Nice article he has written.
I am especially fond of the fact that he brings to light the money situation :P I was one of the unfortunates that couldn't afford the Symposiom.
Some of my friends, all of the younger genereation, went there and came back with a renewed inspiration. So I hope that inspiration will grow to something creative.

As to his critiques of the subject matters, and his impressions on some personalities there: I find them very valid. I often think that the "psychedelic movement" is very narrow, philosophically vague, and quite at a stand-still. There is not much development going on in the ideas. Focus areas are pretty much the same as it has been since the 60's, and as he says, it is all very "western". Not many Japanese, Africans etc.
I do hope, that in a few years, a new form of sharpness, vitality and dynamism will come to this movement.

Thanks for posting the article Paul:)

an excellent report of an event i would have done anything to attend. alas i heard of it too late and money is also a factor.

still it is great that the conference happened because i do think LSD and other psychedelics are vital for humanity. i believe their repression and vilification over the decades was a result of how truly powerful they are. is it just me or does the use of entheogens create an anti-authoritarian personality? just one reason to suppress them.

but in response to the question where are all our psychedelic warriors i would have to say we are here. i consider myself to be one and am certain that thousands if not millions of us exist in one form or another around the world.

it's just that warriors imply a battle and yes there is a war. one side who seeks brighter internal vistas and ever increasing awareness, who value personal freedom and evolution who are pitted against law, authoritarianism, control and subsequently the majority of humanity.

it still dismays me when i talk to people about my use of psychedelics and they recoil in horror, as if i were torturing or killing. this is how effectively the mass of humanity has been persuaded.

so in this kind of context the only kind of warfare is guerilla warfare. dr. leary showed us the result of direct confrontation with the enemy.
years in prison and disrepute (at least outside of the consciousness enclave). so we've regrouped and also remember there's no recruitment drive for our band of warriors, often we have to work out our calling and train ourselves until we eventually meet someone such as albert hoffman to give us a nod in the right direction, like a western zen master pointing at the moon.

so yes we are out here, dotted around the globe, training, polishing our minds, cultivating kindness and connecting to one another. places such as this, erowid and deoxy.org are allowing us to interact. we're leaderless and i think that is essential, because each of us is our own sage and besides without centrality we can never be destroyed. much like a mycelium network, the largest organism on the planet yet hidden, even mushrooms are hidden in plain sight.

why are there no martyrs? well i think there is but we no longer see them as such. every time somebody is arrested and robbed of everything just because they choose use certain substances or sell them or buy them then another of our number is grabbed. but also martyrdom is not for our kind and is not needed. it belongs to the archaic days of empire.

what we need is directed warriors; knowledable, adaptable, using stealth, secercy and surprise. in some ways disconnected from others so as not to endanger them. the anarchic network model is the best strategy for the psychedelic movement.

so if you want to enlist coming walking in the mountains, sit by a campfire, tell stories, sing songs and at every turn know that you're doing something valubale. you are making a difference.

i'm considering creating a blog about practical ways people can affect radical change in their lives and in the world. because in some ways people feel so powerless and i think it's because the system absorbs all direct attacks.

in the meantime build up your strength. connect with the natural and perceive the preternatural.
you are all heroes and heroines. you are part of the resistance if you know it or not.
there are many, many more just like you acting silently and with love.

peace nowist

check out alex greys sits, he has a painting he did for the 100th

peace and light

Paul: Can you give me an email. Want to do a story about someone and need your help

Some ideas, philosophies are never meant to go mainstream:
psychodelic culture is one of them. I'm glad, that acid, shrooms, and other psychotrops and hallucinogens became underground, or even mystified. Not everybody meant to be a psychonaut, shaman, seeker. I'd rather be part of a loving, warm, but small family than a shallow, manipulated, brainwashed crowd.

The ancient masters were able to keep secrets and were patient enough to find the best student to pass their knowledge and wisdom. We shouldn't throw pearls to the swine.

And the darkness is getting bigger.

an interesting read:
AGAINST “LEGALIZATION”
By Hakim Bey.
http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/1jcl/1jcl34.htm