and looking at the whole machine where Graham Hancock continues to blow my mind.
Honestly, after reading his works, I can't look at anything the same. While there are many who would dismiss him and his observations as works of pseudo-science I personally think that Graham is less shackled than most experts in their given field and is on to revolutionary ideas.
Many of the greatest innovations in technology and society were because SOMEONE, usually not an "expert" in the field, refused to just go with the prevailing thought of the day. The outsider was already uniquely positioned outside the box and able to give an unfiltered interpretation of what they see. It is my belief that Graham Hancock is one of those unique outsiders. He attacks scientific issues with the mind of a journalist as opposed to the mind of a skeptic and is willing to search for answers to his questions is a vast array of materials.
This book will have you looking at religion, alien abductions, and hallucinogenics in a totally different way.
It is easy to understand how it happens too. In order to grasp a concept we break it down into as small as possible, easy to learn, bite size pieces. That is all fine and good, but we generally don't then turn around, go backward and put those pieces back together to look at the whole concept. Then, when we do, we don't usually go and look for the ways that bigger piece fits in with other big pieces. It is in the stepping back and looking at the whole machine where Graham Hancock continues to blow my mind.
Honestly, after reading his works, I can't look at anything the same. While there are many who would dismiss him and his observations as works of pseudo-science I personally think that Graham is less shackled than most experts in their given field and is on to revolutionary ideas.
Many of the greatest innovations in technology and society were because SOMEONE, usually not an "expert" in the field, refused to just go with the prevailing thought of the day. The outsider was already uniquely positioned outside the box and able to give an unfiltered interpretation of what they see. It is my belief that Graham Hancock is one of those unique outsiders. He attacks scientific issues with the mind of a journalist as opposed to the mind of a skeptic and is willing to search for answers to his questions is a vast array of materials.
This book will have you looking at religion, alien abductions, and hallucinogenics in a totally different way.
August 30, 2017
Graham Hancock always fills my mind with more new ideas than any other writer. I really admire his ability to think outside the box.
The first third of the book is all about ancient cave art and makes for an absolutely scintillating read. Cave art was something I knew nothing about. He talks about the dawn of abstract thinking in prehistory and a theory that it might be related to the use of hallucinogens by our ancestors.
The next third of the book kind of lost momentum for me. Hancock tries to tie in fairies, aliens and shamans together. In typical Hancock style, everything is very well researched but it does get a bit repetitive at times.
My favourite part of the book is in the last third where he starts talking about DNA and Strassmans experiments with DMT.
"The story begins around 4.5 billion years ago when the earths mass had formed as a planet orbiting the sun. For the next 600 million years it remained a molten lava fireball, but by 3.9 billion years ago cooling was sufficiently advanced to produce a thin outer crust of solid rock. It is supposed that around the same time, pools of water enriched with minerals began to take shape beneath an atmosphere of simple gases. In these pools of primeval, pre-biotic soup, many scientists believe that the first very primitive life-forms appeared suddenly and almost instantaneously as a result of the accidental collision of molecules. Others, crick amongst them, argue that 'the odds against such instant life are beyond the astronomical- more unlikely than the assembly of a Boeing 707 by a hurricane in a junkyard'"
The first third of the book is all about ancient cave art and makes for an absolutely scintillating read. Cave art was something I knew nothing about. He talks about the dawn of abstract thinking in prehistory and a theory that it might be related to the use of hallucinogens by our ancestors.
The next third of the book kind of lost momentum for me. Hancock tries to tie in fairies, aliens and shamans together. In typical Hancock style, everything is very well researched but it does get a bit repetitive at times.
My favourite part of the book is in the last third where he starts talking about DNA and Strassmans experiments with DMT.
"The story begins around 4.5 billion years ago when the earths mass had formed as a planet orbiting the sun. For the next 600 million years it remained a molten lava fireball, but by 3.9 billion years ago cooling was sufficiently advanced to produce a thin outer crust of solid rock. It is supposed that around the same time, pools of water enriched with minerals began to take shape beneath an atmosphere of simple gases. In these pools of primeval, pre-biotic soup, many scientists believe that the first very primitive life-forms appeared suddenly and almost instantaneously as a result of the accidental collision of molecules. Others, crick amongst them, argue that 'the odds against such instant life are beyond the astronomical- more unlikely than the assembly of a Boeing 707 by a hurricane in a junkyard'"
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