Graham Hancock goes in-depth talking about how an Ayahuasca experience served to catalyze the end of his marijuana use.
100,000 years ago, Hancock argues, we became fully symbolic creatures and that–at this time in history–we can see the emergence of cave art throughout the world.
In parallel with this, Hancock claims, there is much evidence connecting the change in our species to being symbolic-beings and the emergence of human’s interrelation to the consumption of entheogenic plants
“I stand here invoking the hard-won right of freedom of speech, to call for and demand another right to be recognized. And that is the right of adult sovereignty over consciousness: there’s a war on consciousness in our society. And, if we as adults are not allowed to make sovereign decisions about what to experience with our own consciousness while doing no harm to others–including the decision to use responsibly ancient and sacred visionary plants–then we cannot claim to be free in any way.” –Graham Hancock
Ayahuasca made from a DMT containing plant and the MAO inhibiting ayahuasca vine–these two ingredients making up the most basic ayahuasca recipe; a recipe that results in a beverage which Hancock rightly describes as a very uncomfortable brew to drink and is therefore not a recreational substance. For him, the ayahuasca experience is not pleasant.
On the other hand, ayahuasca can serve as a powerful positive tool for personal development and change. That’s if you can handle the vomiting and discomfort associated with consuming ayahuasca.
Ayahuasca has even been shown to relieve many drug addicts–people addicted to cocaine, alcohol, heroin and other opiate derived substance–of their addiction.
At the Takiwasi Clinic in Peru, patients stay for about a month and go through 12 ayahuasca sessions for ayahuasca treatment; by the end of their stay, the patients are–over half of them–cured, for good, of their addiction(s).
Similar recovery rates were also shown by Dr Gabor Mate, who, in Canada, was treating addicts with ayahuasca until the Canadian government stopped his research and treatment because of the grey area, legally, that ayahuasca falls in.
In the experience of Graham Hancock, after many sessions of ayahuasca he stopped using marijuana–he had a nonstop cannabis habit for 24 years; he was permanently stoned, according to his own words. Yet in 2011, Hancock was given a kicking by Mother Ayahuasca and ever since the 2011 ayahuasca session in Peru, Hancock has ceased using marijuana.
In the below video, at around the 8 minute mark, Hancock begins to describe his experience with ayahuasca and how it liberated him from his marijuana habit. He calls it a personal transformation.
THE VIDEO BELOW NO LONGER (updated 3-18-2013) WORKS, underground upload so functions now but not official TEDx upload)–IT WAS CENSORED BY TEDx; BUT, BECAUSE GRAHAM HANCOCK AND MANY OTHERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CENSORSHIP (SEE INFO ON THAT HERE: http://www.disinfo.com/2013/03/graham-hancock-calls-out-teds-blatant-censorship/
“After due diligence, including a survey of published scientific research and recommendations from our Science Board and our community, we have decided that Graham Hancock’s and Rupert Sheldrake’s talks from TEDxWhiteChapel should be removed from distribution on the TEDx YouTube channel.” (SOURCE: ted.com)
YOU CAN NOW WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE LOCATION TEDx CREATED TO QUELL THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE CENSORING OF THIS TALK FROM THE WEB–video available again, at link below:
http://blog.ted.com/2013/03/14/open-for-discussion-graham-hancock-and-rupert-sheldrake/
You can also find updates on Hancock’s official page.
Post a comment on the TED website about their censorship of Graham’s “War on Consciousness” presentation:
http://blog.ted.com/2013/03/14/open-for-discussion-graham-hancock-and-rupert-sheldrake/
Background on the censorship scandal: http://www.grahamhancock.com/forum/HancockG5-TED.php
Follow Graham Hancock on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Author.GrahamHancock
Follow Graham Hancock on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Graham__Hancock
After describing his personal transformation, quitting marijuana due to ayahuasca, Hancock moves the conversation forward talking about the relationship of consciousness and the different models of consciousness: 1. from the current scientific material perspective 2. from the perspective that values dreaming and alternative states, using the ancient Egyptian framework as an example, including documented Egyptian use of a hallucinogenic blue water lily.
He goes to argue for, as the above quote states, the need in modern society–if we claim to be free–to allow adults sovereignty over their consciousness in any way they so choose.
Ayahuasca TV applauds Graham Hancock and supports his powerful and moving argument. Bravo. See it all for yourself in the video above.
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