In the beginning of Part 6, Walsh writes about monophasic and polyphasic societies. According to Walsh, Western society is monophasic, meaning that they derive their view of reality almost exclusively on the waking state.
There IS a huge difference between Western societies and the rest of the world. It's even evident in our class discussions—many are completely close minded. Walsh goes on to write that not only are Westerners close minded, but they denigrate those who explore alternate states.
Maybe that’s why I ORGINALLY chose martial arts as my taste of eastern culture. Very few (including me) can denigrate or refute the power of my craft. When a martial artist breaks a cement block or kicks over someone’s head, monophasic onlookers say, "Oh wow, this stuff has merit."
The majority of Westerners are so hooked to empirical evidence. I think it is really frustrating. Why should I (or anyone for that matter) bother explaining any of my polyphasic experiences to people who are totally ignorant and unwilling to know? You could spend/waste a whole life trying to do so...
Furthermore, it seems to me that most of these books are only good for people who are willing to open their mind... and these kinds of people are rare in our society. I mean, I guess it’s good that these close minded individuals are learning that there are other views. Oh, I don’t know.
I hate to admit it... but... if it weren’t for drugs, I'm sure our society would be even more close minded.
Talking about the whole idea of drugs actually helping our society... In Altered States, Hughes writes, "Within the opium-induced cocoon of perfect invulnerability, the individual's strangest unconsciousness feels safe to venture out." (Hughes, pg. 163)
Finally, I think it is pretty wild that Cocteau used opium to get in touch with the real world and world of imagination. "Everything one does in life, even love, occurs in an express train reaching toward death. To smoke opium is to get out of the train while it is still moving. It is to concern oneself with something other than death." Jean Cocteau
As for the connection between Santa and Amanita Muscaria, I can say that I was very entertained. Yes, Santa and fly agaric mushrooms are portly, and they both are adorned with black red and white but… Santa, as I remember, is nothing more than an old legend… the ghost of Saint Nicholas.
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