The New Alchemy

Alan Watts
an essay from This is It and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience, by Alan
Watts, Vintage Books, 1973, (c)Alan Watts 1958, 196! "#is essay $as $ritten in 196!
Besi%es t#e &#iloso&#er's stone t#at $o(l% t(rn base metal into gol%, one of t#e great
)(ests of alc#emy in bot# *(ro&e an% Asia $as t#e eli+ir of immortality! ,n g(llible
ent#(siasm for t#is )(est, more t#an one -#inese em&eror %ie% of t#e fab(lo(s
concoctions of &o$%ere% .a%e, tea, ginseng, an% &recio(s metals &re&are% by "aoist
&riests! B(t .(st as t#e $ork of transforming lea% into gol% $as in many cases a c#emical
symbolism for a s&irit(al transformation of man #imself, so t#e immortality to be
conferre% by t#e eli+ir $as not al$ays t#e literally e/erlasting life b(t rat#er t#e
trans&ortation of conscio(sness into a state beyon% time! 0o%ern &#ysicists #a/e sol/e%
t#e &roblem of c#anging lea% into gol%, t#o(g# t#e &rocess is some$#at more e+&ensi/e
t#an %igging gol% from t#e eart#! B(t in t#e last fe$ years mo%em c#emists #a/e
&re&are% one or t$o s(bstances for $#ic# it may be claime% t#at in some cases t#ey
in%(ce states of min% remarkably similar to cosmic conscio(sness!
"o many &eo&le s(c# claims are %ee&ly %ist(rbing! 1or one t#ing, mystical
e+&erience seems altoget#er too easy $#en it sim&ly comes o(t of a bottle, an% is t#(s
a/ailable to &eo&le $#o #a/e %one not#ing to %eser/e it, $#o #a/e neit#er faste% nor
&raye% nor &ractice% yoga! 1or anot#er, t#e claim seems to im&ly t#at2s&irit(al insig#t is
after all only a matter of bo%y c#emistry in/ol/ing a total re%(ction of t#e s&irit(al to t#e
material! "#ese are serio(s consi%erations, e/en t#o(g# one may be con/ince% t#at in t#e
long r(n t#e %iffic(lty is fo(n% to rest (&on semantic conf(sion as to t#e %efinitions of
3s&irit(al4 an% 3material!4
5o$e/er, it s#o(l% be &ointe% o(t t#at t#ere is not#ing ne$ or %isre&(table in t#e
i%ea t#at s&irit(al insig#t ,s an (n%eser/e% gift of %i/ine grace, often con/eye% t#ro(g#
s(c# material or sacramental means as t#e $ater of ba&tism an% t#e brea% an% $ine of t#e
mass! "#e &riest $#o by /irt(e of #is office transforms brea% an% $ine into t#e bo%y an%
bloo% of -#rist, ex opere operato, by t#e sim&le re&etition of t#e form(la of t#e 6ast
7(&&er, is in a sit(ation not ra%ically %ifferent from t#at of t#e scientist $#o, by re&eating
t#e rig#t form(la of an e+&eriment, may effect a transformation in t#e brain! "#e
com&arati/e $ort# of t#e t$o o&erations m(st be .(%ge% by t#eir effects! "#ere $ere
al$ays t#ose (&on $#om t#e sacraments of ba&tism an% comm(nion %i% not seem to
3take,4 $#ose li/es remaine% effecti/ely (nregenerate! 6ike$ise, none of t#ese
conscio(sness2c#anging c#emicals are literally mystical e+&erience in a bottle! 0any
$#o recei/e t#em e+&erience only ecstasies $it#o(t insig#t, or .(st an (n&leasant
conf(sion of sensation an% imagination! 7tates akin to mystical e+&erience arise only in
certain in%i/i%(als an% t#en often %e&en% (&on consi%erable concentration an% effort to
(se t#e c#ange of conscio(sness in certain $ays! ,t is im&ortant #ere, too, to stress t#e
&oint t#at ecstasy is only ,nci%ental to t#e a(t#entic mystical e+&erience, t#e essence of
$#ic# mig#t best be %escribe% as insig#t, as t#e $or% is no$ (se% in &syc#iatry!
A c#emical of t#is kin% mig#t &er#a&s be sai% to be an ai% to &erce&tion in t#e same
$ay as t#e telesco&e, microsco&e, or s&ectrosco&e, sa/e in t#is case t#at t#e instr(ment is
not an e+ternal ob.ect b(t an internal state of t#e ner/o(s system! All s(c# instr(ments are
relati/ely (seless $it#o(t &ro&er training an% &re&aration not only in t#eir #an%ling, b(t
also in t#e &artic(lar fiel% of in/estigation,
"#ese consi%erations alone are alrea%y almost eno(g# to s#o$ t#at t#e (se of s(c#
c#emicals %oes not re%(ce s&irit(al insig#t to a mere matter of bo%y c#emistry! B(t it
s#o(l% be a%%e% t#at e/en $#en $e can %escribe certain e/ents in terms of c#emistry t#is
%oes not mean t#at s(c# e/ents are merely c#emical! A c#emical %escri&tion of s&irit(al
e+&erience #as some$#at t#e same (se an% t#e same limits as t#e c#emical %escri&tion of
a great &ainting! ,t is sim&le eno(g# to make a c#emical analysis of t#e &aint, an% for
artists an% connoisse(rs alike t#ere is some &oint in %oing so! ,t mig#t also be &ossible to
$ork o(t a c#emical %escri&tion of all t#e &rocesses t#at go on in t#e artist $#ile #e is
&ainting! B(t it $o(l% be incre%ibly com&licate%, an% in t#e meantime t#e same &rocesses
co(l% be %escribe% an% comm(nicate% far more effecti/ely in some ot#er lang(age t#an
t#e c#emical! We s#o(l% &robably say t#at a &rocess is c#emical only $#en c#emical
lang(age is t#e most effecti/e means of %escribing it! Analogo(sly, some of t#e c#emicals
kno$n as &syc#e%elics &ro/i%e o&&ort(nities for mystical insig#t in m(c# t#e same $ay
t#at $ell2&re&are% &aints an% br(s#es &ro/i%e o&&ort(nities for fine &ainting, or a
bea(tif(lly constr(cte% &iano for great m(sic! "#ey make it easier, b(t t#ey %o not
accom&lis# t#e $ork all by t#emsel/es!
