In 'How to Achieve the Higher State of Mind and Spiritual Awakening With Drugs,' Aleister Crowley offers a daring exploration of the intersection between drug use and spiritual pursuits within the framework of Thelemic practices. Through a compendium that includes 'The Diary of a Drug Fiend', 'The Psychology of Hashish', and insights on cocaine use, Crowley provides a candid account of his psycho-spiritual experiments. These texts are not only reflective of Crowley's personal journey towards enlightenment but also serve as a testament to the author's complex relationship with substances, showcasing his literary flair and deep engagement with the shadow side of spiritual exploration within the early 20th century esoteric traditions.
Aleister Crowley, an enigmatic figure in the history of occultism and a prolific writer, drew from his extensive experiences with addiction and spiritual seeking to pen this collection. Intertwined with his addiction struggles was his quest for mystical understanding, and this work encapsulates his radical approach to achieving transcendence. It is a reflection of Crowley's life during periods dominated by heroin addiction and cocaine use, further colored by his dedication to Thelema-an esoteric philosophy advocating the pursuit of one's True Will.
This provocative anthology is recommended for the inquisitive reader seeking to understand the confluence of drugs and spirituality from the perspective of one of the most controversial occultists of the 20th century. It is a vital read for those researching the historical context of drug use in religious rituals and anyone fascinated by the ways substances have been integrated into spiritual practices. Crowley's accounts serve both as a cautionary tale and a historical record of one individual's exploration of the boundaries of consciousness through chemical means.
