Issue 31: Best Of The Elevator
Our most-clicked-on links so far
Welcome to Issue 31! Although, as we said last time, we’ve decided to continue the evolution of the newsletter into essays focused on specific people and themes, we thought it would be fun to close our ‘digest of links’ phase with a ‘best of’ compilation of some of the links that were most popular in previous issues. Plus some random memes.
These are a selection of the most-clicked-on links, thanks to Substack analytics. We actually could have included a lot more, but these are surely more than enough to be getting on with for now.
We are working hard behind the scenes on the structure, vision and mission of what we want The Elevator to become, and will be making some announcements soon. The Elevator is not just a newsletter, it’s also a network and a think tank, and we are building partnerships in order to make that a reality.
So without any further ado, we present: a load of links and memes (in no particular order)!
The Telepathy Tapes: Ky Dickens with Dr. Mona Sobhani for The Leading Edge
This conversation, moderated by Tom Morgan, is with Kai Dickens, creator of the podcast "The Telepathy Tapes," and the neuroscientist Dr. Mona Sobhani, (who spoke in our Future Of Consciousness seminar). They focus on Dickens's journey with the—now massively popular—podcast, which explores the apparent phenomenon of telepathy among non-speaking autistic individuals. Dickens discusses the challenges of gaining acceptance (and funding) for this research, the powerful impact it has had on the lives of non-speaking individuals and their families, and the need for further scientific validation. The discussion also touches on the broader societal implications of acknowledging telepathy as a real phenomenon, and whether it could be a significant ‘falling domino’ in a wider paradigm shift.
As A Scientist, I Didn't Believe In Psychic Powers. Then I Experienced Something That Changed My Life
The psychologist Jeff Tarrant shares a personal experience that led to a shift in his beliefs about psychic powers: he encountered an American woman who spontaneously began speaking Amazonian tribal languages after a Holotropic Breathwork session. The encounter had a profound impact on his life and caused him to reconsider his materialist worldview and skepticism towards psi phenomena. He eventually laboratory tested many psychic mediums with EEG machines to find out what is going on in their brains, and wrote a book on his findings.
(There is a short video of Janet Mayer, the woman in question, here: American Spontaneously Speaking Amazonian Tribal Languages)
A Simple Question to Ask Yourself - by Matthew Green
Reflecting on our recent Future of Consciousness seminar, and particularly the session featuring Ashanti Kunene, Matthew Green writes about a concept which jumped out at him in the context of his role as ‘Toxic Workplace Survival Guy’: “misalignment with Self” — the question is, do we want to continue in a situation where we feel fundamentally misaligned? And how to regain our equilibrium and find our way back to ourselves?
The Horseshoe Theory of Psychedelics - The Atlantic
A maybe-surprising convergence of interests has emerged between some far-right MAGA supporters and the traditionally liberal proponents of psychedelic research, with both groups rallying behind figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed openness to psychedelics' therapeutic potential. Kennedy, a well-known anti-vaxxer, has become an unlikely ally to the psychedelic community, while even Trump has recently made comments on easing psilocybin research which have sparked hope among advocates. This unexpected alliance highlights the complex appeal of psychedelic-assisted therapy, which is gaining traction for treating mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and may ultimately lead to a reevaluation of US drug policies across the political spectrum.
Psychedelic Fascism: Too Big To Fail? - by Jamie Wheal
We don’t want to turn The Elevator into a ‘psychedelics newsletter’. But the fact is that a great many of the recent innovations in the consciousness space are currently in the orbit of ‘the psychedelic renaissance’. If you only read one article out of all those we recommend in this issue, make it this one, because as usual Jamie Wheal has his moral compass screwed on tight. You will see why I used the word ‘compass’ when you read it.