"#e t$o c#emicals $#ic# are of most (se in creating a c#ange of conscio(sness
con%(ci/e to s&irit(al e+&erience are mescaline an% lysergic aci% %iet#ylami%e (kno$n,
for s#ort, as 678)! "#e former is a synt#etic form(lation of t#e acti/e ingre%ients of t#e
&eyote cact(s, an% t#e latter a &(rely synt#etic c#emical of t#e in%ole gro(& $#ic#
&ro%(ces its effects e/en in s(c# min(te amo(nts as t$enty2fi/e micrograms! "#e s&ecific
effects of t#ese c#emicals are #ar% to i%entify $it# any clarity, an% so far as is kno$n at
&resent t#ey seem to o&erate (&on t#e ner/o(s system by re%(cing some of t#e in#ibitory
mec#anisms $#ic# or%inarily #a/e a screening effect (&on o(r conscio(sness! -ertain
&syc#iatrists $#o seem o/erly an+io(s to #ang on to t#e socially a&&ro/e% sensation of
reality 9 more or less t#e $orl% as &ercei/e% on a bleak 0on%ay morning 9 classify
t#ese c#emicals as #all(cinogens &ro%(cing to+ic effects of a sc#i:oi% or &syc#otic
c#aracter! , am afrai% t#is is &syc#iatric gobble%ygook; a sort of a(t#oritati/e r(mble of
%isa&&ro/al! <eit#er s(bstance is an a%%icti/e %r(g, like #eroin or o&i(m, an% it #as ne/er
been %emonstrate% t#at t#ey #a/e #armf(l effects (&on &eo&le $#o $ere not ot#er$ise
serio(sly %ist(rbe%! ,t is begging t#e )(estion to call t#e c#anges of conscio(sness $#ic#
t#ey e%(ce #all(cinations, for some of t#e (n(s(al t#ings felt an% seen may be no more
(nreal t#an t#e (nfamiliar forms &ercei/e% t#ro(g# a microsco&e! We %o not kno$! ,t is
also begging t#e )(estion to call t#eir effects to+ic, $#ic# mig#t mean &oisono(s, (nless
t#is $or% can also be (se% for t#e effects of /itamins or &roteins! 7(c# lang(age is
e/al(ati/e, not %escri&ti/e in any scientific sense!
7ome$#at more t#an t$o years ago (1958) , $as aske% by a &syc#iatric researc#
gro(& to take 1 micrograms of lysergic aci%, to see $#et#er it $o(l% re&ro%(ce
anyt#ing resembling a mystical e+&erience! ,t %i% not %o so, an% so far as , kno$ t#e
reason $as t#at , #a% not t#en learne% #o$ to %irect my in)(iries $#en (n%er its
infl(ence! ,t seeme% instea% t#at my senses #a% been gi/en a kalei%osco&ic c#aracter (an%
t#is is no more t#an a meta&#or) $#ic# ma%e t#e $#ole $orl% entrancingly com&licate%,
as if , $ere in/ol/e% in a m(lti%imensional arabes)(e! -olors became so /i/i% t#at
flo$ers, lea/es, an% fabrics seeme% to be ill(mine% from insi%e! "#e ran%om &atterns of
bla%es of grass in a la$n a&&eare% to be e+)(isitely organi:e% $it#o(t, #o$e/er, any
act(al %istortion of /ision! Black ink or sumi &aintings by -#inese an% =a&anese artists
a&&eare% almost to be t#ree %imensional &#otogra&#s, an% $#at are or%inarily %ismisse%
as irrele/ant %etails of s&eec#, be#a/ior, a&&earance, an% form seeme% in some
in%efinable $ay to be #ig#ly significant! 6istening to m(sic $it# close% eyes, , be#el% t#e
most fascinating &atterns of %ancing .e$elry, mosaic, tracery, an% abstract images! At one
&oint e/eryt#ing a&&eare% to be (&roario(sly f(nny, es&ecially t#e gest(res an% actions of
&eo&le going abo(t t#eir e/ery%ay b(siness! >r%inary remarks seeme% to re/erberate $it#
%o(ble an% )(a%r(&le meanings, an% t#e role2&laying be#a/ior of t#ose aro(n% me not
only became (n(s(ally e/i%ent b(t also im&lie% conceale% attit(%es contrary or
com&lementary to its o/ert intention! ,n s#ort, t#e screening or selecti/e a&&arat(s of o(r
normal inter&retati/e e/al(ation of e+&erience #a% been &artially s(s&en%e%, $it# t#e
res(lt t#at , $as &res(mably &ro.ecting t#e sensation of meaning or significance (&on .(st
abo(t e/eryt#ing! "#e $#ole e+&erience $as /astly entertaining an% interesting, b(t as
yet not#ing like any mystical e+&erience t#at , #a% #a% before!
,t $as not (ntil a year later t#at , trie% 678 again, t#is time at t#e re)(est of anot#er
researc# team! 7ince t#en , #a/e re&eate% t#e e+&eriment fi/e times, $it# %osages
/arying from 75 to 1 micrograms! 0y im&ression #as been t#at s(c# e+&eriments are
&rofo(n% an% re$ar%ing to t#e e+tent t#at , %o my (tmost to obser/e &erce&t(al an%
e/al(ati/e c#anges an% to %escribe t#em as clearly an% com&letely as &ossible, (s(ally
$it# t#e #el& of a ta&e recor%er! "o gi/e a &lay2by2&lay %escri&tion of eac# e+&eriment
mig#t be clinically interesting, b(t $#at , am concerne% $it# #ere is a &#iloso&#ical
%isc(ssion of some of t#e #ig# &oints an% rec(rrent t#emes of my e+&eriences!
?syc#iatrists #a/e not yet ma%e (& t#eir min%s as to $#et#er 678 is (sef(l in t#era&y, b(t
at &resent , am strongly incline% to feel t#at its ma.or (se may t(rn o(t to be only
secon%arily as a t#era&e(tic an% &rimarily as an instr(mental ai% to t#e creati/e artist,
t#inker, or scientist! , s#o(l% obser/e, in &assing, t#at t#e #(man an% nat(ral en/ironment
in $#ic# t#ese e+&eriments are con%(cte% is of great im&ortance, an% t#at its (se in
#os&ital $ar%s $it# gro(&s of %octors firing off clinical )(estions at t#e s(b.ect is most
(n%esirable! "#e s(&er/ising &#ysician s#o(l% take a #(man attit(%e, an% %ro& all
%efensi/e %ramati:ations of scientific ob.ecti/ity an% me%ical a(t#ority, con%(cting t#e
e+&eriment in s(rro(n%ings of some nat(ral or artistic bea(ty!
, #a/e sai% t#at my general im&ression of t#e first e+&eriment $as t#at t#e
3mec#anism4 by $#ic# $e screen o(r sense2%ata an% select only some of t#em as
significant #a% been &artially s(s&en%e%! -onse)(ently, , felt t#at t#e &artic(lar feeling
$#ic# $e associate $it# 3t#e meaningf(l4 $as &ro.ecte% in%iscriminately (&on
e/eryt#ing, an% t#en rationali:e% in $ays t#at mig#t strike an in%e&en%ent obser/er as
ri%ic(lo(s 9 (nless, &er#a&s, t#e s(b.ect $ere (n(s(ally cle/er at rationali:ing!
