Chapter 13

Plaimin^ A Session
|jr SiVhQ read thb preparatory manual one can
Tjf immediately recognize symptoms and experi- ^ ^ ences that might otherwise be terrifying, only because of lack of understanding. Recognition is the key word. Recognizing and locating the level of conscious- ness. This guidebook may also be used to avoid paranoid trips or to regain transcendence if it has been lost. If the experience starts with light, peace, mystic unity, under- standing, and continues along this path, then there is no need to remember the manual or have it reread to you. Like a road map, consult it only when lost or when
igtiggggggggggiigggg^^ you wish to change course.
Recognitbn Set Goals
Recognizing ^}_T'^ Hinduism suggests four
and locating p°^^*"" 8°'^^=
the leV^el of ^* l^icreased personal power,
C0n5Ci0U9ie66. intellectual understanding, sharp- wmammmmmmm ^^ed — insight into self and culture,
improvement of life situation, acceler- ated learning, professional growth.
2. Duty, help of others, providing care, rehabili- tation, rebirth for fellow men.
Timothy Leary 57
3. Fun, sensuous enjoyment, esthetic pleasure, interpersonal closeness, pure experience.
4. Transcendence, liberation from ego and space- time limits; attainment of mystical union.
The manual* s primary emphasis on the last goal does not preclude other goals — in fact, it guarantees their attainment because illumination required that the person be able to step out beyond problems of personality, role, and professional status. The initiate can decide beforehand to devote the psychedelic experience to any of the four goals.
In the extroverted transcendent experience, the self is ecstatically fused with external objects, such as flowers or other people. In the introverted state, the self is ecstatically fused with internal life processes — lights, energy waves, bodily events, biological forms. Either state may be negative rather than positive, depending on the voyager' s set and setting.
For the extroverted mystic experience, one would bring to the session candles, pictures, books, in- cense, music, or recorded passages to guide the awareness in the desired direction. An introverted experience requires eliminating all stimulation — no light, no sound, no smell, no movement.
If several people are having a session together, they should at least be aware of each other' s goals. Unexpected or undesired manipu- ,.^^^^^______
lations can easily "trap" the other ^, ^^^ ,
voyagers into paranoid delusions. ,
preparation, the
Preparation ^^r^ ^f ^^'^
^ and ro/dsXory
Psychedelic chemicals are not the 5e66bn.
drugs in the usual sense of the word.
^ Your dravnh God
There is no specific somatic or psychological reaction. The better the preparation, the more ecstatic and reve- latory the session. In initial sessions with unprepared persons, set and setting — particularly the actions of others — are most important.
Long' range set refers to personal history, enduring personality, the kind of person you are. Your fears, desires, conflicts, guilts, secret passions , determine how you interpret and manage any psychedelic session.
Perhaps more important are the reflex mechanisms, defenses, protective maneuvers typically employed when dealing with anxiety. Flexibility, basic trust, philosophic faith, human openness, courage, interpersonal warmth, creativity, allow for fun and easy learning. Rigidity, desire to control, distrust, cynicism, narrowness, cowardice, coldness, make any new situation threaten- ing.
Most important is insight. The
^'''''''''''1''''''''^ person who has some understanding of
Insight \3 his own machinery, who can recognize
the \T\03t when s/ he is not functioning as s/ he
linportailt. would wish, is better able to adapt to any
■■■■■■■ challenge — even the sudden collapse of hir ego.
Immediate Set
Immediate set refers to expectations about the session itself. People naturally tend to impose personal and social perspectives on any new situation. For example, some ill- prepared subjects unconsciously impose a medi- cal model on the experience. They look for symptoms, interpret each new sensation in terms of sickness/ health, and, if anxiety develops, demand tranquilizers.
Occasionally, ill- planned sessions end with the
Timothy Leary 59
subject demanding to see a doctor. Rebellion against convention may motivate some people who take the drug. The naive idea of doing something "far out" or vaguely naughty can cloud the experi- ence.
Turn Your Mind Off
LSD offers vast possibilities for accelerated learning and scientific- scholarly research, but for initial sessions, intellectual reactions can become traps. "Turn your mind off is the best advice for novitiates. After you have learned how to move your consciousness around — into ego loss and back, at will — then intellectual exercises can be incorporated into ^^^^^^^^^ the psychedeUc experience. The "fum VOUr
objective is to free you from your ^|^^ ^^^ 1^
verbal mind for as long as possible. -j-hi*^ b^c^.-f-
Religious expectations invite the Sidvlccfor same advice. Again, the subject in wV\t\3it€3 early sessions is best advised to float with the stream, stay "up" as long as possible, and postpone theological interpreta- tions.
Recreational and esthetic expectations are natural. The psychedelic experience provides ecstatic moments that dwarf any personal or cul- tural game. Pure sensation can capture awareness, Interpersonal intimacy reaches Himalayan heights. Esthetic delights — musical, artistic, botanical, natural — are raised to the millionth power. But ego- game reactions — "I am having this ecstasy. How lucky I am! " — can prevent the subject from reaching pure ego loss.
60 Your ^ain Is God
Scheduling
The subject should set aside at least three days — a day before his experience, the session day, and a follow- up day. This scheduling guarantees a reduction in external pressure and a more sober commitment. Talking to others who have taken the voyage is excellent ■HHHi^Hi preparation, although the hallucinatory Albw tilDC quality of all descriptions should be recog- f(9l^ nized.
ra lection The day after the session should be set
^nd aside to let the experience run its natural
meditation, course and allow time for reflection and ■■■^■■■H meditation. A too- hasty return to game involvements will blur the clarity and reduce the potential for learning. It is very useful for a group to stay together after the session and share and exchange experiences.
Observe a Session
Observing a session is another valuable preliminary. Reading books about mystical experience and of others' experiences is another possibility. Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, and Gordon Wasson have written powerftil ac- counts, for example.
Meditation
Meditation is probably the best preparation. Those who have spent time in the solitary attempt to manage the mind, to eliminate thought and reach higher stages of concentration are the best candidates for a psychedelic session. When the ego loss occurs, they recognize the process as an eagerly awaited end.
Setting
First and most important, provide a setting removed from one's usual interpersonal games, and as free as possible from unforeseen distractions and intrusions. The voyager
Tmothy Leary 61
should make sure that s/ he will not be disturbed; visitors or telephone calls will often jar hir into hallucinatory activity. Trust in the surroundings and privacy are necessary.
Time of Day
Many people are more comfortable in the evening, and consequendy their experiences are deeper and g^,,^
richer. The person should choose the time of -ru^
day that seems right. Later, s/ he may wish to c^BGntisA experience the difference between night and thin^ 15 tO
day sessions. Similarly, gardens, beaches, Xg^i
forests, and open country have specific COmfort^plei
influences that one may or may not wish. The ■■■■■■■■■ essential thing is to feel as coinfortable as possible, whether in one' s living room or under the night sky.
Familiar surroundings may help one feel confident in hallucinatory periods. Ifthe session is held indoors, music, lighting, the availability offood and drink, should be consid- ered beforehand. Most people report no hunger during the height of the experience, then later on prefer simple, ancient foods like bread, cheese, wine, and fresh fhiit. The senses are wide open, and the taste and smell of a fresh orange are unfor- gettable.
Group Trips
In group sessions, people usually will not feel like walking or moving very much for long periods, and either beds or mat- tresses should be provided. One suggestion is to place the heads of the beds together to form a star pattern. Perhaps one may want to place a few beds together and keep one or two some distance apart for anyone who wishes to remain aside for some time. The availability of an extra room is desirable for someone who wishes to be in seclusion.