ENTHEOGENS IN A RELIGIOUS CONTEXT: THE CASE OF THE SANTO DAIME RELIGIOUS TRADITION

Drawing on William James and others, the essay proposes a nonphysicalistic view of the brain-consciousness relationship to argue that entheogenic visionary and mystical experiences are not hallucinations. It examines the Santo Daime tradition, a Brazilian religious movement from the early twentieth century, as a contemporary mystery school that uses ayahuasca in a disciplined context. The essay covers the religion's history, key theological assumptions, the central role of visionary experiences, the importance of healing and spiritual transformation, and the necessity of spiritual discipline within this entheogen-based faith.

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Abstract

This essay first draws upon the work of William James and others to propose a nonphysicalistic understanding of the relationship between the brain and consciousness in order to articulate a philosophical perspective that can understand entheogenic visionary/mystical experiences as something other than hallucinations. It then focuses on the Santo Daime tradition, a religious movement that began in Brazil in the early part of the twentieth century, to provide an example of the personal and social ramifications of taking an entheogen (ayahuasca) within a disciplined religious context. The essay claims that the Santo Daime is one example of a contemporary mystery school; gives a brief history of the development of this religion; discusses the key theological assumptions of this movement; investigates the important role played by visionary/mystical experiences within this religion; underscores the centrality of healing and spiritual transformation for members of this tradition; and ends with an examination of the crucial significance of spiritual discipline within this entheogenically based religion.