Few have the knowledge to travel safely through the other worlds. Their knowledge of the souls and spirits allow them great influence where other mortals suffer disillusionment and confusion.
A philosophical exploration. The Phaedrus is a dialogue between Plato's main protagonist, Socrates, and Phaedrus. It was presumably composed around 370 BC, around the same time as Plato's Republic and Symposium; with those two texts, it is often considered one of Plato's literary high points. Although ostensibly about the topic of love, the discussion in the dialogue revolves around the art of rhetoric and how it should be practiced, and dwells on subjects as diverse as reincarnation and erotic love. The dialogue begins with a series of speeches on love; the second half consists of discussion on the nature and proper practice of love and rhetoric, encompassing discussions of the soul, madness and divine inspiration, and the practice and mastery of an art.
1) Make your trip purposeful. Journeys with a purpose will get you there. The spirits love to trick aimless wanderers, or rather aimless wanderers are more prone to be seduced by the many tricksters on the other side. Journeying with a clear intent in mind will keep you on the right path. 2) Leave from a safe place. You will be leaving your body behind. Make sure it will still be there when you get back, and especially do not let it be disturbed in your absence. Mentally cleanse the space you're in. 3) Journeys often occur spontaneously during illnesses, but don't think that making yourself ill will help you make a trip. 4) Ask for help. Don't be afraid to ask for directions or guidance. Thank those who help you. 5) Take a little extra time to ground yourself upon your return. Your mind will need it.
This is an ancient Egyptian funerary text known as 'The Book of Coming Forth By Day.' It was a description of the ancient Egyptian conception of the afterlife and a collection of hymns, spells, and instructions to allow the deceased to pass through obstacles in the afterlife. It was most commonly written on a papyrus scroll and placed in the coffin or burial chamber of the deceased.
The name 'Book of the Dead' was the invention of the German Egyptologist Karl Richard Lepsius, who published a selection of the texts in 1842. When it was first discovered, it was thought to be an ancient Egyptian Bible. But unlike the Bible, The Book of the Dead does not set forth religious tenets and was not considered by the ancient Egyptians to be the product of divine revelation, which allowed the content of it to change over time. About one-third of the chapters are derived from Coffin Texts.
Budge's translations and transliterations are extremely outdated and are not generally cited by modern Egyptologists.
This famous trio from Harvard University brought the Tibetan Book of the Dead into a Western context (what Leary called 'Psychedelic English') by showing how well the lessons of the Bardo Thodol matched the psychedelic voyager. The Psychedelic Experience is easily read and practical in nature.