The Harvard Psychedelic Club

That is the neat and tidy synopsis from the cover of the book. The story, however, was intricate and colorful and incredible and bursting with so much fascinating juiciness throughout, it could barely be contained.

I cannot tell you if YOU will like this book, but I CAN tell you I couldn’t get enough of it. I read it cover to cover (which is a rarity these days) with pencil in hand to underline, highlight, and scribble in the margins. I didn’t feel like I was reading it, though… I felt like I was living it. I was transported to a different time and place (like when I listen to John Lennon.)

The author was SO thorough and journalistic in his two years of research, that every character and every event is fully fleshed out, complete with back stories, interesting trivia, and details of how each thing is related to another. It’s like soaking up irresistible gossip about people who were fascinating enough to begin with. Countless times I found myself thinking, “How in the world does he know all this?” It is mind boggling, really… but in a delightful, delectable way. I didn’t want it to end.

The biggest problem I have in reviewing a book like this is I don’t know how I could possibly do it justice. On one level it’s about these Harvard teachers and students who dropped a whole lot of acid in the sixties. But really, it’s not about the drugs. The drugs were merely a vessel they used to expand their consciousness, to shift their perception, to realize that everyone’s hangups are illusions… that there is more to life than what we see.

While I was reading one day, my 9-year-old son was dangling off the edge of the couch and said, “That’s why it’s fun to hang upside down, so we can see the world a different way.” THAT is what the LSD movement was really about (at least initially), and what this book so eloquently chronicles. These four men, with their unique contributions, “changed the way we view the world, heal ourselves, and practice religion.” (p.217)

For the record (and the curious), I’ve never tried drugs, not because I’m a goody-two-shoes (as I’m sure you know), but because I didn’t think I had the psychological constitution for it. I always felt I was one traumatic experience away from a nervous breakdown, and wasn’t willing to take the gamble. I’m a wuss.

The closest I’ve come to a drug-induced psychedelic trip is when I stop by Alex’s Unleash Reality, and his out-of-this-world metaphors leave me transformed.

With that in mind, I couldn’t believe how much I identified with each of these guys. It’s like I’m fighting their same fight… minus the mind-blowing drugs. I felt like I was part of a movement that started before I was born and hasn’t reached its full potential yet. Their mission blends nicely with my purpose at Quest for Balance, and I feel more inspired than ever to make a difference… to be a living example of love, compassion, kindness, and tolerance.

I don’t know about you, but I believe a book that can entertain and educate me, while leaving me with a sense of purpose and renewed optimism about the world and my role in it is pretty spectacular.

If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what you thought of it.

If you haven’t, you can purchase The Harvard Psychedelic Club using this link, knowing a small fraction of the sale will go towards supporting this site.

Have YOU read anything lately that changed the way you view the world?

Thanks!

The Harvard Psychedelic Club Blew My Mind is a post from: Quest for Balance

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Obstacles are tricky things…

If we think of someone pursuing a noble goal, like finding a cure for cancer, or trying for Olympic gold, then obstacles are merely tests of determination. Overcoming them shows commitment, resourcefulness, and an undeterred sense of purpose. If you focus on your goal, you can find a way around any challenge or complication.

On the other hand, if we consider a less than noble goal, obstacles take on a whole new dimension. For instance, if the objective is to feed an addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, online socializing, or the thrill of an illicit affair, the obstacles serve as a warning for you to stop, think, prioritize, and choose wisely.

Perhaps the first encounters with “the drug” were accidental… the normal course of things. After that, it was easy to come by; opportunities for indulging are everywhere. Every vice is OK in moderation, right? So one can understand how addictions begin.

But then obstacles start to appear, making it difficult, risky, or even dangerous to continue feeding the addiction. Maybe health starts deteriorating. Or family members begin getting concerned… asking questions… noticing a change. Maybe lies have to be told and hearts have to be broken in order to get to “the drug”.

WARNING!