5o$e/er, t#e &#iloso&#er cannot &ass (& t#e &oint t#at o(r selection of some sense2%ata
as significant an% ot#ers as insignificant is al$ays $it# relation to &artic(lar &(r&oses 9
s(r/i/al, t#e )(est for certain &leas(res, fin%ing one's $ay to some %estination, or
$#ate/er it may be! B(t in e/ery e+&eriment $it# 678 one of t#e first effects , #a/e
notice% is a &rofo(n% rela+ation combine% $it# an aban%onment of &(r&oses an% goals,
remin%ing me of t#e "aoist saying t#at 3$#en &(r&ose #as been (se% to ac#ie/e
&(r&oselessness, t#e t#ing #as been gras&e%!4 , #a/e felt, in ot#er $or%s, en%o$e% $it#
all t#e time in t#e $orl%, free to look abo(t me as if , $ere li/ing in eternity $it#o(t a
single &roblem to be sol/e%! ,t is .(st for t#is reason t#at t#e b(sy an% &(r&osef(l actions
of ot#er &eo&le seem at t#is time to be so comic, for it becomes ob/io(s t#at by setting
t#emsel/es goals $#ic# are al$ays in t#e f(t(re, in t#e 3tomorro$ $#ic# ne/er comes,4
t#ey are missing entirely t#e &oint of being ali/e!
W#en, t#erefore, o(r selection of sense2im&ressions is not organi:e% $it# res&ect to
any &artic(lar &(r&ose, all t#e s(rro(n%ing %etails of t#e $orl% m(st a&&ear to be e)(ally
meaningf(l or e)(ally meaningless! 6ogically, t#ese are t$o $ays of saying t#e same
t#ing, b(t t#e o/er$#elming feeling of my o$n 678 e+&eriences is t#at all as&ects of t#e
$orl% become meaningf(l rat#er t#an meaningless! "#is is not to say t#at t#ey ac)(ire
meaning in t#e sense of signs, by /irt(e of &ointing to somet#ing else, b(t t#at all t#ings
a&&ear to be t#eir o$n &oint! "#eir sim&le e+istence, or better, t#eir &resent formation,
seems to be &erfect, to be an en% or f(lfillment $it#o(t any nee% for .(stification! 1lo$ers
%o not bloom in or%er to &ro%(ce see%s, nor are see%s germinate% in or%er to bring fort#
flo$ers! *ac# stage of t#e &rocess 9 see%, s&ro(t, b(%, flo$er, an% fr(it 9 may be
regar%e% as t#e goal! A c#icken is one eggs $ay of &ro%(cing ot#ers! ,n o(r normal
e+&erience somet#ing of t#e same kin% takes &lace in m(sic an% t#e %ance, $#ere t#e
&oint of t#e action is eac# moment of its (nfol%ing an% not .(st t#e tem&oral en% of t#e
&erformance!
7(c# a translation of e/ery%ay e+&erience into somet#ing of t#e same nat(re as
m(sic #as been t#e beginning an% t#e &re/ailing (n%ertone of all my e+&eriments! B(t
678 %oes not sim&ly s(s&en% t#e selecti/e &rocess by c(tting it o(t! ,t $o(l% be more
e+act to say t#at it s#o$s t#e relati/ity of o(r or%inary e/al(ation of sense2%ata by
s(ggesting ot#ers! ,t &ermits t#e min% to organi:e its sensory im&ressions in ne$ &atterns!
,n my secon% e+&eriment , notice%, for e+am&le, t#at all re&eate% forms 9 lea/es on a
stem, books on s#el/es, m(llions in $in%o$s 9 ga/e me t#e sensation of seeing %o(ble
or e/en m(lti&le, as if t#e secon%, t#ir%, an% fo(rt# lea/es on t#e stem $ere reflections of
t#e first, seen, as it $ere, in se/eral t#icknesses of $in%o$ glass! W#en , mentione% t#is,
t#e atten%ing &#ysician #el% (& #is finger to see if it $o(l% gi/e me a %o(ble image! 1or a
moment it seeme% to %o so, b(t all at once , sa$ t#at t#e secon% image #a% its basis in a
$is& of cigar smoke &assing close to #is finger an% (&on $#ic# my conscio(sness #a%
&ro.ecte% t#e #ig#lig#ts an% o(tline of a secon% finger! As , t#en concentrate% (&on t#is
sensation of %o(bling or re&eating images, it seeme% s(%%enly as if t#e $#ole fiel% of
sig#t $ere a trans&arent li)(i% ri&&le% in concentric circles as in %ro&&ing a stone into a
&ool! "#e normal images of t#ings aro(n% me $ere not %istorte% by t#is &attern! "#ey
remaine% .(st as (s(al, b(t my attention %irecte% itself to #ig#lig#ts, lines, an% s#a%o$s
(&on t#em t#at fitte% t#e &attern, letting t#ose t#at %i% not fall into relati/e insignificance!
As soon, #o$e/er, as , notice% t#is &ro.ection an% became a$are of %etails t#at %i% not fit
t#e &attern, it seeme% as if $#ole #an%f(ls of &ebbles #a% been t#ro$n into2t#e o&tical
s&ace, ri&&ling it $it# concentric circles t#at o/erla&&e% in all %irections, so t#at e/ery
/isible &oint became an intersection of circles! "#e o&tical fiel% seeme%, in fact, to #a/e a
str(ct(re% grain like a &#otogra&# screene% for re&ro%(ction, sa/e t#at t#e organi:ation of
t#e grains $as not rectilinear b(t circ(lar! ,n t#is $ay e/ery %etail fitte% t#e &attern an%
t#e fiel% of /ision became pointillist, like a &ainting by 7e(rat!
"#is sensation raise% a n(mber of )(estions! Was my min% im&erio(sly &ro.ecting its
o$n geometrical %esigns (&on t#e $orl%, t#(s 3#all(cinating4 a str(ct(re in t#ings $#ic#
is not act(ally t#ere@ >r is $#at $e call t#e 3real4 str(ct(re of t#ings sim&ly a learne%
&ro.ection or #all(cination $#ic# $e #ol% in common@ >r $as , some#o$ becoming
a$are of t#e act(al grain of t#e ro%s an% cones in my retina, for e/en a #all(cination m(st
#a/e some act(al basis in t#e ner/o(s system@ >n anot#er occasion , $as looking closely
at a #an%f(l of san%, an% in becoming a$are t#at , co(l% not get it into clear foc(s ,
became conscio(s of e/ery %etail an% artic(lation of t#e $ay in $#ic# my eyes $ere
f(::ing t#e image 9 an% t#is $as certainly &erce&tion of a grain or %istortion in t#e eyes
t#emsel/es!