Secrets of Shambhala: Inside Reggie Ray's Crestone Cult
Be Scofield, a renowned cult investigator, turns her attention to Reggie Ray's Crestance Community in Colorado. Following in the (apparently rather corrupt) lineage of Chogyam Trungpa, it featured a unique blend of Buddhism, meditation, and personal growth, attracting followers seeking rapid spiritual transformation in the Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana tradition. Ray, a former Catholic monk turned Buddhist teacher, emphasized the cultivation of inner wisdom and "embodied" spirituality, often involving intensive meditation and energy work. However, concerns were raised about the cult-like dynamics, ‘crazy wisdom’ including the use sex and alcohol as spiritual tools, and financial exploitation within the community. Tami Simon, the founder of Sounds True, was also heavily involved.
My years in a cult that groomed children to have sex with adults
A lot of people saw the Netflix documentary ‘Wild Wild Country’ about Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Osho) and his sannyasins as they tried to take control of a small town in Oregon, with catastrophic results. But what was not mentioned in that series was the prevalence of child sex abuse within the organization. Rajneesh believed that in order to dissolve sexual shame, adults should not hide the fact that they were having sex with each other when kids were present. Yet this inevitably - once sufficient pedophiles found out about it - spilled over into the kids becoming sexually abused within the cult. This is a revealing interview with Ma Prem Sargam who, at the age of 12, found herself in a deeply traumatizing situation.
I now think a heretical form of Christianity might be true | Aeon Essays
Philip Goff, a philosopher and well-known advocate for panpsychism, has been re-examining his views on Christianity and is now considering the possibility that a non-traditional form of the faith might hold up to closer examination. While traditionally skeptical of Christian teachings, Goff has found merit in certain Gnostic ideas that emphasize a more direct and personal relationship with the divine. He is particularly drawn to the concept of unity, which suggests that individuals are interconnected in a fundamental way, and that this sense of shared humanity is at the heart of traditional Christian teachings. Goff says that both theists and atheists ‘hate me’, so we think he must be doing something right!
Manufacturing Bliss
Nadia Asparouhova goes into the ancient and modern history of the jhānas, and how a growing community in the Bay Area is exploring this meditation technique that promises transformative mental states without external substances. Originating from Buddhism, jhanas are eight states of consciousness that can induce blissful experiences which range from euphoria to peacefulness. Historically reserved for advanced meditators, jhanas have seen a revival, and the practice has gained traction among technologists and meditation enthusiasts, with companies like Jhourney offering retreats to teach these techniques. Despite skepticism and limited scientific research, early studies suggest jhanas may alter brain activity similarly to psychedelics. Jhourney's retreats report high success rates in achieving jhanic states, suggesting these blissful experiences might be more accessible than previously thought.
The 5 Stages Of A Relationship Every Couple Goes Through
A romantic relationship progresses through distinct stages, each marked by a shift in emotional and psychological dynamics. The initial "honeymoon phase" is characterized by intense excitement and infatuation, driven by dopamine and oxytocin release. As the relationship deepens, couples enter the "intimacy stage," where trust and vulnerability are established. The next phase, "power struggle," brings conflicting needs and desires to the forefront, often accompanied by feelings of frustration and conflict. If both partners navigate these challenges successfully, they may reach a period of "stable connection," marked by mutual understanding, respect, and a sense of security. Ultimately, some relationships may culminate in a final stage of "growth or decay," where couples must confront their differences and make choices about the future of their partnership.
The Integral Guide
This is a super-useful resource: the Obsidian notes of ‘Levi’ on everything he’s learned on his spiritual quest, all shared for free. Meditation, IFS, dealing with all kinds of challenges, even how to clean your kitchen.
How To Have TANTRIC S*X (L❤️VE At First Sight With The Capital L)
This is an extraordinary practical description from a couple, Pippa and Frank, of how to transmute sexual energy into pure love and wisdom. The people around them probably think they are narcissistically absorbed in each other, whereas the absolute opposite is true. Plus lots of cool imagery. It is SFW visually, but probably not appropriate for kids to listen to.
"Ego Death Meditation for the Masses is Wreaking Havoc." Wake Up, Sam Harris!
