
The Ecstatic Imagination
Psychedelic Experiences and the Psychoanalysis of Self-Actualization
Dan Merkur(Author)
State University of New York Press
Published on 29. January 1998
Book
Paperback/Softback
226 pages
978-0-7914-3606-6 (ISBN)
Description
Presents the first comprehensive survey of the varieties of psychedelic experience since 1975.
The Ecstatic Imagination provides the first general theory of psychedelic experiences. Merkur refutes several theories that have been used to explain single categories of psychedelic experience, and offers instead a unitary theory that is applicable to all varieties. The book treats self-reports of psychedelic experiences as a wealth of neglected data which forms the basis to expand the psychoanalytic model of human imagination. An exhaustive phenomenology of the varieties of LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin experiences in Western and Native American cultures is joined together with psychoanalytic theories drawn from the classical, ego psychological, and object relations schools. Where existing theories prove inadequate to the discussion of data, original formulations are offered. The result is a rigorously psychoanalytic approach to the process of self-actualization.
The Ecstatic Imagination provides the first general theory of psychedelic experiences. Merkur refutes several theories that have been used to explain single categories of psychedelic experience, and offers instead a unitary theory that is applicable to all varieties. The book treats self-reports of psychedelic experiences as a wealth of neglected data which forms the basis to expand the psychoanalytic model of human imagination. An exhaustive phenomenology of the varieties of LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin experiences in Western and Native American cultures is joined together with psychoanalytic theories drawn from the classical, ego psychological, and object relations schools. Where existing theories prove inadequate to the discussion of data, original formulations are offered. The result is a rigorously psychoanalytic approach to the process of self-actualization.
Reviews / Votes
"The study of mysticism in the twentieth century has moved back and forth from those who posit a basic unity to the mystical experience to those who emphasize diversity. Those who favor the latter position have been somewhat in ascendance since the work of Steven Katz. But valuable as it is as a critique, Katz's position of seemingly irreducible diversity really does not have much positive to give us in understanding what the mystical experience may have to offer. Dan Merkur's typology is a real step forward in that he suggests that there may be a coherent overall pattern to heightened or altered states of consciousness. I am not saying that Merkur's work is 'the last word' on the subject. Au contraire, it is the first word in what should prove to be a very fruitful line of inquiry."- James Burnell Robinson, University of Northern Iowa"The book is well organized, clearly written, well researched, on a topic that is significant and interesting. The author reveals considerable insight into the subject matter." - Steven Katz, State Technical Institute at Memphis
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
322 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7914-3606-6 (9780791436066)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dan Merkur is Research Reader in the Centre for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. He is also the author of Gnosis: An Esoteric Tradition of Mystical Visions and Unions, also published by SUNY Press; Becoming Half Hidden: Shamanism and Initiation Among the Inuit; and Powers Which We Do Not Know: The Gods and Spirits of the Inuit.
Content
Acknowledgments
Preface
1. The Pseudohallucinogens or Psychedelics
2. The Apperceptual Phenomena
3. The Neurotic Phenomena
4. The Psychotomimetic Phenomena
5. The Narrative Fantasy Phenomena
6. The Creative Phenomena
7. The Unitive Phenomena
8. Communion in Native American Peyotism
9. Spiritual Transformation and Psychoanalytic Theory
Works Cited
Index
Preface
1. The Pseudohallucinogens or Psychedelics
2. The Apperceptual Phenomena
3. The Neurotic Phenomena
4. The Psychotomimetic Phenomena
5. The Narrative Fantasy Phenomena
6. The Creative Phenomena
7. The Unitive Phenomena
8. Communion in Native American Peyotism
9. Spiritual Transformation and Psychoanalytic Theory
Works Cited
Index