"#e general im&ression of t#ese o&tical sensations is t#at t#e eyes, $it#o(t losing t#e
normal area of /ision, #a/e become microsco&es, an% t#at t#e te+t(re of t#e /is(al fiel% is
infinitely ric# an% com&le+! , %o not kno$ $#et#er t#is is act(al a$areness of t#e
m(lti&licity of ner/e2en%ings in t#e retina, or, for t#at matter, in t#e fingers, for t#e same
grainy feeling arose in t#e sense of to(c#! B(t t#e effect of feeling t#at t#is is or may be
so is, as it $ere, to t(rn t#e senses back (&on t#emsel/es, an% so to reali:e t#at seeing t#e
e+ternal $orl% is also seeing t#e eyes! ,n ot#er $or%s, , became /i/i%ly a$are of t#e fact
t#at $#at , call s#a&es, colors, an% te+t(res in t#e o(tsi%e $orl% are also states of my
ner/o(s system, t#at is, of me! ,n kno$ing t#em , also kno$ my self! B(t t#e strange &art
of t#is a&&arent sensation of my o$n senses $as t#at , %i% not a&&ear to be ins&ecting
t#em from o(tsi%e or from a %istance, as if t#ey $ere objects! , can say only t#at t#e
a$areness of grain or str(ct(re in t#e senses seeme% to be a$areness of a$areness, of
myself from insi%e myself! Beca(se of t#is, it follo$e% t#at t#e %istance or se&aration
bet$een myself an% my senses, on t#e one #an%, an% t#e e+ternal $orl%, on t#e ot#er,
seeme% to %isa&&ear , $as no longer a %etac#e% obser/er, a little man insi%e my o$n
#ea%, having sensations! , $as t#e sensations, so m(c# so t#at t#ere $as not#ing left of
me, t#e obser/ing ego, e+ce&t t#e series of sensations $#ic# #a&&ene% 9 not to me, b(t
.(st #a&&ene% 9 moment by moment, one after anot#er!
"o become t#e sensations, as %istinct from #a/ing t#em, engen%ers t#e most
astonis#ing sense of free%om an% release! 1or it im&lies t#at e+&erience is not somet#ing
in $#ic# one is tra&&e% or by $#ic# one is &(s#e% aro(n%, or against $#ic# one m(st
fig#t! "#e con/entional %(ality of s(b.ect an% ob.ect, kno$er an% kno$n, feeler an%
feeling, is c#ange% into a &olarity; t#e kno$er an% t#e kno$n become t#e &oles, terms, or
&#ases of a single e/ent $#ic# #a&&ens, not to me or rom me, b(t of itself! "#e
e+&eriencer an% t#e e+&erience become a single, e/er2c#anging self2forming &rocess,
com&lete an% f(lfille% at e/ery moment of its (nfol%ing, an% of infinite com&le+ity an%
s(btlety! ,t is like, not $atc#ing, b(t being, a coiling arabes)(e of smoke &atterns in t#e
air, or of ink %ro&&e% in $ater, or of a %ancing snake $#ic# seems to mo/e from e/ery
&art of its bo%y at once! "#is may be a 3%r(g2in%(ce% #all(cination,4 b(t it corres&on%s
e+actly to $#at 8e$ey an% Bentley #a/e calle% t#e transactional relations#i& of t#e
organism to its en/ironment! "#is is to say t#at all o(r actions an% e+&eriences arise
m(t(ally from t#e organism an% from t#e en/ironment at t#e same time! "#e eyes can see
lig#t beca(se of t#e s(n, b(t t#e s(n is lig#t beca(se of t#e eyes! >r%inarily, (n%er t#e
#y&nosis of social con%itioning, $e feel )(ite %istinct from o(r &#ysical s(rro(n%ings,
facing t#em rat#er t#an belonging in t#em! Aet in t#is $ay $e ignore an% screen o(t t#e
&#ysical fact of o(r total inter%e&en%ence $it# t#e nat(ral $orl%! We are as embo%ie% in
it as o(r o$n cells an% molec(les are embo%ie% in (s! >(r neglect an% re&ression of t#is
interrelations#i& gi/es s&ecial (rgency to all t#e ne$ sciences of ecology, st(%ying t#e
inter&lay of organisms $it# t#eir en/ironments, an% $arning (s against ignorant
interference $it# t#e balances of nat(re!
"#e sensation t#at e/ents are #a&&ening of t#emsel/es, an% t#at not#ing is ma!ing
t#em #a&&en an% t#at t#ey are not #a&&ening to anyt#ing, #as al$ays been a ma.or
feat(re of my e+&eriences $it# 678! ,t is &ossible t#at t#e c#emical is sim&ly gi/ing me
a /i/i% reali:ation of my o$n &#iloso&#y, t#o(g# t#ere #a/e been times $#en t#e
e+&erience #as s(ggeste% mo%ifications of my &re/io(st#inking! (1) B(t .(st as t#e
sensation of s(b.ect2ob.ect &olarity is confirme% by t#e transactional &syc#ology of
8e$ey an% Bentley, so t#e sensation of e/ents #a&&ening 3of t#emsel/es4 is .(st #o$ one
$o(l% e+&ect to &ercei/e a $orl% consisting entirely of &rocess! <o$ t#e lang(age of
science is increasingly a lang(age of &rocess 9 a %escri&tion of e/ents, relations,
o&erations, an% forms rat#er t#an of t#ings an% s(bstances! "#e $orl% so %escribe% is a
$orl% of actions rat#er t#an agents, /erbs rat#er t#an no(ns, going against t#e common2
sense i%ea t#at an action is t#e be#a/ior of some t#ing, some soli% entity of 3st(ff!4 B(t
t#e commonsense i%ea t#at action is al$ays t#e f(nction of an agent is so %ee&ly roote%,
so bo(n% (& $it# o(r sense of or%er an% sec(rity, t#at seeing t#e $orl% to be ot#er$ise
can be serio(sly %ist(rbing! Wit#o(t agents, actions %o not seem to come from any$#ere,
to #a/e any %e&en%able origin, an% at first sig#t t#is s&ontaneity can be alarming! ,n one
e+&eriment it seeme% t#at $#ene/er , trie% to &(t my (meta&#orical) foot (&on some soli%
gro(n%, t#e gro(n% colla&se% into em&ty s&ace! , co(l% fin% no s(bstantial basis from
$#ic# to act; my $ill $as a $#im, an% my &ast, as a ca(sal con%itioning force, #a%
sim&ly /anis#e%! "#ere $as only t#e &resent conformation of e/ents, #a&&ening! 1or a
$#ile , felt lost in a /oi%, frig#tene%, baseless, insec(re t#ro(g# an% t#ro(g# Aet soon ,
became acc(stome% to t#e feeling, strange as it $as! "#ere $as sim&ly a &attern of action,
of &rocess, an% t#is $as at one an% t#e same time t#e (ni/erse an% myself $it# not#ing
o(tsi%e it eit#er to tr(st or mistr(st! An% t#ere seeme% to be no meaning in t#e i%ea of its
tr(sting or mistr(sting itself, .(st as t#ere is no &ossibility of a finger's to(c#ing its o$n
ti&!
