Brian Muraresku, author of "The Immortality Key," dives into the role of psychedelics in ancient Greek spirituality and their potential ties to early Christianity. Joining him is Professor Carl Ruck, an expert in mythology and the use of psychoactive plants in rituals. They discuss the Eleusinian Mysteries, the historical links between psychedelics and religious experiences, and the evolving perception of these substances in psychiatry today. The conversation also touches on the intriguing connections between mushrooms, consciousness, and our cultural heritage.
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insights INSIGHT
Eleusinian Mysteries' Significance
The Eleusinian Mysteries were central to ancient Greek civilization, not just a sideshow.
Greek rationality and philosophy were embedded within a profound religious experience, possibly involving hallucinogens.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Interest in Classics
Brian Muraresku's interest in the classics began in his teens, sparked by studying Latin and Greek with Jesuits.
This early interest led to a fascination with the Eleusinian Mysteries and their sacramental potions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Inspiration from Psilocybin Studies
Brian Muraresku's interest in psychedelics in ancient mysteries wasn't from personal experience.
It arose from Roland Griffiths' psilocybin studies at Johns Hopkins, showing transformative effects.
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In 'Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality', R. Gordon Wasson explores the identity of Soma, a mysterious substance mentioned in the Hindu Vedas. Wasson suggests that Soma could be Amanita muscaria, the fly-agaric mushroom, based on its psychoactive properties and its use in shamanic rituals across northern Eurasia. The book delves into the cultural and historical significance of this mushroom, offering insights into the origins of religious practices.
Sacred Mushroom and the Cross
Judith Brown
Jan Irvin
John Allegro
Carl Ruck
This book, written by John M. Allegro, argues that Christianity originated from an Essene clandestine cult centered around the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Allegro suggests that the stories of early Christianity and the New Testament are coded records of this shamanistic cult, and that the authors of the Christian gospels misunderstood the Essene thought. The book explores the role of ancient fertility cults, cultic rites and symbols, and the sacred mushroom as an emblem of divinity. The 40th anniversary edition includes a 30-page addendum by Carl Ruck.
A People's History of the United States
1492-present
Howard Zinn
The Greeks and the Irrational
E.R. Dodds
In 'The Greeks and the Irrational,' E.R. Dodds challenges the long-held notion of the ancient Greeks as paragons of rational thought. Originating from a series of lectures given at Berkeley in 1949, the book employs anthropology and psychology to understand the Greek mind. Dodds reveals how the Greeks navigated a world filled with supernatural beliefs, magical practices, and psychic phenomena, which were deeply embedded in their culture. He argues that the Greeks did not see a clear-cut division between rational thought and non-rational belief but rather an interplay between the two. The book explores various aspects of Greek irrationality, including anxieties, guilt, and the transition from a shame culture to a guilt culture. It is a landmark in the field of Greek studies, offering a nuanced and comprehensive view of ancient Greek culture[1][3][4].
The Red Book
A Reader's Edition (Philemon)
Jung, C. G.
Reality+
Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy
David Chalmers
In 'Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy', David J. Chalmers conducts a comprehensive analysis of the intersection between virtual reality, philosophy, and science. He argues that virtual worlds are not inferior to physical reality and that we can lead meaningful lives within them. The book addresses various philosophical questions, such as the nature of reality, the relation between mind and body, and the possibility of being in a simulated world. Chalmers uses virtual reality technology to offer new perspectives on long-standing philosophical issues, making the book a significant contribution to the fields of philosophy, science, and technology.
The Immortality Key
The Secret History of the Religion with No Name
Brian C. Muraresku
In 'The Immortality Key', Brian Muraresku reconstructs the suppressed history of psychedelics in ancient Greek and early Christian rituals. Through a 12-year investigation, Muraresku connects the lost psychedelic sacrament of Greek religion to early Christianity, exposing the true origins of Western Civilization. He accesses hidden archives of the Louvre and the Vatican, and collaborates with archaeochemists to unveil the first scientific evidence of psychedelic drug use in classical antiquity. The book challenges traditional views of Christianity and Western history, suggesting that psychedelics were integral to the development of these cultures[1][2][4].
Shamanism
A Biopsychosocial Paradigm of Consciousness and Healing
Michael J. Winkelman
The Road to Eleusis
Albert Hofman
R. Gordon Wasson
Carl Ruck
This podcast was recorded on May 14th, 2021.
In today’s episode, Dr. Jordan Peterson is accompanied by author Brian Muraresku and Professor Carl Ruck to unravel the secrets of ancient Greek culture and religion. They embark upon the sinuous journey of discussing psychedelics in Ancient Greek religion, and how both Brian and Professor Ruck became deeply invested in understanding the subject.
Today we meet with Brian Muraresku, who tells us why and how he was drawn to research the role of psychedelics within Western civilization. Muraresku is also the author of The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion With No Name.
Carl Ruck is an American professor who’s known for his extensive research on mythology and religion regarding the sacred role of entheogens; a selection of psychoactive plants that are known for inducing altered states of reality or consciousness. Ruck co-authored the book The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries, and is currently teaching mythology classes supporting this theory at Boston University.
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast 