This video from the non-profit peer support organization Cheetah House highlights how ego death meditation is causing significant distress and disorientation among individuals without prior mental health issues, emphasizing the necessity of responsible guidance and disclaimers, especially when promoted through popular apps like Sam Harris’ ‘Waking Up’. Maybe going straight in at the deep end is not a good idea after all. Apparently Harris himself has recommended Cheetah House, and they have a whole page of stories about problems people have had after intensively using these apps.
Every Single Cell in Your Body Could Be Conscious, Scientists Say
Manasee Wagh proposes a radical new theory that cells, including those in the human body, are conscious and have been since the origin of life. He argues that cellular consciousness drove evolution and that our consciousness is an aggregation of the consciousnesses of our body cells and microbes working together. While not currently widely accepted, this idea could transform approaches to cellular bioengineering, disease treatment, and space exploration.
Superpowers may be real and science needs to study them | Essentia Foundation
Superpowers, often depicted in popular culture as superhuman abilities like invisibility and telekinesis, have long inspired myths and stories. Hans Busstra and Jeffrey Kripal explore the idea that these powers may in fact have a basis in reality, and advocate for scientific study to understand them better. “What if the humanities could scientifically investigate what happened when, for instance, Nikola Tesla had the visions that led to groundbreaking inventions? What happened when Einstein saw the principles of general relativity in a dream?”
Gail Bradbrook - A Personal Story of Psychedelics, Ceremony and My Journey in Extinction Rebellion
Gail Bradbrook shares her personal journey with psychedelics and ceremony within Extinction Rebellion, highlighting the significance of civil disobedience and the essential systemic changes needed to combat the ecological crisis. She discusses the transformative power of psychedelics particularly in her own journey to finding the ‘keys for social change’. Bradbrook also reflects on the role of self-work, intention setting, ceremony, and connection to nature in fostering personal and social transformation, advocating for mass debt refusal and strategic non-violent actions to instigate meaningful change and acknowledging the role of compassionate anger in driving societal progress.
Landmark study shows that ‘transcendent’ thinking may grow teens’ brains over time
This study, conducted by scientists at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education’s Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) reveals that engaging in "transcendent" thinking, which involves analyzing situations for deeper meaning and broader implications, may lead to the growth of teenagers' brains over time. This type of thinking goes beyond reacting to social situations and involves considering ethical, systems-level, and personal aspects. The research suggests that teens who engage in transcendent thinking show increased coordination between brain networks over two years, regardless of IQ or socioeconomic status, highlighting the potential impact of this cognitive approach on brain development.
Frank Herbert’s magic mushrooms and the psychedelic science behind Dune
Fascinating article exploring Dune author Frank Herbert’s long-standing interest in fungi (‘spice’ was apparently inspired by magic mushrooms and Herbert’s conversations with well-known mycologist Paul Stamets).
Psychedelics and Buddhist meditation - fastest path to awakening or water and oil? | Evolute Institute
The Evolute Institute explores the relationship between psychedelics and Buddhist meditation, examining the potential for psychedelics to enhance spiritual growth and inner exploration. While some contemporary Buddhist teachers may criticize the use of psychedelics for these purposes, the institute delves into the historical connections between Western thought leaders of Buddhism and their early experiences with psychedelics. We can draw parallels between psychedelic experiences and Buddhist concepts such as presence, equanimity, and acceptance, and see that maybe the two paths are not as divergent as they may seem.
The Happiest Man in the World has psychotic delusions
This piece in bigthink.com examines the case of Harry, a man with delusions who considers himself the happiest in the world. His situation presents a challenge to traditional psychiatric treatment, as his delusions, while concerning, bring him joy and a sense of connection. The story highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by mental health professionals in addressing such cases, emphasizing the importance of individual patient contexts and the potential positive aspects of delusions. This raises profound questions about the nature of happiness, reality, and mental health treatment.
How to Prepare Now for the Complete End of the World
A group living in Norway are learning how to live in the wilderness like Stone Age people. They are not necessarily doing this to prepare for a potential apocalypse, but because they enjoy it. The group is led by Lynx Vilden, who teaches a 10-day introduction to living in the wilderness. Her dream is to create a human preserve called the Settlement, where people can live off the land. Other rewilding groups are emerging where people are trying to replicate a hunter-gatherer community. The people who are part of these groups are often young and looking for a sense of community and purpose.
