Sacred Knowledge

What Hacker News says

1. staredMar 2026
   “To most people who are even moderately experienced with entheogens, concepts such as awe, sacredness, eternity, grace, agape, transcendence, transfiguration, dark night of the soul, born-again, heaven and hell are more than theological ideas; they are experiences.” - Thomas Roberts

   I recommend the book "Sacred Knowledge" by Willian Richards and the concept of cosmic unity (as the first "birth matrix") from "Realms of the Human Unconscious: Observations from LSD" by Stanislav Groff.

   There ideas are in every culture and religion.

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2. staredJun 2025
   I highly recommend the whole book "Sacred Knowledge" by William Richards (one of the author of the studies).

   “To most people who are even moderately experienced with entheogens, concepts such as awe, sacredness, eternity, grace, agape, transcendence, transfiguration, dark night of the soul, born-again, heaven and hell are more than theological ideas; they are experiences.” - Thomas Roberts

   This phrase is quoted in "Sacred Knowledge" by Richards, yet I find it the most suitable summary of this overview of scientific research on psychedelics and religion.

   We hear about mystical visions from LSD ("acid"), psilocybin ("shrooms"), and DMT from many "spiritual but not religious" people and self-proclaimed shamans. But how does it relate to vision by ordinary people (ones who never tired, and wouldn't try if it weren't for legal, scientific research)?

   And how does it relate to prayer, mediation, and mystical visions by Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus? How do monks and priests compare their psychedelic experience with their regular practice? Do they all turn to Zen Buddhism, or entrench in their religious background?

   Regardless if you are deeply religious, or a non-spiritual atheist, I believe you will reconsider a few things after reading this book.

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3. stevenicrSep 2019
   I was very impressed with the info in "Sacred Knowledge: by William A. Richards"

   There is so much info about many different issues that can be treated, and the info coming from the doctors / scientists at Johns Hopkins that's in the book, is awesome.

   I find it is a great bridge for those who are in the medical community / or lean towards not believing there is therapeutic uses.. scientific proof from JH is proof.

   However this book is also extra beneficial to those who already believe or understand some of the 'magical effects' - as it gets into some of the studies and some of the methods - and opens the doors to furthering the use in many ways.

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4. neomJan 2019
   There is sufficient evidence for both, and there is probably good reason to split them out (body and mind) and see them as different things that also work combined (body + mind). In this you might compare something like kambo to ayahuasca and ibogaine. They have many similar effects but have different ways of getting there (some more physical some more spiritual ,Kambo is probably not going to help with your childhood abuse, but it may help your high blood pressure, ayahuasca may help you process your childhood abuse and as a result lower your blood pressure.) If you look at something like 2cb vs lsd, lsd is found to be considerably more productive/creative than 2cb at subthreshold doses, but people often experience a much better "therapy trip" on high dose 2cb.

   Some great books are:

   The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide- James Fadiman

   Acid Test - LSD, Ecstasy, and the Power to Heal - Tom Shroder

   Sacred Knowledge - Psychedelics and Religious Experiences - William Richards

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5. beepboopbeepOct 2017
   >Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences

   Read that.

   thread
6. staredDec 2021
   “To most people who are even moderately experienced with entheogens, concepts such as awe, sacredness, eternity, grace, agape, transcendence, transfiguration, dark night of the soul, born-again, heaven and hell are more than theological ideas; they are experiences.” - Thomas Roberts

   This phrase is quoted in "Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences" by William A. Richards (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28121728-sacred-knowledg...), yet I find it the most suitable summary of this overview of scientific research on psychedelics and religion.

   We hear about mystical visions from LSD ("acid"), psilocybin ("shrooms"), and DMT from many "spiritual but not religious" people and self-proclaimed shamans. But how does it relate to vision by ordinary people (ones who never tired, and wouldn't try if it weren't for legal, scientific research)? And how does it relate to prayer, mediation, and mystical visions by Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and Hinduists? How do monks and priests compare their psychedelic experience with their regular practice? Do they all turn to Zen Buddhism, or entrench in their religious background?

   Regardless if you are deeply religious, or a non-spiritual atheist, I believe you will reconsider a few things after reading this book.

   Show morethread