GLOBAL AYAHUASCA: WONDROUS VISIONS AND MODERN WORLDS. By Alex K.Gearin. Spiritual Phenomena. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2024. Pp. xiv + 280. Hardback, $90.00; Paperback, $22.50.
Religious Studies Review December 1, 2024 Elena Popov
Ayahuasca, originally used in Indigenous Amazonian rituals, has spread globally and is adapted in diverse cultural contexts. In Peru, it remains tied to Indigenous traditions and shamanic tourism. In Australia, New Age retreats emphasize environmental spirituality and reconnection with nature. In China, corporate users employ ayahuasca for personal growth and workplace success. Gearin's ethnographic research examines how ayahuasca rituals are transformed by Western consumerism and therapeutic demands, highlighting the interplay between cultural adaptation, spiritual practice, and commodification. The book contributes to understanding the globalization of Indigenous practices and the evolving role of psychedelics in modern society.