There's a psychedelic renaissance underway, and such substances are quite openly discussed in public today, where we hear about consciousness-expanding and rewarding spiritual experiences. But is the use of such substances fundamentally a good spiritual path?
Even though research shows that psychedelic substances are much less harmful than many have believed, could there still be more subtle dangers for the psyche and spiritual development? Can quick, chemically induced experiences replace long-term spiritual work? "Beware of unearned wisdom," said Jung.
Where is the line between seductive illusions and profound insight? Powerful doses can make the user experience other dimensions, interact with other beings, live other lives, encounter "God." This feels very real - but how real are such experiences? What is their ontological status, to put it in philosophical jargon? We invite to an open conversation about the existential and spiritual aspects of psychedelics.
We begin the session by showing the third episode, “Sjelens liane”, of the recent documentary series "Psykonaut" produced by Pål Asdal. There will then be a short break before the conversation.
In the panel:
Pål Asdal, TV producer and filmmaker, currently working on the TV series "Psykonaut," based on research, cultural history, and his own psychedelic experiences. Asdal is also an artist and actor, known for his appearances on Idol and Hotel Cæsar.
Rupert Sheldrake is a British biologist and author of over a hundred academic articles and nine books, including "A New Science of Life," (1981) and "The Science Delusion" (2012), "Science and Spiritual Practices" (2017), the last two translted into Norwegian. He studied natural sciences at the University of Cambridge and the history and philosophy of science at Harvard University. He discusses psychedelic substances in a chapter of the book "Ways to Go Beyond and Why They Work" (2019).
Dr. Stian E. Lobben is a specialist in sports medicine and family medicine with a keen interest in mental health and well-being. Dr. Lobben has recently completed the Fluence Certificate Program in Psychedelic Therapy and Integration, equipping him with clinical and academic insights into the therapeutic use of psychedelics for personal and spiritual growth. Alongside a medical career, he explores various aspects of human flourishing through meditation and secular spirituality.
Moderator: Cecilie Byholt Endresen, Clinical Psychologist and Head of Norwegian Psychedelic Science (Norsk Psykedelisk Vitenskap, NPV) Rogaland. NPV is an association for health professionals, researchers and academics who are interested in psychedelic science. NPV's vision is to become Norway's foremost competence center on psychedelics, to organize and finance research and to offer health professionals further education in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.