- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017
I just finished a book loaned to me by a neighbor who wanted a critical review from a "scientific type".
Entitled "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan, it is a lengthy (but well-written) journey into the evolving science of hallucinogens such as psilocybin and LSD.
Though not interested in partaking of these myself, the topic was treated in a very professional manner.
What struck me rather hard was how many patients "after treatment" were changed by the experience much in the manner many of us report during but more after Camino-ing. Some loss of ego, more relaxed, more open, more able to be "in the moment", aware of more love and good in the Universe than before our experience.
What is NOT similar is that most of us have experienced "post-Camino blues". Such was not reported at the end of these other, I have to say it..."trips".
There is good scientific evidence that these chemicals work by suppressing an activity system of the brain called the "Default Mode Network" (DMN). For lack of a better description, it tends to inhibit things that the ego does not want one to recognize.
The author notes that many experienced meditators can obtain similar effects as well as marked reduction in the DMN's influence. And what is the Camino for some of us but a "walking meditation"? (Whether that was our intent or not.)
Anyway, I just thought it interesting.
Buen Camino! (as I head back to pickling)
B
Entitled "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan, it is a lengthy (but well-written) journey into the evolving science of hallucinogens such as psilocybin and LSD.
Though not interested in partaking of these myself, the topic was treated in a very professional manner.
What struck me rather hard was how many patients "after treatment" were changed by the experience much in the manner many of us report during but more after Camino-ing. Some loss of ego, more relaxed, more open, more able to be "in the moment", aware of more love and good in the Universe than before our experience.
What is NOT similar is that most of us have experienced "post-Camino blues". Such was not reported at the end of these other, I have to say it..."trips".
There is good scientific evidence that these chemicals work by suppressing an activity system of the brain called the "Default Mode Network" (DMN). For lack of a better description, it tends to inhibit things that the ego does not want one to recognize.
The author notes that many experienced meditators can obtain similar effects as well as marked reduction in the DMN's influence. And what is the Camino for some of us but a "walking meditation"? (Whether that was our intent or not.)
Anyway, I just thought it interesting.
Buen Camino! (as I head back to pickling)
B