B&on reflection, t#ere seems to be not#ing (nreasonable in seeing t#e $orl% in t#is
$ay! "#e agent be#in% e/ery action is itself action! ,f a mat can be calle% matting, a cat
can be calle% catting! We %o not act(ally nee% to ask $#o or $#at 3cats,4 .(st as $e %o
not nee% to ask $#at is t#e basic st(ff or s(bstance o(t of $#ic# t#e $orl% is forme% 9
for t#ere is no $ay of %escribing t#is s(bstance e+ce&t in terms of form, of str(ct(re,
or%er, an% o&eration! "#e $orl% is not ormed as if it $ere inert clay res&on%ing to t#e
to(c# of a &otter's #an%C t#e $orl% is form, or better, formation, for (&on e+amination
e/ery s(bstance t(rns o(t to be closely knit &attern! "#e fi+e% notion t#at e/ery &attern or
form m(st be ma%e of some basic material $#ic# is in itself formless is base% on a
s(&erficial analogy bet$een nat(ral formation an% man(fact(re, as if t#e stars an% rocks
#a% been ma%e o(t of somet#ing as a car&enter makes tables o(t of $oo%! "#(s $#at $e
call t#e agent be#in% t#e action is sim&ly t#e &rior or relati/ely more constant state of t#e
same action; $#en a man r(ns $e #a/e a 3manning2r(nning4 o/er an% abo/e a sim&le
3manning!4 1(rt#ermore, it is only a some$#at cl(msy con/enience to say t#at &resent
e/ents are mo/e% or ca(se% by &ast e/ents, for $e are act(ally talking abo(t earlier an%
later stages of t#e same e/ent! We can establis# reg(larities of r#yt#m an% &attern in t#e
co(rse of an e/ent, an% so &re%ict its f(t(re config(rations, b(t its &ast states %o not
3&(s#4 its &resent an% f(t(re states as if t#ey $ere a ro$ of %ominoes stoo% on en% so t#at
knocking o/er t#e first colla&ses all t#e ot#ers in series! "#e fallen %ominoes lie $#ere
t#ey fall, b(t &ast e/ents /anis# into t#e &resent, $#ic# is .(st anot#er $ay of saying t#at
t#e $orl% is a self2mo/ing &attern $#ic#, $#en its s(ccessi/e states are remembere%, can
be s#o$n to #a/e a certain or%er! ,ts motion, its energy, iss(es from itself no$, not from
t#e &ast, $#ic# sim&ly falls be#in% it in memory like t#e $ake from a s#i&!
W#en $e ask t#e 3$#y4 of t#is mo/ing &attern, $e (s(ally try to ans$er t#e
)(estion in terms of its original, &ast im&(lse or of its f(t(re goal! , #a% reali:e% for a
long time t#at if t#ere is in any sense a reason for t#e $orl%'s e+istence it m(st be so(g#t
in t#e &resent, as t#e reason for t#e $ake m(st be so(g#t in t#e engine of t#e mo/ing
s#i&! , #a/e alrea%y mentione% t#at 678 makes me &ec(liarly a$are of t#e m(sical or
%ance2like c#aracter of t#e $orl%, bringing my attention to rest (&on its &resent flo$ing
an% seeing t#is as its (ltimate &oint! Aet , #a/e also been able to see t#at t#is &oint #as
%e&t#s, t#at t#e &resent $ells (& from $it#in itself $it# an energy $#ic# is somet#ing
m(c# ric#er t#an sim&le e+(berance!
>ne of t#ese e+&eriments $as con%(cte% late at nig#t! 7ome fi/e or si+ #o(rs from
its start t#e %octor #a% to go #ome, an% , $as left alone in t#e gar%en! 1or me, t#is stage
of t#e e+&eriment is al$ays t#e most re$ar%ing in terms of insig#t, after some of its more
(n(s(al an% bi:arre sensory effects #a/e $orn off! "#e gar%en $as a la$n s(rro(n%e% by
s#r(bs an% #ig# trees 9 ?ine an% e(caly&t(s 9 an% floo%lit from t#e #o(se $#ic#
enclose% it on one si%e! As , stoo% on t#e la$n , notice% t#at t#e ro(g# &atc#es $#ere t#e
grass $as t#in or mottle% $it# $ee%s no longer seeme% to be blemis#es! 7cattere% at
ran%om as t#ey $ere, t#ey a&&eare% to constit(te an or%ere% %esign, gi/ing t#e $#ole
area t#e te+t(re of /el/et %amask, t#e ro(g# &atc#es being t#e &arts $#ere t#e &ile of t#e
/el/et is c(t! ,n s#eer %elig#t , began to %ance on t#is enc#ante% car&et, an% t#ro(g# t#e
t#in soles of my moccasins , co(l% feel t#e gro(n% becoming ali/e (n%er my feet,
connecting me $it# t#e eart# an% t#e trees an% t#e sky in s(c# a $ay t#at , seeme% to
become one bo%y $it# my $#ole s(rro(n%ings!
6ooking (&, , sa$ t#at t#e stars $ere colore% $it# t#e same re%s, greens, an% bl(es
t#at one sees in iri%escent glass, an% &assing across t#em $as t#e single lig#t of a .et
&lane taking fore/er to streak o/er t#e sky! At t#e same time, t#e trees, s#r(bs, an%
flo$ers seeme% to be li/ing .e$elry, in$ar%ly l(mino(s like intricate str(ct(res of .a%e,
alabaster, or coral, an% yet breat#ing an% flo$ing $it# t#e same life t#at $as in me! */ery
&lant became a kin% of m(sical (tterance, a &lay of /ariations on a t#eme re&eate% from
t#e main branc#es, t#ro(g# t#e stalks an% t$igs, to t#e lea/es, t#e /eins in t#e lea/es, an%
to t#e fine ca&illary net$ork bet$een t#e /eins! *ac# ne$ b(rsting of gro$t# from a
center re&eate% or am&lifie% t#e basic %esign $it# increasing com&le+ity an% %elig#t,
finally e+(lting in a flo$er!