This is the point where anyone with the slightest bit of remaining dignity or conscience would stop, and do whatever it takes to quit. To continue past the obstacles, in this case, shows weakness, lack of control, disregard for others, and even self-destructive tendencies.

“Never underestimate the potential of ego to lead one astray, no matter how hard you train or what your point on the path.” –P.T. Sudo

We should all strive to travel a noble path, and learn to recognize those moments when our mischievous inner child seeks to lead us astray. If we are paying attention, we will recognize those signs, acknowledge them, and make ourselves continue along our intended path.

Those very moments of distraction, temptation, and indulgence become the obstacles that test our resolve in our pursuit of a noble goal. It is imperative that we heed the warning to avoid “the drug” and do whatever it takes to return to what we know to be right. It may require a constant effort to steer clear of temptations.

This post is intentionally ambiguous. I use “the drug” to represent any addictive, self-indulgent, irresponsible, potentially damaging behavior. There are too many for me to list, but they all come from the same place (insecurity) and lead to the same result (suffering).

Even volunteering for an orphanage can fit this description, if you are spending so much time there that you are neglecting your loved ones as a result. Only YOU know what you value most, and which behaviors are threatening your priorities. Is it time to quit?

Are you on your intended path? Are you protecting what you love? Are the obstacles you are facing testing your resolve, or warning you to get back on track?

Stop. Think. Prioritize. Choose Wisely.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it with others.

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Tuesdays through Thursdays, comments are closed on Quest for Balance (here’s why). Feel free to contact me directly at:

MyQuestForBalance (at) gmail (dot) com.

Or, if you prefer, you can tweet me @Serene_Balance.

Merci!!!

(Photo 1, Photo 2)

Obstacles: Are They Tests or Warnings? is a post from: Quest for Balance

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I am not a health-nut, by any stretch of the imagination, and I do not come from a family with “skinny” genes. Let’s be clear about how much I dislike exercise: I would rather go to the dentist than to the gym; and keep in mind, I had my orthodontic work done in a third world country in the early 80′s, when anesthesia was a luxury few could afford.

It should also be noted that I love, love, love some not-so-slimming foods. If I thought I could get away with it, I would eat nothing but these three things:

• Breads – baguettes, pastries, bagels, tortillas, crackers, etc.
• Cheeses – preferably melted on the breads!
• Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream – one pint averages about 1000 calories of perfection.

And yet, I am still wearing the same size clothes that I wore in high school. I believe there are two reasons for this:

1. Money - I can’t afford to buy a whole new set of clothes the next size up. Nor can I afford to eat all the fancy (often fattening) pre-packaged foods I love, or going out to eat on any sort of regular basis. In short, when finances are slim, so is my waistline. That’s one good thing about this economy.

2. Mind Games - Whenever I am trying to decide whether to eat or not to eat, I play this little mind game: I try to discover which part of me is thinking about food. If it is, in fact, my stomach needing fuel, I look for “fregetables” (fruits or vegetables in a variety of colors.) Since I’m not very active, as noted above, usually one baked potato, Red Delicious apple, or bowl of broccoli can satiate my hunger. But sometimes, it’s not actually my stomach that is “hungry”. It could be my:

Brain – In this case, I am just bored and looking for amusement–something to DO. Instead of looking in the kitchen, I should look through my books or, better yet, tell my son I’m bored and you can bet he’ll come up with 10 things we could do together.

Heart – Maybe I am feeling sad or lonely, and I’m seeking the comfort of food. Since I feel bad about something (myself?) I want to find something that will make me feel better, even if it is only temporary. This one is responsible for most of my Ben & Jerry’s pints. Instead, I should call a friend, write in my journal, or read a motivational blog.

Joy – Conversely, maybe I just got really good news and want to celebrate. Most often we celebrate with food and drink; but does it have to be so? What if we celebrated by going out to the lake to feed the ducks and watch my son run around and play?

