Talk about synchronicity! I am working on a post about a film I wrote and directed several years ago called "The Reckoning". We used the poetry/writings of Maria Sabina in this film.
I was dragging my feet to get the writing up on Substack. This is a sign! Thank you! Ellen
Thank you for sharing the history of psilocybin and its ritualistic use. I appreciate your insights on art history; I wish I had more time to delve into every one of your articles. I wonder if you ever plan to teach extension classes through university. I hope a book is in the works.
Unfortunately, mushroom use has been stripped of its cultural context. Celebrating mushroom imagery honors their significance and the indigenous healing practices that accompany them. Your work truly captures my imagination, highlighting that psychedelics aren’t the only means of accessing deeper consciousness—music, dance, and trance can do the same.
It’s disheartening how first-world societies often overlook Indigenous cultures. This degradation seems intertwined with the destruction of nature. I’ve been reading Benjamin Breen’s book about Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson, discovering their unexpected roles in WWII counterintelligence. Their discussions around psychedelics resonate with today’s conversations. We’re revisiting these debates amid growing wealth and power disparities.
In “Tripping on Utopia” by Breen, themes emerge regarding the exploitation of Indigenous practices, the state’s use of psychedelics, and the barriers to accessing plant medicine. It raises concerns about the commercialization of psychedelics and the challenges posed by spiritual bypassing and addiction. An intriguing idea is the potential for combining Christianity and psychedelics for enlightenment, reflecting long-held beliefs in progress.
Sorry for deviating from your original message; I just wanted to share my thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying my work. While I don’t have plans to teach extension classes (I did teach at a college for a bit), I’m in the early stages of developing a podcast with some colleagues to make art history more accessible. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m excited to share more soon. And yes, a book is definitely something I’ve been thinking about!
You’re absolutely right about psilocybin and Indigenous practices. As someone with Indigenous heritage, I feel it’s incredibly important to honor and center the cultural and spiritual roots of these practices, which are often erased or commercialized today. These traditions, along with music, dance, and trance, have long been ways of exploring consciousness and connecting deeply with the human experience. It’s something I love tying back to art history, as it helps us see the broader, interconnected narratives.
I also appreciate your mention of Tripping on Utopia and Breen’s work. It’s such a sharp reminder of the risks of exploitation and the importance of respecting and preserving the Indigenous origins of these practices. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
When we look for alignments in literature I am immediately reminded of the significance of mushroom in Alice in Wonderland: The conductor of ability to travel between worlds, ‘realities.’
i can’t express my thanks for this enough goddess….thank you thank you thank you
Glad you enjoyed!
ALWAYZ
So lovely that you have created this work about her! 🍄
She was an amazing soul.
Talk about synchronicity! I am working on a post about a film I wrote and directed several years ago called "The Reckoning". We used the poetry/writings of Maria Sabina in this film.
I was dragging my feet to get the writing up on Substack. This is a sign! Thank you! Ellen
I can't wait to read it!
Thank you for sharing the history of psilocybin and its ritualistic use. I appreciate your insights on art history; I wish I had more time to delve into every one of your articles. I wonder if you ever plan to teach extension classes through university. I hope a book is in the works.
Unfortunately, mushroom use has been stripped of its cultural context. Celebrating mushroom imagery honors their significance and the indigenous healing practices that accompany them. Your work truly captures my imagination, highlighting that psychedelics aren’t the only means of accessing deeper consciousness—music, dance, and trance can do the same.
It’s disheartening how first-world societies often overlook Indigenous cultures. This degradation seems intertwined with the destruction of nature. I’ve been reading Benjamin Breen’s book about Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson, discovering their unexpected roles in WWII counterintelligence. Their discussions around psychedelics resonate with today’s conversations. We’re revisiting these debates amid growing wealth and power disparities.
In “Tripping on Utopia” by Breen, themes emerge regarding the exploitation of Indigenous practices, the state’s use of psychedelics, and the barriers to accessing plant medicine. It raises concerns about the commercialization of psychedelics and the challenges posed by spiritual bypassing and addiction. An intriguing idea is the potential for combining Christianity and psychedelics for enlightenment, reflecting long-held beliefs in progress.
Sorry for deviating from your original message; I just wanted to share my thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying my work. While I don’t have plans to teach extension classes (I did teach at a college for a bit), I’m in the early stages of developing a podcast with some colleagues to make art history more accessible. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m excited to share more soon. And yes, a book is definitely something I’ve been thinking about!
You’re absolutely right about psilocybin and Indigenous practices. As someone with Indigenous heritage, I feel it’s incredibly important to honor and center the cultural and spiritual roots of these practices, which are often erased or commercialized today. These traditions, along with music, dance, and trance, have long been ways of exploring consciousness and connecting deeply with the human experience. It’s something I love tying back to art history, as it helps us see the broader, interconnected narratives.
I also appreciate your mention of Tripping on Utopia and Breen’s work. It’s such a sharp reminder of the risks of exploitation and the importance of respecting and preserving the Indigenous origins of these practices. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
Lovely content! Glad to connect with another art lover
Thank you so much and likewise!
When we look for alignments in literature I am immediately reminded of the significance of mushroom in Alice in Wonderland: The conductor of ability to travel between worlds, ‘realities.’
Here are some other mushrooms in art.
https://www.mushroomresults.com/mushrooms-in-art-a-journey-through-famous-paintings
Going to dive into this now.