1rom my %escri&tion it $ill seem t#at t#e gar%en ac)(ire% an atmos&#ere t#at $as
%istinctly e+otic, like t#e gar%ens of &recio(s stones in t#e Arabian Nights, or like scenes
in a ?ersian miniat(re! "#is str(ck me at t#e time, an% , began to $on%er .(st $#y it is
t#at t#e glo$ingly artic(late% lan%sca&es of t#ose miniat(res seem e+otic, as %o also
many -#inese an% =a&anese &aintings! Were t#e artists recor%ing $#at t#ey, too, #a% seen
(n%er t#e infl(ence of %r(gs@ , kne$ eno(g# of t#e li/es an% tec#ni)(es of 1ar *astern
&ainters to %o(bt t#is! , aske%, too, $#et#er $#at , $as seeing $as 3%r(gge%!4 ,n ot#er
$or%s, $as t#e effect of t#e 678 in my ner/o(s system t#e a%%ition to my senses of some
c#emical screen $#ic# %istorte% all t#at , sa$ to &reternat(ral lo/eliness@ >r $as its
effect rat#er to remo/e certain #abit(al an% normal in#ibitions of t#e min% an% senses,
enabling (s to see t#ings as t#ey $o(l% a&&ear to (s if $e $ere not so c#ronically
re&resse%@ 6ittle is kno$n of t#e e+act ne(rological effects of 678, b(t $#at is kno$n
s(ggests t#e latter &ossibility! ,f t#is be so, it is &ossible t#at t#e art forms of ot#er
c(lt(res a&&ear e+otic 9 t#at is, (nfamiliarly enc#anting 9 beca(se $e are seeing t#e
$orl% t#ro(g# t#e eyes of artists $#ose re&ressions are not t#e same as o(rs! "#e blocks
in t#eir /ie$ of t#e $orl% may not coinci%e $it# o(rs, so t#at in t#eir re&resentations of
life $e see areas t#at $e normally ignore! , am incline% to some s(c# sol(tion beca(se
t#ere #a/e been times $#en , #a/e seen t#e $orl% in t#is magical as&ect $it#o(t benefit
of 678, an% t#ey $ere times $#en , $as &rofo(n%ly rela+e% $it#in, my senses
(ng(ar%e%ly o&en to t#eir s(rro(n%ings!
1eeling, t#en, not t#at , $as %r(gge% b(t t#at , $as in an (n(s(al %egree o&en to
reality, , trie% to %iscern t#e meaning, t#e inner c#aracter of t#e %ancing &attern $#ic#
constit(te% bot# myself an% t#e gar%en, an% t#e $#ole %ome of t#e nig#t $it# its colore%
stars! All at once it became ob/io(s t#at t#e $#ole t#ing $as lo/e2&lay, $#ere lo/e means
e/eryt#ing t#at t#e $or% can mean, a s&ectr(m ranging from t#e re% of erotic %elig#t,
t#ro(g# t#e green of #(man en%earment, to t#e /iolet of %i/ine c#arity, from 1re(%'s
libi%o to 8ante's 3lo/e t#at mo/es t#e s(n an% ot#er stars!4 All $ere so many colors
iss(ing from a single $#ite lig#t, an%, $#at $as more, t#is single so(rce $as not .(st lo/e
as $e or%inarily (n%erstan% it; it $as also intelligence, not only *ros an% Aga&e b(t also
6ogos! , co(l% see t#at t#e intricate organi:ation bot# of t#e &lants an% of my o$n
ner/o(s system, like sym&#onies of branc#ing com&le+ity, $ere not .(st manifestations
of intelligence 9 as if t#ings like intelligence an% lo/e $ere in t#emsel/es s(bstances or
formless forces! ,t $as rat#er t#at t#e &attern itself is intelligence an% is lo/e, an% t#is
some#o$ in s&ite of all its o(t$ar%ly st(&i% an% cr(el %istortions!
"#ere is &robably no $ay of fin%ing ob.ecti/e /erification for insig#ts s(c# as t#is!
"#e $orl% is lo/e to #im $#o treats it as s(c#, e/en $#en it torments an% %estroys #im,
an% in states of conscio(sness $#ere t#ere is no basic se&aration bet$een t#e ego an% t#e
$orl% s(ffering cannot be felt as malice inflicte% (&on oneself by anot#er! By t#e same
logic it mig#t seem t#at $it# o(t t#e se&aration of self an% ot#er t#ere can be no lo/e!
"#is mig#t be tr(e if in%i/i%(ality an% (ni/ersality $ere formal o&&osites, m(t(ally
e+cl(si/e of one anot#er, if, t#at is, t#e inse&arability of self an% ot#er meant t#at all
in%i/i%(al %ifferentiations $ere sim&ly (nreal! B(t in t#e (nitary, or non%(alistic, /ie$ of
t#e $orl% , #a/e been %escribing t#is is not so! ,n%i/i%(al %ifferences e+&ress t#e (nity, as
branc#es, lea/es, an% flo$ers from t#e same &lant, an% t#e lo/e bet$een t#e members is
t#e reali:ation of t#eir basic inter%e&en%ence!
, #a/e not yet been able to (se 678 in circ(mstances of great &#ysical or moral &ain,
an% t#erefore my e+&lorations of t#e &roblem of e/il (n%er its infl(ence may a&&ear to be
s#allo$! >nly once in t#ese e+&eriments #a/e , felt ac(te fear, b(t , kno$ of se/eral cases
in $#ic# 678 #as to(c#e% off &syc#ic states of t#e most alarming an% (n&leasant kin%!
0ore t#an once , #a/e in/ite% s(c# states (n%er 678 by looking at images or%inarily
s(ggesti/e of 3t#e cree&s4 9 t#e man%ibles of s&i%ers, an% t#e barbs an% s&ines of
%angero(s fis# an% insects! Aet t#ey e/oke% only a sense of bea(ty an% e+(berance, for
o(r normal &ro.ection of malice into t#ese creat(res $as entirely $it#%ra$n, so t#at t#eir
organs of %estr(ction became no more e/il t#an t#e teet# of a bea(tif(l $oman! >n
anot#er occasion , looke% for a long time at a colore% re&ro%(ction of Van *yck's "ast
#udgment, $#ic# is s(rely one of t#e most #orren%o(s &ro%(cts of #(man imagination!
