Martin W. Ball's blog

Why Psychedelics Make Avatar More Sophisticated

Conspicuously absent from both the theatrical and DVD release versions of Avatar is the scene of the "Dreamhunt." It's inclusion, as originally depicted in the Avatar script and as an incomplete scene as a DVD extra, would have lifted the movie to a whole new, and more complex level. (more)

1-13-11
9 comments

Tags:

Energy, Ego, and Entheogens: The Reality of Human Liberation from Illusion

Martin W. Ball

Recently, I published an article criticizing Terence McKenna's lectures on DMT. The article generated a great deal of backlash and some serious questions. Now I'd like to follow up on the issue of human liberation from self-generated illusions. (more)

10-19-10
74 comments

Tags:

Terence on DMT: An Entheological Analysis of McKenna’s Experiences in the Tryptamine Mirror of the Self

Martin W. Ball

Terence McKenna's musings on DMT, with its machine elves and aliens, continue to influence explorers of altered states of consciousness. Yet, are his wild accounts ground-breaking, reality-shattering explorations? Or are they fantasy projections of his own ego, quite literally gambling with his life? (more)

6-28-10
104 comments

Tags:

Entheogenic Spirituality as a Human Right

Martin W. Ball

U.S. law sees "freedom of religion" as referring primarily to the freedom to believe and secondarily to the freedom to practice. However, something sorely missing from our legal protections is any recognition of the significance of direct spiritual experience itself, including with sacred plants. (more)

11-12-08
24 comments

Tags:

Voyaging to DMT Space with Dr. Rick Strassman, M.D.

Martin W. Ball

Dr. Rick Strassman, pioneering psychedelic researcher, discusses his new book, Inner Paths to Outer Space: Journeys to Alien Worlds through Psychedelics and Other Spiritual Technologies – as well as Zen Buddhism, psychedelics and spirituality, Old Testament prophecy and more in this fascinating interview. (more)