Cultural Hypnosis: Lessons from Amazonian Sorcery and Magic
Adam Aronovich explores the concept of sorcery and magic in Amazonian shamanism and its relevance to Western societies. He argues that Western culture is deeply enchanted by sorcery, particularly in consumerist societies, where advertisers and marketers manipulate symbols to convince people that they are incomplete and undeserving. Aronovich also discusses the perversion of magic by greedy advertisers, politicians, and mass media producers who manipulate symbols and facts to divide and control the masses.
“Our failure to understand sorcery and magic doesn’t stem from irreconcilable ontological differences or clashing worldviews. We fail to recognize sorcery because Western people are so used to it, so hopelessly enchanted by it, that we can’t even see it anymore. No culture in the world is so entrenched in black magic, so utterly enchanted by sorcery than our pre-apocalyptic, late-capitalist consumerist societies.”
Imagination as the ground of reality, with Patrick Harpur
In this video interview Patrick Harpur explains how, for him, imagination is even more fundamental than rational thinking, serving as the very ground of reality. He argues that the collective unconscious, which is filled with gods and daimons, has a profound influence on our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. He emphasizes that true knowledge requires initiation and engaged imaginative knowing, going beyond mere cognition and fact-learning. This perspective aligns with ideas found in Kabbalah and Hermetic philosophy, where reality is seen as hierarchical.
Esotericism & Transhumanism in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY | Film Analysis
This excellent video essay explores the themes of transhumanism and esotericism in the movie "2001 A Space Odyssey". It discusses the contrasting views of evolution represented by the Monolith and HAL 9000, as well as the concepts of consciousness, artificial intelligence, and the expansion of human capabilities through technology.
DMT Users Are Using AI to Draw the Strange Beings They Meet While Tripping
A new book compiles the experiences of people who say they've met extradimensional entities while on the psychedelic drug. David Jay Brown, a veteran psychedelic researcher, and artist Sara Phinn have teamed up to create a field guide cataloging the entities that people encounter while taking DMT. The guide profiles 27 entities, taken from personal experiences, reports from users, academic studies, and other reports of non-human entity contact: even including the infamous gray aliens! The researchers have been asking people what the entities look like, how they appear visually, their communications, and what the experience was like overall. They used the AI tool Midjourney to help trippers create images of the beings they have encountered, with the resulting book being a kind of bestiary of the ‘other side’.
Tracking Brain's "Wave of Death": New Insights into Neural End-of-Life - Neuroscience News
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the neurological process of dying. During anoxia, or oxygen deprivation, the brain undergoes a series of changes, including a massive release of glutamate and a surge in gamma and beta waves, potentially linked to near-death experiences. This is followed by a ‘wave of death’ – a high-amplitude wave marking the transition towards total cessation of brain activity. The study challenges the notion of a flat EEG as a definitive marker of ceased brain functions and provides a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms as death approaches.
Why Strange Things Sometimes Happen as Someone Is Dying
Strange experiences around the time of death can be categorized into two types: hallucinations and paranormal experiences. Hallucinations are caused by the brain's reaction to the dying process, while paranormal experiences are believed to be caused by spiritual or supernatural entities. The article cites various studies that have explored the relationship between paranormal experiences and belief in the paranormal. “As I observed the light, there was a feeling of stillness and spaciousness inside me. I felt as if a portal had somehow opened and I had entered a different reality. Then a nurse knocked at the door and entered the room, and I quickly switched back to a more normal state of consciousness.”
Do We ‘Exist’ Before We Are Born? A Woman Who Remembers Shares Her Story
The question of pre-birth existence is explored through philosophical and empirical lenses, referencing Plato's Meno and the concept of the eternal soul. Researchers like Jim Tucker and interviewee Susan Manewich contribute perspectives on reincarnation and personal memories before birth. The piece concludes that the idea of life before birth, supported by consistent accounts from those claiming past-life memories and ET/UFO contact, is worth serious consideration.
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