Entheogens, Healing, and the Sacred

Summary

The increasing focus on symptom management in modern psychology has led to a rise in the use of psychedelic substances, which may not address the underlying 'crisis of meaning' in today's society. This crisis has resulted in a shift from religion to psychology, blurring the lines between psychological and spiritual realms. A more integrated approach to healing, informed by spiritual traditions, is suggested as necessary for a deeper understanding of human existence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The quest for more holistic forms of treatment and healing in modern psychology has been provoked by its sole focus on the management of symptoms. This has led to an alarming rise in the use of psychedelic substances. Yet the true cause behind these maladies of the mind is the burgeoning ‘crisis of meaning’ that we find in the world today. This largely undiagnosed predicament has led to religion being supplanted by psychology, and to the realm of the psyche becoming confused with that of the spiritual. Modern societies have clearly lost a sense of the sacred. To the extent that we fail to see this, the use of entheogens will never be able to replace a true “science of the soul,” which offers a more satisfying conception of reality, and a fuller understanding of what it means to be human. In this way, we may discover a properly integrated approach to healing that is grounded in the deeper wisdom to be found in the world’s time-honored spiritual traditions.