The Cosmic Serpent
 

The Cosmic Serpent

by Jeremy Narby

A personal adventure, a fascinating study of anthropology and ethnopharmacology, and, most important, a revolutionary look at how intelligence and consciousness come into being.

This adventure in science and imagination, which the Medical Tribune said might herald "a Copernican revolution for the life sciences," leads the reader through unexplored jungles and uncharted aspects of... (read more)

Top tags: primal religionspsychedeliareligion & spiritualityscienceshaman (all tags)

 

Member Reviews

  • Nikkol
    1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 5 stars

    An unusual and unambiguous exploration of psychedelics and the roles they play in human consciousness and society. At first this seems like hippie literature, but it is not to be categorized among Mckenna and the like; it is quite thorough and scholarly. An amazing read for anyone interested in psychedelics, spirituality or indigenous culture.

    Nikkol wrote this review Thursday, July 26 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Timo
    1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 5 stars

    This is an absolutely fabulous book on ayahuasca and the search for shamanic wisdom.

    Timo wrote this review Saturday, July 14 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • JAKE B
    • Rated 5 stars

    This book is not for everyone. You'll either love it and think its genius or laugh it off and say its just made up crap. I personally loved this book, and it was non-fiction, and I usually hate non-fiction! It tells of Jeremy Narby an Anthropologist who shares with us his times with indigenous people where he studied the startling connection between Shamanism and the discovery of DNA. I know it sounds weird and a little bit boring but trust me-- its something you have to read to believe. I think anyone who is interested in the origins of life should definitetly check it out.

    JAKE B wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • muque and shylock tomes
    • Rated 5 stars

    Fascinating book that explores the possible link between shamanism and molecular biology. Do plants have souls that speak to us about how they can be used to heal us? Even if you disagree with Narby, this will provide you with a window into another world.

    muque and shylock tomes wrote this review Friday, October 10 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Jamie E
    • Rated 2 stars

    Apparently countless civilizations have recognized the serpent or other double-helix like shapes as of primal importance, and consumption of hallucogenic drugs induces similar visions. Narby has taken this information and declared that humans are, and always have been, somehow aware of the DNA that underlies our existence. He also believes that DNA has intentions, can communicate with us, and it not of this world (he does not believe in natural selection, etc). As a geneticist with an interest in neurobiology and consciousness myself, I am aware that he has butchered much of the science he presents (for example, claiming that the circularity of natural selection makes it untestable). However he writes well, and I enjoyed reading about the anthropology (which appears well documented to my admittedly inexpert eye) that led him to derive this new mythology. I certainly don’t agree with his conclusions, but I appreciate his intellectual creativity and sense of discovery.

    Jamie E wrote this review Thursday, July 17 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Sri P
    • Rated 4 stars

    pretty interesting stuff.. kind of different, but, still held my attention

    Sri P wrote this review Monday, March 31 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • DavidCC
    • Rated 4 stars

    good

    DavidCC wrote this review Tuesday, October 23 2007. ( reply | permalink )
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