Timothy Leary

Title:	The Psychedelic Experience
Sub-title:	A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead
Author:	Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner, Richard Alpert, Karma-Glin-Pa Bar do
Publisher:	Citadel Press
ISBN:	0806516526
Edition/Revision:	February 1995
Reviewer:	Blades
Contact Information:	allanj13@hotmail.com
Category:	? drug experience? chaos? psychology? tripping?
Review:	This book is a guide for those who want to trip. Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, it explores the states that can occur when tripping on hallucinogenics (or, for example, when meditating). It explains the Three Bardos in practical terms, discussing the various methods of attaining them, and providing scripts to read to those tripping in order to have them attain the best possible result from their trip. The tone of the book is, for the most part, dry and academic - but then it was written by three academics with PhDs. This tone, though, actually helps the book out a lot. Instead of digressing into a fluffy, hippy state, the language and tone help keep the subject of psychadelic experiences on a even keel, and serves to anchor the reader in reality when discussing some very unreal concepts. It is, however, almost entirely based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and for those familiar with that instruction set (and have realised that it can be applied to the living experiences of those following that path) may be of little use. However, it does take that basis and ground it more firmly in the reality of the experience, stripping away much of the clouded symbolic terms and presenting it in such a way that most westerners will be able to grasp the concepts fairly simply and quickly. In short, if you're familiar - and comfortable - with the Tibetan tracts, you may find that this book simply re-treads old familiar ground. If, however, you want to see the system explained in western terms, and applied to an experience - or maybe you just want to take the added precaution of ensuring that your trip is as pleasurable as possible - this is a useful book to add to your collection.
Review submitted:	31 January 2002