Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content #346 - The Best Kept Secret In History?
34 snips
Dec 22, 2023 Sam Harris speaks with Brian Muraresku about ancient mystery religions and the possible psychedelic roots of Christianity. They discuss the Mysteries of Eleusis, the 'pagan continuity hypothesis,' the cult of Dionysius, the Dead Sea scrolls and the Gnostic Gospels, Christianity as a cult of human sacrifice, the evidence for the use of psychedelics in ancient rites, the chemical analysis of ancient wine and beer, why Brian hasn't tried psychedelics, and the need for a modern Mysteries of Eleusis.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Psychedelic Roots of Eleusis Mysteries
- The ancient Greeks likely consumed a psychedelic potion in their sacred Mysteries of Eleusis.
- This experience profoundly influenced early Christianity and shaped the spiritual landscape.
Eleusis Mysteries and Transformation
- The Mysteries of Eleusis involved a transformative rite culminating in an indescribable vision.
- Initiates drank a special potion called the Kukion and experienced a vision of death and rebirth.
Widespread Influence of Mystery Religions
- Mystery religions spread widely with personal spiritual journeys emphasizing death and rebirth.
- Greek mysteries influenced regions from Spain to Central Asia before and after Christ.