Since I began exploring altered states of consciousness, I've experienced a remarkable phenomenon — vivid, powerful, recurring dreams that frequently align with significant anniversaries, diminishing the likelihood of mere coincidence (more on this later). This intriguing relationship with dreams is not unique to me. For instance, facilitators of Bufo ceremonies advise that in the weeks or months following the experience, participants will experience more intense dreams.
Our understanding of dreams is still quite limited. They represent an altered state of consciousness devoid of reality testing, similar in some ways to transcendental experiences. During a Psilocybin or MDMA journey, we leverage techniques like focusing on our breathing to stay grounded. However, with more potent Psychedelics like Bufo or Ayahuasca, we enter a state where reality testing is completely absent. In these experiences, we can interact with lost loved ones, encounter nonhuman entities, and defy the laws of gravity, all without questioning the reality of these interactions.
What is truly captivating about dreams is their profound impact on reality. Here are some renowned instances where dreams significantly altered the course of history:
Albert Einstein: Einstein came upon the initial concept of the theory of relativity through a dream about cows being electrocuted on an electrified fence. He imagined himself chasing a light beam as a young boy, which he later related to his development of the special theory of relativity.
Niels Bohr: The structure of the atom was envisioned by Bohr after he had a dream about planets attached to the sun with threads, rotating around it, which inspired his model of the atom with electrons orbiting the nucleus.
Dmitri Mendeleev: Mendeleev famously dreamed of the complete arrangement of the periodic table. Upon waking, he immediately wrote it down on a piece of paper, only making a few minor corrections afterward.
Otto Loewi: He won a Nobel Prize for medicine after he proved nerve impulses are transmitted chemically, not electrically. The hypothesis came to him in a dream, and he famously got up in the middle of the night to go to his lab and perform an experiment that would become a milestone in neuroscience.
Paul McCartney: The melody for the iconic song "Yesterday" by The Beatles came to McCartney in a dream. Upon waking, he went to the piano and played the tune to avoid forgetting it.
Mary Shelley: The idea for her novel, "Frankenstein," came to her in a dream. She envisioned the scene of the scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made.
August Kekulé: Kekulé envisioned the structure of the benzene molecule after dreaming of a snake seizing its own tail, a form known as an Ouroboros. This dream inspired him to consider the ring structure of benzene.
Dreams are not the sole conduit for transformative insights; Psychedelic experiences also have a rich history of catalyzing significant discoveries & changing the course of history:
Francis Crick: Francis Crick had insights related to the DNA double helix structure while under the influence of LSD. Crick won the Nobel prize in 1962 for his work with DNA structures.
Kary Mullis: Mullis credited his use of LSD for helping conceptualize the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, which revolutionized genetic engineering & molecular biology. Mullis attributed his ability to think "out of the box" to his LSD experiences, which were crucial in his Nobel Prize-winning discovery.
Steve Jobs: Steve Jobs attested that LSD was one of the most important experiences of his life, profoundly impacting his creative and philosophical outlook. This influence is considered a significant factor in his approach to design and innovation at Apple.
Richard Feynman: The Nobel-winning physicist experimented with sensory deprivation tanks while under the influence of marijuana & ketamine, which he claimed stimulated his creativity and helped him re-envision quantum mechanics concepts.
Robert Hunter & The Grateful Dead: Lyricist Robert Hunter & members of The Grateful Dead used LSD as a creative tool, which significantly influenced the development of their music & lyrics. Their work helped define a cultural movement in the 1960s & 70s that embraced a new, experimental approach to music & art.
To underscore the importance of Dreams & Psychedelic experiences, consider this: With billions of people on our planet, each engaging in the universal act of dreaming nightly, it is inevitable that among these countless dreams, a select few will spark serendipitous insights that resonate through history. It's easy to dismiss these remarkable occurrences as mere anomalies or the result of survivorship bias, attributing mystical qualities to what might simply be random. However, my personal experience tells a different story, one that can't be easily dismissed by skepticism.
Before exploring altered states of consciousness in 2019, my dreams were typical, filled with mundane or chaotic themes like falling, work-related stress, or unexpected encounters. However, as I delved deeper into altered states of consciousness, the nature of my dreams transformed dramatically. They became more vivid, more meaningful, almost nightly visions that have persisted for over a year.
One recurring dream, which unfolds in the house where I grew up and involves both of my late siblings, has been visiting me almost nightly for over a year. Intriguingly, on nights when I consumed cannabis or psilocybin, this dream would not occur. Curious about its significance and undeterred by its absence on those nights, I decided to abstain from both substances for a month (it wasn’t fun). The dreams continued, each night revealing more details. Through this persistence, I am now fairly confident that I have deciphered the message conveyed by this persistent dream.
It’s worth noting that intense, transformative dreams aren’t exclusive to psychonauts like myself. Both advanced meditators and individuals who have had near-death experiences also report significant changes in their dream patterns. This consistency prompts the question: Are these dreams merely dreams, or could they be messages from another realm?
One possible explanation could explain this phenomenon: the idea of a ‘higher self’ — an elevated aspect of our consciousness that guides and informs our being — offers a compelling lens through which to interpret these phenomena. This higher self, perhaps, is not just a metaphor but a functional dimension of our psyche that communicates through symbols and sensations less tethered to the rational world.
Dreams and Psychedelic experiences might then be viewed as channels through which this higher self articulates wisdom, warnings, and a deeper understanding of our life's path. These states allow us to transcend the usual boundaries of perception & cognition, offering a glimpse into a more expansive realm of consciousness where the constructs of time & space are malleable. Here, the higher self is free to explore the potentialities of our lives, presenting scenarios and lessons that resonate with profound emotional & spiritual growth.
This perspective encourages us to consider these experiences not as anomalies or mere quirks of brain chemistry, but as vital dialogues with parts of ourselves that remain unexplored. By embracing the guidance offered through these dialogues, we can align more closely with our higher self, leading to a more integrated and authentic existence. Whether through the spontaneous visions of a dream or the structured journey facilitated by Psychedelics, these experiences beckon us to listen more deeply to the inner workings of our consciousness, urging us to grow, evolve, and understand the intricate dance between our lives and the unseen forces that shape them.
In embracing these messages and the transformative power they hold, we not only enrich our personal journey but also contribute to the collective understanding of what it means to be truly conscious and connected beings in a mysterious universe.
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Salut Andrew,
Been meaning to comment but was busy on my takedown of Muraresku's ergotized beer theory
https://peterwebster.substack.com/p/how-to-change-your-story
Dreams: I have noticed that although many dreams are supposedly completely forgotten, sometimes I find I can remember forgotten ones from within another dream, and then have access to it in "normal consciousness" whatever that may be. For most it is best likened to being in some deep canyon, but with a little help from friends or substances, the canyon can expand into a mountain valley where you can see quite a bit more. Then, with further training it can become a wide valley where you can explore more than just forward and backward.. The ultimate quest is of course to rise to the altitude of the crests on either side, and begin to peek on to the vast plains that extend on either side, but best not to brag one has attained that (those who know do not say...)