Inner Paths to Outer Space - by Rick Strassman & Slawek Wojtowicz & Luis Eduardo Luna & Ede Frecska (Paperback)

About the Book

The worlds experienced through consciousness-altering technologies are often as real as those perceived through the five senses. This text examines how to contact otherworldly beings and other realms using the inner dimensions of the mind.

Book Synopsis

An investigation into experiences of other realms of existence and contact with otherworldly beings

- Examines how contact with alien life-forms can be obtained through the "inner space" dimensions of our minds

- Presents evidence that other worlds experienced through consciousness-altering technologies are often as real as those perceived with our five senses

- Correlates science fiction's imaginal realms with psychedelic research

For thousands of years, voyagers of inner space--spiritual seekers, shamans, and psychoactive drug users--have returned from their inner imaginal travels reporting encounters with alien intelligences. Inner Paths to Outer Space presents an innovative examination of how we can reach these other dimensions of existence and contact otherworldly beings. Based on their more than 60 combined years of research into the function of the brain, the authors reveal how psychoactive substances such as DMT allow the brain to bypass our five basic senses to unlock a multidimensional realm of existence where otherworldly communication occurs. They contend that our centuries-old search for alien life-forms has been misdirected and that the alien worlds reflected in visionary science fiction actually mirror the inner space world of our minds. The authors show that these "alien" worlds encountered through altered states of human awareness, either through the use of psychedelics or other methods, possess a sense of reality as great as, or greater than, those of the ordinary awareness perceived by our five senses.

From the Back Cover

VISIONARY PLANTS / PSYCHOLOGY "Those who regularly navigate the hyperspatial landscape that some have called the 'tryptamine dimension' have long suspected that the portals to inner and outer space may be one and the same. This book, a collaboration of the most cutting-edge shaman/neuroscientists working in this field, boldly explores this concept in a stunning tour de force."--Dennis McKenna, Ph.D., coauthor with Terence McKenna of The Invisible Landscape"The profoundest inquiries into the nature of reality and the mystery of consciousness are made possible by the psychedelics and other spiritual technologies explored in this astonishing, groundbreaking, and utterly revolutionary book. Written by the maestros of the field, it is exactly the right book at exactly the right time. I found it gripping, thought-provoking, incredibly informative, and--on top of all that--a hugely enjoyable read."--Graham Hancock, author of Supernatural: Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind and Fingerprints of the GodsFor thousands of years, voyagers of inner space--spiritual seekers, shamans, and psychoactive drug users--have returned from their inner travels reporting encounters with alien intelligences. Inner Paths to Outer Space presents an innovative examination of how we can reach these other dimensions of existence and contact otherworldly beings. Based on their more than sixty combined years of research into the function of the brain, the authors reveal how psychoactive substances such as DMT allow the brain to bypass our five basic senses to unlock a multidimensional realm of existence where otherworldly communication occurs. They contend that our centuries-old search for alien life-forms has been misdirected and that the alien worlds reflected in visionary science fiction actually mirror the inner space world of our minds. The authors show that "alien" worlds encountered through altered states of human awareness, either through the use of psychedelics or other methods, possess a sense of reality as great as, or greater than, those of the ordinary awareness perceived by our five senses.RICK STRASSMAN, M.D., is clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule. SLAWEK WOJTOWICZ, M.D., is a medical oncologist working in the pharmaceutical industry in Edison, New Jersey, a science-fiction illustrator, and the author of Daydreaming. LUIS EDUARDO LUNA, Ph.D., is coauthor (with Pablo Amaringo) of Ayahuasca Visions and director of Wasiwaska: Research Centre for the Study of Psychointegrator Plants, Visionary Arts and Consciousness in Florianopolis, Brazil. EDE FRECSKA, M.D., is chief of psychiatry at the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Budapest, Hungary, and a contributing author to Psychedelic Medicine.

Review Quotes

" . . . this book raises many fundamental questions about the nature of reality that have barely been asked in the scientific community, let alone answered, and I strongly urge all researchers of consciousness to read it."-- "David Luke, The Beckley Foundation, Oxford, UK, March 2009"

"A remarkably interesting work, Inner Paths to Outer Space has pulled together a collection of threads into a theoretically grounded framework and although many of the ideas are, admittedly, speculative, the authors field an extremely well-structured argument. An important read for anyone with an interest in sci-fi, shamanism, and psychedelic consciousness and a great addition to the literature."-- "Psychedelic Press, UK, Feb 2010"

"Medical clinicians to literary scholars should read this book. . . . This work is so interesting that it is difficult to stop experiencing it. It leaves the perceiver wanting more as the subjects of this text are of quintessential importance to the human psyche. This book should be the paradigm for texts concerned with mystical themes; as it is not delimiting, and all of its authors do not pejoratively misrepresent transcendent human themes."-- "Dr. Ron Shane, reviewer, July 2009"

"This book is a stellar overview of the latest in psychedelic theory. . . . Having this book is like getting your hands on the hottest underground philosophy book. It dares to link science and religion directly--not some wishy washy pseudo-theory, but hard evidence linking science and religion via psychedelics. . . . High recommended!"-- "David Kerr, reviewer, May 08"

"This book is an eye and mind opening exploration into a field that has been forced underground. The four writers give unique insights into the traditions of shamanism and psychedelic drug use. Taking a scholarly approach without being dry or in any way biased, Inner Paths to Outer Space succeeds on many levels."-- "Chard Currie, New Dawn, No. 114, May-June 2009"

"This highly unusual book, Inner Paths to Outer Space, takes readers on a journey through the world of psychedelic drugs and other obscure paths to reach into our consciousness and then out of ourselves to journey to places unknown."-- "WomensRadio"

"Outside of its more fantastic claims, Inner Paths to Outer Space is valuable for explaining the human propensity for spirituality on basic, cellular level. The drive to experience the mysterious springs at the heart of all great religious traditions, and delight in the mystery is revealed in the passion the authors have for their subject and in the beautiful visionary art the book also showcases. Highly recommended."-- "Leni Hester, BBI Media: Witches & Pagans, September 2011"

"The profoundest inquiries into the nature of reality and the mystery of consciousness are made possible by the psychedelics and other spiritual technologies explored in this astonishing, groundbreaking, and utterly revolutionary book. Written by the maestros of the field, it is exactly the right book at exactly the right time. I found it gripping, thought-provoking, incredibly informative, and--on top of all that--a hugely enjoyable read."-- "Graham Hancock, author of Supernatural: Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind and Fingerprin"

"Those who regularly navigate the hyperspatial landscape that some have called the 'tryptamine dimension' have long suspected that the portals to inner and outer space may be one and the same. This book, a collaboration of the most cutting-edge shaman/neuroscientists working in this field, boldly explores this concept in a stunning tour de force."-- "Dennis McKenna, Ph.D., coauthor with Terence McKenna of The Invisible Landscape"

About the Author

Rick Strassman, M.D., is clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule. Slawek Wojtowicz, M.D., is a medical oncologist working in the pharmaceutical industry in Edison, New Jersey, a science-fiction illustrator, and the author of Daydreaming. Luis Eduardo Luna, Ph.D., is coauthor (with Pablo Amaringo) of Ayahuasca Visions and director of Wasiwas--Research Centre for the Study of Psychointegrator Plants, Visionary Art and Consciousness in Florianópolis, Brazil. Ede Frecska, M.D., is chief of psychiatry at the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Budapest, Hungary, and a contributing author to Psychedelic Medicine.