The author deeply immersed himself in the study and practice of various spiritual traditions, including Vedanta, Zen Buddhism, and Sufism, dedicating over a decade to each. A lifelong interest in the Traditionalist School, as formulated by René Guénon and Ananda Coomaraswamy, forms a continuous thread throughout his writings. His unique approach synthesizes these diverse spiritual paths, offering readers profound insights into shared truths across cultures. His work explores the fundamental human quest for spiritual fulfillment, providing timeless perspectives on the nature of existence.
The narrative explores Smith's extraordinary journey through significant historical events, highlighting his presence at pivotal moments like the establishment of the United Nations and the Tiananmen Square protests. Throughout his travels, he interacts with influential figures of the twentieth century, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Merton, showcasing a life intertwined with the major cultural and political shifts of the era.
A new anthology of the work of Frithjof Schuon that includes philosophical writings along with a selection of his poems, artworks, and unpublished writings from his personal papers.
Psychoactive Sacramentals and Human Transformation
320 pages
12 hours of reading
Reveals entheogens as catalysts for spiritual development and direct encounters with the sacred• With contributions by Albert Hofmann, Huston Smith, Stanislav Grof, Charles Tart, Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, Frances Vaughan, and many others• Includes personal accounts of Walter Pahnke’s Good Friday Experiment as well as a 25-year follow-up with its participants• Explores protocols for ceremonial use of psychedelics and the challenges of transforming entheogenic insights into enduring changeModern organized religion is based predominantly on secondary religious experience--we read about others’ extraordinary direct spiritual encounters in the distant past and have faith that God is out there. Yet what if powerful sacraments existed to help us directly experience the sacred? What if there were ways to seek out the meaning of being human and our place in the universe, to see the sacred in the world that surrounds us?In this book, more than 25 spiritual leaders, scientists, and psychedelic visionaries examine how we can return to the primary spiritual encounters at the basis of all religions through the guided use of entheogens. With contributions by Albert Hofmann, Huston Smith, Stanislav Grof, Charles Tart, Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, Frances Vaughan, Myron Stolaroff, and many others, this book explores protocols for ceremonial use of psychedelics, the challenges of transforming entheogenic insights into enduring change, psychoactive sacraments in the Bible, myths surrounding the use of LSD, and the transformative ayahuasca rituals of Santo Daime. It also includes personal accounts of Walter Pahnke’s Good Friday Experiment as well as a 25-year follow-up with its participants. Dispelling fears of inauthentic spirituality, addiction, and ill-prepared encounters with the holy, this book reveals the potential of entheogens as catalysts for spiritual development, a path through which faith can directly encounter God’s power, and the beginning of a new religious era based on personal spiritual experience.
The Huston Smith Reader serves as a profound exploration of spirituality and religion, reflecting on the influential teachings of Huston Smith, a revered scholar. This collection promises to enlighten and expand readers' understanding of various faiths, showcasing Smith's ability to inspire lifelong quests for knowledge and meaning. Deepak Chopra emphasizes its personal significance, indicating that this book will be a constant companion for those seeking deeper awareness and insight into the world's religions.
"Here is a unique study of all the world's great religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. This book is neither a history or a critique. Instead it explains, simply and sympathetically, the basic tenants of each religion and the reasons why it attracts millions of devout followers. ...The Religions of Man is a thoroughly researched, informative, fascinating presentation of both the differences and the similarities in the major religious traditions. It is essential reading for anyone who would understand peoples of other lands, other cultures, other religions." --P. [4] of cover.
“One could live a complete life based on the wondrous words of Rumi. But add images and story, and you have more than enough for a lifetime, an overabundance…an excess of wisdom, beauty, and pleasure. This book will be one of the few I take wherever I go.” —Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and Original Self This richly illustrated collection delivers a fresh and inspiring way to read Rumi’s most intimate poems of love, rage, sadness, joy, and longing. No other edition of Rumi’s poetry combines his singularly passionate words with authentic, rare, and wonderful Sufi and Islamic art. Readers moved by Sappho, Hafiz, Rilke, or by Coleman Barks’ translations of Rumi will relish the beautiful imagery and new translations in this unique volume of some of the finest works by “the most popular poet in America” ( Time magazine).
“In this delightful autobiography, Smith tells us how he became the dean of world religion experts. Along the way we meet the people who shaped him and shared his journey—a Who’s Who of 20th century spiritual the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the Dalai Lama, Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary, T.S. Eliot, Thomas Merton and Pete Seeger.... A valuable master class on faith and life.”— San Francisco Chronicle Book Review As Stephen Hawking is to science; as Peter Drucker is to economics; and as Joseph Campbell is to mythology; so Huston Smith is to religion. Tales of Wonder is the personal story of the author of the classic The World’s Religions , the man who taught a nation about the great faiths of the world, and his fascinating encounters with the people who helped shape the 20th century.
The secretive Mysteries conducted at Eleusis in Greece for nearly two millennia have long puzzled scholars with strange accounts of initiates experiencing otherworldly journeys. In this groundbreaking work, three experts—a mycologist, a chemist and a historian—argue persuasively that the sacred potion given to participants in the course of the ritual contained a psychoactive entheogen. The authors then expand the discussion to show that natural psychedelic agents have been used in spiritual rituals across history and cultures. Although controversial when first published in 1978, the book’s hypothesis has become more widely accepted in recent years, as knowledge of ethnobotany has deepened. The authors have played critical roles in the modern rediscovery of entheogens, and The Road to Eleusis presents an authoritative exposition of their views. The book’s themes of the universality of experiential religion, the suppression of that knowledge by exploitative forces, and the use of psychedelics to reconcile the human and natural worlds make it a fascinating and timely read. This 30th anniversary edition includes an appreciative preface by religious scholar Huston Smith and an updated exploration of the chemical evidence by Peter Webster.
Focusing on the often-overlooked rights of Native American communities, this book emphasizes the importance of honoring and protecting their sacred sites and practices. It seeks to raise awareness and inspire a shift in both policy and public consciousness regarding these crucial issues. Through insightful discussions, it advocates for the recognition and respect that Native American people deserve, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage.