"#e scene of #ell is %ominate% by t#e fig(re of 8eat#, a skeleton beneat# $#ose batlike
$ings lies a $rit#ing mass of screaming bo%ies gna$e% by snakes $#ic# &enetrate t#em
like maggots in fr(it! >ne of t#e c(rio(s effects of 678 is to im&art an ill(sion of
mo/ement in still images, so t#at #ere t#e &ict(re came to life an% t#e $#ole
entanglement of limbs an% ser&ents began to s)(irm before my eyes! (D)
>r%inarily s(c# a sig#t s#o(l% #a/e been #i%eo(s, b(t no$ , $atc#e% it $it# intense
an% &(::le% interest (ntil t#e t#o(g#t came to me, $%emon est deus inversus 9 t#e 8e/il
is Eo% in/erte% 9 so let's t(rn t#e &ict(re (&si%e %o$n!4 , %i% so, an% t#ere(&on b(rst
into la(g#ter for it became a&&arent at once t#at t#e scene $as an em&ty %rama, a sort of
s&irit(al scarecro$, %esigne% to g(ar% some mystery from &rofanation by t#e ignorant!
"#e agoni:e% e+&ressions of t#e %amne% seeme% )(ite e/i%ently 3&(t on,4 an% as for t#e
%eat#'s2#ea%, t#e great sk(ll in t#e center of t#e &ainting, it became .(st $#at a sk(ll is 9
an em&ty s#ell 9 an% $#y t#e #orror $#en t#ere is not#ing in it@
, $as, of co(rse, seeing ecclesiastical #ells for $#at t#ey are! >n t#e one #an%, t#ey
are t#e &retension t#at social a(t#ority is (ltimately inesca&able since t#ere are &ost2
mortem &olice $#o $ill catc# e/ery criminal! >n t#e ot#er #an%, t#ey are 3no
tres&assing4 signs to %isco(rage t#e insincere an% t#e immat(re from attaining insig#ts
$#ic# t#ey mig#t ab(se! A baby is &(t in a &lay &en to kee& it from getting at t#e matc#es
or falling %o$nstairs, an% t#o(g# t#e intention of t#e &en is to kee& t#e baby close% in,
&arents are nat(rally &ro(% $#en t#e c#il% gro$s strong eno(g# to climb o(t! 6ike$ise, a
man can &erform actions $#ic# are tr(ly moral only $#en #e is no longer moti/ate% by
t#e fear of #ell, t#at is, $#en #e gro$s into (nion $it# t#e Eoo% t#at is beyon% goo% an%
e/il, $#ic#, in ot#er $or%s, %oes not act from t#e lo/e of re$ar%s or t#e fear of
&(nis#ments! "#is is &recisely t#e nat(re of t#e $orl% $#en it is consi%ere% as self2
mo/ing action, gi/ing o(t a &ast instea% of being moti/ate% by a &ast!
Beyon% t#is, t#e &erce&tion of t#e em&ty t#reat of t#e %eat#'s2#ea% $as certainly a
recognition of t#e fact t#at t#e fear of %eat#, as %istinct from t#e fear of %ying, is one of
t#e most baseless mirages t#at tro(ble (s! Beca(se it is com&letely im&ossible to imagine
one's o$n &ersonal absence, $e fill t#e /oi% in o(r min%s $it# images of being b(rie%
ali/e in &er&et(al %arkness! ,f %eat# is t#e sim&le termination of a stream of
conscio(sness, it is certainly not#ing to fear! At t#e same time, , reali:e t#at t#ere is some
a&&arent e/i%ence for s(r/i/al of %eat# in a fe$ e+traor%inarily (ne+&lainable
me%i(mistic comm(nications an% remembrances of &ast li/es! "#ese , attrib(te, /ag(ely
eno(g#, to s(btler net$orks of comm(nication an% interrelations#i& in t#e &attern of life
t#an $e or%inarily &ercei/e! 1or if forms re&eat t#emsel/es, if t#e str(ct(re of branc#ing
trees is re/erberate% in t#e %esign of $aterco(rses in t#e %esert, it $o(l% not be so strange
if a &attern so intricate as t#e #(man ner/o(s system $ere to re&eat config(rations t#at
arise in conscio(sness as /eritable memories of t#e most %istant times! 0y o$n feeling,
an% of co(rse it is not#ing more t#an an o&inion, is t#at $e transcen% %eat#, not as
in%i/i%(al memory2systems, b(t only in so far as o(r tr(e i%entity is t#e total &rocess of
t#e $orl% as %istinct from t#e a&&arently se&arate organism!
As , #a/e sai%, t#is sense of being t#e $#ole &rocess is fre)(ently e+&erience% $it#
678, an%, for me, it #as often arisen o(t of a strong feeling of t#e m(t(ality of o&&osites!
6ine an% &lane, conce&t an% &erce&t, soli% an% s&ace, fig(re an% gro(n%, s(b.ect an%
ob.ect a&&ear to be so com&letely correlati/e as to be con/ertible into eac# ot#er! At one
moment it seems t#at t#ere are, for e+am&le, no lines in nat(re; t#ere are only t#e
bo(n%aries of &lanes, bo(n%aries $#ic# are, after all, t#e &lanes t#emsel/es! B(t at t#e
ne+t moment, looking caref(lly into t#e te+t(re of t#ese &lanes, one %isco/ers t#em to be
not#ing b(t a %ense net$ork of &atterne% lines! 6ooking at t#e form of a tree against t#e
sky, , #a/e felt at one moment t#at its o(tline 3belongs4 to t#e tree, e+&lo%ing into s&ace!
B(t t#e ne+t moment , feel t#at t#e same form is t#e 3inline4 of t#e sky, of s&ace
im&lo%ing t#e tree! */ery &(ll is felt as a &(s#, an% e/ery &(s# as a &(ll, as in rotating t#e
rim of a $#eel $it# one's #an%! ,s one &(s#ing or &(lling@
"#e sense t#at forms are also &ro&erties of t#e s&ace in $#ic# t#ey e+&an% is not in
t#e least fantastic $#en one consi%ers t#e nat(re of magnetic fiel%s, or, say, t#e %ynamics
of s$irling ink %ro&&e% into $ater! "#e conce&ts of /erbal t#o(g#t are so cl(msy t#at $e
ten% to t#ink only of one as&ect of a relations#i& at a time! We alternate bet$een seeing a
gi/en form as a &ro&erty of t#e fig(re an% as a &ro&erty of t#e gro(n%, as in t#e Eestalt
image of t$o &rofiles in black sil#o(ette, abo(t to kiss! "#e $#ite s&ace bet$een t#em
a&&ears as a c#alice, b(t it is intensely %iffic(lt to see t#e kissing faces an% t#e c#alice
sim(ltaneo(sly! Aet $it# 678 one a&&ears to be able to feel t#is sim(ltaneity )(ite
/i/i%ly, an% t#(s to become a$are of t#e m(t(ality of one's o$n form an% action an% t#at
of t#e s(rro(n%ing $orl%! "#e t$o seem to s#a&e an% %etermine eac# ot#er at t#e same
moment, e+&losion an% im&losion conc(rring in &erfect #armony, so gi/ing rise to t#e
feeling t#at one is act(al self is bot#! "#is inner i%entity is felt $it# e/ery le/el of t#e
en/ironment 9 t#e &#ysical $orl% of stars an% s&ace, rocks an% &lants, t#e social $orl%
of #(man beings, an% t#e i%eational $orl% of art an% literat(re, m(sic an% con/ersation!