Nerves – Sometimes I am anxious or worried, like when my son was in the hospital, and I am just looking for a distraction. During these times I should definitely call a friend, write in my journal, or try to help someone else. When we focus on other people’s problems, ours don’t seem as daunting.

Wallet - On payday, it can be tough to resist the temptation to “treat ourselves” to a nice meal somewhere. Particularly if we spent the last week of the month scrounging through the old pantry items for something edible, waiting for the next paycheck. Instead, we should spend on our regular groceries, and put the rest in savings–or give it to someone in need.

I’m sure there are countless other reasons why we instinctively reach for food that have nothing to do with fueling our body with the nutrients we need. After all, food has become the accessible, affordable, and socially acceptable “drug” to treat all conditions. Is it any wonder our nation is struggling with obesity?

The next time you start craving foods, try to determine if it is really food you need… unless you are pregnant; in which case, eat whatever you want. =-)

Related Posts: Choose Wisely | Do You Seek Happiness or Pleasure?

Helpful Links: Lose the Buddha Belly | Eat Healthier

Further Reading: Eat This Not That! | In Defense of Food | The Omnivore’s Dilemma

How to Avoid Gaining Weight is a post from: Quest for Balance

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Bad habits are a lot like kudzu in that they tend to sleep, creep, and leap. For those of you unfamiliar with kudzu, I have included a lovely photo by Jack Anthony of Dahlonega, Georgia. This invasive weed and our destructive behaviors are also similar in the sense that you probably would rather not have either one–but we’ll stick to my primary analogy here.

At first, kudzu will “sleep”, taking a while to get firmly rooted. Similarly, our propensity toward certain bad habits or addictions often lays dormant for a long time, waiting for just the right conditions to start creeping in. At some point in life we all, inevitably, have to deal with stress, depression, grief, anxiety, or some other unpleasant condition. At those times, our dormant tendency starts to gain strength (laziness, overeating, smoking, etc.) as a coping mechanism.

Once kudzu starts to “creep”, it slowly reaches further and further, laying the groundwork to take over as much as possible. Likewise, our vices start to creep further into our lives. The occasional social drink or smoke becomes a daily ritual, because it helps us relax. The midnight snack becomes a midnight meal, and a snack between every meal, because it is the only way we feel comfort and pleasure. “I’ll just skip today’s workout because I’ve got a lot going on” becomes, “I know I haven’t exercised in six months, but I just can’t make myself go.”

This is the ideal time to do something proactive to take charge of the situation. If you are growing kudzu (which I do not recommend), now is the time to start training and shaping it; begin setting some boundaries to direct the way you want it to go. If you are developing bad habits, this is the best time to make changes to put your life back on track. Notice how far down this undesirable road you have ventured, and look ahead to where it will lead.

If it goes unchecked, kudzu will then “leap”, almost literally, over anything in its path. It is established, firmly rooted, and determined to have its way. At this stage it takes a constant, dedicated effort to keep it from taking over and completely ruining everything. It will take multiple battles, some of which you’ll lose, before things get under control. The evidence that it has been there often remains, as well as the perpetual possibility of its unwelcome return.

Bad habits, if ignored long enough, will become addictions and compulsions. That is not to say that change is impossible at this stage, but it will be considerably more difficult. In addition, by this point our destructive behaviors have most likely caused some permanent damage to ourselves, or to others.

If your bad habits have reached this level and are overshadowing the rest of your life, taking charge is long overdue. Seek support, enlist help, and prepare for a series of challenging battles. There is still hope; there is always hope. Some of the loveliest landscapes I’ve seen here, in rural Georgia, were once completely overrun by kudzu. Persistence and determination can yield wonderful results.

Kudzu and Bad Habits is a post from: Quest for Balance

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In one of my older Journals I kept a few reminders that at any given moment each decision I make can get me closer to, or further from, my goals. I need to make a dedicated effort to choose wisely. I need to embrace my free will in favor of spiritual growth and happiness. So I’d like to share that list here:

Choose Wisely: The Importance of Making Good Choices is a post from: Quest for Balance

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