Schopenhauer on the Danger of Excessive Solitude

The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer is well known for his defence of solitude; as he said, “A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom, for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.” Distinct from…

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The State of the World as an Aspect of ‘Set and Setting’

If we want to prioritise ‘set and setting’ (our mindset and physical and social environment) when using psychedelics, then we should be aware of all the possible aspects of our minds and the world that could influence the experience. Realistically, there are innumerable aspects of set and setting, many of which we won’t be aware…

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Should We Be Concerned About the Rise in People Tripping Alone?

The psychologist Rachel Harris, who is the author of Swimming in the Sacred: Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground, has said “I’ve never heard of so many people tripping at home alone. People always did it but now a lot of people are doing it. There’s a generational difference.” A Twitter poll by The Archaic Revival…

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‘Just Listen to Your Body’: How Pseudo-Wisdom Fuels Science Denial

In the realm of New Age spirituality/ideology, one reason to oppose medical interventions is contained in the phrase ‘just listen to your body’ – in a very specific sense. Listening to your body could, in one way, simply mean developing a mindful awareness of your body, such as whether you feel physically fatigued or if…

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Earthship Biotecture: An Architectural Concept Based on Self-Sufficient, Sustainable Living

The ‘Earthship’ – or ‘Earthship Biotecture’ – is an architectural concept that arose in the 1970s, formulated by the architect Michael Reynolds. His aim, which underlies the concept, was to design and create a home that would do three things: first, it would encapsulate sustainable architecture by relying on local materials or recycled materials; second,…

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