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Liked It “Mr Huxley explores the subconscious world of 'mind at large', unfiltered and useless information that is normally disposed of by a properly functioning brain. But there are means to recapture this sorted out information on the other side of the 'healthy' brain, normally considered as useless...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“He successes in writing down his mescalin trip and his interpretation seems okay, but it's hard to read and i like him for his other great work.”
Jendrik P wrote this review Wednesday, September 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Mr Huxley explores the subconscious world of 'mind at large', unfiltered and useless information that is normally disposed of by a properly functioning brain. But there are means to recapture this sorted out information on the other side of the 'healthy' brain, normally considered as useless waste. Mescalin, LSD, hypnotisation and even a certain disposition in some people can transport us to the limit and beyond of our imagination. Colours are brighter there, intricate structures more clearly visible and completely new forms of architecture und animals can be found. But what makes us see this other transcendental world? Religious Rites, madness, a state of delirium? Huxleys answer is astonishing: All of it, since the brain is lacking important chemical substances when for example in praying mantras the constant breathing out of the words does not go together with sufficient breathing in and a lack of oxygen makes the praying see 'things', or in the case of mescalin the brain runs out of sufficient sugarsupplies, which in turn opens the valve to let unrehearsed material seep in. Being an expert on art, Huxley also explains the 'transporting' capacities of pictures by great painters and the possibility to encounter hell instead of a fantastic world in case the 'traveller' leaves his common world in a rather depressive mood. Then what is the other world? A glimpse of heaven or hell? And what is our world? The condition of being separated from God? Huxley does not really dare to answer these questions.”
Norbert P wrote this review Friday, August 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I thought the first half of Doors of Perception was interesting, but the remainder of that book and the entirety of Heaven and Hell was mostly about convincing Christians to use hallucinogenic drugs as a means to convene with the divine. Not sure I agree with his logic. Good writing though.”
WriterDan wrote this review Monday, July 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“We read Huxley in the 60's as the drug culture was taking off. He was very interested in drug experience and was experimenting with hightened consciousness via LSD. Ironically, his book, Brave New World warned, implicitly, of unpleasant ramifications that drugs could have on society. He supposed a totalitarian society.”
Carol M wrote this review Wednesday, July 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Overview: Editorial Review.
The Literary Hammer wrote this review Friday, January 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Two classic complete books -- "The Doors of Perception" (originally published in 1954) and "Heaven and Hell" (originally published in 1956) -- in which Aldous Huxley, author of the bestselling "Brave New World", explores, as only he can, the mind's remote frontiers and the unmapped areas of human consciousness. These two astounding essays are among the most profound studies of the effects of mind-expanding drugs written in the twentieth century. These two books became essential for the counterculture during the 1960s and influenced a generation's perception of life. ”
“Outstanding book! Anyone who wants to know anything about psychedelics should read this book”
Sara W wrote this review Friday, October 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Aldous Huxley on mescalin, Awesome! A brilliant mind exploring consciousness through hallucinogens in 1953. ”
Summer M wrote this review Wednesday, August 6 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An extremely thought provoking book on the subject of perception. Chronicling Aldous Huxley laboratory-induced ingestion of peyote, this mini-memoir discussing the physically different visual perceptions that different people have and how this colors to an individual's perception, philosophy, values and life experience.”
Lisa wrote this review Sunday, July 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“If you ever have or ever plan to do any kind of mind-altering substance, you might want to check this book (written back in 1954 !) out, along with Timothy Leary/Ram Das (Richard Alpert) and Ralph Metzner's book _The Psychedelic Experience_ which was written back in 1964. A clear message now - be here now - when you worry about the past or try to project yourself into some certain future riddled with expectation, you will almost certainly be unsuccessful. This is also, in case you hadn't already noticed a central part of both the teachings of this guy we all know as Jesus and also of that poker/happy-faced guy from India known as Buddha.”
muque and shylock tomes wrote this review Sunday, May 18 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