All are gro(n%s or fiel%s o&erating in t#e most intimate m(t(ality $it# one's o$n
e+istence an% be#a/ior so t#at t#e 3origin4 of action lies in bot# at once, f(sing t#em into
a single act! ,t is certainly for t#is reason t#at 678 taken in common $it# a small gro(&
can be a &rofo(n%ly e(c#aristic e+&erience, %ra$ing t#e members toget#er into an
e+tremely $arm an% intimate bon% of frien%s#i&!
All in all, , #a/e felt t#at my e+&eriments $it# t#is astonis#ing c#emical #a/e been
most $ort# $#ile, creati/e, stim(lating, an%, abo/e all, an intimation t#at 3t#ere is more
in #ea/en an% eart# t#an is %reame% of in yo(r &#iloso&#y!4 >nly once #a/e , felt terror,
t#e sense of being close to ma%ness, an% e/en #ere t#e insig#t gaine% $as $ell $ort# t#e
&ain! Aet t#is $as eno(g# to con/ince me t#at in%iscriminate (se of t#is alc#emy mig#t
be e+cee%ingly %angero(s, an% to make me ask $#o, in o(r society, is com&etent to
control its (se! >b/io(sly, t#is a&&lies e/en more to s(c# ot#er &o$ers of science as
atomic energy, b(t once somet#ing is kno$n t#ere is really no $ay of locking it (&! At t#e
&resent time, 196, 678 is in t#e control of &#armacologists an% a fe$ researc# gro(&s of
&syc#iatrists, an% t#o(g# t#ere are (nscr(&(lo(s an% frankly &syc#otic &syc#iatrists, t#is
seems to me a far more reliable form of control t#an t#at e+ercise% by t#e &olice an% t#e
B(rea( of <arcotics 9 $#ic# is not control at all, b(t ineffecti/e re&ression, #an%ing
o/er act(al control to t#e forces of organi:e% crime!
>n t#e $#ole, $e feel .(stifie% in (sing %angero(s &o$ers $#en $e can establis#
t#at t#ere is a relati/ely lo$ &robability of %isaster! 6ife organi:e% so as to be com&letely
fool&roof an% sec(re is sim&ly not $ort# li/ing, since it re)(ires t#e final abolition of
free%om! ,t is on t#is &erfectly rational &rinci&le of gambling t#at $e .(stify t#e (se of
tra/el by air an% a(tomobile, electric a&&liances in t#e #ome, an% all t#e ot#er %angero(s
instr(ments of ci/ili:ation! "#(s far, t#e recor% of catastro&#es from t#e (se of 678 is
e+tremely lo$, an% t#ere is no e/i%ence at all t#at it is eit#er #abit2forming or &#ysically
%eleterio(s! ,t is, of co(rse, &ossible to become &syc#ically %e&en%ent on stim(li $#ic#
%o not establis# any cra/ing t#at can be i%entifie% in &#ysiological terms! ?ersonally, , am
no e+am&le of &#enomenal $ill &o$er, b(t , fin% t#at , #a/e no inclination to (se 678 in
t#e same $ay as tobacco or $ines an% li)(ors! >n t#e contrary, t#e e+&erience is al$ays
so fr(itf(l t#at , feel , m(st %igest it for some mont#s before entering into it again!
1(rt#ermore, , fin% t#at , am )(ite instincti/ely %isincline% to (se it $it#o(t t#e same
sense of rea%iness an% %e%ication $it# $#ic# one a&&roac#es a sacrament, an% also t#at
t#e e+&erience is $ort# $#ile to t#e &recise %egree t#at , kee& my critical an% intellect(al
fac(lties alert!
,t is generally felt t#at t#ere is a ra%ical incom&atibility bet$een int(ition an%
intellect, &oetry an% logic, s&irit(ality an% rationality, "o me, t#e most im&ressi/e t#ing
abo(t 678 e+&eriences is t#at t#ese formally o&&ose% realms seem instea% to
com&lement an% fr(ctify one anot#er, s(ggesting, t#erefore, a mo%e of life in $#ic# man
is no longer an embo%ie% &ara%o+ of angel an% animal, of reason fig#ting instinct, b(t a
mar/elo(s coinci%ence in $#om *ros an% 6ogos are one!
1ootnotes
(1) , #a/e often ma%e t#e &oint, as in The &ay o Zen, t#at t#e 3real4 $orl% is
concrete rat#er t#an abstract, an% t#(s t#at t#e conce&t(al &atterns of or%er,
categori:ation, an% logic $#ic# t#e #(man min% &ro.ects (&on nat(re are in some $ay
less real! B(t (&on se/eral occasions 678 #as s(ggeste% a f(n%amental i%entity of
&erce&t an% conce&t, concrete an% abstract! After all, o(r brains an% t#e &atterns in t#em
are t#emsel/es members of t#e concrete, &#ysical (ni/erse, an% t#(s o(r abstractions are
as m(c# forms of nat(re as t#e str(ct(re of crystals or t#e organi:ation of ferns!
(D) 6ater, $it# t#e ai% of a sea (rc#in's s#ell , $as able to fin% o(t somet#ing of t#e
reasons for t#is effect! All t#e small &(r&le &rot(berances on t#e s#ell seeme% to be
$iggling, not only to sig#t b(t also to to(c# Watc#ing t#is &#enomenon closely, , reali:e%
t#at as my eyes mo/e% across t#e s#ell t#ey seeme% to c#ange t#e intensity of coloring,
amo(nting to an increase or %ecrease in t#e %e&t# of s#a%o$! "#is %i% not #a&&en $#en
t#e eyes $ere #el% still! <o$ motion, or a&&arent motion, of t#e s#a%o$ $ill often seem
to be motion of t#e ob.ect casting it, in t#is case t#e &rotr(sions on t#e s#ell! ,n t#e Van
*yck &ainting t#ere $as like$ise an alteration, a lig#tening or %arkening, of act(al
s#a%o$s $#ic# t#e artist #a% &ainte%, an% t#(s t#e same ill(sion of mo/ement!
7en% e2mail to "#e ?syc#e%elic 6ibrary; &s%FlibraryG%r(glibrary!org
"#is file is transmitte% (n%er t#e 31air Bse4 r(lings regar%ing t#e 1976 -o&yrig#t Act for
<><2&rofit aca%emic an% general information &(r&oses!